I know, when I entered Congress, I represent the 2nd congressional District of Illinois, and I had the highest rate of foreclosures in my area because of healthcare issues.

Thank you all for your testimony today and your patience. One thing I have to say, you know, we worked hard on--I wasn't here, but my colleagues worked hard on the Affordable Care Act, and I don't think there is a Democrat that would say…

How do we make sure that we're not piling on medical debt, lack of access to paid leave, student debt, high housing prices, and wages that aren't growing.

Family leave is not a magnanimous gift provided by unsavvy employers.

It's time that all of America's families, and our national economy, reaped those benefits.

I will continue to join with Chairwoman Maloney and others to fight for our Nation's civil servants and their right to paid family and medical leave.

We often think of paid leave as being important for new parents, but it's just as important for workers who need to care for a sick child, spouse, or relative or for themselves.

Black women and women of color are particularly at risk because the cosmetics products sold to them are often the most harmful.

Because of this, I am invested in working to reduce health disparities of vulnerable and minority populations, especially women and girls.

I was especially concerned to learn that with all the personal care products used by young women each day... these products may contain chemicals that cause endocrine disruption, or reproductive harm.

I am very concerned about the unknown impact of unsubstantiated cosmetic ingredients on women and girls across the country.

Congresswoman, you hit the nail on the head. That is so true. There have been so many studies that show you do better when the person who is helping you looks like you or is sensitive to your realities, your community, what you are really…

I thank Congresswoman Plaskett for yielding and for her continued leadership in advancing equity and access for all Americans. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to speak about something that is far too often ignored in our communities…

I think mental health gets put on the back burner, that people will talk about, ``Oh, my arm hurts,'' or this hurts, or that hurts, but they don't want to say, ``I am depressed,'' or ``I am down,'' or ``I need counseling.'' I sometimes…

Yes, I do. I have 1,200 farms. The other thing is, I have people in those areas who don't have cars. There are not buses and things like that, so again, they don't have the transportation or the means even to get out to go to, let's say, a…

Right. I think it is hard enough for us to go, and then, if we go and don't feel comfortable or feel like we are getting the respect or getting the care, the likelihood of us returning is not there. I mean, you would think that with…

Well, in some communities there is a lack of both physical and mental healthcare, but I think we still have to deal with the stigma that people don't see mental health as a part of healthcare. I know, in the Chicagoland area, right when I…

That is why we have the issue that you know I am very passionate about: maternal mortality and morbidity. Interestingly enough, yes, some happen before the full term, but some happen when the mom has the baby, and it also happens after the…

Economic, educational, you could be in the best physical health. Black women die at three to four times the rate of White women. But depending on which State you go to, the rates are higher. In my State of Illinois, it is six to one times…

Right. That would be devastating for our community for that to happen. When I think about my district, which is urban, suburban, and rural--

I thank the gentlewoman for her leadership. Anything I can do to help, of course, I am always here.

My Republican colleagues have suggested that earlier restrictions on abortion have become necessary because advances in medicine are moving the point of viability earlier and earlier.

So where is the compassion once you are born? That is the question I have?

We have not been able to get a gun violence prevention bill passed because we don't have the same basic compassion once the unborn fetus becomes a baby.

Governor Parson and Director Williams have repeatedly violated the trust of our community and compromised my patients' safety, all to push a political agenda.