[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 146 (Monday, September 8, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H3868-H3869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SCHOOL FUNDING SLASHED
(Mr. Subramanyam of Virginia was recognized to address the House for
5 minutes.)
Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, in the past few weeks, students
returned to school across Virginia and across the country, including my
two daughters.
Unfortunately, while students were enjoying their summer breaks, this
administration moved to slash funding and resources for public
education across the country. Those funds are funds that were needed to
ensure that our kids get a great education.
This administration has now illegally withheld billions of dollars in
congressionally approved education funding, forcing schools to delay or
cancel programs.
In northern Virginia, our schools have been the target of even more
funding cuts over culture wars and partisan politics. This has come at
a time when Virginia is still dealing with learning loss.
As this administration has continued to make plans to cut even more
education funding, including at the Department of Education itself, we
need to make sure that we are pushing back and fighting back against
these cuts because our kids are worth it.
The big, ugly bill slashed funding for Medicaid and SNAP, which
families in our community rely on to keep their kids healthy and fed.
If we really want to be profamily, prokids, and proparents, we would be
investing in our students, not causing chaos and confusion by cutting
resources and making our schools less safe and underfunded.
I will continue to work with my colleagues, and I hope this can be
bipartisan, to push back on these cuts to education.
{time} 1230
Combating the Rise in Hate
Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, hate has no place in our communities,
and that is why I condemn the recent hateful attacks on Hindu temples
and mandirs all across the country.
[[Page H3869]]
From the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Indiana to the Sri Radha
Krishna Temple in Utah, sacred spaces for faith communities have been
targeted with acts of hate, vandalism, and desecration.
These are not isolated incidents. It is part of a rise in violence.
It is a part of a rise in division in our country. It is not just
happening to temples. It is happening to all places of worship.
Every American deserves the right to safely practice their faith
without fear. That is why we need to continue fighting for increased
resources for security at places of worship, like these temples. We
must be committed to doing more to combat the rise in hate that we are
experiencing in the United States to ensure that our communities are
protected.
Madam Speaker, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both
sides of the aisle to do that.
Supporting Small Businesses
Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, since May, 33 new small businesses
have officially opened in Prince William County.
They include AlSham, a Syrian grocery store and bakery; GN Banquet
Center, an event venue; Modern Remodeling, a restoration service;
Shotted, a Saudi-style coffee shop; My Haberdasher, a custom suits and
tuxedo rental service; Dry Time Restoration, a water damage service;
Chocolate, which I guess is not a candy store but an apparel store in
Manassas Mall; Doyle Systems, a full-service mechanical contractor; and
Ebenezer Roofing.
The growth of these businesses reflects the innovation and
entrepreneurship of our communities, especially of the folks in Prince
William County. I am looking forward to continuing to support them as
they continue to grow their businesses in one of the best places to do
business in the country: Northern Virginia.
Recognizing Haymarket Gainesville Library
Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and thank the
Haymarket Gainesville Library for having a new collection of books in
Nepali.
This is part of a greater effort in Prince William County to include
more books in other languages, including Urdu, as part of their world
languages collection. We have a great Nepalese community in our region,
and we want to make sure that they are supported.
Nearly 175 Nepali language books and around 250 Urdu language books
were received as donations by community members. This is a testament to
the value of public libraries as a resource to our communities and the
growing diversity of our region, as well.
Public libraries, including where our office hosts our office hours,
continue to be an asset for all communities and age groups. I am proud
that a library in my district is at the forefront of being that space
for constituents of all backgrounds.
____________________