Speeches and Statements

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  And thank you, Secretary Yellen. I introduced a bill requiring the Treasury Department to report to Congress on the impact that recent U.S. tariff increases are having on inflation.  These tariffs were imposed by the Trump administration and have largely been retained by the Biden administration.  They include Section 232 tariffs on aluminum and steel and Section 301 tariffs on many products from China.  There is also the expiration of GSP—which allows... Read more

Chancellor Gates, President Rowe, Rector Little, members of the Board of Visitors, Ms. Hobson, faculty and staff, family and friends, and—most importantly—students in the class of 2022:     From the bottom of my heart, thank you. This recognition is very special for me.   To receive it from Secretary Gates, whom I worked for at the Department of Defense and deeply respect, makes it even more special. I love this school.   As it has done for so many young people, William &... Read more

Good morning, Gettysburg College. President Iuliano, Provost Zappe, members of the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, family and friends, and—most importantly—students of the graduating class of 2022—thank you for inviting me to speak and for your hospitality.   I’m so happy and so honored to be here, helping you celebrate your special day. You’re probably feeling a mix of emotions right now. Happy about everything you’ve accomplished. Already nostalgic for Gettysburg College traditions... Read more

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The memorial service for former Vice President Walter Mondale was held last week. Unbeknownst to him, Mondale had a major impact on my life, and on the lives of other refugees fleeing violence and oppression in Southeast Asia.  The moral courage he displayed then should influence and inspire world leaders now—as we confront a new refugee crisis spawned by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Carter-Mondale administration took office in 1977, in the aftermath of the end... Read more

Good morning, everybody. I’m so pleased to be here to present Seminole State College with $475,000 dollars in federal funding, so they can purchase state-of the-art equipment and computer software, and use it to train students who will become Central Florida’s next generation of first responders and health care professionals.  I’m incredibly proud we’re making this much-needed investment in the college and in our community.  I want to thank Seminole State and its president, Doctor Georgia... Read more

Good morning, everybody.  What a great day.  I’m so happy to be here to present the Hope & Healing Center with $400,000 in federal funding so they can sustain and strengthen their life-saving work on behalf of folks struggling with opioid addiction. I want to thank AdventHealth and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office for partnering with each other, and with my congressional office, to make this day possible.  You know, b efore I get involved in any issue in Congress, I ask myself... Read more

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ambassador Tai, welcome back to the committee.  It’s good to see you. QUESTION ONE My first question is about the connection between tariffs and inflation. As we all know, inflation is a serious problem with various interlocking causes on both the supply and demand side. The Peterson Institute recently published a report stating that a “feasible package of trade liberalization measures” could result in a reduction in inflation of around 1.3 percent.  That amounts... Read more

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll pick up where my colleague, Mr. Aguilar, left off. Over a month-and-a-half ago, Mr. Navarro was subpoenaed by this committee.   We sought documents and testimony regarding his efforts to discredit the election and to prevent the results from being certified.   This information is central to our committee’s inquiry.   Mr. Navarro refused to comply, making a cursory claim of executive privilege.     There are many reasons why this blanket assertion... Read more

Good morning.     I’m honored to be here with all of you to celebrate the life and legacy of Alwyn Cashe.   I’m proud to represent the city of Sanford, where Alwyn was born and where he was laid to rest.     I’m also proud to represent the nearby city of Oviedo.   That’s where Alwyn—the baby of the Cashe family—was raised, loved, and maybe even a little spoiled by his parents and by his older brothers and sisters.   Several years ago, Congress passed my bill to... Read more

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In a few moments, I will vote to recommend that the House find former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with our committee’s subpoena for documents and testimony related to the January 6 th attack. Mr. Meadows was a central participant in the events that culminated in this assault on our Capitol, our country, and our core democratic values.   To create the most accurate account of what occurred, why it occurred,... Read more