[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 194 (Tuesday, November 18, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H4709-H4710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. THOMAS A. PARHAM

  (Ms. Barragan of California was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Thomas A. 
Parham, president of California State University, Dominguez Hills, as 
he retires after an extraordinary career in higher education.
  Affectionately known as Dr. P, he has been a visionary at Cal State 
Dominguez Hills since 2018, elevating academic excellence, expanding 
opportunity, and strengthening community partnerships across the South 
Bay and beyond.
  Dr. Parham has inspired generations of students through his 
commitment to equity, empowerment, and educational success. Under his 
leadership, California State University, Dominguez Hills, has become 
more than a university. It has been a launching pad for dreams, 
empowering students to succeed academically and personally.
  As Dr. Parham embarks on his well-deserved retirement, his legacy 
will continue to uplift the Toro community and the broader higher 
education landscape for years to come.
  On behalf of California's 44th District, I congratulate Dr. Parham 
and wish him continued success, happiness, and fulfillment in this next 
chapter.


                       Remembering Jesse Marquez

  Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and 
legacy of an environmental champion in my district, Jesse Marquez.
  Jesse was a passionate leader who fought tirelessly for environmental 
justice. As a student at Banning High School in Wilmington, California, 
he was a record-setting track athlete.
  Tragically, disaster struck his neighborhood when explosions occurred 
at a refinery across the street from his family's home. Fortunately, 
Jesse survived the fatal incident, which injured over 150 neighbors. It 
led him to establish the Coalition For A Safe Environment in 2021, a 
community-based organization that successfully advocated for stronger 
rules to protect residents from pollution and chemical disasters.
  Jesse also established the first community-led air monitor network in 
Wilmington, California, and he successfully prevented the expansion of 
highways and rail yards next to homes and schools.
  I thank Jesse for his tireless advocacy for safer, healthier 
communities.
  Rest in power.


                        Payouts to GOP Senators

  Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, Republicans in Congress shut the 
government down for 43 days to avoid spending a dollar on healthcare 
for hardworking Americans.
  When they finally voted for a partisan spending bill, it lined the 
pockets of eight Republican Senators with millions of dollars in 
taxpayer funds.
  This is corruption, plain and simple. If anyone else in government 
gave themselves millions of dollars in taxpayer money, they would go to 
prison.
  It also speaks to the misplaced priorities of Republicans who cannot 
be bothered to support affordable healthcare for Americans, but they 
can find money to reward Senators over taxpayers.
  Senators may not like to be treated like everybody else, but 
subpoenas and nondisclosure orders are a routine part of grand jury 
investigations. No one has an absolute right to be notified that their 
call records have been subpoenaed. No Senator should have a guaranteed 
right to self-deal themselves a million dollars if a lawful search 
happens.
  Now, the American people may hear House Republicans say they will 
pass a bill this week to undo what they voted for last week, but talk 
is cheap. They could have stopped this corrupt provision before it 
became law, and they didn't. That was the action they took. It is now 
the law, and unless the Senate is going to take up whatever the House 
passes, if it does, the vote this week will have all been for show.
  It is to save face, but it doesn't save taxpayers a dime from the 
payday coming to Senate Republicans. The Republican Senator from South 
Carolina said he is already preparing to sue so he can cash in.
  Republicans did this at the same time they threw Americans off their 
healthcare. Imagine that, doing this at the very same time.

[[Page H4710]]

  While Republicans take away the lifesaving care you need and deserve, 
they are getting rich with your hard-earned tax dollars.
  House Democrats will keep fighting to protect your healthcare and 
make life more affordable.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from 
engaging in personalities toward the Senate or individual Members of 
the Senate.

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