Congressional Record, March 3, 2022, from Page H1296 — House
Summary
Congressional Record, House, from page H1296, March 3, 2022. A Member's remarks discuss vitamin D and COVID, drug overdose deaths, and topics the Member says the State of the Union address did not cover. Under the heading Issues of the Day, Jackson Lee of Texas is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader. Her remarks respond to Republican criticism, praise President Biden's State of the Union address, and read from the Wall Street Journal about economic recoveries after a downturn.
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H1296 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 3, 2022
trumpeting from the rooftops that vi- It also may mean a little bit more of Who could not fall under the strength
tamin D can save your lives, you are an aggressive law enforcement going of that statement?
unquestionably disproportionately after the people who sell the fentanyl. The mothers of soldiers who are in
causing people of color to die of this But, of course, we can’t say we should faraway places; fathers who go out and
horrible disease. I realize there are have more aggressive law enforcement, work every day who look to hope from
other things that could be done. and we can’t say that more drug deal- their country to make sure they can
ers should wind up in prison because provide for their family; the senior
b 1300
then we would have more in prison. citizens; the students who fight against
Mr. Speaker, I will repeat here: insuf- So rather than doing these things, tuition increases; and the vulnerable
ficient vitamin D levels, 25.6 mortality why don’t we just let 100,000 people a people seeking homes and houses; they
rate compared to 2.3 percent with ade- year die? heard him.
quate levels. People with vitamin D de- Some people can say drug possession ‘‘We are stronger today than we were
ficiency are 14 times more likely to and sale of drugs is a victimless crime. a year ago, and we will be stronger a
have a severe or critical case of COVID. I say if you think about the parents or year from now than we are today. Now
Why does the average person not the spouses or the children or the sib- is our moment to meet and overcome
know this? lings of the 100,000 people who die, I the challenges of our time, and we will
I tell them when I run into them, but don’t know how we cannot do more to as one people, one America—the United
I can’t talk to everybody. It would be address this problem. States of America. May God bless you
nice if the public health establishment I would hope that next year in the all. May God protect our troops.’’
would talk a little bit more about that. State of the Union speech President From the beginning he spoke to the
One other thing, by the way, I was Biden does a little more to address the American people without divisiveness
hoping on COVID he would do, the pro- 100,000 people who are dying of drug and certainly with an understanding
tocol of a lot of hospitals is to deter- overdoses and does a little more to ad- that we have gone through as a people
mine the drugs they prescribe by what dress the perhaps hundreds of thou- a most historic and devastating mo-
is recommended out of the big agencies sands of people whose lives could be ment in our lives. I know that because
in the government. And there are a lot saved if we freed up doctors to pre- more than once I have visited the area
of very intelligent people who feel that scribe whatever drugs they wanted to on the Mall that showed the little
we would have saved a lot of people if and if we would have pushed a little bit white flags. If you have visited Arling-
we could have used off-label drugs rath- more vitamin D. ton National Cemetery, then you know
er than the $3,000-a-day remdesivir. In I think we would have a much more
the sacrifice of our soldiers, you know
other words, they felt there were better well-informed electorate if the edu-
the rows and rows and rows and rows
drugs that would probably cost one- cational system and the journalist es-
and rows of tombstones from wars be-
hundredth of the amount of the drug tablishment did a little more to edu-
yond our historical time.
that was being pushed out of CDC. It cate the public about the Holodomor.
But when you went to that exhibit, if
would be nice in America, the land of Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
of my time. it was that commemoration, that trib-
the free, if we would allow doctors in ute, that acknowledgment, that place
hospitals to use these other drugs. I f
of mourning to know of the hundreds of
think, again, Mr. Speaker, you would ISSUES OF THE DAY thousands of Americans who died be-
have significant savings compared to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under cause of COVID 19, and some dying in
where we stand right now. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- the early stages, some families having
These are some of topics that I think uary 4, 2021, the gentlewoman from six, seven, and nine people their fam-
were not addressed and should have Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE) is recognized ily. So you know this was an enormous
been addressed and would save lives if for 60 minutes as the designee of the time.
appropriately addressed in the State of majority leader. Let me thank the Congressional Pro-
the Union. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, gressive Caucus who just yesterday
We will mention one more because certainly this is a moment in history Congresswoman LEGER FERNANDEZ
we have a little bit of time here. Presi- for many, many ways. I have heard of spoke of our next steps in the work
dent Biden, to his credit, pointed out the—really the constant—how do we ahead.
that a lot of people are dying from ille- say in the country—ranging and I didn’t want this time to end with-
gal drugs. He didn’t exactly have any tanging, the constant refrain of our out responding to day after day refrain
concrete proposals as to what to do. friends on the other side of the aisle, from our Republican friends with no
When I got this job 7 years ago, 47,000 and I am going to take somewhat of plans, no solutions, no next steps, just
Americans were dying every year from the approach of the President of the criticism over and over again just so
illegal drug overdoses. Fifty-seven United States who gave really one of their voices could be heard.
thousand people died in 12 years in the the most historic, dynamic, and point- There is no doubt of the magnificence
Vietnam war. And they made a big deal ed speeches to the American people of the work that has been done by the
about that when I was a child. Now you that I have ever heard. President of the United States. Let me
have 47,000 in 1 year, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, let me thank President read, if I might, again, into the RECORD
when I got elected. Biden on the floor of the House for from the Wall Street Journal. And let
Do you know what it is now, Mr. speaking straight to the American pub- me acknowledge that in my district
Speaker? lic. All those who were willing to hear where there are persistent or even per-
One hundred thousand. It is as if we their President who recognized that we manent economic problems such as
are having two Vietnam wars every are a nation of the United States of long-term unemployment, weak labor
year, and the politicians hardly talk America, that we are truly, truly a na- markets, inexperienced workers, evic-
about it. tion that rises to the occasion of de- tions and foreclosures, these are what
Now, I think one of the reasons fending democracy together as the come about through a catastrophe like
President Biden wouldn’t come up with United States of America. the pandemic. And, also, as the Wall
anything concrete is that almost all That speech covered the pain and the Street Journal referred to: ‘‘The pain-
the fentanyl—a drug which he wouldn’t joy that we face today. And I want to ful truth about economic recoveries is
even mention by name which is respon- start with his concluding remarks, and not that everyone bounces back finan-
sible for most of these deaths—almost I can almost hear his resonating voice, cially after a downturn.’’
all of the fentanyl is coming across the his passion, and his true reach to the There are always going to be Ameri-
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southern border, and, of course, our American people. This was the State of cans, as I said, in long-term unemploy-
President doesn’t like to talk about the Union, the first, and so when the ment, weak labor markets, inexperi-
the southern border because we have a question was asked, President Biden enced workers, evictions and fore-
largely open southern border in which said my report is this: ‘‘The state of closures, and people trapped in difficult
90 to 100,000 people every month are the Union is strong because you, the economic conditions because there
coming across. American people, are strong.’’ needs to be a reimagining of their job.
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March 3, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1297
There are always going to be those peo- tion and the very Nation that we have nations from Europe, the Americas, to
ple. But there are policies that can because of the vote. And we will march Asia and Africa, to confront Putin, he
limit this scarring, as economists to commemorate. wanted peace. He spent countless hours
sometimes refer to it. But, sadly, as we march, the destruc- dealing with the allies.
Our President Biden, the President of tion of democracy in this country is, I His backdrop was another world war,
the United States, his American Res- believe, the ultimate results of these and World War III, for this is the great-
cue Plan has led to less of it than any radical right bills that are trying to de- est threat to Europe since World War
recovery in the last 50 years. If there stroy the right to vote after the false II. The geography lends itself to
were good-thinking people on this statement of the big lie and 2020 when Putin’s violence. He remembered those
floor, they would rise to a standing the most amount of Americans voted who fell in Normandy and elsewhere so
ovation as we did on Tuesday night. for the Presidential candidate and our that Europe might be free, and the
Long-term unemployment, While President, the President of the United Marshall Plan, and a strong Europe
most jobs will return after an economic States of all the people was elected, today, our allies, correcting the mishap
downturn, the number of people strug- Joe Biden, and KAMALA HARRIS as Vice of the past 4 years when Europe was
gling with long-term unemployment— President. put to the side and the President that
without work for at least 6 months— Can we not just accept that and be had this job gave accolades and flowers
often remains relatively high for happy about that? to Vladimir Putin and, even today, has
months after general unemployment And can we not join in the words of called our President dumb and Putin
peaks. John Lewis of the beloved community? smart. How shameful.
While the American Recovery and That is why I stand here today and But I am glad I am being led in this
Reinvestment Act of 2009 helped avert salute him and acknowledge the be- country by President Biden because he
an economic depression, the persist- loved community. knows how we fought for freedom, ex-
ence of high long-term unemployment b 1315 panded liberty, defeated totali-
2 years later led President Obama to Then I want to proceed, as a member tarianism and terror, and built a
press a Republican House for a second of the beloved community, to thank strong and the freest and most pros-
stimulus. our soldiers, some of whom I saw, if perous nation.
But in this instance, we can assure you will, when I was in the Ukraine I just repeat these words because I
that the American Rescue Plan of area, meaning, I was in the area of think it is important to realize how we
President Biden—and, by the way, Lithuania, Belarus, on the border. have helped and how he has worked to
through no fault of President Obama Now, acknowledging the strength of ensure that help is coming through our
who did not have a cooperative Repub- the President to have upwards of ability. Though our forces are not
lican Congress—this has been the least 100,000 troops around in the NATO ally going to Europe, he made it crystal
impact and the greater recovery in at countries, making sure that those clear that we will stand with our NATO
least 50 years. countries that are NATO allies are countries and that we remain strong
Mr. Speaker, don’t you think that is well-protected while providing, as the for Ukraine as they fight back.
worthy of celebration? President has indicated, substantial As has been said, light comes after
But no. There is a whining and whin- support, if you will, to our friends, the darkness. As we provide them with the
ing and whining as if the President Ukrainians, to give them strength even resources that are to be heard around
does not recognize the importance of in the face of brutality and terrorism the world, and that we, as well, forge
pressing forward on behalf of the Amer- by Vladimir Putin, whose war this is— with Ukrainian Americans and work to
ican people. no vote has been taken in Russia. This be able to help their relatives through
So let me, first of all, indicate that is his attack. the State Department.
in a few days we will be honoring and Even though, as I was in the region, Even as Putin circles Kyiv with
recognizing those foot soldiers who we continue to work with the OSCE to tanks, he will never gain, as the Presi-
marched across the Edmund Pettus push for diplomacy and peace, asking dent said, the hearts of the Ukrainian
Bridge, not once but twice, led by John Putin to come to the peace table and to people.
Robert Lewis, our late colleague, and not destroy the Ukrainian people and We want to make sure that it is
Martin Luther King, Jr., because the the democratic republic that it is, or known that we are providing the nec-
ultimate gift of democracy comes out nation, and to sit with President essary support with weapons that are
of the voices of the people who vote. Zelensky, as he reminded us this week able to be sent with intensity to
Isn’t it a shame that 100 years post that light will win over darkness. Ukraine.
the Emancipation Proclamation for Putin would not have it. Even though But the human cost is evident, and I
the second time in 1865 after the Eman- his soldiers have surrendered, and they will just take you down memory lane,
cipation Proclamation of 1863 that 1965 are without food, they are still a major that you have seen. This is the violence
had to be the year that President Lyn- threat. They are without knowledge, as of Putin, the violence of Russia. Amer-
don Baines Johnson that again we rein- one dead Russian soldier had texted he ica has been a defender in all the crises
forced the 15th Amendment of the right did not know why he was there. that we have faced, the violence. This
to vote. Isn’t that a shame to take young kids is the Putin who said this is an oper-
And here we are today in a primary and destroy their lives because of your ation but is not attempting to hurt the
that was held in Texas, the first pri- own power hungriness and the lack of Ukrainian people.
mary in the Nation, and it was a dis- understanding of what the world order Look at this person who is harmed.
aster because of SB 1 led by Repub- is and to kill recklessly human beings? Look at them praying, their hands up.
licans to take the vote right out of the But the President of the United The despair of destruction, but that de-
mouths of seniors, African Americans, States held together this wonderful al- struction is not going to weaken the
Hispanics, veterans, soldiers, and stu- liance of NATO countries around peace. Ukrainian people—the despair, but not
dents, gleefully so that they would I want to be very clear: I want peace. defeat; the violence, but not defeat.
have an upper hand rejecting 30 to 40 I am not an offender; I am a defender. In the course of the work that we
percent mailed blots. I want us to use diplomacy. I want us have been doing, I recommended last
This is a picture of John Lewis on to embrace the migrants or the immi- week that America’s efforts to stop
that bridge. We will commemorate that grants, African immigrants and others Russia should be in the financial pock-
march this weekend because we believe that are coming out of Ukraine, treat- ets. The ruble is down. It is in the
in democracy. We believe in the forth- ing everyone to the opportunity of midst of rubble, by the way, but the
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rightness of the democratic Republic being able to escape as a refugee, if you ruble is down.
being held up, being held up by the will, from the violence, now a million People are suffering. It is shameful
shoulders and the strength of those displaced persons. But I want diplo- because the American people care
foot soldiers of 1965, un-named, as there macy and peace. about people, and it is shameful that
were those who fought for the 1964 Civil Yet, as the President spent months the currency is impacting Russians
Rights Act, held up the very Constitu- building a coalition of freedom-loving who have not voted for this war.
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H1298 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 3, 2022
But it is important, as well, that, as first came in the bottomless belly of a then you add, really, salt to the wound
I called for in my district, the need for slave boat. and talk about the poisonous and real-
Putin to be charged as a war criminal. It is important that we acknowledge ly difficult manner of trying to ensure
That is an imperative, and now an in- with dignity. Race is not toxic and so that there is no restraint on guns.
vestigation has been opened. toxic that we cannot discuss it with be- I introduced the Kimberly Vaughan
This is not a family that has—this is nevolence and through the beloved storage bill that I hope to see pass and
an example of mothers with newborn community. to work with other Members who, like-
babies fleeing. Just think of you hold- How dare someone get on the floor: wise, are working hard to get Ameri-
ing a newborn baby safely in the Oh, he didn’t talk about that racism cans to understand the necessity of
United States. But mothers are fleeing thing. storing their guns.
with 1-week-old babies. It is a tragedy. You walk a mile in our shoes. Walk a I continue to work on the healing
A surrogate had twins, and that fam- mile in our shoes. We don’t carry rac- legislation that deals with H.R. 40, the
ily in the United States is struggling ism as an anger tool. We don’t walk Commission to Study and Develop Rep-
to get those newborn twins to safety. around and dislike people. We embrace aration Proposals, supported by the
This is what Vladimir Putin has ren- our brothers and sisters. NAACP, the National Urban League,
dered. I would say to you, we are not I am on the floor with colleagues the National Action Network, and the
going to let him win, and the Ukrain- from many different places. I relish the Congressional Black Caucus, not out of
ians will not let him win. The United interaction. I know they are with me, anger but out of a sense of under-
States will not let him win. as I am with them. standing and restoration and repair,
Thank you, President Biden, for But when someone comes and con- humbly saying: Let’s take a look. Let’s
bringing our allies together as we con- tinues, as Republicans have done, to make sure that we have a pathway to
tinue to try and stand strong. take this, as led by their leader, their do better, as we have a pathway for
But we are not unmindful of what has guide, their god, which is what Presi- economic development, as we have a
to be done for the American people. We dent Trump has become, and he has de- pathway for childcare, as we have a
are not unmindful for inflation. And so cided that the critical race theory is a pathway for creating the care economy
I hope that his announcement of Make fake argument—it has a basis in ana- that was proposed by the President and
It In America, of the 65,000 highways lyzing law, as it has impacted groups in Build Back Better, as we have a
and infrastructure that is going to be like African Americans and promoted pathway for getting our voting rights,
fixed because of the enormity and the racism. as we have a pathway for helping with
importance of the bipartisan infra- It should not be where we are raising
police-community relationships, as we
structure bill, along with the final pas- our children on it. I agree. It is not a
have a pathway for bringing down
sage of the COMPETES Act, that we lesson for pre-K, elementary school,
crime and helping our families and pro-
will see Americans getting back to maybe even middle school. But under-
tecting victims, as the almost $1 mil-
work and that we will work extensively standing that there have been dif-
lion that I was able to get for the Hous-
to bring down the cost of living. ferences and that we seek to heal them
ton Police Department to restore their
And I, frankly, believe that that can is crucial.
I take great umbrage to the demean- crime victims’ office. What a celebra-
be brought down with the passage of tion we had. We are waiting for those
ing of Black Lives Matter, which fate-
Build Back Better, where we will guar- resources so they can get to work and
fully brought to our attention the hei-
antee that you spend no more than 7 make sure victims are not left alone,
nous killing of Trayvon Martin and
percent for childcare. That is why as we know that they are.
have stood alongside families time
women are not in the workforce during I simply want to conclude my re-
after time after time because no one,
this pandemic—which is still existing; marks by saying we are strong and also
including America’s best law enforce-
we are at the end of it, we hope and to indicate we have solutions like in
ment agencies across America, wants
pray—because they could not pay for, the Build Back Better, not one of you
to have the treatment of their neigh-
with not having a job, childcare. will be left out of having healthcare.
Why can’t we move on childcare? We bors unfairly.
Those who have done so, they stand Work needs to be done. For the 12
will. That is the work ahead. That is States, we have expanded Medicaid to a
with us for accountability. They see
what I know the Congressional Pro- Federal program, and that must be
the value in the George Floyd Justice
gressive Caucus wants to see. That will where we ensure and assure that we
in Policing Act. They see the value in
help bring down costs, along with the can make it work. Wouldn’t that be a
the original George Floyd bill that I in-
continuation of the child tax credit. relief for young families, single Ameri-
troduced that was about police train-
The work to be done is to respond to cans, students, to be able to access a
ing and investing in the 18,000 police
your needs, dealing with inflation, Federal Medicaid program, health for
departments.
which includes the 11,000 jobs that will We have an array of positions, but everyone.
come about through implementing—as the President indicated that he was Let me remind my hometown: We are
the President said, we have announced looking to work with communities to in the Gulf region and, yes, we flood.
and now are going to work on the bi- bring down crime—good for him—even We are still fighting from Hurricane
partisan infrastructure bill. to the extent of being a champion for Harvey, the looks of this, and the kind
You will see no more collapsed of loss of homes, the largest cata-
provisions that came from the Judici-
bridges in America’s cities. It is the strophic loss of homes in the history of
ary Committee, along with other com-
first and most historic infrastructure the State of Texas, from flooding, from
mittees, about bringing down commu-
bill, I think, in the last 50 years or the hurricane. Our citizens, this is
nity violence.
more. We are not afraid of going right after what they face.
We must make that child tax credit it because we know our families are But guess what? Between the Army
permanent because that is going to suffering. Corps of Engineers, Harris County
help our families. Flood District, 18th Congressional Dis-
We must recognize the importance of b 1330 trict, the infrastructure bill, and the
the COMPETES Act because, in fact, Is there any attention to gun vio- funding that we hope will come from
we must overcome that import of the lence? The rampant, unbelievable, the omnibus that has been so carefully
semiconductor industry and the tools reckless laws of Republican Governors, negotiated, we will be confronting
needed. We cannot rely on China. We like permitless carry in the State of these as the President signs the omni-
must bring it home. The COMPETES Texas, that have simply brought us bus, but more importantly, as the in-
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Act will help us bring it home. down to our knees because guns are ev- frastructure bill is implemented.
We must recognize that social justice erywhere, stolen out of cars, people We are going to address the crises of
is imperative, as well. We just finished buying guns like they don’t have any disasters in America all over, the fires
Black History Month to reemphasize conscience, buying them off of streets. to the hurricanes because the Presi-
the importance of the history of Afri- Where do they get them? They can dent is leading, and the Congress,
can Americans in this country who originally start in a legal system, but under the leadership of Speaker PELOSI
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March 3, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1299
and CHUCK SCHUMER, is answering the Because of the Bipartisan Infrastructure We must make the Child Tax Credit perma-
call of the American people. Law, we will build a national network of nent to ensure the prosperity of America and
Remember what I said. The President 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations, its children.
has announced that the State of the begin to replace poisonous lead pipes so What should also pique the interests and
Union is strong, that America is every child and every American has clean / spark the hopes of Americans is the House’s
strong, that we are united, and that we water to drink at home and at school, and pro- recent passage of the COMPETES Act.
will not fail. He will lead by example. vide affordable high-speed internet for every This remarkable piece of legislation will take
Social justice is not off the table. American in urban, suburban, rural, and tribal on inflation and rebuild U.S. supply chains that
And the respect for people’s advocacy, communities. have been eroded by monopolies that stopped
as young people, like Black Lives Mat- 4,000 projects have already been an- investing in America, bringing down costs for
ter, NAACP, Urban League, National nounced. working people.
Action Network, Congressional Black We will also begin to improve over 65,000 Because of this bill, the American semicon-
Caucus, American Civil Liberties miles of highway and 1,500 bridges in dis- ductor industry will take our reliance off the
Union, League of Women Voters, repair. likes of China and allow us to chart a new
LULAC, and an array of others, Asian- The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a once- course forward with economic self-sufficiency
Pacific friends, and everyone around, in-a-generation investment in our Nation’s in- being the centerpiece.
southeast Asians, I have named them frastructure and competitiveness, and when its The America COMPETES Act will spur
all, and, of course, our Native Amer- full scope is realized and implemented, all greater American production of chips,
ican friends. And all those whose Americans will benefit regardless of socio- strengthen U.S. supply chains and strengthen
names may not be called, we are united economic status. American manufacturing, and advance U.S.
with all of America. And if you came Another landmark piece of legislation from scientific excellence and research.
over or Pilgrim’s Pride and were part this administration is the American Rescue Thanks to CPC members’ amendments, the
of the founding 13 Colonies, you are Plan. bill will also include policies to track carbon
part with all of us as the beloved com- COVID–19 brought about sweeping change emissions and increase green climate funding,
munity. Strong we are and strong we at an unprecedented rate, much of this ensure women and workers of color are not
will be. change had drastic impacts for Americans. left out of job creation in manufacturing, pre-
I am delighted to say the work ahead People were laid off from their jobs, evicted vent U.S. funding to countries with histories of
is in good hands. Together, with this from their homes, and in the worst cases human rights abuses, and insert guardrails
Congress and the President, America is passed on despite the heroic efforts of our against corporate self-enrichment.
in good hands. medical professionals. Through the amendment process, the Cau-
God bless you and this Congress, God But the American Rescue Plan provided a cus also secured the first vote in Congress on
bless the United States of America, and plan our country so desperately needed. U.S. sanctions policy in Afghanistan and its
It fueled our efforts to vaccinate the Nation
God bless our troops. humanitarian effects on civilian mortality and
and combat COVID–19.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my col- refugee outflows.
It delivered immediate economic relief for
leagues in the Congressional Progressive The House has also in the past week over-
tens of millions of Americans.
Caucus to participate in tonight’s special order It helped put food on their table, keep a roof whelmingly passed the Emmitt Till Anti-Lynch-
on ‘‘The Work Ahead’’ following President over their heads, and cut the cost of health in- ing Act.
Biden’s powerful State of the Union address surance. Though long overdue, the Act is sweeping
from last night. And unlike the $2 Trillion tax cut passed in in the respect that it makes lynching a hate
I thank Rep. TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ for the previous administration that benefitted the crime, subjecting violators to criminal penalties
anchoring tonight’s Congressional Progressive top 1 percent of Americans, the American like a prison term, a fine, or both.
Caucus special order. Rescue Plan helped working people—and left This legislation is critical in realizing a crimi-
Last night’s State of the Union Address by no one behind. nal justice system that prioritizes racial justice
President Biden provided an encouraging ac- Our economy created over 6.5 million new so no American so unjustly sees their end like
count of what all this Administration and Con- jobs just last year, more jobs created in one Emmitt Till.
gress have achieved for the American people. year than ever before in the history of Amer- Although it just concluded, Black History
Democrats have many legislative achieve- ica. Month was established to teach the history
ments to be proud of, beginning with the Bi- Our economy grew at a rate of 5.7% last that too often has not been taught: the history
partisan Infrastructure Law. year, the strongest growth in nearly 40 years, of Black excellence and leadership in America
Since the dawn of his campaign, improving the first step in bringing fundamental change and also the history of resistance and resil-
American infrastructure has been at the center to an economy that hasn’t worked for the ience in America.
of the President’s agenda. working people of this Nation for too long. And let me be clear: Black history is Amer-
As the President recalled, before this act American children also greatly benefitted ican history. It is living, breathing history—his-
became law our infrastructure was ranked from the American Rescue Plan, considering tory we create every day, across this Nation
13th in the world. the great impacts of the newly revamped Child and on this Floor.
Worn down infrastructure also greatly im- Tax Credit. And today, of course, our Nation faces
pacts the lives of working-class Americans try- The American Rescue Plan increased the many great challenges.
ing to complete simple tasks; like going to and Child Tax Credit from $2,000 per child to Among the greatest is the assault on the
from work, picking up their kids from school, $3,000 per child for children over the age of freedom to vote—the freedom from which all
or going across town to care for an elderly 6 and from $2,000 to $3,600 for children others flow.
family member. under the age of 6, and raised the age limit It will take an all-hands-on-deck approach to
Not committing to infrastructure significantly from 16 to 17. safeguard and strengthen the freedom to vote.
decreases our ability to fight climate change; It is the largest Child Tax Credit in the his- A hero in strengthening this right was my
without friendly EV infrastructure or access to tory of our Nation, pulling an estimated 3 mil- dear friend and colleague John Lewis.
mass public transit, our emissions will only in- lion children out of poverty. His passion was unending, symbolized by
crease, failing to meet our goal of helping de- Despite the momentous impact the Child his leading of that Bloody Sunday march
crease global temperatures by 1.5 degrees Tax Credit has, it will expire in the next fiscal across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to Selma in
Celsius. year. March of 1965.
During my tenure in Congress, I have It is therefore of the utmost importance to Despite knowing he and others would be
watched many infrastructure weeks pass by make these changes to the Child Tax Credit beaten, bloodied, bruised, and even arrested,
without results despite what I believed was an permanent. he nonetheless marched onward.
ardent commitment, but this administration has The CPC is determined to make this hap- To highlight that pivotal moment history and
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finally broken the trend. pen in this legislative session. pay homage to John Lewis, I and other mem-
As the President said, because we have We cannot delay this critical action by being bers of Congress will be making that same
passed this legislation into law, we’re done privy to political dog whistles blown by Repub- march later this week.
talking about infrastructure weeks. lican members of Congress, claiming this pol- Again, furthering his honor, the House
We’re going to have an infrastructure dec- icy is socialist, communist, or whatever the passed the John Lewis Voting Rights Ad-
ade. outlandish claim of the day is. vancement Act.
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H1300 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 3, 2022
This act would bolster voting rights by en- pewas of Wisconsin, the Seminoles of Florida, tions against Iran to respond to this
larging the government’s capability to respond the Sioux of South Dakota, the Klamaths of threat.
to voting discrimination. Oregon, and the Alaska Natives all received JOSEPH R. BIDEN, Jr.
This piece of legislation is absolutely nec- some form of reparations from America be- THE WHITE HOUSE, March 3, 2022.
essary to ensure the right to vote is had by all cause of the genocide they underwent. f
Americans, a right our Founding Fathers envi- It is therefore only right that Black people
sioned from the inception of this great Nation. CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL
receive reparations because of the history and
The legacy of Congressman Lewis, a dear EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO
oppression we have weathered and continue
friend and colleague, and with us in spirit, VENEZUELA—MESSAGE FROM
to.
must be dutifully honored. THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
Who are also not strangers to oppression
The Senate must immediately take up this STATES (H. DOC. NO. 117–99)
are the Ukrainian people at the bloodied
legislation and pass it to truly fulfill Congress’ hands of the autocrat Vladimir Putin. The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be-
mandate of serving the people of this Nation. Black Americans underwent violence in the fore the House the following message
Despite the immense progress made so far name of fully realizing their democracy, and from the President of the United
in this administration, there is still work yet to now Ukrainians are doing the same. States; which was read and, together
be done. We fought in our own way, and though re- with the accompanying papers, referred
As the President emphasized last night, we grettable, now Ukrainians must as well. to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
must pass legislation to lower the costs of They will persevere, and President Putin will and ordered to be printed:
Pre-K, health care, home-based care, and learn that democracy will never faulter in the To the Congress of the United States:
housing, and to ensure that childcare doesn’t face of cowardice and senseless aggression. Section 202(d) of the National Emer-
cost families more than 7 percent of their in- In summation, while much has been done gencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides
come—all by finally making the wealthy and by this Congress, the CPC, and the adminis- for the automatic termination of a na-
corporations pay their fair share. tration, we must continue to fight and secure tional emergency unless, within 90
He underscored the need to take meaning- a just, equitable, and prosperous future for the days prior to the anniversary date of
ful action to address the climate crisis and de- American people. its declaration, the President publishes
liver a roadmap to citizenship for immigrant Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance in the Federal Register and transmits to
communities. of my time. the Congress a notice stating that the
And as he said, ‘‘capitalism without competi- f emergency is to continue in effect be-
tion is exploitation’’—and the Progressive Cau-
FURTHER MESSAGES FROM THE yond the anniversary date. In accord-
cus is similarly committed to taking on cor-
PRESIDENT ance with this provision, I have sent to
porate profiteering and monopolistic abuse.
the Federal Register for publication the
President Biden has significant power to ef- Further messages in writing from the enclosed notice stating that the na-
fect immediate, meaningful change for people President of the United States were tional emergency declared in Executive
across America, and we urge him to use it ag- communicated to the House by Mr. Order 13692 of March 8, 2015, with re-
gressively. Adrian Swann, one of his secretaries. spect to the situation in Venezuela is
The President can use his executive author-
f to continue in effect beyond March 8,
ity to bring down the costs of prescription
2022.
drugs and stop Big Pharma’s price gouging; CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL
The situation in Venezuela continues
decrease carbon emissions to fight the climate EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO
to pose an unusual and extraordinary
crisis; cancel student debt and bolster our IRAN—MESSAGE FROM THE
threat to the national security and for-
economy; protect workers’ rights and raise PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
eign policy of the United States. There-
their wages; and provide immigration relief STATES (H. DOC. NO. 117–98)
fore, I have determined that it is nec-
and rebuild our refugee system. The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be-
In the coming weeks, the Progressive Cau- essary to continue the national emer-
fore the House the following message gency declared in Executive Order 13692
cus will release our executive action agenda from the President of the United
for the President that details these steps, and with respect to the situation in Ven-
States; which was read and, together ezuela.
more. with the accompanying papers, referred
‘‘Democrats in the White House and Con- JOSEPH R. BIDEN, Jr.
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs THE WHITE HOUSE, March 3, 2022.
gress have shown how much we can accom- and ordered to be printed:
plish in a year. f
If we remain steadfast to our commitment to To the Congress of the United States: SENATE ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED
providing relief our communities need, low- Section 202(d) of the National Emer-
gencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides The Speaker announced her signa-
ering costs, and making life easier for working
for the automatic termination of a na- ture to enrolled bills of the Senate of
people, we can deliver.’’
tional emergency unless, within 90 the following titles:
One step that must be taken to again seek
racial justice is the passage of H.R. 40. days prior to the anniversary date of S. 321.—An act to award a Congressional
its declaration, the President publishes Gold Medal to the members of the Women’s
H.R. 40 was initially introduced by the late
Army Corps who were assigned to the 6888th
Michigan Representative John Conyers, and I in the Federal Register and transmits to
Central Postal Directory Battalion, known
have introduced it in this Congress. the Congress a notice stating that the as the ‘‘Six Triple Eight’’.
This bill establishes the Commission to emergency is to continue in effect be- S. 854.—An act to designate methamphet-
Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for yond the anniversary date. In accord- amine as an emerging threat, and for other
African Americans. ance with this provision, I have sent to purposes.
The commission shall examine slavery and the Federal Register for publication the S. 1543.—An act to amend the Public
discrimination in the colonies and the United enclosed notice stating that the na- Health Service Act to provide best practices
tional emergency with respect to Iran on student suicide awareness and prevention
States from 1619 to the present and rec-
training and condition State educational
ommend appropriate remedies. that was declared on March 15, 1995, is
agencies, local educational agencies, and
The commission shall identify the role of the to continue in effect beyond March 15, tribal educational agencies receiving funds
federal and state governments in supporting 2022. under section 520A of such Act to establish
the institution of slavery, forms of discrimina- The actions and policies of the Gov- and implement a school-based student sui-
tion in the public and private sectors against ernment of Iran continue to pose an cide awareness and prevention training pol-
freed slaves and their descendants, and lin- unusual and extraordinary threat to icy.
gering negative effects of slavery on living Af- the national security, foreign policy, S. 1662.—An act to increase funding for the
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rican Americans and society. and economy of the United States. Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and
Drug Administration and for the Foundation
This bill is the first step in righting the histor- For these reasons, I have determined
for the National Institutes of Health.
ical wrong that was slavery. that it is necessary to continue the na- S. 3706.—An act to provide for the applica-
The United States have given reparations to tional emergency declared in Executive tion of certain provisions of the Secure
Japanese Americans who were wrongfully in- Order 12957 with respect to Iran and to Rural Schools and Community Self-Deter-
terned, The Ottawas of Michigan, the Chip- maintain in force comprehensive sanc- mination Act of 2000 for fiscal year 2021.
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