this resolution is a waste of time. Why do my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to stall the budget process? I thought that the clock was ticking for us to enact a balanced budget, which I support. In the rush to pass a fiscal…

we need to put together a budget. Every day Republicans force poor American families to balance their budgets or plunge into poverty. Meanwhile, as the deadline draws near for our national budget to be balanced, my colleagues on the other…

my colleagues, it is sad to admit it, but we live in a time of few heroes. Last week, we lost a modern-day hero who only months ago walked among us on this floor. Congressman Frank Tejeda has left us, but his spirit remains. What an honor…

I rise today, amazed by how far some will go to unravel our country. H.R. 123 should be called the Linguistic and Voting Deprivation Act, not the English Language Empowerment Act. Instead of providing language minorities with the…

we cannot pick up a newspaper, turn on the radio or television without seeing the names and faces of celebrities caught using sweatshop labor to produce their signature line of goods. Last month it was Kathie Lee Gifford; then it was…

I rise before the Members to introduce a crucial piece of legislation that is long overdue, the managed care bill of rights of 1996. Today I introduce this legislation in response to a repulsive and dangerous trend that is taking place…

finally, we get the chance to vote on an increase to the Federal minimum wage. Americans have been calling for a vote on increasing the minimum wage for months. In fact, 85 percent of America supports giving minimum wage workers their…

I could read it to the gentleman, but it does not say that it will require. It says that the housing authority may. That does not mean that we require them to grant an exemption, and that is precisely the difference between my amendment…

Mr. Chairman, the poor across this country have already been asked to pay an extraordinarily high price. Essential programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Workforce have all been put on the chopping block. At a time when society's most…

I rise today amazed by how far the Republican majority will go to keep hard-working Americans down. Instead of being the first rung on the ladder out of poverty, this housing bill kicks the ladder away. By repealing the Brooke amendment…

Mr. Chairman, as the representative of one of this country's largest public housing populations, I rise today to express my outrage to this bill. Many of the provisions in this legislation threaten poor families, the disabled, and seniors'…

We have heard the opposition claim that section 607 of the bill will keep illegal immigrants from receiving benefits. But current law already does that. The only thing that this section can claim to do is violate the Constitution and hurt…

Mr. Chairman, today every Member of this body has a chance to show their support for our children, not just immigrant children but U.S.- born children who are U.S. citizens. In a rush to show our constituents that this Congress can be…

I rise to take strong exception to the Republicans' proposed massive Medicare and Medicaid cuts. These cuts will hurt the most vulnerable of Americans, our children, our seniors, the poor and the disabled. Large reductions in Medicare…

Mr. Speaker, today I come to the well of this Chamber in strong opposition of to H.R. 7, the National Security Act. In pursuit of catchy campaign promises, the Republicans will risk our national security by forcing us to spend billions of…

Mr. Chairman, we in Washington have witnessed a stark display of hypocrisy over the last 2 days. Yesterday a few blocks from here 45,000 so-called pro-life demonstrators marched against reproductive freedom. They demanded the protection of…

before the Republican Party began rewriting history, it was widely thought that the people had entrusted the Federal Government with a number of basic responsibilities. First among them was the protection of its citizens and residents. The…

once again I find myself standing in front of this House defending the Freedom Of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. Enough time has been wasted with ridiculous and burdensome anti- choice delay tactics. More than 6 months have passed since…

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4296, the Assault Weapons Ban Act. As the Representative of one of the poorest districts in the country, I know what it's like for my constituents to live in constant fear of crime, and the violence…

I rise in strong support of the Racial Justice Act. Despite the Emancipation Proclamation of a century ago, and the enactment of civil rights legislation over the past 3 decades, minorities in this country continue to be shackled by…

I rise today in strong opposition to the balanced budget amendment. Mr. Chairman, I too am concerned about the Federal budget deficit. We must make every effort to realign our national priorities and focus limited Federal dollars on our…

I rise today in strong support of the alternative budget offered by Congressman Mfume on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus, in coalition with the congressional progressive caucus. Mr. Chairman, this alternative budget is not about…

I rise in strong opposition to the Rohrabacher amendment. Let's be clear about what we are doing here. This is not a simple effort to account for native born and immigrant children in our schools, as supporters suggest. This is not a…

hate crimes have become an all too common occurrence in our communities. From antisemitic attacks to race inspired murders, these crimes threaten not only our safety, but also the richness of our diversity and who we are as a people. More…

I rise today in support of the amendment offered by Mr. Romero-Barcelo. This amendment accomplishes exactly what the Chapter 1 Program sets out to do, it provides educational funds to the poorest districts with the neediest children…