Republicans Are Failing the People (Cong. Rec., Sept. 24, 2020)

Summary

Page H4888 of the House section of the Congressional Record for September 24, 2020, in interleaved columns, headed Republicans Are Failing the People. A speaker says the deadline to apply for Paycheck Protection Program support has passed while many small businesses remain closed or restricted, and another says that with Australia's fatality rate fewer than 11,000 Americans would have died, which are their views. Speakers discuss the $1,200 payment, testing capability and a bill from Mr. Chabot. Other statements honor Dr. Enemuoh, a Duluth physician who mentors young women, and recall Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's legal brilliance.

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“Republicans Are Failing the People (Cong. Rec., Sept. 24, 2020).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-09-24-crec-2020-09-24-pt1-pgh4888-622ee8a6cb/, SHA-256 d93b6e9f410844167bff5e687dfc4a498c4e52d37c2e5258515a0c2dffaa8e3f.

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H4888 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 24, 2020
there are small businesses that are still talking about those people in food lines this administration keeps failing and
struggling under the burdensome State or the families who need that payment keeps contradicting our health pro-
and local mandates. of $1,200 and dollars for children. I viders and our experts.
The deadline to apply for Paycheck didn’t hear him say anything about the Based on our population, Mr. Speak-
Protection Program support has, un- testing capability so we can stop this er, if we had the same fatality rate for
fortunately, passed, and yet too many virus. COVID–19 as Australia—listen, my
businesses remain closed or restricted. I do not criticize him for mentioning friends, to this figure. If we had the
Some small business leaders are won- the Chabot bill. I will tell my friends same fatality rate for COVID–19 as
dering how long they can survive. And, on the Republican side, I am hopeful Australia, fewer than 11,000 Americans
frankly, if we do not act, we risk losing that they are going to get the oppor- would have died, if we had had the
them permanently. tunity to vote either for an agreement same success rate. And if we had had
Most of our small businesses have between Secretary Mnuchin and Speak- the same rate as Japan, fewer than
been built by hardworking families er PELOSI and Senator SCHUMER and 5,000 Americans would have lost their
over generations. Will Congress let this others who choose to participate in the lives.
be their end? Will we allow families on negotiations. Yet our President says we have han-
Main Street to be used as bargaining I am very hopeful that we will have dled it the best of anybody in the
chips in Washington? either an agreement or a bill that we world. The facts, of course, do not
Mr. Speaker, we cannot permit small can pass that I hope everybody on this interfere with his conclusions.
businesses to be wiped out by a virus. floor votes for, which will deal with the The Democratic-led House passed the
This is a time for choosing, and we in problems I mentioned, with the chal- HEROES Act in May—May 15, to be
Congress must put politics aside and lenges the gentleman from Pennsyl- exact—more than 4 months ago. More
extend a lifeline to the American small vania mentioned. But, of course, the than 110,000 Americans have died of
businesses. response to HEROES was, from the Re- COVID–19 during the 4 months that
Congressman STEVE CHABOT, the top publican leader in the Senate: Let the President Trump and the Republicans
Republican on the House Small Busi- States go bankrupt. blocked the HEROES Act from helping
ness Committee, has introduced com- I don’t know whether anybody has us defeat this pandemic.
monsense legislation that would reopen any thoughts on, if the States go bank- In that same period, President
the Paycheck Protection Program, free rupt, the impact that that will have on Trump, who in 2011 criticized President
up over $137 billion of unspent funds, the fight against COVID–19. I think it Obama for playing golf, in that same
and extend this program until the end would be substantial, including cities period, President Trump left the White
of this year. This plan makes sense, and localities and counties. House to play golf as many as 30
and I encourage every Member of Con- So we have some time to go before we times—fiddling while Rome burned.
gress to support it. are leaving here, and we have time to That is eight times per month on aver-
If 2020 has taught us anything, it is address not only the challenge that Mr. age.
to plan for the unexpected. While many JOYCE brings up, but the challenges of What did President Trump say when
circumstances beyond our control re- families and children, of people who asked in August about the rising fatali-
main uncertain, Congress has an oppor- are sick. ties? ‘‘It is what it is.’’
All of us ought to be motivated by How recklessly irresponsible, how
tunity now to offer small businesses se-
the fact that 200,000 of our fellow citi- callous and dismissive of people’s pain,
curity, and, most important, we have
zens have died as a result of COVID–19. and how indicative of a lack of decency
the chance to offer hope to these hard-
I am going to speak to that now. and leadership.
working Americans. At the same time, President Trump
As my friend Congressman CHABOT Mr. Speaker, this week, Democrats
are coming to the floor to highlight the and congressional Republicans have
said earlier this week, our economy is
work we have been doing over the past been working hard to eliminate access
depending upon America’s small busi-
2 years governing for the people, in to affordable healthcare for millions of
nesses, and American small businesses
sharp contrast with the way President Americans and remove protections for
are depending on us.
Trump and Republicans have failed the more than 133 million people with pre-
This Small Business Week, there are
people. existing conditions. And they say, of
livelihoods that are on the line. Amer-
First and foremost, they have failed course: Oh, no. We are for preexisting
ican families are counting on us. Amer-
our country by responding inad- conditions. We are just trying to get
ican workers are counting on us. It is
equately to the COVID–19 pandemic. rid of the law that gives protection for
time that we deliver for them.
Now, we started out with bipartisan preexisting conditions.
f Their lawsuit to overturn the Afford-
action, and that was good, over-
REPUBLICANS ARE FAILING THE able Care Act comes amid a deadly
whelming bipartisan action, Repub-
PEOPLE pandemic worsened by their own fail-
licans and Democrats responding to a
ures.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The crisis that was killing our people; and
For 4 years, President Trump and Re-
Chair recognizes the gentleman from then, unfortunately, that bipartisan
publicans have been promising to
Maryland (Mr. HOYER) for 5 minutes. process fell apart.
unveil a secret plan that they say cov-
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I am going First and foremost, our Republican
ers everybody. The President says: I
to make some comments, but I want to colleagues have failed our country by
am going to cover everybody—lower
just briefly remark about the gen- responding inadequately to the COVID–
cost, higher quality.
tleman from Pennsylvania’s remarks 19 pandemic by not having the Senate We have seen no such plan in 3 years
about the PPP. respond to our bill and come to a con- and 8 months of this Presidency. That
That program was, of course, a bipar- ference and try to get an agreement. In is because there is no Republican
tisan program that was negotiated be- addition, when we tried to have nego- healthcare plan. They tried one early
tween Mr. CARDIN, Mr. RUBIO, and tiations, as we had successfully had on. It failed. It failed because they
NYDIA VELÁZQUEZ, the chair of the four times, they refused to come to the couldn’t get a Republican vote—John
Small Business Committee here, who table. McCain, who thought it wasn’t a real
played a role. In February, President Trump told bill.
We passed the HEROES Act. We are 4 the American people that the virus, As a matter of fact, the President,
months-plus from passing the HEROES like a miracle, would disappear. He who hailed the bill at the White House
Act, and the Senate has taken no ac- called criticism of his response to the as the most wonderful thing in the

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tion. virus a hoax. More than 200,000 Ameri- world, 2 weeks later, said: It was a
Now, one could say, well, the Senate cans have now died from that hoax. mean bill.
hasn’t taken action because they can’t There has been no miracle. Criticism
get the votes of the Democrats for a of that failure is no hoax. Other na- b 0915
bill that we believe is woefully inad- tions’ governments have figured out There is only the unyielding drive to
equate. I didn’t hear the gentleman how to slow the spread of the virus, yet get rid of the Affordable Care Act and

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September 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4889
tell tens of millions of Americans: You Mr. Speaker, we have been working Area Chamber of Commerce and Afri-
are on your own. Sixty-five-some-odd every day. We passed hundreds of bills. can Women’s Group.
votes to repeal the Affordable Care Minimum wage. You are on your own. Due to the valuable services this
Act, no alternative have the Repub- Violence against women. You are on business provides to the Northland and
licans, even when they were in charge, your own. Equality for all Americans. the dedication of Dr. Enemuoh, the
adopted. You are on your own. Voting rights for Small Business Association recently
As a result of President Trump and Americans. You are on your own. Sit- named Lifestone Health Care as the
Republicans hitting pause, the minor- ting unattended, unconsidered on 2020 Minnesota Minority-Owned Small
ity leader of this House said: Let’s wait MITCH MCCONNELL’s desk. Business of the Year.
and see what happens. We have seen Mr. Speaker, America is struggling, Thank you to Dr. Enemuoh and the
what happens, 110,000 additional people and what we ought to be doing is work- entire staff at Lifestone Health Care
have died. ing together. And I am hopeful, as I for providing excellent healthcare to
As a result of President Trump and said, in the next 5 to 6 days we get ei- the residents of Minnesota’s Eighth
Republicans hitting pause on respond- ther an agreement or a bill passed in Congressional District. Your commit-
ing to the pandemic, tens of millions this House that the Senate will pass. I ment to our community serves as an
are out of work, critical support in the am for either one of those options, but inspiration to all.
form of expanded unemployment insur- we must take one of them. Mr. Speaker, entrepreneurs like Dr.
ance was allowed to expire in July, and Enemuoh are absolutely invaluable to
f
the unemployment rate has jumped our society. And as we continue to cel-
from 4.7 to 8.4 percent. CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY OF ebrate Small Business Week, we must
The Federal deficit has also sky- ROSE BAYUK also reinforce our commitment to em-
rocketed as a result of these failures. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The powering entrepreneurs like Dr.
During President Obama’s last full Chair recognizes the gentleman from Enemuoh who create jobs, provide val-
year in office it was $585 billion. Too Minnesota (Mr. STAUBER) for 5 min- uable services, and help drive our econ-
high? Yes. But what is it now? $3.3 tril- utes. omy.
lion. It was the pandemic. Yes, cer- Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise f
tainly that is the case. today to wish happy birthday to Rose
It was the $1.5 trillion tax cut for the Bayuk, who turns 105 on November 2. A MESSAGE ON THE PASSING OF
wealthiest in America. It was the pan- Rose served as a nurse during World RUTH BADER GINSBURG
demic. War II and dedicated much of her life The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
But it was the failure to respond in to caring for others. Chair recognizes the gentleman from
an effective way to what the President, She grew up in Buhl, Minnesota. In Michigan (Mr. LEVIN) for 5 minutes.
in January, knew was a critically im- 1938, Rose graduated from Khaler Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Mr. Speaker,
portant health risk, and told the Amer- School of Nursing in Rochester, Min- I rise with a message on the passing of
ican people: Don’t worry, it is going to nesota. Her diploma was signed and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg that I
go away in just a few days. presented to her by the famous Mayo shared with my beloved synagogue,
Our health and our economy are not brothers themselves. Congregation T’chiyah, on Zoom dur-
the only things that are under threat Upon graduating, she moved to Cali- ing Saturday’s Rosh Hashanah service
from President Trump and his allies in fornia to begin her career. Shortly just before we said the Mourner’s Kad-
Congress, our democracy is under after moving, Pearl Harbor was at- dish.
threat as well. Even before he was tacked, and Rose decided to serve her We have to resist what may be our
sworn into office, the President had country by enlisting in the Army first impulse over the loss of Justice
shattered the democratic norms that Nurse Corps. Ginsburg, the horror of it. When people
have made America strong and stable. During the war, Rose made several die, it is hard to step back from their
As a candidate, he solicited campaign crossings across the Atlantic on an circumstances, the circumstances of
help from Russia. Send me those English ocean liner, bringing home their death, in order to imbibe the les-
emails, Russia. Send it, in public, bra- wounded from Italy, France, and North son of their life, isn’t it? Especially in
zenly. Help me Russia. Africa.
And while in office, of course, he was circumstances like this.
After her service, Rose continued a Instead, let us consider this woman.
impeached for soliciting help from
life of service by becoming a school A tiny person. A modest person. A
Ukraine to help his reelection.
Numerous Trump administration ap- nurse, and eventually the head of a young wife who helped her husband
pointees and campaign officials have nursing home. with his schoolwork, only turning to
Rose now lives in White Bear Lake, her own in the middle of the night. A
been convicted of crimes relating to
Minnesota, where she stays active by woman who, nevertheless, finished at
Russia’s interference in the 2016 elec-
going to the gym and playing bridge. the top of her law school class. A bril-
tion and lying to law enforcement. I
Rose, thank you for your incredible liant lawyer no law firm would hire be-
guess we rationalize that if you are an
service to our country, and I wish you cause she had ovaries, and heaven for-
ally of Trump, lying to law enforce-
the happiest of birthdays. fend, was a mother.
ment is no problem. Paul Manafort.
Michael Flynn.
CELEBRATING LIFESTONE HEALTH CARE A person then pushed into teaching
The President has refused to divest Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, during and given the space for advocacy. The
himself of his businesses and created National Small Business Week, I rise system, by discriminating against her,
massive conflicts of interest. Since to honor Dr. Chiamaka Enemuoh, the set up a mighty campaign to fell dis-
2015, more than $16 million of taxpayer owner of Lifestone Health Care, a busi- crimination.
funds have been spent at President ness located in Proctor, Minnesota, The very architect of the assault
Trump’s own properties. that is dedicated to providing compas- against legal discrimination against
This is a President for whom the law sionate and reliable medical care for women who, following in the footsteps
appears to mean little, for whom demo- clients in a home-like setting. of Thurgood Marshall, the lawyer, not
cratic norms appear to be nothing, and Lifestone opened in 2014 as a 2,000- the Justice, carefully disassembled the
for whom personal power and enrich- foot house with five employees. Thanks wall excluding women from all manner
ment appear always to come first. to the strong leadership of its owner, of rights, brick by carefully chosen
Not America first, as he likes to say. Dr. Enemuoh, Lifestone staff and ca- brick.
Not for the people. pacity doubled by 2016, allowing them The appeals court judge who was not

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Trump first. Himself above others to serve more in the community. In ad- President Clinton’s first choice to join
and above the law. dition to her work at Lifestone, Dr. the Supreme Court, but who blew him
And Republicans in Congress, unfor- Enemuoh enjoys serving as a mentor to away with her charismatic anti-cha-
tunately, and sadly, have been unwill- young African-American women in the risma, her directness, lack of artifice,
ing to stand up and say the emperor community and volunteers much of her and legal brilliance so plain that it
has no clothes. time at organizations like the Duluth shone Sun-like.

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