On February 10, 2014, I was unavoidably detained attending to representational activities in my congressional district and thus unable to return in time for rollcall votes 55 and 56. Had I been present I would have voted as follows: on…

Yesterday in the Judiciary Committee, we had a very vigorous hearing and discussion on the questions of the National Security Agency and privacy for the American people. I have introduced H.R. 2434, the Civilian Contractors Engaged in…

Hunger is not an option. And although there were many elements of the farm bill that, over the years, I have supported enthusiastically as a Representative from Texas--and I thank all of those who produce food--it is a question of taking a…

Our leader is right. Our message today should be to be able to help the chronically and unemployed individuals who have worked and are now in need of an extension of the unemployment benefits. Instead, today, as we pass H.R. 7, we will be…

That is very kind, sir. If, for example, you have pretax money for health care or a health savings account, you are taken care of, but if you live in the District of Columbia and you want to use local funds, you are left along the highway…

Let me thank the gentleman who has served on this committee of opportunity, equality and justice for his entire career, among other committees, in the United States Congress. Let me thank the manager and chairman of the Judiciary…

The President is going to address this House and this country with great enthusiasm about the work that he has done with his Cabinet, Democratic Members of Congress, and others who have worked with him to make America better. He will able…

In a few minutes, I will join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss a very important topic that has long been one of our crucial issues proliferating now across America and around the world--income inequality--but I…

Let me thank the distinguished coleader of the task force in presenting our case to the American people, the distinguished gentleman from New York--and I say it with great affection and respect--and his coleader, Mr. Horsford, the…

Today I rise to plead for the restoration of food programs like SNAP that have been targeted for reduction by billions of dollars due to sequestration and direct cuts. In 2013, according to the Houston Food Bank's ``Map the Meal Gap''…

Somewhere in America a young child will not be able to see their immigrant parents come home this evening. In every State in the Union, there are individuals that are undocumented that simply want an opportunity to work and dream here in…

Let me thank the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Horsford) and Mr. Jeffries again both for convening the Congressional Black Caucus, under your leadership and the leadership of our chairwoman, the honorable Marcia Fudge, and to be joining here…