Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the gentlewoman for her courtesies. However, I am particularly concerned as we move forward. This bill directly…”

“I thank the gentlewoman for her courtesies. However, I am particularly concerned as we move forward. This bill directly impacts the men and women who have unselfishly put on the uniform. I am grateful to the chair and ranking member for working together, but let me be very clear, we have an overall defense bill that is enormously challenging for the American people. First, it is important for them to know that the members of the United States military, women in particular--1 in 5 members of the military are women--will be blocked from reproductive services that are necessary. Those women, in particular, that live in the State of Texas will be blocked from achieving the reproductive health that they need. The LGBTQ+ community is also negatively impacted by healthcare. Mr. Chairman, this has nothing to do with military preparedness and should not be involved. In addition, the general has offered a commitment to electric vehicles, but yet this bill cuts $714 million. Mr. Chair, I rise today to say I do not want a government shutdown, but I would like us to do the right thing. Democrats don't want a government shutdown. We are obviously fighting against those who are getting direction from the former President who says to shut it down. I am very grateful that my amendment dealing with triple negative breast cancer is in this legislation. This is very important to me. It seeks to allocate $10 million to fund triple negative breast cancer research.…”