Pelosi Floor Speech on Departure of Senior Advisor Jaime Lizárraga

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks on the Floor of the House of Representatives in recognition of the service of Jaime Lizárraga, Senior Advisor in the Office of the Speaker. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the departing – a departing member of my office, my longtime Senior Advisor, Jaime Lizárraga. This is a moment of great, official pride as last week he was unanimously confirmed by the Senate to serve as a Commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

[Applause]

This departure is also bittersweet for me, as he's been an invaluable member of our team for the last 15 years. All of those who have ever had the privilege of working with Jaime know first hand, he is the model of an outstanding, patriotic servant, in a bipartisan way. He has dedicated his entire career to doing the people's work and has been – excelled, not only in my office but also on the House Financial Services Committee, working with then-Chairman Barney Frank – Treasury Department as a staffer at the SEC.

Indeed, President Biden's selection of Jaime to serve on the SEC is a testament to Jaime's deep expertise, strategic mind and strong values. And his unanimous confirmation in the Senate was a tremendous victory for working families and for the entire country. Here in the House, his masterful leadership was instrumental – enabling and enacting some of the most consequential economic legislation in a generation. During his – the financial meltdown of 2008, he helped stabilize the market with the Troubled Assets Relief Program, TARP.

In the wake of economic catastrophe, he also helped strengthen the oversight of Wall Street with the historic Dodd-Frank legislation. And as COVID ravaged the nation, he helped negotiate multiple relief packages that saved lives and spared livelihood. Every year, he has been a relentless champion in Congress for restructuring Puerto Rico's debt, supporting affordable housing, reforming our immigration system and building economic opportunity for all.

Beyond his many impressive legislative achievements, Jaime is truly the embodiment of the American Dream. The proud son of immigrants from Mexico, he's never forgotten his parents' sacrifices to give him and his sister a brighter future. And in that spirit, every day he fights relentlessly to open doors of opportunity for every American family.

Jaime's brilliance, expertise and personal kindness will be sorely missed in my office and in the Congress, but our nation will greatly benefit from his continued public service at the SEC as he strives to build a fairer financial future for all. On behalf of the House, we congratulate Jaime on this remarkable achievement and wish him so much success in his new role. And we send best wishes to him, his beloved wife and his five dear children as they begin this exciting chapter. Congratulations, Jaime, and thank you for your service.