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SUPPORTING CUBAN PEOPLE
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 4, 2021, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina
(Mr. Rouzer) for 30 minutes.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in absolute and unequivocal support of the Cuban people protesting their evil and oppressive Communist regime. Unfortunately, there is nothing new about their brutality and willful violations of universally recognized human rights. The United States should make it very clear that we stand on the side of the Cuban people as thousands have joined one of the biggest anti-Communist demonstrations the country has witnessed during its 62-year dictatorship.
Since the protests began, hundreds have been detained or are missing, including: artists, peace activists, and priests. The Cuban people deserve and need our help. In the words of the late Senator Jesse Helms:
The United States must speak out clearly on behalf of those whose own voices are choked by Communist repression.
Despite what many of our own people have been brainwashed by our education systems to believe, America is the greatest force for freedom and liberty that the world has ever known. I implore this administration, the Biden administration, and this Congress to utilize every tool of the U.S. Government to support the Cuban people in their effort to defeat the Communist regime and break the shackles of its oppressive government.
Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).
Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, I would like to address the Chamber on what I believe is the biggest crisis facing America today. I spent last week down at the McAllen section of the U.S.-Mexico border, and what I saw horrified me.
Late at night, from 10 to 11 o'clock, I watched people from all around the world walking on a pathway from the Rio Grande River to the Border Patrol station. We are right now at a point where I believe over 70,000 people a month are being allowed in the country. Many of these people have no ID at all, so there is no way to confirm who they are, to even see if they have a criminal record.
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Upon being processed through the border station, even without an ID, we buy them plane tickets for all around the country.
Scandalously, at a time when we are talking about COVID again, even if they test positive, people are held in apartments or hotels and not guarded, so they turn around and are being released. At a time in which we are supposed to be more careful than ever, we have a situation in which people who are coming here illegally are allowed in the country.
Furthermore, we watch as we have hit new records for the number of people who are killed in this country by illegal drug overdoses, including fentanyl. We are up to 90,000 people in the last year. I believe the reason we are hitting all-time records is because, as bad as heroin is, fentanyl is far worse. And all or virtually all of that fentanyl is coming across the southern border.
Meanwhile, we cede control of our immigration policy to Mexican drug gangs. These gangs charge, depending upon where you are coming from,
$3,000, $10,000, $20,000 to come across the border. They are so heartless that it is not uncommon that if Border Patrol approaches them on a boat from the Mexican side to the American side, whether it is with people or with drugs, they will throw a 3- or 4-year-old child into the Rio Grande River, knowing that our Border Patrol will fight to save that child rather than go after the people sneaking in the country or going after the drugs. This is the brutal type of people we are assisting by continuing the current policy or lack of a policy.
I strongly urge the Biden administration to step up to the plate to make sure that COVID-positive people are no longer let into the country; bring back the old policy, the migrant protection protocol, when we had only 6,000 people a month rather than 70,000 people a month crossing the border; require some sort of photo ID, like every other American would have before they get on an airline.
Good grief, who knows what type of criminal records these people have. Of course, we can only check criminal records in the United States. Nobody has any idea if these people have horrific criminal records in Honduras, El Salvador, Brazil, or all the other countries that people are coming here from.
Madam Speaker, I strongly encourage the Biden administration to step up.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Gimenez).
Mr. GIMENEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the freedom fighters in Cuba and against communism, the very system of social, political, and economic oppression that has brought misery, poverty, and death to the Cuban people.
As the struggle of the Cuban people continues, I am calling on President Biden and his administration to take decisive measures in support of the Cuban protestors.
Specifically, I am calling on him to: condemn the communist Cuban regime for their decades of oppression; condemn the communist Cuban regime for any acts of violence against peaceful protestors; condemn the evils of communism that have led to misery, poverty, and stifled basic and fundamental human rights; support the mission of the protesters in Cuba, which includes establishing free and democratic elections, releasing all political prisoners, and establishing a free and independent press; and commit to the United States continuing its policy of maximum pressure on the communist Cuban regime until fundamental democratic reforms take hold.
On a personal note, I immigrated to this country with my family when I was a young boy, just 6 years old. I lived through the indoctrination curriculum in elementary school. I witnessed my birth country crumble to the woes of communism. Luckily, my family and I had the opportunity to immigrate to this great country.
In just one generation, my family went from Cuba to Congress. I believe with all my heart and soul that in no other country in the world is that achievement possible.
I am heartened to see my fellow Cubans on the island wave the symbol of freedom, our American flag, as they demand the same freedoms that we take for granted.
For that reason, I will always stand firmly on the side of all who yearn for freedom and democracy.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford).
Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to share my concerns for the crisis we are seeing at the southern border and the obvious unwillingness of the Biden-Harris administration to provide solutions.
Illegal border crossings are at their highest level in two decades. Yet, this administration not only won't address it; they actually exacerbate it because they cut the CBP budget over $900 million.
In June alone, border agents actually encountered over 188,000 people at our southern border. Madam Speaker, that is a 450 percent increase over last June.
Madam Speaker, the Biden administration created this invasion, this border crisis. This year alone, over 80,000 kids have crossed the border, with 15,000 remaining in government custody.
Fixing the crisis at the border requires an investment in manpower, infrastructure, technology, and strong policy. That is why I asked this body to plus-up $300 million in next year's budget for Operation Stonegarden, to reimburse border States like Texas that are actually stepping up at the State level to provide security for their constituents.
We must finish the wall, reinstate the remain in Mexico policy, and never bring back catch and release, which the Biden administration is rumored to be bringing back in the coming months.
A strong America begins and ends with a strong, safe, and secure border.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from North Carolina has 20 minutes remaining.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Carl).
Mr. CARL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the horrible inflation crisis we are seeing in this country.
I can remember back to the terrible inflation period of the 1970s, and I always hoped we would never return back to those times. Unfortunately, what I see coming lately, it is looking very similar.
With the lifting of the pandemic restrictions and the increasing rate of vaccinations, many Americans are getting back to their normal routine. Many are dining out, traveling, and enjoying social events again.
While this is great news, virtually every American is noticing a massive increase in the price of nearly everything because of the unprecedented inflation caused by the Biden administration's reckless spending and willingness to pay people to sit at home instead of work.
Inflation has increased every single month since Biden has taken office. The Consumer Price Index has increased more than 5 percent over a year ago, which is the largest jump since just before the 2008 financial crisis.
Gas prices have increased 45 percent compared to last year; food prices have increased more than 2 percent; and consumer prices overall are up near 5 percent.
While these numbers may not concern President Biden, they are absolutely killing the working class. The Biden administration's failures have real consequences, and his policies are crushing the working- and middle-class families across Alabama and throughout our Nation.
The working class is the backbone of this Nation, so I urge President Biden and my colleagues across the aisle to get serious about addressing this crisis and get to work building the economy that benefits all Americans.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee
(Mr. Rose).
Mr. ROSE. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight because I am outraged by the Biden administration's lack of effort to protect our Nation from the invasion of illegal immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.
I have visited our southern border twice now this year, and I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, it is a full-blown catastrophe on every front: humanitarian, national security, and public health.
President Biden's irrational reversal of the Trump administration's border security policies, like canceling construction of the border wall, reversing the remain in Mexico policy, and sending mixed messages about America's southern border, is why we face this unmitigated disaster today.
There has been a surge of crossings, with more than 188,000 border crossings reported in June, a 450 percent increase from just a year ago.
On top of that, more than 7,500 new COVID cases were reported in detention centers from April through the beginning of July--a surge at the border, a surge of COVID.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have seized 7,450 pounds of fentanyl so far this year, enough to kill every American several times over, and it is just getting worse.
States across the country are feeling the consequences of the border crisis, including my home State of Tennessee. Although our State is 1,000 miles from the southern border, Tennesseans will bear the brunt of this disaster in many ways, including in our school systems, healthcare systems, and police departments, as planeloads of illegal immigrants are offloaded in our communities.
We must reestablish law and order at the southern border by finishing the border wall, fully reinstating the remain in Mexico policy, robustly implementing title 42 authority, and sending a clear message that our borders are not open to illegal crossings.
When it comes to the border crisis, Americans, including Tennesseans, are looking for leadership, not denials, deflections, and distractions from our sleepy leaders in the White House.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California
(Mrs. Kim).
Mrs. KIM of California. Madam Speaker, Americans are seeing the impacts of inflation every day, with rising costs everywhere from the gas pump to the grocery store. California workers and families are bearing the brunt of this nationwide, 13-year inflation high.
Prices of everyday goods in my State are, in many cases, higher than the national average. For example, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in California's 39th District is more than $1 higher than the national average.
Additionally, these higher costs come in addition to high State and local taxes, cost of living, and astronomical housing costs. June statistics showed the median housing price in my district rose more than 20 percent, with the median price of a single-family home being more than $800,000.
That is why I am disappointed that instead of working with Republicans to address inflation, get Americans back to work, and support small businesses, Democrats are moving forward with trillions more in Federal spending on a partisan wish list that will cause increased Federal debt, an even higher cost of living, and more money out of the pockets of hardworking taxpayers.
We should be making life more affordable, not less.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Arizona
(Mrs. Lesko).
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I want to talk about the border. I live in a border State. I have been to the border a number of times. But last week, I got to go to the border again in Nogales, Arizona. I can attest firsthand that there is a crisis at our border.
I talked to Customs and Border Patrol agents and other officials, and they all have said that this is the worst that they have seen it in their entire career, and some of them have worked for 30 years for Customs and Border Protection.
I went down in a tunnel with the CBP officers, and it smelled. There was trash everywhere. And these Customs and Border Protection officers have to monitor the tunnels for human trafficking, sex trafficking, and drug trafficking.
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At one of the ports of entry in Nogales, the Mariposa port of entry, they have seized, in the first 12 days of July, 500,000 fentanyl pills. Do you know how many people that can kill?
I call on the Biden administration to do something about the border crisis. The policies that he has set forth are causing this problem.
I visited parts of the border fence where there are just big openings, but the material is laying there right on the ground. We have already paid for it. This is insanity. It is total insanity.
I also heard that the Biden administration wants to repeal title 42, which is the one thing that is causing it from being more of a disaster.
Madam Speaker, I ask Mr. Biden, Kamala Harris, Democrats, please help us secure the border.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia
(Mr. Wittman).
Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, our Nation should be in the midst of a booming economic recovery.
Unfortunately, what we see is the exact opposite.
Throughout my time in Congress, I have consistently warned against wasteful government spending, and the real harm that it would cause not only to our economy, but to the everyday lives of Americans.
And this was even before President Biden began pushing through this reckless government spending agenda that will raise taxes on American families, destroy jobs, and saddle future generations with a massive debt.
It has also created another crisis: inflation--something House Republicans warned would occur as a result of the President's massive increase in government spending and mismanagement of the economy. Inflation is a tax on all Americans, and it has increased every month since President Biden took office.
The Consumer Price Index increased 5.4 percent from a year ago. This is the largest jump since just before the 2008 financial crisis.
Business owners are worried. Nearly half of America's small businesses have no choice but to raise their prices because the cost to do business is skyrocketing. And that means consumers end up paying more.
The Biden administration has attempted to downplay the harmful effects of inflation, claiming it will resolve itself in the next few months, but top economists project that inflation is here to stay.
Worse yet, now our Democratic colleagues are attempting to push through a partisan $3.5 trillion package that is nothing more than a reckless tax-and-spending spree, which will indeed stick more families with higher taxes and lower wages.
Madam Speaker, make no mistake about it, these are not just numbers. Americans across the country are spending more money on everyday goods and services.
Now more than ever it is critical that we are supporting our workers and families and making sure they succeed. We should be focused on supporting policies that create more jobs, spur growth and innovation, and put more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans.
The President's and our Democratic colleagues' plans are doing the opposite.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois
(Mrs. Miller).
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, in October of 2019, California passed legislation requiring public universities to provide chemical abortion pills to female students starting in 2023.
Chemical abortions have increased. Actually, it has skyrocketed in the past 20 years from just 5 percent in 2001 to 39 percent of all abortions in 2017.
We want women across the country to know that we are there for them as a pro-life movement, and there are so many other safe options other than choosing abortion.
Congress must act now, not just to protect innocent babies from abortion, but to protect the vulnerable women from the lies of the abortion industry and the potential horrible physical, emotional, and spiritual damage of having a chemical abortion.
This is why I have joined Congressman Chip Roy and Senator Steve Daines in introducing the Protecting Life on College Campus Act.
The Protecting Life on College Campus Act would uphold the Hyde amendment and prohibit Federal funds to go to universities that provide chemical abortion pills to students.
This would be another step in the right direction to save the lives of the unborn and protect the safety of women and our families.
The fight for life in the United States has never been more important than today. For the first time in 40 years, the Hyde amendment was excluded from the spending bill introduced in Congress.
Further, it was even cleared by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Health and Human Services.
The rest of my Republican colleagues and I are ready to fight and demand that Hyde be reinstated into this year's bill.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Baird).
Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, today I rise to express my support for the Cuban people.
After decades of enduring an oppressive Communist regime, the people of Cuba deserve freedom.
Last week, we watched as Cubans proudly waved the American flag through the streets and peacefully advocated for the freedom our flag represents.
Unfortunately, as Cubans marched, many of my colleagues across the aisle have remained silent or, worse, they have wrongfully blamed the United States or even suggested these protests were in response to COVID-19.
Let me be clear: The embargo isn't responsible for young children who have been forced into joining the police force. The embargo isn't responsible for cutting off internet access. It is the failed Communist system, a system so full of corruption and greed that medicine, food, and gas shortages are sadly the norm.
Crowds chanting ``Freedom'' and ``Down with the dictatorship'' are clear cries for relief from six decades of suffering.
History has shown us that communism has always failed, leaving those who must live under its restrictive rule to suffer.
I have witnessed these atrocities and failure of communism firsthand, and I have dedicated my life to fighting against it.
I am proud to stand in solidarity with the people of Cuba as they fight to end the Communist rule that has ruined their nation. I hope my colleagues will consider doing the same.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time remains?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman has 5 minutes remaining.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas
(Mr. Hill).
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of a free Cuba. As the Cuban people cry out to the free world for democracy, communism works relentlessly to silence their voices through violence and censorship.
Among my best friends growing up in Arkansas were the wonderful Villalon family, who fled Cuba and escaped the tyranny of Castro. I was best friends with the kids in elementary school. The father of the family was a leader in our church and our Boy Scout troop, and the mother was my Spanish teacher.
The Villalon family had the opportunity to grow up in a free country, one that provided jobs, opportunities, and freedoms that every human should have access to. Unfortunately for my friends in Arkansas, it took them fleeing their homeland and escaping the grips of communism to get a taste of the freedoms that we Americans enjoy each and every day.
During my career I have seen firsthand the systematic destruction of commerce, community, and human spirit by communism.
So, Madam Speaker, I stand with the Cuban people, and I call on our Nation's leaders to do what we can to support a new and free Cuba.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California
(Mr. LaMalfa).
Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, Americans everywhere are feeling the real effects of inflation due to the Democrats' reckless spending spree.
Basic and time-tested economics show that more money in the marketplace leads to inflation, especially when it is created by new debt.
Families across the country are paying $10, $20, $30 more on groceries each week. Gas prices are up nearly 50 percent.
Remember the ads for the $6 burger that used to be $3.99? You used to see it on TV. Well, they are actually going to be $6 pretty soon the way things are going.
Democrats claim that they are working for the American people. Their policies are, in fact, hitting middle-class families hard. The American people are noticing.
It is no coincidence that inflation has increased every month during the Biden administration. They need to understand that all the money they keep spending directly and negatively impacts real Americans.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann).
Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the troubling impact that inflation is having on the American people.
Raising a family during good economic times is hard enough, but times of high inflation make it even more difficult. With prices rising at paces not seen since 1991, families are being forced to make tough decisions and stretch their paychecks even further.
During his Presidential campaign, Joe Biden promised not to raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000 per year. However, his spending habit is fueling inflation, which is a tax on every American. In fact, it is worse than an ordinary tax because it is regressive, hitting the working class the hardest.
President Biden and Democrats would have the American people believe that debt doesn't matter, and that the government can spend an endless amount of money on whatever they like. However, that could not be further from the truth.
To stop the cost of things from accelerating even higher, we must end our spending addiction and get the national debt under control.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time we have remaining?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman has 1\1/2\ minutes remaining.
Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I yield the remainder to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce).
Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to stand for the people of Cuba who are marching against the Communist government that has oppressed them for decades.
In recent weeks, the Cuban activists have been kidnapped, jailed, and murdered for daring to stand against the Communist regime.
Now is the time to stand against this brutality. We must urge world leaders to cease all support for the Communist regime in Cuba.
We must ensure that Cubans can communicate freely with each other and with the outside world. We must forcefully denounce the Cuban dictatorship that has committed these crimes.
The Cuban people are rising up in the name of opportunity, the opportunity that they see just 90 miles away on the American shores.
As the Cuban people protest in the streets, they are chanting,
``Libertad,'' liberty. They are carrying American flags, and they are calling out for freedom.
Now is the time for us to stand with them. It is time to put an end to the murderous regime that has held the people of Cuba hostage for the past 61 years.
Freedom. Freedom for all. Freedom for Cuba. Let them see what we have here. Let them attain that freedom.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 128
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