Congressional Record — Extensions of Remarks, E338 (March 31, 2020)
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, dated March 31, 2020, at page E338. It carries a statement by Mr. McAdams of Utah, who was being treated in a Utah hospital for COVID-19, saying he could not vote on H.R. 748, the CARES Act, and would have voted aye while noting concerns about fiscal responsibility. It also holds other Members' remarks that the crisis resulted from the Chinese government's cover up, naming Dr. Li Wenliang, that the Tenth Amendment leaves duties to the states, and that Congress passed three response bills in twenty-three days.
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“Congressional Record — Extensions of Remarks, E338 (March 31, 2020).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-03-31-crec-2020-03-31-pt1-pge338-938e26ab2c/
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E338 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 31, 2020
of governance, with the limited duties and were also given the opportunity to include in vide resources to stem the damage being
powers of the federal government spelled out the RECORD how they would have voted, caused in the present crisis.
clearly in our Constitution. Over the years the should a recorded vote have been ordered. I There is no question that this crisis is a di-
federal government has crept into the respon- would have voted yes. rect result of the Chinese government’s cover
sibilities of the states, but the 10th Amend- f up of the dangers posed by COVID–19. The
ment stipulates that if those duties are not list- Chinese government failed to heed the early
ed they are the responsibility of the states. We MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS warnings of medical professionals, going so
are partners and all have to play our respec- TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019 far as to persecute individuals like Dr. Li
tive part. I think the Congress, in passing Wenliang, who was among the first to raise
SPEECH OF concerns, forcing him to sign a confession that
three response bills in twenty-three days, has
done its part. HON. BEN McADAMS his concerns were false. China ordered de-
I am also a capitalist and believe that free OF UTAH
struction of early research samples of the
markets provide the highest quality goods and virus. The Chinese government also denied
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
services at the lowest cost. I also believe in World Health Organization (WHO) investiga-
risk and reward—the power of individuals or Friday, March 27, 2020 tors access inside the country’s borders and
groups raising capital and assuming risk with Mr. MCADAMS. Mr. Speaker, as I continue they withheld critical information. The Chinese
the hope of earning a return on that invest- to receive treatment in a Utah hospital for Communist Party falsely denied the evidence
ment. Notice I say ‘‘hope’’ because in a free COVID–19, I am not able to vote on H.R. 748, of human-to-human transmission. Contrary to
market a return is not guaranteed. During the the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Se- WHO guidelines, Chinese officials manipulated
financial collapse of 2008 I voted against the curity (CARES) Act. Had I been present and statistics by failing to report infected individ-
Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). I did able to vote, I would have voted ‘aye’. This bill uals who tested positive for the virus if they
so because the market collapse was due to is certainly not perfect and raises significant exhibited mild to no symptoms. China’s au-
bad management and those responsible concerns about fiscal responsibility and appro- thoritarian government also allowed up to
should have borne the cost. I also believed al- priate use of taxpayer dollars. 5,000,000 people, including potentially tens of
lowing this to occur would speed up the recov- Nonetheless, we have a responsibility to thousands of infected individuals, to leave
ery. protect the health and economic well-being of Wuhan and travel across the globe, spreading
This market involvement is fundamentally our state and our country. This bill provides the virus. The reality is that China was more
different. For me and many conservatives this critical support for working families, our front- interested in saving face than stopping the
is a takings debate. The government—whether line health care providers, community workers, problem before it became a global pandemic.
federal, state or local—is forcing businesses to state and local governments, and Utah small China was more interested in waging an inter-
freeze economic activity. In essence, the gov- businesses and their employees. Coronavirus national public relations campaign than getting
ernment is depriving businesses of income remains a danger to our lives and our liveli- the necessary help from the world community.
they would otherwise be free to earn. What we The United States and countries across the
hoods. I am proud to have championed a key
have done in the third coronavirus bill is at- globe are now dealing with the fallout of Chi-
oversight provision—a Treasury Department
tempt to keep the employee and employer na’s deceit and misdeeds. We are wrestling
Special Inspector General for Pandemic Re-
afloat until economic activity can resume, and with how to address a public health crisis,
covery—to track and account for disbursement
to compensate those who have been ordered contain this deadly virus, and respond to un-
and spending of taxpayer dollars. I will work to
to forgo the fruits of their investment and precedented economic fallout. To address the
ensure we fix problems as they arise and
labor. current situation, Congress must act respon-
As a retiring Member I have the ability to focus on doing what is best for Utahns. sibly and thoughtfully but also with urgency.
I believe we will get through this by giving
step back and observe the big picture while We must work together to support doctors,
still having access to some inner rooms, or in communities, health care providers and local nurses and other health professionals. We
this case some inner (and many) conference governments the tools they need to respond need to also help suffering families, assist
calls. The crying and gnashing of teeth has quickly and efficiently to what’s happening on businesses and non-profits that have been or-
occurred on both sides. Whether it was Re- the ground with maximum flexibility and ac- dered to close, and to set the stage for yet an-
publicans attacking Speaker PELOSI for delay- countability. I believe in Utahns and I believe other American comeback.
ing the process with her attempt to jam in in Americans; everyday heroes will help us Nearly every American has been affected by
Green New Deal inspired provisions, or Demo- overcome and as a Representative, I must do this virus. All levels of government have asked
crats attacking Congressman MASSIE who my part to get urgently needed resources to our citizens to stay home. Government has
thought it was not too much to ask for a re- Utahns. asked businesses to shutter their doors, and
corded vote on an unpaid-for $2 trillion spend- f for America’s health care professionals to cou-
ing bill that would immediately increase the MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS rageously work longer hours, sometimes with-
national debt to $25 trillion. TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019 out the necessary supplies to protect them-
Members were thrown into a real quandary selves. Americans are tired, fearful, and
by the looming request for a recorded vote on SPEECH OF distancing themselves from friends and neigh-
this bill. Some were hunkered down in D.C. bors when what they truly desire is commu-
Most, like myself, were hunkered down in our HON. KEN BUCK nity. The American people have been told this
home districts. Many Members would make a OF COLORADO was necessary and that if they made these
long drive to D.C. while others would risk air IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sacrifices we could ‘‘bend the curve’’ and stop
travel. To some it was an impossible commute Friday, March 27, 2020 the spread of the virus.
with the limited time. I have the concern of an While President Trump and Republicans
elderly parent living with me. Emotions were Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, America is facing a have been trying to lead, and the American
running high for everyone. very serious public health crisis that also has people have been doing their part, Democrats
I think that what we observed is Congress the potential to affect the long-term health of have engaged in political games. The House
working at its best. A recorded vote was re- our economy. Democratic Whip told his colleagues that this
quested by Congressman MASSIE, which was The people on the front lines fighting the crisis was a ‘‘tremendous opportunity to re-
his right. Democrat Whip CLYBURN and Re- spread of COVID–19—our doctors, nurses, structure things to fit our vision.’’ In the Sen-
publican Whip SCALISE did their jobs and first responders, and other health profes- ate, all but one Democrat voted to hold up de-
counted to ensure that a quorum of 216 Mem- sionals—need help. Congress should be step- bate on this bill for several days, simply to ex-
bers were present. If my inside information is ping up to ensure America’s health care sys- tract as many political concessions as pos-
correct, 130 Democrats along with 120 Repub- tem has access to needed personal protective sible. In response to the tremendous and pa-
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS
licans were present. But while the Rules of the equipment—like masks and face shields—and triotic sacrifices by the American people,
House dictate that any Member may ask for a testing supplies to identify those infected and Democrats have played politics. They saw a
recorded vote, his or her request must be sup- to help stop the spread of the virus. Busi- crisis that they did not want to let go to waste
ported at least one-fifth of a quorum. No one nesses and employees affected by this virus and chose to exploit the American peoples’
joined Congressman MASSIE in support of his also need help. Congress should be providing fear and misery for political gain. That is un-
request. short-term financial assistance such as loans conscionable.
Mr. Speaker, the bill will pass by voice vote and in the form of a tax holiday. I recognize Today, we finally reached the point where
and signed into law that same day. Members these needs and fully support action to pro- we could debate the merits of this bill in the
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