On the recordMay 16, 2019
Let me, too, add my appreciation and congratulations to Head Start, a very viable program, not only in my district, as I watched little children become empowered with education, but also around the Nation. I congratulate all of those who were engaged in its beginning, and I thank them for their brilliance and their leadership. I rise today to say that we are troubled because the work of this body is to legislate on behalf of the people of the United States. We are, in fact, the people's House, and we have done our work. We have passed disaster funding. Those of us who are, if you will, the remnants of various hurricanes in the 2017 season--in particular, those that impacted the East Coast, Puerto Rico, Houston, and the State of Texas--are waiting for disaster funding, which we have done. We are waiting for the Violence Against Women Act to be passed. We are waiting for the universal background checks to be passed. We are waiting for protecting people against losing their preexisting condition coverage and, of course, lowering prescription drugs to pass. All that has been passed in this House. We are waiting as we begin to debate the Equality Act that will have a blind eye to anyone's difference and be able to celebrate them and support them without discrimination. Where is the other body? Why haven't they passed a bill in 3 months? Why can't we do the work for the American people? It is time to get the job done. ____________________
