Brenda Lawrence

How does cutting 2,000 workers during your tax season affect the quality of customer service that taxpayers expect when they call the IRS?

Since 2010, the actions of the congressional Republicans have drastically reduced both the IRS budget and your workforce.

If you're having an increasing number of tax returns with significant budget reductions, who in here is going to tell me that the IRS has any chance of being effective?

This seatbelt rule could have saved some of their lives.

I am concerned that the executive order will inhibit the permits ability to do that.

How many times do I have to hear 'Make America First,' and knowing that if we check the box on investment in our infrastructure, we know that we will build--we will make sure that we have jobs in America, creating a skilled workforce.

Where is the sense of urgency? Where is the sense that--how many times do we have to listen to experts?

I am impressed by this body displaying bipartisanship. It seems like all hands are on deck, but still we are in the same place of no action.

The Army Corps of Engineers has a backlog of $56 billion.

We are wasting 2 trillion gallons of treated drinking water.

Water should be a priority. Ladies and gentlemen, I represent Michigan, and what we went through with Flint...

As a former mayor, I just really want to say we should listen to our mayors, who are dealing with this issue every day.

The opioid epidemic is one of the Nation's foremost health crises. And coming from Michigan in 2015, I am so passionate about this.

If we are to do our job, as Congresswoman Foxx said, to teach our students how to think, that must be left in the hands of those on campus who are best equipped to make those decisions.

And, please, I would like to get a report from you. And when you say we need more money, what does that mean?

When it comes to safe drinking water in America it is not a partisan issue, it is not an administration issue.

So if it's outside, who has respond--who does that person report to?

I offered up an amendment that requires the committee to investigate what I feel is a blatant conflict of interest regarding the Trump Hotel.

If we say you are going to do your time and pay for the crime that you commit, we should be committed to ensuring that this person does not return.

Those type of programs are game changers, and we need to step up.

I have consistently said that in America, I still believe in the American Dream, that ladder to success.

We can make a difference in America with stopping this industry of private prisons.

If you do not educate a child, how can you expect them to climb the ladder of success or opportunities in America?

Union representatives can also assist if it is an OSHA issue, if it is racial discrimination, or sexual harassment. Instead of allowing employees to complete nonpolitical activities, some of my colleagues seem more interested in preventing…

The investment in our water infrastructure should be a priority, based on the fact it is a basic human need.