Congressional Record, House, May 27, 2020, Page H2286 — Need for Fifth Coronavirus Stimulus Bill
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, House, dated May 27, 2020, at page H2286. It begins with the close of remarks about ending invidious discrimination and a speaker who questions coronavirus lockdown policies, citing a Stanford survey of Santa Clara with a fatality rate of seventeen one-hundredths of 1 percent and saying nearly 40 million Americans were thrown into unemployment. Ms. Norton, under Need for Fifth Coronavirus Stimulus Bill, echoes the rising chorus for more relief. An earlier speaker asks for an immediate investigation into potentially faulty PPE and says participating plans will cap insulin costs at $35 a month per type of insulin. Mr. O'Halleran is then recognized under The Navajo Nation and the Coronavirus.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Congressional Record, House, May 27, 2020, Page H2286 — Need for Fifth Coronavirus Stimulus Bill.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-05-27-crec-2020-05-27-pt1-pgh2286-2-1488517af7/
, SHA-256 be9168705b75de6bc1d83b152f7d9d825eae969ec608b6f6e5ea117125e33d41.Full text
H2286 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 27, 2020
I am not blaming the Republicans for least danger while packing infected pa- to poverty. So how does it follow the
what is happening. I am not blaming tients into nursing homes where it science to destroy the livelihoods of
the Democrats for what is happening. I poses the greatest danger? millions of Americans, cut them off
am blaming people who hold public Once epidemiologists began sur- from their social networks, force them
trust and tolerate hate and invidious veying general populations, they dis- into isolation, and plunge them into
discrimination. covered the disease isn’t nearly as se- poverty and despair?
We are the people who can make a vere as the claims that set off the glob- Now, I don’t blame public health offi-
difference, and we ought to make a dif- al panic. Researchers at Stanford Uni- cials. They have the luxury of ignoring
ference. We ought to demand that the versity surveyed the population of the effect of their policies beyond their
people running for public office make Santa Clara, California, and estimated area of expertise. The responsibility
public statements about how they plan a fatality rate of seventeen one-hun- rests, rather, with public officials who
to end invidious discrimination, not dredths of 1 percent. New York serol- failed to consider the catastrophic col-
how they plan to tolerate it, how they ogy tests revealed a fatality rate of lateral damage that they have caused,
plan to manage it. one-half of 1 percent. who became so drunk with power and
How do you plan to end it? So, simply stated, if you get the flu, so besotted with self-righteousness
How do you plan to end it in bank- your chance of survival is 99.9 percent; that they lost any reference to com-
ing? and according to these studies, if you mon sense or any concern for the dam-
How do you plan to end it in hiring get COVID–19, your chance of survival age they have done.
and promotions? is better than 99.5 percent. f
This is our time. If we don’t do it So how does this science justify
now, when will we do it? No candidate throwing nearly 40 million Americans NEED FOR FIFTH CORONAVIRUS
should be off limits. Every one of them into unemployment? STIMULUS BILL
ought to have to tell us what they plan Does the science support population- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
to do. wide lockdowns? Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from
And, finally, as my final comments: I In 2006, based upon an Albuquerque the District of Columbia (Ms. NORTON)
love my country. And because I love teenager’s science paper, the Bush ad- for 5 minutes.
my country, I feel that I have this ministration proposed mass lockdowns Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I come to
duty, obligation, and responsibility to in the event of a severe flu pandemic. the floor to echo the rising chorus for
speak up when these kinds of injustices Leading epidemiologists warned at the a fifth coronavirus bill and to applaud
occur. time that: ‘‘The negative consequences three vital provisions addressed to the
I love my country, Mr. Speaker. of large-scale quarantine are so ex- special circumstances of the District of
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- treme that this mitigation measure Columbia in that bill.
bers are reminded to refrain from en- should be eliminated from serious con- Speaker NANCY PELOSI and the
gaging in personalities toward the sideration.’’ It wasn’t. Democrats have taken needed initia-
President. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo tive in introducing the HEROES Act to
f has now admitted that 84 percent of get ahead of this virus, instead of chas-
COVID–19 hospitalizations in New York ing it.
FOLLOW THE SCIENCE, FOR A are people who are either already quar- The first four bills have proven them-
CHANGE antined at home or are at nursing selves. Jurisdictions following the CDC
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The homes. guidelines, like the District of Colum-
Chair recognizes the gentleman from Statistical analysts, including Stan- bia, are seeing deaths decrease. Across
California (Mr. MCCLINTOCK) for 5 min- ford University’s Michael Levitt, Tel the country, careful reopenings are oc-
utes. Aviv University’s Isaac Ben-Israel, curring. To be sure, scientists are
Mr. MCCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, just Kentucky State University’s Wilfred warning of prolonging the virus unless
a few months ago, America enjoyed the Reilly, and Cypress Semiconductor’s T. there is more social distancing and
most promising economic expansion in J. Rodgers, are finding no significant masking, because that is far from uni-
our lifetimes, lifting millions of Ameri- statistical difference in the infection versal.
cans out of poverty, boosting wages for curves between those jurisdictions that But my Republican friends have
American workers, and producing the have destroyed their economies and called for a pause. Of course, we have
lowest unemployment rates in 50 years. those that haven’t. In fact, a study by seen unprecedented spending, but this
Today, the American economy lies in J.P. Morgan has found an inverse rela- is an unprecedented virus. The virus
rubble, with tens of millions of Ameri- tionship as economies began to open has shut down the entire world.
cans thrown into unemployment, pov- back up. I am pleased that Republicans may
erty, and despair. A study of 318 outbreaks involving be declaring the end of their pause
Now, that damage was not done by a 1,245 cases in China found just one out- barely a week after House passage of
virus. It was done by ordering entire break that occurred outdoors, involv- the HEROES Act. Yesterday, the Sen-
populations into indefinite home de- ing just two cases. Eighty percent of ate majority leader said Congress will
tention, shuttering countless busi- the outbreaks occurred in people’s probably have to pass a fifth bill.
nesses, and desecrating the most funda- homes. So how does it follow the Thank you, Senator MCCONNELL.
mental human rights that our Con- science to close outdoor venues and President Trump said—and I am
stitution demands our government to order people indoors? quoting him—‘‘I think the United
protect. Mr. Speaker, it is high time we con- States will need another round of stim-
Now, we are told to follow the sidered how many Americans will die ulus.’’
science and data. That would be nice, because of the COVID–19 lockdowns. They may be following Federal Re-
for a change. The Well Being Trust predicts up to serve Chairman Jerome Powell, who
What does the science tell us about 75,000 ‘‘deaths of despair’’ due to sui- said more is needed for the economy
the severity of COVID–19? Well, we cide and drug and alcohol abuse be- shortly after the April report showed a
know that about 80 percent of those cause of the lockdown. 14.7 percent unemployment rate.
who get it either have no symptoms at In March, the Epic Health Research Mr. MCCONNELL only wants to fund
all or experience it as a mild res- Network warned of a 94 percent decline increased losses due to COVID–19,
piratory infection. In New York, 74 per- in breast, colon, and cervical cancer whatever that means. But tailoring the
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
cent of those who died were over age 65 screenings. The Rape, Abuse & Incest next bill based on whether COVID–19 or
and six one-hundredths of 1 percent National Network reports a 22 percent something else caused the losses would
were under the age of 18. Three-quar- increase in children calling for help. require an inexact calculus that itself
ters of those who died had underlying A 2011 Columbia University study could bog down the next bill, particu-
medical conditions. funded by the National Institutes of larly what I regard as the most essen-
So how does it follow the science to Health estimated that 41⁄2 percent of all tial part of the HEROES Act, $1 tril-
close the schools where it poses the deaths in the United States are related lion for State and local government.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:02 May 28, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27MY7.002 H27MYPT1
May 27, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2287
This is the government, State and For far too long, seniors have been Mr. O’HALLERAN. Mr. Speaker, I
local government, that is closest to the subjected to escalating insulin prices. rise today to share with my colleagues
people. This is the government that Now, Americans will save an average of in Washington—and all watching at
funds first responders and healthcare $446 on insulin costs in just a year. home—the dire situation COVID–19 has
workers in local hospitals. This is the I thank President Trump for con- created in the Navajo Nation and
government that funds the workers tinuing to put the American people across our Nation.
who pick up your garbage twice a first. But first, standing in this Chamber
week. This is the government running ADMINISTRATION AIDING NORTH CAROLINA today, I want to recognize the nearly
on fumes. Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. 100,000 lives lost thus far to the
So are the American people who need Speaker, there is no substitute for coronavirus, a staggering number that
another cash payment, an additional swift and decisive action. Since the ini- has affected families, communities,
$1,200 per family member, up to $6,000 tial outbreak of COVID–19 in China, economy, frontline first responders,
per household, and other essentials like President Trump and the administra- and many others.
unemployment benefits and housing tion have worked tirelessly to protect
Though some Americans may feel
benefits, a 15 percent increase in nutri- the American people.
First, President Trump closed our they have reached a new normal, hot
tion programs. People have got to eat spots across our Nation are still in the
during this crisis. borders and enacted a travel ban to
protect the American people. This was thick of this pandemic, and the fear for
b 1015 a necessary precaution that undoubt- what might come in the fall and winter
I also have been able to get included edly saved lives. In response, the main- is at the forefront of our thoughts.
in the HEROES Act a trifecta of provi- stream media’s political pundits cried One of those hot spots is the Navajo
sions that the District must have, be- foul and claimed this was an ill-advised Nation. Per capita, the Navajo Nation
ginning with the $755 million in retro- tactic intended to score political has more confirmed coronavirus cases
active funding Republicans in the Sen- points. That could not be farther from than any U.S. State. Under the CARES
ate removed from the CARES Act by the truth. Act, signed into law March 27, my col-
treating the District for the first time Sadly, my colleagues across the aisle leagues and I fought to include $8 bil-
in American history as a territory, and those in the media would rather lion for Tribal governments to use for
when we have always been treated for search for the newest outrage du jour expenses incurred during the pandemic.
what we are, a State for funding pur- instead of focusing on the efforts of the The first round of that funding did
poses, and, of course, the D.C. state- President and the administration to not reach the Navajo Nation until May
hood bill has enough cosponsors to pass combat COVID–19. 5. Much of the delay was because offi-
this very year. It is time to correct the record and cials within the Department of the In-
We have always received State-level cast aside the falsehoods that Demo- terior were considering allocating a
funding because we pay the highest crats and the mainstream media are portion of this $8 billion to the Alaska
Federal taxes per capita in the United pushing against President Trump and Natives Corporation, a group of for-
States. The HEROES Act also includes the administration. profit entities that generate billions of
money for State, county, and city For example, let’s look at what is dollars in revenue each year, and an-
funding, the first time the District has being done to help North Carolinians swer to individual stakeholders.
ever had to break down its funding. during this pandemic. Under the direc-
I immediately joined the voices of
tion of President Trump, FEMA has ob-
The District is a unique jurisdiction in Tribes across our Nation in demanding
ligated almost $30 million for COVID–19
the United States because it operates that these funds reach established
response efforts in North Carolina.
at all three levels. From the Strategic National Stock- Tribal governments, not corporations.
The HEROES Act also authorizes the pile, North Carolina received to date: On April 27, a U.S. district judge an-
District to participate in the municipal Over 250,000 N95 masks; over 580,000 sur- nounced that the Treasury Department
liquidity facilities funding of the Fed- gical masks; over 100,000 medical could begin distributing money to fed-
eral Reserve, if that should become gowns; over 115,000 face shields; and erally-recognized Tribes, and not to
necessary. The $3 trillion HEROES Act over 425,000 pairs of gloves. this corporate group. Delayed funding
sent to the Senate last week is a mark- In addition, President Trump ap- is not the only issue here. While Tribes
er. It will probably not be enough, as proved Governor Roy Cooper’s Major wait for the rest of the CARES Act
large as it is, to contain this virus. Disaster Declaration, and then directed money they were promised, politics in
But, at a minimum, it should get us FEMA to fund 100 percent of the emer- Washington continue to complicate al-
started on sensible negotiations. gency assistance activities provided by ready acute public health concerns on
Time, Mr. Speaker, is not on the side the North Carolina National Guard. Navajo.
of the virus. Let’s beat it with the HE- President Trump and the administra- Recent reports indicate that res-
ROES Act. tion are deeply committed to pro- pirator masks sent to Navajo Nation
f tecting not only North Carolinians, but hospitals through a Federal contract
LOWERING PRESCRIPTIONS COSTS also Americans across our country. with a former White House staffer may
FOR SENIORS If my colleagues across the aisle be faulty. I have serious concerns
shared the same sentiment of being ‘‘in about the lack of oversight and ac-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The it together,’’ they would work with us countability in this contract-awarding
Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from to deliver for the American people and process, considering that this $3 mil-
North Carolina (Ms. FOXX) for 5 min- set aside their relentless impeachment lion deal was awarded to a friend of the
utes. crusade. administration with no prior Federal
Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. It is time to get our country back on contracting experience, who had only
Speaker, I rise to commend President its feet, and I am proud that President been in business for 11 days.
Trump and the administration for tak- Trump and the administration are
ing decisive action to lower drug costs It is unacceptable for government to
working day in and day out to do so.
for America’s seniors. be delivering anything other than what
We will win this fight, and I am certain
Currently, 34.2 million people in the is needed to any community, much less
we will emerge stronger and more resil-
U.S. have diabetes. One in every three a hard-hit community like Navajo.
ient.
seniors on Medicare has diabetes, and I have asked my colleagues here to
f
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
over 3.3 million beneficiaries use at help me launch an immediate inves-
least one type of insulin. THE NAVAJO NATION AND THE tigation into the potentially faulty
Thanks to President Trump, the out- CORONAVIRUS PPE, and to make sure that the entire
of-pocket cost for insulin has been cut. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The contracting process receives more
Participating plans will cap costs at Chair recognizes the gentleman from oversight.
just $35 a month per type of insulin. Arizona (Mr. O’HALLERAN) for 5 min- While Tribes deal with the fallout
This is tremendous news. utes. politics has caused, they endure other
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:02 May 28, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27MY7.004 H27MYPT1
File and source
- File
- CREC_crec-2020-05-27_crec-2020-05-27-pt1-pgh2286-2.pdf
- Size
- 209,471 bytes
- SHA-256
- be9168705b75de6bc1d83b152f7d9d825eae969ec608b6f6e5ea117125e33d41
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov