[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ONGOING PROTESTS IN IRAN

  (Mr. Subramanyam of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 
5 minutes.)
  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the ongoing protests 
in Iran.
  For decades, the Iranian people have faced human rights abuses, 
extrajudicial killings, and economic turmoil.
  Protests have been going on for almost a month. The military is 
cracking down, and at least thousands have died. The Iranian people are 
not backing down, and they deserve the right to protest for changes. 
They deserve the right to decide whether they want a freer, secular 
future.
  That is why I have joined my colleagues on the bipartisan FREEDOM Act 
to expand internet freedom in Iran. I also sent a letter to the 
administration urging immediate action to maximize resources to protect 
internet freedom.
  I have also written directly to Secretary Rubio in support of the 
Iranian people, while highlighting the worsening human rights abuses, 
which are also affecting people back here who have Iranian family 
there.
  We support the Iranian people and their efforts to determine their 
own futures, and we will continue to support them.


                   Banning Immigrant Visa Processing

  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, the administration has decided that, 
starting tomorrow, January 21, they are going to implement an 
indefinite ban on immigrant visa processing for more than 75 countries.
  This sweeping action has created a crisis for so many Virginia 
families who have followed the law to see or reunite with their loved 
ones. Some of these stories that my office has seen of people who have 
been affected are really heartbreaking. These are spouses still waiting 
to reunite, engaged couples who have had to pause or cancel their 
wedding plans, children waiting for parents, and parents waiting to 
care for their families.
  We even had a couple reach out who were in the final stages of 
adopting a child from Thailand, which is on the list. Because of the 
pause on what is going on, the adoption is now frozen indefinitely.
  It seems there are no exceptions to this ban. It is just a straight-
up ban, and the reason seems kind of flimsy, to be honest. It is 
apparently because they are a drain on our social system. I will just 
say that the only drain on our social system has been Congress, with 
cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.
  In any case, I would love to see the math on how these particular 
countries were chosen and why this administration thinks banning visas 
from Fiji is going to help out social services or pay down the debt.
  This blanket ban, with no exceptions, does nothing more than separate 
families and create hardship. Our constituents deserve better.


                      Medicare Telehealth Coverage

  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, we have been talking a lot in this 
Chamber about rising healthcare costs.
  One of the things that we are doing really well as a country to lower 
costs is telehealth, which allows people to see their providers faster 
and more often, and even see specialized providers from out of State. 
It saves time and money, and it is great for doctors, nurses, and 
seniors.
  Unfortunately, we are heading toward a telehealth coverage cliff 
because, on January 30, Medicare telehealth coverage will end, and many 
patients will have to see their doctors in person only.
  That is why I am urging my colleagues to pass the CONNECT for Health 
Act and make telehealth coverage permanent. This is common sense. It 
lowers costs, and it means less emergency room visits. Everyone wins.
  We must save telehealth coverage and pass this bill before the end of 
the month.

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