Congressional Record — House, June 24, 2021
Summary
This is H3119 of the Congressional Record, House, June 24, 2021, with interleaved columns. Mr. Latta, Mr. Palmer, and others request consideration of H.R. 18, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, to codify the Hyde amendment, and the Speaker pro tempore advises that the request cannot be entertained absent appropriate clearance. Mr. Lamalfa speaks on environmental protection and indicator species in California's Central Valley and the Klamath Basin. The page also begins with a statement on the loss of a colleague and includes remarks urging a commitment to the U.S. embassy and thanking Ambassador Friedman, with the views attributed to the speakers.
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“Congressional Record — House, June 24, 2021.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-06-24-crec-2021-06-24-pt1-pgh3119-6-d8b1547ddd/
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June 24, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3119
colleagues as they grapple with this and Commerce, Ways and Means, and the movement of the U.S. embassy to
profound loss. He will be dearly missed. the Judiciary, be discharged from fur- its rightful and lawful place, Jeru-
f ther consideration of H.R. 18, and I ask salem.
for its immediate consideration in the I implore my colleagues to stand
REQUEST TO CONSIDER H.R. 18, NO
House. with me in a commitment to affirming
TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABOR-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. As the and building upon the advancements
TION ACT
Chair previously advised, that request that Ambassador Friedman made to
(Mr. LATTA asked and was given cannot be entertained absent appro- strengthen U.S.-Israeli relations, and I
permission to address the House for 1 priate clearance. congratulate him once again on his
minute and to revise and extend his re- achievements.
f
marks.)
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, for more f
REQUEST TO CONSIDER H.R. 18, NO
than 40 years American taxpayers have TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABOR- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
been protected from paying for abor- TION ACT INDICATOR SPECIES
tions on demand with their tax dollars. (Mr. PALMER asked and was given (Mr. LAMALFA asked and was given
Alarmingly, President Biden’s budget permission to address the House for 1
proposal calls for the Hyde amendment permission to address the House for 1
minute.) minute and to revise and extend his re-
to be removed. This radical, immoral
Mr. PALMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in marks.)
policy makes it legal for taxpayer dol-
support of H.R. 18, the No Taxpayer Mr. LAMALFA. Mr. Speaker, envi-
lars to support and enable the abortion
Funding for Abortion Act. This bill ronmental protection of species re-
industry.
codifies the Hyde amendment which volves around the use of indicator spe-
Nearly 60 percent of Americans agree
ensures that taxpayer dollars aren’t cies. But what has been lost in recent
that taxpayer dollars should not be
spent on abortions. years is the impact also on humans and
used to fund abortion. This is not a
For over 40 years, both Democrats their needs.
partisan issue. One of the most basic
and Republicans have understood the The indicator, for example, for farm-
ways we can protect innocent life is en-
value of this important protection ers in California is very grave in the
suring that taxpayer money is not
which has saved more than 2.4 million great Central Valley and up at the
being used to fund abortions.
As a defender of the unborn, I do not lives. The right to life precedes all Klamath Basin.
support the removal of the Hyde other rights and is fundamental to ev- Up on the Klamath, you have one en-
amendment. I oppose all efforts to erything I believe. vironmental management plan that
mandate taxpayer funding for abortion. I urge my colleagues across the aisle says more water is needed for salmon,
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- to embrace life and support H.R. 18. As for example, under a biological opin-
sent that the Committees on Energy President Biden said in 1994, ‘‘Those of ion, and another management plan
and Commerce, Ways and Means, and us who are opposed to abortion should that says more water is needed to be
the Judiciary be discharged from fur- not be compelled to pay for them.’’ stored in the lake for suckerfish. You
ther consideration of H.R. 18, and ask Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- can’t do both at the same time, and the
for its immediate consideration in the sent that the Committees on Energy result is the salmon are not more plen-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under and Commerce, Ways and Means, and tiful and the suckerfish are not recov-
guidelines consistently issued by suc- the Judiciary be discharged from fur- ering as a species.
cessive Speakers, as recorded in sec- ther consideration of H.R. 18, and ask But the rural areas in Klamath and
tion 956 of the House Rules and Man- for its immediate consideration in the Siskiyou Counties are being cut off
ual, the Chair is constrained not to en- House. from their main economic driver. The
tertain the request unless it has been The SPEAKER pro tempore. As the farms up there are suffering badly be-
cleared by the bipartisan floor and Chair previously advised, that request cause of water that has been taken by
committee leaderships. cannot be entertained absent appro- the Federal Government that does not
f priate clearance. belong to the Federal Government.
f The stored water in that lake was
REQUEST TO CONSIDER H.R. 18, NO created for agriculture solely, and yet
TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABOR- b 1700 it is being used as more or less a slush
TION ACT fund for Federal agencies that want to
CONGRATULATING AMBASSADOR
(Mrs. HINSON asked and was given DAVID FRIEDMAN take this water and somehow try and
permission to address the House for 1 make a difference in the river. This has
minute.) (Mr. GARBARINO asked and was
given permission to address the House got to come to a stop, because we need
Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise agriculture in California.
today to call on my colleagues to con- for 1 minute.)
Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I rise f
sider the No Taxpayer Funding for
Abortion Act, legislation that would today in acknowledgment of Long Is- ECONOMIC RECOVERY AFTER THE
preserve the longstanding Hyde amend- land’s own David Friedman, former PANDEMIC
ment. U.S. Ambassador to Israel.
In a few days, there will be a dedica- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under
For the first time in over 40 years,
tion ceremony to rename a local street the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan-
the administration’s proposed budget
in his honor, but I would be remiss if I uary 4, 2021, the gentleman from North
does not include Hyde protections, pro-
did not state for the Record Ambas- Carolina (Mr. CAWTHORN) is recognized
tections that have long ensured tax-
sador Friedman’s tremendous accom- for 60 minutes as the designee of the
payer dollars are not used to fund abor-
plishments in support of our ally, minority leader.
tions.
Mr. Speaker, Hyde protections have Israel, during his tenure. GENERAL LEAVE
saved 2.4 million babies. Reversing this Whether it be countering the anti-Se- Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, I ask
longstanding pro-life policy is wrong. mitic Boycott, Divestment and Sanc- unanimous consent that all Members
The right to life is the most funda- tions campaign against Israel or recog- may have 5 legislative days in which to
mental of all of our rights. We must de- nizing Israel’s sovereignty over the revise and extend their remarks and in-
fend those who cannot defend them- Golan Heights, he has been a leading clude extraneous material on the topic
selves. example on how best to represent our of this Special Order.
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I will always lend my voice to the Nation abroad. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
voiceless and fight to ensure that Iowa Most notable, of course, was his lead- objection to the request of the gen-
taxpayers are never forced to fund ership in advancing the Abraham Ac- tleman from North Carolina?
abortions against their will. cords, the greatest development in nor- There was no objection.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- malized relations between Israel and Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, what
sent that the Committees on Energy its Arab neighbors in over 40 years, and is the American businessman to do
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H3120 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 24, 2021
when the American worker will not Our economy should be seeing robust With the fact that there are 9.3 mil-
come into work? growth. Instead, businesses cannot fill lion job openings in this country right
For the past nearly 7 months, this the record number of jobs available. now, we do need to change something
President has held America’s small In fact, the number one issue that I to be able to actually fill the hire rate
business owners hostage and declared a hear, not only from business owners that has not increased at all. In fact,
de facto strike on the American econ- and managers, but from all constitu- last quarter it only increased by 4.2
omy. ents, is that folks will not come to percent.
Following the end of this COVID pan- work, businesses cannot find workers. My friends, we will have artificial in-
demic, the Biden administration has Last month, despite 9.3 million job flation if we do not do something to act
been granted the political gift of a life- openings, there were only 69,000 more quickly, and I believe the Jump-Start
time: take a staggering American new hires than in the month before. the Economy with Jobs Act is a great
economy, still reeling from the eco- How is that possible with unemploy- idea.
nomic collapse, and simply let it re- ment at 6 percent? Mr. Speaker, I would like to recog-
turn to normal. If the Biden adminis- Simply put, President Biden and nize another North Carolinian, a lion of
tration had done nothing, zero, if they Democrats have insisted on continuing our mountains, my dear friend, the
had sat on their hands and twiddled to pay people more to stay home than gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
their thumbs, if Joe Biden had taken to work. BUDD).
more naps, then experts say our econ- Despite consistent warnings from Re- Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I want to
omy would be in a much better place publicans and economists, the so-called thank my friend and colleague, Con-
than where it is right now. American Rescue Plan continued ex- gressman CAWTHORN, for organizing
Instead, the Biden administration’s panded unemployment benefit pro- this.
efforts place the American economy in grams enacted in the heart of the pan- Last month, the NFIB, or the Na-
a financial choke hold that threatens demic. tional Federation of Independent Busi-
to obliterate hundreds of small busi- In my home State, in North Carolina, nesses, reported that 48 percent of
nesses in my district. these expanded benefits are worth $650 small businesses currently have un-
It was John Adams that said: ‘‘Facts a week. That is about $50 more than filled job openings, and that is an all-
are stubborn things; and whatever may the Progressives’ preferred minimum time high. Right now—you have heard
be our wishes, our inclinations or the wage of $15 an hour. You don’t have to the number mentioned—9.3 million jobs
dictates of our passions, they cannot be an economist to see why small busi- remain unfilled nationwide.
alter the state of facts and evidence.’’ nesses can’t fill job openings, and it is This sluggish recovery is a direct re-
Let’s cast our eyes over the facts, sult of the Federal Government paying
beyond time that Congress fix this self-
shall we? people not to work. Essentially, the
Back in April, economists predicted inflicted wound.
That is one reason that Representa- Federal enhanced unemployment ben-
over 1 million new jobs to be added to efit constitutes a ‘‘stay-at-home’’
tive JODEY ARRINGTON and I introduced
our economy. Biden added just over bonus for millions of people.
the Jump-Start the Economy with
250,000. In May, economists adjusted Instead of following the lead of doz-
their expectations, acknowledging this Jobs Act. This bill, which ought to
ens of other States, North Carolina’s
administration simply cannot deliver move promptly in this Congress, re-
Governor refuses to end this very back-
the type of job growth past administra- quires an individual who is currently
wards incentive.
tions could. receiving enhanced unemployment ben- That is why I introduced a solution
Even with adjusted expectations, the efits to recertify that they do not have that would help. It is called the Back
Biden administration still fell short of a job offer waiting for them in order to to Work Bonus Act. First and fore-
the mark. There is no debate that the continue receiving enhanced benefits. most, my proposal would end the $300
Biden administration of free handouts If their former employer would re-
Federal unemployment bonus on day
has dramatically undercut efforts to ceive a communication, and if they say
one.
restart our economy. His massive in- we are prepared to give an offer to that Second, the bill would allow a new
crease of unemployment benefits has person to come back to work, then worker to receive a $900 back-to-work
kept workers at home and left store they can’t continue to receive unem- bonus only if they get back in the
owners scrambling to keep up with the ployment benefits. How appropriate. workforce and stay on the job for at
growing consumer demand. That would tailor the program to those least 4 weeks.
In my own district, business leaders people that continue to need it because Now, to be clear, someone would only
in Asheville, Hendersonville, Franklin, of a job dislocation they cannot re- receive these dollars if they not only
and Macon County, have spoken with solve. Enhanced unemployment bene- accepted the job offer, but fully went
me about the difficulty in getting em- fits should continue for those who back to work.
ployees back to work. Who can blame truly need them and not for those who Third, I want to highlight that this
them? Biden is literally paying Amer- have a job waiting for them. legislation is a specific solution to
ican citizens to stay home instead of The extended Federal unemployment what we hope is a temporary problem,
getting them back to work. benefits implemented during COVID–19 using already appropriated funds that
Who would fault an American hus- had their time, but they should not be would expire on August 14.
band or mother when they decide to the mainstay now. They are, instead, Look, we simply can’t continue to
stay home with their family and earn artificially reducing the workforce. pay people to stay at home. For work-
double their salary while doing it? Across the country, let’s all be ers that stayed in the workforce
The Biden administration knows that thankful, communities are opening up throughout the pandemic, we need to
their policy of handouts harms and is their economies and getting back to cut their taxes, so they get to keep
hurting business owners, but the game normal. more of their hard-earned money.
has always been about creating a wel- It is past time for this government to We need to get the economy booming
fare class, not empowering our econ- stop holding back the recovery and to again, like it was during the Trump
omy. It is disgusting. stand up for small businesses, job gen- years. We need to stop the over-
With those thoughts in mind, I now erators, by ceasing to pay people to spending in Washington that causes in-
recognize one of my fellow North Caro- stay home. flation to soar and eat away at a fam-
lina champions, the gentleman from A good first step would be to enact ily’s buying power.
North Carolina (Mr. BISHOP). the Jump-Start the Economy with But above all, our number one pri-
Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. Mr. Jobs Act. ority needs to be getting folks back to
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Speaker, I thank the gentleman and Mr. CAWTHORN. Thank you very work as quickly as possible. There are
my fellow North Carolinian, Mr. much, Congressman BISHOP, for those just too many opportunities out there,
CAWTHORN, for having this Special words. I echo the sentiments of both 9.3 million of them, to be exact. So
Order. JODEY ARRINGTON and DAN BISHOP of let’s get America back to work.
My comments will echo his. Look, wanting to jump-start this economy Mr. CAWTHORN. Congressman,
the pandemic is over. Thank goodness. again. thank you for introducing that bill.
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June 24, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3121
If you think about it, $387 is the b 1715 growth or greater economic security
amount the average American receives Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, Con- for American families.
from their home State in weekly unem- gressman NORMAN was elected to take A majority of Americans say they
ployment benefits. You add to that the care of the American people, but right fear for an impending crash following
$300 boost that the Federal Govern- now the Democrats in Congress—al- the injection of Federal stimulus
ment is putting on, on top of that, and though it is hard to call them Demo- money during the pandemic. This is an
it is no wonder why people aren’t going crats because right now I believe that unsettling thought for those who are
back to work. They get to stay at they have a socialist agenda, which is trying to deal with dining room poli-
home with their families while making sabotaging America’s jobs recovery tics.
$17.17 an hour. That sounds like a good with a crippling tax hike that targets With all those thoughts in mind, I
deal to me. our small businesses, the backbone of am very pleased to yield to the gen-
But I genuinely hope that we can find tleman from Texas (Mr. NEHLS), my
our economy.
some way out of this, because there is Their plans raise small business dear friend and America’s sheriff, who
a real spiritual poverty created when taxes to the highest point in a genera- represents Texas’ 22nd District.
you don’t actually work for your liv- tion, halt new projects and small busi- Mr. NEHLS. Mr. Speaker, it is time
ing. ness growth by doubling taxes on in- to get the American people back to
It is now time for me to recognize a work. The vaccine has been available
vestments, and Democrats supercharge
dear friend of mine from a Carolina for all Americans for weeks. Cases
a second death tax, if you can believe
that is not as good a North Carolina, across the country are drastically de-
that, where they want to tax you more.
the gentleman from South Carolina creased, and businesses are opening
It would hit farms, machine shops, and
(Mr. NORMAN). back up. Thank God.
Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank other small businesses.
With all that in mind, I now yield to Why, then, is the Federal Govern-
the gentleman for offering this Special ment still paying people not to work?
Order. It couldn’t come at a better the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
KELLER). Why, then, are we still considering
time and a better place in history. multitrillion-dollar proposals when
Mr. Speaker, Americans have been Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, one of
the greatest threats that emerged from there is billions upon billions of pre-
subjected to one of the most testing viously appropriated COVID relief
years we have ever seen. Just as they this pandemic is an expanding govern-
ment unwilling to relinquish control money that hasn’t been touched?
are starting to get back on their feet Inflation is higher than at any point
and the great economic engine that is and restore Americans’ God-given
rights. in over a decade. Americans are paying
the American economy is starting to more for goods they need to survive.
turn over, this administration and my We see it all across our country.
President Biden and liberal Governors Businesses that are open and want to
Democratic colleagues are proposing to
tout the ‘‘follow the science’’ talking expand their workforce can’t find the
shut down the engine that we had run-
point while failing to follow the employees willing to come to work be-
ning so robustly for the last 4 years
science themselves, keeping in place cause the government is paying them
under President Trump.
Six trillion dollars in spending, with pandemic restrictions while knowing to stay home.
no offsets, is downright irresponsible full well that our economy can fully re- And amidst all of this, the Biden ad-
and unfair to the American taxpayer. open. ministration is proposing tax increases
We are not going to get this economy While the left virtue signals, pushing on job creators. It doesn’t take an eco-
on the right foot by expanding our radical policies like vaccine passports nomics Ph.D. to conclude that raising
Government even more. and critical race theory, American taxes on job creators amid record lev-
Growing inflation concerns have al- families are still struggling to make els of inflation and this underper-
ready begun to hit our constituents ends meet. Tens of thousands of busi- forming economy will lead to economic
where it hurts the most, at the gas nesses have closed their doors for good, disaster.
pump—have you tried filling up your and our children have fallen behind be- Small business owners in this coun-
car lately? It has hit you in the gro- cause they are denied in-person learn- try are trying to rebuild and get people
cery stores. It has hit you in the check- ing. back to work. Raising taxes on them
books. Some Federal agencies are still not will only hurt them and the Americans
This oncoming crisis is putting hard- operating at pre-pandemic levels. We they want to hire.
working Americans on rocky footing, have American veterans who cannot The Biden tax-and-spend model is
and this President is proposing to pull access records they need for treatment failing our country. We need to get
the rug out from underneath them. An- and benefits they earned because of ca- back to the free-market approach that
other cash infusion will do nothing reer bureaucrats who can’t be bothered we had under President Trump: Slash-
more than kick those Americans while to go back to work. This is wrong and ing regulation, reducing taxes, and in-
they are down by driving prices up completely avoidable. creasing economic freedom.
even more. Enough is enough. Here, in Congress, we see the hypoc- That is the light at the end of the
Businesses are opening up, construc- risy of the left on display. Speaker Biden economic crisis tunnel. But to
tion projects are expanding our neigh- PELOSI lifts the mask mandate for the get there, we need Democrats to stop
borhoods and cities, and there is a light House floor, but keeps the people’s playing politics with the future of our
at the end of the tunnel and the light House closed to the public. We have country and work with the Repub-
is a bright one. Don’t shut the door on Members of this body not showing up licans.
that light by throttling the demands of and voting in person. The people that Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, I now
everyday items. we represent go to work every day, and yield to the gentleman from Kansas
Ultimately, there are a variety of they expect us to do the same. Ameri- (Mr. ESTES), a dear friend of mine who
reasons for these rising prices, many of cans have never been and never will be represents the Fourth District.
which are industry specific. However, a nation ruled by fear and control. Mr. ESTES. Mr. Speaker, we should
it is important to remember that big Reopen the Capitol Building, reopen be experiencing one of the greatest eco-
government spending is only going to our country, and restore freedom and nomic booms in our history as we
make this problem worse. power to the American people. emerge from COVID, yet prices are
I was elected to Congress to take Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, I can climbing, consumer sentiment is
care of the American people. I was not see why Pennsylvania loves their Con- plunging, and there are more than nine
elected to bankrupt this country. I was gressman so much. million open jobs without workers to
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not elected to burden them even more. When I think about what is going on fill them. That is the most ever.
It is clear that the American economy in Congress and I see that Democrats In my State of Kansas, we have 3.6
wants to make a comeback. The only are prioritizing wasteful spending over jobs available for every job seeker.
question is, will bureaucrats, will poli- hardworking Americans’ paychecks, I Subsidizing people not to work and
ticians, will government get out of the realize that the Democrats’ socialist spending without restraint is stalling
way. agenda won’t produce long-term out this recovery and causing inflation.
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H3122 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 24, 2021
In May, core inflation rose at its business applications were at record the economy in our communities have
fastest pace since 1992. That is because levels. The TCJA encouraged business reopened. But we can’t help but ob-
Democrats’ untargeted spending has creation, as the amount of business ap- serve that it seems like the reopening
acted like kindling for inflation. There plications reached its highest level is occurring because of the independ-
is too much money chasing too few ever, of over 880,000. ence and resilience of the American
goods. Recent surveys show that 70 per- Now, you contrast that with what is people, despite the best efforts by some
cent of Americans are concerned that going on in America today. There are to keep us shuttered indefinitely.
President Biden’s spending plans could many people who own restaurants in It is baffling that during this time
lead to inflation. But if you have filled my own district, who are having to lit- when our neighbors have the oppor-
up your gas tank recently or entered a erally pay people $50 just to turn an ap- tunity to finally get back to work,
grocery store, you know that it is al- plication in, and then they never show Democrats are pushing policies to hurt
ready there. up for the interview or even for work. them.
Instead of working to quickly reopen Because of how bleak things are Oh, you are trying to find employees
and prioritize getting America back to looking, I am very happy to yield to for your diner so you can reopen?
work, upon entering office, President the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Well, they are paying those employ-
Biden took his eyes off the ball and MCCLAIN), the most loved and the most ees more to sit at home.
squandered the recovery that President feared woman in all of Congress. You have a corner store in central
Trump had handed to him. In the first Mrs. MCCLAIN. Mr. Speaker, for South Dakota?
five months of 2021, the current admin- more than 40 years, Joe Biden has been Sorry, but President Biden canceled
istration has added 500,000 fewer jobs a staunch supporter of the Hyde the Keystone XL pipeline and instantly
than the last 5 months of 2020. Presi- amendment. So have the American caused your customers to lose their
dent Biden should be concerned about people. Just this past January, polling jobs.
his economic crisis. found that nearly 6 in 10 Americans op- You want to go back to work, but
Biden’s slow-growth agenda calls for pose using tax dollars to terminate in- have two children at home?
$6 trillion in government spending with nocent lives. That number includes a Well, unbelievably, the Biden edu-
$3 trillion in new taxes. That would majority of Independents and nearly cation plan included zero requirement
crush small and midsized companies, one-third of Democrats. that your son’s or daughter’s school re-
resulting in far fewer jobs down the For decades, congressional Demo- opens.
road. crats joined Republicans in a truly bi- You were excited for your hotel to be
One of the most antigrowth policies partisan effort to ensure tax dollars of busy this spring?
in President Biden’s agenda is his plan hardworking Americans do not pay for Well, the CDC was still advising
to revert America’s business tax rate abortions. Unfortunately, President Americans not to travel, even if they
to one of the worst in the world again Biden is trying to shatter years of con- were vaccinated.
at 28 percent, a move that would return gressional bipartisanship with a radical Your bait shop along the Canadian
us to the old tax code that incentivized budget that has no Hyde amendment border has been struggling since the
jobs to be shipped overseas. protections. border closure?
Biden’s budget even acknowledges The President ran on unity, yet his Too bad President Biden and Justin
that a real recovery isn’t their pri- first budget proposal immediately di- Trudeau decided that couldn’t be
ority. It only forecasts a meager 2 per- vides. This Congress must take back solved at the G7 last week.
cent GDP growth by 2023, with it drop- its congressional responsibility and You need gas to get to work, to get
ping even lower until 2029. craft spending bills which protect the to your job site?
The American people should contrast lives of the unborn, just as past Con- Well, it costs you $50 more this year
Biden’s tax-and-spend agenda with gresses have done since 1976. than it did last year.
what Republicans have done and are Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- Mr. Speaker, this is a staggering
fighting to do. In 2017, we put the sent that the Committees on Energy laundry list of policies that individ-
American people first by passing a and Commerce, Ways and Means, and ually would be an enormous impedi-
progrowth tax code while removing the Judiciary be discharged from fur- ment to our success, but together it is
massive amounts of government regu- ther consideration of H.R. 18, and ask a brick wall. Without urgent changes
lation. That created an economic at- for its immediate consideration in the to these antijobs, anti-small business
mosphere that enabled wages to grow House. policies, our communities will con-
for historically disadvantaged workers, The SPEAKER pro tempore. As the tinue to struggle to reopen completely,
brought the unemployment rate down Chair has previously advised, that re- and more families will feel the nega-
to the lowest in 50 years, and allowed quest cannot be entertained absent ap- tive impacts of the Biden-Pelosi econ-
more people to find jobs in America propriate clearance. omy.
than at any point in our history. The Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, how As a small business owner myself, I
income gap was even shrinking as much time do I have remaining? know what these men and women are
lower income wages were increasing The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- going through. I know that they were
faster. tleman has 37 minutes remaining. the ones who built their business, not
We need to get back to that. It is not Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, I the government. And despite opposing
hard to see the impact that common- yield to the gentleman from Minnesota efforts, they won’t let the government
sense, progrowth policies can make. (Mr. STAUBER). take it away from them either.
Our focus should be on filling available Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, over the Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, I be-
jobs and rebuilding our economy, not past year, it really has felt like our lieve we are created to work, and I be-
to line the pockets of progressive spe- small businesses, our middle class, our lieve we are created to work hard, and
cial interest groups with millions in communities have really taken one the right to work and the determina-
Federal spending, as Biden’s agenda punch after another. tion to build with one’s hands is as
would do. It is hard to ignore that, First, we were handed mandatory foundational to the American ethos as
across the country today, the six shutdowns of our restaurants, our it can be.
States with the lowest unemployment small businesses, and our churches, We were not set in this universal or-
rates all have Republican leadership. while Walmart and Lowe’s and other chard to stand still as trees. There is
Mr. Speaker, President Biden and big box retail stores were allowed to re- no substitute under the heavens for
Speaker PELOSI need to prioritize eco- main open. In some places around the productive labor. It has been said that
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
nomic recovery, not unrestrained gov- country, we were not even allowed to a firm work ethic is the process by
ernment spending. leave our homes unless it was for a pur- which dreams become realities. It is
Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, I pose that the government deemed es- the process by which idle visions be-
think Congressman ESTES touches on a sential. come dynamic achievements.
great point. Under Republican leader- Like all Americans, I am extremely This administration seeks, though,
ship, under the last administration, excited and pleased to see that most of to strip employment from the men and
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June 24, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3123
women of America, to replace work in the world, and we will do it a second paying folks not to work—again, $17 an
with welfare and service with subser- time. hour in my home State of Virginia—
vience. I reject that notion. Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, when that folks will finally refuse the free
Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the gen- we started looking at the American income not to work and return for a
tleman from Georgia (Mr. CARTER), my Families Plan, we realized the tax higher paycheck—this as businesses
dear friend. hikes it would increase would raise are struggling to recover from the gov-
b 1730 capital gains and dividends tax from 20 ernment shutting them down for a
to 39.6 percent, almost two times the year, again, in the name of the China
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speak- normal price. It would impose capital virus.
er, I thank the gentleman for yielding. gains taxes at death, which creates a We need to fully reopen our economy,
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss
second death tax, although I can’t be- end all restrictions, open our schools so
the most important issue facing our
lieve that we would ever need to tax parents can go back to work, and stop
country today: the reopening of the
anyone more than we do now. It would sending confusing and harmful mes-
U.S. economy.
For 16 long months, the U.S. econ- expand the 3.8 percent Obamacare sur- sages, like requiring masks on public
omy has been held hostage by govern- tax to hit even more small businesses’ transportation.
ment, both elected and unelected. What income than it already does. In this very House, it was only a cou-
Lastly, it would increase the IRS’ au- ple of weeks ago that we were pre-
started as a 15-day shutdown to allow
diting power, including monitoring tending that even in a Special Order,
hospitals to brace for the coming wave
bank accounts, because the very first speaking to an empty Chamber with no
of COVID cases has ballooned into over
thing that we need to reopen our econ- one near you—within how many feet?—
a year of shifting goalposts, evolving
omy at a better pace is to give more you needed to wear a mask to keep us
science, and political power grabs.
Since the pandemic began, over power to three-letter agencies. safe because we wanted to appear to
200,000 small businesses, which the Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman the American people back home that
President once claimed were the back- from Virginia (Mr. GOOD), my good we were doing something, the theater
bone of the U.S. economy, have been friend. of wearing masks just a few weeks ago.
Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, That is continuing now on public
shuttered for good. This has left their
as a Nation founded on a history of transportation. What kind of a myth
owners jobless and futures uncertain.
Those whose businesses did survive rugged individualism, the American and harmful message does that send to
the long lockdowns still face harsh re- people are resilient and self-reliant. folks?
strictions. For too long and in too They will flourish and prosper absent We need to stop paying folks not to
many cases, we have seen restrictions the intrusion and heavy-handed weight work, reopen our economy, and turn
on controlling how many customers of the government. the American people loose.
they can serve, how their employees Apart from national defense, safety, Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, I
can conduct business, and, by default, and security, the less our government yield to the gentleman from Colorado
how much revenue they can bring in. does, the better, especially here at the (Mr. BUCK).
Worse, the reopening of our economy Federal level. Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the
has been prolonged even further by the In fact, our country would be far bet- gentleman for yielding, and I thank the
misguided attempts from the political ter off if we had just paid this Presi- gentleman for his leadership on this
left to provide relief. dent and his administration to stay important issue. I think it is some-
The example I hear the most from home, and they did nothing over these thing that America needs to talk
constituents and businesses back in past 51⁄2 months. It is sadly true that about, and I am glad we are talking
George’s First Congressional District is the less this government does to us about it on the floor of the people’s
the increased unemployment benefits. while pretending to do things for us, House.
Under these expanded benefits, many the better off we will all be. During the COVID shutdowns, more
Americans have been able to receive Incredibly, this administration’s dis- than 600,000 businesses shut their
more money not working than they did astrous economic policies have pro- doors. This is 200,000 more businesses
actually working. This is a poor incen- duced fewer jobs in their first 5 months than typically close in a year due to
tive to get people back into jobs, espe- of the year than the Trump adminis- natural market influences.
cially as our economy continues to see tration produced in the last 5 months Unsurprisingly, many of these most
record-high job openings. of 2020 when the government restric- severe lockdowns across the country
Businesses coming out of their long tions and lockdowns in the name of the were implemented by liberal Governors
hibernation will continue to struggle China virus were far more widely and who caved to fearmongering and hos-
to find employees as long as this ben- strenuously enforced. tility to former President Trump.
efit is in place. Unfortunately, at present time, we To be clear, I recognize the dangers
There are not enough taxpayer dol- have employers, businesses, and job posed by this virus. However, reac-
lars in the world to give these busi- creators literally competing with their tionary and overreaching shutdowns
nesses the relief they need, but we can own government for employees because significantly worsened the impacts of
remove the Federal Government as an of the enhanced $300 a week Federal COVID on our Nation.
obstacle to returning to normalcy. unemployment benefit. One of the most glaring examples of
We need policies that incentivize Every business owner that I talk these negative impacts has been on our
Americans to find jobs and allow busi- with in my district tells me that this is children who missed a year or more of
nesses to stand on their own. Ulti- a major, ongoing problem. Every busi- in-person education because their
mately, we need to put an end to all ness has up signs saying: ‘‘Help Want- schools were closed.
COVID business restrictions nation- ed,’’ ‘‘Employees Needed.’’ The resilience and creativity of many
wide. We even have this problem in my teachers to adjust to these tragic cir-
It is hard to say what the long-term home district in the city of Charlottes- cumstances are admirable. However,
impact of prolonged shutdowns will be, ville, in Albemarle County, with the the reality is that these closures re-
but it does not take a Harvard econo- Postal Service. They can’t get people sulted in deteriorating mental health
mist to know that losing 200,000 jobs in to come to work for the starting wage among students and less effective edu-
small businesses alone does not spell of $18 an hour for a mail carrier be- cational environments for children
good fortune. cause they are getting paid $17 an hour across America.
The sooner we get Americans back to to stay home and not work. Importantly, these shutdowns dis-
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
work and our economy back to full ca- However, the tone-deaf, economically proportionately affected children with
pacity, the sooner we can return to illiterate Democrats, especially those I disabilities, minority students, and
normal or, at the very least, stop the serve with on the Education and Labor students facing economic hardships.
damage from continuing. Committee, they tell businesses they America is beyond ready to reopen.
To borrow a quote from President simply need to raise their wages so far Today, more than half of Americans
Trump, we built the greatest economy above what the Federal Government is have been vaccinated, and broad mask
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H3124 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 24, 2021
mandates are clearly no longer nec- have even offered cash bonuses to of the already existing unemployment
essary for most communities. The interviewees, but small businesses can- checks, is paying a premium for poten-
science overwhelmingly demands that not afford this. tial workers to remain at home rather
the restrictions continuing to burden There are plenty of examples back than finding work.
our communities be lifted, and efforts home in my district. For example, in The data doesn’t lie. There are nearly
by liberal politicians to extend these Houston County, there are 124 unem- 8 million job openings in America right
mandates only serve to reveal their ployment claims and over 2,000 job now, a new record. Businesses in the
ideological motivations. openings as we speak. In Coffee Coun- Big First of Kansas—agriculture, hos-
I urge our national, State, and local ty, there are 57 unemployment claims pitality, food service, manufacturing,
officials to follow the science, and 570 job openings, with many more construction, and healthcare—cannot
unshackle our economy from these bur- coming. In Dale County, there are 47 find workers, leading to reduced hours
densome and unnecessary restrictions, unemployment claims yet 350 job post- or closures to accommodate the staff-
and reopen our country. ings. ing shortages.
Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, when It is very simple. Small business can-
b 1745
we start thinking about what is going not compete with government hand-
on here in our country with unemploy- outs. I am glad that many red States, Help is wanted at the North Central
ment, in the week ending May 1, 2021, including my great State of Alabama, Kansas Hospital, short 50 employees
about 16 million people collected unem- have ended all federally funded pan- and regularly turning away patients as
ployment. Now, that is a staggering demic unemployment benefits. I hope the hospital is unable to properly staff
statistic when you realize that over 6.6 our numbers will improve as a result. and serve them.
million of those people would not have Removing these payments that were Help is wanted in McDonald’s in that
been eligible to receive unemployment meant to be short-term is necessary to same north central Kansas town, clos-
benefits in a traditional environment. advance our economic recovery. But ing early each night.
But because of the trumped-up and this is a real problem that betrays the Christina, the owner of hair salons in
boosted-up unemployment benefits the Biden administration and congres- Garden City, Hays, and Dodge City,
Federal Government is sending out, we sional Democrats’ fundamental mis- Kansas, wants help as she temporarily
are basically incentivizing people by understanding of what powers an econ- shuts down one location, only opens
giving them $34,000 a year to not go to omy. another for a few days a week, and
work, thus creating more and more in- Mr. Speaker, the best welfare pro- shortens hours at all three.
flation. There is no production so, gram in the world is a job, not govern- Help is wanted at the ethanol by-
therefore, there are too many dollars ment. I know that many of my Demo- products plants in south central Kan-
chasing too few goods. cratic colleagues agree with me. sas, unable to find workers even after
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman Let’s get Americans back to work by offering a salary of a $35,000 plus health
from Alabama (Mr. MOORE). empowering workers and removing in- and retirement benefits.
Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speak- centives to stay home. Only then can And PureField Ingredients, a food in-
er, I thank the gentleman for yielding. we truly reopen this economy. gredient manufacturer in Russell, Kan-
I certainly appreciate his leadership on Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, I am sas, wants help as they are staffed at
this and giving us an opportunity to disheartened to know that with this only 30 percent of their normal levels.
speak about small business issues in Federal unemployment stimulus that Mr. Speaker, hear me say this: If you
our country. we are sending out around the country, can get to work, you should. Do it for
Mr. Speaker, as restrictive govern- although it might solve some short- our local businesses and our State’s
ment mandates on Americans have re- term financial woes, it is creating a economy. Do it for your family. Most
laxed, our economy has begun recov- spiritual poverty in the hearts of men of all, do it for yourself.
ering from the worst of the pandemic. and women across this country that I I recently joined fellow Kansas Re-
Many businesses have reopened their believe cannot be described. publicans in urging the Kansas gov-
doors, and there are now millions of When you start to think about how ernor to opt out of the enhanced unem-
new returning jobs and available jobs devastating it would be to one’s morale ployment benefits. Additionally, I co-
across the Nation. and one’s own honor and one’s own self- sponsored the Help Wanted Act, which
Unfortunately, I hear from busi- esteem to think that you don’t actu- addresses the severe labor shortages
nesses large and small across my dis- ally create anything, you don’t actu- caused by the Federal unemployment
trict that Big Government is getting in ally build anything, you are not truly policy and the Get Americans Back to
the way of the return of our booming benefiting society, it makes me shud- Work Act, which would shorten the ex-
prepandemic economy. der to think about how I would feel tension of the pandemic unemployment
It is a bizarre paradox, but under the about that. checks.
Biden administration, we are simulta- Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman It is time to take off the masks, get
neously facing an intense labor short- from Kansas (Mr. MANN). our kids back to school, get our busi-
age and widespread unemployment at Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the nesses open, get people back to work,
the same time, when our economy gentleman for hosting this Special and get the country back on track.
should be thriving back to prepandemic Order. Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, may I
levels. Sadly, this is a common story in Mr. Speaker, I rise today to intro- inquire how much time I have remain-
every corner of our country. duce you to the newest resident of ing?
It is clear that the primary driver of western and central Kansas. She greets The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
this problem is federally subsidized un- every store’s patrons at the business tleman has 17 minutes remaining.
employment benefits. In many regions, front door and every farmer at the Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, I
particularly in rural areas, would-be farm gate. She is in the newspaper, on yield to the gentlewoman from Colo-
job seekers make more staying at the radio, and all over social media. rado (Mrs. BOEBERT).
home than reporting to work. She goes by Help Wanted, and you have Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Speaker, I am so
Recently, I was speaking to a friend probably met her, too, as she has made excited for Congressman CAWTHORN’s
of mine, and he called an unemployed herself quite popular under President leadership on this issue tonight. I
driver that he was going to hire. The Biden’s policies. thank him for making time to address
unemployed driver’s response was this: It has been more than a year since the American people.
I am going ride this mule until it the pandemic shut down the country. Mr. Speaker, there are three people
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
drops. America is finally getting back to nor- who come to mind when I think of peo-
Basically, what he was saying was: I mal. Businesses across the country are ple who cannot even give their money
am going to take this free money until ready to reopen and welcome back cus- away:
it goes away. tomers. Unfortunately, President ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ, do you
Many small businesses are facing Biden’s bonus, the monthly unemploy- remember when her donations were re-
that very same issue. Some businesses ment checks being distributed on top turned to her by Members of Congress
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June 24, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3125
because they didn’t want to be associ- man CAWTHORN, holding this because it Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, I
ated with her? is important. thank the Congressman for his re-
Harvey Weinstein. And Joe Biden. You know, to some people, it is just marks.
Those three cannot even give money about, ‘‘Well, it is the economy. It is Mr. Speaker, as I continue to con-
away. In fact, by July 3, 25 States an inconvenience.’’ Well, that is for sider that the Democrats’ plan must be
across America will have rejected rich people, like the billionaires that to destroy our economy by
President Biden’s Federal unemploy- donated to the current President’s incentivizing laziness, by incentivizing
ment benefit bonuses. campaign. They sure didn’t help the people not going to work, I shake my
I meet with organizations every day former President. head and say, No, that can’t be true.
that request funds for worthwhile en- Well, what are we talking about? We That is just one mistake that they
deavors. Sadly, America is $28 trillion are talking about a President that is so made.
in debt and can’t afford to spend the out of touch. As he has said, ‘‘I keep But then when I start to look
money on many of these worthy forgetting I am President.’’ It is very through all the points that I have out-
causes. But leave it to Joe Biden to try unfortunate. lined—of the ridiculous tax increases
to spend money in a way that actually But if you go back to his days as Vice on dividends, the tax increases on cap-
hurts our economy and is rejected by President, you find what this Presi- ital gains, the tax increases on small
Republican and Democrat governors dent, the current President, was doing businesses, the tax increases which will
across our entire country. That is a in the previous administration, and increase the cost of living for the mid-
special level of basement incom- these policies are now coming back. dle class, I am sure that they are try-
petency. It ran up the price of oil and gas— ing to destroy our economy.
We have got 9.3 million unfilled jobs. natural gas, propane. It ran up the Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman
And I hear it back home, businesses price of gasoline. And unfortunately, from Texas (Mr. BRADY), the most pow-
can’t get people back to work because for the working people in America, for erful and the most humble man in Con-
they are making more to sit at home those that haven’t been in Washington gress.
on the couch. They would rather watch for 50 years or so—like the current Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I thank
Dave Portnoy eat a slice of pizza. But President—they are getting strangled Congressman CAWTHORN for his leader-
then, again, maybe that is not his with debt. They are getting strangled ship on behalf of working families,
viewers. Maybe it is more of the folks with increasing prices because it just small business—of which he is one—for
sitting back, watching Joy Behar and so happens, we don’t have a lot of elec- getting this economy going again. I
‘‘The View’’ cackle and demonize our tric 18-wheelers. We don’t have a lot of thank him for allowing me to be part
country and all of our worthwhile ef- massive electric engines that are pull- of this Special Order.
forts to restore dignity in this Nation. ing countless numbers of cars down the Mr. Speaker, when President Biden
The Biden regime is literally train tracks. promised to focus on climate change, I
incentivizing laziness. But then again, That means every time this Presi- didn’t realize he meant changing the
they set that example on a regular dent takes another step to raise the climate of the U.S. economy by cooling
basis, calling it quits in the middle of price of oil—which raises the price of off the jobs recovery. The President in-
the day. When is the last time the gasoline—he is economically crippling herited a strong recovery, life-saving
President hasn’t called a ‘‘lid’’ before people that are working, people that vaccines, a reopening economy, and
his afternoon snack? are on Social Security, people that trillions of dollars in COVID stimulus.
In my home State of Colorado, many have fixed incomes. They are getting Yet, in his first 5 months of this year,
corporations are offering bonuses that hammered. Yeah, it is an inconven- America is nearly 550,000 fewer jobs
small businesses can’t afford. We are ience to the mega wealthy that do- than in the last 5 months of 2020 under
seeing massive signing bonuses, from nated to the President, or people like President Trump—550,000 fewer jobs.
$10,000 to $30,000 for utility and HVAC here in Congress that are millionaires, Inflation is running twice as high as
workers, and that is simply but it is devastating. wage growth. In fact, for Americans,
unsustainable. And I go back to when President their pocketbook, their paycheck has
According to the Colorado Res- Biden was Vice President, and a lady actually declined in buying power since
taurant Association, more than 90 per- from Panola County told me, she said, President Biden took office.
cent of restaurants are having issues ‘‘I am 80 years old, and my gas is get- America’s jobs recovery ought to be
finding workers. I am one of them. I ting so expensive, I am afraid I am surging, but instead, April/May reports
have had employees say, ‘‘I cannot going to end up in a home like I was were just disastrous. Main Street busi-
work more than 2 days a week. I can- born in, where the only energy we had nesses, Congressman CAWTHORN, as you
not exceed 12 hours of work because it was a wood-burning stove.’’ said, they are struggling to find work-
will cut into my benefits.’’ That is un- And I said, Oh, ma’am, I am so sorry ers.
American. to be the bearer of bad news, but if Labor force participation is back in
Joe Biden is quickly becoming the Biden and Obama have their way, you the 1970s. Inflation has hit a 13-year
greatest threat to small businesses are not going to be able to even have high, and a lot of Americans are fearful
since Fauci’s fraud. While small busi- that wood-burning stove you had when about the impact of rising prices and
nesses across my district and across you were born. You are going to be at slow growth economy when the sugar
America are struggling to find work- home without any kind of energy. And high from all this COVID stimulus goes
ers, struggling to stay open, Joe Biden that is where this President is now away, which is exactly what President
is struggling to stay awake. wanting to go back to. Biden’s budget admits will do.
I am calling on this administration We enjoyed the days of cheaper gaso- This President is sabotaging Amer-
to end these excessive Federal COVID line, cheaper energy. America was vi- ica’s jobs recovery, with crippling tax
payouts and stop disincentivizing brant; and people spent and they went increases and antibusiness policies that
work. out to eat and they bought clothes, and hurt working families and Main Street
Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman it generated jobs. And this President is businesses and drive U.S. jobs overseas.
MADISON CAWTHORN for his leadership killing those. And he is devastating the Treasury Secretary Yellen, the other
on this issue. people on fixed incomes. The people day, conceded that just as you heard
Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, I that are working and poor, he is dev- tonight, these lavish Federal employ-
thank the gentlewoman for her always astating them—the people that he is ment bonuses really are hurting Main
incredibly accurate and fierce com- supposed to care about. Street and hurting hiring. Thankfully,
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
ments. Well, it is time for this administra- half of American States, including one
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman tion to think about somebody besides blue State, have opted out of these ben-
from Texas (Mr. GOHMERT), another themselves and their mega-billionaire efits to help reconnect workers and
similarly fierce Congressman. donors. It is time to think about the help our economy survive.
Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I cer- American people and the damage that A recent analysis of the Ways and
tainly appreciate my friend, Congress- this administration is doing to them. Means’ staff shows that Congress has
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H3126 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 24, 2021
already approved, for an average fam- see inflation, the likes of which our actually look at the real math, 90 per-
ily of four, where both parents are out country has never seen before, and I cent of the plastic in the world’s
of work, we have already approved over don’t know if we will be able to recover oceans comes from 10 rivers: 8 in Asia,
$109,000 in stimulus checks, unemploy- from that. 2 in Africa.
ment checks, and child checks. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance If you actually gave a darn about
We were incredibly generous during of my time. plastic in the ocean, what would you
COVID to help people get back on their The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- do?
feet, defeat this virus, and move back. bers are reminded to refrain from en- You would actually go to those 10
But the time for emergency spending is gaging in personalities toward the rivers—8 in Asia, 2 in Africa—and ei-
over; the time for endless government President. ther add value, use our technical as-
checks is over. We cannot become the f sistance, use our foreign aid, and go
Olive Garden of never-ending govern- and deal with the plastic in the ocean.
ment checks. It won’t help people re- VIRTUE SIGNALING But, instead, we give speeches here,
build their lives. It won’t help us re- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under we award, we allot cities like D.C. that
build the economy. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- ban plastic straws. That is pure virtue
Unfortunately, because of these Fed- uary 4, 2021, the Chair recognizes the signaling. It doesn’t actually do any-
eral bonuses on unemployment, we are gentleman from Arizona (Mr. thing, yet we parade around like we did
seeing a record 9.3 million unfilled SCHWEIKERT) for 30 minutes. something.
jobs. It is hurting Main Street busi- Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Speaker, this Instead, this body could actually
nesses; they are struggling. And frank- evening, I am going to try to do some- have an incredible impact on plastic in
ly, it will hurt families who are not thing that is a little bit different, and the ocean. Go to the 10 rivers that are
going to be able to reconnect again parts of it are going to be incredibly 90 percent of the plastic, and actually
when all these checks run out. And our annoying. I am going to hurt some feel- get our foreign aid, our technical aid,
job creators shouldn’t have to compete ings, but my theme is actually very even some economic incentives to cap-
with the Federal Government. simple. ture that plastic and stop sticking it
Instead of helping America get back There are general solutions to so into rivers that flow into the ocean. It
to work, the Biden administration is many of the things we consider prob- is a simple example of the virtue sig-
pushing crippling tax hikes that will lems, but we are going to have to deal naling that actually warps real envi-
cost us millions of new jobs. I am proud with something, and it is a true prob- ronmental policy.
to have led, on behalf of President lem around this place. And that is, I Here is one that is going to drive
Trump in a Republican Congress, the am going to use the word ‘‘virtue sig- some people crazy.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that reduced tax What would happen if I came to you
naling’’ and sort of folklore.
cuts across the board, or reduced taxes and said the entire environmental im-
We sometimes know what we know,
across the board, redesigned our Tax pact of that cloth cotton bag you carry
but the fact of the matter is that tech-
Code so American businesses could to the grocery store, you have to use
nology, science, all of what we were
compete and win anywhere in the 7,100 times to basically equal the plas-
told was wrong, yet we can’t get it out
world. tic bags that are produced out of nat-
of our heads, or, as a society, we care
It made America the most competi- ural gas?
more about the symbolism than actu- Yet we walk around with our little
tive economy on the planet, lifted mil- ally curing the problem. And I really
lions of Americans out of poverty, and plastic bags when we walk into the
do believe if we could embrace that Trader Joe’s and those things, you
stopped U.S. businesses from moving thing called a calculator, math, think-
overseas. But now, we face a big risk. know, proudly showing, hey, I care
ing, science, there are some amazingly about the environment. But the math—
President Biden’s insistence on repeal- good things we could do.
ing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will cost that is not the science.
But, first, we got to step up and If we are going to make public policy,
6 million U.S. jobs. For that family of admit that we have been making up a how does this body, and not only Con-
four, middle class, making maybe lot of crap. And that is me being slight- gress, but our city councils, our county
$73,000 a year, it will rob their family ly on the vulgar side. But it is a frus- governments, our State legislatures,
budget of over $20,000 over time. tration I have where often I see our
The attack on American energy will how do we stop making public policy
speeches behind these microphones, that is virtue signaling, and the math
cut jobs by 1.5 million U.S. jobs and re- and we are virtue signaling because is the math?
pealing stepped-up basis on family that is often what is expected from our We have this incredible report, de-
farms will cost us another 1 million voters. At least we think that is what tailed. It came out of, I think, Demark.
jobs over 12 years. is expected, but I bet you our voters It was looking at the environmental
Congressman CAWTHORN’s efforts to would be elated if we would actually impact. It turns out those crappy little
lead commonsense proposals, stop
give them the truth and then show plastic bags that are banned in so
these crippling tax increases, and get
them the math. many of our cities were less environ-
the economy back on task is exactly I am going to show a couple of things mentally impactful than the cotton
what our country needs today. to first set up my argument, and then
Mr. Speaker, I thank him for letting bags we are walking around with, be-
walk through a couple things that I cause those cotton ones you have to
me join him.
think are incredibly optimistic for our use 7,100 times to actually have the
b 1800 future as a country, but maybe even same environmental impact.
Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, I the entire world. Another one that is going on around
thank Congressman BRADY for his lead- So, first off, let’s just use this. I have the country right now is let’s ban nat-
ership on the Ways and Means Com- done versions of this before, but it is ural gas for cook stoves and heating in
mittee. important as a thought experiment. homes. Except if you actually do the
Mr. Speaker, I think with everything Do you care about plastic in the math of burning natural gas to make
that has been said from all of these ocean? steam, to turn the turbine, to make
Representatives from all over the coun- I think everyone in America cares electricity, it actually is environ-
try, each of them representing nearly about plastic in the ocean. Except we mentally substantially better to use
730,000 people, I believe it is overly and have a small problem. We do this vir- natural gas in your home. And there
abundantly clear that it is time to end tue signaling of let’s ban plastic are lots of really good studies and data
the emergency spending. It is time to straws. But the fact of the matter is, on this.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
end the trumped-up unemployment the data says that straws that come But, once again, it is sort of this
checks, which are incentivizing lazi- from North America don’t end up in urban folklore, it is virtue signaling to
ness. It is time to end government- the ocean. We do actually an amaz- say my city council is going to ban
mandated joblessness in America. ingly good job grabbing our waste and natural gas from people being able to
There is a labor shortage in this putting it in the landfills or incin- cook with. Aren’t I doing something
country, and if we don’t end it, we will erating or taking care of it. But if you wonderful for the environment?
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