Rescue Americans Now (Cong. Rec., Feb. 25, 2021)
Summary
This is H627 of the Congressional Record, House, February 25, 2021, with interleaved columns. Ms. Velázquez denounces hate crimes against Asian Americans, saying that over 2,800 incidents of racism and discrimination were reported between the onset of the pandemic and the end of last year. Under the heading Rescue Americans Now, Ms. Sewell urges a vote for the American Rescue Plan, citing $1,400 economic assistance checks and an extension of unemployment insurance to $400 a week from $300 a week. Mr. Moore of Utah honors Lieutenant Commander Michael J. Hall, a surgeon who joined the Navy Reserve and deployed to New York City, with the views attributed to the speakers.
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“Rescue Americans Now (Cong. Rec., Feb. 25, 2021).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-02-25-crec-2021-02-25-pt1-pgh627-2-4c9afc38de/
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February 25, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H627
New York (Ms. VELÁZQUEZ) for 5 min- Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I available to our communities to be
utes. rise today to honor the contributions really safe from the virus.
Ms. VELÁZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise of Lieutenant Commander Michael J. As this pandemic continues, I know
today to strongly and fervently de- Hall to his community, country, and Alabama families are struggling to
nounce hate crimes in any form any- the fight against COVID–19. make ends meet.
where in America. Service to one’s country is rarely The time for decisive action is now. I
Since the start of the COVID–19 pan- convenient, particularly not for a fa- strongly support the American Rescue
demic, this country has witnessed a ther of four with a thriving orthopedic Plan because it will not only crush the
shocking rise in hate crimes against surgery practice. Yet, in September virus, but also help us to get back to
Asians and Asian Americans. Between 2019, Dr. Hall overcame adversity to schools safely, as well as to provide
the onset of the pandemic to the end of join the Navy Reserve at the age of 48. emergency financial support to strug-
last year, there have been over 2,800 re- Earlier that year, one of Mike’s boys gling families and small businesses.
ported incidents of racism and dis- showed interest in joining the Navy. A
crimination against Asian Americans. First, the President’s American Res-
concerned father, Dr. Hall wanted to cue Plan will create a national vac-
In New York City, an Asian woman
speak directly to the recruiter. By the cination program that will make sure
was waiting in line at a bakery when
end of the call, he inquired about join- that underrepresented communities are
she was brutally pushed to the ground,
ing himself. not left behind. The bill also ramps up
hitting her head. On the New York City
Just 6 months after his commis- testing and contact tracing, increases
subway, racial slurs have been uttered
sioning, Dr. Hall was given 36 hours’ the supply of critically needed PPE,
toward Asian riders and seniors have
notice to voluntarily deploy to hard- and makes healthcare more accessible
been physically attacked. In fact, in
2020, the NYPD reported that 10 per- hit New York City, wearing the only by enhancing the Advanced Premium
cent of all bias attacks were targeted uniform he had without having even Tax Credit.
towards Asians. That is a ninefold in- completed his basic officer training. That was so important to so many
crease over the incidents probed in While many of us were scrambling to Americans who could not afford other-
2019. buy toilet paper, Dr. Hall fought an un- wise to purchase quality healthcare
I am proud to represent New York known virus in a makeshift ICU unit coverage. This is critical in a non-Med-
City’s Chinatown on the lower east side with dozens of intubated patients. icaid expansion State like Alabama,
of Manhattan and Brooklyn’s China- Now a seasoned veteran of this pan- where people have fewer available
town around 8th Avenue in Sunset demic with a deployment under his healthcare coverage options.
Park. belt, Dr. Hall is finally attending his
Secondly, the American Rescue Plan
On February 12, I joined so many oth- basic officer training. No amount of in-
delivers immediate financial relief to
ers in welcoming in the Lunar New struction can teach the qualities that
working families. This bill would pro-
Year, the Year of the Ox. But this year, Mike Hall already personifies: honor,
vide critically needed $1,400 economic
a dark undercurrent and collective courage, and commitment, not when it
assistance checks to individuals so we
anxiety around the rise in violence was convenient, but when it mattered
can help families recover and cover the
dampened the celebrations. most.
costs of necessary expenses, like
It goes without saying that my con- Inspired by his father, Mike’s son has
childcare, groceries, rent, utilities, and
stituents and every one of our con- now also joined the military, building
so much more.
stituents ought to be able to go to on a new family vision formed in a
work, walk to the grocery store, or ride makeshift ICU ward during a very dark I also fought to ensure that the un-
public transportation without fear of a spring in New York City. employment insurance was extended
bigoted and even dangerous attack. Dr. Hall, I thank you for your serv- and expanded to $400 a week from $300
Mr. Speaker, this is not who we are ice, and Mrs. Hall, I thank you even a week. This is so important. When we
as a nation. We do not let xenophobia, more for your service. You have made think about the fierce urgency of now,
racism, and violence run rampant on Ogden proud. we know that the unemployment, the
our streets, in our cities, in our hearts. Federal pandemic unemployment in-
f
No. We take pride in our diversity. We surance benefits will actually expire
understand that what brings us to- RESCUE AMERICANS NOW March 14 if we do not act. That is why
gether is far greater than what divides The SPEAKER pro tempore. The it is so incredibly important that we
us. And we need to bring justice to all Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from here in Congress do our part.
the victims of these heinous crimes. Alabama (Ms. SEWELL) for 5 minutes. I also worked with my colleagues in
I am glad that in New York City, our Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise the Ways and Means Committee to en-
mayor has created the Asian Hate today to urge my colleagues to vote in sure that the American Rescue Plan in-
Crime Task Force, and I encourage favor of the American Rescue Plan. cludes important provisions for our
other cities and localities to take simi- This past January marked 1 year since most vulnerable families. I am proud
lar action. the first case of coronavirus was found that the package includes an addi-
We also need a sustained Federal in the United States. In my home State tional $7.6 million in childcare funding
presence to combat and prevent hate of Alabama, nearly 10,000 people have for the State of Alabama, which will
crimes. That is why in the past I have contracted COVID–19 and almost 9,000 help our frontline and hourly workers,
introduced legislation to allocate $50 who have been our true heroes in this
have died, and over half a million of
million in Federal funds to help pre- pandemic.
the workers have filed for unemploy-
vent, track, and prosecute hate crimes Furthermore, the package provides
ment.
and assist victims. I look forward to re- over $10 million for Alabama through a
We know that the effects of this pan-
introducing this bill. TANF pandemic emergency fund so
I was also proud to cosponsor my col- demic have disproportionately im-
pacted our communities of color and that families with necessary emer-
league, Representative GRACE MENG’s,
resolution to denounce the anti-Asian low-income workers, who are more gency needs get the essentials that are
sentiment that has occurred since the likely to be frontline workers and less so necessary for their survival.
outbreak of the coronavirus. likely to be able to afford access to I am especially proud this bill will
Every one of us, everyone, has a re- quality healthcare. also include lifesaving expansion to
sponsibility to condemn and speak out Thankfully, because of the leadership child tax credit and earned income tax
against these attacks. of the new Biden administration, we re- credit, and I have championed that for
f cently witnessed a record drop in many years. In my district alone, 53
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COVID cases and hospitalizations in percent of the children do not receive
RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT Alabama; and with over 815,000 vaccine the full benefits of this credit because
COMMANDER MICHAEL J. HALL doses administered in our State, hope it is not fully refundable. We will make
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The is finally on the horizon. it fully refundable and we will expand
Chair recognizes the gentleman from That said, we have a long way to go it, lifting millions of children out of
Utah (Mr. MOORE) for 5 minutes. before there are enough of the vaccines poverty.
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H628 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 25, 2021
This bill also provides direct support noncompetitive, local public health Mr. Speaker, I am on the floor today
to local government, cities, and coun- grants. to reinforce my continued and em-
ties directly who have not benefited In our 99 counties in Iowa, local pub- phatic support for the American Res-
from their States directly. This is lic health officials are intelligent, ex- cue Plan, because I don’t see the 500,000
critically important to small commu- perienced, and capable to dispense vac- lives as just numbers, I see them as
nities and large communities all across cines in a rapid and efficient process. persons who are in need.
this Nation. They have proven their capabilities by This plan will mount a national vac-
Finally, the American Rescue Plan setting up drive-through clinics for flu cination program that includes setting
supports our small businesses and our vaccines, and also in the H1N1 pan- up community vaccination sites na-
frontline workers in our minority com- demic as well. And given their pre- tionwide. It will also take complemen-
munities. In this bill, we expand PPP paredness training, they have worked tary measures to combat the virus, in-
eligibility and we provide critical re- with our local emergency management cluding scaling up testing and tracing,
sources to our frontline healthcare associates to do drive-through testing. addressing shortages of personal pro-
workers, transit workers, and teachers. These are the same nurses and individ- tective equipment—a real fight against
b 1100 uals who live in your communities and COVID–19 and all of its variants, in-
who have vaccinated your children and cluding the UK, South Africa, and one
Mr. Speaker, economists and have been the source of information that is just starting up. It delivers im-
healthcare experts agree, if we do not and calm and support throughout this mediate relief to working families. It
take bold action now, we will have crisis. will give the $1,400—that will make it
more deaths later and risk an economic Mr. Speaker, let’s work together to $2,000, increase in the minimum wage
downturn. defeat this virus by supporting our as well, and continued unemployment.
Mr. Speaker, I am asking my col- State and local public health teams by Mr. Speaker, let me cite the city of
leagues, both Republicans and Demo- getting them the funding they need di- Houston, that we have lost jobs in 9
crats, to listen to President Biden’s rectly to them at the community level key service sectors:
call for bipartisanship and pass this through noncompetitive, local public Healthcare, 391,000 jobs lost; retail,
bill. health grants. Acknowledging the tre- 303,600 jobs lost; food services, 267,000
I am reminded during this Black His- mendous work that our local public jobs lost; finance, 166,000; private edu-
tory Month of the powerful words of health workforce does on a daily basis cation, 63,000; art and entertainment
Dr. Martin Luther King, who said, ‘‘We and funding their efforts will defeat 37,000-plus; accommodations, $28,000;
must use time creatively, in the knowl- this virus and get America back on its air transportation, $20,200.
edge that the time is always ripe to do feet.
right.’’ One of the reasons my motion passed
f in the Budget Committee to ensure the
Mr. Speaker, let’s pass this package
so that we can begin to Build Back AMERICAN RESCUE PACKAGE protection of the public funding where
Better and reassure our constituents The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Harris County will receive $141 billion
that help is indeed on the way. Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from plus. The city of Houston will receive
Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE) for 5 minutes. $141 billion plus, because we are des-
f
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, perate to provide these dollars for our
FUND LOCAL AND STATE PUBLIC none of us can rise to the floor of the public resources, our municipal work-
HEALTH WORKFORCE House and talk about the cruciality of ers, our healthcare workers, our fire-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the American Rescue package and the fighters, our paramedics, our law en-
Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from absolute imperative nature of this par- forcement, police. We are all in need to
Iowa (Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS) for 5 min- ticular legislation passing without ac- continue this fight. We need this
utes. knowledging 500,000 lives—not num- money to support struggling commu-
Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, bers, but names of mothers and fathers, nities, as indicated with the loss of jobs
in the coming days, the House is ex- grandmothers and grandfathers, aunts in Houston and Harris County.
pected to vote on a $1.9 trillion spend- and uncles and cousins, sisters and Mr. Speaker, the plan will provide
ing bill that the majority claims will brothers, just plain good friends, and crucial support for the hardest hit
help fight the COVID–19 crisis. Despite loved ones that extend beyond one’s small businesses, and I am glad we
this massive price tag, less than one- family. And then for the love of this have worked to target these small busi-
half of 1 percent of those dollars in this country, just our fellow Americans. nesses, especially those owned by en-
bill will go to fund a local and State Mr. Speaker, these are hardworking trepreneurs from racial and ethnic
public health workforce. people, many of them essential workers backgrounds that experienced systemic
As a former director of the Iowa De- on the front lines. Unfortunately, with discrimination, along with EIDL
partment of Public Health, I have seen the horrific and insulting effort that grants that my faith communities and
firsthand the great work our local pub- was made by the last administration, nonprofits are asking about, and as
lic health departments do, and I know essential workers were out and about well, the expanded eligibility for those
how necessary they are in this fight in grocery stores and delivery trucks, entities and resources for jobs, to pro-
against COVID–19. It is unthinkable to first responders, and no one attempted tect the jobs of first responders, as I in-
me that any so-called COVID relief bill to stop the community spread. We had dicated.
will dedicate such a miniscule portion no testing protocol, and it was in my Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear: We
of its funding to local public health de- Congressional district that I worked are hard hit. If we do not pass the
partments, the same departments that with United Memorial Hospital to en- American Rescue Plan, which I intend
are in our community, with us every sure that we had testing sites and to support enthusiastically, we will end
day, working around the clock to de- opened the first testing site in my Con- up with 4 million fewer jobs. It will
feat this pandemic. In contrast, FEMA gressional district to reach hard-to- take us more than a year to return to
is allocated $50 billion, and they have serve areas on March 19. full employment. We will lower the
no medical personnel to dispense vac- Mr. Speaker, since that time, we lifetime earnings of our young genera-
cines. have done 55 with UMMC, a small hos- tion. Millions of parents, particularly
Mr. Speaker, if we are serious about pital that I call, ‘‘the little red engine mothers—women have been hurt by
defeating this virus, I urge my col- that can.’’ But that was all done by the this even more—will be forced to stay
leagues to prioritize our public health energy and determination in a city at home, and another 4 years of suf-
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officials and those on the frontline that was clearly one of the hotspots as fering before real returns come.
against COVID–19, instead of directing part of the State of Texas, complete in- Mr. Speaker, we had to experience
billions of dollars to programs and ini- ertia by our leadership until we began this, but we are not going to continue
tiatives unrelated to this crisis. to see the high numbers of loss of life to experience it. Let’s support the
This funding should go as a pass- in the African-American and Latinx American Rescue Plan as the Biden ad-
through to the CDC and directly to community. ministration has asked us to do.
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