Congressional Record, May 12, 2022 — House
Summary
Congressional Record, House, pages H4872 and H4873, dated May 12, 2022. Schneider speaks in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. Under the heading It Is Time to Act on Social Security, Larson says he includes in the Record two articles: one by Mark Miller, dated May 5, 2022, on Social Security reform, and one submitted by Michelle Holder on the early impact of COVID–19 on job losses among Black women in the United States. Larson also urges passage of the Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act of 2022. The page closes with a tribute by Greene of Georgia to Road Patrol Corporal Christopher Dye.
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“Congressional Record, May 12, 2022 — House.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2022-05-12-crec-2022-05-12-pt1-pgh4872-134ada08ab/
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H4872 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 12, 2022
My generation, and all who have aging their classrooms. A study found tled, ‘‘It’s time for U.S. Congress to de-
come after, have benefited beyond that the mental health of colleges stu- bate Social Security reform in the
measure from ensuring that women dents declined between 2013 and 2021, light of day’’ by The New York Times
have control over their bodies and are with 135 percent increase in depression, reporter Mark Miller.
able to make their personal healthcare and 110 percent increase in anxiety. The second is ‘‘The Early Impact of
decisions in private counsel with their According to the CDC, during the COVID–19 on Job Losses among Black
families and their doctors, without pandemic 18- to 24-year-olds became 25 Women in the United States’’ sub-
having to risk their safety or their percent more likely to report they had mitted by Michelle Holder.
lives. seriously considered suicide. In my dis- IT’S TIME FOR U.S. CONGRESS TO DEBATE SO-
In the House, we passed the Women’s trict, Dylan Buckner, a star quarter- CIAL SECURITY REFORM IN THE LIGHT OF
Health Protection Act to codify Roe. back due to graduate with honors in DAY
Across the Capitol yesterday, 51 Sen- mere months, was lost to suicide in (By Mark Miller, May 5, 2022)
ators turned their backs on women’s January of 2021, devastating his family, (Reuters).—Social Security has never
rights and voted against this legisla- friends, and community. failed to make its benefit payments since the
tion. It is shameful. I am calling on the More recently, my community lost a mailing of monthly checks began in 1940, but
Senate to work together to protect shining light, Orli Sheffey, to suicide most Americans these days are worried
women across the country. We cannot this spring. She was a wonderful young about the future of the program.
woman I had the privilege of knowing Who can blame them? Social Security’s
afford to backslide. We must preserve
her entire life. Her parents, Steve and two trust funds are projected to run dry in
access to safe medical procedures and 2034, and the program would be able to pay
respect women’s bodily autonomy. Timna, her sisters, Ariel and Ayelet,
only 80 percent of its obligations to retirees
are heartbroken but are also com-
b 1115 mitted to helping others get the men-
and disabled workers at that point. Politi-
cians don’t exactly generate confidence when
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH tal healthcare they need. Steve specifi- they make irresponsible—and wrong—com-
Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I cally asked that Congress take up the ments claiming that Social Security is going
rise today in recognition of Mental issue of mental health on college cam- bankrupt or running out of money.
Health Awareness Month. puses. The result is public skepticism and con-
As President Biden declared in his Another of my constituents lost their cern. Forty-two percent of working Ameri-
proclamation this month, each May we son, Washington Metropolitan Police cans tell Pew Research Center pollsters that
Officer Jeff Smith, due to physical and they doubt they will receive any benefits
raise awareness about the importance from Social Security. An equal share thinks
of mental health and its impact on the mental injuries incurred on January 6.
they will receive a benefit, but at a reduced
well-being of all Americans, including Officer Smith’s father shared with me
level.
children, adults, families, and commu- that the stigma around mental health The Social Security trustees have been
nities across our Nation. and the lack of access to care contrib- projecting this shortfall since the early
We also give thanks to the dedicated uted to his tragic loss. 1990s, but the U.S. Congress has failed to act.
mental health providers whose service Orli’s, Dylan’s, and Jeff’s stories, like What we need is a full, public debate on re-
and support improve the lives of so everyone’s, are specific to their indi- form legislation—and an actual vote by law-
many Americans. We stand in soli- vidual circumstances, but the tragedy makers. The window is open for that to hap-
of young lives cut short and the inci- pen this year—the Democratic Party has de-
darity with those who are experiencing veloped an internal consensus on legislation
mental health conditions, renewing our dence of people of all ages not able to
get the care they need reflect our na- that addresses the solvency problem, and
commitment to providing them with also expands benefits modestly. It controls
the support they need and deserve. tional failure to meet this mental both legislative chambers—at least for now.
Madam Speaker, every day Ameri- health moment. The Social Security 2100 Act is supported by
As a Nation, we desperately need 202 House Democrats—in other words, nearly
cans bear a tremendous mental health
more mental health awareness, edu- the entire party caucus. The bill probably
burden, exacerbated by COVID–19. The
cation, and better mental health serv- cannot jump the hurdle of a Republican fili-
pandemic has increased daily chal-
ices. We need more mental health pro- buster in the U.S. Senate, but it is impera-
lenges for all of us and for so many tive to get everyone in Congress on the
viders and residents available to both
have pushed us to our limits. Frontline record with a vote on this issue.
adults and to children to address the
workers, seniors forced into isolation, ‘‘People have got to know where you
access gap that so many families con-
parents juggling work and teaching our stand,’’ said U.S. Representative John Lar-
front.
kids from home, and especially our Getting America healthy requires
son, a Connecticut Democrat and chief spon-
young people navigating life’s deci- sor of the legislation.
that we get those facing these chal-
sions, often without the basic support lenges the resources they need, or if we
EXPANDED BENEFITS
systems they deserve and need. as a Nation are going to achieve our The Social Security 2100 legislation would
We feel the impact of our daily inter- close 52 percent of the long-term shortfall,
greatest potential, then we must help according to an analysis by the Social Secu-
action with family, friends, neighbors,
the sickest among us get healthy so rity actuaries. It would push the trust fund
and even strangers, and we see the im-
they can reach their full potential. depletion date back to 2038 by adding new
pact in the numbers. Increased demand In Illinois, you can use the Call4Calm payroll taxes to wages over $400,000—cur-
for mental health services, rising inci- text line. If you or a loved one are rently, taxation stops at $147,000. Earlier
dents of domestic violence, and far too struggling with stress related to the versions of the bill restored solvency for 75
often stories of people, old and young, COVID pandemic and need emotional years by also gradually increasing payroll
losing all hope and dying by suicide. support, text ‘‘talk’’ to 552020. It is tax rates, but that has been eliminated to re-
I have heard from the Ann & Robert free, and it is anonymous. Veterans can flect President Joe Biden’s campaign pledge
H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago not to raise taxes on people with incomes
call 1–800–273–8255 or text 838255. The below $400,000 per year.
about the severity of the pediatric number for the National Suicide Pre-
mental health crisis. Prior to the pan- The bill does recognize the need to expand
vention Hotline is 800–273–8255. benefits, which can help address rising in-
demic, Lurie Children’s used to get 50
f come inequality, and racial and gender gaps
calls per week for new appointments in retirement security. The COVID–19 pan-
for mental health services. They are IT IS TIME TO ACT ON SOCIAL demic has widened those gaps. What’s more,
now getting 50 calls a day. Their emer- SECURITY Gen-Xers and Millennials are likely to fare
gency department treated a The SPEAKER pro tempore. The even worse than boomers and today’s seniors
prepandemic two to three suicide at- Chair recognizes the gentleman from when they reach retirement. This is the re-
tempts each month. That number has sult of factors including escalating higher-
Connecticut (Mr. LARSON) for 5 min-
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jumped to two or three attempts each education costs, staggering student debt bur-
utes. dens, wage stagnation, soaring housing costs
day. Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam and the decline of traditional defined benefit
Countless teachers have come to me Speaker, I am here this morning to pensions.
telling me about the struggles their talk about Social Security. Social Security 2100 includes a modest 2
students are facing and the increasing Madam Speaker, I include in the percent across-the-board boost in benefits,
difficulties they endure simply man- RECORD two articles: The first is enti- and it would shift the annual cost-of-living
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May 12, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4873
increase to a more generous formula. It also ment. However, the first signs of the massive demographic groups during the Great Reces-
includes targeted benefit increases such as a job losses that were to come appeared when sion, according to Haynes, Miller, and
new minimum benefit level for very low in- initial claims filed for unemployment insur- Schaller (2012) the smallest absolute increase
come seniors, and improved benefits for wid- ance rose to unprecedented levels in March, in unemployment during that downturn oc-
ows and widowers. It also would provide leaping from approximately 220,000 new curred among White women. Those research-
caregiver credits that increase benefits for claims filed each week since the start of the ers attributed this to the industrial distribu-
people who take time out of the workforce to year to an astonishing 3.3 million by the tion of women whom, they posited, tend to
care for dependent family members. And it third week in March, then more than dou- be employed in industries less vulnerable to
would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provi- bling the following week to 6.9 million. cyclicality than industries in which men are
sion (WEP) and Government Pension Offset While this pace slowed down in May, new concentrated. Women of color, however, were
(GPO), which currently penalize many people claims for unemployment insurance in the more vulnerable than women overall, given
who work in the public sector. United States still numbered in the millions the roles of race and ethnicity in that
What would Republicans do to solve the each week. With shelter-in-place orders im- group’s industrial distribution.
Social Security problem if they take control plemented across the country in February The current economic downturn in the
of Congress next year? and March, along with state-by-state manda- United States, however, is quite unlike busi-
Earlier versions of Republican reform tory shutdowns of ‘‘nonessential’’ businesses, ness cycle downturns of the past. The normal
plans have called for benefit cuts in the form aggregate demand for many goods and serv- predictions and expectations of where job
of higher retirement ages and means testing. ices ground to a halt, leaving tens of mil- losses were going to occur have not closely
U.S. Senator Rick Scott, a Florida Repub- lions of American workers jobless. followed past patterns. Industries such as
lican, recently set off a small firestorm with As the pandemic unfolded, industries leisure and hospitality, retail trade, con-
a proposal to sunset all federal legislation deemed nonessential, such as leisure, hospi- struction, manufacturing, and ‘‘other serv-
every five years—an idea that at least in the- tality, and retail trade, were leveled. Many ices’’ (including personal care services) were
ory would require regular reauthorization of occupations in these industries are low-wage, labeled as ‘‘nonessential,’’ and companies op-
Social Security and Medicare. He also wants and women constitute a greater share of the erating in these industries were ordered,
every American to pay income taxes—no low-wage labor force in the United States state by state, to temporarily cease or slow
matter their level of income. than men (Holder 2018, 689). Moreover, the down operations. Industries operating in the
Republicans have also made clear that largest share of minimum wage workers in sphere of ‘‘essential services’’ were allowed
they prefer to handle Social Security reform America is female (Holder 2017, 12). Thus, to continue, but with significant restric-
behind closed doors. Senator Mitt Romney, a when the US Department of Labor’s Bureau tions, resulting in significant declines in
Utah Republican, has proposed the ironically of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their economic activity. With much of the US pop-
named TRUST Act, which would create a monthly ‘‘Employment Situation’’ report for ulation sheltering in place during the early
closed process for legislators to propose April on May 8 (a week later than it nor- phases of the pandemic—including those em-
changes to the Social Security and Medicare mally would have) it was met with only mod- ployees who were able to work from home—
trust funds, culminating in an up or down est surprise that the April unemployment other industries still considered essential,
vote process. rate for women exceeded the unemployment like transportation, experienced a massive
This approach is a favorite play for law- rate for men—16.2 percent versus 13.2 per- slowdown m activity. Unlike the Great Re-
makers looking to keep their fingerprints off cent, respectively (US DOL 2020). The pat- cession and the recession of the early 1980s,
unpopular legislation—bills emerge from tern of higher unemployment for women as women, particularly women of color, were
faceless, bipartisan committees. The last compared to men is also true in the Black bearing the brunt of early job losses given
time it was attempted for Social Security community, along with the US’s long-stand- the extraordinary nature in which economic
was the unsuccessful Bowles-Simpson com- ing pattern of an unemployment rate for activity was deliberately, not organically,
mission, which proposed a range of unpopu- Blacks that routinely exceeds that of slowed down or halted. Rising unemploy-
lar benefit cuts in 2011 that would have im- Whites—16.7 percent and 14.2 percent, respec- ment among women, given their overrepre-
pacted middle-class seniors. tively (US DOL 2020). sentation in service industries and occupa-
Fighting to improve Social Security would As COVID–19 deaths began to mount, it be- tions, became pervasive (see Boushey and
fulfill a promise that Biden made as a presi- came clear that African Americans were dis- Sanchez Cumming 2020). While jobholding by
dential candidate, and it could energize vot- parately affected not only with regard to Black women in services deemed essential
ers. Public opinion polling has consistently their livelihoods, but also their very lives; (like hospitals and supermarkets) offered
shown strong public support for maintaining while the Black community is 13 percent of some insulation against job loss, this was
current benefit levels, even if new taxes are the US population, given inequitable access not enough to offset large job losses in other
needed. to healthcare as well as other structural in- sectors.
New polling by Data for Progress shows equalities, they accounted for roughly one- CHANGES IN LABOR FORCE INDICATORS FOR
that increasing benefits would make a large quarter of all deaths in the country as of WOMEN DURING THE EARLY PANDEMIC
chunk of independent voters more likely to May 28, 2020 (US CDC 2020). Moreover, as
support Democratic candidates for Congress The seasonally adjusted US unemployment
some American workers were able to do their rate for April 2020 climbed by slightly more
this fall. The idea of shoring up Social Secu- jobs from the comfort of their homes, a high
rity polls extremely well with middle-class than 10 percentage points, to 14.7 percent
proportion of ‘‘essential’’ workers (somewhat from 4.4 percent in March. This increase was
Americans: 63 percent of those without a col- loosely defined as those who work in super-
lege degree tell Pew pollsters that Social Se- the largest month-to-month change in over
markets, public transportation, pharmacies, 70 years. Moreover, the April unemployment
curity finances should a top priority for Con- grocery stores, nursing homes, hospitals, and
gress and the president. rate was nearly 50 percent higher than the
correctional facilities, among other indus- average US unemployment rate during the
This is a battle worth fighting in 2022. tries) were African American, other people of
-- 18–month period of the Great Recession. This
color, women, and an intersection of the was clearly an astonishing rate of job loss.
[From Levy Economics Institute of Bard these groups—women of color. The goal of
College, July 2020] Drilling down the numbers by gender and
this paper is to closely examine the con- race, Latinas appear to have experienced the
Working Paper No. 963 tours, depth, and causes of COVID–l9’s im- highest unemployment rate in April—20.2
THE EARLY IMPACT OF COVID–19 ON JOB pact on Black women’s employment in the percent—followed by African American
LOSSES AMONG BLACK WOMEN IN THE United States. Because the early job loss women at 16.2 percent; White women’s unem-
UNITED STATES numbers indicate that women in the United ployment rate reached 15 percent (US DOL
By States have thus far borne the brunt of the 2020). However, the change in the rate of un-
COVID–19–inspired downturn, most demo- employment only captures part of the story;
(Michelle Holder, John Jay College, City
graphic comparisons we make in this text after averaging approximately 63 percent for
University of New York)
will be between female demographic groups, the first quarter of 2020, the overall labor
(Janelle Jones, Groundwork Collaborative) primarily Black and White women, using the force participation rate declined to just over
(Thomas Masterson, Levy Economics lenses of both feminist economic theory and 60 percent in April, signaling the start of an
Institute of Bard College) stratification economics. exodus from the American labor force. The
INTRODUCTION GENDER AND RACE IN THE COVID–19 DOWNTURN official unemployment rate does not capture
The COVID–19 pandemic seemingly ap- The recession of the early 1980s, as well as individuals who are not in the labor force,
peared out of nowhere but changed nearly the Great Recession, were downturns in and that number swelled by about 8 million
everything. Until February of 2020, the which men, Black workers, and Latinx work- in April, with nearly half of this increase at-
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American economy had been at what is con- ers experienced disproportionate job loss, tributable to persons who wanted to work
sidered full employment levels—3.5 percent mostly attributable to the industrial dis- but who could not find employment.
overall. Even African Americans, who tradi- tribution of these groups—they tend to be Among major female demographic groups
tionally occupy a less favorable position in employed in industries that are more vulner- for whom the BLS provides monthly data,
the labor market (as measured by unemploy- able to cyclical downturns (Hoynes, Miller, Black women possessed both the highest
ment and wage disparities) were experi- and Schaller 2012). Although there were labor force participation rate as well as em-
encing historically low levels of unemploy- across-the-board job losses among all major ployment-population ratio, leaving this
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H4874 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 12, 2022
group especially vulnerable to the COVID–19– ment losses for Black women. The only two what our colleague John Lewis said
inspired downturn, given their strong at- major occupational categories that experi- was the next civil rights movement,
tachment to the workforce. Black women’s enced employment declines greater than 50 and that is to make sure we uplift ev-
unemployment rate for April shot up to 16.4 percent—‘‘food preparation and serving’’
erybody in this country who has
percent, higher than that for Black men, (which accounts for just over 5 percent of all
whose unemployment rate reached 16.2 per- workers) and ‘‘personal care and services’’ worked all their lives, paid into a sys-
cent that month. Unlike the Great Recession (which accounts for nearly 3 percent of all tem, and receives below-poverty-level
of 2007–9, where the unemployment rate for workers)—are two occupations where, among checks from their government.
Black men significantly exceeded that of Black and White employees, Black women That is about to end with the passage
Black women, the early impact of COVID–19 are the only demographic group overrepre- of Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust,
on unemployment has clearly been ‘‘gen- sented in both. called the sacred trust by President
dered,’’ with more intense ramifications for The pandemic has catalyzed a public Biden because it is. We no longer have
African American women. health and economic crisis on a scale not to go back to the Great Depression to
In comparing Black and White women, in seen since the Great Depression. In one
February of this year, prior to the initial im- month, the unemployment rate increased by
talk about the impact of Social Secu-
pact of COVID–19 on US employment, Black 10 percentage points, the largest month-to- rity and why it came into prominence.
women not only had a higher unemployment month increase in more than a generation. You only have to go back as far as 2008–
rate than White women (4.8 percent versus While the devastation has been widespread, 2009 to understand that during that re-
2.8 percent, respectively), but also a higher it is not shared equitably across race and cession, people saw their 401(k) become
labor force participation rate (63.8 percent gender. There are two main reasons why a 101(k).
versus 58.2 percent, respectively). Feminist Black women are disproportionately im- During that same time period, Social
economists such as Nina Banks (2019), Cecilia pacted by the COVID–19 recession. First, Security never missed a payment, not
Conrad (2005), and Randy Albelda (1985) have Black women in the labor market face high
long highlighted the historically higher
a spousal, not a dependent coverage
levels of occupational and industrial seg-
labor force participation rate of Black regation. Second, Black women’s strong at- payment, not a pension payment, and
women compared to White women in the tachment to the labor market, as measured not a disability payment.
United States. As noted in the preceding by their labor force participation rate and With Memorial Day approaching, it
paragraph, this attachment to the labor employment-to-population ratio, makes was good listening to the Members
force also makes Black women more vulner- them more vulnerable to economic come and talk about honoring our vet-
able during economic downturns. In exam- downturns, and this current recession is no erans on Memorial Day. Several came
ining table 1, while there appears to be little exception. down this week honoring National Po-
difference in the increase in the unemploy- Unlike previous economic downturns, in- lice Week as well, talking about police
ment rate from February to April for Black dustries once thought immune to recessions
women compared to White women, because
officers who need help. Millions of po-
were ordered by government officials to stop
of Black women’s more entrenched—and, at or significantly slow their activity. Between lice officers and their spouses across
the same time, more precarious attachment February and April, when the economy shed this country, because of WEP and GPO,
to the American workforce (evidenced by millions of jobs, Black women experienced are penalized and don’t receive the So-
historically higher unemployment rates than larger-than-overall declines in employment cial Security benefits that they richly
White women)—the impact of COVID–19 on due to their concentration in parts of the deserve. President Biden has put an
Black women’s position in the labor force economy. Black women are overrepresented end to that.
has been somewhat deeper than that for in ‘‘essential’’ jobs, like nursing assistants RICHARD NEAL has also introduced
White women, with slightly larger (and sta- and cashiers, while at the same time also legislation as well with respect to that.
tistically significant) declines for Black overrepresented in occupations and indus-
women than White women in both the labor tries that are shedding workers by the mil-
So has Mr. DAVIS and Mr. BRADY on the
force participation rate and the employ- lions, such as hotels, restaurants, and retail Republican side. It is long overdue. If
ment-population ratio. trade. In responding to this economic crisis, you want to help police officers, if you
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION policymakers must firmly commit to a pol- want to help our veterans, so many of
The early job losses during the COVID–19 icy agenda that provides immediate relief to whom rely more on Social Security
pandemic were characterized by gender and those who need it and make our economy Disability than they do on the VA, we
racial disparities. With regard to job losses more stable and equitable in the future. In need to reform Social Security. Con-
by industry, the ‘‘healthcare and social serv- the short term, we should continue to give gress has not enhanced Social Security
ices’’ industry accounted for nearly 14 per- direct support to families through cash pay-
ments and an expansion of unemployment
in more than 51 years. A gallon of milk
cent of all workers in the United States but in 1971 cost 72 cents. Look at the cost
28 percent of employed Black women and 22 benefits. In the long term, we can enact poli-
cies that fix the structural flaws of our sys- now, not only of milk but of bread and
percent of employed White women; the 17
percent decline in employment in this indus- tem, including using economic measures tied butter and gas and rent, and under-
try, therefore, was bound to have an outsized directly to the position and status of Black stand the absolute necessity to help
impact on women. Feminist economic theory women in order to more accurately deter- out the people who during this pan-
has explored the role that discrimination mine when an economy has reached those demic need it the most.
plays in occupational crowding by gender, often left behind. Congress can no longer kick the can
notably the historical exclusion of women Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam down the road. This is our responsi-
from jobs that are deemed more appropriate Speaker, I think as Martin Luther bility on our watch; and on Memorial
for men (see Beller 1982). In addition, Black King would say, it is the ‘‘fierce ur- Day, every citizen in this country
women, along with Black men, suffered dis- gency of now’’ that we are dealing
proportionately staggering losses in the ‘‘ac-
ought to be asking Congress what it is
commodation and food services’’ industry, an
with, and by that I mean the fierce ur- going to do. What do we have to do? A
industry leveled during the pandemic, where gency being the pandemic that this very simple thing that we take an oath
the overrepresentation of Black female and country is currently going through. of office and raise our hands and pledge
Black male workers exceeds that of their That pandemic has taken more than allegiance to the Constitution, and
White counterparts. This industry offers no- 740,000 Americans over the age of 65. that is vote. Vote on an issue that will
toriously low wages and stratification eco- That same group over the age of 65 is help the people of this great Nation
nomic theory suggests that privileged groups the group that is hurt most by infla- out: People who have been neglected,
have a material interest in maintaining tion. Why? Because they are on fixed
sexism and racism—as well as other forms of
more than 3 million who have paid in
oppression—because benefits accrue to ad-
incomes. They are Social Security re- all their lives and get below-poverty-
vantaged groups as a whole (see Darity et. cipients. And they need our help now. level checks; millennials and Gen Xers,
al. 2017). This is true even though the bene- The good news, thanks to the efforts who are going to need Social Security
fits do not necessarily accrue to all indi- of Chairman NEAL and the Ways and even more than the 10,000 baby
vidual members of the privileged group at all Means Committee, we have established boomers a day who become eligible for
times. Thus, discrimination can and does a Racial Equity Task Force. The gen- Social Security. The time to act is
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persist in market-based economies. The tlewoman from Alabama (Ms. SEWELL), now.
crowding of Black workers in low-wage in- the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Let’s heed the words of Martin Lu-
dustries is suggestive of opportunity hoard-
ing by White workers, consistent with strati-
HORSFORD), and the gentleman from ther King and understand the ‘‘fierce
fication economic theory. California (Mr. GOMEZ) have all put to- urgency of now’’ so that people won’t
Occupationally, the roles of both gender gether extensive reporting that talks have to put food back on the shelves
and race proved to be disastrous for employ- about the inequality that exists in that they can’t afford or be turned
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May 12, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4875
back from the drugs that they need to tion and continue the program for I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the
purchase and that they have a quality south Texans and Americans across United States of America, and to the Repub-
of life that they richly deserve in the this country. lic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
wealthiest nation in the world. I urge the House to pass these bipar-
We can pay for this all by just simply tisan pieces of legislation so we can get f
raising the cap on people over $400,000. them to the President’s desk. MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
Those wealthy people can afford to pay f A message from the Senate by Ms.
the same level that people making Byrd, one of its clerks, announced that
$50,000. It is long overdue. The time to MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
the Senate has agreed to a concurrent
act is now. A message in writing from the Presi- resolution of the following title in
f dent of the United States was commu- which the concurrence of the House is
nicated to the House by Mr. Adrian requested:
THREE CRITICAL PIECES OF
Swann, one of his secretaries. S. Con. Res. 20. Concurrent Resolution con-
LEGISLATION
f demning the October 25, 2021, military coup
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The in Sudan and standing with the people of
Chair recognizes the gentleman from RECESS Sudan.
Texas (Mr. VICENTE GONZALEZ) for 5 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- f
minutes. ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair
Mr. VICENTE GONZALEZ of Texas. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER
declares the House in recess until noon
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support PRO TEMPORE
today.
of three critical pieces of legislation Accordingly (at 11 o’clock and 30 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
that are in the House this week. I minutes a.m.), the House stood in re- Chair will entertain up to 15 requests
proudly endorsed and cosponsored all cess. for 1-minute speeches on each side of
three of them to keep our promise to the aisle.
f
essential workers and support commu- f
nities across the country. It is time for b 1200
HONORING FALLEN SOUTH GATE
Congress to start delivering the results AFTER RECESS DETECTIVE ALEXIS GONZALEZ
that we have promised to the American
people. The recess having expired, the House (Ms. BARRAGÁN asked and was
First, I will begin by praising the was called to order by the Speaker pro given permission to address the House
passage of H.R. 2499, the Federal Fire- tempore (Mr. PERLMUTTER) at noon. for 1 minute and to revise and extend
fighters Fairness Act of 2022. There are f her remarks.)
over 15,000 firefighters employed by the Ms. BARRAGÁN. Mr. Speaker, as we
PRAYER observe National Police Week, I am
Federal Government. Each of them is
at greater risk of developing illnesses The Chaplain, the Reverend Margaret here to honor and celebrate the life and
due to their job. These hazards include Grun Kibben, offered the following service of South Gate Police Detective
diesel emissions, carbon monoxide, and prayer: Alexis Gonzalez of South Gate, Cali-
other cancer-causing chemicals re- Stir up our hearts, O Lord, this day, fornia.
leased by fires that they combat on a that we may prepare ourselves for the Detective Gonzalez tragically passed
regular basis. work You have laid before us. Wake away on April 25. Detective Gonzalez
Madam Speaker, 48 States have com- our minds that they would be alert and first joined the police department in
pensation laws that provide firefighters fully open to living into the hope You 2013 as a police explorer. He graduated
with a presumption that certain dis- reveal to us. Strengthen our bodies from the Rio Hondo Police Academy in
eases were contracted on the job. How- that they would stand tireless in the 2017, realizing his dream of becoming a
ever, no such rule applies so far to Fed- face of the challenges that lie ahead. South Gate police officer.
Reach into our souls, that we would be At the age of 27, Detective Gonzalez
eral firefighters, and it is time we cor-
moved to live boldly into the morals was a 5-year veteran of the police force
rect this wrong and stand behind the
with which You have inspired us. and a hero in South Gate. He was a
brave men and women who protect us.
I also urge the passage of H.R. 903, Then may we, with the whole of our shining star and will be sorely missed
the Rights for the Transportation Se- heart, mind, body, and soul, dedicate by family, friends, and the entire com-
curity Administration Workforce Act. ourselves to the commonwealth of peo- munity.
ple You have called us to serve. We honor the life and service of De-
365 days a year, TSA agents across the
May we show sincere love for one an- tective Gonzalez and his family, and of
country ensure safe travel to all of us.
other in our obedience to the truth. every police officer who has put their
Despite working through the COVID–19
May our love for our country and our life at risk to protect our communities.
pandemic and government shutdowns, May he rest in peace.
agents face stagnant pay. communities be faithful to Your living
and enduring Word in our lives. f
These brave men and women deserve
better, which is why I am a proud co- Be this day, Holy God, the founda- HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY
sponsor of H.R. 903. This legislation tion of all our efforts and, we, the re- OF CORPORAL CHRISTOPHER DYE
will put TSA agents on a level playing flection of Your perfect love. (Mrs. GREENE of Georgia asked and
field with other Federal employees, In Your powerful name we pray. was given permission to address the
and we need to do this today. Amen. House for 1 minute.)
Finally, Madam Speaker, I urge the f Mrs. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Speak-
passage of H.R. 5129, the Community er, I rise today to honor the life and
Services Block Grant Modernization THE JOURNAL
legacy of Road Patrol Corporal Chris-
Act of 2022. This bill reauthorizes the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- topher Dye.
community services block grants for ant to section 11(a) of House Resolu- Christopher dedicated his life to the
the next 10 years that improve the tion 188, the Journal of the last day’s people of Walker County and our Na-
lives of Americans across the country proceedings is approved. tion, making the ultimate sacrifice in
and have done so much in my district. f the line of duty. Christopher worked at
Just this year, over $3 million of these the Hays State Prison and the Walker
grants helped improve the lives of com- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE County Sheriff’s Office until the tragic
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
munities in south Texas in my district. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the events of 9/11 struck our country.
This is a product of the War on Pov- gentleman from New York (Mr. In October 2001, Christopher joined
erty. These grants support poverty re- MORELLE) come forward and lead the the Army and dedicated the next 12
duction, increase in health access, and House in the Pledge of Allegiance. years to serving our country. Chris-
many other benefits. I urge my col- Mr. MORELLE led the Pledge of Alle- topher was a member of the 118th Air-
leagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ on this legisla- giance as follows: borne Infantry, performing tours in
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