Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in fierce opposition to H.R. 4364. I thank the chairman, but I specifically thank our ranking member for allowing me to speak. This totally eliminates the funding for the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion. As former chair of the first-ever House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion, I have long been an ardent and vocal champion for diversity and inclusion. As stated in the 116th Congress, the House Office of D&I was created to cultivate a workplace at the United States House of Representatives that reflects the rich diversity of the districts and the constituents we represent. While I heard what the chairman says, the records do not reflect that in the talent development office. This office also helps place numerous diverse applicants into staff positions on Capitol Hill. It is critical because, in a 2019 House office study, it found that 70 percent of House employees at that time were White, demonstrating in statistical terms the stunning lack of diversity among House employees. The Republican effort to eradicate the $3 million in funding for this office is yet another shortsighted attempt to turn back the clock and to undo the hard-fought gains won by Congress, the people's House.…”