Providing for Consideration of H.R. Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, and Providing for Consideration of H.R. Schools Not Shelters Act

Floor Speech

"Mr. Speaker, let me first clarify. I live in the State of New York where Mayor Eric Adams and the city of New York decided to declare itself a sanctuary city. It opened its arms to individuals from across the globe.

The city of New York decided to transport individuals--treating them not as human souls but simply as property--to be displaced to upstate counties. There is no screening. There is no criminal background check. In many cases, there is no monitoring or any coordination between the city of New York and those other communities, communities that made no such decision, no such choice.

Earlier, my colleague across the aisle suggested that the Governors who engage in similar activities should simply coordinate and communicate with those other cities. Well, how about the city of New York communicating and coordinating with the rest of the communities?

My colleague suggested that Governors should merely turn their attention to the President and simply ask for assistance. Ironically, Mayor Eric Adams made exactly that request and was met with deafening silence.

My colleague across the aisle suggested that this is a manufactured crisis. It is a humanitarian crisis at our border that too many of my colleagues in power, by the way, for several years chose not to pay attention to. The President ignored the situation, and now communities across the country are faced with a humanitarian crisis.

I am sponsoring the bill not because I don't care about the souls. I spent 12 years locating and identifying real shelters for individuals, unaccompanied minors.

I sponsored the bill because families and communities in New York State and in New York City know their schools are not empty. These are centers of education, academics, and athletics. During the summer months, these are the places, by the way, that single moms send their children to get the services and support they need. Lunches are provided.

For kids like my own, therapies for those with disabilities are provided. For 2\1/2\ years, we turned our back on those very children. These families are frightened, upset, and agitated by a government that doesn't pay attention to the concerns they have and instead displaces their children when the city of New York and the President and the White House have the capacity to address this problem where it exists.

Mr. Speaker, I was intending to speak on a number of provisions within the FAA reauthorization, and I would like to try to get to just two.

Within this FAA reauthorization bill, the Access and Dignity for All People Who Travel Act, which I lead, ensures those with disabilities who need special seating accommodations receive them. Too often, those with disabilities are ignored. This bill rectifies that.

Another bill within the FAA reauthorization is the Future of Aviation Act.

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Mr. Speaker, this allows public airports that received funding to use the additional funding for the use of advanced air mobility, including eVTOLs and electrical aircraft charging, and additional building out of their infrastructure.

Lastly, the bill includes AAM that will help reconnect rural communities, reinvigorating tourism, improving ease of movement, and connecting rural communities to regional airports."

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