Bonnie Watson Coleman

Today, low-wage workers across the country rallied in small towns and big cities. Their request is very simple: a livable wage and the right to organize. This isn't rocket science. These folks turn on the news and see reports on stock…

Congressman, it has been an honor to share this moment with you in this Special Order hour. It has been a blessing to me. Texas is very, very lucky and very fortunate to have you as a Representative. Florida must be very proud because you…

How much time is remaining? The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Westerman). The gentlewoman has 15 minutes remaining.

Thank you very much to my esteemed colleague from New York. I am new to Congress, and I have had quite a few occasions to come to the floor and talk about issues that are very pressing to my community and to me. I stand here as an African…

I haven't been in this office very long, but it doesn't take long to pick up certain patterns of my Republican colleagues. They find a way to hamstring immigration reform or prevent women from getting the right to choose at every possible…

In each of these three instances that we have been discussing today, but for Mr. Mayorkas' intervention, the matter would have been decided differently.

I can wait for another round.

I think that this is an unusual situation.

I just ask for consistency.

Earlier today, my colleagues and I debated and passed a budget about which I have quite a few concerns. Budgets are statements of values. They should map out the priorities we have for our Nation. The resolution that the House adopted…

So you did have interaction with people you were seeking counsel from at the counsel level or at your level or above.

That is why there is a chain of command and why certain decision levels are vested in certain positions as opposed to lower-ranking individuals.

Well, are those the ones that are below you in the system, that were below you in the organizational chart?

Well, that in and of itself may not mean anything more than additional information upon which to make a decision was being offered at that time. That doesn't suggest that anything illegitimate took place.

But do you have proof that there was indeed contact directly between Mr. Mayorkas and Mr. Rendell?

It is inappropriate for me to engage in this discussion with you in this manner, so I shall yield any further discussion.

I just want it stated for the record that I really don't understand the necessity of swearing in the deputy secretary.

I most assuredly want us to exercise our responsibilities under the Constitution and under the organization of this committee, to exercise our oversight rights.

I am just interested in consistency. That is it. Thank you.

I do believe, however, I look for fairness and justice and equality as we undertake those important decisions and issues.

I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan. Mr. Speaker, with more women as the primary breadwinners than ever, it is important to point out that two-thirds of the minimum wage workers are women. Women are notoriously underrepresented with…

I want to thank the gentlewoman, my colleague from Illinois, for providing this opportunity for me to share with you this evening. I am also honored to join my Congressional Black Caucus colleagues on the floor as we celebrate Women's…

I appreciate the fact that you are talking about not just one administration, but just sort of the evolution of the issues.

To suggest that all we need to do is find a bunch of people, or a couple of countries that are going to be working with us, and think that that is sustainable I think is just sort of naive.

I think that the problems with an accidental situation just as terrible as an intentional situation.