Congressional Record — House, December 28, 2020
Summary
The Congressional Record, Volume 166, No. 220, for Monday, December 28, 2020, with the House proceedings. The House meets at 2 p.m., the Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, offers the prayer, and the Speaker announces that the enrolled bill H.R. 133, making consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021, was signed by Speaker pro tempore Beyer on Thursday, December 24, 2020. After a recess, Mr. Neal moves to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 9051, the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act of 2020, or the CASH Act of 2020. The bill text would strike $600 and insert $2,000 and strike $1,200 and insert $4,000 in the recovery rebate amounts in section 6428A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Congressional Record — House, December 28, 2020.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-12-28-crec-2020-12-28-pt1-pgh9153-9-44ae673907/
, SHA-256 c2b3bac66640b002d670f548b6251b836c84f370fcb42f78a5b81450b15dbc6c.Full text
CORRECTION
Congressional Record
E PL
UR M
IB NU
U U
S
116 th CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
United States
of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE
Vol. 166 WASHINGTON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2020 No. 220
House of Representatives
The House met at 2 p.m. and was ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER The Clerk read the title of the bill.
called to order by the Speaker. The SPEAKER. Pursuant to clause 4 The text of the bill is as follows:
f H.R. 9051
of rule I, the following enrolled bill was
signed by Speaker pro tempore BEYER Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
PRAYER resentatives of the United States of America in
on Thursday, December 24, 2020:
The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick Congress assembled,
H.R. 133, making consolidated appro- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
J. Conroy, offered the following prayer:
Loving and gracious God, we give priations for the fiscal year ending This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Caring for
You thanks for giving us another day. September 30, 2021, providing Americans with Supplemental Help Act of
We ask today that You bless the coronavirus emergency response and 2020’’ or the ‘‘CASH Act of 2020’’.
Members of the people’s House to be relief, and for other purposes. SEC. 2. RECOVERY REBATE AMOUNTS IN-
CREASED.
the best and most faithful servants of f (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6428A of the In-
the people they serve. As this Second ternal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by the
RECESS
Session of the 116th Congress draws COVID-related Tax Relief Act of 2020, is
near its end, withhold not Your holy The SPEAKER. Pursuant to clause amended by striking ‘‘$600’’ each place it ap-
spirit of wisdom and truth from this 12(a) of rule I, the Chair declares the pears and inserting ‘‘$2,000’’, and by striking
assembly. House in recess subject to the call of ‘‘$1,200’’ each place it appears and inserting
They return to the Capitol with a the Chair. ‘‘$4,000’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments
huge weight lifted from their shoul- Accordingly (at 2 o’clock and 2 min- made by this section are contingent upon the
ders, for which a nation is grateful. utes p.m.), the House stood in recess. enactment of the COVID-related Tax Relief
Strengthen them as they address the f Act of 2020 and shall apply (if at all) as if in-
needs of our Nation’s citizens, despite cluded in the enactment of section 272 of
the significant hurdles that have been b 1601 such Act.
placed in the way of the assistance and SEC. 3. DEPENDENTS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN
AFTER RECESS DETERMINING CREDIT AND RE-
protections Americans have always re- BATES.
lied upon in the past. The recess having expired, the House
(a) RECOVERY REBATES.—
Continue to bless and protect those was called to order by the Speaker pro
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 6428(a)(2) of the
across our Nation who work each day tempore (Ms. JACKSON LEE) at 4 o’clock Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by
to minister to the health needs of those and 1 minute p.m. striking ‘‘qualifying children (within the
who suffer from COVID. f meaning of section 24(c))’’ and inserting ‘‘de-
May all that is done this day in the pendents (as defined in section 152)’’.
people’s House be for Your greater ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER (2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
PRO TEMPORE (A) Section 6428(f)(2) of such Code is
honor and glory.
amended by inserting ‘‘and subsection (a)(2)
Amen. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- were applied by substituting ‘qualifying chil-
f ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair dren (within the meaning of section 24(c))’
will postpone further proceedings for ‘dependent (as defined in section 152)’ ’’
THE JOURNAL
today on motions to suspend the rules before the period at the end.
The SPEAKER. Pursuant to section on which the yeas and nays are or- (B) Section 6428(g) of such Code, as amend-
4(a) of House Resolution 967, the Jour- dered. ed by the COVID-related Tax Relief Act of
nal of the last day’s proceedings is ap- The House will resume proceedings 2020, is amended—
proved. (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘qualifying
on postponed questions at a later time.
child’’ each place it appears and inserting
f
f ‘‘dependent’’,
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (ii) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting ‘‘(de-
CARING FOR AMERICANS WITH termined after the application of subsection
The SPEAKER. The Chair will lead SUPPLEMENTAL HELP ACT OF 2020 (f)(2))’’ after ‘‘subsection (a)(2)’’, and
the House in the Pledge of Allegiance. (iii) in paragraph (3)(B), by inserting ‘‘or
The SPEAKER led the Pledge of Alle- Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I move
dependent’’ after ‘‘child’’ both places it ap-
giance as follows: to suspend the rules and pass the bill
pears.
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the (H.R. 9051) to amend the Internal Rev- (3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments
United States of America, and to the Repub- enue Code of 1986 to increase recovery made by this subsection are contingent upon
abonner on DSK9F5VC42PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE
lic for which it stands, one nation under God, rebate amounts to $2,000 for individ- the enactment of the COVID-related Tax Re-
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. uals, and for other purposes. lief Act of 2020 and shall apply (if at all) as
b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m.
Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.
H9153
.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:16 Dec 31, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD20\DECEMBER\H28DE0.REC H28DE0
H9154 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 28, 2020
if included in the enactment of section 273 of Despite the fact that the Trump ad- COVID relief bill, insisting instead on
such Act. ministration was part of the negotia- more than $3 trillion of absurd policies,
(b) ADDITIONAL 2020 RECOVERY REBATES.—
tions for the legislation and approved from marijuana banking to early re-
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 6428A(a)(2) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by of all the measures that it contained, lease of criminals. Months ago, they
the COVID-related Tax Relief Act of 2020, is the President unexpectedly decided to even rejected a nearly $2 trillion
amended by striking ‘‘qualifying children delay signing the package into law for COVID relief proposal by President
(within the meaning of section 24(c))’’ and in- several days. This stalling was an act Trump. Many Americans knew right
serting ‘‘dependents (as defined in section of theater that cost the American peo- then that leading Democrats were sab-
152)’’. ple millions of dollars in terms of pan- otaging the economy ahead of the elec-
(2) AUTHORITY TO MAKE ADVANCE REFUNDS demic-related unemployment assist- tion for political gain.
WITHOUT REGARD TO MODIFIED DEFINITION OF
ance that they desperately need. During those crucial months, while
DEPENDENT.—Section 6428A(f) of such Code is
amended by adding at the end the following
Fortunately, last night, the Presi- Speaker PELOSI stalled COVID relief,
new paragraph: dent finally signed the bill. At last, thousands of Americans died, tens of
‘‘(7) AUTHORITY TO MAKE ADVANCE REFUNDS workers and families can exhale a bit, thousands of small businesses closed,
WITHOUT REGARD TO MODIFIED DEFINITION OF knowing that aid is on the way. and hospitals and nursing homes strug-
DEPENDENT.—To the extent the Secretary de- The primary reason that the Presi- gled, while millions of Americans were
termines appropriate to make or allow the dent provided for holding up his signa- left jobless.
maximum number of advance refunds by the ture was the enactment of this impor- In the election, Democrats and Con-
deadline described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii), the tant legislation that we are about to gress paid a steep price for this cruel
Secretary may determine the advance refund
amounts under this subsection without re-
undertake in the next 40 minutes. inaction, with voters giving House Re-
gard to the amendments made by paragraphs Democrats agree that families de- publicans nearly two-thirds of the
(1) and (3) of section 3(b) of the CASH Act of serve more, and that is why I intro- seats needed to take back the major-
2020.’’. duced the CASH Act on Christmas Eve ity.
(3) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— to increase the payments in the relief I thank President Trump for signing
(A) Section 6428A(f)(2)(B) of such Code is package to $2,000, the exact amount the bipartisan legislation, even with its
amended by striking ‘‘qualifying child’’ and President said he wants. flaws, that included several separate
inserting ‘‘dependent’’. Madam Speaker, I introduced this bills that hitched a ride on the annual
(B) Section 6428A(g) of such Code is amend- legislation on Christmas Eve with the funding bill for the government, in-
ed by striking ‘‘qualifying child’’ each place
it appears and inserting ‘‘dependent’’.
following parable in mind. Jacob cluding COVID relief, a first-ever ban
(C) Section 6428A(g)(4)(B) of such Code is Marley forewarned that the three on surprise medical bills, and $328 bil-
amended by striking ‘‘such child’’ and insert- ghosts would visit Ebenezer Scrooge to lion in urgent tax relief for families
ing ‘‘such dependent’’. warn him about the path to redemp- and local businesses.
(4) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments tion. He started with Christmas Past, Madam Speaker, I recognize that to-
made by this subsection are contingent upon and we might start here with Christ- day’s CASH Act will pass with bipar-
the enactment of the COVID-related Tax Re- mas past, acknowledging that, 3 years tisan support, Republicans and Demo-
lief Act of 2020 and shall apply (if at all) as ago, one of the largest tax cuts in crats alike, and I respect the decision
if included in the enactment of section 272 of
such Act.
American history that overwhelmingly of each Member of Congress. But for
SEC. 4. BUDGETARY EFFECTS. came to people at the very top, includ- me, I worry that this whopping $463 bil-
(a) STATUTORY PAYGO SCORECARDS.—The ing a top individual rate cut of 39 per- lion won’t do what is needed: stimulate
budgetary effects of this Act shall not be en- cent to 37.5 percent and a corporate the economy or get the jobless back to
tered on either PAYGO scorecard maintained rate cut from 36 percent to 21 percent, work.
pursuant to section 4(d) of the Statutory were part of that endeavor. At this point in the recovery, the
Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010. In the Christmas present, there are 20 fact is, it is hard to stimulate a Main
(b) SENATE PAYGO SCORECARDS.—The
million Americans who are receiving Street that is locked down by local
budgetary effects of this Act shall not be en-
tered on any PAYGO scorecard maintained unemployment insurance, more than politicians.
for purposes of section 4106 of H. Con. Res. 71 350,000 dead, and 19 million people in- This won’t help local restaurants get
(115th Congress). fected with this pandemic. their workers permanently back or
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- For Christmas Future, Marley hospitality and convention industries
ant to the rule, the gentleman from warned Ebenezer Scrooge that there rehire their workers for the long term,
Massachusetts (Mr. NEAL) and the gen- was a way for redemption, and that was and it won’t help get energy workers
tleman from Texas (Mr. BRADY) each through a new generosity and a new back on the job.
will control 20 minutes. kindness. We could emulate that here Will this stimulate our local econo-
The Chair recognizes the gentleman this afternoon by raising that impact mies? Not a lot.
from Massachusetts. payment from $600 to $2,000. The mir- What we know is that much of this
GENERAL LEAVE acle of this season would remain the extra $1,600 will go to pay down credit
Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I ask triumph of light for those who des- card debt or savings or even make new
unanimous consent that all Members perately need our assistance. purchases online at Walmart, Best
have 5 legislative days to revise and ex- Madam Speaker, we could have Buy, or Amazon.
tend their remarks and include extra- passed this bill 4 days ago, but our col- So, rather than merely sending
neous material on the bill under con- leagues on the other side went against checks to credit card companies, this
sideration. the President’s wishes, and they half-trillion dollars could more than
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there blocked it. So, here we are today, back double the number of small businesses
objection to the request of the gen- again to try to get a bigger check for and midsize businesses getting PPP
tleman from Massachusetts? the American people. I sincerely hope forgivable loans to hire their workers
There was no objection. that the House Republicans have had a and stay alive through the recovery. It
Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I yield change of heart and will join us in could make sure airline workers have
myself such time as I may consume. passing the CASH Act. secure jobs for more than just a few
Madam Speaker, we are here today at Madam Speaker, let’s pass this bill months and do more to replenish front-
a moment of extreme hardship for fam- and do what is right for our neighbors line healthcare workers.
ilies across the country. Last week, back home as they simply try to sur- Madam Speaker, we should be fo-
both the House and the Senate passed vive each day. cused on the families that are hurting
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE_GL
bipartisan legislation that would pro- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- most, none more than the 8 million
vide relief for people who are strug- ance of my time. Americans who lost their jobs due to
gling to make ends meet. That package Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I yield COVID. Our top priority, in addition to
includes a wide variety of provisions myself such time as I may consume. defeating the virus, is to get them back
that will allow Americans who are at Madam Speaker, last fall, Speaker to work. So far, Congress has already
the end of their ropes to stay in their NANCY PELOSI and Washington Demo- approved more than $20,800 directly to
homes and to put food on the table. crats refused to accept a bipartisan a family of four with one parent out of
VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:55 Dec 30, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A28DE7.001 H28DEPT1
December 28, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9155
work. That is on top of their State un- These $2,000 payments, every Member and look forward to continuing to work
employment benefits. of Congress should support them. This with my colleagues on a bipartisan, bi-
Madam Speaker, if we want to do would make a difference in the lives of cameral basis to continue to find ways
even more for the jobless, this same Americans who are facing the greatest to help provide relief.
huge amount of money today could uncertainty that they have experi- People who are making six-figure in-
give every unemployed worker from enced, for many of them, in their life- comes who have not been impacted by
COVID and their employer a $50,000 in- times, putting money in their hands, COVID–19 do not need checks. We have
centive to return to work. With this allowing them to pay their bills, which had 9 months to fix this program to get
huge amount of money, you could even will help them support those small aid to the people who need it most.
give the bottom 90 percent of workers businesses. Probably more impor- That has not happened. Let’s reverse
in America an income-tax-free year for tantly, it can give them some of the fi- course and target those in need.
2021, a full year where you go to work nancial support they need in order to Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2
each day for yourself rather than for make the decisions that they have to minutes to the gentleman from New
Washington. make to protect their families. York (Mr. SUOZZI), who did a great job
Can you imagine what a no-tax 2021 President Trump changed his mind on the surprise billing legislation that
would do for low-and middle-income and supports this legislation. That is passed in the COVID Act.
families, workers, and the local econ- why we acted. We would have included Mr. SUOZZI. Madam Speaker, I
omy? much larger payments in the legisla- thank Mr. Chairman for his leadership
Or we can simply hold this money tion had he spoken up sooner, but it is on the CASH Act and also, as he men-
back, not hastily spend another half- never too late to do the right thing. tioned, on the Ban Surprise Billing
trillion dollars we don’t have, while we The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Act. It is really amazing the relief we
assess the impact vaccinations are hav- time of the gentleman has expired. are going to be giving to consumers
ing on consumer confidence and the Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I yield this year on a bipartisan basis with his
unlocking of the economy. an additional 1 minute to the gen- leadership. We are going to be making
Madam Speaker, there are a lot of
tleman. people’s lives a lot better. So I thank
ways to spend money, if that is the
Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I him so much for the work he has done
goal. But in my view, let’s be smart
thank the gentleman. on both the CASH Act and on the work
about it. Let’s target assistance to
This is a moment we can all come to- to address surprise billing.
those who need it most. The Com- Madam Speaker, the effects of this
gether, Democrats and Republicans, in-
mittee on Ways and Means should be
cluding the President of the United pandemic have been cruelly uneven.
the place to explore and analyze these
States, and do something big and bold Some remain unscathed, working re-
options, not just have a bill that
that would help American families get motely and still healthy, while mil-
spends over $400 billion hastily dropped
through this most difficult time. lions of others are awash in misery, un-
on us at the last minute.
I know, working together, Repub- Madam Speaker, I commend the able to return to work or pay their
licans and Democrats, we can do better chairman for his work in moving bills, even funeral bills for lost loved
to help people get back to work and quickly and putting this legislation to- ones.
truly help this recovery. gether. I commend those on the other While the stock market has hit a new
Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- side who will stand with us today and record today, there are still bodies
ance of my time. support this. stored in refrigerator trucks. While on-
Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 It is my hope that this legislation line retail and grocery stores are boom-
minutes to the gentleman from Michi- will quickly go over to the Senate. ing, airline, Broadway, and mom-and-
gan (Mr. KILDEE). They will get the message and send pop store employees have been laid off,
Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I this legislation on to the President, and life savings invested in small busi-
thank the chairman for his leadership wherever he may be. He will sign the nesses have been wiped out.
on this and for recognizing me. bill, and we can get this help to the The President’s cynical ploy to
Madam Speaker, I stand in strong American people. threaten the COVID relief package to
support of this legislation. The Amer- obscure his dark-of-night pardons has
b 1615
ican people are struggling. We hear now resulted in a fighter’s chance that
from them every single day, and they Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I yield we can pass this $2,000 stimulus check
need this additional relief now. The re- 1 minute to the gentleman from Oregon legislation if we can only get MITCH
cent coronavirus relief bill passed by (Mr. SCHRADER). MCCONNELL to finally show some empa-
Congress obviously is long overdue. Mr. SCHRADER. Madam Speaker, I thy.
The House wanted to pass relief last rise today to speak against the CASH Let’s pass this bill, and then let’s im-
May, but Republicans refused. Then, Act. This is an ineffective and poorly mediately work to send the billions
the pandemic has only gotten worse, targeted approach to aiding Americans necessary to save our State and local
and the pain has been worse for so in distress. It is clearly a last-minute governments before they fire police of-
many families and small businesses. political maneuver by the President ficers, teachers, and frontline workers,
While the relief bill does supply and extremists on both sides of the po- which will only result in more unem-
short-term relief, it was regrettable to litical spectrum who have been largely ployment checks from us and financial
see President Trump delay signing this absent during months of very hard ne- ruin for those families and the commu-
legislation. That decision, that delay, gotiations. They have chosen to tweet nities they serve.
had consequences. It hurt families with their opinions instead of coming to the Let’s rebuild our infrastructure and
greater uncertainty and, in some cases, table to get aid in the hands of Ameri- put Americans back to work. Let’s
caused people to lapse their benefits. cans and small businesses who need it build back better. We can do this if we
I did support the legislation that in- most. remember why we are here and we,
cluded the $600 stimulus checks be- Over the last 6 months, and espe- both Democrats and Republicans, rec-
cause that was all we could get the cially in the last few weeks as the holi- ognize that outside of this Beltway
other side to agree to. But it is obvi- days loomed and COVID cases sky- fantasyland, millions of Americans are
ously not enough. That is why I sup- rocketed, the Problem Solvers Caucus desperately pleading for our help.
port this legislation, $2,000 in direct worked with Senators on both sides of Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I yield
payments for Americans who are strug- the aisle and House and Senate leader- 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wis-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE_GL
gling. ship to craft legislation that includes consin (Mr. GROTHMAN).
I, along with my Democratic col- vetted programs like the PPP and un- Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, as
leagues, have pushed for these higher employment compensation that have I look around the room here, it looks
payments for some time, and now, been improved upon since the start of like I am in the U.S. Congress. I mean,
President Trump agrees. The leader of the COVID–19 pandemic. I see the American flag there; George
the Republican Party stands in support I feel for all of those who are suf- Washington is over there; it says ‘‘In
of this effort. fering today due to financial hardship God We Trust.’’ But looking at this bill
VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:55 Dec 30, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K28DE7.004 H28DEPT1
H9156 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 28, 2020
today, it makes me feel like we are in many, this will just pay a past-due of the Ways and Means Committee for
the Parliament of Afghanistan, Bu- rental bill for July. his distinguished leadership.
rundi, Yemen, or Bolivia. It is good and important that we are I thank our Speaker for her per-
Do we really think the way to im- sending support to small businesses, sistent leadership.
prove the quality of life for Americans strong unemployment aid, nutrition I thank all of the Democratic Mem-
is to just print more money from the and rental assistance, but this relief is bers and Republican Members who un-
Fed? If you look around, we are going coming 7 months later than it should derstand what this legislation is.
to be printing another $400 billion. have. It is vital that Congress not It is a survival cash payment for
Has anybody looked lately at what is penny-pinch the American people now. Americans making under a certain
going on with the monetary supply? M1 This CASH bill is bipartisan, and if amount, which means they are on the
up 50 percent; M2 up 20 percent. Senator MITCH MCCONNELL would put survival pathway.
Don’t people realize that just print- it on the Senate floor, it would be bi- Maybe they haven’t spoken to the
ing more is not a way to make our citi- cameral. constituents of, I believe, probably 90
zens wealthier; it is just a way to Let me push back, too, that this is percent of the Members of this Con-
debase the currency? too much. gress who have said they are on the
The way for a wealthy country is to We have 40 million Americans who edge and they are about to go over.
work hard through frugality and work full-time and made less than They can’t pay their rent or buy food.
through improving one’s skills, not by $18,000 last year. With the minimum They are in food distribution lines. Be-
having the Fed print money. wage at $7.25, there isn’t a single two- fore I came here Sunday, I was at a
Last time, when we sent out $1,200 bedroom apartment you can rent in a church, and we were giving out food.
checks, I stopped by my local Walmart, county in America for that money. I asked during the spring for $3,000. I
and the people in charge of the elec- There are tens of millions without was willing to go for $600 so that des-
tronics section said they had never healthcare. perate Americans could get enough to
seen such sales in their life. My family sells new cars and used survive.
Is that really going to improve the cars. I have watched the debt burden of Mr. Speaker, I am supporting this. I
lot of Americans, to go over and buy so many people just rise and rise and ask my friends and colleagues on both
some more electronic junk from China? rise over the years. sides of the aisle to recognize that,
Apparently so. Is there a better way? You know, my when you are privileged to stand in a
And let’s not forget when we look at Republican friends hate it when so- place like this where the constitutional
inflation. We have inflation right now. called Big Government decides what we Fathers gave us the opportunity to
Twice, in the recent past, we have need. The best way to let people man- lead this government, stand for the
changed the definition on what infla- age their family is to put the money in American people.
tion is. their hands, give them that American I support the CASH Act because it is
So we do have inflation; it is just freedom. survival for Americans.
that we keep changing the definition to Somehow, we can print money to do Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the
mask it. That is why the market is up. a $4 trillion tax cut over 20 years, but Committees on the Judiciary, on Homeland
The market is up because we really do we can’t print enough money to help Security, and on the Budget, I rise in strong
have inflation. the American people.
We are in the U.S. Congress. We support of the CASH Act, a bill to provide
This is a good bill. I salute Chairman
should not think the way to prosperity $2,000 in direct payments to individuals.
RICHARD NEAL, and I hope every Demo-
is just printing money. We should act It was welcomed news that the President
crat and every Republican will vote for
like we are the United States. That is signed the COVID–19 relief bill that also in-
it.
why, for my whole life, other countries Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I yield cludes the Omnibus Appropriations for Fiscal
like to invest in the dollar. They re- 1 minute to the gentleman from Cali- Year (FY) 2021.
This bill:
spect the value of the dollar more than fornia (Mr. MCCLINTOCK).
Mr. MCCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, Accelerates vaccine distribution and crushes
the national currencies of Burundi, Af-
let’s get this straight. The small shop- the coronavirus;
ghanistan, Yemen, and Bolivia. Those
keeper who has lost their entire sav- Provides rent, food, unemployment, and di-
are four poor countries; that is why I
ings because of the lockdowns will get rect payment to put money in the Pockets of
picked them out.
So I encourage Senator MCCONNELL the same $2,000 grant as the govern- the American People through: direct payments
to hold the line here, to act respon- ment bureaucrat who has been enjoy- worth up to $600 per adult or child;
sibly. ing a steady paycheck at home for the Averts the sudden expiration of Unemploy-
Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, might I past 10 months. ment Insurance benefits for millions and
remind the gentleman that this is not This money is wholly inadequate for added a $300 per week UI enhancement for
about creating a path to prosperity. those who have been harmed by the Americans out of work;
This is about creating a path to liquid- lockdowns and wholly unnecessary for Delivers key tax benefits for Struggling Fam-
ity, which subsequently creates a path those who have not. ilies—through changes to the Earned Income
to demand for people at the lower end This free money doesn’t come from Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit that help
of the economic spectrum, 20 million of Heaven. It comes from the future earn- ensure that families who faced unemployment
whom are not working at the moment ings of those who will be struggling to or reduced wages during the pandemic are
through no fault of their own. get back on their feet, making the able to receive a strong tax credit based on
Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to post-lockdown recovery more difficult their 2019 income;
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. BEYER), and prolonged. Provides strong support for Small Busi-
an excellent member of the Ways and Much of the burden of this debt will nesses by providing: $284 billion for first and
Means Committee. fall on the young, who have already second forgivable PPP loans, $15 billion in
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I rise borne the brunt of these lockdowns. It dedicated funding for live venues, independent
to support the CASH Act, which will is, in a real sense, a massive wealth movie theaters, and cultural institutions, and
send $2,000 checks to the American peo- transfer from the future to the present, $20 billion for targeted EIDL Grants which are
ple. from the young to the old, and from critical to many smaller businesses on Main
I want to thank Chairman NEAL for those who have been hurt by the Street;
coming together very quickly to create lockdowns to those who have not. Funds Education, Child Care & Students by
this act in a thoughtful way. There is only one way to end the suf- providing: $82 billion in funding for colleges
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE_GL
The American people are hurting this fering caused by these lockdowns, and and schools, and $10 billion for childcare as-
holiday season, and they need our help. that is to end them. sistance to help get parents back to work and
Our bill would increase those payments Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 keep childcare providers open;
to $2,000, which would also include minute to the gentlewoman from Texas Provides Pell Grant expansion to reach
adult dependents and students. (Ms. JACKSON LEE). 500,000 new recipients, ensuring more than
We realize that $600 is not enough for Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I 1.5 million students will now receive the max-
people facing eviction and hunger. For thank the gentleman and the chairman imum benefit; and
VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:55 Dec 30, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K28DE7.005 H28DEPT1
December 28, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9157
Supports the Global Fight Against COVID— the form of direct payments that will provide a We know the end of the COVID–19
with an additional $3.36 billion for a total of $4 bridge to them and to the economy for the pandemic’s vice on the economy is insight
billion for GAVI, the international vaccine alli- next few weeks so that the next Administration with the delivery of a vaccine, but we are not
ance, recognizing that we are not truly safe will have time to assess and craft the relief there yet—we must help the American people,
until the whole world is safe from the package needed to get the nation over the last and most importantly our small businesses,
coronavirus. hurdles of the pandemic’s economic impact. endure until we reach seventy percent herd
I will vote for the CASH Act because it in- Since the 1980s, corporate income tax reve- immunity.
creases direct payments to individuals from a nues have become a smaller share of overall The use of direct payments is the Keynes-
$600 direct payment to $2000, which will help tax revenues paid to the federal government. ian solution that is winning the day across the
families struggling with the economic impacts In 2017, President Trump signed into law globe for countries able to support their
of COVID–19. P.L. 115–97, which substantially and perma- economies in this way.
The Centers for Disease Control and Pre- nently changed the U.S. federal tax system for Payments to individuals allow them and not
vention (CDC) reported that as of December the wealthy and large corporations. the government to make spending decisions
23, 2020, that 18,170,062 cases of COVID–19 Most of the changes to the individual in- on their household’s essential life-sustaining
resulting in 321,734 deaths had been reported come tax system in P.L. 115–97 for those less needs such as paying for housing, utility bills,
in the United States. well off are temporary and scheduled to expire food, and clothing which allows money they
The new year will mark a terrible milestone at the end of 2025, after which the rates for spend to circulate through the economy like
for the United States—the last time we saw these individuals will return to what it was for blood throughout the body.
death like this in our nation was during the 2017. People in this nation can and should be
1918 Flu Pandemic, which recorded a total of In contrast, many of the tax cuts made in trusted to make decisions regarding how they
675,000 deaths in the United States. P.L. 115–97 affecting corporations and spend the funds provided by the stimulus be-
What the costs will be to our nation for the wealthy individuals are permanent, in other cause they know their needs.
over three-hundred thousand deaths have yet words they will keep the drastic cut in cor- Consumers will spend money with small
to be fully calculated. porate taxes. businesses who should have the freedom to
It is a tragedy that too many households The facts are that working individuals and pay their workers and suppliers, workers and
who have lost a member to COVID–19 are small businesses support the U.S. govern- suppliers will be free to buy goods from other
struggling to accept these deaths, but it is also ment’s federal tax system. businesses, and those businesses will pay
the friends, co-workers, business owners, pro- The largest source of revenue to the federal their workers and suppliers, and so on.
fessionals, students, teachers, wives, hus- government is the individual income tax, which In this way, the $2,000 in spending by each
bands, brothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, and in 2019, generated $1.7 trillion. individual is actually spent more than once as
grandparents who also are feeling these The second-largest source of federal rev- the effect of each dollar spent creates more
losses because someone that mattered to enue is payroll taxes, which is collected by spending.
them is no longer here. employers and is often paid quarterly. This is called the expenditure multiplier ef-
Each of these lives could have had dozens In FY2019, payroll taxes generated $1.2 tril- fect: an initial increase in spending, cycles re-
of connections with other people who were not lion in federal revenue or thirty-six percent of peatedly through the economy, and has a
able to be with them during their final mo- the total revenue for the federal government. larger impact than the initial $2,000 amount
ments on this earth who are lost to us be- The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) spent.
cause we too often only consider the imme- projects that federal income tax revenues in The economy needs to be inoculated
diate household. FY2020 will be $1.5 trillion, and payroll tax against recession, which is what the $2,000 in
My deepest concerns are for the medical revenue will be $1.3 trillion. individual payments will do, and it will need a
professionals who are seeing more death than In FY2020, it is projected that about 47 per- booster in about thirty to sixty days.
soldiers who have fought on battlefields in de- cent of federal revenue will be generated If the overwhelming majority of those who
fense of our nation since World War II. through the individual income tax. will receive the $2,000 were planning to put it
Death every day for medical professionals In FY2019, corporate tax receipts were only in a bank account and not spend it, then this
who pride themselves on robbing death by $230 billion, or nearly 7 percent of federal rev- bill would not be needed because the basic
keeping the very ill or critically injured alive enue, and in FY2020, corporate tax receipts needs of the people would be satisfied, but we
are themselves wounded by each loss in ways are expected to be $151 billion, less than 5 know this is not the case.
that we cannot understand. percent of federal revenue. No one is benefiting from the COVID–19
Too many of our medical professionals are Receipts from other sources are also pro- economy.
losing that battle with death as they attempt to jected to increase in FY2020 to $298 billion, The U.S. poverty rate has grown at a his-
treat extremely ill COVID–19 patients because from $271 billion in FY2019, which will result toric rate over the past five months, with 7.8
they do not have access to: sufficient amounts in 9 percent of total revenue up from 8 percent million Americans falling into poverty after the
of essential therapies, or the special trained the previous year. expanded $600 a week in unemployment as-
staff to administer interventions that could Obligated social insurance federal program sistance expired at the end of July.
save lives. payments for Social Security and Medicare This represents the greatest increase since
Medical people also have not had the uni- are paid through payroll taxes and are ex- the government began tracking poverty sixty
versal support of political leaders who are will- pected to generate an additional estimated years ago.
ing to promote wearing of face coverings, so- $1.3 trillion, or 35 percent of revenue in In the city of Houston, nine key service sec-
cial distancing, and handwashing to limit the FY2020. tors accounted for seventy percent of all jobs
spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome The $2,000 in payments to individuals will lost which totaled 1,343,600.
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV–2) the infection that be used to pay bills, rent, utilities, car notes, Houston workers lost jobs in the following
causes COVID–19. or purchase needed items like winter coats, areas:
There is a hidden cost to the fool-hearty dis- and other essentials, which will translate into Healthcare 391,000; retail 303,600; food
regard for the seriousness of this moment in income for small businesses. service 267,000; finance 166,000; private edu-
American history. All of this spending will generate local, state, cation 63,400; arts and entertainment 37,400;
My concerns are for the economic impact and federal tax revenue as it fuels consump- accommodations 28,700; air transportation
and the long-term damage to our nation’s tion and the provision of services that are still 20,200; and other services 115,800.
health care delivery system. available through the economy. In addition to these positions, jobs were also
Today we will focus on the economic inju- Overtime basic Keynesian economics has lost in other areas, the largest of which was
ries caused by COVID–19, and I look forward proven itself to be a reliable economic model construction which shut down 30,700 jobs;
to working with my colleagues on addressing and has repeatedly proven that money turning professional and business services followed,
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE_GL
the systemic long-term issues caused by un- over in the economy makes more money. with 25,300 jobs lost, although 13,900 were in
equal access to the health care. There is a reason why it is important to temporary and provisional jobs in employment
Small businesses and working men and stimulate the economy during a deadly un- services; upstream oil lost 12,300 in March/
women of this great nation are the life blood checked pandemic, the chief of which is its April; and non-oil manufacturing lost 7,700
of the economy, and who pay the lion share depression of the national and global econo- jobs.
of federal taxes, now find themselves, through mies resulting in a downturn creating reces- Americans out of work due to COVID–19
no fault of their own, in need of assistance in sion conditions. have generated 86 million jobless claims, with
VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:55 Dec 30, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A28DE7.002 H28DEPT1
H9158 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 28, 2020
new claims being filed in recent weeks topping a dime to help our small and medium- cash. I am going to go back to this
800,000. sized businesses, not a dime for Main point that I think is something that we
Millions of Americans who lost their jobs Street. need to remember. Three years ago,
during the pandemic have fallen thousands of Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of this House, over the objection of my-
dollars behind on rent and utility bills, a clear my time. self and many others, passed a tax cut
warning sign that people are running out of Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 that clearly benefited the people at the
money for basic needs. minute to the gentleman from Texas very top of the economic spectrum, the
If this is not enough evidence of what is (Mr. GREEN). top 1 percent, in particular—dividends,
happening, look at the miles of vehicles lined Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, at buybacks, a top cut in the corporate
up outside of food distribution centers for as- some point on the infinite continuum rate from 36 percent to 21 percent, and
sistance; we have all seen this occurring in that we call time, we will all have to the top rate on the individual side from
each of our states. account for our time. 39 percent to 37 percent.
Moody’s Analytics warned in November We are all going to have to answer And we can’t find it in our hearts in
2020 that 9 million renters said they were be- the question: Where were you when a this holiday season, again, based upon
hind on rent, according to a Census Bureau pandemic was gripping the land? What the Charles Dickens’ parable of ‘‘A
survey. did you do when you had the oppor- Christmas Carol,’’ to provide $2,000
The Bureau of the Census reports that tunity to put money in the pockets of worth of assistance to our brothers and
twenty-one percent of all renters are behind people who needed it? Where was your sisters at the bottom end of economic
on their rent, of which twenty-nine percent of courage when you had the chance to income? This Chamber is better than
Black families and seventeen percent of His- cast a vote to make a difference in the that.
panic households are behind on theirs. lives of people? Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal-
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s I say to you, my dear friends, this is ance of my time.
analysis of persons who were employed prior the time for us to take a stand for the Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I yield
to the pandemic reports that 1.3 million of American people. Let’s vote ‘‘yes’’ to myself such time as I may consume.
these households are now an average of put money in their pockets, because we Madam Speaker, you can say a lot
$5,400 in debt on rent and utilities, after those caused them to stay home as a result about this Congress, but you cannot
people had lost jobs and their family’s income of the pandemic. The government is for say we have not worked together and
dropped. this reason. This is why the govern- appropriated remarkable funding to
The new COVID–19 stimulus bill, already ment exists: to take care of people. help families defeat this COVID, to get
agreed to by both the House and Senate and Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I re- back on their feet, and to save small
signed by President Trump, restores unem- serve the balance of my time. businesses.
ployment assistance, but cuts that assistance Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I yield A good example is that, so far, Con-
from $600 a week to $300 a week without myself such time as I may consume. gress, both parties, has already ap-
consideration for the facts on the ground for Madam Speaker, let me remind the proved more than $20,800 in direct cash
the millions of Americans who remain out of Members of this Chamber why we are payments to a family of four with one
work due to COVID–19 public health policy, here today. parent out of work. That is on top of an
and have been without sufficient income since The CARES Act passed this House estimated $18,000 of State unemploy-
August 1, 2020. with, I think, five dissenters in the en- ment benefits, a little less than $40,000
In fact, the decision about a $600 a week in tire Chamber. That was months and to help working families survive this
addition to unemployment benefits is a good months ago. People exhausted the COVID pandemic.
idea for those in labor markets with high costs $1,200 that we allocated, based upon our But, today, we do nothing in this bill
of living like New York and Washington, D.C., tax system. And even the difficulty we to help 8 million Americans who lost
but may have far outstripped the going rate for had in trying to find adequate identi- their jobs due to COVID. We could dou-
labor and the actual cost of living where the fication for those in America, as joint ble the amount of money that goes to
spending power of $600 exceeded market filers, making under $24,000 a year, sin- small businesses or midsize businesses
costs for living expenses. gle filers making under $12,000 a year. so they can rehire the workers and
The Congress may need to revisit models Who can live on $12,000 a year? That keep them on the payroll to try to sur-
for future programs of this type and provide a is $1,000 a month. vive and ride this out. We don’t know
formula that is based on the actual spending People have exhausted that benefit. yet what the vaccinations will do to
power of funds provided so the ability of meet- They have tried earnestly and seri- consumer confidence or to the
ing the cost-of-living needs can be more in ously to overcome these obstacles that lockdowns.
line with the intent of the funds provided. were created for them, not because of Again, I expect a number of Repub-
This may mean that, depending on where anything they did. We are not here be- licans to support this bill. In my view,
someone lived at the time a disaster of this cause of malfeasance, speculation that we would be wiser to assess the impact
nature was declared, the amount they would derailed Wall Street in 2008, or corrup- of the vaccinations in the recovery
qualify for receiving may be different depend- tion. We are here because of an inter- going forward so that we can target re-
ing on the spending power of a dollar where national pandemic, and members of the lief to Main Street, to helping get peo-
they live. American family at the lower end of ple back to work, and to truly stimu-
Today, we have twenty million Americans the economic spectrum are hurting. lating our local economy. That is
who are receiving some kind of unemployment When we sought advice on putting to- where we address the harm that has
aid, and about 12 million of the unemployed gether the CARES Act, the Speaker been done by COVID.
stopped receiving their benefits. and myself, in particular, in those very Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal-
The nation is on the cusp of a recession earnest days with Secretary Mnuchin, ance of my time.
that is in danger of becoming a double-dip sought the advice of the best econo- Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I am
event that would plummet the economy into a mists—former Treasury Secretaries, glad the ranking member reminded us
precarious economic state that will take much members of the Federal Reserve Board, of what we were able to accomplish to-
more than a $2,000 payment to each indi- people who do this every single day— gether in the CARES Act, and I think
vidual to overcome. and they all said you need to act with that is what we are asking here again
For all these reasons, I urge all Members to speed and determination, speed to get this evening.
join me in voting for the CASH Act to increase that money into the hands of the peo- Madam Speaker, I yield such time as
individual payments from $600 to $2,000. ple who will actually spend it. she may consume to the gentlewoman
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE_GL
Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- And that is precisely what we did. We from California (Ms. PELOSI), the
self such time as I may consume. got it to people at the lower end of the Speaker of the House.
Mr. Speaker, I would point out to my economic spectrum. Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I
colleague that nothing in this bill thank the gentleman for yielding. And
helps anyone get back to work: not a b 1630 I thank him for his masterful work in
dime to the 8 million people who are As we proceed now to the new year, not only bringing this legislation to
left unemployed because of COVID, not these people need another infusion of the floor but working in a bipartisan
VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:55 Dec 30, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A28DE7.003 H28DEPT1
December 28, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9159
way to have so many important initia- this vaccine as fairly and as equitably with children in college, adults living
tives in the COVID and the omnibus as possible, and free to everyone in our with disabilities, or elderly family
bill that the President happily, for us, country, because unless all of us are members can also receive relief.
signed last evening. I thank him for his protected, none of us are protected. The Republicans have a choice. The
initiatives that are job-creating, that This $2,000, which I thank you for Republicans have a choice: vote for
stimulate the economy and help meet bringing it to the floor on Christmas this legislation or vote to deny the
the needs of the American people. Eve, was roundly rejected by Repub- American people the bigger paychecks
Madam Speaker, I am interested in licans. We asked for unanimous con- they need. To reject this would be a de-
the comments made by Mr. BRADY be- sent. This could already exist as a law nial of the economic challenges that
cause he said we could be putting more if that had happened, but it didn’t. So, people are facing, and it would deny
money into small business, and we do now, today, we have another chance. them, again, the relief they need.
indeed in the COVID package, around Some of the Republicans said: Oh, if Madam Speaker, I urge a strong bi-
$300 billion. I think it is important to they really wanted that, they would partisan vote for the aptly named
note, Madam Speaker, that that brings have called for a vote that day. CASH Act.
it to almost about a trillion dollars That wasn’t true. It is important to Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, may I
since March 27 or 28, when the Presi- note that was a pro forma session, and inquire how much time is remaining.
dent signed the CARES Act, about $950 you had to have the consent of the Re- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms.
billion for small business, nearly a tril- publicans to bring the bill to the floor. JACKSON LEE). The gentleman from
lion dollars. Very important. They withheld their consent. Texas has 9 minutes remaining. The
Small business is the heart of our So, here we are today, in a legislative gentleman from Massachusetts has 31⁄2
economy. What could be more opti- day where we just act with the major- minutes remaining.
mistic for anyone to do but to follow ity to bring the legislation to the floor. Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I yield
their dreams, start a small business, Madam Speaker, I hope it will enjoy myself such time as I may consume.
create jobs, create wealth, create cap- strong bipartisan support. The Presi- Madam Speaker, first, let me con-
ital. It is so important. We see the im- dent of the United States has put this gratulate the chairman of the Ways
portance of that to the tune of about a forth as something that he wants to and Means Committee, Mr. NEAL, for
trillion dollars, just under a trillion see, in part of his signing the legisla- working so closely together on our bi-
dollars, in these past several months. tion yesterday. I hope that that view partisan priorities.
Madam Speaker, if you want to talk will be shared by the Republicans in Ending surprise medical bills when
about job creation, I hope the gen- the Senate because we will pass this you go to the ER or you have a sched-
tleman will join us when we go forward bill today, either under suspension or uled medical procedure, ensuring,
to do State and local, our healthcare under a rule, where it just requires a starting at the end of the next year, for
workers, honoring our heroes. They are majority vote. the first time, when you go to that doc-
at risk of losing their jobs. While they Under suspension, a two-thirds vote tor’s procedure, you will have a true
risk their lives to save lives, they may requires a large number of Republican and honest bill in advance of that. It
lose their jobs, and over a million of votes, which I hope we will have be- will be so crucial for so many patients.
them have. cause I do think that the American Madam Speaker, I also thank the
We are talking about healthcare people would love to see that unity on chairman for working so closely in a
workers. We are talking about police their behalf. bipartisan way on the COVID tax relief
and fire, our first responders. We are We are a consumer economy. Putting provisions in the first reforms of our
talking about transportation, sanita- money into the hands of the American temporary tax provisions in 5 years. I
tion, food workers. We are talking people is a boost to our economy. This applaud Chairman NEAL for his work,
about our teachers, our teachers, our isn’t a big stimulus package. The and I have enjoyed working with him.
teachers, the custodians of our children COVID bill is an emergency supple- The previous speaker talked about
for a large part of their day. mental. But this piece will make it essential workers, our firefighters, our
They are at risk of losing their jobs something very important to growing healthcare workers, others who have
because of the failure of the Repub- and sustaining our economy. done such an amazing job. We had an
lican side of the aisle to support funds Madam Speaker, I thank the chair- opportunity earlier this year to help
for State and local government to man for the work that your committee them. President Trump, in his execu-
honor our heroes. We want to honor did, Brandon and the others, for put- tive order, proposed a payroll tax holi-
them. While we cheer them, we applaud ting in the dependent clause. Other- day for nearly 5 months for these work-
them, let’s give them pay, and let’s let wise, 16 years and under would get the ers. That would have meant, for those
them have job security. Let’s give direct payment. But, I mean, as a essential workers, that firefighter, that
them PPE, the equipment that they mother of five and grandmother of hospital worker, that nurse, that a
need to do their job. nine, I know that children are depend- family of four would have kept an
If we want to talk about saving jobs ent after 16 years of age, especially if extra $5,000 in their paycheck through-
or growing jobs for the purpose that they are still in school. There are oth- out the holidays.
the distinguished gentleman from ers who are dependent because of one If we really wanted to help essential
Texas mentioned, how are we going to thing or another, some physical chal- workers, our Democrat friends would
focus on the distribution and the ad- lenges that they may have in life. Who not have blocked that payroll tax holi-
ministration of the vaccine? Where do knows what goes on in a family? day and would have adopted our bill to
you think that happens but in city, Nonetheless, if they are dependent, make sure that those payroll taxes
county, and State hospitals, in large they will be receiving a direct pay- were forgiven.
measure, by healthcare workers in ment, another important boost for
those places, wherever it is distributed American working families, another b 1645
on an individual basis? They are the important boost for our economy as we As for State and local governments,
heart of the matter. go forward. they, too—even though I disagree with
That is why we need to go forward So I, again, thank the chairman for many of the decisions—deserve our
with another bill that invests in our his work. It is a simple vote. Our goals thanks. And, thankfully, because this
State and local governments, not to have been to crush the virus, honor our was the most rapid labor market recov-
talk about government, but to talk heroes who help us crush the virus, and ery following a crisis in history and we
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE_GL
about services, healthcare services, put money in the pockets of the Amer- recovered more than half the jobs we
education, transportation, making our ican people. Today, we will be doing have lost, State and local revenues this
lives possible, making our very exist- that right now. year are almost even, down a mere less
ence possible by what they do. Without Legislation will be a lifeline for mil- than 1 percent.
them, how do we function? lions of Americans. It improves on the Thank goodness Congress came to-
Again, let’s create jobs, let’s save previously passed relief bill by includ- gether in the CARES Act to provide
jobs, let’s grow jobs by administering ing dependents, ensuring that families more than $150 billion to those State
VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:55 Dec 30, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K28DE7.008 H28DEPT1
H9160 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 28, 2020
and local governments to be able to ad- and a goodness. And let me close the Mr. THORNBERRY. Madam Speaker,
dress these needs and continue to func- debate on that basis and urge passage I yield myself such time as I may con-
tion. of the CASH Act and $2,000 for the sume.
I will tell you, too, that—again, I American people. Madam Speaker, I thank the chair-
speak only for myself—the best way to Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- man for yielding and once again want
help struggling families is to get them ance of my time. to commend him for his stewardship of
back to work. The best way to save our The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the committee through very chal-
Main Street is to give our small and question is on the motion offered by lenging times.
medium-sized businesses more help the gentleman from Massachusetts Madam Speaker, I continue to sup-
than we have. This bill does neither. (Mr. NEAL) that the House suspend the port this bill, as more than 80 percent
I don’t believe—I think it is correct rules and pass the bill, H.R. 9051. of the House did just 20 days ago. It is
when the earlier speaker said this is The question was taken. the exact same bill, not a comma has
not a stimulus; it is not. And it does The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the changed.
nothing to help get people back to opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being It still prevents the military from
work. in the affirmative, the ayes have it. having their pay cut. It still creates
I worry that, as we spend another Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I de- new tools to deal with a newly aggres-
nearly half a trillion dollars so hastily, mand the yeas and nays. sive China. It still includes the impor-
we are not targeting this help to the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tant U.S.-Israel Assistance Act and
very Americans who are struggling the ant to section 3 of House Resolution provides help for Vietnam veterans.
most and need that help. 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. One thing, I guess, is new in the past
I will also point out that, as I said Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- few days, because a devastating
earlier, Congress has come together to ther proceedings on this motion will be cyberattack by Russia has been ex-
provide a family of four with one un- postponed. posed; but, fortunately, this bill has
dozens of provisions to help strengthen
employed parent, now, just a little f
the country’s defenses in cyber.
short of $40,000 of Federal money in WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY So the President has exercised his
their traditional State unemployment NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- constitutional prerogative. Now,
because we knew they were struggling. TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR Madam Speaker, it is up to us. Our
Now is the time to get them back to 2021—VETO MESSAGE FROM THE troops, the country, indeed, the world
work. That is my personal objection to PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED is watching to see what we will do,
this bill. STATES whether we can tune out other dif-
I urge Congress to pause for a mo- ferences and still come together to sup-
ment to assess the vaccinations over The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
ant to section 4 of House Resolution port the men and women of the mili-
the next few months or year to deter- tary and American national security.
mine where next we need to weigh in, if 1271, the unfinished business is the fur-
ther consideration of the veto message I would only ask that, as Members
at all, on this recovery as we continue vote, they put the best interests of the
to work together to defeat this virus. of the President on the bill (H.R. 6395)
to authorize appropriations for fiscal country first. There is no other consid-
Madam Speaker, I am honored to be eration that should matter. This vote
here today, and I yield back the bal- year 2021 for military activities of the
Department of Defense, for military is about supporting our troops and de-
ance of my time. fending America. While not perfect,
Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I am construction, and for defense activities
of the Department of Energy, to pre- this bill does a good job of advancing
prepared to close, and I yield myself both and should be supported once
the balance of my time. scribe military personnel strengths for
such fiscal year, and for other pur- again.
I acknowledge the good efforts of Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal-
Ranking Member BRADY on the energy poses.
ance of my time.
front in the tax package, as well. It is The Clerk read the title of the bill. Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam
a series of compromised measures. He The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
did a terrific job, I think it is fair to question is, Will the House, on recon-
may consume.
say, on surprise billing, and not to sideration, pass the bill, the objections I rise to strongly urge Members to
mention USMCA. Those were very sub- of the President to the contrary not- uphold what we did in this Chamber
stantial accomplishments that the withstanding? just a couple weeks ago and what the
Ways and Means Committee led on in (For veto message, see proceedings of Senate did, as well; and that is we
the 116th Congress. the House of December 24, 2020.) passed an overwhelmingly bipartisan
Mr. BRADY, as he was closing, men- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- bill, with roughly 80 percent of the vote
tioned that this measure he did not tleman from Washington (Mr. SMITH) is in both the Senate and the House.
want to see treated as stimulus, and he recognized for 1 hour. The legislative branch made it abso-
is right; this is not about stimulus. Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam lutely clear that we support this piece
This is about stability. Speaker, for the purpose of debate of legislation, and as the gentleman
This is about building a bridge for only, I yield the customary 30 minutes from Texas just noted, we support it
those people who are really hurting as to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. with very good reason.
we turn the page on this year. THORNBERRY), the ranking member of It is enormously important to give
This is about those who are won- the committee, pending which I yield our troops the support that they need
dering how they are going to make the myself such time as I may consume. to carry out the job that we all are
next rental payment, sustenance for GENERAL LEAVE asking them to do. That is, I think, one
the American family, how they might Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam of our minimum obligations as Mem-
repair that automobile that sits in the Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that bers of Congress. And this bill reflects
garage idle because they couldn’t af- all Members may have 5 legislative that.
ford it. days within which to revise and extend This bill is the process of a lengthy
That is what this is really about this their remarks and insert extraneous effort involving Members of both
evening. material on the veto message of the Chambers, both parties, that have
I started with Charles Dickens and President of the United States to the come together and put together an in-
‘‘A Christmas Carol’’ and the lessons of bill H.R. 6395. credibly strong piece of legislation.
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE_GL
Jacob Marley, but let me conclude with The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there That is why it passed so overwhelm-
a very simple description in ‘‘The Epic objection to the request of the gen- ingly just a couple weeks ago. And
of America.’’ tleman from Washington? nothing has changed. Nothing has
When asked what it was that set There was no objection. changed. The bill is exactly the same
America apart from the rest of the Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam and every little bit as important.
world, it was suggested it was a habit Speaker, I reserve the balance of my Now, the President has the right to
of the heart, a kindness and a decency time. veto it, but I think we, as Members of
VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:55 Dec 30, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K28DE7.010 H28DEPT1
File and source
- File
- CREC_crec-2020-12-28_crec-2020-12-28-pt1-pgh9153-9.pdf
- Size
- 341,361 bytes
- SHA-256
- c2b3bac66640b002d670f548b6251b836c84f370fcb42f78a5b81450b15dbc6c
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov