Congressional Record — Extensions of Remarks, March 31, 2020, Page E344
Summary
Page E344 of the Extensions of Remarks section of the Congressional Record for March 31, 2020, with a speech of Mr. DeFazio of Oregon dated Friday, March 27, 2020, under the heading Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019. He says the relief bill strengthens unemployment insurance with 100 percent wage replacement for the average worker, incentives for states to drop waiting weeks, wider access for part-time, self-employed and gig workers, and 13 more weeks of federally funded benefits. He calls frontline health workers the true heroes, and a Texas Member relays worries from Northeast Texas business owners.
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“Congressional Record — Extensions of Remarks, March 31, 2020, Page E344.”
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E344 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 31, 2020
in-place and fight the spread. They deserve MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS vastly strengthens and makes critical reforms
more than our thanks. They deserve child TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019 to Unemployment Insurance programs—ensur-
care, overtime, and hazard pay. ing 100 percent wage replacement for the av-
SPEECH OF
Finally, but of the highest priority, we need erage American worker struggling without a
to do all we can for doctors, nurses, and other HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO paycheck during this crisis. It also provides
frontline healthcare workers—those risking it OF OREGON federal incentives for states to eliminate wait-
all to save lives. They are the true heroes of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing week requirements, expands access to
this pandemic. Angels, not with wings but with part-time, self-employed, and gig economy
Friday, March 27, 2020
masks and protective gowns. You have our workers, and adds an additional 13 weeks of
Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I will vote in federally-funded UI benefits.
undying gratitude. support of the Senate Amendment to H.R. To support the many small businesses
Never in any of our lifetimes has America 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Eco- across the country that have been forced to
stared down an enemy so insidious and so nomic Security (CARES) Act. This economic shutter, the bill designates $350 billion worth
devastating. But we will answer this call of his- stimulus represents a wartime level investment of 100 percent guaranteed SBA loans, a por-
tory with courage and resolve. We must. in our nation as we continue our fight against tion of which SBA will be able to forgive.
Be safe. Stay healthy. Stay home. And God an invisible enemy: COVID–19. These loans will be up to $10 million and pro-
Public health experts agree the con- vide incentives to keep employees on the pay-
bless. We will get through this. We’re all in
sequences of the virus will only get more dev- roll and pay them at their regular salary levels.
this together.
astating in the coming days. People we know For our state, local, and tribal governments,
and love will get sick. People we know and this legislation establishes a $150 billion
f
love may die despite the heroic efforts of our Coronavirus Relief Fund so that they have
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS health care workers who are on the front lines, desperately needed additional funding to build
sacrificing the health of themselves and their field hospitals, buy ventilators and other per-
TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
families to give their neighbors and commu- sonal protective equipment (PPE), as well as
nities a fighting chance. offset the cost of other essential government
SPEECH OF We also know that the financial fall-out from services not budgeted in the wake of the eco-
this crisis is unprecedented. On Thursday, the nomic downturn. While this fund is a good
HON. NORMA J. TORRES Department of Labor announced that nearly start, we must do more to ensure our local-
OF CALIFORNIA
3.3 million people lost their job the prior week, ities, especially those in rural areas, have
an unfortunate record number of claims. what they need in this fight.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Through no fault of their own, millions of It allows for the temporary suspension of ex-
Friday, March 27, 2020 Americans were sidelined by a vicious virus cise taxes on spirits for those used in the pro-
that has brought our economy to a stunning duction of hand sanitizer in compliance with
Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I but necessary halt as we work to ‘‘flatten the guidance from the Food and Drug Administra-
rise to support the Senate Amendment to H.R. curve’’ to protect our health and safety. tion (FDA), like Swallowtail and Thinking Tree
748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Eco- Our next steps in this battle—to both con- Spirits in my district in Oregon.
nomic Security Act. This bill will provide emer- tain the virus and prevent further layoffs—are The CARES Act provides $1 billion for the
gency relief to millions of Americans as we critical. Defense Production Act, allowing the Depart-
fight the coronavirus outbreak. And while Members of Congress can’t be ment of Defense to invest in the manufac-
the experts in the lab developing a vaccine, or turing of PPE and other critical medical equip-
I want to highlight Title VI, which establishes
flying the cargo planes with medical supplies, ment in short supply. While this isn’t the $3.5
a Coronavirus Relief Fund that provides $150
there is something we can do today: get des- billion allocated for the DPA in the House bill,
billion for the Secretary of Treasury to dis-
perately needed funding and medical supplies it is still a notable sum to ramp up production
seminate to States, Tribal Governments and
to hospitals and frontline healthcare workers, for PPE and other supplies.
units of local government in fiscal year 2020.
and provide critical relief to the millions of laid- The President should have unleased the full
Tragically, in recent days I’ve heard from
off workers and small business owners who power of the Defense Production Act (DPA)
many tribal nations in California, and they are
are hurting right now. weeks ago. He still hasn’t, and his lack of
really struggling. That’s because they did the Now, without question, the bill the Senate leadership means health care workers and
right thing to help our country combat this sent us isn’t perfect. their patients are suffering because there are
virus by closing their businesses. Remember, the Republican starting point not enough ventilators, PPE, or other medical
It is worth noting that they did so proactively was a massive corporate slush fund with no supplies. I am continuing to call on the Presi-
and were under no obligation to take such transparency, accountability, or worker protec- dent to immediately ramp up domestic produc-
drastic steps. But, as we have come to expect tions. tion of these crucial supplies.
from our leaders in the tribal community, they But we could not allow a repeat of the failed This legislation also provides much-needed
did the right thing because it was the right bailout of 2008. I’m proud to be part of the help to hospitals and healthcare providers by
thing to do. Democratic negotiating team that protected allocating $100 billion to cover unreimbursed
These closures have been nothing short of jobs because we know that putting working health care-related expenses and lost reve-
catastrophic. The very resources that had people and families first is how we as a coun- nues attributable to COVID–19. It also in-
been used to fund the tribal government and try can get back on our feet. Prioritizing their creases Medicare reimbursement for treatment
provide services virtually evaporated over- needs over the profits of giant corporations is of inpatient COVID–19 patients by 20 percent,
night. These governments run, for the most how we build an economy that works for ev- and it allocates more than $27 billion for the
part, on these tribal funds. The funds provided eryone—not just a wealthy few. Biomedical Advanced Research and Develop-
This bill will put checks in the mail to 80 ment Authority, investing billions into vaccines
by the federal government via the Indian
percent of Americans who make under six fig- and therapeutics and $16 billion into the Stra-
Health Service and the Bureau of Indian Af-
ures, and it will boost critical benefits for any- tegic National Stockpile (SNS).
fairs, and other federal programs, often only
one who lost their job amid this crisis. It mandates all private insurance plans to
make up a very small percentage of the total We fought hard so this bill will ensure mil- cover testing for COVID–19 without cost-shar-
cost of running Tribal governments. So, when lions of bus drivers, train operators, railroad ing and provides free coverage for a COVID–
these businesses closed, the Tribes knew that workers, flight crews, airline ground workers, 19 vaccine or other preventive service within
doing so would compromise their ability to airport workers, and more not only remain on 15 days. It also protects the uninsured by al-
serve their people during this time of crisis. the job but keep as many of their hard-earned lowing them to receive a coronavirus test and
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS
I heard these stories and knew that Con- health and retirement benefits as possible dur- related services with no cost-sharing in any
gress had to respond. This $8 billion fund will ing this crisis. The relief in this package flows state Medicaid program that elects to offer
address the decrease in revenues, and we to workers first, not last—and it makes clear to such an enrollment option.
have mandated that the Secretary of Treasury any industry getting relief: no stock buybacks, To protect and bolster our frontline health
work with the Secretary of Interior, to make no executive giveaways, no layoffs. Workers care workers, rural providers, and the health
sure that these decreased revenues are into first—period. care of those with most need, the bill invests
their determination when making funds avail- For the millions who have lost their jobs $1.32 billion in supplemental funding for Com-
able to tribes. through no fault of their own, this legislation munity Health Centers; reauthorizes Human
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March 31, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E345
Resources and Services Administration in the commercial market. I am calling for a We need a system that always puts workers
(HRSA) grant programs; reauthorizes HRSA national moratorium on mortgage payments, and families first—not just during a national
grants to strengthen rural community health; rental payments, eviction filings, and fore- emergency and not just when it’s politically
expands telehealth capabilities; grants liability closures. We can and must do more to help convenient.
protections to doctors who provide volunteer Americans stay housed. I’ll always be ready to roll up my sleeves for
medical services; and establishes a Ready The House proposal was far superior in pro- that fight.
Reserve Corps to ensure there are enough viding relief to the millions of students and stu- f
trained doctors and nurses to respond to dent loan borrowers who are being profoundly
COVID–19 throughout our country. hurt by the crisis. Democrats proposed paying MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS
To protect our students and schools, this $10,000 of every student loan borrower’s cur- TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
package provides $30.75 billion for an Edu- rent balance and would have directed the SPEECH OF
cation Stabilization Fund for states, school dis- Treasury to cover monthly payments for pri-
tricts, and institutions of higher education vate borrowers for the span of the crisis. We HON. TOM COLE
(IHEs) for COVID–19 costs. $13.5 billion will can and must do more to help student loan OF OKLAHOMA
ultimately be distributed to local education borrowers. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
agencies to use for coronavirus response ac- As public health experts recommend drastic Friday, March 27, 2020
tivities. $14.25 billion will be used for higher social distancing measures, House Democrats
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, a key part of the
education emergency relief to help defray took steps to protect the integrity of our elec-
relief package was the tribal government sta-
costs, such as lost revenue, to support social tions and the health of the people by fighting
bilization fund. This fund would be used by
distancing and distance education, and to for a national, no-excuse, prepaid, vote-by-
tribal governments to offset the dramatic
issue emergency grants to impacted students mail guarantee. This provision was not in-
losses they are facing at this time. This fund-
for food, housing, course materials, tech, and cluded in the Senate package. We can and
ing would be used to help them continue to do
healthcare and childcare. must do more to protect the integrity of our
the right thing and keep their employees on
The package also bolsters programs that 2020 elections.
the job—paid, and supported—as our nation
America’s families depend on by: providing bil- To help Americans keep food on the table,
responds to, and recovers from the pandemic.
lions for childcare programs such as Head House Democrats proposed raising the min- Title VI, Sec. 601(c)(7) provides
Start and the Child Care Development Block imum SNAP benefit from $18 to $30 and $8,000,000,000 in relief to tribal governments
Grant, strengthening the Supplemental Nutri- blocked the Trump administration from imple- for losses of revenues and increased expendi-
tion Assistance Program through billions in ad- menting harmful guidelines that could kick 3 tures associated with COVID–19. The bill pro-
ditional funding, providing millions for utility as- million people off of SNAP—even while our vides:
sistance through the Low-Income Home En- nation reels from the economic fallout of the
ergy Assistance Program, and extending the COVID–19 outbreak. SNAP works—we al- [T]he amount paid under this section for
fiscal year 2020 to a Tribal government shall
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ready know every $1 spent generates $1.70 in
be the amount the Secretary shall deter-
(TANF) program. economic activity. Sadly, these provisions mine, in consultation with the Secretary of
In a bid to keep Americans housed during were not included in the CARES Act. We can the Interior and Indian Tribes, that is based
this crisis, the CARES Act institutes a morato- and must do more to keep Americans fed. on increased expenditures of each such Trib-
rium on evictions and foreclosures for renters While I also applaud the extension of nu- al government (or a tribally-owned entity of
and homeowners in federally subsidized hous- merous crucial healthcare programs in this bill, such Tribal government) relative to aggre-
ing. The bill also provides $4 billion in Emer- which were set to expire on May 22, we can’t gate expenditures in fiscal year 2019 by the
gency Solution Grants and $3 billion in rental forget that these extensions will delay needed Tribal government (or tribally-owned entity)
assistance to help those most at-risk of home- debate and reforms on enormously important and determined in such manner as the Sec-
retary determines appropriate to ensure that
lessness or who have already become home- issues like prescription drug costs and sur- all amounts available under subsection
less. It also provides $5 billion for the Commu- prise billing. These issues long plagued our (a)(2)(B) for fiscal year 2020 are distributed to
nity Development Block Grant to enable nearly broken healthcare system before COVID–19, Tribal governments.
1,240 states, counties, and cities to rapidly re- and they will continue to do so once we beat Tribal governments or tribally-owned entities
spond to COVID–19 and the economic and this virus. I look forward to finally addressing can demonstrate ‘‘increased expenditures’’ rel-
housing impacts caused by it. these long-overdue issues once this crisis is ative to 2019 by listing expenditures associ-
The investments this bill makes are critical, over. ated with the closure or diminished operation
they are bipartisan, and they are desperately But such is the nature of compromise. In di- of business and government facilities, includ-
needed. vided government, you don’t always get what ing payments made to employees or other en-
However, there are areas where the legisla- you fight for. But that does not mean you stop tities while businesses or government oper-
tion falls short. fighting.
The bill fails to help the U.S. Postal Service ations are closed or operating in a limited ca-
This CARES Act, with all its flaws, is triage: pacity, as well as the difference in revenues
and its millions of employees—employees who keep workers on the job and avoid economic
are ensuring medicine and supplies are deliv- transferred to tribal government accounts in
collapse. 2020 versus the same period in 2019.
ered for those staying at home. In protecting Beyond addressing some of these short-
our public Postal Service, the bill fails utterly— comings I’ve mentioned, our next step is re- f
providing a $10 billion line of credit with oner- covery and rehabilitation—a true stimulus that MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS
ous terms and conditions of accessing said creates jobs and rebuilds our decaying infra- TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
credit set by the Treasury Secretary. There structure. In the coming days and weeks, I will
are reports noting the Postal Service may double down on an infrastructure package that SPEECH OF
cease operations by June because of lack of repairs the breach left by years of neglect— HON. JOHN RATCLIFFE
funds. The House bill included $20 billion for that rebuilds failing bridges, restores crumbling OF TEXAS
the Postal Service in lost revenues due to highways, and puts people to work on projects IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COVID–19 impacts, forgave their current debt with jobs that cannot be exported.
to the Treasury, and opened up a $15 billion But let me be absolutely clear—we have a Friday, March 27, 2020
line of credit should they need to access it. I long way to go to address what truly ails the Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, as the Amer-
will work with my colleagues to make sure the United States economy: corporate greed. ican people do their part to stop the spread of
needs of the Postal Service are addressed in COVID–19 is the virus we are battling right coronavirus, they’ve made enormous personal
future COVID–19 response packages. We all now, but our economy has been sick for a sacrifices on behalf of the entire country’s
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS
depend on it now more than ever. We can and very long time. health and safety. Over the past few weeks,
must do more to help our Postal Service. Corporate greed, Wall Street demands that this deadly pandemic has taken over 1,000
Issuing a moratorium on evictions and fore- consistently puts profits over people, nearly 2 lives in the United States and infected tens of
closures in federally assisted housing was a trillion dollars in Trump tax cuts that went thousands more, with a negative ripple effect
great first step, but more must be done to en- straight to the top—all of that is symptomatic plaguing nearly every family and individual to
sure that Americans are able to keep their of a system that for far too long has kept some degree.
homes while our current crisis rages on. We working people down even as the stock mar- During this time, I’ve heard from business
must provide relief to renters and homeowners ket soared. owners in Northeast Texas who are worried
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