[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 14, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2890-H2891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CRACKING DOWN ON WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Porter) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. PORTER. Madam Speaker, beware when Washington says it is getting 
fiscally responsible. Too often that is code for cutting programs that 
families rely on while throwing more money at defense contractors.
  This year, my Republican colleagues want most government programs to 
tighten their belts while defense spending increases without 
accountability. Nowhere is this more evident than the F-35 program.
  The Department of Defense expects to spend $1.7 trillion over the 
life of the F-35 program, including the countless spare parts 
contractors are losing. In fact, since May 2018, under the watch of 
just one company, over 1 million parts have been lost, damaged, or 
destroyed.
  I came to Washington to protect taxpayer dollars, not flush them into 
the Pentagon's black hole. As Congress considers the National Defense 
Authorization Act, I encourage my colleagues to join me in cracking 
down on waste, fraud, and abuse.


             Orange County Eviction Diversion Collaborative

  Ms. PORTER. Madam Speaker, higher inflation and housing costs harm us 
all, especially our most vulnerable neighbors who are on the brink of 
losing their homes. Low-income families are struggling to make do, 
falling behind on rent, and unable to find affordable housing.
  One unexpected medical emergency or job layoff can be all it takes to 
doom a family into eviction. Evictions are not momentary 
inconveniences. They are long-term setbacks that make it harder to find 
a new home, driving families deeper into poverty. Single moms and women 
of color are disproportionately at risk of being evicted. Seventy-eight 
percent of Orange County households that are behind on rent are headed 
by females.
  Thankfully, the Orange County Eviction Diversion Collaborative is 
stepping in to help. By advocating for rental assistance and landlord 
mediation services, they are saving tenants and families from the 
destabilizing damage of an eviction. As a single mom myself, I am 
grateful Orange County is looking out for women and children. Our 
community is stronger, healthier, and safer when we take care of one 
another.


            Silicon Valley Bank Community Benefits Agreement

  Ms. PORTER. Madam Speaker, when banks make promises to the public, we 
should expect that they are upheld. Disappointingly, First Citizens 
Bank is falling short of this standard.
  After purchasing Silicon Valley Bank's assets at a whopping $16.5 
billion discount, First Citizens has been silent on whether it will 
uphold Silicon Valley Bank's promise to invest $9 billion in 
California's low-income communities. This investment promised to expand 
affordable housing, small business loans, and other needed services in 
underserved areas.
  I led 15 of my California colleagues in a letter last month calling 
on First Citizens Bank to honor this commitment. They have not 
responded.
  It is an injustice that communities of color and low-income 
households stand to lose out more from First Citizens' purchase than 
all of Silicon Valley Bank's billionaire depositors.
  First Citizens has a responsibility to make sure that neighborhoods 
with the least financial resources are not left behind.

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               CalOptima Funding for Youth Mental Health

  Ms. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I rise to commend CalOptima Health's board 
of directors for approving up to $25.5 million in funding for 
behavioral healthcare for Orange County students.
  All 29 Orange County school districts could use this funding to hire 
additional staff, enhance training and development, and develop new 
respite spaces for children in K-12 schools. This funding comes at such 
a crucial time.
  Children's mental health has declined since the start of the 
pandemic. In California, young people between the ages of 14 and 18 are 
suffering the most. CalOptima Health and the Student Behavioral Health 
Incentive Program are doing important work by partnering with Hazel 
Health, Children's Hospital of Orange County, and Western Youth 
Services to improve behavioral health among our students.
  Mental health care is healthcare, and I applaud Orange County for 
prioritizing the health and well-being of our children.

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