April 9, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 61 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages H3193-H3198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     2019 DEMOCRATIC FRESHMAN CLASS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2019, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.


                             General Leave

  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Garamendi), my friend.


             Recognizing Brigadier General Thomas E. Kunkel

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, I thank the freshman class for giving 
me the opportunity to take a few seconds here.
  Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize Brigadier General Thomas Kunkel 
upon his departure as Chief, Air Force Legislative Liaison to the U.S. 
House of Representatives.
  In this role, General Kunkel managed the Air Force interaction with 
Members of Congress and their staffs in support of the Air Force 
programs and congressional oversight and travel.
  He served as the Air Force's senior escort for staff and 
congressional delegations, traveling to more than 20 countries, 
supporting leadership, Members, and committee offices.

                              {time}  1830

  Prior to his current position, he served as the 23rd Wing Commander,

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which operates A-10Cs, HC-130Js, HH-60Gs, and Guardian Angel 
pararescuemen at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia; Davis-Monthan Air Force 
Base, Arizona; and Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada; and oversight of Avon 
Park aerial gunnery range, Florida.
  General Kunkel received his commission in 1994 from the University of 
Texas, Arlington. He has served in the Air Force Special Operations and 
the Combat Air Forces as an HH-60G special operations and rescue pilot, 
flight examiner, and weapons officer. He has deployed in support of 
operations Allied Force, Enduring Freedom-Philippines, Enduring 
Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. During his time serving in operation Allied 
Force, then Captain Kunkel was the pilot in command who rescued the now 
Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General David Goldfein, whose aircraft 
had been downed by an enemy surface-to-air missile in Serbia. General 
Kunkel has also served on the Air Staff as Program Element Monitor for 
helicopter sustainment and acquisitions.
  He is married to Jennifer and has three children--Avery, Noah, and 
Griff--who have supported him and his career.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the U.S. Congress and a grateful Nation, 
I extend our deepest appreciation to Brigadier General Thomas E. Kunkel 
for his dedicated service to the U.S. House of Representatives and to 
our Nation. We wish him well as he moves on to his next role at the 
National Military Command Center at the Pentagon.
  There is no question that the Air Force, the Department of Defense, 
the United States, and all of us have benefited greatly from his 
service.
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, we are here today to recognize the 
accomplishments of the freshman class of the 116th Congress as we 
approach the 100th day since we were sworn into office. History is 
before us. Congress is 230 years old.
  As co-president of the freshman class, alongside my colleague, 
Representative Colin Allred of Texas, we ring with a dutiful pride, 
deeply humbled by this opportunity to serve in a legislative session 
that will mark the conclusion of a decade and the beginning of another. 
We take stock of new representation, new voices, people, that the likes 
of this body have never seen before, what the American people called 
for in their voting booth, and all that this great body represents.
  This class of freshman Democrats, 67 Members strong, from every 
corner of our great Nation, is the largest in nearly 45 years. Our 
class represents several historic firsts. With 42 new women in 
Congress, the House of Representatives is more female than at any point 
in the Chamber's deep history.
  Representative Davids of Kansas and Representative Haaland of New 
Mexico are the first Native American women to serve in this Chamber.
  Representative Omar of Minnesota and my fellow Michigander, 
Representative Tlaib, are the first Muslim women in Congress.
  We now have more African American women and men serving in this body 
than ever before.
  Nearly two-dozen new Members, from both sides of the aisle, have 
served our country as members of the military or Central Intelligence 
Agency.
  Representative Ocasio-Cortez of New York is the youngest woman to 
ever serve in the House, and Representative Finkenauer of Iowa is the 
second youngest.
  Representative Van Drew of New Jersey is a dentist.
  Representative Schrier of Washington is a pediatrician.
  Representative Underwood of Illinois is a nurse.
  Representative Hayes of Connecticut was the Teacher of the Year.
  And Representative Shalala of Florida, the longest serving health and 
human services secretary in history. Representative Mucarsel-Powell, 
also of Florida, is the first South American immigrant Member of 
Congress.
  This freshman class brings its brilliant diversity, experience, and 
unity, a broad array of skills and life experience, to the Halls of 
Congress, generating a commitment to address legacy issues and usher in 
opportunities for the common good to promote the general welfare for 
all American people.
  President Lincoln's words bear down on us. He, who was once a Member 
of this very body, said: ``Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history. 
We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in 
spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can 
spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will 
light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation.''
  The issues of today are complex, enormous, and often frustrating, but 
we do not bemoan. We bring a commitment to serve, to problem solve, and 
create opportunity. We are reminded that this very body saw us through 
western expansion to become a land of sea to shining sea, through pain, 
by the way. And we did reconstruction following a brutal Civil War.
  And now, in the year 2019, in the first 100 days of the 116th 
Congress, we have been hard at work. We have passed the For the People 
Act, a historic bill to clean up corruption and restore ethics in 
Washington, putting voters at the center of elections.
  We passed the Paycheck Fairness Act, to finally fulfill gender 
economic equality in the workplace and bring more people into the 
middle class.
  We passed a universal background check bill, to keep firearms out of 
the hands of those who seek to do evil, and we will do more commonsense 
gun safety legislation to put the safety of all communities at the top 
of the priority list.
  We have held hearings, long overdue, on climate change and outrageous 
prescription drug prices, on Government oversight on human rights 
abuses at our border, and we have led on matters of safety and 
security.
  And we are evaluating all the ways to meet our country's 
infrastructure needs.
  We, the people, for the people, a country in a new moment.
  As a representative from the great State of Michigan, I have been 
privileged to introduce my first piece of legislation, the bipartisan 
Building Blocks of STEM Act, which promotes STEM education and pathways 
to education in the sciences, particularly for young girls.
  As the chairwoman of the Research and Technology Subcommittee, I have 
had the opportunity to preside over hearings on bioengineering and 
advanced manufacturing, essential to regional economic development, 
particularly in places like southeastern Michigan.
  I passed a bipartisan amendment to the Rebuilding America's Schools 
Act and led an effort to maintain funding for advanced technological 
educational training programs, an important initiative with active 
grants in my district.
  This was all in the first 100 days: multiple townhalls, coffee hours, 
and Manufacturing Mondays.
  The question before us, the Moon shot of 2015, what will usher in new 
scientific advancements in the workforce to help us achieve them? It is 
for those who dare to create a vision.
  There are 18 freshmen currently serving as subcommittee chairs, 
holding informative hearings and driving important policy discussions 
on issues like veterans' healthcare, small business advocacy, trade 
assistance, and for justice and equality, for the individual 
hardworking Americans residing and fueling the energy in the towns 
throughout suburban metro Detroit, where I represent, and their young 
children dreaming of their future. They are eagerly, and sometimes 
quietly, counting on us to wage great discussion, to think deeply and 
penetratingly, to seize the duty at hand.
  Congress often feels like being on a great ship, each side weighing 
side to side, sometimes in stormy weather, but we have all taken the 
oath to reside on this ship, to come together for the remainder of our 
service, to improve the outcomes for the next generation and for those 
to come, the whispers of time and time.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Allred).
  Mr. ALLRED. Madam Speaker, this new freshman class has made history 
as the youngest and most diverse ever, and I am incredibly proud to be 
a Member of this class and of this Congress and to serve with my 
friend, Representative Stevens, as freshman class co-president of the 
Democratic class.
  We truly do represent our Nation's slogan of E pluribus unum--out of

[[Page H3195]]

many, one. And though we have much more work to do as the end of our 
first 100 days approaches, we have made real progress in fulfilling our 
efforts to make the lives of ordinary Americans a little bit better.
  As freshman class co-president, I can tell you that this class came 
here with a mandate to end the sabotage of Americans' healthcare and to 
work to lower costs. I was proud to lead the effort, on our very first 
day in Congress, as we placed the United States House back on the side 
of the people by intervening to defend the Affordable Care Act in court 
and with it its protections for people with preexisting conditions.
  This resolution, that I was proud to lead, passed with bipartisan 
support, sending a strong message that the United States House will not 
stand idly by while this administration tries to take us back to the 
bad old days when people were denied care because they had a 
preexisting condition or ran into lifetime caps on their coverage.
  We have also introduced bold legislation that will stop the sabotage, 
stabilize healthcare markets, and lower costs for regular folks, that I 
hope will pass with bipartisan support. After all, that is what the 
American people want us to do, to work together.
  We have also passed commonsense gun safety measures that will keep 
our communities safe by closing loopholes in the background check 
system.
  We passed the Paycheck Fairness Act, which helps guarantee that, no 
matter who you are, everyone gets equal pay for equal work.
  We passed the most historic anticorruption and pro-democracy bill in 
a generation, H.R. 1, the For the People Act, which will reduce the 
influence of big money and special interests in Washington and return 
power to the people by expanding voting rights and ending voter 
suppression.
  From my post on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, we 
are laying the groundwork for a much-needed and long overdue 
infrastructure bill. In my district in north Texas, we are rapidly 
growing, and I know that I am not alone in hearing from folks who are 
stuck in traffic and tired of congestion on their commutes, and we can 
and must do more to repair our roads and bridges and to diversify the 
transportation options available to all Americans.
  In closing, I issue this challenge to my colleagues in both parties, 
in the House and in the Senate. The American people are counting on us. 
Let's put aside partisan politics and let's work together. From 
prescription drugs to infrastructure, there is so much that we agree 
on. Let's deliver in the next 100 days for the American people.
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New 
Mexico (Ms. Haaland).
  Ms. HAALAND. Madam Speaker, if we think back to the beginning of this 
Congress, we started the first 100 days under an unnecessary government 
shutdown. I met with constituents, Federal workers, and businessowners 
in my district who were forced to suffer for the President's frivolous 
campaign promise.
  At the end of the day, we funded the government and made sure Federal 
workers received back pay. All the while, we were setting up a path to 
work for the people, making our communities a priority, not just the 
wealthy and well connected, but people who suffer when they lose a 
paycheck and need to rely on accessible healthcare.
  We are in a special moment in history, a moment when our freshman 
class of House Members look more like the people we represent, and our 
experiences reflect the experiences of everyday Americans. I am a 
single mother. I often had to piece together healthcare for my daughter 
and I, and I am still paying off my student loans. This class of 
freshman lawmakers know the struggles that many are going through, and, 
with our new majority, it is clear we are working for the people.

                              {time}  1845

  We passed the bill that would ensure everyone has an opportunity to 
participate in our democracy, while taking steps to end corruption.
  The most significant land legislation of our time made it across the 
finish line, including provisions of my first bill, to designate land 
for everyone to have access to public lands in New Mexico.
  It was a huge win for my State, because in New Mexico we value our 
natural heritage and resources, and we believe in protecting the places 
we hold dear for future generations to enjoy.
  The public lands package makes all of those things possible. It is 
also a prime example of what our Democratic majority can get done 
because we are willing to work across the aisle and push legislation 
through.
  Our progress includes things like fighting for equality with the 
Paycheck Fairness Act and a resolution condemning the President's 
transgender troops ban, fighting for prosperity for everyone by 
introducing a $15 minimum wage and passing the Dream and Promise Act.
  We are also tackling the challenges of our time with the Violence 
Against Women Act and forging a path to address climate change with an 
unprecedented number of committee hearings uncovering the climate 
change realities facing our communities, and we are working on 
legislation that will create a Green New Deal for everyone and for our 
country.
  In 100 days, you can get a lot done, and we are looking forward to 
getting more done for the people in the next 100 days.
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, we are so proud of our freshman class.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Garcia), 
someone whom her constituents know as ``Senator Sylvia'' from her great 
service in her State's capitol, but whom we knew as the great 
Congresswoman from Texas.
  Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from 
Michigan.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the first 100 days of the 
116th Congress. In this short amount of time, Madam Speaker, a lot has 
surely happened.
  At our swearing in, the Congress became the most diverse on record, 
including 42 freshman women. And with one in five Members of Congress 
being people of color, we have come a long way, baby.
  As our Representatives in Congress begin to look more like the 
communities we represent, our legislative priorities also more closely 
reflect the will of the people.
  Our citizens have sent a message loud and clear that Congress should 
be giving a voice to our families on Main Street and not to the rich 
and the wealthy on Wall Street. As a result, we have been focused on 
passing groundbreaking legislation that protects our democracy, expands 
our civil liberties, provides for a stronger national security, and 
boosts our economy, all while staying true to our values.
  Passage of H.R. 1, the For the People Act, is the largest, most 
sweeping election reform and campaign finance reform bill to pass the 
House in our Nation's history.
  It also significantly protects access to the ballot box for every 
American; it will shed light on the corrupting influence of dark money 
in our campaign finance system; and, finally, it will return the voices 
of working-class Americans to our democracy. And the best part: 
election day would be a holiday.
  We are upholding the promise of equal protection under the law for 
our citizens. With the Equality Act, we are finally providing explicit 
protections to the LGBTQ community, finally making them equal under the 
eyes of the law.
  We are keeping our promise to women as well. With the introduction of 
the Paycheck Fairness Act, we are finally taking steps to close the 
wage gap, where women in Texas still make only 79 cents for every 
dollar a man makes, and 44 cents if you are Hispanic.
  With the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, we are upholding 
our sacred duty to protect the millions of Texas women who experience 
violence and domestic abuse every year.
  Perhaps most importantly for my district, we have finally introduced 
the Dream and Promise Act, which will provide protections for 
immigrants who, in their hearts, are often as American as myself and 
anyone else on this House floor.
  These young men and women--about 113,100 in my district--whom we call

[[Page H3196]]

family, friends, and colleagues, will be able to continue working hard 
in their communities and contributing to our economy--nearly $50 
billion a year, by the way--without fear of being separated from their 
families.
  Unfortunately, during our 100 days, the Trump administration's top 
priority has proven not to be for the people. The administration's 
recent budget proposal included deep cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and 
the SNAP assistance program, all of this to pay for the radical GOP tax 
cuts which they have made on the backs of working people, veterans, and 
seniors.
  After the eventual passage of the bipartisan budget without funding 
for a border wall, this administration decided to create a completely 
avoidable but devastating government shutdown. The 26-day shutdown cost 
families real money and opportunity, maybe more than 800,000 workers 
without a paycheck during that time.
  Since then, we have seen an illegal national emergency declaration 
that seeks to take funding from vital national security needs to build 
the President's border wall.
  We are also now hearing threats of another shutdown, this time 
shutting down the border completely. This is wrong and downright 
reckless. Trade through our southern border accounts for $1.7 billion 
per day and would hurt our Texas economy.
  And, finally, the Trump administration is trying once again to take 
our healthcare system, this time through the courts. This move could 
leave up to 53 million non-elderly Americans with preexisting 
conditions without access to healthcare--320,000 in my district. This 
is cruel; it is immoral; and it is just plain wrong.

  It should be clear that our work is not done.
  I am proud to be a Member of the majority that will fight for the 
people, defend our democracy, protect access to quality, affordable 
healthcare, and do so with justice and decency.
  Madam Speaker, we have accomplished so much in these first 100 days, 
but we must make sure that the American people know that we are 
resoundingly focused on real solutions that will actually keep our 
border safe, help our businesses, and uphold our American values.
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from 
Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild), my friend.
  Ms. WILD. Madam Speaker, I am so proud to rise today as part of this 
wonderful, diverse, strong, and vibrant freshman class.
  As we mark the 100 first days of the 116th Congress, it has been a 
busy time, to say the least. In our first days of this 116th Congress, 
I have met with more than 150 constituents. I have held five townhalls 
and question-and-answer events and visited 17 local businesses and 10 
local schools.
  I have met with educators and labor leaders, health workers, business 
leaders, manufacturers, students, and senior citizens.
  I have heard the same messages from constituents of all backgrounds 
throughout Pennsylvania's Seventh District:
  Build an economy that delivers for working and middle-class people;
  Protect benefits like Medicare and Social Security that we have 
earned;
  Defend the rights and dignity of all people;
  Work across the aisle on urgent priorities, like protecting our 
communities from gun violence, combating the opioid epidemic, and 
protecting the environment; and
  Fight to ensure that the next generation doesn't have a lower 
standard of living than its parents.
  These messages have driven and shaped my work, particularly as a 
Member of the Education and Labor Committee, where we have been working 
on legislation to raise the minimum wage, make workplaces safer for 
working Pennsylvanians and all Americans, help students saddled with 
student loan debt, and make higher education more inclusive and 
affordable.
  I am so proud of everything we are doing in the Education and Labor 
Committee to build an economy and education system that lifts all 
workers, all students, all Pennsylvanians, and all Americans. I am also 
proud that I am keeping my promises to my constituents.
  My promise to work to improve our healthcare system, lower healthcare 
costs, and protect people with preexisting conditions led me to 
introduce my own bill as part of a larger effort to improve the 
Affordable Care Act--the Family Healthcare Affordability Act--to fix 
the ACA family glitch, an issue that has prevented some workers from 
being able to extend their employer-provided insurance to their 
families. My bill is a small fix to a big problem for many working 
families.
  I also committed to my constituents that I would work to reform our 
government, reduce the influence of money in politics, and ensure that 
every American has a voice in our democracy. We kept that commitment 
when we passed H.R. 1, a landmark government reform package that 
included my bill to enact early voting across the country. In 
Pennsylvania, we don't have early voting, and that hurts working and 
lower income people who often have far less time and flexibility to get 
to the polls.
  This has been a productive 100 days, but people in my community and 
across the country are counting on us to do so much more. They are also 
counting on the Senate and the White House to do their part so that the 
legislation we are passing gets signed into law.
  In these next 100 days, I will continue working to bring about a more 
just, more equal future across our community, and I will continue doing 
everything I can to make the people of the Seventh District proud.
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan 
(Mr. Levin), my friend and fellow Michigander.
  Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Stevens, 
and it is so great to go after Congresswoman Wild.
  The first thing I want to say is what a great time I am having with 
you all, how much I am learning from you, how much fun we are having 
working on things together.
  Congresswoman Wild and I are particularly concerned that any new 
replacement for NAFTA really protects the working people of our 
country, really protects our environment, and does not subject people 
to outrageously high prices for prescription drugs.
  As I look about me and see the other Members here, I see others whom 
I am working with on different things, and I think that is the great 
thing about this new freshman class. I am really so proud to be a part 
of this freshman class of the 116th Congress, and I feel like we have 
really had an outstanding first 100 days fighting for the people.

  Right out of the gate, we are delivering on our promises to pass 
bold, transformative legislation and conduct essential oversight that 
the Constitution demands of us.
  Voting on final passage of H.R. 1, the For the People Act, was 
certainly one of my proudest days.
  My Transparency and Corporate Political Spending Act is in the final 
version of the bill, and it will increase transparency for big 
corporations that dump dark money into our elections.
  My amendment to Whip Clyburn's gun violence prevention bill to close 
the Charleston loophole will require the Government Accountability 
Office to report on gun violence prevention methods so that we have the 
best information available while crafting policy. I think it is so 
important that we bring back research to this public health crisis of 
gun violence.
  Just last week, so many colleagues joined me in calling on the 
Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement 
to halt the cruel and unjust detention and deportation of Iraqi 
nationals, many of whom are Chaldean Christians and other religious 
minorities.
  My district, the Ninth District of Michigan, has the most Iraqi 
nationals of any district in the country, out of 435. But I think, 
Congresswoman Stevens, 9 out of the 10 districts with the most Iraqi 
nationals, those Representatives join me--I think, 23 altogether--in 
calling on our government to respect the rights of these people to just 
have their day in court.
  I came to Congress on a mission to raise the standard of living for 
working people, and the Democratic majority has delivered on that 
promise in several ways already, from passing legislation to reduce the 
cost of healthcare to passing the Paycheck Fairness Act, to 
guaranteeing women get equal pay for equal work.

[[Page H3197]]

  


                              {time}  1900

  I commend my colleagues in the majority and the leadership of our 
Caucus for their hard work, fearlessness, and dedication that has 
gotten us this far, and we have only just begun.
  I yield back to my sister Michigander, the gentlewoman from Rochester 
Hills, Ms. Stevens.
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman, and I yield to the 
gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Ms. Kendra S. Horn), my dear friend.
  Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman 
Stevens for yielding to me.
  I am honored to rise this evening to talk about our accomplishments 
in the first 100 days. As a Representative of Oklahoma and Oklahoma's 
Fifth Congressional District, I talked to people all across my district 
about what is important to them, about what is paramount, and above and 
beyond everything else, the thing I heard from people across my 
district is that people need a voice. That is exactly what we have done 
in this first 100 days.
  From day one, I have said and will continue to say and advocate for 
the people of Oklahoma in the Fifth Congressional District that their 
voice is number one.
  Throughout this time, we have prioritized commonsense solutions for 
the people of Oklahoma, legislation and actions that help to improve 
the lives of everyday individuals. I have shown that with the time I 
have spent back in my district talking to and listening to the people 
there.
  In order to hear from as many people as possible, we have held eight 
public events, or townhalls, ranging from coffee meetings to large 
townhall gatherings. From Seminole to Oklahoma City, from Oklahoma City 
Community College to diners, in both Oklahoma and Washington, D.C., I 
have met with more than 2,300 Oklahomans over the course of more than 
200 meetings.
  In response to inquiries from folks back home, I have replied to 
thousands of calls, letters, emails, and text messages about issues 
that are most important to them. Over and over I have heard: We need a 
voice.
  So I have cosponsored 28 pieces of bipartisan legislation ranging 
from ensuring that the Indian Health Service is funded to increasing 
transparency in politics with the passage of H.R. 1, to ensuring that 
those individuals have that voice.
  When we came in in the middle of a, sadly, historic shutdown, I spoke 
up for the members of the FAA and our Federal employees, including our 
air traffic controllers, because we should never play politics with 
people's lives. No family should have to endure the hardships caused by 
partisan political games.
  I cosponsored legislation; that is the Shutdown to End All Shutdowns 
Act. And beyond that, we stood up for paycheck fairness and for wage 
equality, which is not just a women's issue. This is an issue that 
impacts our families and our communities and our overall quality of 
life.
  I have spoken up for education and ensuring that everyone has access 
to quality, available healthcare. That includes protecting people with 
preexisting conditions, lifetime caps, and working, as we will continue 
to do, to make prescription drugs more affordable.
  As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have been a 
vocal advocate for our servicemen and -women who have, sadly, had to 
deal with substandard housing.
  I have spoken up for the security of our Nation, but also for respect 
for every single individual in our district.
  And in an effort to stay in touch with all corners of the district, I 
have toured some of our most critical facilities, from Tinker Air Force 
Base to the Palomar Family Justice Center and the Regional Food Bank of 
Oklahoma, and so many more.
  I have spoken with some of our most vital organizations, like the 
VFW, the Black Chamber of Commerce, the Farm Bureau, education and 
healthcare advocates, as well as local elected leaders, about 
priorities in our communities.
  I have even had the privilege of showing a sheep at the Oklahoma 
Youth Expo, the largest youth expo in the Nation.
  I am proud of what we have accomplished so far, and I am especially 
proud to serve with this historic freshman class. I look forward to 
what we accomplish moving forward and to being an independent voice for 
Oklahomans.
  We have only begun, and I look forward to what we can accomplish in 
the next 100 days and the next 100 days after that to put the people 
first.
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Horn for showing us 
what leadership looks like.
  It should also be noted that our presiding Speaker this evening, Ms. 
Xochitl Torres Small, the Congresswoman from the great State of New 
Mexico, is also a member of our freshman class.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Neguse), 
my friend.
  Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  I would like to engage in a colloquy of sorts with my fellow 
colleague in House leadership, a Representative of the freshman class, 
Representative Hill, and, of course, our co-class president, 
Representative Stevens.
  Representative Hill, what do you think about the freshman class?
  Ms. HILL of California. Mr. Neguse, I am pretty excited to be here 
today because we get to brag a little, and I get a little tired with 
bragging about myself. I think that is something we do a lot as a 
Member of Congress, and today we get to brag about our friends.
  Mr. NEGUSE. I couldn't agree more, Representative Hill.
  Representative Stevens, what do you think about the freshman class?
  Ms. STEVENS. Well, I am delighted to be among the freshman class, and 
I am so proud of all of our accomplishments, particularly that we have 
18 freshmen chairing subcommittees from all of the various 
great committees, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the 
Veterans' Affairs Committee, and the Small Business Committee.

  Mr. NEGUSE. Well, I couldn't agree more, and I want to associate 
myself with the remarks of Representative Stevens and Representative 
Hill.
  We have got an incredible freshman class in this 116th Congress. Not 
only is it the youngest and most diverse in history, but we got 
straight to work. We hit the ground running.
  At the end of the day, this freshman class is making a lot of 
progress, so I would like to give the American people a sense of what 
the freshman class has been up to.
  Over the last two recesses, the freshman class has held over 100 
townhalls and over 400 events. That is a lot of events, Representative 
Hill.
  Ms. HILL of California. That is a lot of events, and if you recall, 
the colleagues that many of us replaced, the former colleagues that 
many of us replaced, were criticized for not having townhalls. But, in 
fact, during the February recess alone, freshman Members made up 51 
percent of the Members of Congress holding townhalls, even though we 
make up just 18 percent of Congress.
  Mr. NEGUSE. That is right. Congressman   Andy Kim from the great 
State of New Jersey has held more townhalls in the last 3 months than 
his predecessor did over the last 4 years, and he has responded to over 
5,000 letters from constituents--quite a feat.
  Ms. HILL of California. Five thousand letters is a lot of letters.
  Congressman Dean Phillips actually started holding townhalls before 
he was even sworn in.
  Mr. NEGUSE. Well, let me tell you about my friend, Congressman 
Antonio Delgado, who has held six townhalls over the first in-district 
work period.
  Ms. HILL of California. At her first townhall in Virginia Beach, 
Congresswoman Elaine Luria, whom I am proud to sit on the Armed 
Services Committee with, brought the Beach's voter registrar and police 
chief, the head of its affordable housing efforts, and one of the State 
delegates with her and heard from more 250 people who were attending.
  Mr. NEGUSE. Clearly, this freshman class is making townhalls the rule 
and not the exception. But the freshman class is also taking great care 
to talk about the issues that really matter to their constituents.
  Ms. HILL of California. That is absolutely right. Congressman 
Brindisi's Working for Rural New York plan focuses on solving problems 
rural communities face in his district.

[[Page H3198]]

  

  Mr. NEGUSE. Let me tell you about my friend Congresswoman Angie Craig 
from the great State of Minnesota, who held a flood briefing to start 
discussions around different agencies working together in the case of 
major flooding.
  Ms. HILL of California. Well, let me tell you about my friend Josh 
Harder from the great State of California, who is fighting for 
broadband in rural areas through the Save the Internet Act.
  Mr. NEGUSE. I don't want to brag, but I will. Congressman Jared 
Golden, from the great State of Maine, is advocating to lower the cots 
of prescription drugs for his constituents.
  Ms. HILL of California. And Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, who was 
Teacher the Year before, is now fighting to keep guns out of our 
classrooms.
  Mr. NEGUSE. This freshman class truly is legislating with aggressive 
momentum.
  Ms. HILL of California. Oh, we are indeed. Eighteen freshmen are 
leading House subcommittees, as my colleague, Ms. Stevens mentioned, 
including: Congresswoman Kendra Horn, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, 
Congressman TJ Cox, Congressman   Mike Levin, Congressman Harley Rouda, 
Congresswoman Susie Lee, Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small, and 
Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.
  That is a lot of people. And what is so exciting about that is that 
there has never been a freshman class with this many people with the 
gavel.
  Mr. NEGUSE. Eighteen freshmen, quite an incredible feat. But I will 
also say that freshman Members of Congress have had much success 
legislating.
  Congressman Max Rose from the great State of New York has had three 
amendments pass this House, including an amendment to expand childcare 
services for veterans seeking additional treatment.
  Ms. HILL of California. Congressman   Andy Levin, who we just heard 
from, has introduced six pieces of original legislation. That is a lot.
  Mr. NEGUSE. Representative Hill, I know that you know my great friend 
and colleague Abigail Spanberger, who was able to include an amendment 
as part of H.R. 1 that would prevent foreign interference in U.S. 
elections.
  Ms. HILL of California. Well, we really want that foreign 
interference not happening in any future elections, so I am glad to 
hear that.
  Just this week, Congresswoman Kim Schrier introduced bipartisan, 
bicameral legislation to help prevent child abuse.
  Mr. NEGUSE. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan created a new bipartisan 
caucus to represent the interests of veterans.
  Ms. HILL of California. Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer was the first 
freshman to have legislation pass the House, a bill to bring Federal 
investment to small businesses in rural America.
  Mr. NEGUSE. I do know that Members of this House would be well 
familiar with Congressman Chris Pappas, who has introduced bipartisan 
legislation to increase protections for first responders on the front 
lines of our Nation's opioid epidemic.
  Ms. HILL of California. My other friend, Congresswoman Katie Porter, 
a fellow member of the Katie Caucus, has introduced bipartisan 
legislation to make childcare more affordable.
  Mr. NEGUSE. All of these accomplishments that Representative Hill and 
I have outlined that this freshman class has accomplished I think 
demonstrate that the freshman class is continuing to deliver for 
the people.

  Nearly 100 days into our transformative majority, we have passed 
major legislation across issue areas.
  Ms. HILL of California. A truly sweeping Democratic reform package.
  Mr. NEGUSE. The first gun violence prevention legislation passed in 
nearly a decade.
  Ms. HILL of California. The Paycheck Fairness Act and reauthorization 
of the Violence Against Women Act.
  Mr. NEGUSE. So as we conclude and head into the next 100 days, I 
think it is important to stress that we are going to continue to work 
to lower the cost of healthcare.
  Ms. HILL of California. End corruption in Washington.
  Mr. NEGUSE. Raise workers' wages.
  Ms. HILL of California. Invest in our Nation's infrastructure and 
public education system.
  Mr. NEGUSE. And, of course, address the existential threat--climate 
change.
  Ms. HILL of California. Above all, we are going to stand up for the 
people, again, with the full force of this freshman class; and I am so 
excited to do it with you, Mr. Neguse, and with all of my fellow 
freshman colleagues.
  Mr. NEGUSE. As am I, Representative Hill.
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Neguse for sharing 
some of his time with Congresswoman Hill from California.
  This Special Order hour has truly been special, and what a delight to 
reflect on these first 100 days with a historic freshman class in a new 
season here in the Nation's Capital.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to conclude this Special Order hour of 
the freshman class of the 116th Congress, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to yield to each other 
in debate.

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