Extensions of Remarks, March 31, 2020 — Hon. Peter A. DeFazio and Hon. Norma J. Torres
Summary
Extensions of Remarks in the Congressional Record for March 31, 2020, page E344. Under the heading Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019, it carries speeches dated Friday, March 27, 2020, including one by Hon. Peter A. DeFazio of Oregon. Mr. DEFAZIO states that Mr. DEFAZIO will vote in support of the Senate Amendment, which the speech calls the CARES Act. Remarks on the page describe the bill as designating $350 billion worth of 100 percent guaranteed SBA loans and establishing a $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund. The page also carries a speech by Hon. Norma J. Torres.
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“Extensions of Remarks, March 31, 2020 — Hon. Peter A. DeFazio and Hon. Norma J. Torres.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-03-31-crec-2020-03-31-pt1-pge344-f2934c176d/
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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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