Joe Neguse: “Let me first thank my colleague from Puerto Rico, as well as the chairman and the ranking member for their support…”

“Let me first thank my colleague from Puerto Rico, as well as the chairman and the ranking member for their support, their partnership, and their leadership in helping facilitate this bill in its journey to the House floor today. I thank them all for eloquently articulating the reasons why I am such a strong supporter of this legislation and why I decided to introduce it with a broad coalition of lawmakers. I would be remiss if I didn't also say a word of gratitude to Representative Debbie Lesko, who has been my partner on this bill, as well as Senators Baldwin, Blackburn, and Bennet who are leading the bicameral legislation in the Senate, the companion bill. This bill, as you have heard, Mr. Speaker, is a simple bill but a profoundly important bill. It is bipartisan, and it is bicameral. Now, by way of background, and as the chairman articulated, I was proud to work on legislation in the 116th Congress that authorized the construction of the Women's Suffrage National Monument on Federal lands here in Washington, D.C. We secured the first outdoor statue in honor of the brave women behind the women's suffrage movement, a monument that will honor the contributions made by a diverse group of women in the fight for women's suffrage. This bipartisan legislation passed both chambers and was signed into law. This effort, Mr.…”