Recognition . Rep. Gottheimer consent for all the members to revise and extend and include the special order of power. Rep. Phillips is there any objection . Hearing no objection, the gentleman from new jersey is recognized for 30 minutes. Rep. Gottheimer thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today with my fellow cochair of the problems offers solvers caucus and good friend from new york and other members of the Problem Solvers Caucus to discuss the issues of state and local funding being contemplated for the next round of cares legislation. I yield myself as much time as i may consume, mr. Speaker. I am here to fight for our state of new jersey and county and local governments. Our country is facing major battles right now, and getting including ensuring every american is protected from this virus and getting our local economies and businesses back on track. On the front lines of the battles are the workers in every community, frontline medical workers as well as lease and law police and law enforcement, firefighters, teachers and workers keeping our communities going throughout this crisis. Here, in my district in new jersey, we are one of the hardest hit areas in the country. In the counties that make up my district, we have more than 32,000 cases and have had 2100 deaths. I want to thank all of the frontline workers who sacrificed so much to keep us safe. That is truly why we need to ensure federal investment is getting to our state, counties and towns because people are working hard to stop the spread of the virus help those infected and keep everybody safe. We must get the backs of those who have been fighting day in and day out who must not be left behind. Let me be clear. The only way to make this happen is to be united and have cooperation across the aisle. We must include aid to help the state and local municipalities. Without it, our Front Line Health Care workers will suffer the most. As someone who has heard the heartbreaking story of those we say thet, let me just work they are doing is not an option. We will not get through this without their efforts. We all have to come together to support them. We are stronger when we all come together. I want to thank my senior senator from new jersey, bob menendez, for help leading the way to fight for state and local governments. And i want think our government think our government and the congressional delegation for all they are doing to fight for the local governments and our state. Thank you and i reserve the balance of my time. Rep. Reed i support direct local aid and i think we can put together and recognize that covid19 has impacted our local governments in a way they have never historically experienced. Our local governments with populations of 500,000 and below, because they have been addressed in the previous cares act package, have received nothing in regards to assistance in order to overcome the devastating impact their communities have had. I am a strong proponent of making sure that local aid is directly distributed to those local governments and making shore as we do this, that the state governments governors, and as a former mayor, i can attest firsthand, do not engage in tactics of budget cuts, reductions in their local commitments to local governments that have been historically and traditionally been between governments and the state capitals. We call that the maintenance of efforts protection that should go along with this in my opinion. As i indicated, i am not opposed to state aid. I recognize that the states have also been impacted, not just because of the population exposed to covid19 and the experience, but because of the quarantine orders and the loss of revenue our local governments and state governments have experienced as a result of the economic devastation going on across the nation. By way of quarantine and removing that cash flow to our local and state governments, that loss of revenue is something that should be adequately compensated in the state and local aid package. I look forward to the debate today and i am so proud of our members of the Problem Solvers Caucus leading the way to show that we can use technology to debate the issues of the day and do it in a way that the people of the United States of america will have credibility and commitment to know that we are doing this the right way. With that, i continue to reserve. Rep. Phillips gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Rep. Gottheimer i thank him for his words and statements. Two to minutes to the minutes to the gym and from michigan. Im happy to stand with the members of the caucus. This represents the first ever attempt to have virtual bipartisan floor debates in the history of the u. S. Congress. If you dont know the Problem Solvers Caucus, we are equal numbers of democrats and republicans who meet every week , more during covid19, and work on Bipartisan Legislation together, as our founders intended. Today, i urge my colleagues to provide direct Financial Support to states and in particular to communities small and midsized in the next recovery package. This should not be partisan issues. I joined the Rochester Hills mayor to write an oped to advocate for the support. He is a republican and also happens to be the president of the u. S. Council of mayors in michigan and across the country, this is a bipartisan issue. So far the federal government , has provided limited aid to states and cities of more than 500,000 people. In michigan, that is one single city. The aid is for covid related costs, but we havent addressed the issue of lost revenues. It will affect every single american watching today. Because of covid, citizens arent paying taxes, renting soccer fields or picnic shelters. The revenue we used to pay for our schools and teachers and First Responders and firefighters and frontline personnel comes from those revenues. The very people who are risking their lives right now are the ones who are at risk of layoffs. Everyone should understand that if we fail to help states and cities cover at least some of these costs and from last left and from lost revenue therell be layoffs and closures of public spaces and services and events will be canceled and more families and communities will find themselves in dire straits. Supporting small cities and towns is directly related to economic recovery. If the local governments are paying fewer workers, buying fewer timber goods, investing less in education and infrastructure we will struggle , to lift our economy out of the coma it is in. We learned this in spades in 2009, especially in michigan. I get it. Some members are concerned that covid may be used as an excuse to address budget issues that long predate the pandemic. To that, let me be clear. I do not support federal funds covering old debts to cities that they may have themselves hold. Lets negotiate. If we take the partisanship out of this issue, we can come up with a formula that simply and eloquently covers lost revenue, not all the debt cities are carrying. Thank you mr. Speaker, i yield back. The gentlelady yield the the gentlelady yields. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. The gentleman from new jersey reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Thank you mr. Speaker. At this time i would be proud to yield to the great gentleman from ohio for two minutes. Gentleman from ohio is recognized for two minutes. Is the gentleman from ohio there . There he is. Today i speak in support of the muchneeded coronavirus related Economic Relief for our states. States. To be clear, it is not the history of the federal government to bail out states. But this is outside of the extraordinary situation we find yourselves into the coronavirus pandemic. Havetate leaders in ohio worked to create a responsible and balanced budget. We have created a substantial rainy day fund, but not enough to turn back the economic tide caused by this pandemic. This is a harsh reality we face despite leadership from mike dewine. The first corona governor the wind steps to omit mitigate it. Impactlth and economic of this crisis would have been worse. The fact remains that prior to the pandemic, ohio was driving. Was driving. We had a surplus. At the end of april, we are in a shortfall which can be contributed to the shutdown. Time, our economy has been shattered. We had to stop critical programs. Programs my constituents rely on. The states have incurred weightd budgets and support the social distancing guidelines for the entire nation. Our governors and state need the resources for programs like medicaid, education, and salaries for First Responders. I think you for the time in yield back. The gentleman yield. As a gentleman from new york preserved . I reserve. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. I reserve two minutes to the gentleman from new york. The gentleman from your is recognized. I want to thank the gentleman from new jersey for yielding. Thank you for the Problem Solvers Caucus for bringing this event together and doing what this caucus does best, bringing democrats and republicans together. While we all do our part to contain covid19, it is important for bipartisan debate to continue. Business never stops in this form is an important avenue for democrats and republicans to share and debate ideas. Recently, my home state of new york, the center of this pandemic, has stepped up and done everything we can to flatten the curve and help contain the coronavirus. Unfortunately, like many states and local governments, new york is facing a significant challenge with unprecedented loss of revenue, as well as covid19 related expenses. In congress, i worked with all parties to deliver aid to workers, families, and Small Businesses. I know it is not enough. I have been in Constant Contact smallfficials who called businesses, hospitals, workers and have heard from upstate new yorkers who are still struggling. I am filing and fighting tooth and nail to get our state and local governments the help they need. This week, i built a Bipartisan Coalition of state, county, and local lawmakers from my district back home, calling on washington to put partisan politics aside and provide aid for the state and local governments. I know i speak for many of my colleagues, both democrats and republicans, when i say we heroeshave our local like Police Officers, firefighters and Police Officers out to dry. Ever, we are all americans and as americans we help out our fellow countrymen and women. We dont turn our backs on each other in our time of need. I represent a moral part of the rural part of the country. We are seeing those areas hit hard and many communities are struggling who were already struggling to begin with this pandemic cannot be the nail in the coffin. It needs to be an opportunity for strong investment in a resurgence and the values that come with it, hard work and resilience. I have heard from mayors, county leaders, state legislators and oh other local governments. I will work with anyone to help deliver real results for state and local governments because the heroes and the communities need it. Safety is our number one priority and then turn our backs on the state and local governments. In areas like new york, they are left to fend for themselves and citizens will see drastic cuts to essential services. Thank you mr. Speaker, i yield back. The gentleman yields back the gentleman from jersey reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. I would like to yield two minutes to the gentleman from pennsylvania. Gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for two minutes. I would like to think the congressman and the staff of the Problem Solvers staff in putting this together. It is important we show our members of congress that we can get work done and have some semblance of normal order during this crisis. Our neighbors are counting on us more than ever to continue to get things done. Southeastern pennsylvania has been one of the hardest hit in the entire nation. Andometown communities local county governments and First Responders have all been on the ground working to keep our communities safe while putting their lives at risk. They have gone above and beyond to help everyone we need to give them the resources they need to help other people. We assistrtant that the local municipalities in the next package. The resources that have been given to them have not been enough. Seeing theas we are curve flattened, but we must not take our eye off of the ball. We cannot allow a resurgence. I have, talk to countless people in the district and they need more support from the federal government to help the frontline workers in hospitals and schools and businesses. In addition to supporting states and needs of penalties, we must provide support for nonprofits. These are essential organizations on the ground in all of our communities. Terrible charitable organizations across the nation are hurting right now. We must support these critically important organizations that serve our most vulnerable citizens. To save the Small Businesses, it must include saving the charitable organizations. Congressman seth moulton and i sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi and later mccarthy to support nonprofits in the next package. We must establish a reserve dedicated to finding nonprofits and we must expand the eligibility for nonprofits to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program and modifying the current 500 employee cap and increasing reimbursements for selffunded nonprofits and we can immediately help organizations struggling to pay furloughed employees. We must strengthen tax incentives so more americans can donate to nonprofits in this era of economic uncertainty. I look forward to continuing to work with each and every one of you, democrat and republican alike. I hope everyone is doing well. I yield back. The gentleman yields back. The gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. I now yield two minutes to my good friend the gentlewoman from virginia. Virginiantlelady from is recognized for two minutes. Speaker. You, mr. Thank you to my colleague for new jersey and the rest of the Problem Solvers Caucus. Covid19 has created tremendous uncertainty for the dedicated men and women who serve our local communities. On nearly every call i have with local officials here in central virginia, mayors, county administrators, board of supervisors, i hear about the pandemic is threatening the stability to get the lights on, keep the water running, and maintain critical emergency medical services. Our communities are adapting and budgeting, but it is hard. I hear from families in my district who are forced to rely on local services now more than ever as they face immense financial and health care hardships. Virginias county governments are not only dealing with an unprecedented uptick in demand for essential services, but they are doing so during an unprecedented economic downturn. Congress took the steps to provide essential health to our stall Small Businesses and now small localities across the country, including virginia, need help. As we discussed the next response package, we need to remember the stories. In response im a we need relief funding to our states in response, we need relief funding to our states and local music polities. Municipalities. Many are still unsure about how much the state allocation will be available to the present covid19 related needs. Thankfully, there is strong bipartisan support for rectifying the oversight. Effort alongtisan with my friend from new york, to call on leaders of both parties to make sure direct funding can go to localities for under 500,000 residents. Many democrats and republicans signed onto the letter enjoying our efforts. Providing funding for critical local services in the face of this devastating pandemic is not a partisan issue. That is why i urge my colleagues to support these measures. I yield back. The gentlelady yields. Does the gentleman from new jersey reserve . I reserve. The gentleman from new york is recognized during recognized. I would like to recognize the gentleman from new york. The gentleman is recognized for two minutes. I want to echo the sentiments of my colleagues about the value of the problems over caucus Problem Solver caucus. The importance of working , the pandemic has for state and local governments to confront and challenge like nothing with seen in our lifetime. I spoke to the state and local offices in Central New York regarding effectively responding to the pandemic. In my district alone, companies are experiencing shortfalls as high as 90 million. Passedongress has duringtion aimed to help these challenging times, more must be done. As we consider elite from state and local governments, Congress Must maintain a strong oversight and ensure federal funds are not used to fund preexisting budget gaps that occurred in places like new york state. Assistanceo ensure especially for those who have not received fund under the cares act. County, they received 110 million from the cares act because they were just about 500,000. They used money to give bonuses to the workers. In another county, just below 500,000, they received zero money and may not receive any and we had to furlough many individuals. That is a stark contrast. Without extended support, these communities will face restrictions and be able for workersovide during this crisis. It should also strengthen federal investments and improve programs for Community Oriented policing services and assistance to firefighter grants. We should provide substance substantive aid to local governments. The gentleman yields back. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. I now yield two minutes to my very good friend and leader. To whom did you yield . It looks like i am not. I will yield to my dear friend from las vegas, susie lee. The gentlelady from nevada is recognized for two minutes. Thank you. I want to thank both of the cochairs for the caucus for calling us together for this important debate, demonstrating that we can and must continue space, even though our divides us in terms of geographical location there is no doubt that all cities and towns are struggling with the weight of the coronavirus pandemic. , localx revenues drawing governments are struggling to pay for essential services, including lease forces, firefighters, and other lifesaving services that are now more important than ever. Although the cares act provided significant relief from any state and local governments, local governments with fewer than 500,000 residents were excluded from this relief. This includes small cities in my district, like henderson and boulder city. The henderson mayor said, we must be considered at the forefront for direct stabilization funds to help us continue to care for our community at a time when it is needed most and to ensure a full economic recovery once this crisis has passed. With that fattest economy being one of the worst hit in the nation, this is a matter of survival for our community. Relief to local government is vital to cover nevadas loss of revenue, especially in our state, with a projected one million to 2 billion revenue shortfall out of a 4. 4 billion budget. It is clear that the rainy day funds dont come close to filling the gap. Without federal aid, funds for schools, medicaid, and Mental Health grams will be cut. Children before further behind in our most vulnerable will suffer. That is one of the primary reasons i introduce to the coronavirus medicaid response act to increase critical federal aid for Medicaid Programs and state Unemployment Rates worsening during the pandemic. My bill would create automatic triggers the federal medicaid assistance percentage or the share of Medicare Medicaid costs based on each states unappointed conditions. This is an example of the automatic stabilizer approach to local and state funding that our communities need to help tackle the budget shortfalls during this crippling Public Health and economic crisis. I urge my colleagues to join me in calling for substantial relief for our smaller communities in the upcoming care 2. 0 package. Thank you, and i yield back. Does the gentleman from new jersey reserve . I will. Gentleman from new york is recognized. Yield two love to minutes to the gentlelady from washington. The gentlelady from washington is recognized. Thank you. Im grateful to the caucus and the leadership for putting together this Virtual Congress we are eager to do our jobs. We are anxious to get back and be able to debate the policy and ideas that help us forge the best solutions possible in this time of crisis. Last month, through the cares act, reacted to provide Small Businesses and employees who were impacted. We didnt do it because these businesses were mismanaged, we did it because the businesses were operating while. A record low unemployment, but they were shut down by the government through no fault of their own. The government took something from them, the ability to earn revenue. They did it in the name of public good, that is the reality. It was taken so we could save lives, but Business Owners and employees dont deserve to be lost. I was talking to the vancouver mayor and they have taken a revenue hit of 41 . Those numbers were a week and a half old. They didnt cause the pandemic, but their ability to earn revenue to provide for police and fire and clean water and Vital Services were dramatically affected. Looking at drastic cuts nobody wants to see, especially with so much uncertainty over the direction the pandemic is going to take. The care that benefited cities with cities large than 500,000, allowing them to apply for funds, meanwhile, small cities pool and thrown under the bus to compete for federal dollars and any additional relief package, i believe for state and local governments, we must alter the distribution formula to better respond to small and midsized cities so they can recover and continue to serve. We are at a critical point. By helping cities and counties that provide citizens with the most essential services, we will be taking vital steps to return to whatever our new normal is as quickly as possible. That is something we all want. With that i yield back. The gentlelady yields back. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Tomr. Speaker, i now yield minutes to the great john from new york. The gentleman from new york is recognized for two minutes. Great gentleman from new york. Gentleman from new york is recognized for two minutes. I rise in strong support of a 500 billion package for state and local governments so we can ensure that our police, firefighters, ems, health care workers, nurses, our heroes, can be employed and can move forward with confidence their jobs are safe as they work for us on the front lines. Mr. Speaker, my state of new york and the counties i represent i represent three of the five counties that were the epicenter of the problem we are facing. We have over 30 of the deaths and 30 of the cases in the country. I am advocating for a separate 40 billion fund come of 500 billion, to be allocated based upon the rate of infection. That that make sure formulas from washington, d. C. That are typical that use medicare data from 2019, but based on the rate of infection so those places that are hardest hit are helped the most. 100 of the democrats and 100 of the republicans from new york state and new jersey has signed on advocating for such a 40 billion fund to be restricted upon rate of infection this will help not only new york and new jersey but michigan and louisiana in connecticut and rhode island and other states most affected by this pandemic. We are all suffering throughout this country, but we need to make sure the hardhit places are protected. The first round of hospital money that went out was for the 200 2010 data. We hear senator mcconnell saying that states, instead of getting state and local aid, they should declare bankruptcy and this would boost the bailout. We know that the democrats and republicans need to Work Together for the common good to make sure everyone is protected. The die the idea of a blue state bailout hypocrisy. Some of the past five years, new more than theyt received back in services or contracts from the federal government. Thator mcconnell states kentucky received 150 billion more than they received. It is important to help the heroes and it is essential. I think you and i yield back. Does the gentleman from new jersey reserve . I reserve. The judgment reserves the gentleman from new york is recognized. I would like to yield to fromes for the gentleman. Thank you to the Problem Solvers for showing the American People we can continue to work for them we hope we would come back and work for them on the floor in person, but it can be done this way. The debate today on cities and local governments and state governments receiving, i want to stand in rise of support of this proposal. I served int, municipal and county and state government. Because of that, i know and understand with this pandemic has done in each one of us as members know because we talk to the people and the elected officials in those areas. We must make sure that the pandemic, the money and aid we are sending, is related to the pandemic and or the problem that resisted by the shutdowns of governments. We cannot just send it Carte Blanche so that they will then be able to apply this to some things that maybe was bad operation of government. We must make sure that the money goes to deal with these specific issues, but not bailing out bad decisions. If you reward bad decisions, bad decisions will continue. Bad government would continue as well. I want to make sure everyone knows i am in support, but we must make sure we are sensible with the taxpayer dollars and we send them in a way that is applied to what was caused by the pandemic and the shutdowns, debtot going to earlier that was poorly handled. With that, i yield back. Gentleman from new york reserve . Gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I now yield to minutes to the gentleman from the great state of california, my good friend, scott peters. The gentleman from california is recognized for two minutes. Thank you for the caucus for putting this together. The pandemic has ravaged our communities and economy. States and cities face budget shortfalls. The city of san diego expects to lose 250 million in tax revenue and will have to cut city services. Congress needs to act now to provide relief to state and local government on the frontlines lines of this crisis. States, counties, and cities support the firefighters, trash collectors, teachers, take care of our streets and beaches, sources for the homeless and schools and health care. During the pandemic, they stepped up to respond to the transitioned and to distance learning. Due to social distancing, our economy has had a standstill. , whichare spending less results in less tax revenue. It is estimated the states will lose 650 billion over the next three years. During the last recession, the state slashed budgets and citizens felt the cuts. States reduced budgets and they are just starting to gain back thiswas lost from 2019 in where our economy for a long while. We ask for 500 billion for look funds. Te localization we need to increase federal support for medicaid and prohibit states from restricting eligibility. Even better, we should trigger federal support for medicaid so that Unemployment Rate decreases, although it will not help cities. Counties, cities, and other local governments, like transportation Port Authority must be eligible for aid. This is not a red or blue state issue. Experts agree we face further damage and will be worse off if we do too little, too late. Does the gentleman from new jersey continue to reserve . The gentleman from new york is recognized. Gentleman from new york should unmute . The gentleman from new york is recognized. To minutes to the gentleman from michigan. The gentleman from michigan is recognized for two minutes. You normally for regular order, but the noise you may hear in the background is not from the gallery, for michigan beginning to open up. We have folks working landscaping in yards and that is a construction crew across the street. As much as we all wanted to open by easter, that simply was not the case. The chairs, one of for the Problem Solvers Caucus, we have made the point that this group is committed to working together. Like it or not, we have divided government. The only way you will get something done is to get this house and in the Republicancontrolled Senate and to the president s desk and we need to Work Together. A number of the Problem Solvers met with the president and dr. Birx to outline the strategy of what we need to do as a country to Work Together. We talked a little bit today about the need to help the states and localities come all of us have been working from kitchen tables from home. We have been listening to the governors and state reps and other local officials about the real need that we have to deal with. Callse had conference over the last couple of weeks. Members of leadership on both sides, members of the cabinet, listening and talking to each other, trying to come up with solutions. I was pleased to hear in our session yesterday Speaker Pelosi , that she is in fact committed to working on a package and work with the state and local governments, because as she said, they have increased outages and decreased revenues because of state taxes and hero taxes that are diminished. Lets come together and work on a package that is bipartisan, not partisan and be able to get a bill to the president s desk that we can all be proud of and continued to vote in support of erie with that support of. I balance yield the balance of my time. From new jersey is recognized. Mr. Speaker, i now yield two minutes to the gentleman from texas, my good friend. Gentleman from texas is recognized for two minutes. And the gentleman from texas should unmute. The gentleman is recognized and unmuted. Thank you for yielding. Nothing makes me more proud to work on both sides of the island the American People need us most. I rise today for local governments from both sides, all counties and cities and towns must be eligible to receive direct assistance from the cares 2. 0 package being pieced together. In my district, you miss a pal tease have municipalities have lost tens of millions from property taxes, and the towns do not have access to the programs as others do. To basicam Funds Services to our community. Municipalities with less than 500 thousand people are in dire need of funds to ensure they dont have to declare bankruptcy in the weeks and months to come as our country begins to process the process of recovering under these unfortunate circumstances. The cares package as currently written only allows for one of eight of my counties and no cities or towns in my district to receive funding from the Coronavirus Relief fund. These seven counties i represent span 250 miles northeast of san antonio all the way to the rio grande beyond the border. Some cities have a population as a 700 people and are very rural. As one of my colleagues was saying, a lot of money went to texas but it did not go to this blue areas in the matter as much as the bigger ones. Andve spoken to mayors elected officials across my district who have told me time and time again that the local revenue lost is of great concern for solvency to these respected communities. Property tax does taxes are a major revenue and this loss has given a drop in real estate values because of covid19. Billst ensure that this allows counties to recover these funds. I hope that we can come together on this period are communities need it. Issue,ot a blue or red it is an American Issue and i hope we can figure something out. Thank you very much. The gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. I yield to minutes to the good friend from rask, mr. Bacon. From nebraska, bacon. I asked my colleagues to join to, ort of hr 66 due hr 6652, the flex act as i call it. Ands needed in cities counties across the country to keep our citizens safe during this unprecedented global pandemic. For state, tribal, local governments, no matter the population size, to have the flexibility to use funds to help offset unforeseen revenue shortfalls that occurred due to the covid19 Health Emergency response. This is a bipartisan bill supported by the National League of cities and gives local governments the flexibility to use federal funds to where it is needed most in their budget, something they are forbidden to do under the previous language. Bipartisan bill uses funds already appropriated so its fiscal responsibility to keep workers from being laid off. This will be the appropriation it frees up money already appropriated. Tes all over my home cities along my home state are losing tax revenue from restaurants, hotels, cancellation of events. Use taxes to pay for Public Services, such as police and fire departments. Giving local governments the flexibility to fill in the shortfalls will make sure all americans are safe in these uncertain times. It helps protect our First Responders and i think cities and towns all over our country by asking for this help, and it is a bipartisan way to compromise to get both sides of the aisle to find a way to help out our local governments. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. Does the gentleman from your continue to reserve . I continued to reserve. Gentleman from new jersey is recognized. I now yield two minutes to the gentleman from the great state of california, mr. Costa. The gentleman from california is recognized for two minutes. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I think the gentleman from new jersey and new york for the leadership in this caucus. It demonstrates that using the technology at hand, we can function in a bipartisan fashion that i think our Founding Fathers intended and is certainly the hallmark of the Problem Solvers Caucus. Today we debate the need to assiste our efforts to in this weather we are facing this pandemic crisis. We need to protect the health and safety to deal with this devastating social impact that is dealing with the entire nature of our country. This cares package that we will be considering is once again a byproduct of bipartisan effort. The first four minutes without to do with the assessment. The primary focus on this legislation is to assist state and local government. The states have been devastated. In california, we have gone from record surpluses to the governor announcing a record deficit next week. Californias is the fifth largest economy in the world. The fact is, it is just not the state and all of the states are being affected, the cities and counties. The aide in this package must reflect the midsized and smaller cities and assistance but to be on a per capita basis, because as a result of this pandemic without a vaccine, our have dramatic the impacted revenues and resulted in record unemployment levels that we have not seen the likes of in decades. Now, exceeding 20 . We are in a recession. Make no mistake. It will continue into the next year. It is important with Interest Rates low that the federal government used its ability for states and local government. Let me add one other thing. Our food chain has been turned upside down. We must provide assistance to protectedt food is and we are able not only to feed those who have been laid off and work, to ensure we protect laid off of work, but should we protect the farmers and workers to get that to the people. The gentleman from new jersey allocated one minute. The gentleman from europe is recognized. I would like to recognize the gentleman from minnesota. The gentleman from minnesota is recognized. Thank you. As we look at the future Coronavirus Relief package, we must ensure the package is written with integrity and intellectual honesty. Too often, a packages like this one do little to address the real problems, greater america, and specifically rural americans. And turned to green deals bailouts for poor decisions. I ask that as we consider this legislation, we truly focus on fixing issues that are impacting Everyday Americans who just want to go back to work. Should this package includes specific eight to states and thatities, we must ensure le are satisfying rura communities. Without specific language, the big cities will win out. Haveve some areas that zero coronavirus cases but there economies have come to a standstill, just like larger metropolitan areas. And ruralowns communities, businesses closed doors for the last time. The fortress this paints is not a pleasant one, but is reality. Of mandates, many are used tothat working, they are resilient and they will bounce back. Ruralhat being said, america matters and it is up to the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. I yielded two minutes to the gentleman from illinois, mr. Snyder. It is gentleman recognized the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. The would like to commend caucus for taking this initiative. It is an important demonstration that congress can successfully adapt to the new realities of pandemic and complete work virtually. It is so critical that we find a path forward to allow congress to effectively operate during this pandemic. The main issue for congress is the critical need for Additional Support for states and localities. These governments are on the frontlines of the crisis and facing unforeseen and unprecedented pressures. I appreciate many of the proposals my colleagues a put forward and hope we can put forward a bipartisan package. I introduced a bipartisan bill to make states and local it is ants eligible matter of fairness. Employees should be compensated Public Employer should be compensated the same way as private employers. Bipartisan support with more than 100 cosponsors. It has strong support from mayors, cities, and others. The congressional has estimated that the cost is 20 billion. Public employers to access this would alleviate a burden. This is a low hanging fruit. I encourage my colleagues to join me into support the state and local leaders act. Back. Gentleman yields does the gentleman from new york reserve . I do. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. To theeld two minutes gentleman from oklahoma, ms. Horn. In support of stimulus governmentslocal who are in dire need of help in this crisis. They are essential to the Pandemic Response effort into the more than 200 million americans who live in our nation, rural counties, suburbs, and small cities. This debate is about providing local governments with the economic help they need to avigate a national disaster, public and Health Economic crisis. In oklahoma, our towns and cities are especially hardhit because municipalities rely solely on tell solely on sales tax for revenue. To provideave increased Services Related to this covid19 crisis. Towns in my community and across oklahoma have a history of operating responsibly, but on razor thin margins. This has left them without a way to make them a way to make ends meet. Massivelt will be budget shortfalls, because to services, and layoffs. Many local governments are facing the reality that they would have to lay off workers in the absence of support. This is not a partisan issue. I have spoken with mayors and officials from across the political spectrum and across the state. In a conversation with a mayor district ofin my 3000 people, they have had to let go of 1 5 of their police force, which in a town of 3000 is one person, and have had to push off the stream the dream of being add being able to add a fulltime fire department. They have seen a 39 drop in their revenue in the month of march alone. A report projects that municipalities will likely have to lay off between 300000 and one million Public Sector workers nationwide because of this crisis. These this into context, men and women are not just numbers. Firefighters, Police Officers, sanitation workers, health and safety officials. They are the frontline workers keeping our communities safe. We cannot put their livelihoods on the chopping block. We must ensure they have the tools they need to do their job and serve our communities. I yield back. The gentlelady yields. New the gentle men from jersey reserve . Does the gentleman from new york reserve . I continue to reserve. The gentleman reserves. Back to the gentleman from new jersey. Your recognized. You are recognized. I yield two minutes to the gentleman from utah, mr. Mcadams. Thank you. I am honored to participate in theys Virtual Congress of Problem Solver caucus. As a former mayor, i know that our local governments are on the front lines. Often, they are the only points of contact for many of our residents. Cities and counties throughout my state of utah provide police and fire protection, repair roads and sidewalks. They are in many cases the Public Health workers we depend upon and ensure that those in need receive the services they depend on. Local governments are also able to adapt and respond quickly to changing situations. We have seen that in the response to the coronavirus. They have taken actions to deliver Public Services and provide guidance through this emergency. We owe it to our taxpayers to ensure their dollars are spent effectively and without any fraud or abuse. Utah can expect to get the most from every tax dollar we spend. As we watch unprecedented amounts of money go out the door, there has never been a greater need for transparency, oversight, and accountability. Withk forward to looking my colleagues to make sure we have the resources for an from the response federal government to individual cities. That we do so effectively, efficiently, without fraud, waste, or abuse, and that we do so with the minds of fiscal responsibility for the future and future generations. I yield back. Doesthe general and the gentleman from new york continue to reserve . I reserve. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Minutes toize two the gentlelady from pennsylvania. Thank you. In the early days of this pandemic when we were all working at hyperspeed, i made a series of calls to elected leaders in my community, and pennsylvanias sixth congressional district. There were so much that was unknown. Should we shut down businesses . L i remember talking with one of our county commissioners who was trying to figure how to get ahead of the curve because the federal response have been so slow and because the virus was closing in on philadelphia. In the end it, she went overseas for pp e and protests, unprecedented really. She did this on behalf of two neighboring counties. As a community received shipments of ppe and other the community received shipments of ppe well before others because the leaders acted quickly and had a rainy day fund. Those funds are now dry and revenues are drying up as well. That was only six weeks ago. At the end of march, i wrote to house leadership and asked that our counties be reimbursed for these. Support aa bipartisan bill, the cares act provided aid to our states and municipalities. I represent two areas of pennsylvania, Chester County and part of berks. Chester county was eligible for aid, but not the case for berks. So even in my community, there was a disparity in how aid is disbursed. Open andity is not yet we have held the line. , arguably helping to prevent the spread to other areas. We will have to live with this for some time, at least until we have widespread testing capabilities and hopefully a vaccine. Allowres act does not states and localities to use aid to make up for lost revenue, revenue lost for doing the right thing. I am a cosponsor of representative bacons bipartisan bill, which would address this issue. Some ask if this is just a bailout, but you can see from my communitys example that this is not the case. The republican chair of berks county said to me we need to pass additional aid now. The democratic chairwoman of Chester County agreed and stated it is critical that our local governments receive funding that allows them to continue to give services to our residents. I could not have that better myself. We need to listen to our local elected leaders and act boldly, decisively, and ensure they can weather this crisis. This is not a bailout, not partisan. It is a mission and it is critical we combat our common enemy covid19. I yield back. Does the gentleman from new jersey reserve . I reserve. The gentleman from new york is recognized. I continue to reserve. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Before i yield back to the gentleman from new york, let me conclude by thanking him and all of the members of the problem herers caucus who came today to focus on this essential issue, which is helping our states and our local governments in a time of crisis. Here in new jersey, where we are facing a crisis like we have never seen before, a healthcare crisis like we have never seen, with so many people in my district so can so many lives deep impact on businesses and individuals, thanks to our frontline healthcare workers and First Responders. Together to come get things done. I want to thank the Senate Leadership in my state, senator menendez, and local leaders for what they are doing. We have got to help our local governments who really need the assistance now more than ever. Our cops, firefighters, teachers, businesses, hospitals, so many depend on ensuring we are able to come through this together. I would like to thank my colleagues, mr. Reed, for his and what he has done consistently to solve problems together. I am grateful. And that we are using this technology. No matter what technology we use, what matters is we are able to debate and we have oversight and transparency in this important time. Everyone in this crisis, from schools to Small Businesses to local governments and we must too. I yield back to the gentleman from new york. Thank you mr. Speaker for your leadership as well. The gentleman from new jersey yields. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I echo the comments of my colleague from new jersey. I thank him for his friendship, leadership, and his working together to show the country we can solve americas problems. The way we do that is by overcoming obstacles, by standing together. You heard the debate on the issue of state and local aid. I am firmly committed to local aid. I saw a lot of commonality in the arguments today. We need to make sure our local governments are being taken care of by the Economic Impact of the shut and quarantine orders. I heard a commonality that we have to make sure that whatever relief is provided goes to covid19 related loss, not anything preexisting this terrible situation. As we stand here together i also heard the protections that need to be put together in order to make sure that when he goes to local governments that that aid is delivered to local governments without any type of interference or impact by state governor action. As we go forward, i am looking forward to this being part of the next cares act legislation. To everyone who is tuning in, we are going through a learning curve ourselves with the new normal that the post covid19 situation is causing us to go through. Today, we have made a goodfaith effort to show we can debate these issues, use technology to be transparent, and stand before the American People. Like with everything else, we will learn as each new day continues to dawn in this post covid19 situation that is causing us all to embrace the new normal and Learn Together and how to move forward. With that, i yield the balance of my time. Gentlemen, coming close to the close of the very first Problem Solvers Caucus mock our. Hour. We are adjouou a number of cases coming before the Supreme Court this week. Giving them more leeway to fire teachers. Wednesday is another day of combine cases. By an watch live coverage teleconference