Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Representative for Florida · Democratic · United States
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. To my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick), I was proud to be elected in the same class as his late brother, Mike. He was a good and decent man, someone who always reached across the aisle.”
“The earlier it is caught, the better our chances are to survive and beat it. When breast cancer is caught in its earliest stage, survival rates shoot up to 99 percent. Trust me. I know catching it early saved my life.”
“Millions of young women need these same tools, so once I was cancer- free, I passed the original EARLY Act, which became law in 2010. Since it first became law, breast cancer cases have steadily risen by 1.4 percent annually for women under 50, twice the rate of older women, and by as much as 3.5 percent in women between 20 and 29.”
“It also ensures healthcare providers know the unique challenges that breast cancer poses to young and high-risk women. Unfortunately, too many young women and high-risk women are dismissed by healthcare providers thinking, ``Oh, what you have is just a cyst,'' or, ``Young women don't get breast cancer.'' The bottom line is reauthorizing t…”
“Mr. Speaker, early detection is our most powerful tool to beat cancer. It can be the difference between life and death, especially in combating breast cancer, especially for those with inherited mutations and women at higher risk, like Black women, for whom a deadlier form of breast cancer known as triple negative is more likely. Mr.”
“All the while, working Americans get poorer as the direct result of Trump's chaotic decisions on tariffs, immigration, and military action. Instead of addressing real threats to our security, our interests, and our values abroad, this bill doubles down on petty, partisan culture war riders.”
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“Mr. Speaker, early detection is our most powerful tool to beat cancer. It can be the difference between life and death, especially in combating breast cancer, especially for those with inherited mutations and women at higher risk, like Black women, for whom a deadlier form of breast cancer known as triple negative is more likely. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, the Senate to quickly pass it, and the President to make it law. Breast cancer diagnoses are on the rise in younger women, and we must meet this moment.”
“It also ensures healthcare providers know the unique challenges that breast cancer poses to young and high-risk women. Unfortunately, too many young women and high-risk women are dismissed by healthcare providers thinking, ``Oh, what you have is just a cyst,'' or, ``Young women don't get breast cancer.'' The bottom line is reauthorizing the EARLY Act saves women's lives, and I am proud to team up with Representatives Miller-Meeks, Castor, Fitzpatrick, Dingell, and Harshbarger, and Senators Klobuchar and Crapo, to make sure those resources are out there for all of us. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.”
“Millions of young women need these same tools, so once I was cancer- free, I passed the original EARLY Act, which became law in 2010. Since it first became law, breast cancer cases have steadily risen by 1.4 percent annually for women under 50, twice the rate of older women, and by as much as 3.5 percent in women between 20 and 29. The law created three CDC programs that helped young and high-risk women focus on breast cancer risks and address the reality of rising breast cancer rates in young women. The Bring Your Brave campaign amplifies stories to raise awareness in young women 18 to 44 about unique risks, signs, and symptoms. The Young Breast Cancer Survivors Program funds grants for nonprofits that provide support services and resources to boost patient survival and their quality of life.”
“The earlier it is caught, the better our chances are to survive and beat it. When breast cancer is caught in its earliest stage, survival rates shoot up to 99 percent. Trust me. I know catching it early saved my life. Almost 18 years ago, when I was just 41 years old, I heard those four harrowing words: ``You have breast cancer.'' I can tell you, I remember feeling like I was being crushed by an anvil. Like many Ashkenazi Jewish women, I found out I carry the BRCA2 gene mutation, making me far more likely to get breast cancer and ovarian cancer during my lifetime, and far more likely for recurrence. After 15 months and many surgeries and tons of support from family and close friends, I was cancer-free. Finding it early saved my life, and now we have generational awareness of this genetic risk in my family.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. To my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick), I was proud to be elected in the same class as his late brother, Mike. He was a good and decent man, someone who always reached across the aisle. I was really fortunate to be able to serve with him and with the current Congressman Fitzpatrick. I thank him for continuing the fight against cancer with us. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in strong support of my bipartisan bill, the Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act, or the EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025. First, I thank Chairman Guthrie and Ranking Member Pallone for their strong support of this legislation, because one in eight American women, as you have heard, will get breast cancer, and 42,000 are expected to lose their life from it this year.”
“When this bill came out of our committee, I thought it couldn't get any worse. Yet, stunningly, Republican leadership attached President Trump's racist voter suppression bill to it, caving to far-right extremists who held the House floor hostage. I am voting ``no'' because this Republican bill won't make your family stronger, safer, or more prosperous, unless your last name is Trump. The Acting CHAIR. Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the President.”
“This bill does nothing to reverse Trump's America-last self-sabotage, his disdain for our neighbors in Haiti and Venezuela, or his racist refugee exclusion policy. Instead of holding him accountable for his corruption, it offers Trump a $1.5 billion slush fund. That is $1.5 billion siphoned from law enforcement, peacekeeping, global health, and, yes, directly from starving children. With the deficit exploding, prices out of control, and Americans crying out for relief, I can't imagine a worse prescription than a blank check for a President out of control. When this bill came out of our committee, I thought it couldn't get any worse. The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.”
“All the while, working Americans get poorer as the direct result of Trump's chaotic decisions on tariffs, immigration, and military action. Instead of addressing real threats to our security, our interests, and our values abroad, this bill doubles down on petty, partisan culture war riders. This Republican bill includes a provision to suppress reproductive freedom abroad by boycotting humanitarian groups that provide lifesaving care to women and girls. Is anyone surprised the same party that rips away Americans' reproductive rights and guts our healthcare is running the same anti- choice playbook worldwide? Experts predict tens of thousands more unsafe abortions and maternal deaths. No part of this is pro-life. When I filed an amendment to strike this expanded global gag rule, Republicans refused to even allow a vote.”
“Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Chair, the State Department funding bill that we are considering here fails to meet this critical, historic moment. Our Nation is at a dangerous crossroads. We are at war, a war that Congress never voted to authorize, a war so recklessly managed that our allies increasingly see us as a threat rather than a reliable partner. Yet, amid this global chaos, Republicans have abandoned investments to make the world a safer, healthier place. Their callous neglect has caused hundreds of thousands of needless deaths along the way. President Trump has given up our seat at the table. He has put down the torch of liberty and democracy, all so he can glad-hand dictators and stuff his family's pockets.”
“Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be physically present for votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 111 and NAY on Roll Call No. 112. ____________________”
“The Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapter at Hollywood Hills High School and the Florida Teen Safe Driver Coalition's April Safety Awareness Campaign truly shows the power of community-based advocacy. Throughout my time in Congress, I have focused on road safety, especially for our teens. So, in recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, I will take the following pledge from the National Safety Council and encourage others to do the same: ``For my friends, my family, and anyone else who may have fond feelings toward me, I pledge not to drive distracted or recklessly. For every person I may never meet, but share the road with, I pledge to give driving the 100 percent attention it deserves.'' ____________________”
“Texting and cell phone use while driving is the most common type of unfocused driving; however, any action that takes a drivers' attention away from the road is distracted driving and is extremely dangerous. Texting while driving is especially prevalent among younger drivers, with 39 percent of high school students reporting texting or emailing while driving during the past month, according to a 2019 CDC study. Even though 48 states have banned texting and driving, including Florida, drivers engage in this behavior anyway. That is why I am proud to uplift leaders in my district who are taking action this month to educate Floridian students and families about the importance of attentive driving.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E347] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING APRIL AS DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH ______ HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ of florida in the house of representatives Monday, April 28, 2025 Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, as part of ongoing efforts to educate our communities about the dangers of inattentive driving and to promote safer streets. On average, nine people a day are killed in a distracted driving crash.”
“With a thrilling 74-73 victory over California State University, Dominguez Hills, they capped off a dominant 36-1 season to bring home their second national title in just 3 years. This is such an accomplishment. Led by Head Coach Jim Crutchfield and tournament MVP MJ Iraldi, these Sharks showed grit, determination, and the excellence that defines Florida's student athletes. Their 23-game winning streak to close the season is nothing short of extraordinary. These student athletes represent the very best of south Florida excellence, pride, and heart. Their dedication, both on the court and in the classroom, is an inspiration to us all. We congratulate President Moon, the coaching staff, the students, and alumni. We thank them for bringing another national championship back home to the Sunshine State. Go Sharks. ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)] [House] [Page H1512] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONGRATULATING NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY (Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, the State of Florida is teeming with champions. I rise today to proudly congratulate Nova Southeastern University on winning the 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship. The NSU Sharks, based in Davie, in my congressional district, have made our entire State proud.”