What Jennifer L. McClellan said, and what was done

“Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath), from the Sixth District. Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I thank so much, once again, our esteemed colleague Representative Jennifer McClellan from Virginia who consistently, over and over again, has always been steadfast in holding Special Order hours for the Congressional Black Caucus.”

“Since his passing, those protections have eroded further, and the struggle to protect voting rights continues in his name here with legislation, back home in my home State of Georgia, and in State legislatures all across this country.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Georgia. As we reflect on Congressman Lewis, I often ask myself what would he say about what is going on today?”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the City of Colonial Heights, Virginia, as it celebrates its 100th Anniversary and to congratulate its residents, businesses, and community leaders on a century of remarkable history, growth, and service.”

“Mr. Speaker, 250 years ago, the Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, gave birth to a new Nation built on the revolutionary idea that the power of government is derived from the people.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act, which I am proud to co-lead with Representative Miller-Meeks of Iowa. This bill represents the sort of bipartisan work that is important for the security and stability of the American grid and the safety of the American people.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7757, the bipartisan Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, or the KIDS Act. As a member of Gen X, who is a mom to a Gen Z teen and Gen Alpha tween, I struggle every day to find the balance between giving our kids the freedom they need to develop and grow and keeping them safe.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate World Vitiligo Day, raising awareness for the 3.7 million Americans living with the autoimmune condition that causes discoloration of the skin, like Erika, one of my constituents who sought a way to treat her vitiligo symptoms throughout her childhood.”

“Mr. Speaker, I was 1 month old when the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade recognized the constitutional right to abortion. For most of my life, I had the peace of mind that the decision of when, whether, and how to become a parent would be mine.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to anchor this Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour to speak directly to the American people about Gun Violence Awareness Month. We are here to address the public health crisis facing not only the constituents of the Congressional Black Caucus but all Americans.”

“Mr. Speaker, I said that gun violence is more than just statistics. Every death is someone's loved one. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Georgia, (Mrs.”

“Black Caucus, but more so, because this is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, and I am very, very aware of this month. I make time and effort every single year during this month to continue to highlight the scourge of gun violence in America as a public health crisis.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Dr. Emmanuel O. Omojokun on the occasion of his retirement after 37 years of extraordinary service to Virginia State University and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus to anchor this Special Order hour. General Leave Ms. McCLELLAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus to address another blight on American history. Mr. Speaker, 250 years ago, Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence ``that all men were created equal and endowed by their creator with the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.'' Yet, Mr.”

“Essentially the Court has said that the medicine for racism in our political system has worked so let's end the treatment. However, the cancer of racism has not gone away.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath), the Seventh District. Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to the Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v.”

“Mr. Speaker, I took my oath of office 3 years ago on the Bible that my father kept his poll tax receipt in that he paid when he turned old enough to vote in Tennessee.”

“Mr. Speaker, the threat to our hospital OB/GYNs is not theoretical. Centra Southside in Farmville, Virginia, announced the closure of its labor and delivery unit, and it ended OB/GYN services at their Centra Southside Community Hospital on December 19, 2025, citing a combination of significant financial and operational challenges, including the recently enacted reductions in healthcare funding and the Medicaid cuts.”

“For too long, the experiences and concerns about Black women have been cast to the side in our healthcare system. Today, they are being flat-out ignored. This administration has directed programs to erase words like ``Black'' from funding applications.”

“Mr. Speaker, when I began, I said that the Black maternal health crisis was not just about statistics. That is because behind every statistic is a mom who didn't make it to raise her child.”

“Madam Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 7022, the Mystic Alerts Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the extraordinary legacy of the Richmond Free Press, a publication that, for decades, served as a trusted voice, vigilant watchdog, and cultural cornerstone for Black communities across Central Virginia.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a historic milestone for the Commonwealth of Virginia and to honor the extraordinary career of Justice Cleo E. Powell, who was unanimously selected to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia by her peers.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5103, the Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act of 2026. For this reason, and at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee.”

“Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit. Mr. McGUIRE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes. Mr. Speaker, crime statistics coming from the other side, obviously, I can't see them being reliable, especially as a member of the Oversight Committee.”

“Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the gentlewoman from New Jersey, Representative LaMonica McIver. Mrs. McIVER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the fine gentlewoman of Virginia (Ms. McClellan) for anchoring tonight's Special Order hour to celebrate Women's History Month and to celebrate and speak truth tonight.”

“Black women have always looked at this country and thought and asked: How can I make it better? They then fought for that ``better.'' When we weren't given a seat at the table, we made it our mission to bring a folding chair.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman (Mrs. McIver) for her comments, and I am proud to be in this fight with her. As a Virginian, I am keenly cognizant of the fact that Virginia was both the birthplace of American slavery and the birthplace of American democracy.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 100th anniversary of WRVA, one of the most historic radio broadcasting institutions in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a pillar of American radio for a full century.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, legacy, and extraordinary service of Thelma Pettis, a distinguished leader of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, whose passing is deeply felt across the Commonwealth of Virginia and throughout the South Atlantic Region.”

“Mr. Speaker, voting rights are sacred. Many members of my family fought tooth and nail to be able to exercise that sacred right. History may not repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA), a century of partnership, leadership, and dedicated service to improving health and health care for all Virginians.”

“Mr. Speaker, I close with the words of Maya Angelou: You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I rise.”

“I thank Congressman Ivey for his remarks. Mr. Speaker, you see behind me a quote from Dr. King that he gave in an interview in 1967 where he talks about how in many ways the dream that he articulated in the march on Washington had become a nightmare.”

“So, part of the nightmare has been the very things used to try to erase the legacy of Jim Crow and slavery have now been weaponized against that progress.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of William J. ``Bill'' Martin, a cherished leader, historian, and steward of Richmond's history, who passed away on December 28, 2025, at the age of 71.”

“Born and raised in Culpeper County, Virginia, Bill's passion for history and community storytelling grew into a remarkable career that transformed The Valentine into a dynamic, vibrant center of learning and civic engagement.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of a 3-year extension of the Affordable Care Act's enhanced premium tax credits. Millions of Americans who benefited from these credits are now facing the real prospect of losing their health insurance because they can no longer afford their premiums.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Dr. A. Lincoln James Jr., a devoted pastor, educator, and community leader whose faith and service left an enduring impact on Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill. In just 15 days, health insurance premiums will skyrocket for more than 20 million Americans. At a time when people are already struggling with higher costs for groceries, rent, childcare, and utilities, this bill does nothing to stop the immediate harm heading their way on January 1.”

“Mr. Speaker, education is personal to my family. In the 1880s, my great-grandfather founded a school in a rural community because the State of Alabama did not think it important to educate Black children.”

“Mr. Speaker, we have 4 legislative days left in 2025, 17 days total. This is our last chance to prevent 22 million people from seeing their insurance premiums double or even triple and for some to see their health insurance premium spike beyond their ability to pay when the enhanced premium tax credits expire on December 31.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Carter for his remarks. Mr. Speaker, I wasn't here when the Affordable Care Act was passed. I was in the State legislature in Virginia.”

“Mr. Chair, I rise today to oppose H.R. 3638, which places an unnecessary burden on an already understaffed Department of Energy and does nothing of substance to support and secure America's electric supply chain.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank our chair for her tireless efforts to fight for our constituents who have found their healthcare costs going up along with the cost of everything else.”

“Mr. Speaker, today is December 1. At midnight and 30 days, at least 5 million Americans could lose access to their health insurance, and 22 million Americans who benefit from enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act--as they began open enrollment 1 month ago--started to see their health insurance premiums spike.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his words. To hear more stories from Georgia, I now yield to the Representative from Georgia's Seventh District, Congresswoman Lucy McBath.”

“Broward County. She is a home health aide who works full time, raising two children, and still cannot afford health insurance without the tax credit from the Affordable Care Act.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick), who represents the 20th District. Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative McClellan for hosting this tonight and for hearing the cries of our district, what they are suffering and the political anxiety that they are living in just thinking that healthcare for them and their families will be stripped from them.”

“Mr. Speaker, I will take a personal privilege to close this Special Order hour with some stories from Virginia, which I know you, Mr. Speaker, care a lot about.”

“Mr. Speaker, I want to put this debate in a larger context. I was in the State legislature where the Affordable Care Act passed. It wasn't perfect. Our healthcare system has never been perfect, but what it did, between the marketplace and expanding Medicaid, is it got the number of uninsured to record lows, at least in Virginia.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate National Rural Health Day and National Rural Health Month. Due to a lack of infrastructure and support, rural communities suffer from the worst health outcomes nationwide.”

“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a lifetime of service of one of my constituents, Colonel William Woodard Butler, the 2025 Veteran of the Year for Virginia's Fourth Congressional District.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 245th anniversary of the First African Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia, one of the oldest continuously operating Black congregations in the United States and a cornerstone of faith, resilience, and community leadership in the Commonwealth and in Virginia's 4th Congressional District.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel William Woodard Butler, an extraordinary Virginian and the 2025 Veteran of the Year for Virginia's 4th Congressional District. Colonel Butler is an outstanding choice for this honor, having devoted his entire military career to saving and improving the lives of our service members and advancing research in surgery, tropical medicine, hyperbaric medicine, and aerospace medicine.”

“Mr. Speaker, Speaker Johnson has called the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits a boondoggle, but let me tell you what those tax credits have meant for millions of Americans.”

“President Trump won. Since they were introduced, more than half of the growth in national enrollment has come from Texas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. Who are these folks?”

“Mr. Speaker, the United States has one of the highest preterm birth rates in the world, which is a leading cause of infant mortality. Today, the March of Dimes released its 2025 report card on the state of maternal and infant health.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of the Honorable James M. ``Jim'' Holland, who faithfully served the people of Chesterfield County's Dale District for nearly two decades before his passing on October 14, 2025.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Special Olympics Virginia and the Law Enforcement Torch Run as they celebrate 40 years of extraordinary service to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend a warm welcome to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Spiritual Head of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the second largest Christian Church in the world.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Shineforth, formerly known as UMFS, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary of service to children, families, and communities across Virginia.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Pallone for the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 3062, the Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act. My concern is that this bill is going to be bad for our national security interests, in addition to leading to rising costs that will ultimately harm consumers.”

“Mr. Speaker, I will put today's anniversary in a larger context, but first, I will center on these four little girls again. As the congregation of the 16th Street Baptist Church greeted each other before the start of Sunday's service, five little girls gathered in the ladies' room in their best dresses.”

“Mr. Speaker, for the last 6 weeks, I traveled around not just my district but the entire Commonwealth of Virginia to talk about the work that we are doing here in Washington as we headed back to try to avoid a government shutdown in the next 28 days.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 20th pastoral anniversary of Reverend Tyrone Nelson, a native of Richmond, Virginia, and the esteemed pastor of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commemorate the Reverend Dr. Todd Gray's 30th anniversary as the pastor of Fifth Street Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. For three decades.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Alabama (Ms. Sewell), who has made sure that Members of Congress follow the footsteps that John Lewis took, where he bled for our right not only to vote but to be here in this Chamber.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey for her words. Mr. Speaker, I now yield to Representative Lucy McBath, one of Congressman Lewis' delegation mates from Georgia.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. McIver). Mrs. McIVER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a new voice, as a new face, as a new generation, but still living by the words: ``When you see something that is not right, you must say something.”

“Mr. Speaker, one of my biggest regrets is that I did not get to serve with Congressman Lewis, but I did get to meet him. He came to Richmond about a year, year and a half before he passed, for the renaming of Arthur Ashe Boulevard.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1766, the NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act, which I was pleased to introduce with the gentleman from California (Mr.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a group of courageous Virginians who demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public service and persevered through adversity to open doors for future generations.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath). Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I thank my esteemed colleague from Virginia, Representative McClellan, for holding this CBC Special Order hour tonight specifically for our celebration of Juneteenth.”

“Mr. Speaker, ``Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story'' is a song from one of my favorite plays, ``Hamilton.'' It is very appropriate because there are a lot of stories in American history that have never been told.”

“Mr. Speaker, on January 6, 2021, a crowd of people stormed the Capitol seeking for the second time in American history to take by force what they could not win at the ballot box.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana for his leadership on Men's Health Month. Mr. Speaker, I am a nerd. I am a proud nerd. Whenever there is an awareness month, one of the first things I like to do is figure out, is there a theme.”

“Mr. Speaker, my father-in-law was a teacher and he talked about how in the morning when he would come into work, he could tell the kids that hadn't eaten at home and for them often the first meal they would get was the free or reduced breakfast and lunch.”

“Court, it is $1,396. The same group of people under this bill will be forced to pay a copay for the first time up to $35. In the Energy and Commerce Committee, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle said: Well, they need skin in the game, so what is the big deal?”

“Mr. Speaker, Claudia Quaatey, a 16-year-old who dreamed of becoming a nurse, killed by gun violence. Cecilia Thomas, a 5-month-old, shot and killed in Chicago, a 5-month old.”

“T'Yonna Major, a 9-year-old gymnast until gun violence cut her life short. Kingston Campbell, a 6-year-old killed when shooters were firing into his home. They can't speak for themselves.”

“De'Evan McFall, he dreamed of being an NFL player until gun violence took his life at 11. Zahmire Lopez, he had dance moves and rap skills until gun violence took his life at 8.”

“Sir'Antonio Brown, a 6-year-old killed near his Kansas City home by guns. King, a Georgia 9-year-old killed by another child handling an unsecure gun. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs.”

“Jakobe Fanning, a 16-year-old killed in a South Carolina shooting. Izaiah, a 16-year-old in Maryland shot near his high school. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs.”

“We need a President and an administration that says enough is enough. If you don't want to do anything to actually take the guns off the street, then at least invest in the root causes of violence because it is too easy for someone desperate enough to take their life to get a gun and do it.”

“Mr. Speaker, Serabi Medina lost her mother to gun violence, and then at 9, she was killed on her way home with ice cream for her father, cut down by gun violence by a neighbor.”

“Today, as a result, over 600,000 Virginians now have health insurance who didn't before. By giving them insurance, we were able to keep our rural hospitals open. We were able to keep costs from going up too much for everybody else because even the uninsured get sick.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am a proud Virginian. Virginia is the birthplace of American democracy. It is also the birthplace of American slavery. From the beginning of this country, we have been on the right side of history and the wrong side of history.”

“Not all of them shared that history because it was painful and it was uncomfortable. They didn't like talking about it and many of them did, but their stories are fading.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable group of women whose leadership, service, and achievements have made a profound impact on communities across Virginia's Fourth Congressional District and beyond.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Eta Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and to celebrate the dedication of a new monument honoring the chapter's enduring legacy and profound impact on the community.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable Mr. Clyburn for his speech. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath), who represents the State's Seventh District.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. McIver). Mrs. McIVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise and stand here today not as a politician, but as a daughter, a mother, and a product of public schools.”

“Mr. Speaker, I want to end where I began and that is with the story of my mother who lived to be 94. She was the third youngest of 14 children in the Gulf Coast of Mississippi where the only school available to her was the Catholic church because Mississippi did not deem Black children important enough to educate.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the honorable gentlewoman from Alabama (Ms. Sewell) for her remarks. Mr. Speaker, it is now my privilege to yield to the honorable gentleman from Illinois (Mr.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his remarks. Mr. Speaker, I stand here as I started, the great-granddaughter of Henry David Davidson, who had to take a literacy test and find three White men to vouch for him to be able to register to vote in 1902.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 45th anniversary of Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR), an organization that has been a cornerstone of leadership development and community engagement in the Richmond region since its founding in 1980.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and enduring legacy of Reverend Samuel J. Williams, Jr. of Farmville, Virginia. Reverend Williams was a devoted father, pastor, educator, historian, and civil rights activist who inspired generations of Virginians to advocate for justice and equality.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Educators Rising. Established in 1937, Educators Rising, formally known as the Future Teachers of America, serves as a nationwide movement dedicated to eliminating the teacher shortage in America by recruiting, preparing, and inspiring the next generation of educators.”

“Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) for yielding me time. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.J. Res. 20, which will undo a commonsense energy conservation standard and raise costs for consumers, all to benefit the gas industry.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.J. Res. 35, which will block the methane polluter fee, which is designed to control wasteful methane from the oil and gas industry.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out on behalf of our beleaguered Federal workforce which is currently under attack by the Musk-Trump-Vance administration. Trump's OMB nominee, Russell Vought, said: ``We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to the detrimental impacts that President Trump's recent flurry of executive orders targeting our workforce are already having. Despite being in office for less than 3 days, President Trump has already caused major disruptions to the Federal workforce in my district.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor North of the James magazine, a distinguished publication that has been a cornerstone of the Richmond, Virginia, community for over three decades.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my thoughts on how we can improve and expedite the organ donation referral process. I am proud to co-lead the bipartisan Organ Donation Referral Improvement Act with Representative Wittman.”