'Enough With Greed & Corruption': Dems Gabe Amo, Becca Balint Pull No Punches Over Trump DOJ Deal

Added: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]Donald Trump is stealing our money. At every turn, he's taking money from Americans bank accounts to pat his pockets and those of his billionaire buddies.

[00:00:10]>> President has created an entirely corrupt slush fund to give money to his allies, including the violent attackers who beat police officers on January 6.

[00:00:20]This is not a settlement, as the president keeps calling it. You can't bring an absurd10 billion dollar lawsuit against an agency in your own government, then instruct your lackey at DOJ to make a deal with the other agency to drop your ridiculous lawsuit that you brought in the first place in exchange for a $1.7 billion illegal fund for payouts to your political allies. This is not a settlement, it's theft.

[00:00:48]Americans are demanding accountability from a court that has become partisan and completely disconnected from the public it serves. Congress must act.

[00:01:01]Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, the Supreme Court faces a crisis of confidence and legitimacy. From ethics scandals to overturning decades of precedents, Americans are demanding accountability from a court that has become partisan and completely disconnected from the public it serves.

[00:01:20]Congress must act. That's why today I rise to urge my colleagues to support the ROE Act, my constitutional amendment establishing 18-year term limits for Supreme Court justices. Lifetime appointments are outdated. They encourage presidents to nominate judges for generational influence. incentivize strategically timed retirements and fuel divisive confirmation battles. Term limits are a common sense reform supported by supermajorities of Americans across the political spectrum.

[00:01:50]Term limits would restore predictability, reduce political gamesmanship, and help rebuild trust in the court. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

[00:02:01]>> Gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleoman from Oregon seek recognition?

[00:02:07]to address the house for one minute and to >> without objection. The gentleoman is recognized for one minute.

[00:02:19]>> Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, we are one step closer to having more affordable housing for Oregonians and Americans across the country. The 21st century road to housing package includes three of my bills which will help build more houses, lower the cost of housing, and make sure homeless shelters have the support they need to offer emergency assistance. Mr. Speaker, let's be real.

[00:02:45]Americans are struggling. The cost of living is out of control and people can barely afford to put gas in their car, let alone think about buying a house.

[00:02:55]Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, we must work to make life more affordable for our constituents. Now, we have to move this legislation across the finish line. The Senate needs to pass these bills expeditiously so we can get them over to 1600 and make them law. I yield back.

[00:03:14]>> Gentleoman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleoman from California seek recognition? Without objection, the gentleoman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the life and memory of Enrique Roman Martinez. This year marks the sixth anniversary of his violent death. For six long years, Enrique's family has carried unimmanageable pain while continuing to fight for answers and justice. To his family, Envette was known for his kindness, integrity, commitment to serving our country in uniform. He deserves the opportunity to come home to his loved ones. Instead, his family was left mourning, devastated by the loss, and searching for justice. And as we celebrate Memorial Day and honor those who serve our nation, we must also remember our responsibility to all of our service members and their families.

[00:04:15]Today I stand with Enriquez's mother, sisters, loved ones, and everyone who continues demanding accountability in his case. We owe them answers, transparency, action, and closure.

[00:04:27]Enrique's memory will continue to live on through those who loved him and through throughout all of us who refused to let his story fade. I urge witnesses to come forward. His murder needs to be convicted. He needs to be held responsible for his death. And I yield back.

[00:04:48]>> Gentleoman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from Massachusetts seek recognition?

[00:04:54]Mr. Speaker, I ask to address the House for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks.

[00:04:58]>> Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute.

[00:05:01]>> Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of the late Congressman Barney Frank. Barney Frank was a larger than-l life character. as a mentor and a friend. He made me a better lawmaker and he made me laugh. My staff and I representing the district that he faithfully served for three decades will always treasure his stories for his encouragement and his advice. He put his wit and wisdom to work over a remarkable political career. Barney pioneered policies to ensure equality for gay Americans at a time when it wasn't popular or safe to be an outlawmaker. He enacted landmark regulation to prevent financial meltdowns and he championed affordable housing. The people of the Massachusetts 4th, who elected him 16 times, have always held great affection and esteem for Barney. We will miss him.

[00:05:43]And on behalf of all of his former constituents, I extend to his family and friends condolences for his his death and gratitude for his life of service. I yield back.

[00:05:54]>> Gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleoman from Ohio seek recognition?

[00:06:01]>> My remarks.

[00:06:02]>> Without objection, the gentleoman is recognized for one minute.

[00:06:05]>> Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the sailors and crew of the USS Gerald R.

[00:06:09]Ford. They've returned home after the longest aircraft carrier deployment since the Vietnam War. For nearly 300 days, nearly 11 months, these Americans served halfway around the world. Missing their families, carrying out every mission asked of them with discipline, courage, and professionalism. They endured combat operations, dangerous onboard conditions, and extraordinary strain on both ship and crew. We must also recognize the growing burden these extended operations place upon our sailors, our military families, and our nation. This deployment was repeatedly extended to support illegal and unconstitutional operations in Venezuela and Iran. Behind every extra month at sea are missed birthdays, holidays, exhausted crews, and families left waiting at home. Our sailors answered every call. We must swiftly end this expensive war of choice in Iran while honoring the service of the men and women of the Ford. We thank them and their families on this Memorial Day weekend for every sacrifice made throughout this costly war of choice and unnecessarily long deployment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I yield back.

[00:07:22]>> Gentleman's time is expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from Massachusetts seek recognition?

[00:07:27]to address the House for one minute and revise and extend my remarks.

[00:07:30]>> Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute.

[00:07:32]>> Mr. Speaker, to be a champion for human rights around the world, the United States must stand for those who defend fundamental rights. One human rights defender who needs our help is Ruth Lopez, head of the anti-corruption unit of Cristool, a legal rights group based until recently in El Salvador. One year ago this week, Ruth was detained by Salvadoran authorities. For most of this time, she's been in held in communicado without access to family or legal counsel. Her arrest and judicial proceedings are full of irregularities.

[00:08:02]A judge refused her request for a public trial, siding with the government to keep it secret. Ruth is being targeted for political reasons by an autocratic regime. This is arbitrary detention, a human rights violation. She should not be in jail at all. We call on Salvador and authorities to respect her right to a fair, speedy, and public trial and have access to her family and lawyers. I asked the US embassy. I asked the US embassy to help Ruth. No response. I fear our government is siding with the abusers rather than the the defenders of human rights. Free Ruth Lopez. I yield back.

[00:08:39]>> Gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from Rhode Island seek recognition?

[00:08:47]Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute.

[00:08:52]Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reveal a theft from the American people. Donald Trump is stealing our money. At every turn, he's taking money from Americans bank accounts to pad his pockets and those of his billionaire buddies. His tariffs, which were twice ruled illegal, cost the average working family of four $1,700 last year. At the gas pump, Americans have collectively paid an extra $40 billion to fuel up since the start of his war of choice with Iran.

[00:09:27]And Trump's latest grift, an over $1.7 billion taxpayerf funed slush fund to pay off his cronies who have been convicted of crimes, including the dangerous felons who attacked the capital on January 6th. Donald Trump is abusing power and weakening our democracy. And Republicans in Congress are complicit by refusing to act. Enough with the greed and the corruption. End the war. Stop the chaos. and let's do something to lower costs for the American people. I yield back.

[00:10:00]>> Gentleman yields back. Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the president. For what purpose does the gentleoman from Hawaii seek recognition?

[00:10:08]>> Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks.

[00:10:12]>> Without objection, the gentleoman is recognized for one minute.

[00:10:15]>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week, the president said he doesn't think much about Americans finances. Well, families in Hawaii do. They think about it every time they fill up the tank, every time they open their electric bill, every time they stand in the grocery aisle deciding what they can afford. While Donald Trump wages a war of choice in Iran, pushes a billion dollar slush fund for his buddies and fights for a royal ballroom in the White House. Working families back home are being forced to make impossible choices. Gas prices in Hawaii are now averaging $5.65 a gallon.

[00:10:49]Food prices keep climbing. Electricity costs are expected to surge even higher.

[00:10:54]Families are deciding whether they can afford groceries, medicine, rent, or the drive to work. This is the cost of indifference. And instead of lowering costs, this administration is making it worse with tariff and trade wars, blocking renewable energy projects that would help Hawaii build real energy independence, and bring bills and costs down. It's time to end this reckless war, lower costs, and put our working people first. Mr. Speaker, I yield back.

[00:11:22]>> Gentleoman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleoman from Vermont seek recognition?

[00:11:31]>> Without objection, the gentleoman is recognized for one minute.

[00:11:34]>> Mr. Speaker, the president has created an entirely corrupt slush fund to give money to his allies, including the violent attackers who beat police officers on January 6. This is not a settlement, as the president keeps calling it. You can't bring an absurd10 billion dollar lawsuit against an agency in your own government, then instruct your lackeyis at DOJ to make a deal with the other agency to drop your ridiculous lawsuit that you brought in the first place in exchange for a $ 1.7 billion illegal fund for payouts to your political allies. This is not a settlement. It's theft. The president is illegally taking our money, taxpayer dollars to give to his friends, his allies, and his foot soldiers in their craven loyalty. Former Capitol police officers have already filed a lawsuit to stop it. I'm co-sponsoring a bill to put an end to this disgusting illegal corruption. And let's be clear, Congress on both sides of the aisle must say no to this president. I yield back.

[00:12:42]Gentlewoman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleoman from California seek recognition?

[00:12:53]Without objection, the gentleoman is recognized for one minute.

[00:13:08]Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember three victims of the shooting at the Islamic Center in San Diego, California.

[00:13:17]Amin Abdullah Mansour Kazya and Nadir Awad were ripped from their families far too soon. And I want to take a moment to remember these three men not as victims, but as pillars of their community, of my community. Amin is remembered as a joyous man who had never stopped smiling and welcomed everyone with a warm peace and presence.

[00:13:43]And this week he ran into the fire saving hundreds of children. Mansour is remembered as an elder and he was right there right there when the community center was first built and he was there this week when he died. And someone you could always rely on. Nadir is remembered as a constant figure of devotion and of community and he lived right across the street from the masid and his wife taught school in the building.

[00:14:16]And I want to say that these men were taken away from the earth far too soon and may God grant them forever lasting peace.

[00:14:26]Violence has no place in this country.

[00:14:30]Violence has no place in our places of worship. Amen.

[00:14:36]And I yield back.

[00:14:37]>> Gentleoman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from New Jersey seek recognition?

[00:14:46]>> Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute.

[00:14:52]>> Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize General Robert Ducko, whose impressive career of service in the Air National Guard expand over four decades. General Ducko's military career began in 1954 when he enlisted in the New Jersey Air National Guard at McGuire Air Force Base, where he served with the 141st Fighter Bomber Squadron. After returning from active duty during the Berlin crisis, he held assignments at the Pentagon and was later appointed assistant agitant general of the New Jersey Air National Guard. General Dutkco was instrumental in the success of the Armed Services Heritage Museum, helping to secure the museum's mobile unit, sharing the history of the military with countless community members. He also shaped how his hometown honored service and sacrificed with his role and programs like hometown heroes, ensuring that the service of viewing residents be recognized in a meaningful way. Though we mourn the loss of the general last month, we will be celebrating his inspiring legacy and service for many years to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield back.

[00:15:58]>> Gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from Illinois seek recognition?

[00:16:02]>> Mr. Speaker remarks.

[00:16:09]>> Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute.

[00:16:14]>> Mr. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during AsianAmerican History Month to honor the enduring constitutional victory of United States versus Wong Kim Ark, a case born not in marble hallways, but on the docks of San Francisco, where a young Chinese American man born on American soil, was told that the country of his birth would not claim him. Juan Kim Arc stood at the crossroads of exclusion and equality. His parents could not become citizens because of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

[00:16:47]Yet he carried within him his very birth the promise of the 14th Amendment passed in 1868 that all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction are citizens. The Supreme Court affirmed that promise in 19 in 1898, declaring that citizenship could not be denied by race, ancestry, or the prejudice of the hour. This case matters not only to Asian-American history, but to American history. The 14th Amendment was written from the ashes of Dread Scott to make clear that no government could again create a cast of people born here but belonging nowhere. Wong Kim Arc reminds us that citizenship is not a favor. It is not a privilege reserved for the powerful. It is a constitutional birthright. And when America honors that truth, America honors its highest self.

[00:17:37]Mr. Speaker, I yield back.

[00:17:39]>> Gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleoman from New Jersey seek recognition?

[00:17:49]>> Without objection, the gentleoman is recognized for one minute.

[00:17:54]>> I mean, that would be make it a little easier. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the life of Marina Udelia del Monte, the beloved mother of Assemblywoman Rosie Begoli, who passed away at the age of 77.

[00:18:15]Marina was the embodiment of strength, sacrifice, and quiet dignity. After immigrating from the Dominican Republic, she worked hard to build a better life for her, her family, and helped raise generations rooted in love, resilience, and service to others. Her legacy lives on through her daughters, grandchildren, and greatg grandandchildren, and through the values that she instilled in all who knew her. Today we mourn alongside Assemblywoman Rosie Begoli and her family. And we honor a remarkable woman whose life reminds us of the extraordinary impact of mothers, immigrants, and caregivers in shaping our communities and our country. May Marina's memory forever be a blessing. I yield back, Mr. Speaker.

[00:19:07]>> Gentleoman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from California seek recognition? Mr. Speaker, unanimous consent to address the body for one minute without objection.

[00:19:15]>> Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute.

[00:19:21]>> Mr. Speaker, all gave some and many made the ultimate sacrifice. Memorial Day is a time to reflect upon the sacrifices made by the members of our military. To our veterans and fallen soldiers from Orange County and around the country, thank you. We are forever indebted to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation's freedom and who allowed us to build a better future for the next generation. And Mr. Speaker, I ask that all my colleagues today join me in honoring our service, the service of our service members who laid down their lives for our country. Thank you to our great patriots. Mr. Speaker, I yield.