The Philippines

Floor Speech

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Congressman Christopher Smith of New Jersey for leading a codel to the Philippines. I, along with Congressman Trent Franks, were members of the codel. And I want people to know that there is still great work to be done for our friends in the Philippines.

This picture depicts some of the damage that we were able to see while we were there in Tacloban, which is a province in the Philippines. This is another picture that shows actual homes. This is a USAID sign. And these are places where people are actually dwelling at this time. The number one problem that they have right now is shelter.

I will also add that our military has done an outstanding job. I had an opportunity to meet with many of our military people who were there with heavy equipment, and I commend them for what they have done.

Finally, I would like to say this. We have a bill, H.R. 3602, which would accord people from the Philippines in the United States a temporary protective status. This would allow them to stay here, as opposed to going home where the income is less than $2 a day for more than 40 percent of the people.

My hope is that we can pass H.R. 3602. It does not give any pathway to citizenship. It will only allow them to send money back home while they are here working in the United States.

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