Congressional Record — House, H5927 (November 18, 2020)

Summary

Page H5927 of the House section of the Congressional Record for November 18, 2020, in interleaved columns. A tribute honors Bob, a Redding public servant, and another statement commemorates the 50th anniversary of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. A speaker says an estimated 31,000 Americans died of synthetic opioid overdoses in 2018, urges action against fentanyl producers and notes a fentanyl sanctions law in the defense bill, which is that speaker's view. In a Hispanic Caucus special order, a Member says America faces a third wave of COVID-19, adding a million cases a week and approaching 11.5 million cases.

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“Congressional Record — House, H5927 (November 18, 2020).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-11-18-crec-2020-11-18-pt1-pgh5927-4-ffddfe02f0/, SHA-256 927906f0d0a7b2ed4b66f518b810d5627152610bb4731c20a2a9d520c215bcf3.

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November 18, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5927
Bob was a genuine public servant cans are dying from synthetic opioid cial Order hour of the Congressional
who cared about the well-being and overdoses. There were an estimated Hispanic Caucus for the first time,
safety of all his Redding residents. 31,000 deaths in 2018. really, since the COVID–19 pandemic
I send my sincerest condolences to The Chinese Government needs to go reached America’s shores.
his family and all of his colleagues he after the massive fentanyl operation in As we speak here today, America’s
served with so many years. their country and should execute the staring down the barrel of a third wave
f dirtbag fentanyl drug dealers, smug- of the COVID–19 pandemic, the worst
glers, and producers. one, perhaps, that we have so far faced.
COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNI- I was a cosponsor of the Fentanyl We are adding a million cases a
VERSARY OF THE NATIONAL IN- Sanctions Act, which was included in week—yes, a million cases every week.
STITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE the 2020 National Defense Authoriza- We are approaching a total of 11.5 mil-
AND ALCOHOLISM tion Act, which gives the President the lion cases, more than any other nation
(Mr. TONKO asked and was given authority to impose sanctions against in the world by far, despite many more
permission to address the House for 1 countries failing to do their part to populous countries with outbreaks.
minute and to revise and extend his re- stop illegal opioid traffic. If the Chi- Even more grim, we lead the world in
marks.) nese Government wants to avoid sanc- the number of confirmed COVID-re-
Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I rise tions, they must bring the lowlifes run- lated deaths and quickly are approach-
today in commemoration of the 50th ning this massive fentanyl operation to ing 1,000 deaths per day, more than any
anniversary of the National Institute justice. other nation facing this new wave of
on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. f the COVID–19 pandemic.
For 50 years, NIAAA has been the States and cities are careening to-
leader in generating and disseminating RISING NUMBER OF COVID–19
wards lockdowns.
fundamental information about the ef- CASES
Just today, Madam Speaker, New
fects of alcohol on our health and well- (Mr. SOTO asked and was given per- York City ordered a shutdown of its
being and applying that knowledge to mission to address the House for 1 schools. It had attempted to open, par-
improve the lives of those struggling minute and to revise and extend his re- tially, the schools, but today the
with alcohol-related problems. marks.) mayor of the city of New York ordered
In the United States alone, nearly 15 Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, another shutdown of the school sys-
million people have an alcohol-use dis- coronavirus cases are rising again in tem. Over 1 million children will stay
order. An estimated 88,000 people die Florida. Today, Florida reported 7,925 at home with their family members.
from alcohol-related causes annually, new cases. And so States and cities are locking
and alcohol misuse has immeasurable Coronavirus cases are rising nation- down as we speak, right now, as we
impacts on families and communities ally. Yesterday, there were over 155,000 near the Thanksgiving holiday.
across our Nation. Americans who contracted the Many States across the country,
While NIAAA has made significant coronavirus and another 1,707 Ameri- Governors and mayors have spoken to
achievements toward improving public cans dead. That is the highest daily their constituencies and asked them
health over the past 50 years, such as death toll since May 14. not to congregate in their homes with
illuminating the negative effects of American families need our help: more than 10 people, family members,
prenatal alcohol exposure and sup- testing, tracing, treatment, and a vac- during Thanksgiving. It is a wise rec-
porting the development of effective cine; keeping our first responders on ommendation by mayors and Gov-
behavioral therapies and medications the job; small business relief; jobless ernors.
to treat alcohol use disorder, more benefits; and food and housing assist-
ance. b 1830
work is needed.
With technological advances and an And what is Congress doing about it? Show your loved ones that you love
expanding knowledge base, NIAAA is The House majority has voted twice them by keeping them alive. Don’t ex-
poised to advance alcohol research to for the Heroes Act, including a com- pose them to the COVID–19 virus. As
the next frontier toward the goal of promise. President-elect Joe Biden has we speak right here, as I said, New
helping more Americans live healthier, said right now Congress should come York City has announced that it has
more productive lives. together and pass COVID relief pack- indefinitely closed schools.
f ages like the Heroes Act. Madam Speaker, we all know why
Where is President Trump? Where is America is facing such a terrible out-
STOP THE IMPORTATION OF SYN- the Senate Republican majority? Mil- break of this virus: The abject failure
THETIC FENTANYL FROM CHINA lions of Americans would like to know. by this administration to act and nu-
(Mr. BURCHETT asked and was given America is in crisis. We must come merous Republican leaders to take this
permission to address the House for 1 together as a Congress, and the time pandemic seriously. It was minimized,
minute and to revise and extend his re- for action is now. underestimated, yet it was deadly to
marks.) f over 250,000 Americans. The failure of
Mr. BURCHETT. Madam Speaker, leadership—the failure of leadership to
our country is still battling the opioid CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAU-
encourage something as simple as
epidemic, and every day we hear heart- CUS DISCUSSES COVID–19 DIS-
wearing a mask.
breaking stories of those lost to PARITIES The phenomenon of the COVID–19’s
overdoses during this crisis. Congress The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. unbridled spread throughout the
must remain vigilant in the fight LEE of Nevada). Under the Speaker’s United States is a serious one. But
against opioids, especially synthetic announced policy of January 3, 2019, there is even more serious phenomenon
fentanyl from China. the gentleman from New York (Mr. taking place, and that is the alarming
China is the heart of the global ESPAILLAT) is recognized for 60 minutes disparate impact on communities of
fentanyl supply chain, and most as the designee of the majority leader. color.
fentanyl trafficked into the United GENERAL LEAVE So this pandemic zeroes in on com-
States is produced in China. Some- Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I munities of color with high rates of di-
times Chinese fentanyl is shipped di- ask unanimous consent that Members abetes, high blood pressure, asthma,
rectly into our country, and other have 5 legislative days to revise and ex- and other respiratory diseases, and car-
times it is brought across our northern tend their remarks. diovascular problems. Deadly condi-

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and southern borders by smugglers The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there tions for those that are infected by the
working with Chinese drug dealers. objection to the request of the gen- COVID–19 virus.
It only takes a small amount of tleman from New York? When my home State and the city of
fentanyl to overdose, and unsuspecting There was no objection. New York became the Nation’s first
drug users often purchase drugs cut Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, epicenter of the pandemic, the racial
with fentanyl. More and more Ameri- today we reconvene our monthly Spe- disparities were very clear. The hardest

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H5928 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 18, 2020
hit ZIP Codes were those with the Furthermore, things like food deserts silent and MITCH MCCONNELL is Doctor
highest number of minority popu- leave many low-income families of No.
lation. color without healthy food options, But Republicans in the Senate have
My district that has Harlem, East driving up the rate of problems like di- refused to even consider the HEROES
Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington abetes, heart disease and more. Act. The Trump administration has
Heights, Inwood, and the Northwest Heavy air pollution in densely popu- dragged us along as we have tried to
Bronx was devastated by the pandemic. lated urban centers, which many com- negotiate to get robust help for the
Some of the ZIP Codes had the highest munities of color call home, means American people, as they should have
numbers of deaths in the country. As higher rates of asthma and other it in this moment of crisis. It is long
the pandemic began to subside in New chronic respiratory illnesses. So when past time for them to come to the table
York, but took hold in other parts of a highly infectious virus that attacks and work with us to get the HEROES
the country, the disparities continue to the respiratory system comes along, it Act signed into law right now. The peo-
go unabated. is more likely to take its toll on those ple need the help.
Studies conducted in June bore out that already have respiratory illnesses. Finally, Madam Speaker, while we
statistically what I had seen with my And need I mention that Latinos and have seen terrible news about the rise
very own eyes and on the ground. Now, African Americans make up a dis- in cases and deaths these past couple of
as the U.S. surpasses 250,000 COVID–19 proportionate share of our frontline weeks, we have also been given a light
deaths and quickly approaches 12 mil- workers, putting them at much higher at the end of the tunnel.
lion confirmed cases, racial data is risk. As all of it piles up, it plays out But before I speak about that, I also
more complete, and the trend of this in an obvious way. More Black and want to highlight that many families
pandemic is crystal clear, it discrimi- Brown bodies in the morgue than there across the country are backed up in
nates. It discriminate poor people, peo- should be. their rent payments—2 months, 3
ple with preexisting conditions, with Madam Speaker, it doesn’t have to be months, 4 months, 5 months, and
diabetes and high blood pressure. It this way. Not only can we turn this maybe 6 months—and they just don’t
discriminates communities of color, pandemic around, we can also turn the know where they are going to get the
disproportionately hurting and killing disparities around. With a national money to pay their rent at the end of
individuals every single day. strategy to contain and combat the the road. So we must provide also the
The system is broken in so many virus, we can reduce its spread. With a rental assistance, the $100 billion in the
ways that the pandemic has both laid targeted campaign to communities of HEROES Act for renters across Amer-
bare and exacerbated many of these color, we can keep our fellow Ameri- ica that can’t sleep at night because
communities. Both African Americans cans safe. And with aid to communities they do not know where they are going
and Latinos are consistently at higher who need it the most, we can keep fam- to get the money to pay the rent. They
risks for health conditions both envi- ilies economically stable until finally are backed up 3, 4, 5, 6 months’ worth
ronmental and inherited that have det- we are out of the woods. of rent. This is a crisis.
rimental effects on quality of life. Since enacting the CARES Act, However, in just the past few days,
NPR recently did an analysis using Democrats have twice passed the HE- we have received the good news that
information from the COVID Tracking ROES Act to get critical aid to our the COVID–19 vaccine may be more
Project, and it shows how the dispari- communities. Billions of dollars for than 90 percent effective at an incred-
ties are consistent State by State. One testing, tracing, and treatment. The ible rate. It is within our reach. And
key finding is that Hispanics are con- three Ts. Testing, tracing, and treat- while it may take time to produce the
sistently dying from COVID–19 at high- ment. Billions of dollars for hospitals doses that we need to treat everybody
er rates than their share of State popu- and needed personal protective equip- and stand up the infrastructure to get
lations, no matter where they are. In ment. the vaccine to those who really need it,
May, this was true in only seven Billions of dollars for small busi- we must make sure from the outset
States, but it has spread now much nesses, and the entertainment and food that the vaccine distribution is fair
more. service industries, which are taking a and equitable. The ethics of the vac-
Latinos also have a disproportionate devastating hit. Billions of dollars for cine distribution must be fair and equi-
rate of infection in 45 States and the public transportation and their front- table.
District of Columbia. It is, unfortu- line workers, who have heroically kept We cannot make the same mistake
nately, easy to see why this trend is service going despite months of plum- with the vaccine that we made with
happening. These communities are meting ridership because they need to testing. We can’t leave States and com-
often more likely to face economic get doctors and nurses and first re- munities on their own to fight in the
hurdles that have kept them from re- sponders and supermarket workers to free market to wing it on their own for
ceiving the quality healthcare that and from work, back home. such a vital public health resource that
they deserve. Billions of dollars for State and city is of life and death.
The kinds of preventative treatment governments who are facing dire rev- We cannot allow important things
that many of us take for granted are a enue shortfalls through no fault of like a vaccine that will be in such lim-
luxury to those folks who cannot afford their own. ited supply to flow to those who are
health insurance. We made some major The President has blamed States, di- able to pay the highest prices. We can-
improvements with the Affordable Care vided our country, pointed fingers. not allow rich folks to muscle in and
Act, lowering costs and getting mil- This is a time of leadership in crisis. get the vaccine while poor people that
lions more Americans insured. There are no blue or red States. There suffer from preexisting conditions are
But the Trump administration has are the United States of America. And exposed to the virus.
done everything in its power to hamper many of those State governments are We need a comprehensive plan to en-
that law. As the pandemic raged across hurting. They are at the precipice of a sure that the vaccine gets to the most
this country, they went into court to fiscal crisis of unprecedented propor- vulnerable, the quicker the better. And
take away, steal the healthcare for tions. we must make sure that communities
those that need it. And we have begun Madam Speaker, billions of dollars that were hardest hit by the pandemic
to see a decline in the rate of those directly into the pockets of fellow are attended first.
with insurance rather than the other Americans through a second stimulus Communities of color, the African-
way around. payment, and the $600 unemployment American community, the Hispanic
Preventative care is important be- benefits. I have seen with my very own community, Native Americans and oth-

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cause it ensures that other eyes the food lines getting longer and ers were left out of testing and they
comorbidities are detected early and longer around the block. People need were short-changed. We must not do
well-managed. In the absence of that the $600 unemployment benefits. Peo- that again. They were left out of the
care, something like an infectious dis- ple need another stimulus check for ICU beds. We must not do that again.
ease can make the difference between $1,200. They need the help. America But they must not be left out of the
life or death. needs the help. But the White House is vaccine distribution. They must be fair

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November 18, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5929
and equitable. The distribution must mother who had to wait 4 hours just to I want to thank all of my CHC col-
be fair and equitable. Given the dis- get tested? Or patients trying to figure leagues, including Congressman GARCÍA
parate way which this virus has hit our out how they are paying next month’s and those that were not here today,
communities, they should be amongst rent? Or children who won’t have par- that I know are on the streets every
the first to receive the vaccine and get ents sitting at the table this Thanks- day attending to their districts and
treated. giving? their communities to ensure that we
I thank the Madam Speaker for al- Most of my constituents don’t have get through this together, for all the
lowing me to address the House on this the luxury of working from home. They hard work that they have been doing
issue of crisis, of imperative action are essential workers. They are on the on a day-to-day basis since March to
that must be taken immediately to ad- front lines making sure we keep this help their constituents and keep all
dress the millions and millions of fami- country running. our communities safe.
lies that are scared in their homes with Workers are having to make tough Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal-
this pandemic raging across the coun- choices these days. Go to work with ance of my time.
try. fears of contracting or spreading f
Madam Speaker, I yield to the gen- COVID–19, or stay home and risk losing
a job, health insurance, or their home. FAREWELL REMARKS
tleman from Illinois (Mr. GARCÍA).
All they are asking for is help to get The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under
b 1845 the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan-
by. People are afraid, frustrated, and
Mr. GARCÍA of Illinois. Madam worried. I am pissed off, and you should uary 3, 2019, the gentleman from Texas
Speaker, I thank Congressman be, too. (Mr. CONAWAY) is recognized for 60 min-
ESPAILLAT for organizing this Special What are we doing here? What the utes as the designee of the minority
Order hour. heck is the Senate doing sitting around leader.
Madam Speaker, we are more than 8 confirming judges while 246,000 families Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, be-
months into the COVID pandemic, and grieve? fore I get to the heart of what I came
I know that each and every one of us Yes, we are all exhausted. here to talk about, I would encourage
has been impacted. But months of willful neglect and the two gentleman who just spoke to
For months, we sounded the alarm on recklessness from the White House, sign the discharge petition on the bill
the pandemic’s disproportionate im- most Republican Governors and the that would do much of what he just
pact on Latinos, minority commu- Senate is devastating the Latino com- talked about, and that is reopen the
nities, and especially frontline work- munity and our entire country and PPP program to those small businesses
ers. economy. that would be eligible to participate in
It is no coincidence that the top five We have got to get a handle on this that. So if they would take that small
most impacted zip codes in Illinois are virus and our inaction—rather than the step, then that may be able to alleviate
in my district. And as many as one in failure for the Senate or the White some of the issues we are dealing with.
15 Chicagoans has COVID–19, with a House to act—will only lead to more Madam Speaker, the first remarks
vast majority being either Latino or death and suffering. that I gave in this Chamber were dur-
Black. We must pass the Heroes Act now. ing the debate on a concurrent resolu-
But this is a different moment. We Working people cannot wait until Jan- tion to count the electoral college
are heading into a dark winter and uary. Lives are literally depending on votes for President Bush and Vice
working families cannot wait for Con- it. President Cheney after the 2004 elec-
gress to act. I plead with all decision makers to tion. While I had been in the House
Unless we take immediate action, come to their senses to save people’s Chamber before that January day in
more will die. The sick are splitting lives and to help restore our economy 2005, stepping up to the podium was an
pills to pay rent. Diabetics are ration- by doing the right thing. Passing entirely different and nerve-racking
ing insulin to save money. People are COVID relief legislation that families, experience.
going hungry or doubling up in homes small businesses, and communities are The Capitol is quite a bit more famil-
to keep off the street. dying, literally dying, to receive. iar to me now because it has been 16
This falls on us. Congress. The White Now is the time for that action, be- years that I have been able to serve.
House. fore it gets colder and darker in Amer- The tunnels are no longer a mysterious
How can I continue to go back home ica. We have the solution and the labyrinth. I have grown accustomed to
and explain to my constituents again power to act and bring relief to all of long days packed full of hearings and
why Congress can’t pass relief for fami- those grieving and hungry and sick briefings and meetings. My walking
lies? families if we act today. speed is certainly quicker than it used
We expect everyone to do their part. It is time for action and no more to be.
Stay home or continue working the words. It is time to rise to the occasion But it is with the same awe and won-
frontlines. It is way past time that we and restore our people and our econ- derment that I felt on January 6, 2005,
do ours. omy. that I stand in this Chamber today to
$1,200 is all people were given to get Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I deliver my final floor speech as a Mem-
through the lockdown, and many of my thank my colleague JESÚS CHUY ber of the U.S. House of Representa-
immigrant constituents didn’t even get GARCÍA from the State of Illinois. As he tives.
that. Three, five, four. U.S. citizen- clearly said, this pandemic is not just When Suzanne and I began this jour-
born children could not get their $500 about health issues and the catas- ney back in 2002, we had no idea that
checks. U.S. citizen spouses could not trophe that has set on America with this is where it would wind up or how
get their $1,200 checks because they the number of folks that are COVID–19 long it would last. All I knew was that
may be married to someone who positive or dead, but also has an eco- I had a window of opportunity to serve
doesn’t have a Social Security number nomic dimension; small businesses my community, and I thought I could
yet. must also get another round of grants do a decent job.
We call them essential workers, but and PPP forgivable loans to ensure There is a verse in the Bible, Luke
really, they are expendable as far as that they continue to function, to en- 12:48 which says, ‘‘to whom much is
Donald Trump and the Republican Sen- sure that they continue to provide jobs given, much shall be required.’’ That
ate are concerned. We call them essen- and opportunities for our communities. verse has guided much of my decision-
tial, but they are expendable in the Madam Speaker, I thank you for this making. God has blessed me with a lit-

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eyes of those who hold the keys to re- opportunity to allow the Congressional tle bit of talent and an awful lot of life
lief. Hispanic Caucus to talk about the im- experiences that I thought qualified me
What do I tell the exhausted doctors portance of combating the disparities to do this job.
and nurses working days at a time at laid bare by the COVID–19 pandemic There is often an easy path in life,
hospitals quickly reaching capacity? and how we can make up for the harm but rarely is it the right path to walk.
How do I explain our inaction to the that has been wrought. I have done my very best to use my

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