Congressional Record, House, September 17, 2020 — H. Res. 908 Condemning Anti-Asian Sentiment
Summary
Page H4495 of the House section of the Congressional Record for September 17, 2020, from debate on H. Res. 908 condemning anti-Asian discrimination related to COVID-19. Whereas clauses describe a woman kicked and punched at a New York City subway station, two children and two adults stabbed at a Texas grocery, and a 16-year-old boy sent to the hospital. Mr. Murphy of North Carolina introduces the Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act for National Suicide Prevention Month, and a speaker calls up H.R. 2694 on workplace accommodations for pregnant workers, with text on damages and remedies.
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“Congressional Record, House, September 17, 2020 — H. Res. 908 Condemning Anti-Asian Sentiment.”
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September 17, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4495
unwavering commitment to life, lib- Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. Mr. Whereas the increased use of anti-Asian
erty, and the pursuit of happiness, the Speaker, I rise today to bring impor- rhetoric has resulted in Asian Americans
American ethos that sustains us to this tance to a treatment issue that faces being harassed, assaulted, and scapegoated
for the COVID–19 pandemic;
day. our Nation’s veterans suffering from
Whereas in March 2020, anti-Asian violence
The essence of our democratic repub- traumatic brain injury, TBI, and post- includes: a woman wearing a mask was
lic lies in the words, ‘‘We the People.’’ traumatic stress disorder, PTSD. kicked and punched at a New York City sub-
This creed is the glue that holds our In line with National Suicide Preven- way station; two children and two adults
United States together, and it ought to tion Month, I am introducing the Vet- were stabbed at a wholesale grocery in Mid-
be revered. When held close, our Nation erans National Traumatic Brain Injury land, Texas; a couple was assaulted and
will continue to prosper through gen- Treatment Act today. This bill will robbed by a group of attackers in Philadel-
help so many of our veterans who are phia; and a 16-year-old boy was sent to the
erations to come. As Henry Clay once
suffering from TBI and PTSD by cre- hospital after being attacked by bullies in
said, ‘‘The Constitution of the United Los Angeles, California;
States was made not merely for the ating a pilot program, increasing their
Whereas the increased use of anti-Asian
generation that then existed, but for access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, rhetoric has also resulted in Asian-American
posterity-unlimited, undefined, end- HBOT. There are presently many treat- businesses being targeted for vandalism;
less, perpetual posterity.’’ ments for PTSD and TBI, but they do Whereas there are approximately 2 million
Unique to the world is our tireless not work for everyone. Asian American-owned businesses that gen-
belief in a better tomorrow. If we are As a physician for over 30 years, I erate over $700 billion in annual revenue and
to sustain this hope, we must maintain have long been a strong advocate for employ nearly 4.5 million workers;
HBOT, since I was in the North Caro- Whereas the World Health Organization
an enduring commitment to the ideals (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control
of the Constitution. lina legislature. This type of treatment
has restored the lives of so many of our and Prevention (CDC) recognize that naming
Mr. Speaker, I encourage every COVID–19 by its geographic location or link-
American, young and old alike, to veterans when all else failed. But the ing it to a specific ethnicity perpetuates
study the framework and celebrate the Department of Veterans Affairs has re- stigma;
greatest Nation that this world has fused to use this treatment despite Whereas in 2015, the WHO issued guidance
many requests by Members of Con- calling on media outlets, scientists, and na-
ever known. Let this day serve as a re-
gress. tional authorities to avoid naming infectious
minder of everything that was and ev-
This is a bipartisan issue. It is time diseases for locations to avoid stigmatizing
erything that can be so long as we re- for Congress to authorize this treat- groups of people;
main united under the articles of the ment option by the Department of Vet- Whereas, on February 27, 2020, the Sec-
Constitution. erans Affairs. Charitable organiza- retary of Health and Human Services stated
f tions—donations, not taxpayer funds— ‘‘ethnicity is not what causes the novel
coronavirus’’ and that it is inappropriate and
b 0915 will pay for this program. My pilot pro- inaccurate to call COVID-19 the ‘‘Chinese
gram should show how efficacious this virus’’;
CONDEMNING ANTI-ASIAN treatment truly is. Whereas, on February 28, 2020, Dr. Mitch
SENTIMENT I urge my colleagues to support this Wolfe, the Chief Medical Officer of the CDC
(Ms. TLAIB asked and was given per- legislation, as we owe our veterans and said, ‘‘Stigma is the enemy of public
mission to address the House for 1 their families this treatment option for health’’;
minute and to revise and extend her re- those who have lost all hope to help Whereas, on March 10, 2020, Dr. Robert
their lives return to some sense of nor- Redfield, the Director of the CDC, testified
marks.) that use of the term ‘‘Chinese coronavirus’’
Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I rise today malcy.
is wrong and inappropriate; and
in support of H. Res. 908, condemning f Whereas the Secretary General of the
all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as re- CONDEMNING ALL FORMS OF United Nations called for international soli-
lated to COVID. ANTI-ASIAN SENTIMENT AS RE- darity and an end to any ill-founded dis-
I cast my ‘‘yes’’ vote today in mem- crimination of the outbreak’s victims: Now,
LATED TO COVID–19
ory of Vincent Chin. The anti-Asian therefore, be it
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, pur- Resolved, That the House of Representa-
racism and hate that led to his murder tives—
suant to House Resolution 1107, I call
in Highland Park, Michigan, in my dis- (1) calls on all public officials to condemn
up the resolution (H. Res. 908) con-
trict, is alive today, and it is what led and denounce any and all anti-Asian senti-
demning all forms of anti-Asian senti-
to the June 9 horrific attack in 1982. ment in any form;
ment as related to COVID–19, and ask
I am proud to stand with my sister in for its immediate consideration.
(2) recognizes that the health and safety of
service, the first Asian-American all Americans, no matter their background,
The Clerk read the title of the resolu- must be of utmost priority;
woman in the Michigan Legislature, tion.
State Senator Stephanie Chang, to say (3) condemns all manifestations of expres-
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. sions of racism, xenophobia, discrimination,
that the disgusting wave of hate TLAIB). Pursuant to House Resolution anti-Asian sentiment, scapegoating, and eth-
against our Asian-American friends 1107, the resolution is considered read. nic or religious intolerance;
and neighbors we are witnessing in our The text of the resolution is as fol- (4) calls on Federal law enforcement offi-
country will not stand. lows: cials, working with State and local offi-
In this moment, I think of one of our H. RES. 908 cials—
Nation’s greatest heroes, Detroiter (A) to expeditiously investigate and docu-
Whereas 23,000,000 Asian Americans and
Grace Lee Boggs. While she would be ment all credible reports of hate crimes and
Pacific Islanders account for 7 percent of the
proud of our vote here today, she would incidents and threats against the Asian-
Nation’s population in the United States;
American community in the United States;
remind us that our work is not done. Whereas over 2,000,000 Asian Americans
(B) to collect data to document the rise of
We must commit, as she did for over and Pacific Islanders are working on the
incidences of hate crimes due to COVID–19;
100 years, to the revolutionary struggle frontlines of this COVID–19 pandemic in
and
health care, law enforcement, first respond-
to liberate our world from hate, em- (C) to hold the perpetrators of those
ers, transportation, supermarkets, and other
brace all humankind with love, and service industries;
crimes, incidents, or threats accountable and
grow our own souls in the process. bring such perpetrators to justice; and
Whereas the use of anti-Asian terminology
I thank so much Congresswoman (5) recommits United States leadership in
and rhetoric related to COVID-19, such as the
MENG for her leadership, and I urge my building more inclusive, diverse, and toler-
‘‘Chinese Virus’’, ‘‘Wuhan Virus’’, and
ant societies—
colleagues to please vote ‘‘yes.’’ ‘‘Kung-flu’’ have perpetuated anti-Asian
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(A) to prioritize language access and
stigma;
f inclusivity in communication practices; and
Whereas since January 2020, there has been
(B) to combat misinformation and dis-
SUPPORTING HYPERBARIC a dramatic increase in reports of hate crimes
crimination that put Asian Americans at
OXYGEN THERAPY FOR VETERANS and incidents against those of Asian descent;
risk.
Whereas according to a recent study, there
(Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina were over 400 cases related to COVID-19 anti- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The res-
asked and was given permission to ad- Asian discrimination between February 9, olution shall be debatable for 1 hour,
dress the House for 1 minute.) 2020, and March 7, 2020; equally divided and controlled by the
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H4496 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 17, 2020
chair and ranking minority member of health. For this reason, Secretary of pandemic and blame it all on the Presi-
the Committee on the Judiciary. Health and Human Services Alex Azar dent.
The gentleman from New York (Mr. rightly condemned the use of the To be clear, Madam Speaker, all
NADLER) and the gentleman from Ohio phrase ‘‘Chinese virus’’ in testimony forms of racism and discrimination are
(Mr. JORDAN) each will control 30 min- before the Ways and Means Committee, abhorrent, including anti-Asian senti-
utes. stating that: ‘‘Ethnicity it is not what ment. If that is what we were talking
The Chair recognizes the gentleman causes the novel coronavirus.’’ about today, that would be even better.
from New York. It is incumbent on all public figures, But this is not what we are talking
GENERAL LEAVE including elected officials like us, to about today.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I ask publicly condemn bigotry and the stig- The underlying tone, even from the
unanimous consent that all Members matization of racial or ethnic groups chairman, is discussing how we deal
may have 5 legislative days in which to unfairly targeted for blame. We must with this in words. I have stood on this
revise and extend their remarks and in- speak out clearly against such atti- floor several times over the past year-
clude extraneous material on H. Res. tudes and acts of hate whenever they and-a-half in denouncing all forms of
908. occur, but particularly in the face of hatred on both sides.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there public panic or fear during a national But let’s be honest. That is not what
objection to the request of the gen- emergency, when society can be espe- this bill is really about. This bill is ex-
tleman from New York? cially vulnerable to racist appeals and actly what this entire Congress has
There was no objection. prejudices. been about the entire time: Democrats
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I While many public figures have ad- ignoring the real issues plaguing Amer-
yield myself such time as I may con- mirably sought to end COVID–19-re- icans, just for the opportunity to criti-
sume. lated animosity, some, unfortunately, cize President Trump.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong sup- appear not to share the same sense of Despite their overwhelming failure
port of H. Res. 908, a resolution con- moral duty. Rather than using their to undermine the Trump administra-
demning all forms of anti-Asian senti- bully pulpits to confront prejudice and tion through the Russian collusion
ment as related to COVID–19. racial hatred, they have instead chosen hoax and the sham impeachment, the
Among other things, the resolution, repeatedly to use derogatory and preju- Democratic playbook has not changed
introduced by my colleague from New dicial phrases and remarks, reinforcing at all.
York, Representative GRACE MENG, the exclusion and stigmatization of Now, a little over 6 weeks from the
calls upon all public officials to con- Asian Americans in the face of a na- election, Democrats are leaning on the
demn and denounce anti-Asian senti- tional crisis, a tactic that sadly has a global crisis to continue their admoni-
ment, and it calls on Federal law en- long and ugly history in our country. tions, all at the expense of American
forcement officials to investigate and Left unchecked, this type of rhetoric families and businesses desperate for
document all credible reports of hate has, in the past, led to grave injustices relief.
crimes against Asian Americans, to like the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Democrats have taken no issue in ig-
collect data on the rise of hate crimes internment of Japanese Americans dur- noring the coronavirus’ effects on the
incidents due to COVID–19, and to hold ing World War II. ground in favor of criticizing the Presi-
perpetrators accountable. In the year 2020, condemning bigotry dent, and no criticism is more dynamic
The COVID–19 pandemic is an ongo- and racial scapegoating should not be than their collective offense at Presi-
ing crisis for our country. Over 6.6 mil- hard for any Member of this House to dent Trump calling the virus the
lion Americans have been infected, and do. It is long past time to leave the ‘‘China virus’’ or the ‘‘Wuhan virus.’’
almost 200,000 have died from COVID– days of yellow peril hysteria and un- Democrats would love for the Amer-
19. It has upended the lives of almost justified blame of the other behind. ican people to forget the work that the
every American in some way, and it The House can take an important administration has done to tackle the
will continue to do so for some time as step in that direction by passing H. virus, including shutting down travel
we brace for a potential second wave of Res. 908 unanimously. I urge strong for China in the early days of the virus.
infections. support for this resolution, and I re- Instead of applauding the move, Demo-
On top of bearing the burdens that serve the balance of my time. crats and Joe Biden accused the Trump
the pandemic has imposed on all Amer- Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, we administration and President Trump of
icans, Asian Americans have been oppose this legislation. Everyone fanning the flames of hate, fear, and
forced to carry the added anxiety of knows racism is wrong, but that is not xenophobia, when his actual actions
confronting racial prejudice, including what this legislation is about. kept others from getting it and kept it
racially motivated harassment and vio- I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from spreading because it was coming
lence stemming from the stigma that from Georgia (Mr. COLLINS). from China.
has unfairly associated them with Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam For the last 3 years, Democrats have
COVID–19 because of the virus’ origin Speaker, let’s be clear. There is no de- repeatedly claimed that Russia must
in China, a stigma that has been rein- nying where the virus originated. It have something on Donald Trump. The
forced by rhetoric suggesting such a was China. real question is, frankly, during a pres-
link. There is no denying the Chinese Com- idential election, what does the Chi-
According to the Asian Pacific Policy munist Party has done everything in nese Communist Party have on Joe
and Planning Council, since March 19, its power to cover up their role in the Biden?
there have been almost 2,600 cases of ongoing pandemic, intentionally mis- Democrats would also love for the
anti-Asian discrimination related to leading the global community and forc- American people to forget that many
COVID–19. ing their friends in the World Health viruses are named for where they origi-
According to the resolution, at the Organization to do their bidding. nated. Take the Spanish flu, the Middle
pandemic’s earliest stage in this coun- That being said, how is that Demo- East Respiratory Syndrome, Ebola, and
try, between February 9 and March 7, crats are still refusing to acknowledge German measles. Because the Demo-
there were over 400 such incidents. China’s role in the coronavirus pan- crats seem to be so bankrupt on this
These include the stabbings of an demic? Just recently, a Chinese virol- floor of bringing bills and real solu-
Asian-American father and two young ogist acknowledged that the tions forward, maybe the next 2 weeks
children, ages 2 and 6, in Texas. coronavirus was released from a Chi- we are up here, we are going to have
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Public health entities, including the nese lab in Wuhan. Are we just to pre- one on the German measles and the
World Health Organization and the tend that didn’t exist or is not even a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.
Centers for Disease Control and Pre- possibility? That is all we are doing, wasting the
vention, have recognized that labeling It seems like the route the Demo- people’s time with this right here. If
a virus by geographic or ethnic terms crats would like us to take is to pre- you want to work on politics, go out-
unfairly stigmatizes certain commu- tend that the Communists in China ab- side the Capitol, not here on the floor
nities and ultimately harms public solutely played no role in the global of this House.
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September 17, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4497
President Trump and Republicans I have restauranteurs in my district The third whereas in the resolution,
have made it clear where the blame of who suffered from bullies because of the gentlemen just spoke about this.
this virus begins. It begins and ends their heritage, so I asked my staff to The third whereas in the resolution
with the Chinese Communist Party and prepare a resolution to echo the Presi- says you perpetuate anti-Asian bias if
their refusal to acknowledge the prob- dent’s sentiments. My staff reported to you use the terms ‘‘Chinese virus’’ or
lem they had and let it go into all the me that such a resolution already ex- ‘‘Wuhan virus.’’ Well, someone should
world. Refusing to acknowledge that isted, H. Res. 908, ostensibly to protect have told the media this.
fact is wrong, and failing to address it Asian Americans. CNN called it the Wuhan virus.
in the House, in favor of political mes- On April 7, I signed onto what I con- MSNBC called it the Chinese
saging bills like this, is nothing more sidered to be a good faith effort to pro- coronavirus. ABC and CBS called it
than political attempts to take down tect Asian Americans. I am more than China’s coronavirus. CNBC called it the
this President. saddened to see that this resolution China coronavirus. So someone should
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I and today’s debate is being used for have told the media that you couldn’t
yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from nothing more than to malign and vilify use these terms.
Rhode Island (Mr. CICILLINE). the President of the United States, just Frankly, someone should have told
Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, last as the President and congressional Re- the Democrats a few months ago that a
March, as the COVID–19 pandemic first publicans have been called domestic few months later the mob, the cancel
began to affect our day-to-day lives, enemies in the last couple of days. I culture, would say this is a term you
the FBI warned that we could soon see would hope for more, but, sadly, this can’t use, because the Democrats used
a rise in hate crimes committed body has chosen to take the low road. it on their committee notice.
against Asian Americans. This debate has devolved into finger- In the January 29, 2020, committee
In this moment, President Trump pointing, name-calling, and scoring po- notice, House Foreign Affairs Sub-
could have tried to bring Americans to- litical points. Rather than reaching a committee on Asia, the Pacific, and
gether. That is not the path he chose. high watermark for bringing us all to- Nonproliferation, Congressman
Instead, the President has poured gether, it has further ripped apart the BARRett, the chairman, says in the sub-
gasoline on the fire, using terms like fabric of America. I am deeply dis- ject line of the hearing for the fol-
‘‘kung flu’’ and ‘‘China virus.’’ The appointed and will not be a party to to- lowing week: ‘‘Subject: The Wuhan
White House has stoked racial tensions day’s partisan exercise that is more coronavirus.’’
and fed into our country’s worst about scoring political points than re- Someone should have told the Demo-
xenophobic impulses. building America. crats you can’t use that term, but in
From March until June of this year, We should be working together to the new woke world you can’t state the
our country saw more than 2,100 re- help all Americans recover, to inves- truth.
ported hate crimes targeting Asian tigate COVID–19, which has resulted in And as Mr. COLLINS pointed out:
Americans. More than 3 in 10 Asian hundreds of thousands of deaths around Did the virus start in China? Yes.
Americans now say that they have Did the virus start in Wuhan, China?
the world, trillions lost and trillions
been the subject of slurs or racist jokes Yes.
more spent responding to COVID. Lives Did China lie to the United States
since the start of this pandemic. and dreams have been shattered.
These slurs and jokes aren’t just about the severity and the origins of
We have a duty to all Americans to this virus? Yes.
words. They are actions designed to find a cure, to get to the bottom of just
make Asian Americans feel less than Did China lie to the world about the
how this pandemic started, and to do virus? Yes, they did.
equal, and they have no place in this what we can to prevent it from hap-
country. But that is the reality of life Did the World Health Organization
pening ever again in the future. lie to the United States? Yes, they did.
in Donald Trump’s America. Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I
This administration has tried to turn Did the World Health Organization
yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from lie to the rest of the world?
back the clock on racial equality. This Illinois (Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI). The answer to every single one of
administration has demeaned, belit- Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam those questions is yes. But you can’t
tled, and ostracized nearly every mi- Speaker, today I rise in support of H. say that, not in this world, not in the
nority community. Res. 908, condemning all forms of anti-
Today, the House is saying no more. politically correct cancel culture. You
Asian sentiment related to COVID–19. can’t state the truth.
We will not stand by as this adminis- Since this pandemic began, there You can’t state that the Chinese
tration attacks innocent men, women, have been thousands and thousands of Government launched a disinformation
and children of Asian descent. reports of discrimination and
I urge my colleagues to join me in campaign to cover up its role in exacer-
xenophobic attacks against Asian bating the spread of COVID–19.
supporting this excellent resolution.
Americans in the United States, in- You can’t say the coverup included
b 0930 cluding in my district, which has one punishing doctors, limiting the access
Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I of the highest concentrations of Asian of journalists, censoring the internet,
yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Americans in the country. spreading disinformation, and with-
Florida (Mr. POSEY). As an Asian American myself, this is holding information from the entire
Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, I was deeply personal and offensive to me. international community. You can’t
hopeful that this resolution would lead When people, including those in the say that.
us to common ground. None of us here White House, refer to COVID–19 as the You can’t say a Chinese Government
believes in discriminating against our Chinese virus or the kung-flu, they en- official publicly and falsely claimed
fellow Asian-American neighbors. courage bigotry or discrimination that the United States Army brought
On March 23, President Trump said against Asian Americans. it to Wuhan, the Chinese Government
the Asian-American community ought To put it simply, promoting anti- failed to institute a full-scale public re-
to be ‘‘totally protected’’ in light of Asian-American sentiment or anti- sponse, and underreporting of COVID–
the xenophobic attacks during the Asian sentiment as related to COVID– 19 cases and deaths propelled the virus
coronavirus pandemic. ‘‘It is very im- 19 is un-American, which is why I am on the course that it has been on. You
portant that we totally protect our proud to cosponsor this resolution and can’t say all that. You could a few
Asian-American community in the encourage my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes.’’ months ago. You could have a few
United States and all around the Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I months ago, but you can’t today. That
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world,’’ President Trump tweeted. yield myself such time as I may con- is the cancel culture world. That is
‘‘They’re amazing people, and the sume. how the mob operates today.
spreading of the virus is not their fault Madam Speaker, again, we all know You used to be able to say, as Mr.
in any way, shape, or form,’’ he said. racism is wrong, but that is not what COLLINS pointed out, the West Nile
‘‘They’re working closely with us to this is about. This is just another ef- virus, the Zika virus, German measles,
get rid of it,’’ the President added. ‘‘We fort of the Democrats to attack the Spanish flu. Not today. Not today.
will prevail together.’’ President. They will attack you if you don’t say it
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H4498 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 17, 2020
the way they want you to say it, and to do what—this resolution says you traveled extensively in Asia. This
this is dangerous. You can’t say China have to do it the politically correct, doesn’t address that. What it does is
virus today, and tomorrow who knows the woke way, the cancel culture way, says: You know what, we want to do
what it will be. and that is why this is so darn wrong, something when we are about 6 weeks
But, like I said, a few months ago, so darn wrong. out from an election. That is what this
even the Democrat committee chair- I hope we don’t continue to travel resolution is about. You can’t tell the
man used the very term that is in their down this road. This is scary where the truth here.
resolution they are saying you can’t left wants to take the country, so dan- Let’s just recite some of the things
use today because somehow it is anti- gerous for the First Amendment and we know:
Asian bias. I think it has more to do free speech rights. The West Nile virus, that is because
with the fact that we are 7 weeks be- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- that virus emerged from the West Nile
fore an election, and this is one more ance of my time. district of Uganda, 1930.
way to go after the President. Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I The Saint Louis encephalitis virus
But we should all remember, this is yield 1 minute to the gentleman from broke out around St. Louis in 1933.
New Jersey (Mr. KIM). The Japanese encephalitis virus
dangerous when you start saying cer-
Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise broke out in Japan in 1870.
tain things can’t be said. If you don’t
say it the way we, the politically cor- today in strong support of this resolu- b 0945
rect, the cancel culture mob wants you tion and in strong opposition to the Coxsackie, New York State; Marburg,
to say it, you have to be quiet. rise of hate crimes and acts of racism Germany; Hendra, Australia, all have
Silence is the biggest threat to the toward Americans of Asian descent. viruses named after them.
First Amendment, and that is what we We all know that these are divisive You will always have the ignorant
are seeing. And they want to just say— times. They are tough times. Hateful who act out on racial animus. We con-
this is broader, this is bigger. language, petty name-calling, and acts demn that. But let’s tell the truth. The
I would say look at the sports world. of violence are not the way for us to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
Look at the sports world. Drew Brees get through these tough times. This virus in 2012. We call that ‘‘MERS.’’
says you should stand for the national resolution allows Congress to come to- This week we learned from Chinese
anthem; he gets attacked. gether to speak with one voice, that virologist Dr. Li-Meng Yan that not
Mike Gundy, football coach at Okla- hate targeted at the Asian-American only did this virus originate in China,
homa State, goes fishing with his kids community has no place in this coun- but it may have been manufactured
and wears what the mob says is the try and must be condemned. and released intentionally by the Chi-
wrong T-shirt; he almost loses his job. I am especially proud to speak here nese Communist Party.
He wore a T-shirt that had a conserv- today with so many of my AAPI col- So when the media refers to this as
ative news outlet on the T-shirt. Oh, leagues. Many of us have been the vic- the ‘‘Wuhan virus’’ or the ‘‘China
my goodness. tims of these hateful and harmful ac- virus,’’ and other officials, including
You can’t coach football if you wear tions. We have seen firsthand the vit- folks from this party over here, it is
the wrong T-shirt with your kids, ac- riol of racism. We have felt the sting of not because they have an existing rac-
cording to the mob. You can’t say a the distrustful look or a harsh word. ist sentiment, but it is rather to de-
term today that just a few months ago I hope you will join me today in ac- scribe its origination as has been done
they used on their committee notice. knowledging the impact of racism and historically.
You can’t say it today because that is forcefully renouncing it. I hope you This resolution today is even more
what the mob says. will join me here today in calling on than a measure to appease the woke
James Harden says ‘‘Back the Blue’’ unity and calling out division. And I and tolerant and politically correct
on a mask. He has to answer for that. hope you will join me here today in leftists. It is an attack on President
Last week, two high school football passing a resolution that can remind us Trump and all who support President
players—on 9/11—ran on the field with that even in the darkest times we are Trump.
a Back the Blue flag and a flag sup- strongest when we reject hate and em- It is a crying shame that you can’t
porting our firefighters, and they get brace America’s diversity. take the actual issue that you want to
suspended because today the mob says Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I address and address it. You have to ex-
that is not okay. yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from pand it that way for political purposes.
We need to understand the cancel Arizona (Mr. BIGGS), the chairman of I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘no.’’
culture restricting, limiting, telling the Freedom Caucus. Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I
you what you can and can’t say is so Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, I thank yield 1 minute to the distinguished
the gentleman for yielding. gentlewoman from California (Ms.
darn dangerous, and it will never stop,
Madam Speaker, I join in con- LEE).
because the mob never—it never quits. Ms. LEE of California. Madam
You don’t believe me? Two weeks demning racial discrimination of all
Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
ago—2 weeks ago—the mayor of this kinds. It should never be tolerated. I
yielding and also for his tremendous
city, our Nation’s Capital, has a pro- wish we had the perfect society and ev-
leadership. And also, I acknowledge
posal to remove and relocate the Wash- erybody recognized everybody in a col-
Representative MENG for spearheading
ington Monument and the Jefferson orblind way, but what this bill does
this important resolution.
Memorial. This is how ridiculous—this today is it doesn’t address that. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong sup-
is how ridiculous it gets. When I heard the chairman of the Ju- port of H. Res. 908 to condemn all
And maybe I will just finish with diciary Committee just refer to calling forms of anti-Asian hate speech related
this. Maybe the most ridiculous thing the virus that originated in China the to COVID–19.
is the last clause, the last page of their Wuhan prefecture, when I heard him Now, this pandemic is leading to an
resolution. The last page says: ‘‘recom- say that this is somehow equivalent to alarming rate of hateful speech di-
mits United States leadership in build- the Chinese Immigration Exclusion Act rected at people of Asian and Pacific
ing more inclusive, diverse, and toler- or somehow equivalent to the Japanese Islander descent in the United States.
ant societies . . . to combat misin- internment camp experience that we And the truth is, as an African Amer-
formation. . . .’’ had where over 100,000 Japanese were ican, I know what hate and racism is
Now, think about this for a second. If removed from their homes and taken and I know the violence that results.
you state the truth, the virus started to camps, I said: This really is the And the facts are: Since March, there
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in China, you are a bad guy. You are woke culture on steroids. This has gone have been over 2,500 reported cases of
not allowed to state the truth. This beyond. anti-Asian discrimination related to
resolution says that is misinformation. If this would have been a condemna- COVID–19, including over 1,100 cases in
The very misinformation that hap- tion of anti-Asian discrimination, I my home State of California.
pened was China misinforming the probably would have been right there At the same time, by no accident or
world, lying to the world. You are not signing this. I lived in northeast Asia coincidence, the White House con-
allowed to talk about that. You have for 2 years. I speak Japanese. I have tinues to refer to COVID–19 as the
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September 17, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4499
‘‘China virus’’ and ‘‘kung flu’’ trying to know it is completely about the elec- hands of we the people. And that is my
shift attention and blame away from tion, which is 7 weeks away. faith, that is my confidence.
this administration’s inadequate re- Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I
sponse and poor leadership. They would the gentleman from Texas (Mr. yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
rather scapegoat Asian Americans, ex- ARRINGTON). Hawaii (Mr. CASE).
acerbating anti-Asian hate and vio- Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, and back
lence. thank the gentleman, my dear friend to the subject of the resolution on the
Congress needs to send a clear mes- from Ohio, for yielding. floor, which is discrimination against
sage that we will stand with our AAPI I am listening to my colleagues and any and all Americans on the basis of
community, especially during these the recent speaker. Where is that pas- their race.
challenging times, to fight bigotry and sion, where is that indignation over the As the proud Representative of the
racism within our country. violent mobs that are terrorizing our State and district with the highest per-
Hate speech does lead to violence and communities, that are assaulting our centage of Asian Americans in this
discrimination. That is the truth. law enforcement officers? country, I rise today in strong support
Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I re- People are being killed in cold blood of H. Res. 908 to condemn any and all
serve the balance of my time. in once great American cities, and not forms of anti-Asian discrimination dur-
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I nigh a word is said in this great Cham- ing and beyond this terrible pandemic.
yield 1 minute to the distinguished ber about what is happening to our fel- Our country confronts not only the
gentleman from California (Mr. low Americans whose rights are being novel coronavirus but also a virus of
TAKANO). trampled. Instead, they want to racism and hate. We cannot allow the
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I rise hyperventilate over this pettiness. one to feed off the other.
We know what it is about, and the On behalf of all Americans, we have a
today to condemn the xenophobic anti-
American people know what it is moral responsibility to call out and
Asian rhetoric that President Trump
about, Madam Speaker. They know condemn this wave of racist hate
and his allies have been using to dis-
good and well this is about scoring po- speech, harassment, discrimination,
tract us from their woefully inadequate
and physical violence driven by fear,
response to COVID–19. litical points. They have seen it over
disinformation, and even purposeful ex-
By referring to COVID–19 almost ex- and over, day in and day out for the
ploitation.
clusively as the ‘‘China virus,’’ the last 2 years under the Pelosi leadership I urge my colleagues on both sides of
President is fueling racism and inspir- of this great representative body; ob- the aisle to support this resolution
ing violent attacks on Asian Ameri- struction, more political theater, and without reservation and speak out
cans and Asian immigrants. Rather just dividing us. against racism against any group in
than condemning this divisive lan- This is dividing our country. This is any form at any time.
guage and unifying our Nation in re- opportunism like I have never seen be- Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I re-
sponse to the pandemic, my Republican fore. You can’t refer to a virus by its serve the balance of my time.
colleagues are blindly following suit. place of origin? We have been doing Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I
This partisanship is so pervasive that that for time immemorial. And now we yield 11⁄2 minutes to the distinguished
Congresswoman MENG’s simple resolu- can’t call it the ‘‘Chinese virus,’’ some- gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
tion condemning this anti-Asian senti- how that is offensive? MALINOWSKI).
ment could not be passed unanimously This is about dividing our country. Mr. MALINOWSKI. Madam Speaker,
out of this Chamber. This is a disgrace. This is about stoking the flames of ra- after 9/11, President Bush never once
A disgrace. cial dissension. It is un-American. It is called terrorism a Muslim virus or an
The COVID–19 pandemic has become unacceptable for our leaders to do what Arab virus or a Saudi virus. He made
a defining moment in our Nation’s his- is happening today. I trust the Amer- clear that the enemy was not the place
tory. Instead of unifying to confront ican people; they are watching this. where the terrorists came from or the
this disease head-on, Republicans have This is the stark contrast in leader- people who lived there, but terrorism
instead weaponized this to revive the ship that we have been talking about. itself. He did that because it was right
racist blemishes of the past. Do you want more of this, America? and because he knew that equating the
Madam Speaker, I urge passage of Do you want more resolutions to con- evil of al-Qaida with an entire faith or
this resolution. demn calling the virus the ‘‘Wuhan nationality or country was exactly
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. virus?’’ Or do you want to condemn what our enemies wanted.
KELLY of Illinois). Members are re- what is happening in Portland, in Se- So today, when prominent people in
minded to refrain from engaging in attle, and the rise in crime and the our country, whether they are Repub-
personalities toward the President. mass exodus by our police officers, who licans or Democrats, or anybody in the
Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I feel that they have jeopardized their media, encourage Americans to call
yield myself such time as I may con- livelihoods and their lives? We have COVID the ‘‘China virus,’’ language
sume. disrespected them. We have demonized that seems to blame this pandemic on
Was it a disgrace a few months ago them. a country and a people, they are not
when the Democratic chairman called What are we doing in this Chamber? only doing something wrong, some-
it the ‘‘ Wuhan coronavirus,’’ or is it God save the Union. God have mercy thing that has already encouraged vio-
just a disgrace now when we are less that we can’t just come together, solve lence and discrimination against Asian
than 7 weeks before an election and a few problems, I don’t know, like the Americans, they are playing right into
you guys want to continue to attack unprecedented crisis that we are facing the hands of a Chinese Communist
the President? Which is it? Because it to get our fellow American citizens and Party that wants Asian Americans to
can’t be a disgrace just now when you families back on their feet. To hold feel unwanted and unsafe in America.
used the exact same language that the China accountable for what they have Now, if you want to blame this on the
Democrat chairman, the Democrat done. Chinese Government, sign me up. If
staff used for their subcommittee hear- There are real problems to solve, and you want to blame them or anybody
ing. I want to work with my colleagues. else for lying to the American people,
So you can get all fired up and start And they know we condemn racism. sign me up. But if you are going to give
yelling at us, but the truth is you guys They know we don’t stand for making this virus a nationality, you are doing
used it, the same terms you are now light of something so serious. But they something wrong. And if you don’t see
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saying, oh, are so bad in this resolu- are seizing on this political opportun- the difference between those two
tion. istic moment. It is the wrong time. things, then you don’t understand what
The hypocrisy from the left and the They are on the wrong side of history is going on in this country in this mo-
mob of what you can say today and here, Madam Speaker. And the ulti- ment of division, this moment of dan-
can’t say tomorrow is ridiculous, and mate judge of what happens today in ger that we face.
the American people see it. They see it. this Chamber and what has happened Madam Speaker, I am proud to sup-
They know this is complete BS. They over the last 2 years will be in the port this resolution condemning anti-
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H4500 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 17, 2020
Asian rhetoric in any form. I ask my you condemn the racist? When will you they used the word ‘‘Chinese
colleagues to vote for it, and I urge condemn the racist when it is ema- coronavirus’’? Was The New York
them to live up to it. nating from the highest office in the Times on February 20, 2020, stoking
Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I re- land? anti-Asian bias when they used the
serve the balance of my time. This is Constitution Day. term ‘‘Wuhan coronavirus’’ in their
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I I close with these words from Emily headline?
yield 1 minute to the distinguished Dickinson. The truest measure of the Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, re-
gentleman from California (Mr. person, I have reminded you, but Dick- claiming my time.
CISNEROS). inson reminded us that: ‘‘A word is They learned their lesson. They
Mr. CISNEROS. Madam Speaker, I dead when it is said, some say. I say it stopped using such terms. They learned
rise today in support of this resolution just begins to live that day.’’ their lesson.
condemning all forms of anti-Asian These words live; they take on mean- They understood what this House
sentiment related to COVID–19. ings; they impact people; and they should understand. They understood
The AAPI community in the 39th cause harms. that the use of such terms stokes rac-
District has been an integral part of It is time for us to take a stand. ism, stokes anti-Asian sentiment, and
fighting the coronavirus. They are first Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I re- they stopped using the term because
responders, essential workers, edu- serve the balance of my time. they learned the lesson.
cators, and small business owners. Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I All we are saying is the White House
Yet there have been too many stories yield myself such time as I may con- should learn the same lesson, and they
in my district and across the country sume. should stop using the term. And for
of racism, discrimination, and physical Madam Speaker, the import of this that matter, Members of this House
and verbal assault towards Asian resolution could not be more clear. should stop using the term because it
Americans. Anti-Asian sentiment will not be toler- deliberately stokes anti-Asian senti-
I had the opportunity to hear some of ated. Anti-Semitism will not be toler- ment.
these stories during one of my town ated. Discrimination against anyone The Washington Post learned that
halls, including the emotional encoun- will not be tolerated. lesson and ceased using such terms.
ter of a constituent from Brea, Cali- When language comes consistently The Washington Post learned the les-
fornia. This young woman was unable from the White House, from other son.
to pick up her mother’s prescription places that stoke anti-Asian senti- We are not saying that everyone
drugs due to racist aggressive remarks ment, that stoke racism, this cannot knew this initially, but it is clear. It is
she received that were directed towards be tolerated. And this House must de- now clear.
her. She left, running away in tears. clare that we will not tolerate it. The Washington Post learned its les-
This resolution will assure that cases This House must be on record against son and stopped using such terms. The
like hers are justly investigated and re- the use of language designed to stoke New York Times learned its lesson
ceive the attention they deserve. racism, against the use of language de- when they realized that it was stoking
I thank my colleague Representative signed to pick out a particular ethnic anti-Asian sentiment and stopped
MENG for her leadership, and I urge my group—in this case Asians, but it is the using this term.
colleagues to vote in support of this same as if it picked out a different eth- We are saying that the White House
resolution to ensure protection, safety, nic group. and Members of this House and anyone
and respect for our AAPI community. No ethnic group should be the target else should learn the same lesson and
Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I re- of such obloquy, of such racism, of such not stoke anti-Asian sentiment by con-
serve the balance of my time. opposition from the White House. tinuing the use of terms that we know
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I None. stoke anti-Asian sentiment.
yield 2 minutes to the distinguished It is unconscionable that we have to Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to
gentleman from Texas (Mr. GREEN). stand here and oppose the White House the gentleman from California (Mr.
Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speak- stoking anti-Asian sentiment. It is un- BERA).
er, I thank the gentleman for yielding conscionable that the White House Mr. BERA. Madam Speaker, I rise
the time. would do such a thing. But if it does today in support of H. Res. 908, led by
Madam Speaker, on this Constitution
such a thing, then it is incumbent on my colleague Representative GRACE
Day we will do well to heed the words
this House to denounce it. MENG.
of Dr. King when he reminded us that I do feel compelled, though, to re-
It is incumbent on this House to
the ultimate measure of the person is spond to my colleague on the other
make sure that the American people
not where the person stands in times of side of the aisle, Mr. JORDAN. I was
know that we do not stand with any-
comfort and convenience, but where do that subcommittee chairman. We held
one, whether in the White House or
you stand in times of challenge and the first coronavirus hearing in this
anyplace else, who stokes deliberately
controversy? new pandemic addressing the issues.
anti-Asian sentiment.
Where do you stand when racism and
We cannot abide, we must not abide, Yes, we did identify it by its geo-
anti-Semitism and anti-Asian senti-
the use of public office, the use of pub- graphic origin as the Wuhan
ments are emanating from the highest
lic facilities, the use of the public coronavirus. We also learned that as
office in the land?
microphone to stoke anti-Asian senti- soon as we started to see instances of
Where do you stand?
ment, no more than we would tolerate racism, violence against Asian Ameri-
b 1000 it if it were stoking anti-Black senti- cans, that was a mistake. We stopped
I stand with the business owner who ment or anti-Semitic sentiment. using that term. That is what we do as
is losing business, and some have gone None of this is tolerable. We must adults.
out of business because of this kind of not permit this. We are not here to instigate racism.
hateful violence emanating from So, I say again, it cannot be allowed We are not here to instigate violence
words. that, on the floor of this House, we do against any ethnic group.
I stand with the mother who has to not denounce the use of public re- What we are here to do is actually
console her child who comes home sources, the use of the White House, defeat this pandemic.
from school and who has been bullied. the use of public resources to stoke In that hearing, what we talked
I stand with the child who has been anti-Asian sentiment. about is it is fine doing a travel ban
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bullied who comes home crying. Mr. JORDAN. Will the gentleman from a country. That would buy us
I stand with the people of my con- yield for a question? some time. But we also rightfully iden-
gressional district and across this land Mr. NADLER. I yield to the gen- tified that that travel ban wasn’t going
who happen to be of Asian ancestry. tleman from Ohio for a question. to prevent the virus from coming to
I stand against racism. Mr. JORDAN. Was The Washington the United States. It wasn’t going to
It is easy to say: ‘‘I am against rac- Post on January 26, 2020, to use your protect us. We had to get ready.
ism. I condemn racism.’’ But when will words, stoking anti-Asian bias when We squandered that time.
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September 17, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4501
Look, this is a virus. It doesn’t un- the majority was on the other side, we floor. That was one of my jobs. So this
derstand a country of origin. It doesn’t would have already done that. is what they picked? This is what we
know whether you are a Democrat or Madam Speaker, Democrats are ne- are doing? Seriously?
Republican, what religion or God you glecting the real issues. My question to the Democrats is sim-
worship. It is a virus. Month after month, they have re- ple: Is debating a nonbinding resolu-
It is shameful for Members of this fused to end our dependence on China tion the best use of our hour? Appar-
body or anyone to continue to use lan- or even acknowledge that the Chinese ently, you have made that decision.
guage that potentially incites violence Communist Party is a national secu- You thought long and hard long before
against any of our fellow citizens. That rity threat. we came to this moment in time. You
is what this resolution is about. Let’s I have read it in the paper. We have spent hours on this.
actually learn from that. heard it out in the public domain that I will promise you this: There is no
I don’t call it by its geographic ori- the Communist Chinese Party wants to kitchen in America that thinks this is
gin. It now has a name. At that time, influence the election even. They have the priority.
it didn’t have a name. It is called picked a side. What makes today’s resolution so
SARS-CoV2 or COVID–19. Now, in January, Democrats were too harmful is it does not stop discrimina-
We ought to call it by its name. We busy impeaching the President to pay tion. It simply spreads disinformation.
should not willfully or intentionally attention to what was happening in At the heart of this resolution is an
use language that potentially incites Wuhan. absurd notion that referring to the
violence against any of our fellow citi- There is a common denominator virus as the Wuhan virus or the China
zens, that incites racism. We should be here. Let’s just go through the cal- virus is the same as contributing to vi-
better than that. endar. olence against Asian Americans, which
Let’s show the American public that In January, they were too busy with I will tell you nobody on this side of
we can actually learn, and let’s lead by impeaching. the aisle supports.
example. That is what we should be In February, they backed out of what In fact, we have heard time and
doing in the House of Representatives. should have been a bipartisan China again—I just heard from my colleague
Again, we called it by its area of ori- Task Force. They actually said yes. on the other side. The Democrat-led
gin because the virus didn’t have a The Washington Post actually had the Foreign Affairs Committee held a hear-
name. We have learned from that. We article written. The members were al- ing titled ‘‘The Wuhan Coronavirus’’ in
don’t do that. And we shouldn’t inten- ready chosen. But the hour came, and February.
tionally use terminology that would the Democrats thought that was b 1015
incite violence against any ethnic wrong. Should we put an ethics complaint?
group, religious group, or any of our Then, let’s move to May. Speaker Are Democrats saying that their own
fellow citizens. PELOSI said focusing on China is a di-
Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I committee members are encouraging
version. I look forward to hearing what discrimination against Asian Ameri-
yield myself such time as I might con- the Speaker says about this resolution.
sume. cans?
Is that a diversion from solving the Likewise, CNN, The Washington
Madam Speaker, what we should also COVID relief that we need?
do is denounce violence, all the vio- Post, NPR, The Guardian, all other
In June, Chairman SMITH of the Com- major media outlets were referring to
lence, we see in our urban areas. mittee on Armed Services on this very
The Democrats were given that op- COVID–19 as the Wuhan coronavirus
floor, just over at that mic, said this long before most Americans knew what
portunity just 2 months ago when the
about China: It is not actually their it was.
Attorney General of the United States
job to tell the American people about Now, let’s put this in contrast, be-
asked them: Why won’t you speak out
the coronavirus. cause you are wasting our time; you
against the violence in our cities? Why Seriously? Those were the words that
won’t you speak out against what the are spending hours on it. You think it
were spoken by the chair of the Armed is the most important thing, when
mob is doing in our cities? Services Committee.
Guess what we got from them? We someone is sitting there in the unem-
In July, Chairman SCHIFF—remember ployment line or a small business is
got silence.
Let’s speak out against the violence who he is and what role he has. He is questioning whether they can stay
we have seen for over 100 days in Port- the chairman of the Committee on In- open. So let’s take this moment in
land and so many of our other great telligence. He said it was an escalation time on this floor talking about it.
cities. for the Trump administration to close Republicans condemn crime and dis-
Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to down the Chinese consulate that was, crimination in all forms. Listen to
the gentleman from California (Mr. according to the Secretary of State, what the President said in March:
MCCARTHY), the minority leader, the the hub of spying and IP theft in Hous- ‘‘spreading of the virus is not their
leader of our great Conference. ton. He was the only one who thought fault in any way, shape, or form.’’ But
Mr. MCCARTHY. Madam Speaker, I that. I guess you can’t take his word for it,
thank the gentleman for yielding. And now, today, while Democrats so let’s waste another hour on this
The gentleman makes a very good deny the real threat of Communist floor on a nonbinding resolution.
point. Are we here condemning two China, they are delaying a coronavirus Madam Speaker, I wonder—because
sheriffs from California getting shot relief package because they despise the every Member who comes here works
while sitting in their car? No. President. hard to get here, I wonder the number
Are we here talking about the inno- I heard a Member here, Madam of times Members in a debate said they
cent lives that are being killed night Speaker, who said we are adults, so we would take their time to have non-
after night in Chicago or other cities? think differently. You know what binding resolutions on the floor. I won-
No. adults do? They give adult supervision, der the number of promises they made.
Are we here, in the last hours before and they focus on things that are im- Because I listened, Madam Speaker, to
this body rushes to the airport to portant. the Speaker up there when I handed
leave, to debate the help that we need We only have a few hours left before her the gavel on what they said they
for COVID, for those who are unem- people leave. I know Madam Speaker would focus on.
ployed, or the small businesses that are told us before August that we will not I have spent a lot of time trying to
going to continue to lay off somebody leave unless we get a COVID relief wonder what one problem this Demo-
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or are wondering whether they can sur- package. crat majority has solved. I have actu-
vive the next day, or for the schools I am not sure if I should believe her ally asked Democrats: Name me one
wondering if they will have the re- then or believe her now, because I that you solved.
sources they need, or the States? No, know people are going to leave in a few I haven’t read a tweet from probably
we are not doing that. short hours. the most prominent of the new party’s
We are not doing any of that. But I I know, as the majority, you have the chief of staff. They had the same ques-
will make this one promise to you: If power to schedule what comes to the tion. They couldn’t answer it.
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H4502 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 17, 2020
The President’s words express what vaccine being slowed down because of a our vaccine research and, yes, end our
every good and decent American has foreign country coming in. So, as one, dependency on China.
known from the beginning: Asian we had an opportunity to do something Our President is doing that. House
Americans are not responsible for about it. Republicans have made a commitment
COVID–19. Do you know what happened? The to America to do just that. We have
Let me be very clear. Let me state Democrats voted against it and de- done it time and again, bringing the
that again. The President’s words ex- feated it. Not only did they defeat it, idea to the floor. Unfortunately, the
press what every good and decent let me tell you, again, what the chair- majority has thought otherwise.
American has known from the begin- man of the Armed Services Committee Madam Speaker, I make this promise
ning: Asian Americans are not respon- said about it. He stood up at that to you: If the sides change, if we have
sible for COVID–19. microphone. He literally said it is not the opportunity and the privilege to
Now, let me tell you everything else actually their job to tell the American determine what comes to this floor, we
every American understands. We have people about the virus, referring to will not waste America’s time in a
an economic problem. We have people China, while they are hacking our own time of crisis. We will not tell people
unemployed. We have small businesses companies working to provide a safe they will not leave and then let them
questioning whether they can stay and effective vaccine. go. We will not have Members call it an
open. We have schools that are won- You wouldn’t spend 1 minute on that, emergency meeting and let them stay
dering could they have the money to be but you are spending an hour on this. home.
able to open again. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. We believe Congress is essential. We
But you chose an hour of this time on Madam Speaker, the majority won’t believe the American public expects
the last day before we leave to debate even work with the Republicans to pro- that.
a nonbinding resolution. Congratula- tect our vaccine research from hackers, Madam Speaker, we have a COVID
tions. Well done. You fought hard for a and they will attack the very compa- crisis. We have an economy crisis. We
majority, and this is what you decided. nies that are working around the clock have a dependency on China that
Unfortunately, while Democrats to provide that safe and effective vac- harms us when it comes to our health
waste an hour of the House’s time on cine for the American people. issues. We have hackers from foreign
this ridiculous resolution, the oppor- They won’t work with Republicans to nations trying to slow a safe and effec-
tunity costs of the inaction are rising. restore American manufacturing to re- tive vaccine. We have schoolkids that
And do you know who is paying the build the American medical supply continue to learn from home, not in
price? The American people. right here, but they will call the House school. We have veterans who want to
For months, every reasonable Amer- back into session to debate conspiracy be able to pick their own doctors. We
ican has understood that America must theories about the post office. have an infrastructure that is crum-
end our dependency on China; we must And while we were here in that emer- bling, but a 5-year plan to make a dif-
move our supply chain out of China for gency meeting—and, Madam Speaker, I ference. These are all the problems
critical needs like medicine. should probably talk about it, because that, if the majority would switch,
Do you realize we don’t make peni- there were a lot of Democrats who would be addressed.
cillin? We don’t make vitamins here, didn’t come even though it was an But no, today, on our last day this
personal protective equipment that we emergency meeting called by the week, we will once again have a non-
strive so hard to get, and technology. Speaker. I think it was one-third of all binding resolution.
The American people want safety and of them did not come. I hope you fought hard for this ma-
security. They want to return to the But while we were here, that one mo- jority. I hope you spent a lot of time
American way of life. ment, the one opportunity that the Re- and a lot of hours deciding what would
I am not sure what this nonbinding publicans had, we offered a motion, a come to the floor. But if this is what it
resolution does, but I know we have motion to recommit, to put up funding is, you have fallen well short of what
done a lot of them since you have for COVID relief. Once again, the America expects of this Chamber.
taken the majority. Democrats did the exact same thing. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem-
Unfortunately, the Chinese Com- Instead of stopping the hackers from bers are reminded to address their re-
munist Party is trying to hack our China, what they said no to, instead of marks to the Chair.
vaccine research at this very moment. giving another COVID relief bill that Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I
That is why I introduced legislation opportunity—because we were in an yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman
earlier this summer to sanction these emergency, it was the only time we from California (Ms. PELOSI), the dis-
cybercriminals. My bill had real con- were coming back, even though, tinguished Speaker of the House.
sequences. Madam Speaker, the Speaker said we Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I
And you know what is so unique? I would not leave—they voted it down. thank the gentleman for the recogni-
introduced the bill because there were They voted it down, the only window tion, but I also thank Mr. NADLER, as
reports out there that Russia, China, that we had. chairman of the Judiciary Committee,
Iran wanted to hack our universities, They won’t even work with Repub- for bringing this important statement
our businesses to get that vaccine, not licans on what was supposed to be a bi- of our American values to the floor of
to work with us, but to steal it. partisan China task force, but they the House. I thank him and our col-
Do you know what happens when wasted an hour on a nonbinding resolu- leagues from the Senate, Senators
they do that? It slows the process tion. KAMALA HARRIS, TAMMY DUCKWORTH,
down. Is this how you expect to manage the and MAZIE HIRONO, three Asian-Amer-
Do you know what happens when it Chamber? Is this why you took the ma- ican Members of the United States
slows the process down? It takes longer jority, to waste the American people’s Senate who were so instrumental in ad-
before people have a safe vaccine that time? vancing this important, as I said,
would cure this virus. Madam Speaker, it is time for us to statement of American values.
It is very interesting. That moment stop acting like the House of resolu- And yes, it is a good use of time for
on the floor, the day after I introduced tions and start acting like the House of us in the House of Representatives to
it, we actually—the FBI found two Chi- Representatives. state our values, to remove all doubt
nese who were doing this, coming into Make no mistake: China aims to dis- that people in our country are re-
our country, slowing the process down. place America as the world’s economic spected, and that we are not using a
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We had the opportunity to have a superpower. If they succeed, we will pandemic to have people—I will go into
motion to recommit on this floor. No- have more than viruses to worry about. that in a moment.
body in America thought that bill The stakes are too high for petty par- But let me just say this. Before the
would be partisan. It would only sanc- tisanship. If we want safety, if we want distinguished leader spoke, the gen-
tion those people who were caught, independence, we know what we have tleman on the other side said: Where
about right and wrong, about the safe- to do. We have to rebuild our economy, are you when you are talking about vi-
ty, the security, a safe and effective bring back our supply chain, protect olence, this or that?
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September 17, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4503
We are there. We support peaceful and delivery systems to make delivery rights violations, and that is a value
demonstrations. We participate in possible of those weapons; to their for us to protect.
them. They are part of the essence of human rights policies in Tibet and It is particularly unconscionable that
our democracy. That does not include Hong Kong and now with the Uighurs more than 2 million members of the
looting, starting fires, or rioting. They and, again, all over China. So I have AAPI community are fighting on the
should be prosecuted. That is lawless- been on it every single day for over 30 front lines against the COVID–19 virus,
ness. I am very proud that Joe Biden years. yet instead of being celebrated as he-
has presented the clarity of that, mak- I need no pontificating from the lead- roes, they are fighting violence and
ing a distinction that I don’t think our er on the other side who seems to have bigotry.
colleagues quite understand but the newly arrived at this issue in order to In February, during one of my visits
American people do. deflect attention from the fact that the to San Francisco’s Chinatown—which I
In a poll released today, it said that Russians are trying to, once again, in- am overwhelmingly proud to rep-
the American people support congres- filtrate and jeopardize the security of resent—I was heartbroken to witness
sional Democrats over President our elections. Whoever interferes with the devastating impact that fear, stig-
Trump in terms of dealing with the our elections must be dealt with, what- ma, and misinformation are continuing
issue of crime in our country, for all of ever country it is; but all of a sudden it to have on its families and businesses.
their misrepresentation. is all about China and not about Rus- Nearly half of recorded incidents of
It is interesting to hear the revi- sia. I think the American people should anti-Asian hate, according to the Stop
sionist history that the distinguished decide who the next President of the AAPI Hate Reporting Center, have oc-
leader put on the floor of this House United States is, not Vladimir Putin. curred in California.
when he asked us what have we done. It So we come here today, and I say this For many of the bay area who re-
is a very long list, and I will go into about the legislation: We have had four member the systemic injustices and
some of it. bills that have been overwhelmingly discrimination perpetrated against
But I want to say to him, when you bipartisan on COVID. Our first one on generations of Asian Americans, this
had the majority and the Presidency, March 4 was testing, testing, testing; resurgence is a traumatic reminder of
the one thing that you did was pass a and still we do not have a commitment the lingering specter of xenophobia.
tax bill that put $2 trillion of debt onto from this administration that we can Sadly, this bigotry is being fueled by
our children and giving 83 percent of crush the virus by testing, tracing, some in Washington, D.C.—I thought
the benefits to the top 1 percent in our treatment, mask wearing, sanitation, there would be almost unanimous con-
country. And yet you resent the fact ventilation, and separation—still. The sent to condemn violence against Asian
that we want to invest more money in solution is as plain as the nose on your Americans—even from the White House
making it safe for our children to go face, which should be covered with a itself, which uses dangerous, false, and
back to school; more money into crush- mask. offensive terms to describe the
ing the virus, which is what we do in Yet the President said he didn’t want coronavirus.
the HEROES Act; and that we want to to cause panic, but he doesn’t mind The World Health Organization and
help our heroes. That is why it is called causing panic that will result in some the CDC, the Centers for Disease Con-
that. terrible things happening to the Asian- trol, have explicitly warned against
Our State and local employees, our American community in our country. linking infectious diseases to a specific
State and local governments that pro- He has brought about great angst as ethnicity because of the stigmatizing
vide services to the American people, he shines a bright light on the injus- effects which have serious impact on
our healthcare workers, our first re- tices experienced by so many, includ- health and defeating the virus. As the
sponders, our police and fire, our trans- ing the surge of violence and discrimi- CDC chief medical officer said, stigma
portation, our sanitation workers, our nation being experienced by the Asian is the enemy of public health.
food providers, all of those people American/Pacific Islander community. Anti-AAPI bigotry violates our bed-
working make life go on for us; with- So I thank the Asian Pacific Amer- rock American values and undermines
out them, we couldn’t. And our teach- ican Caucus Chair, JUDY CHU; the Con- our fight against the coronavirus, and
ers, our teachers, our teachers, the gressional Hispanic Caucus Chair, JOA- it must end.
custodians of our children for a good QUIN CASTRO; and the Congressional That is why we must do our part to
part of their day and of their lives. Black Caucus Chair, KAREN BASS, for combat hate, and that is why I am
their leadership on this important res- proud to support this resolution and
b 1030 olution and this very necessary use of am proud to bring it to the floor as an
Yet the disdain that the Republicans our time to condemn and combat anti- appropriate and excellent statement of
have for our heroes is clear because Asian sentiment. GRACE MENG has led values and good use of our time, in-
that is the obstacle to our bringing the this drumbeat for justice for a genera- stead of giving tax breaks to the
coronavirus legislation to the floor tion. Together with the other leaders wealthiest people in our country at the
that is so needed. I hope that we can she has brought this legislation to the expense of our children and their fu-
reach agreement on that. floor, and I salute her. ture.
So when they talk about accomplish- As the resolution states—and we It calls on public officials to con-
ment, you had a President and you had have all seen—at the same time that demn and denounce any and all anti-
two Houses of government. What did the coronavirus pandemic has broken Asian sentiment in any form, and it
you do but take care of the top 1 per- out, so too has a disturbing epidemic of recognizes that the health and safety
cent to the tune of 83 percent of the hate and discrimination against the of all Americans, no matter their back-
bill that would put $2 trillion of debt to AAPI community erupted. You may ground, must be of the utmost priority.
our children and their future? not have noticed it. You may have We are none of us safe until all of us
In terms of China, I have taken sec- tried to ignore it, but it, in fact, exists. are safe.
ond place to no one in this body in my According to the Stop AAPI Hate Re- It condemns all manifestations of ex-
opposition to China for three decades. porting Center, more than 2,500 re- pressions of racism, xenophobia, dis-
Sometimes I take pride in being called corded incidents of anti-Asian hate crimination, anti-Asian sentiment,
the most disliked American in China have been perpetrated against the scapegoating, and ethnic or religious
for my opposition to China; their trade AAPI community since March. These intolerance.
policies which have been a rip-off of include both physical and verbal at- It calls on Federal law enforcement
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the American worker, and have fought tacks, commuters spat on, racial slurs officials working with State and local
them for decades, whether it is stealing lobbed at passersby, community mem- officials to investigate and collect data
our intellectual property, barriers to bers shunned, store owners having on hate crimes and bring perpetrators
our products going into China and businesses vandalized, and even little to justice.
other violations; trying to stop their children being pushed and shoved, and It recommits our leaders to diversity
proliferation of weapons technologies families insulted in places of business. and inclusion, including in our re-
of mass destruction to rogue countries, Many of these incidents represent civil sponse to COVID–19.
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H4504 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 17, 2020
This resolution has the support of the Hispanic, Asian-Pacific, and Black will lead to violence. The Speaker of
hundreds of organizations, including Caucus leadership today. the House called the President of the
from the medical and scientific com- I thank, again, the chairman of the United States an enemy of the state
munities. Judiciary Committee for his leadership and said his supporters in Congress—
Now I know science doesn’t mean in bringing this important legislation Republicans—are enemies of the state.
much to you because you are anti- to the floor. It is one of many. They don’t talk about that. No.
science, but the scientific community, We have many bills that we have China virus can lead people to take ac-
the American College of Physicians, re- taken up and we will take up next tion, but, no, not when the Speaker of
cently wrote a letter of support for this week as we try to work together to the House calls the President of the
resolution, stating: find our common ground. One thing United States and Republican Members
It is an essential step to support the health that we are working on right now is to of Congress enemies of the state.
and safety of our Nation during a national keep government open, because while Two years ago a Democrat Member of
crisis. they may have an anti-governance at- Congress, the chair of a committee said
Hate crimes directed against individuals titude, we know that we have to make this 2 years ago this summer: If you see
based on individuals’ race, ethnic origin, an-
our compromises to keep government somebody in the Trump Cabinet, you
cestry, primary language, cultural back-
ground or nationality are a true public open. create a crowd, you push back on them,
health threat. So, Madam Speaker, I thank you for you tell them they are not welcome
He goes on to say: the opportunity to use my Speaker’s 1 anymore anywhere.
minute to salute the leadership and She encouraged her constituents to
It is imperative that physicians, and all
people, speak out against hate and discrimi- thank the sponsors of this legislation. approach people in the Trump adminis-
nation, especially during this national crisis You bring luster to the House of Rep- tration, harass them, and tell them
caused by COVID–19. resentatives when you enable us to as- they are not welcome anymore any-
At this challenging time, our Na- sociate ourselves with the great values where.
tion’s focus should be on respecting the of our country and to respect the dig- She encouraged direct action. That is
dignity of everyone. That should al- nity and worth of everyone in our far different from using the term
ways be the case. We cannot allow prej- country. It has never been more impor- ‘‘China virus’’ which they used and
udice and discrimination to divide us. tant than in this time of great crisis in which they had in a committee notice.
So let me just close by adding this: our country. b 1045
we had a tremendous opportunity, as I The SPEAKER pro tempore. I want
to remind all Members to address their This individual Member of Congress
said, we passed four bills that were
remarks to the Chair. said, ‘‘Go harass people in the Trump
overwhelmingly bipartisan. The
Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I Cabinet.’’
CARES Act has done some good things
yield myself such time as I may con- The Speaker of the House calls Re-
for our country. It also gave an enor-
sume. publicans ‘‘enemies of the State.’’ And
mous, practically $150 billion, tax
Madam Speaker, the Speaker of the that is all fine by them.
break to the wealthiest in our country
House said that the Russians are trying But, oh, you say, ‘‘the virus started
and made it retroactive.
to jeopardize the security of our elec- in Wuhan, China,’’ and somehow you
What did that have to do with the
tion. So are the Democrats. are terrible.
coronavirus, making a tax break for
Democrats are trying to win the elec- This is the crazy world the left is in
the wealthy retroactive?
They can’t pass a bill without doing tion after the election. Democrats in today. The crazy world they are in
something at the high end and then Pennsylvania have filed a lawsuit that today.
worrying when we want to help work- says you can fix errors on absentee bal- And, again, as said earlier by the
ing class families in our country. lots after the ballot has been returned gentleman from Texas and by others, I
Anyway, our counter to that bill was to the Board of Elections. I don’t even think the American people see right
called the Take Responsibility Act. know what this means. through this baloney, see right through
Those two bills came together. We were Can you vote in a race you didn’t it. This is ridiculous.
able to find our common ground, even vote in? I hope we get our senses and start—
though we had to swallow some bitter Can you change a vote? as the Republican minority leader
pills in order to help America’s work- What does that mean, you can fix er- said—I hope we would actually start
ing families as well as small businesses rors after you have already submitted spending more of our time on issues of
in our country. the ballot? more value to the American people.
Why does it have to be so hard? In Nevada, Democrats passed a law Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal-
Because there is an anti-science atti- that says you can accept mail-in bal- ance of my time.
tude in this Congress and in this ad- lots 3 days after the election, even if Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I
ministration. There is an anti-govern- the postmark date on the ballot on the yield 2 minutes to the distinguished
ance; there is contempt of science; and envelope can’t be distinguished. gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON
there is disdain for State and local gov- They are trying to win the election LEE).
ernment which does so much for our after the election. That is scary. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker,
country. The Speaker said that the White I thank our distinguished chairman of
Don’t take it from me. The chairman House is using dangerous and offensive the Committee on the Judiciary, and I
of the Fed is saying that it recognizes language. The premise of the resolu- thank and applaud the gentlewoman
that State and local government are an tion in front of us is language can from New York for her outstanding
important part of our economy. cause people to take action, and if you leadership and championing the rights
Don’t take it from me that we cannot use the term ‘‘China virus’’ or ‘‘Wuhan of all Americans.
open our economy unless we crush this virus’’, somehow that will lead to bias Madam Speaker, from the unwar-
virus. That is exactly what the Fed against Asian-American people; even ranted, unwanted allegations of
chairman said yesterday: it is essential though they used the terms ‘‘China hysterectomies in immigrant women
to do this. virus’’ and ‘‘Wuhan virus’’. Everyone in around the Nation in detention cen-
But it takes money, it takes respect the mainstream media used it. They ters, to the President of the United
for science, and respect for the advice used it in the committee hearing no- States taking to the bully pit to be
of scientific leaders in our country that tice. able to call COVID–19 and the
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has been absent. Instead, they play a Even though all that is there, they coronavirus the ‘‘China virus,’’ we are
blame game. now say, oh, if you use those terms it finding ourselves in the midst of confu-
Who pays the price? will lead to anti-Asian bias. sion that is hurting the American peo-
The Asian-American community in But they don’t talk about the lan- ple—hurting them in two ways:
our country. guage they use and the left uses, the One, over 6 million COVID–19 infec-
That is why it is essential for us to language the Speaker uses and how tions in the United States, and now,
follow GRACE MENG’s lead and that of that may create an environment that predictions of upwards of 250,000 dead.
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September 17, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4505
Every one of them we, as Members of Texas, said Kulkarni. The majority of the at- thousand Americans have died because of the
the United States Congress, should tacks are verbal, but some are also physical. Coronavirus.’’ Kulkarni is the Democratic
mourn because families, sadly, are hav- TO REPORT INCIDENTS candidate running in the November general
election for District 22.
ing to bury family members having not Hate and racist incidents against Asian
Wea H. Lee, chairman of the Asian South-
seen them in their last days. Americans related to the COVID–19 pan-
ern News Group and the business organiza-
What good is it to use that word—the demic can be reported to: Hate is Con-
tion International Trade Center in Houston,
‘‘Wuhan’’ virus? That is not the sci- tagious: racismiscontagious.com; Stop AAPI
said attempts to diminish Asian people and
Hate:
entific term. And out of that, we have asianpacificpolicyandplanningcouncil.org/
their cultures overlook their success and in-
created a hostile situation for our tegration in the country, such as having
stop-aapi-hate.
Asian-American friends, for Asian higher levels of income and education than
In West Texas, a man stabbed and cut
the U.S. population overall.
Americans who have been at the front members of a family from Burma, at a super- ‘‘These politicians, the people making this
lines fighting on behalf of this Nation. market in Midland on March 14. The father kind of statement, it’s so stupid, they are so
The use of anti-Asian terminology and one of his two small children were se- nave that they don’t see really what our
and rhetoric related to COVID–19, such verely wounded before a store employee sub- community looks like,’ said Lee.
as the Chinese virus, Wuhan virus, dued the attacker. The man allegedly said he The Anti Defamation League warns that
did it because he thought the family was online forums and posts, some from white su-
kung flu have perpetrated anti-Asian from China and infecting people with the
stigma and is reminiscent of dark and premacist groups, are ridiculing Chinese peo-
virus. Local media outlets reported that the ple in relation to COVID–19 and portraying
shameful chapters in America’s past FBI is investigating the case as a hate crime. them as a dirty culture.
where Asian Americans were labeled as In Houston, a city known for its diversity A national campaign called ‘‘Racism Is
the ‘‘yellow peril’’ and interned in relo- and tolerance, a woman verbally attacked Contagious’’ is using data to raise awareness
cation camps. the owner of the Vietnamese restaurant about the issue and collect reports of abuses.
Madam Speaker, more than 23 mil- Vietopia earlier this month in a parking lot It shows photos of Asians wearing a mask
lion Asian American and Pacific Is- in front of the business, screaming expletives with the message ‘‘I am not a Virus,’’ which
and, ‘‘You, get out of our country.’’ has become a viral hashtag.
landers account for 7 percent of the Na- ‘‘I felt unwanted here. We were very of-
tion’s population in the United States, INVISIBLE STORIES
fended,’’ said Sammi Tran, co-owner and wife
but over 2 million Asian American and of the victim, who videotaped the incident. For many Chinese Americans, the real
Pacific Islanders are working on the ‘‘My husband was born here in America. We story buried under the vitriolic noise is that
their network of connections with China,
front lines of this COVID–19 pandemic don’t harm anybody, but this is happening
now. I’ve never felt like this before.’’ Asian doctors and business people is pre-
in healthcare, law enforcement, first cisely what has helped them help others dur-
responders, transportation, super- ‘‘We go to the supermarket and they look
at us as if we were ugly people,’’ Tran said. ing the coronavirus crisis.
markets, and other service industries. The North Houston Chinese American com-
‘Racism Is Contagious’
They feel threatened. At over half a million people, Asians make
munity, for example, acquired part of its do-
For example, in March 2020, an Asian nation of masks and medical supplies to
up 8 percent of the population in the Houston
woman wearing a mask was kicked and local healthcare providers via their connec-
metro area. Residents with Chinese heritage
punched at a New York City subway tions in China, said Yanbo Wang, one of the
represent the third largest subgroup after In-
organizers. They raised over $14,000 in dona-
station by individuals; two children dian and Vietnamese. Roughly 70 percent of
tions from 98 families and have helped seven
and two adults were stabbed at a Asians in the city are U.S. born or natural-
nonprofit health providers and organiza-
wholesale grocery store. This was anti- ized citizens, according to the U.S. Census
tions.
Bureau.
Asian rhetoric. Finally, let me say, my ‘‘We paid for shipments to bring masks
Statewide, about 1.5 million residents iden-
own constituent, Coco Ma, in Houston, that people in China donated to us,’’ said
tify as Asians, or 5.2 percent of the popu-
was afraid to go into a grocery store. Wang. The shipment arrived right when
lation.
Madam Speaker, include an article those supplies were difficult to find.
In Houston’s Chinatown, the novel Similarly, The Pearland Chinese Associa-
describing her concern. coronavirus hit businesses hard in January, tion collected and donated masks and other
[From houstonchronical.com, Apr. 17, 2020] well before residents were ordered to stay at products from many Asian Americans who
home. Rumors spread on social media falsely bought them earlier in the year. Hearing
IN HOUSTON’S NEW NORMAL, A DIFFERENT
claiming that an Asian supermarket in the from their families in China about the epi-
CURVE EMERGES: OUTWARD RACISM TOWARD
area was shut down by the government due demic gave them an edge to prepare and ac-
ASIAN AMERICANS
to coronavirus infections. quire products before the pandemic was well
(By Olivia P. Tallet) Although there wasn’t a single COVID–19 known in America.
Coco Ma knows it’s risky to leave her case in the state at the time, the rumors Jie Wu, a board member of the association,
house amid the coronavirus pandemic, as the quickly propelled a fear of contagion and said many Asian Americans who work in the
number of Houston area confirmed cases in- customers avoided the area, driving losses Texas Medical Center also let them know
creases and the peak is yet to come. that reached 70 percent overnight for many early about concerns with medical supplies.
The Rice University MBA student, how- Asian American businesses. She said they mobilized and raised thousands
ever, doesn’t even do the occasional run to Not long afterward, President Donald of dollars plus masks, gloves and protective
the supermarket because, for her, the risk Trump called the agent of the pandemic ‘‘the gowns, in what the organization calls ‘‘The
comes not only with battling against the Chinese virus,’’ stirring outrage and concern Love for the Community Initiative.’’
virus but also against the vitriol aimed at among Asian Americans. Masks were collected among school par-
Asian Americans like her, stereotyped as ‘‘The community feels under siege. There ents, many of whom worry that the stigma
culprits of the pandemic. is a genuine, palpable sense of fear in the can hurt Asian American children born in
‘‘I have that fear . . . I ask my husband, Asian American community, they feel that the U.S. Some reports nationwide have al-
who is white, to pick up the food we order. they’re being targeted,’’ said Texas Rep- ready pointed to hateful incidents against
I’m afraid to go inside myself,’’ said Ma, resentative Gene Wu, a Democrat from Hous- minors.
aware of the scapegoating impacting Chinese ton. ‘‘And this is not a Democratic or Repub- Coco Ma, the co-founder of
Americans and Asians in general who are lican issue. I’ve heard this from Democratic #SnacksForMedStaff initiative, is also con-
mistaken as people from China, where the and Republican’’ Asians. cerned about the stereotyping.
COVID–19 pandemic was first detected. Trump recently said he was not going to ‘‘But I also want people to understand that
Almost 1,500 hate incidents against Asian use ‘‘Chinese virus’’ anymore, but some of I wanted to start the campaign not to prove
American and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. his supporters do. who I am (and that) people should not get
have been reported to the STOP AAPI HATE ‘‘China poisoned our people. President mad at me’’ as an Asian person, said Ma.
initiative since it began tracking incidents Trump has the courage to call it as it is: The ‘‘We Asians are doing this because we care.’’
March 19. Chinese Virus,’’ the narrator’s voice says The idea of sending food to medical teams
‘‘We know that (that) number is only a over a sinister music clip in a campaign ad working in hospitals with COVID–19 cases
drop in the bucket. We know that this is currently running on local television sta- came to Ma while talking on the phone with
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really ubiquitous now,’’ said lawyer tions for Kathaleen Wall, who is in the GOP her mother, who is an administrator at a
Manjusha Kulkarni, executive director of the runoff for the 22nd District of Texas, rep- hospital in China dealing with the pandemic.
Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council resenting the Sugar Land area. Initially, she sent snacks to a few healthcare
and founder of the tracking hate initiative, Asked if she didn’t consider that her ad providers, but the initiative grew with peo-
headquartered in California. could negatively impact Asian Americans, ple sending her money for a GoFundMe cam-
Although the tracking isn’t well known she answered in an email: ‘‘Leave it to Texas paign.
around the country, it has already received Democrats like Sri Preston Kulkarni to de- Ma, a Houston resident, and her classmate
reports of incidents in 46 states, including fend the Chinese Communist Party while ten and program partner Kathleen Harcourt,
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H4506 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 17, 2020
who is Asian American, have now created a where the increased use of anti-Asian rhetoric crimination, violence or derision. And
website to make all the #SnacksForMedStaff has also resulted in Asian-American busi- today, I am proud to stand with them
activities transparent to donors. They have nesses being targeted for vandalism. and support this resolution on the floor
raised around $12,000 of a $20,000 goal and Madam Speaker, the Secretary General of of the House.
have sent food packages to hospital teams in
the United Nations called for international soli- We should all actively and forcefully
Texas and other four states among the hard-
est hit by the pandemic. darity and an end to any ill-founded discrimi- condemn these acts of hate directed at
‘‘We are getting very good feedback from nation of the outbreak’s victims. The World our friends and our neighbors, at home,
doctors,’’ Ma said. ‘‘They feel appreciated.’’ Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers across our communities. And today, I
As the coronavirus is soon expected to for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) am proud to do so with my vote on the
peak locally, adding pressure to medical counsels against that naming COVID–19 by its floor of the House. A vote that affirms
teams, Ma said her initiative will raise the geographic location or linking it to a specific
funding goal and provide more packages.
the following:
‘‘People are so polarized,’’ said Ma. ‘‘For-
ethnicity because such linkage perpetuates That we call on public officials to
get about politics, especially during this stigma. For this reason, in 2015, the WHO condemn and denounce anti-Asian sen-
pandemic. Forget about race. Focus on what issued guidance calling on media outlets, sci- timent;
is the problem and coming up with a solu- entists, and national authorities to avoid nam- That we recognize that the health
tion. This is about humanity first.’’ ing infectious diseases for locations. and safety of all Americans of any
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, On February 27, 2020, the Secretary of background should be our priority;
I support this legislation because we Health and Human Services stated ‘‘ethnicity That we condemn the manifestation
have to stand to cure, to fix COVID–19, is not what causes the novel coronavirus’’ and and the expression of racism, xeno-
not to stigmatize and destroy the op- that it is inappropriate and inaccurate to call phobia, and anti-Asian sentiment;
portunity of saving America and doing COVID–19 the ‘‘Chinese virus.’’ On February That we call on Federal law enforce-
the right thing by science. 28, 2020, Dr. Mitch Wolfe, the Chief Medical ment officials working with State and
Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the Officer of the CDC said, ‘‘Stigma is the enemy local officials to expeditiously inves-
Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, of public health’’ and on March 10, 2020, Dr. tigate hate crimes; and
and the Budget Committee, I rise in strong Robert Redfield, the Director of the CDC, testi- That we recommit the United States’
support of H. Res. 908, which condemns anti- fied that use of the term ‘‘Chinese leadership to build a more inclusive,
Asian sentiment in all its forms and manifesta- coronavirus’’ is wrong and inappropriate. tolerant society.
tions, from whatever quarter, and from whom- So, I am proud to be an original cosponsor Madam Speaker, to my colleagues
ever, from the ordinary citizen up to and in- and to strongly support H. Res. 908 intro- who agree with these principles, I urge
cluding the President of the United States. duced by my friend, the gentlelady from New them to vote ‘‘yes’’ in support of this
Since January 2020, there has been a dra- York, Congresswoman MENG. The resolution resolution and in support of our neigh-
matic increase in reports of hate crimes and calls on all public officials to condemn and de- bors. I, for one, will proudly vote
incidents against those of Asian descent and nounce any and all anti-Asian sentiment in ‘‘yes.’’
the danger accelerates as the number of any form and recognizes that the health and Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I
deaths attributable to COVID–19, which cur- safety of all Americans, no matter their back- yield myself such time as I may con-
rently stands at 197,000, continues to increase ground, must be of utmost priority. The resolu- sume.
and is expected to exceed 250,000 by Elec- tion condemns all manifestations of expres- Madam Speaker, I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote
tion Day on November 3, 2020. The use of sions of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, on the resolution for all the reasons we
anti-Asian terminology and rhetoric related to anti-Asian sentiment, scapegoating, and ethnic have articulated here this morning. I
COVID–19, such as the ‘‘Chinese Virus’’, or religious intolerance and calls on Federal think it is important to go back and
‘‘Wuhan Virus’’, and ‘‘Kung-flu’’ have perpet- law enforcement officials, working with State just remember, this is not about people
and local officials to expeditiously investigate of Asian-American descent. This is not
uated anti-Asian stigma and is reminiscent of
and document all credible reports of hate about the Chinese people.
dark and shameful chapters in America’s past
crimes and incidents and threats against the It is about the Chinese Communist
where Asian-Americans were escaped as the
Asian-American community in the United Party. It is about the Chinese Govern-
‘‘yellow peril’’ and interned in relocation
States. ment, a government that lied to us
camps. The resolution also calls upon federal, state,
Madam Speaker, more than 23,000,000 about the origins of this virus, lied to
and local authorities to so, collect data to doc-
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders ac- the world, used the World Health Orga-
ument the rise of incidences of hate crimes
count for 7 percent of the Nation’s population nization to continue to mislead the
due to COVID–19; and to take action when-
in the United States and over 2,000,000 Asian United States and the world. That has
ever appropriate to hold the perpetrators of
Americans and Pacific Islanders are working been where the criticism has been tar-
those crimes, incidents, or threats accountable
on the frontlines of this COVID–19 pandemic and bring such perpetrators to justice. Finally, geted by the President.
in health care, law enforcement, first respond- But, again, 7 weeks before an elec-
and importantly, H. Res. 908 recommits
ers, transportation, supermarkets, and other tion, Democrats don’t care about the
United States leadership in building more in-
service industries. Madam Speaker, there are facts. They care about attacking the
clusive, diverse, and tolerant communities and
approximately 2 million Asian American owned President, calling his supporters, as
combatting misinformation and discrimination
businesses that generate over $700 billion in the Speaker of this House did, ‘‘en-
that put Asian Americans at risk.
annual revenue and employ nearly 4.5 million I urge all Members to join me in voting for emies of the state,’’ bringing a resolu-
workers. H. Res. 908 and I thank Congresswoman tion to the floor of this nature, but not
According to a recent study, there were over MENG for introducing this important resolution. being willing to condemn the violence
400 cases related to COVID–19 anti-Asian Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I re- and the mobs in the streets of our cit-
discrimination just between February 9, 2020, serve the balance of my time. ies and certain places for over 100 days
and March 7, 2020 with Asian Americans Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I straight, looting and violence and riot-
being harassed, assaulted, and scapegoated yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman ing and attacks on our law enforce-
for the COVID–19 pandemic. For example, in from Virginia (Ms. SPANBERGER). ment officers. Nope, can’t. We can’t
March 2020, anti-Asian woman wearing a Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, bring a resolution. We can’t talk about
mask was kicked and punched at a New York I rise today in support of H. Res. 908. I that. When the Attorney General of the
City subway station; two children and two rise today in support of my constitu- United States asked, the Democrat
adults were stabbed at a wholesale grocery in ents of Asian descent. members of the Committee on the Ju-
Midland, Texas; a couple was assaulted and Central Virginia is the proud home to diciary won’t even speak up then.
robbed by a group of attackers in Philadelphia; a strong and vibrant Asian-American Madam Speaker, I hope we defeat
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and a 16-year-old boy was sent to the hospital community. And since COVID–19 this resolution, and I yield back the
after being attacked by bullies in Los Angeles, began, we have seen a disturbing in- balance of my time.
California. crease in hate crimes directed at the Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I
According to a report in the Houston Chron- Asian-American community across the yield myself the balance of my time.
icle, during this pandemic a different curve has country, including in Virginia. Madam Speaker, this is an important
emerged in the Harris County metroplex, one Our neighbors, our fellow Americans, resolution that will put the House
of outward racism toward Asian Americans, should never be the victims of dis- firmly on record against the insidious
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September 17, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4507
form of racism and racial scapegoating COVID–19. I think of my district’s University of and nationwide has seen an alarming surge in
that we have seen since the COVID–19 Toledo Medical Center’s molecular specialist, anti-Asian bigotry and in hate crimes. There is
pandemic began. Dr. Ji-Youn Yeo, Ph.D., a Postdoctoral Fellow no doubt that COVID–19 has resulted in the
It is completely unacceptable to use of South Korean descent. Dr. Yeo’s expertise spread of hate, racism, and xenophobia to-
derogatory and prejudicial terms, like helped the Center’s coronavirus pathology lab ward the Asian American community.
‘‘Chinese virus’’ or ‘‘Wuhan virus,’’ as modify its test to keep employees safe during As you may already know, the FBI warned
if they merely describe the factual re- the testing process. First Lady of Maryland, at the end of March that they expected to see
ality of where the novel coronavirus Yumi Hogan, was instrumental in obtaining hate crime incidents against Asian Americans
that causes COVID–19 originated. 500,000 testing kits for Maryland by working to increase suddenly as the general public as-
First, this logic does nothing to jus- with the South Korean Ambassador to the sociated the coronavirus with the Asian Amer-
tify the use of the term ‘‘kung flu,’’ an- United States, Lee Soo Hyuk. The people of ican population. At its peak, there were nearly
other term often used by some to de- South Korea were able to minimize the devas- 100 hate incidents being reported each day.
scribe COVID–19, a term clearly de- tation of COVID–19 on its own shores and be- Yet, the President and his Administration
signed to mock Asians and to associate came an example to the world by imple- failed to address this and fueled this mis-
them unfairly with this disease. menting lessons and procedures learned from conception with their rhetoric.
Madam Speaker, the need for this its MERS outbreak. These efforts are a signifi- Madam Speaker, words matter. This wide-
legislation is clear. I urge my col- cant representation of how Asian communities spread racism against Asian Americans during
leagues to vote ‘‘yes,’’ and I yield back are helping to combat the corona virus. this public health crisis is a serious and de-
the balance of my time. To incite anti-Asian sentiments through rac- structive issue that negatively impacts the
Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, as millions ism, discrimination, or religious intolerance, lives of millions in our nation. Congress has a
across our nation continue to be impacted by especially related to COVID–19, is an insult to duty to address the ongoing anti-Asian senti-
the coronavirus, many continue to live in fear the very people who have helped shape our ment and break the silence, raise awareness,
following the dramatic increase of threats and country. At this difficult time as we experience and change the public perception surrounding
attacks against those of Asian descent since a resurgence of this troubling discrimination, I it.
the COVID–19 outbreak. am reminded of my trailblazing colleagues as In my hometown of Philadelphia, we have
Since January 2020, there has been a sig- they continue the fight against discrimination, witnessed far too many hate crimes. Back in
nificant number of reports of anti-Asian inci- and through their efforts, are making our na- February, a young man and woman were
dents; wherein, due to scapegoating Asian tion a fairer and more just society. One such physically assaulted by a group of juveniles at
Americans for the spread of COVID–19, many trailblazer is the distinguished Chairwoman of a SEPTA station in what appeared to be a ra-
are being threatened, harassed, or assaulted, CAPAC, Congresswoman JUDY CHU, the first cially motivated anti-Asian attack. In March,
or have had their businesses vandalized. The Chinese American woman elected to the several Asian American homes were harassed
upsurge of racial discrimination against Asian United States Congress. She has served with through letters. Later in April, an Asian Amer-
Americans has been fueled by misinformation great dignity and has been a fierce leader and ican-owned restaurant in my Congressional
about the coronavirus and usage of anti-Asian advocate for Asian Americans. Former Con- district was vandalized with spray-paint graffiti
rhetoric and terms like ‘‘Chinese virus’’ and gressman and CAPAC Chair Emeritus, Mike that included a racial slur. Just last month, an
‘‘Kung-flu.’’ All of our nation’s leaders must Honda, a statesman who was forced into a Asian American pregnant mother was attacked
stop using these racist phrases that instigate Japanese internment camp with his family in on the streets by someone who deliberately
hatred and violence. In the midst of the Colorado and then thrived to become a Mem- mentioned her race during the attack.
COVID–19 crisis, Asian Americans are left ber of the United States House of Representa- The Asian American community has en-
fighting an additional front—that of hate and tives. He experienced xenophobia firsthand, riched the city of Philadelphia, and our nation,
bigotry. and we heartfully thank him for teaching all and we must do more to protect them. The
That is why I introduced a resolution con- those who face oppression that they have the prejudice against the Asian American commu-
demning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as ability to overcome and achieve remarkable nity distracts us from finding real solutions to
related to COVID–19. We, as leaders of this things. I also recognize our distinguished the pandemic at a time when they are much
nation, must coalesce and condemn all mani- Chairman of the House Committee on Vet- needed.
festations of expressions of racism, xeno- erans’ Affairs, Congressman MARK TAKANO. Madam Speaker, now, more than ever, it is
phobia, discrimination, and anti-Asian senti- He is a consummate educator and brave lead- important to stand in solidarity with the Asian
ment and scapegoating. We must denounce er who became the first openly gay person of American community. We cannot let the rise in
any and all anti-Asian sentiment of any form. color to serve in Congress. These are some of hateful rhetoric and discrimination go un-
Madam Speaker, during this time of height- America’s finest patriots. checked. We must work together to build a
ened anxiety and fear surrounding COVID–19, I had the honor and privilege to serve with more inclusive and diverse society, and this
we cannot lose sight of protecting the health Congress’ first female Member of color, Patsy resolution is a step toward achieving that. urge
and safety of every single person—no matter Mink. A third generation Japanese American, my colleagues to join me in supporting this
their race, ethnicity, religion, or background. she achieved greatness through insurmount- resolution to build on America’s diversity,
The House must take a strong stand against able barriers. A fighter for the fundamental be- which has proven to be one of our greatest
the sickening intolerance, bigotry, and violence lief in equality, Mink co-authored Title IX to en- strengths.
that is leaving a terrible stain on our nation’s sure that no person, regardless of sex, could Ms. VELÁZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in
history, especially during this moment of an be excluded from any education program or strong support of House Resolution 908,
unprecedented public health crisis. The adop- activity receiving federal financial assistance. which condemns the anti-Asian rhetoric that
tion of this resolution is a necessary step to She was ahead of her time and laid a great has arisen because of the COVID–19 pan-
confront the second pandemic of racism and foundation for Asian Americans and women to demic. Madam Speaker, our Asian friends,
discrimination in this country. I urge my col- follow. Congresswoman MENG’s efforts today neighbors and family members have been un-
leagues to join me in this effort to keep all proudly honor her memory. fairly targeted by bigotry in the wake of the
Americans safe. To the current and past Asian American and COVID–19 pandemic. Using terms like the
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today Pacific Islander Members of Congress, the ‘‘China Virus’’ and ‘‘Kung Flu’’ is offensive to
in strong support of House Resolution 908— current 74 bicameral members of the Con- the communities I represent in the Lower East
Condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment gressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Side and Brooklyn. Our friends and neighbors
as related to COVID–19. I praise my distin- and the many Asian Americans who are work- in these communities are essential workers
guished colleague, Congresswoman GRACE ing every day to make sure America stands and small business owners who provided crit-
MENG, First Vice-Chair of the Congressional tall during COVID–19, I salute them and their ical services to our community as the pan-
Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), for service to a grateful nation. I urge support for demic raged across New York City, and con-
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her exemplary leadership on this Resolution H. Res. 908. tinue to play an essential role in our city’s re-
on behalf of Asian-Americans and Asian and Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania. covery from the virus. Unfortunately, New York
Pacific Islander communities all over the Madam Speaker. I rise today to support H. City has seen a spike in bias crimes. We can-
world. Res. 908, which condemns all forms of anti- not let hate crimes go unpunished, let alone
With this Resolution, I am reminded of the Asian sentiment as related to COVID–19. condone them.
talented and brave Asians and Asian-Ameri- Since the beginning of this pandemic, the As the resolution states, there are over 2
cans who have helped lead us through Asian American community in Philadelphia million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
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H4508 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 17, 2020
working on the frontline combatting against the commodations for workers whose abil- tions contained in subsection (b)(3) of such sec-
pandemic. We must stand in solidarity with our ity to perform the functions of a job tion 1977A, shall be the powers, remedies, and
friends and neighbors by denouncing the vitriol are limited by pregnancy, childbirth, procedures this Act provides to the Commission,
the Attorney General, or any person alleging
and anti-Asian sentiment. Our response to this or a related medical condition, and ask
such practice (not an employment practice spe-
pandemic should have been a unifying mo- for its immediate consideration. cifically excluded from coverage under section
ment for our country. Instead, the administra- The Clerk read the title of the bill. 1977A(a)(1) of the Revised Statutes).
tion has actively sought to inflame racial ten- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. (b) EMPLOYEES COVERED BY CONGRESSIONAL
sions. Today, we say ‘‘no more’’ to the anti- SPANBERGER). Pursuant to House Reso- ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1995.—
Asian rhetoric from the White House. I am lution 1107, the amendment in the na- (1) IN GENERAL.—The powers, remedies, and
proud to cosponsor this bill and I want to ture of a substitute recommended by procedures provided in the Congressional Ac-
thank my colleague from New York Rep- the Committee on Education and countability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) to
Labor, printed in the bill, is adopted the Board (as defined in section 101 of such Act
resentative GRACE MENG, for her leadership
(2 U.S.C. 1301)) or any person alleging a viola-
on this issue and urge all my colleagues to and the bill, as amended, is considered
tion of section 201(a)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
support its passage. read. 1311(a)(1)) shall be the powers, remedies, and
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, The text of the bill, as amended, is as procedures this Act provides to the Board or any
I rise today in support of this resolution that follows: person, respectively, alleging an unlawful em-
condemns all forms of anti-Asian sentiment H.R. 2694 ployment practice in violation of this Act
during this COVID–19 pandemic. This public Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- against an employee described in section 5(3)(B),
health crisis has caused significant pain and resentatives of the United States of America in except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of
suffering to communities across our nation, Congress assembled, this subsection.
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. (2) COSTS AND FEES.—The powers, remedies,
and we are especially concerned about an ap- and procedures provided in subsections (b) and
parent increase in verbal and physical attacks, This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Pregnant Work-
ers Fairness Act’’. (c) of section 722 of the Revised Statutes (42
as well as discrimination, against Asian Ameri- U.S.C. 1988) shall be the powers, remedies, and
SEC. 2. NONDISCRIMINATION WITH REGARD TO
cans. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS procedures this Act provides to the Board or any
Our society must clearly state that this xen- RELATED TO PREGNANCY. person alleging such practice.
ophobia must not and will not be accepted. It shall be an unlawful employment practice (3) DAMAGES.—The powers, remedies, and pro-
Asian Americans are not responsible for the for a covered entity to— cedures provided in section 1977A of the Revised
spread of COVID–19, and yet they have been (1) not make reasonable accommodations to Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1981a), including the limita-
the known limitations related to the pregnancy, tions contained in subsection (b)(3) of such sec-
repeatedly harassed, discriminated, and even
childbirth, or related medical conditions of a tion 1977A, shall be the powers, remedies, and
attacked by some who wrongly believe they procedures this Act provides to the Board or any
qualified employee, unless such covered entity
are at fault. There are over two thousand re- person alleging such practice (not an employ-
can demonstrate that the accommodation would
ported incidences of coronavirus-related dis- impose an undue hardship on the operation of ment practice specifically excluded from cov-
crimination by the Asian Pacific Policy and the business of such covered entity; erage under section 1977A(a)(1) of the Revised
Planning Council. We must better protect our (2) require a qualified employee affected by Statutes).
vulnerable communities during times of tur- pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condi- (4) OTHER APPLICABLE PROVISIONS.—With re-
moil, and it is even more egregious that many tions to accept an accommodation other than spect to a claim alleging a practice described in
of these same victims are simultaneously any reasonable accommodation arrived at paragraph (1), title III of the Congressional Ac-
through the interactive process referred to in countability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.)
fighting this pandemic as doctors, nurses, and shall apply in the same manner as such title ap-
section 5(7);
other frontline providers. (3) deny employment opportunities to a quali- plies with respect to a claim alleging a violation
Therefore, I am proud to support this resolu- fied employee if such denial is based on the need of section 201(a)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
tion that explicitly calls on all public officials to of the covered entity to make reasonable accom- 1311(a)(1)).
condemn and denounce all anti-Asian senti- modations to the known limitations related to (c) EMPLOYEES COVERED BY CHAPTER 5 OF
ment in any form. Additionally, I am pleased the pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical TITLE 3, UNITED STATES CODE.—
that this legislation recognizes that the health conditions of a qualified employee; (1) IN GENERAL.—The powers, remedies, and
and safety of all Americans, no matter their (4) require a qualified employee to take leave, procedures provided in chapter 5 of title 3,
whether paid or unpaid, if another reasonable United States Code, to the President, the Com-
background, must be our utmost priority.
accommodation can be provided to the known mission, the Merit Systems Protection Board, or
On behalf of the constituents of the 30th any person alleging a violation of section
limitations related to the pregnancy, childbirth,
Congressional District of Texas, I am proud to or related medical conditions of a qualified em- 411(a)(1) of such title shall be the powers, rem-
support this resolution condemning anti-Asian ployee; or edies, and procedures this Act provides to the
sentiment during this pandemic, and I urge my (5) take adverse action in terms, conditions, or President, the Commission, the Board, or any
colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation. privileges of employment against a qualified em- person, respectively, alleging an unlawful em-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time ployee on account of the employee requesting or ployment practice in violation of this Act
for debate has expired. using a reasonable accommodation to the known against an employee described in section 5(3)(C),
Pursuant to House Resolution 1107, limitations related to the pregnancy, childbirth, except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of
or related medical conditions of the employee. this subsection.
the previous question is ordered on the
SEC. 3. REMEDIES AND ENFORCEMENT. (2) COSTS AND FEES.—The powers, remedies,
resolution and the preamble. and procedures provided in subsections (b) and
(a) EMPLOYEES COVERED BY TITLE VII OF THE
The question is on the resolution. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964.— (c) of section 722 of the Revised Statutes (42
The question was taken; and the (1) IN GENERAL.—The powers, remedies, and U.S.C. 1988) shall be the powers, remedies, and
Speaker pro tempore announced that procedures provided in sections 705, 706, 707, procedures this Act provides to the President,
the ayes appeared to have it. 709, 710, and 711 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 the Commission, the Board, or any person alleg-
Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, on (42 U.S.C. 2000e–4 et seq.) to the Commission, the ing such practice.
that I demand the yeas and nays. Attorney General, or any person alleging a vio- (3) DAMAGES.—The powers, remedies, and pro-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- lation of title VII of such Act (42 U.S.C. 2000e et cedures provided in section 1977A of the Revised
seq.) shall be the powers, remedies, and proce- Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1981a), including the limita-
ant to section 3 of House Resolution
dures this Act provides to the Commission, the tions contained in subsection (b)(3) of such sec-
965, the yeas and nays are ordered. tion 1977A, shall be the powers, remedies, and
Attorney General, or any person, respectively,
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- alleging an unlawful employment practice in procedures this Act provides to the President,
ther proceedings on this question are violation of this Act against an employee de- the Commission, the Board, or any person alleg-
postponed. scribed in section 5(3)(A) except as provided in ing such practice (not an employment practice
f paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection. specifically excluded from coverage under sec-
(2) COSTS AND FEES.—The powers, remedies, tion 1977A(a)(1) of the Revised Statutes).
PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS and procedures provided in subsections (b) and (d) EMPLOYEES COVERED BY GOVERNMENT EM-
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ACT (c) of section 722 of the Revised Statutes (42 PLOYEE RIGHTS ACT OF 1991.—
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam U.S.C. 1988) shall be the powers, remedies, and (1) IN GENERAL.—The powers, remedies, and
procedures this Act provides to the Commission, procedures provided in sections 302 and 304 of
Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution
the Attorney General, or any person alleging the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991 (42
1107, I call up the bill (H.R. 2694) to such practice. U.S.C. 2000e–16b; 2000e–16c) to the Commission
eliminate discrimination and promote (3) DAMAGES.—The powers, remedies, and pro- or any person alleging a violation of section
women’s health and economic security cedures provided in section 1977A of the Revised 302(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 2000e–16b(a)(1))
by ensuring reasonable workplace ac- Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1981a), including the limita- shall be the powers, remedies, and procedures
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