Congressional Record, House — February 25, 2021, H630
Summary
This is H630 of the Congressional Record, House, February 25, 2021, with interleaved columns. The page opens with a prayer by the Chaplain, the Reverend Margaret Grun Kibben, the approval of the Journal, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mr. Murphy of North Carolina. The one-minute speeches that follow include support for the Equality Act, congratulations to the Luray Bulldogs Girls Basketball Team, and Mr. Johnson of Louisiana's opposition to the American Rescue Plan, which he says puts $510 billion toward bailing out States. Other members speak in favor of the plan, with the views attributed to the speakers.
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“Congressional Record, House — February 25, 2021, H630.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-02-25-crec-2021-02-25-pt1-pgh630-9-b93dd7fc16/
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H630 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 25, 2021
PRAYER treated equally in all facets of their With money specifically dedicated
The Chaplain, the Reverend Margaret life. for vaccine development and distribu-
Grun Kibben, offered the following In 2021, it is unconscionable that tions, testing, the production of PPE,
LGBTQ-plus people continue to face more relief for small businesses, and
prayer:
harassment and outright discrimina- additional aid for the unemployed and
Test our hearts today, O God.
tion while attempting to access struggling families, passage of the
May the clashes we endure and the
healthcare, housing, and employment American Rescue Plan is critical to en-
roadblocks we encounter serve like a
opportunities. suring economic recovery, getting our
crucible for silver, that in the midst of
It is past time that Congress pass kids back to school, providing relief to
these ordeals, You would rid us of ugli-
legislation so that all people, no mat- small businesses and, most impor-
ness, wrongful attitudes, and hurtful
ter your race, color, creed, or sexu- tantly, saving lives.
ways.
ality, are treated equally under the law My Republican colleagues went big
In the heat of our arguments and in
in this country. when it came to massive corporate tax
the intensity of our discussions, refine I rise as an ally in support of the
us as a furnace does gold. cuts. It would be incomprehensible
Equality Act because no one should be that we nickel and dime working fami-
Remove from us our long-held griev- discriminated against for who they
ances and free us from our unseemly lies and small businesses during the
love or who they are. worst pandemic in over a century.
behaviors.
f f
Purify our thoughts of corrosive in-
tent. Then forge us, that we would be CONGRATULATING THE LURAY DEEP FLAWS OF THE DEMOCRAT
molded and shaped to Your will and BULLDOGS GIRLS BASKETBALL COVID BILL
useful to the common good. TEAM
(Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana asked
Into Your hands, O God, we yield our (Mr. CLINE asked and was given per- and was given permission to address
spirits and in the strength of Your mission to address the House for 1 the House for 1 minute and to revise
name, we offer our prayers. minute and to revise and extend his re- and extend his remarks.)
Amen. marks.) Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Madam
f Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise Speaker, I rise today in opposition to
today to recognize the Luray Bulldogs the legislation that we are scheduled to
THE JOURNAL Girls Basketball Team who won the consider on the floor tomorrow, the so-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Virginia Class 2 State championship called American Rescue Plan.
ant to section 5(a)(1)(A) of House Reso- this weekend. The sad truth, Madam Speaker, is
lution 8, the Journal of the last day’s After falling just short to Gate City
that this bill does very little to address
proceedings is approved. in last year’s state title game, the
the real issues impacting communities
f Lady Bulldogs were ready to enact
across the country. Instead, the major-
their revenge in Saturday’s rematch.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ity has elected to weaponize the rec-
It was a nail-biter of a game as the
onciliation process to push through a
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the two teams traded leads heading into
Democrat wish-list of what are, frank-
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. the fourth quarter. And with just a
ly, left-wing policies.
MURPHY) come forward and lead the minute and 40 seconds remaining, the
Only 9 percent of this bill actually
House in the Pledge of Allegiance. game was tied at 54 apiece.
Following back-to-back steals and goes to combating COVID. But Demo-
Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina led crats have found the wisdom to insert
the Pledge of Allegiance as follows: uncontested layups by senior, Brynlee
Burrill, the Lady Bulldogs pulled ahead $510 billion to bail out poorly run blue
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the States; $470 billion-plus for a policy
United States of America, and to the Repub- by four and maintained their lead.
When all was said and done, Luray had that we know will kill jobs; a $100 mil-
lic for which it stands, one nation under God,
avenged their previous loss to Gate lion earmark for a rail project in the
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
City with a 61–56 victory. This win Speaker’s district; a $1.5 million ear-
f mark for a bridge to Canada for the
capped off a perfect 13–0 season and was
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER the first State title in the program’s Senate majority leader. All the while,
PRO TEMPORE history. there is still $1 trillion in unspent
The team has had a remarkable 2 funds from previous COVID packages.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Madam Speaker, these are just a few
Chair will entertain up to 15 requests years, with an overall record of 42–2;
and after battling obstacles all season, of the many deep flaws in the Demo-
for 1-minute speeches on each side of crat COVID bill, and I am grateful so
the aisle. the win shows true toughness, deter-
mination, and resiliency. many of my colleagues are coming for-
f Congratulations to Coach Lucas and ward to help highlight the short-
the entire Lady Bulldogs squad on this comings of this bill, and how we should
SUPPORT THE EQUALITY ACT
incredible achievement. move forward to best serve the Amer-
(Ms. KELLY of Illinois asked and was ican people.
f
given permission to address the House I urge everyone to oppose this mon-
for 1 minute.) INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND strosity.
Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam HELP OUR NEIGHBORS f
Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the (Ms. BROWNLEY asked and was
LGBTQ-plus community throughout DELIVERING ON PROMISED COVID–
given permission to address the House
Chicagoland and Illinois in support of 19 RELIEF
for 1 minute.)
the Equality Act. Ms. BROWNLEY. Madam Speaker, (Mr. CARTWRIGHT asked and was
While we have come a long way in all across the country, including my given permission to address the House
the fight for equality through the Su- home district in Ventura County in for 1 minute.)
preme Court’s decisions on recognizing California, Americans continue to feel Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker,
the marriage of same-sex couples in the overwhelming burden of the ongo- in December, this House passed a
Obergefell v. Hodges, and protecting ing COVID–19 pandemic. COVID–19 relief compromise, during
workplace rights for the LGBTQ-plus I regularly hear from small busi- which time we pledged to the American
community in Bostock v. Clayton nesses fighting to keep their doors people that we would do more. Now is
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
County, it is time to codify protections open; from parents struggling to put the time for us to deliver on that prom-
into law. food on the table after losing their ise.
The Equality Act would amend the jobs; and from people who live in fear The American Rescue Plan is that
Civil Rights Act of 1964 and extend ex- of being evicted from their homes. It is promise delivered. It is something that
isting nondiscrimination laws to en- imperative that we invest in our com- enables us to put people back to work;
sure that LGBTQ-plus individuals are munities and help our neighbors now. put kids back in schools; to put $1,400
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February 25, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H631
checks in people’s hands, the people Val was a woman of great faith, lead- urge my colleagues to support this
who are struggling to keep body and ing several ministries at her beloved amendment and, if it does not pass,
soul together, to make ends meet, the New Bethel AME. As a life member of please oppose this bill.
people who really need this money. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, she was f
No American economist of repute dis- proud to share her sisterhood with Vice
agrees that this kind of relief is nec- b 1215
President KAMALA HARRIS.
essary. Now is the time for us to do it. She was known for her direct, no RECOGNIZING SAKA NANKANA
Let’s come together and enact the nonsense approach and her dry sense of SAHIB
American Rescue Plan. humor, warm smile, and infectious (Mr. VALADAO asked and was given
f laugh. permission to address the House for 1
I join Ms. Val’s family, friends, and minute.)
REVERSAL OF OPERATION TALON
the wider Abington community in Mr. VALADAO. Madam Speaker, I
(Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina mourning the loss of an incredible rise today as the co-chair of the Amer-
asked and was given permission to ad- woman. The world is a better place for ican Sikh Congressional Caucus to rec-
dress the House for 1 minute.) her life.
Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. ognize and create national awareness
f about the Saka Nankana Sahib mas-
Madam Speaker, ever since President
Biden has taken office, he has been PELOSI-SCHUMER PARTISAN sacre.
PAYOFF TO PROGRESSIVES ACT The Sikh community across the
laser-focused on overturning every
world is observing 100 years of this hor-
great initiative from the previous ad- (Mr. CARL asked and was given per- rific event. The massacre refers to the
ministration, regardless of how good it mission to address the House for 1 grim episode during the Gurdwara Re-
was for the American people. minute.)
Today, I want to shed light on Presi- form Movement in which a peaceful
Mr. CARL. Madam Speaker, I rise batch of reformist Sikhs was subjected
dent Biden’s tragic reversal of Oper- today to voice my opposition to the
ation Talon. Operation Talon was a to a murderous assault on February 20,
reckless spending plan being pushed 1921, in the holy Gurdwara at Nankana
program run by U.S. Immigration and through this Congress. This so-called
Customs Enforcement to capture ille- Sahib, the birthplace of the founder of
COVID relief bill is nothing more than the Sikh religion, Guru Nanak.
gal alien sex offenders in America and a liberal wish list of special-interest
deport them. More than 260 Sikhs were killed, in-
pork completely unrelated to COVID cluding children as young as 7. Sikhs
Sex offenders commit some of the relief.
most unspeakable and despicable pay tribute to all those martyred on
With more than $1 trillion of pre- this day. Their valor and sacrifice will
crimes imaginable. We monitor where vious COVID relief funds remaining
they are in the United States when never be forgotten. Their memory in-
unspent, it would be irresponsible to spires us to work even harder to voice
those individuals are here legally. Now rush through a massive, partisan
we have no idea where they are when for religious freedom and the right of
spending bill that does nothing to help worship.
they are here illegally. the American workers or get our kids
Biden’s misguided reversal threatens f
physically back into school. Our prior-
the physical and mental health of CELEBRATING NATIONAL FFA
ities should be reopening our economy,
American children and their families. WEEK
getting students physically back in
Even setting aside the debate about
school, and spending more for our vac- (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania
illegal immigration, we should all be
cine distribution. asked and was given permission to ad-
able to agree that sex offenders who
COVID relief should be temporary, dress the House for 1 minute and to re-
are in this country illegally should be
targeted and tied to COVID. But this vise and extend his remarks.)
deported.
Of all things that are common sense plan does nothing of the sort. Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania.
and bipartisan, we should agree that f Madam Speaker, I rise today to cele-
sex offenders are criminals and are a AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN brate National FFA Week.
risk to our citizens. To not deport FFA is a national leader in agricul-
(Mrs. HARTZLER asked and was tural education, inspiring our Nation’s
these individuals just because the
given permission to address the House young people to pursue careers that
present administration wants to erase
for 1 minute.) help support a robust rural economy.
the last administration is unconscion-
Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I Agriculture is rooted in American
able.
I strongly urge President Biden’s re- rise today in opposition to the $1.9 tril- heritage, and our Nation’s producers
versal of Operation Talon and urge him lion spending boondoggle that is going provide the food, the fiber, and the en-
to reinstate it immediately. to be on the House floor this week. ergy that we all depend on.
While there are many irresponsible Agriculture is science. It is tech-
f
and careless facets of this bill worth nology. It is innovation. And the young
HONORING THE LIFE OF VALERIE noting, the elimination of alternative men and women of the FFA are helping
WARD wage programs for workers with dis- to shape the industry’s future.
(Ms. DEAN asked and was given per- abilities is one of the most devastating Every time I see a distinctive blue
mission to address the House for 1 aspects of this bill, impacting over FFA jacket, I am reminded of the
minute and to revise and extend her re- 5,800 Missourians and thousands more strong character and impressive leader-
marks.) across our Nation. ship abilities that come along with it.
Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I rise In fact, this provision will likely FFA leaders have gone on to become
today to remember a community lead- cause the end of these programs. By Ivy League graduates, Federal court
er, a constituent, and a friend, Ms. Val- doing that, it will strip many individ- judges, innovative farmers, famous per-
erie Ward, who passed away January 6, uals of their voice, workplace family, formance artists, and even U.S. Presi-
at the age of 80. independence, and sense of community. dents.
Ms. Ward devoted her life in service That is why I am offering an amend- This week, we celebrate the impor-
to others, as president of the Willow ment to protect the choices and voices tant success of FFA, and we look for-
Grove branch of the NAACP, and as an of the Missourians next to me. They ward to what FFA leaders have in store
Abington PAL board member. deserve a government that supports for the future of rural America.
Val had the heart of a teacher, spend- their efforts, not one that runs them f
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
ing her time mentoring younger gen- out of business.
erations well into her own retirement. With only 35 percent of individuals HONORING KATHIE GREEN ON HER
Clipboard in hand, Val could be found with disabilities employed in the com- RETIREMENT
most weekends spearheading commu- petitive market, it is our duty to look (Mr. BANKS asked and was given
nity events, always leading by exam- for ways to expand employment oppor- permission to address the House for 1
ple. tunities for them, not diminish them. I minute.)
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