Speeches and Statements

Good morning.  I’m Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy and my Orlando-area district is home to more Puerto Ricans than nearly any other congressional district.      I care deeply about Puerto Rico because my constituents care deeply about Puerto Rico.  But every Member of Congress should care about Puerto Rico because Puerto Ricans are our fellow citizens.  We’re part of the same American family and we should fight for each other.       I want... Read more

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the SHIELD ACT.  I helped introduce this legislation and the House will consider it on the floor later today.  This bill will protect our country from foreign interference in our elections. Russia’s assault on our democracy in 2016 exposed gaps in our nation’s defenses. It used to be that the primary threat from adversary nations was their potential use of traditional weapons of war.  But our society is rapidly changing, and so is the nature... Read more

Mr. Speaker: I rise to honor former Congressman Lou Frey, who represented the Orlando area in this chamber for a decade, from 1969 to 1979.  He passed away recently, but leaves behind an enduring legacy. Congressman Frey was many things, but above all he was a loving husband, a wonderful father and grandfather, and an extraordinary public servant who cared deeply about central Florida and about this country.  He was a man with strongly-held views, but also one willing to make principled... Read more

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  And thanks to the witnesses for your testimony and your endurance.  As some of my colleagues have done, I want to put a human face on the issue of prescription drugs.  It’s important to keep reminding ourselves that this issue may involve complex policy and complex politics , but at its core it’s about people .    People like Sandra from my district.  I told her story at a hearing back in February.  She’s a 66-year-old retiree in Orlando... Read more

U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, a former national security specialist at the Pentagon, released the following statement in response to President Trump's decision to pull back U.S. troops in Syria: “I strongly oppose President Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria. Our presence is vital to our national security. It has prevented the terrorist group ISIS from recapturing territory and averted conflict between Turkey and Syrian Kurdish forces. Our departure helps ISIS, the Assad... Read more

Good morning. Thank you Suzanne and thank you to the hosts of this event. I’m honored to be here and to offer my perspective from Capitol Hill. There are roughly 40 election security bills pending in Congress. During the panel conversation, I’ll mention a few of these measures and their prospects for success, and what I say may surprise the more pessimistic among you. I’d like to use this time to discuss some broader themes. Let me start with the three reasons why I’ve tried to take a leading role... Read more

Good afternoon. Thank you for the kind introduction, Dr. Yag-Howard. And thank you to the AADA for inviting me to speak. I’m honored to be here. I want to start by expressing my gratitude to all of you. Whether you are a dermatologist, a nurse, a patient advocate, or the manager of a dermatology practice—I know how hard you work, day in and day out, to provide your patients with the best care possible. I view one of my main roles in Congress, and on the Ways and Means Committee, as seeking to empower... Read more

Thank you for that kind introduction, President Cornwell.   As President Cornwell mentioned, he was my boss when I taught finance at Rollins.   And technically, as one of my constituents now, he’s still my boss.   He’s also someone I greatly admire and the leader of an educational institution dedicated to preparing students to become global citizens and responsible leaders.   It’s a worthy goal—and one that aligns with the mission of those in the room today.    ... Read more

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to the witnesses for their testimony. Social Security is the bedrock of our retirement system. It is one of the most successful government programs of all time, helping to keep millions of seniors out of poverty. It’s also important to remember that Social Security is not an entitlement; it is a benefit seniors have paid into and earned after a lifetime of hard work. There are 4.6 million people in Florida, including 125,000 people in my Orlando-area district,... Read more

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I strongly support the State of Israel.  It’s a homeland for the Jewish people and a sanctuary from anti-Semitism.  Israel is a thriving democracy and its citizens have made enormous contributions to our global society. The U.S. has no better friend than Israel.  Yes, on occasion our two governments will disagree on certain policies, as all sovereign nations do.  But our strong alliance is rooted in shared values, shared security interests, and a deep historical... Read more