Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives Debate On Stimulus Bill 20240713

78, hou resolution 965 authorg mote vg oceeding due to novelote coronavirus dor other puos. Thear o tempor purs to house resolutn 967, the resolution i consideredead and debatabl for on hour, eal divided and controlled by the chair and ranking mber on th comttee the gentleman from husett mr. Mcgern, and the ntleman from oahoma,r. Le, ch wil tro 20 minutes. Mr. Mcve i asknanimous revise and extend their remks. The speaker prtempore witho ctn. Mrmcgovern ware in the mit of a pandemic the likesf ich thed hasnseen in his instution, which adopted to cllges and apt contie tlegislate in, ring this blic hlt vid19 is tthree times in theormal cle, oneerso thoronavirld kick off to 59,000 new iections. P think abouthat and think about the way wepeteere. Members travelrom theirme spoto nveneere togetr ot the capitol comex and we travel back home and we repeat is proceon after mth after mon. Mcgovern we cod symptomatic, carers nonetheless. Coeningongrs must notur techlogy has changed years. Ablyver e last 231 the now too avaable temporary commiee ocdings an rete voting on the house floor po. Not for. Just temrilyurinis emergey. Some on the other side seem t think mporary embracing technolo in in t pan let me s thi ld and clear to my colagues. Ifone tellus youd be giing ayour vote with lie, plain and simp. A just notrue. St 1 states, 10 couries d theuropean paiament ha instited some form of remote with this rolutio this us let me repea war not suggesting no one believes weo our bes workn peon and sid by si morehan , mr. Speaker. Remote leglating will oy be utilize sod lo ashis pandemic continues. Mr. Spear, thiis the the alys done. T this hse has our founders did not voty ectronic deve bute do nstituents decades ago couldnt watch floor proceed them on the radio, but ours can. Changes were madtour quorum requirement time andim, includinmost rectly after th sepmb 1attack. Coulgo oandn anon and on. Believe it or not, adaptg is th have always there he thosquick to proclai that any ending the uss know it t you knowhat, mr. Sak, the sky didot fal andhe hoe continues its work. So ion says toake s a bigeal. Is seoug re but my state of massachusetts legislatures in the count. But ev ty chand their ruleto allow for rote voting. You can respe tration wioublinding yrself of e ne t me tempory changes when necry. Tois one of those times. This resolionomes after careful udy. Feedback from constitutional experts. Bipartisan task force. G a strethed bthis been is time toctpcess. Memunies have turned the corner with thisus. I tt continues. Medil experts tell us, ver,hat a second wave this fall could beven me damag thang what ware seeing now. Anhing less wod be a w derection ur sponbili. Y ur all my cogues to join with usn supportg this reluon. Lets ap the way this instithas aays done and tssure that we can continue legislating ithis pandem nmatter what ture may bring. I rve e balan of my. The eakepro tempore the gentlen from massachusts rerves. Cole is recognized. Cole k yovery much, mr. Spea i want to thanky good frien the chaie geleman from ssachusetts,r. Mover wevrkedong and hard together and tried to coeratively. Number of this in here we hav worked on together. Inhe end we wee unle to reach angree. Mr. Spker,ere bk here t consider theolion coequential change to les he house of reentatives my time cossnd possibly the most consequential ruleshange sinc e esblhment of theoder mmittee em in the legislate Organization Act of day,peaker the majory is prong for the firste voting on thr of the hoexy th cnge ao allws for adoption of aotal remote ificatioof single embe of congress. Second, it wllow for committe to perform remote proceedings including mkups. Abov alllse, mr. Speak, rebl believe that y angeo centuries old rules of the usshould onldone in coensuan wayhaachies unfortunately, these psed ges do noteet atoal. While i have no doubt of the chairmans good intentions, i believe these changes will fundamentally alter the nature of the institution, not for the better, and as such i cannot support them. This resolution is intented to deal only with the Public Health emergency. We must never forget that the changes we make today become the precedent we follow tomorrow. Im deeply concerned that shifting to remote activity, both in the form of proxy voting reand mote Committee Work will fundamentally change the way the house operates an remove the collegial environment we enjoy when we meet in person, get to know one another and use our knowledge of each legislator as a person to move forward bipartisan consensus. I fear that that would be lost in remote activity. Im also deeply concerned that these changes will not pass constitutional muster. Why would we risk exposing important legislation to obvious constitutional flaws, does not make sense to me. Most of all im concerned that were moving forward with these changes on a partisan basis. Any change that is this consequential should only be done after we reach bipartisan agreement. No matter how difficult it may be to achieve. I think a bipartisan agreement was possible on much of what my friend is trying to accomplish. Mr. Speaker, todays resolution is simply not it. I have a modest suggestion to my friend. Lets take appropriate cautions and go back to work. Thats what the executive branch is doing. Thats what the United States senate is doing. Thats what millions of americans do each and every day. We should be no different. The house should do the same. I urge my colleagues to reject these rules changes today and return to the drawing board so we can act together in a bipartisan manner to ensure that congress can continue to operate during this crisis. With that, mr. Speaker, i urge opposition to the resolution and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern i ask for unanimous consent to submit to erwin rd a letter from chimereski, the renowned constitutional scholar and dean of Berkley School of law, discuss his view that the remote voting process we are discussing today would be constitutional. He said the constitution bestows on each house of congress to determine rules for its own proceedings. This would include the ability to adopt a rule to admit proxy voting. Nothing in the institution in the constitution specified otherwise. I ask unanimous consent to have that in the record. I would also just say to my friend that the white house isnt operating as business as usual my understanding is that the Vice President has been sequestered from the president. In addition to that, everybody in the white house is being tested multiple times. Before they can even get near the president. A lot of the work is being done by video conference. Even they are doing things differently. At this time id like to yield two minutes to the gentleman from california, mr. Peters. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Peters i thank the entleman for yielding. This would authorize remote voting in the Public Health emergency of covid19. Governors and mayors across the nation have ordered americans to stay home, work from home and avoid traveling. Until we have adequate testing or a vaccine to protect ourselves and prevent our Health Care System from being overwhelmed, the best we can do here is follow that advice. We in Congress Must do what weve asked of our constituents and what others have ordered of them. Some argue and weve heard this recently, that because were asking our frontline heros to show up at work we lawmakers should be required to convene here in d. C. That argument misses the point. It dishonor ours frontline workers, particularly Health Care Workers who are begging people to stay home. To avoid nonessential travel in order to slow the spread of this deadly disease. They ask others to stay home so someday they can go home. We in congress are not First Responders or frontline Health Care Workers though our frontline responders are certainly counting on us to provide the resources they need. But we can hold our meetings and conduct our communications electronically. And because of the space limitations created by the need for social physical distancing, working remotely is probably the only way all our of all of our committee can function at the same time. Like everyone else, i dont want to give up the opportunity to work with my colleagues in person, our relationships are too valuable, but in the face of this once in a lifetime Global Pandemic we need to overcome our default position. Remote voting is not cowardice its leadership. Lets live by the rules we impose on our fellow ship zens. Lets show by our thanks we ourselves take this threat seriously. I want to thank the leadership of mr. Mcgovern and ms. Lofgren and all the other folks who have worked on this including my friend mr. Cole, and i urge support of this resolution and yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from massachusetts reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Cole is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield two minutes to think good friend the distinguished Ranking Member of the House Armed Service committee from the great state of texas, mr. Thornberry. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Thornberry i thank the gentleman for yielding. Those of us on the Armed Services committee are privileged to work around, with, and for the men and women who serve in the military. Every one of them is a military. Every one of them expects reasonable precautions with their health and safety and well being. But every one of them knows that in carrying out their duties there is some risk that goes with it. And they carry out their duties admirably. What a contrast to what we are what a contrast from what were seeing in this resolution. One of the proudest times i have this house has been on 9 11 and thereafter. Members gathered on the steps of the capitol. Thereafter we passed a resolution that was needed to deal with the terrorist threat. Intimidated ven when many of our offices were ttacked by anthrax in the days thereafter. It was not just about showing resolution to the terrorists, it was about showing the country we could come together and get our work done. We are ontrast to what seeing with this resolution. 1918 flu,e civil war, world war ii, 9 11, throughout there has never been proxy voting on this floor. Members accepted the risk and out their duties to the best of their ability. It was not about technology. About trust and integrity. Predecessors so much braver than were our wedecessors more braver than are . Were they more ignorant of the isk or careless of their safety . Was their responsibility greater than ours . None of this makes sense. Least sense s the of all, mr. Speaker, is that any ember of either party would support a resolution that allows ny of us to vacate, even temporarily, the trust placed in that and undermine the very foundation of this Representative Democracy. History is better than that. Better than serve that. O me, mr. Speaker, it is sad, rather despicable, and one of the darkest days in this institution. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts recognized. Mr. Mcgovern thank you, mr. Speaker. Let me just say to the gentleman who just spoke. Intimidated and i am not afraid. None of us are here. This isnt about any of that. About doing what is sensible, what is in the Public Health interest. Not about us. Its about the people you all come in contact with. Dont ho walk around and wear masks, you know, somehow as how unafraid they carriers who are asymptomatic spreading this disease. Public health crisis. This is different than what happened on 9 11. Health crisis c that somebody carrying this disease can spread it in a very way. Ssive so please, spare me the selfrighteous kind of this. Ation over were supposed to follow the advice. Were supposed to practice social distancing. And yet, the rules committee, smallest committee in the congress, had to meet in andways and Means Committee we took up the whole committee. Now, we have 21 standing committees, i dont know how subcommittees. Where does the Armed Services meet . Where does the transportation meet . Tee maybe they can meet on the house floor. Maybe one committee at a time. If we, the bottom line is are going to follow the medical advice that we should not paralyze this institution. That i yield 1 1 2 minutes to the gentleman from new jersey, a distinguished member a cochair ber and of the problem solvers, mr. Gottheimer. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey is for a minute and a half. Mr. Gottheimer thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today as congress adapts this pandemic so that we can represent our constituents and shape legislation during this do so safely in line with c. D. C. Guidelines. His resolution includes Remote Committee participation and proxy voting, which are essential reforms during this to giving the y American Public the and transparency they deserve. Im hoping remote floor debate and voting are next and this paves the way. It Supreme Court is doing and so can we. State legislators, including of new and in my state jersey, legislators around the world are doing it. And its timehere we step up. Theres nothing extreme about adapting is way and during an emergency. Just like all americans have. Chairman rateful to mcgovern, my good friend, a true institutionalist. And representative lofgren who has worked with us in the roblem solvers caucus with democrats and republicans as we continue making strides to a truly remote system. Debate and work is key for my district in north jersey, hich is at the epicenter of this crisis. Bill includes the salt deduction. It helps Small Businesses that for workers meet, uninsured for every single and community so they can support teachers, cops, e. M. S. Firefighters. But it starts with making sure our system is built so we can do does todays proposal just that. We should all support this legislation to defend this institution, to protect it, and ensure accountability and transparency and this institution lives on forever in he greatest country in the world. I know well get through this together if we put country ahead party. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from massachusetts reserves. Is gentleman from oklahoma recognized. Mr. Cole thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield one minute to my good riend, distinguished member from minnesota, mr. Hagedorn. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from minnesota is recognized. Hagedorn thank you. I believe this is a bad idea for his institution and a terrible example for the nation. I recommend a no vote. As our nation t opens up and people go back to responsibly to their jobs, the house is making a move to shut down, for all intents and purposes. Know, tens of millions of americans throughout this have ak, this pandemic, been out delivering and producing our energy, our food, with, of course, people in hospitals, policing our neighborhoods. Jobs e been doing their and we should be doing our jobs in person moving forward. Publicght question why a of Congress Like myself who is dealing with stage 4 cancer, mayo g treatment at the clinic, why i would be one working intravel and this chamber, and working in our because its a bad idea. Ere setting a terrible example. Personally, though, i can tell you this. This is the job i signed up for. This is the job i asked the southern minnesota to do. And this is the job that i want to do. Honor to serve them. I think we should do it in person, working committee in and do our jobs and we can do it safely and responsibly. Vote. Mmend a no thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts recognized. Mr. Mcgovern thank you, mr. Speaker. The gentleman should be happy to we that under the proposal have, you can come here anytime he wants. He can be in his committee. E can be on this floor and debate. But the bottom line for those who are in circumstances where hat is impossible, it provides an opportunity for them to participate as well. With that i would now yield two inutes to the gentlewoman from michigan, ms. Stevens. The speaker pro tempore the entlewoman from michigan is recognized for two minutes. Ms. Stevens i rise today to discuss the activity of the space, and e, echnology committee as we work toward extraordinary circumstances to deliver to the American People. The Science Committee, under the chairwoman johnson and Ranking Member lucas, has been holding briefings on topics as infrastructure, energy development, through the technologies available to us over the worldwide web. Been bipartisan. One important focus has been our manufacturing role in retooling production lines to needede medical supplies to respond to the Ongoing Health crisis. His has been of particular importance for the subcommittee of research and technology of with i chair, along Ranking Member baird. How do we open platforms and technologies for industrial collaboration to olve big problems and streamline our supply chain to et the medical supplies to those who need them now . The Science Committee will ontinue to do the work it has always done, to meet the needs of the American People, to manufacturing, innovation forward. Urge my colleagues to support this fabulous resolution, that will enable us to continue to do and trying er great circumstances. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The peaker pro tempore gentlewoman from michigan yields back. The gentleman from massachusetts reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i yield two minutes distinguished republican Ranking Member of the Budget Committee and a fellow member of the Appropriations Committee, my friend, mr. Womack from arkansas. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from arkansas is recognized. Womack. Mr. Womack thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman from time. Ma for yielding born from the people, the work integral part an of our nation. It . S judging from the legislation im s before us right now, not so sure, but tracing back to the civil war, the great world war ii, 9 11, houses others, the business has never ceased, even times in our t country, and it should not cease today. Working safely, bringing back members to the has , Speaker Pelosi decided to pursue proxy voting. Work. Rs are back at our military is on point right now defending our country in all world. Of the doctors, nurses, grocery workers, Truck Drivers, delivery personnel, theyre showing up every day. Are not shirking from their duty. Houldnt the house lead by example . New house procedures might very change necessary but any to the centuries old rules that could fundamentally alter this never be doneould without bipartisan support. That. re not seeing this proposal runs counter to he constitution and it marginalizes in my strong opinion, mr. Speaker, the lawmaking process. E need transparency, accountability, not procedures the further centralize decisionmaking of our country into the hands of a select few. Must get back to regular not the path s is back to regular order. Yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from arkansas yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts recognized. Mr. Mcgovern im happy to provide the gentleman who just spoke with kind of the history f the house of representatives as to how voting rules have changed repeatedly but this idea were talking about here today, just like to the United States senate. A hearingey just held in their Health Committee where and people were present some were remote. The chair and Ranking Member were remote. Administration witnesses were brought in through Video Conferencing. Do it. Ate can maybe my friends are refrayed technology are afraid of the technology. Get you the help to get you comfortable. Ts ok for the United States senate. Why is it not ok for the house of representatives . I yield one minute to the entleman from california, mr. Mcnerney. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized for a minute and a half. One minute. One minute. Mr. Mcnerney mr. Speaker, i rise in support of h. R. H. Res. 965. More than 1. 45 million confirmed covid19 86,000 nd more than related deaths in the United States, and these numbers continue to increase. In congress is to provide help and leadership in this crisis. That we continue serving our constituents, but requiring members of congress to travel back and forth to washington to vote and participate in official business in person during this pandemic uts the health of our constituents and ourselves at greater risk. Ll this traveling by so many members of congress will worsen the crisis we are working to mitigate. Dont agree with the rule changes, i urge you to reconsider. Care about the health of your constituents, if you care about the health of yourself, colleagues, and your staff, and if you really want to itigate this crisis, then support the temporary rule vote 965. Ote yes on h. Res. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california yields back. Massachusettsfrom reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Cole, is recognized. R. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield one minute to my very good friend from the great state california, mr. Mcclintock. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Mcclintock thank you, mr. Speaker. Word congress literally means the act of coming together meeting. The constitution calls for to attend, to assemble, and to meet. Congress is a deliberate tiff very delib s re a tiff body deliberative body, we meet through formal the edings and through countless informal conversations that are the unique product of meeting. Gether and fulfilling that duty, congress has met throughout every war and come before has us. We expect grocery clerks to show p at 4 00 in the morning to restock the shelves, but the house of representatives is in . G to phone it each of us is the proxy for our constituents. Expect us to speak and vote or them and answer to them and not hand off that trust to someone entirely unaccountable too se were too lazy or scared to show up for work. Good god, what are we doing to our country . Search the gentleman from california yields. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. Gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern its obvious the gentleman who just spoke didnt read the bill. Nobody is asking anybody to hand off their ability to cast a vote here. Theres no discretion involved. If he reads the bill hell figure that out. I also ask unanimous consent to submit to the record a may 5 opinion piece published in the hill from a constitutional law professor from the university of virginia and former clerk to the late Supreme Court justice antonin scalia. In his piece the professor says, the more general point if legislators are monitoring proceedings in Congress Online and vote remotely they are in attendance and could be present for quoryoms. What is good for the president and Supreme Court must be good for congress. I ask that be put in the record. At this point i yield to the gentleman from tennessee, mr. Cohen. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from tennessee is recognized, mr. Cohen. Mr. Cohen thank you. I have been listening to the debate and i have been amazed at what i have heard from the other side. They say the military goes into battle, ready to go. They dont let these things bother them. The military doesnt have a great majority of their members who are 65 years of age and older. And when they do have members that are 65 years of age and older, and they have morbidity systems, past incidents that make them more likely to get a disease, they dont send them into battle, they take care of them. They dont put them out there in harms way. Some people talked about the senate. Lamar alexander came up and got exposed to coronavirus from a staff member. He had to go back. Rand paul came up, got exposed, took a test, still swam in the senate pool and exposed everybody over there to covid. And came back positive. So its not about the senate. This makes good sense. One of our best epidemiologies said the best place you could find to get the coronavirus is indoors in an enclosed room and a lot f people of talk. Thats the the definition of congress. Washington is a hot spot. Its under a stayathome order. Are you not supposed to meet in groups of more than 10 people. We are more than 10. And if they expand it well be up to the level of 50 which is the next level. We are just protecting our members and protecting their loved ones and their constituents. This is a good law, it gives me a chance to vote. We have members who are going through chemotherapy now. The great john lewis is going through chemotherapy. That means he cannot come up here and vote. That should not be the facts. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from massachusetts reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield one minute to my very good friend from the great state of arkansas, mr. Hill. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from arkansas is recognized for one minute. Mr. Hill i thank the speaker. I rise in opposition to this rule change. Rather than taking time to implement a bipartisan plan to safely open this house and our work on the hill as suggested by the republican leader, the House Majority is taking the lazy way out. The u. S. Constitution and 200 years of precedent require a physical press to establish a quorom, who protect all members rights and the rights of the americans who vote for these members. If we pass this rule change today and make attendance optional, we are taking away the fundamental nature of our government of elected members of the house representing our citizens. Since the First Congress through it all, bad roads, bad weather, invasion and the burning of this very capitol, civil war and depression, members have assembled to do the peoples business. Our founders intended that legislating be hard but fair. Our founders compelled the peoples representatives to assemble, to collaborate, to find a way forward. This rule will only make it harder to find that consensus during these times. I urge all my colleagues to reject this unnecessary change to house rules and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern mr. Speaker, let me remind my colleagues what the minority leader did suggest. That is that all of us get preferential treatment in terms of testing. We all be tested regularly when we come back here like they do in the white house. This even though our constituents cant get tested, even though our hospital workers and those who work in homeless shelters and food pantry, they cant get tested, our First Responders cant get tested, the minority leader suggested that, you know, you are all so special here that you should move to the front of the line. Well, i dont know what people in your districts think, but my constituents think thats tone deaf. That it we dont deserve preferential treatment. And that is what he suggested. I now yield three minutes to the gentleman from maryland, the distinguished member of the rules committee, mr. Raskin. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from maryland is recognized. Mr. Raskin thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Chairman, i want to salute you for your determination to keep American Government going through this period. Thats what this resolution is about. The continuity of congress and continuity of government. We are here to keep the Great American experience rsparmente and democratic selfgovernment alive experiment and democratic selfgovernment alive. The preamble says we the people in order to form a more perfect union, provide for the commonsense, promote the general welfare, and preserve to ourselves and prosperity, the blessing of liberty, do hereby ordain and establish the constitution of the United States. The very next sentence, vests all legislative power in us. In article 1. In the congress and gives us the right to determine the ules of our own proceedings. Thats what the Supreme Court calls a political question. It cannot be secondguessed by the senate. It cannot be secondguessed by the president. It cannot be secondguessed even by the Supreme Court. Its up to us what our rules of proceeding are going to be. And e watched the debate one can only regard with amazement the faux outrage by our colleagues who display great res. Vires of selfrighteousness. Its amazing to me because the same members have been operating for many years for term after term under the current rule, first adopted by a republican majority house, which allows two members to form a working quorum. I repeat, the current rule which this body has ratified repeatedly, was adopted by a republican majority allowing two members to constitute a working quorom. How can anyone who has accept that state of affairs when it would have on yezz i, there is no pandemic and plague let loose on the land with 86,000 people dead and tens of millions unemployed to do something about, they did nothing about it. Now they want to suddenly turn on the proposal necessary to guarantee the continuity of the u. S. Government in which the numerical quorom majority rule is scrupulously observed through the wellknown and well accepted approximate will i system this. Rule preserves the vote and the voice of each and every member of the house. Unlike the two member quorom rule, which was put into place by a republican majority, our rule is based on effectuating the will and vote of every member, the proxies must be cast in strict accordance with the will of the member. With no discretion and no room for judgment. Mr. Speaker, i expect to be a proxy because i live about a halfhour away from here. I will cast the proxy vote exactly as given to me. And if i were to decide i know bert than the person im voting for, that should be the subject of ethical proceedings. Im nothing more than a letter carrier. This is what the Congress Needs to do. The American People expect nothing less from us. Lets keep the government of the United States in business. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from massachusetts reserves. Gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Cole, is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield one minute to my great friend and distinguished member from texas, mr. Gohmert. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is recognized for one minute. Mr. Gohmert thank you, mr. Speaker. Let me just read from the constitution, thank you very much. Article 1, section 5, each house shall be the judge of the election returns and qualifications of its own members and a majority of each shall constitute a quorom. You cant pass a bill on this floor with proxies and have it upheld unless you change the constitution and this doesnt do it. Some here say that if it saves one life its worth it. How about the millions of americans who laid down their lives not for wishywashy maybe we should be afraid, we might get something and died, they didnt do that in the spanish flu days, in the civil war, now we are going to do it . Come on. There were people that died saying things like live free or die. And now we are going to amend the constitution with a house rule . Thats ridiculous. If youre going to destroy 40 million lives and livelihoods, at least have the courage to come here and do it in person. You didnt let the member from georgia do it years ago. You denied that. And i felt like you were right. We got to preserve the constitution not abuse it with house rule. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Members are reminded any comments shall be referred to the chair. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern oh, my goodness, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to submit to the record a letter from deborah pearlstein, constitutional law professor from Cardoza School of law. In her letter which i strongly recommend to my colleagues, she says, i believe adopting procedures to allow for remote voting under these extraordinary circumstances is not only flaul but essential to the maintenance of our constitutional democracy. The constitution contains no specific requirement of physical presence for members to vote. What the constitution does instead as the courts have repeatedly recognized is leave it up to each oust of congress to determine the rules of its proceedings. The gentleman refers to the spanish flu. Let me just say, that is not an example of something we want to aspire to. The congress basically paralyzed. Couldnt even get together to pass a bill to provide more doctors to rural areas where people were dying. They couldnt even do that. And as a result of congress inaction, more people died in that pandemic. So, please, lets get real here. Mr. Speaker, at this point id like to yield one minute to the gentleman from rhode island, mr. Langevin. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlemans request is granted. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Langevin thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in strong support of this resolution and commend chairman mcgovern for overseeing this deliberative and well thought out process. The proposed changes to the house rules are absolutely necessary to ensure that members of congress can continue our vital legislative and oversight functions while protecting Public Health. I strongly believe that we need a more comprehensive, full econgress capability to be developed, conducting congressional business in the future only in times of emergency if we are unable to meet in washington, d. C. However, i also believe that they are very real, Cyber Security concerns that must be addressed before such a system would go live. In the meantime, this resolution appropriately allows for inperson proxy voting during the duration of this Public Health emergency and holds open the possibility of remote voting if a secure system can be developed and verified for full house floor proceedings. In the meantime, this step cannot be end of our conversations on continuity of congress. We do need a framework that will account for remote congressional operations and the possibility in the event of death or incapacitation of a significant number of elected representatives. This is the 21st century. We should be able to do this in the future. I look forward to continuing to work with chairman mcgovern to address this issue going forward. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from massachusetts reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to my very good friend from the great state of tennessee, mr. Rose. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Rose thank you, mr. Speaker. Today i am standing up for those who have stood up for this nation throughout the Current Crisis. Nurses, doctors, farmers, Truck Drivers, food service workers, distribute shun and supply chain workers. The millions of americans who cant stay home and expect our country to survive. Havent we learned our lesson about outsourcing . Apparently not. Now some of the members of this house want to outsource their vote as well. I will be voting no on this resolution and i would encourage those ready to hand over their vote to someone else to just go ahead and hand over their seat to someone else. With unemployment the way it is, i would bet that there are more than a few people back home in your district who would gladly accept your 174,000 a year job and find a way to get to washington and push a button. I will vote no. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern i ask unanimous consent to insert in the record letters of statement of support of h. Res. 965 from chairman pallone, representive trahan, representative thompson, and representative peters. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans request will be covered by general leave. Mr. Mcgovern im glad the gentleman who previously spoke said he wants to stand up for nurses, doctors, and teefsers. He has a chance to do that in the next bill well talk about. There is money in there to provide them more assistance in terms of testing and treatment and tracing and more money for p. P. E. But i my guess is the gentleman will vote no on that. The same people out here who are talking about being brave and standing up with our First Responders are the same people whose leader has said that his proposal is to prioritize members of Congress Ahead of all of our constituents in terms of testing so we can operate here. My constituents who are on the rontlines, the doctors, the nurses, the First Responders, deserve to be tested first house. Anybody in this i yield to ms. Tra has. Trahan. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from massachusetts is recognized for one minute. Trahan nearly 1. 5 million americans have contracted tragically, more than 85,000 people died. We asked Small Business owners in our districts to close up shop and stay home for to slowto do their part the spread of the virus. Workplaces are innovating and iguring out how to operate while keeping pace with commonsense Public Health guidelines. Has an m, congress obligation to do the same. This moment requires us to loea example, to show in the face of a highly Infectious Disease getan still do business and our constituents the muchneeded relief they desperately need conducting proper oversight. So that this change remotely. Onduct votes this is the stwefrt. We have an this is the 21st century. We have an opportunity to show at our can use the tools disposal to continue congressional operations at full capacity while also practicing preach. This is common sense, and id urge my colleagues to support as well. Ge thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from massachusetts yields back. He gentleman from massachusetts, mr. Mcgovern, reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield one minute to my very good friend from the great state of texas, mr. Roy. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Roy thank you, mr. Speaker. From oklahoma. Nd just asked my colleagues here, we doing . We have 40 million americans out 40 million. Roaching we have Serious Problems we have were going to pass a bill tonight thats a clear political bill filled with from my promises colleagues on the other side of the aisle that has no chance of eing passed in the current form. Why are we not doing the job of this body . We have no debate. From maryland, mr. Raskin, we Work Together to constitution. He says we have this rule in here for a quorum can be two people. I agree thats a problem. Whos in charge of this body. We shouldnt operate that way. The American People want us to our job and debate and work. Look, the constitution is pretty what constitutes a quorum. Ou can trot out various words from some professors around the quorum means presence. We should be here debating. It matters we look each other in the eye. T matters that were here talking to each other. When there are 40 million americans without jobs while we in congress and dont do ours . Were not doing our job. Truckers carry food products, while people go to grocery stores, while first job, why do their arent we doing ours . I would say the constitution ontemplates our physically being here, looking each other in the eye to do our job. If we want to have debates about Committee Work being virtual, ok. Voting, ctual act of our solemn duty to represent hundreds of thousands of people us to do eir trust in our job, were supposed to be here. Were supposed to work with each other. Ive got a bipartisan bill right now that would help solve the flexibilitye p. P. E. Act. With my friend dean phillips minnesota. Lets offer amendments. Lets actually have a debate in this body. Its supposed to be the peoples house. The peoples house. Its our job, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Roy this is not constitutional. Mr. Peaker pro tempore cole reserves. Mr. Mcgovern two hours of debate on how to help our constituents, i have a feeling to vote no. Hes going to vote no to help our teachers, First Responders. States, e no to help cities, towns. Thats unfortunate but were going to move forward. I ask unanimous consent to into the record from epresentatives kildee, perlmutter, sanchez, representati epresentative langevin, customer, cardenas and representative pocan. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans request will be general leave. Mr. Mcgovern i now yield two inutes to the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Jackson lee. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Lee, two minutes. For lee we cannot do and cannot do and how many times can i say it, we cannot stand and do nothing. The constitution has no that prohibits this body from doing something and to a catastrophe of not being able to govern this nation. This year during the heinous tragedy of 9 11, continuity had a committee and put in provision the rules under Republican Leadership of what would quorum. Te a but let me say this, my friends. O one is telling you not to be present. But what it does say is we are prepared, we will not panic. Prepared in case a catastrophic resurgence of in the fall as the scientists have said. Going to o proxy is dominate this floor. A proxy is directed by the they must specifically on each vote tell you what to do. Specific. Ctions are at the same time, no member is prohibited, as i said, from to this floor. Eleanor roosevelt said one thing make eve profoundly, we our own history. That is what we are doing. Were making our history so we serve the American Public. Do you think Truck Drivers and us to esponders want collapse and not pass a bill that will provide for them so not be furloughed and fired . They want us to do our job. Payne said time will try mens souls. This is a constitutional process. For us to proceed and overn this nation without an interruption. We have seen members who are positive. It can happen to a predominant number of members. How then will we respond . With the respond exact idea that has been promoted and put forward in this resolution. Let me also acknowledge the fact hat 36 million have filed for unemployment. 85,000 have died. Rojected 134,000 that have died. That is why we have done prison dollars, thats why we put the so we dont have people seeking to eat and id like to add this to the record, chairman, city staring down gaps. Illion budget funding. Ocal and state and the speaker pro tempore the gentlewomans time has expired. Ms. Jackson lee we need to do his resolution and pass the heroes legislation now. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewomans time has expired. The gentleman from massachusetts reserves. Oklahoma is from recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Yield one minute to my very good friend, former rules committee member, great dan state offrom the great washington. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Hou mr. Newhouse article 1, section 5 of the constitution states can constitute a quorum in order to do business house. Peoples as a rm to former former member of the house rules committee, i have a deep toreciation and a commitment the precedents and procedures of this hallowed body, but under democratic proxy voting 22 me before us today, only House Democrats would need to be present in this chamber to pass and every single bill moving forward. This is a forced consolidation select few a insiders. And it simply does not reflect our constitution, our history, and our nation. My fourth uents of washington washingtons fourth Congressional District did not vote for their simply defer to to a proxy and shirk the duties serving as a u. S. Representative. Mr. Speaker, the American People urge a no e, and i vote on this terribly illadvised and unconstitutional resolution. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from oklahoma tts from reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to insert in the record an april 14 a. P. News wisconsin tled assembly oks virus bill in congress. Al i ask unanimous consent to insert into the record a may 6 globe article entitled for the first time in 100 years ass lawmakers will vote remotely. And i ask unanimous consent to april 1 article entitled Kentucky House dramat limits inperson vote due to coronavirus. Reserve the i balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, speaker. I yield one minute to my very good friend from great state of grothman. Mr. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Grothman very wrong with voting. First of all, one of the problems we have in this though we all n represent 700,000 people, this ill there are some congressmen who are a great deal more powerful than others. And this bill will greatly ncrease the power of leadership. Right now, people running to each other in the halls, talk to other in the cloakroom, question parts of the bill, and ometimes question leaderships narrative. This bill says everybodys going to be back at home, which power oftrengthens the leadership because people arent around to question the bill. Lessens it bipartisanship. When were gone, we do have Conference Calls with other i find i but talk to democrats much more when were in this building. By taking people out of this building, you will decrease you make proxyas voting the norm. Inally, youre penalizing the press. The press should we should all be available to the press so they get a variety of perspectives. We will work our way down to the and e where its a speaker a few other democrats around and the press arent going to be able to talk to us all. Press. An insult to the thank you very much. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. Massachusettsfrom is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to insert into 22, ecord an april Washington Post article zoom. Arliament breaking 700 years of tradition. I also ask unanimous consent to the record a march 6 politico article entitled corona era european parliament, evoting. Er and and i reserve my time. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Reserves. Man the gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield two minutes to my good the distinguished Ranking Member and former chairman of the energy and oregon. , mr. Walden of the speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized, mr. Walden. Mr. Walden thank you, mr. Speaker. Friend from oklahoma, the current republican leader of the rules committee. We are in unprecedented times unprecedented times do call for unprecedented actions. Smash ag these times to wrecking ball in the foundation of democratic lawmaking by remote, vernment more more isolated from the people, by dramatically centralizing few more power with those at the top in the majority while giving the raines of the ouse reins of the house to fewer than 25 members who show returns otes by proxy to boss politics. This is not to say theres never room for improvement the way the house conducts its business, mr. Speaker. 10 years ago i led the transition for House Republicans looked at ways we can modernize congress, improve its operations. Not tothese were matters be taken lightly. We needed an inclusive bipartisan approach. Care to solicit inputs from democrats input from democrats and republicans alike. Up a suggestion box. What we did was good work. Were relatively small but the process is robust. Regular order, accountability, for the most part, bipartisanship, these are words energy and the Commerce Committee, republicans and democrats. As the republican leader of the energy and Commerce Committee, what this proposal means for the committees. How do we preserve the rights of all members from top to bottom s we zoom through hearings and markups . How do we presume integrity . The if someone makes mistake like accidentally muting themselves . Er and havent we experienced the of Video Conferencing . These are say that improved by changes. This further dehumanizes our processes. All know social media has become a cancer on civility. Members will cing not improve our relationships. Think what gets worked out the en members here on floor or in the committees. We need more bipartisan dialogue less. S country, not so i urge my democratic colleagues to withdraw this with us to work preserve the great democratic traditions of the house that ill work in this challenging time. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern i have been inserting various articles into the record showing other states and other parliaments and congresses across the world doing operating remotely. To prove a point that it can be done. I dont know whether my republican friends are just intimidated by technology. Listening to some of them i think they think bifocals are a radical idea. The bottom line is we can do this. The United States senate had a remote hearing. And it worked out just fine. The bottom line is that we are in the middle of a Health Care Health crisis, pandemic. And we need to make sure that we can continue to do our work in a safe and orderly way. If i was cynical i would think the reason why my republican friends are against this is to make sure we dont do anything. I get t you may not like the fact we are trying to address the needs and concerns of the American People. But we are going to do this and i hope we get a bipartisan vote on this. With that id like to yield one minute to our distinguished majority leader, mr. Hoyer. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from maryland is recognized. Mr. Hoyer i thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, i want to remind s today of president lincolns words to congress. He said this, the dogmas of quiet past are inadequate for he stormy present. The occasion, he continued, is piled high with difficulty. And we must rise to the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. So said president Abraham Lincoln. So it is today. This occasion is piled high with difficulty. But we must rise to the occasion. Our challenges are piled high and the this house must rise to meet them. We find ourselves in new and unprecedented circumstances. So, mr. Speaker, we must think anew and act anew. The house has a duty to the American People to do its job. Even, even in a crisis like this one that nobody on this floor has ever experienced. Ver. The house has a duty to the American People to do its job, especially, especially in a crisis like this. Let me say at the outset, mr. Speaker, that there is no substitute, i want my colleagues to hear me on this, there is no substitute for personal interaction of members in a Committee Room or house floor. I share that view. Mr. Mccarthy shares that view. Ms. Pelosi shares that view. Mr. Mcconnell shares that view. But when that is not possible because it poses a mortal of our he 000plus fell citizens fellow citizens have died because they contracted covid19. It poses a mortal danger to the ealth of members, staff, press, and the public. Therefore we must provide an alternative way to do the peoples business. Let me say that we had a Bipartisan Task force. The first Task Force Meeting rodney davis a. Republican from illinois, said, we want the congress to be able to work. My colleague said that cynically we could observe that perhaps for those of you who may not be able to garner a majority from what we pass, perhaps you dont want us to work. I hope thats not the case. I know the administration does not want us to do oversight. But that is our responsibility. This resolution will enable the house to conduct its work in full without risking the health and safety of americans in communities across the country from which members come and to which they will return. It allows committees to use Remote Technology to conduct hearings and mark up legislation. Technology already in use, lready in use safely and effectively by millions of americans. Including the Supreme Court. Nine people who have decided they ought to be separated and are therefore doing what has never been done in history. Its not a revolution. They are using technology to do the same thing they could do in the Hearing Chamber of the United States Supreme Court. Eriod. The United States senate, as my colleagues, so many have observed, held a virtual hearing. The chairman was not there. He was quarantined. The witness was not there. Actually there are multiple witnesses. They were quarantined. There were, as mr. Mccarthy has suggested, members in the hearing room. So it is what mr. Mccarthy refers to as a hybrid hearing. This rule provides for that. It also permits the use of proxy voting on the house floor. And takes steps toward adopting remote voting once a platform has been deemed secure. I had hoped the democrats and publicans could move forward with such changes on a bipartisan basis. I absolutely reject any theory that the character of the house is being changed by this rule. Absolutely reject it. My friend is shaking his head. No, it is. Nothing changes. The same people vote. The same issues will be considered. The same witnesses will be heard the same Committee Rules will be followed. The only thing that changes is the technology that is available to us. By the way, when that board is lit up, there were some people thought that was a radical change. I ought to be able to stand on the floor and say aye or nay. When cspan was introduced, oh, my, how radically that would hange the house. I reject. I say again, that this is any kind of radical change. What it is is the use of technology to accommodate the crisis we confront. We had many productive discussions through our party task force. I want to thank mr. Cole, mr. Davis, i want to thank minority leader mccarthy, i want to congratulate jim mcgovern, chairman of the rules committee, for his fairness and attentiveness to everybodys position. We didnt reach agreement, im sorry we didnt reach agreement, but tea wee took a lot of the ideas that our friends on the republican side of the aisle suggested. There were good suggestions. And we incorporated them in what we are doing. We are included in this resolution such as retiring any Software Platform be approved by the chief administrative officer. Some technology that is not accepted or approved to work would be used. The chief administrator officer and allowing committees to hold hybrid hearings, which i just referred to, and both reform in person participation simultaneously. However, mr. Speaker, we were unable to reach a consensus on adopting 21st century tools. 21st century tools that would allow the house to meet its Constitutional Responsibilities during this emergency which is why democrats are bringing this resolution to the floor today. I hope, however, with this resolution now on the floor that republicans will join us in voting for it and urge and i urge them to do so. If, in fact, you want the congress to be able to act and and se exercise our responsibility, youll vote for this rule. To do what we have historically done, held hearings, voted on bills, brought them to the floor, had amendments, and pass them. The only difference being that some people, maybe many people, who will be doing so as Technology Enables us to do, virtually. We know that remote technologies work because the committees have already been using them to hold meetings through those forums and engage in discussions about legislation. Many state legislators, mr. Speaker, and foreign parliaments have adopted these technologies successfully. One of them is kentucky. For what its worth. The washington metro area is still experiencing a high rate of infections. Which is not yet peeked. So our peaked, our doctor on whom we rely for some our health needs says the best practice would not be to come together in one room whether it be a Committee Room or the floor of the house, but would be to have people have the opportunity to vote remote will i. That is why the capital physician has cautioned us. At the same time, more than half of those employed here, staff or support workers, commute to the capitol complex on Public Transit and they are concerned. We have an obligation to protect them and their families as well. This change, let me repeat this, this change is not permanent. This is to meet a temporary catastrophe that confronts our country which we have not seen the like of for over a century. It will not advantage or disadvantage either party. Theres no partisan advantage in this rule. None, zero. Zip. It does not fundamentally alter the nature of the house or how it operates. Let me repeat that. It does not fundamentally alter the nature of the house or how it operates. There is no dangerous precedent. Only a commonsense solution to an unprecedented crisis that demand our ingenuity and adaptibility as an institution. I said it didnt happen for more than a century. 2018 1918, the spanish flu. They passed many, many pieces of legislation with two or three people on this floor. Perhaps you think thats better than the 432 others by technology saying i vote aye, i vote na y6789. Nay. This is how to paraphrase lincoln to think anew and act anew. Thats all we are doing. We need to have a system in place not only to deal with the Current Crisis, but future emergencies, including the possibility that another surge of covid19 is going to happen this fall. If we fail to act now as we fail to act after 9 11, if we fail to act now, we may be in a lot of trouble come september. Without the capacity to join us all together in this chamber. But still the capacity to join us all together in participating, pursuant to the rules of this house, even though we do so virtually. This resolution isnt just about adopting Remote Working tools for the house, its about ensuring that the house of representatives, the peoples house, conducts its constitutional duties of policymaking, oversight effectively and safely. It is about making sure that our system of checks and balances, hear me, im not sure the executive department is shedding any tears we are not here. Its about making sure that our system of checks and balances remains fully in place by keeping the house functioning to the full extent of its abilities, even as i said, it does so virtually. Frankly when i Say Something to people on some of this technology, whether its zoom, face time, teams, webex, any other technology of that type, very frankly when im looking at tom cole on that as we did a couple times, i see him on the screen. I know its tom cole. And when tom cole says something, i know that that is what tom cole is saying. Theres no secrecy here. Theres no mirrors. Smoke and mirrors. There is no advantage to either party by this. Thats why i do not understand that this isnt a bipartisan piece of legislation enabling this body to work in an effective way. Albeit virtually. Mr. Speaker, i want to thank chairwoman lofgren and the House Administration committee and chairman mcgovern of the rules committee for their tireless efforts on this resolution. I want to thank all the members who have been patient while we negotiated with republicans through the Bipartisan Task force. Hoping to produce a resolution that was bipartisan in its authorship. Having said that, there is a very fundamental difference, i understand that. Mr. Cole at the hearing offered a scholars opinion that would be unconstitutional to do this. Mr. Mcgovern offered another scholar that it was fully constitutional to do this. If thats the fundamental difference i understand. Its not because it radically changes the way this house works or radically changes the votes of the majority or the minority. Or radically in any other way change this is house of representatives to a body that is not representative. This resolution remains bipartisan in its ideas and i hope it will be bipartisan in its adoption. Once it is passed, i would ask my colleagues to familiarize themselves with its new proxy voting requirements and adhere strictly to them. That will allow the Clerks Office more effectively to fulfill its role of recording and counting members voteses with utmost accuracy. Again, mr. Speaker, i urge all my colleagues to join me and many others in supporting this resolution permitting the house to do its work safely and in compliance with social and physical distancing practices, urged by all of our medical personnel. I thank you and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from maryland yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from massachusetts reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I have been extraordinarily restrained in this debate i was a because i have a lot of speakers that need time to express their feelings. Sometimes when the other side repeatedly says things that are either out of context or deserve a rebuttal, youve got to respond. So to my good friends on the other side, who cited the Senate Committee, they know in negotiation we said wed be happy to do exactly that. We just want markups to be in person. So please dont use the Senate Committee as if we were somehow opposed to that second my friend said were intimidated by technology. Were not intimidated by technology. Heavens. You know. We respect tradition and we think theres a better way to do. This as my friends know we moved toward them in the course of that discussion. Finally my friend my very good friend, the chairman, said this is a plot to do nothing. Weve passed four bipartisan pieces of legislation working together, weve done a lot in the last few weeks. To suggest wed deliberately sabotage operation of the house simply because we disagree with you is wrong and quite frankly, doing nothing is bringing a bill to the floor, which youre getting ready to do, h. R. 1600, that you know the senate wont pick up and you know the senate wont sign. The president wont sign. We know working together we can coa lot. All we ask is that we return to that. With that i yield to my very good friend, the ranking republican member on the Homeland Security committee, the gentleman from alabama, mr. Rogers. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Rogers thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank my good friend from oklahoma. I rise in strong opposition to h. Res. 965. This blatant partisan move to fundamentally alter the way the house and committees operate completely undermines the rights of the minority and over 200 years of precedent. As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security committee im particularly concerned how this resolutionover rides the rules of our committee. T the beginning of our congress, our committee negotiated rule twhess majority that protected minority rights. Now those rules are being replaced with rules we only saw hours ago. I dont understand why Speaker Pelosi doesnt trust her chairmen and chairwomen to negotiate in this pandemic but apparently she doesnt trust them. One of the things that concerns me most about this resolution is that nothing guarantees that republican members are going to properly be notified and able to fully participate in Virtual Committee hearings that may sound petty to you but unfortunately on my committee its already the reality. For the last two weeks, Homeland Security democrats have been Holding Virtual hearings without notifying republican members. To make matters worse they restricted participation to only a handful of their members. I fear this resolution will only further empower the misconduct on my committee and cause it to spread to others. Worst of all, is being done for the shortterm benefit of the majority. And not the American People. Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to insert into the record a letter from all Ranking Members opposing this resolution. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Rogers many of my constituents show up to work every day, from frosery store clerks, nurses, doctors, policemen, First Responders. If the house had the resolve and courage to do the same we wouldnt need this partisan resolution. This is disgraceful. I urge all members to vote no and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern mr. Speaker, let me ask unanimous consent to insert into the record a may 13 letter from a current resident scholar at the American Institute in support of our plan here. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Mcgovern in response to the gentleman who just spoke i dont know what hes talking about. Theres nothing in this package that were presenting that would undermine minority rights. Im happy tourge him have his staff contact ours. What hes talking about has nothing to do with what were discussing here today. I reserve think time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman sfr oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole i yield one minute to my very good friend, the distinguished member from illinois, mr. Boston. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman veck mr. Bost. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Bost the American People are sacrificing on the frontlines, its been discussed about Truck Drivers and nurses and all that. I was going to go on that but ive listened to things being said. I come from the state of illinois where over a long period of time, about 35 years, we have seen small moves that sounded so good at the time giving all their power to the speaker. All their power given away which is not what our Founding Fathers said. Mr. Speaker, the sponsor of this bill has said on several occasions he would like to insert this statement into the record and this article into the record. That does not change the fact of article 1, section 5 that is so clear. That this is unconstitutional. And i hope for the sake of the people they represent, the people that each one of us represent, that the members will stand against this proposed rule. A rule that gives more power to one person instead of the individuals that we have here that was originally set up. Mr. Speaker, as i direct my comments toward you and the chair, i would like to say this. If you believe that i as a member am going to give up by proxy the ability to represent my 720,000 people that it will not happen. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern the gentleman doesnt have to give anything up. Can i inquire of mr. Cole how many more speakers he has . I think im prepared to close. Mr. Cole i still have a number of speakers. Mr. Mcgovern all right. I will reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. Mr. Mcgovern can i ask how much time we have, mr. Speaker . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from massachusetts has one and a half minutes. The gentleman from oklahoma has 8 1 2 minutes. Mr. Mcgovern you want to give us any . Mr. Cole we would need a different debate for that to happen. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole i yield one minute to the distinguished member from ohio, mr. Lattasm the speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Latta i thank my friend for yielding. I rise in opposition to h. Res. 965 which is a flagrant disregard to the constitution and house tradition. Proxy voting has previously been deliberated in this body. A 1970 amendment was offered to ban all forms of proxy voting in committee. It argued Committee Members should be present in person, to listen, debate, discuss and vote. Proxy voting tends to add to the cloud of suspicion hanging over congress. Use of proxy voting on important bills gives up a members voice and adds to the appearance of secrecy. In 1974 an amendment was offered to entirely ban proxy voted, it was adopted by this house but later overturned by the democrats caucus. A c. R. S. Report gave the opponents view to proxy vote big stating it contributes to the domination of committee chairs, contributes to senteeism, and detracts from what is necessary to enact clear legislation. He who forgets the past is condemned to repeat it. Learn from our past and vote no. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole i yield one minute to my very good friend they are distinguished member from california, mr. Lamalfa. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Lamalfa i thank my colleague from oklahoma. Our founders used to ride days on horsebook, wagons, through unkind conditions to d. C. To do their job for all of us at the time. Us, we only have to brave t. S. A. Lines and occasionally a delayed flight. You know, the constitution here did not catch the virus. Why are we voting on a measure to suspend it . These rules have been in place since 1789. Mr. Speaker, our constituents elected us to come to congress and do our job and be their voice in washington, d. C. This would only mute their voice. This has led to shady, fraudulent outcomes. Members should not have to be here to be possibly coerced by certain other members to how their votes should be shaped. They need to be able to show up. Not that hard, really, at the end of the day. We have a higher calling to come here and do our job an be present. To have these interactions. To have these conversations. Especially when were talking about possibly 3 trillion of new spending thats going to be debt for the grandkids that we are so trying to be helpful to in our future generations. I urge no on this. We need to stop and think of what were doing. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expire. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield one minute to my very good friend, the distinguished gentleman from arkansas, mr. Westerman. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Westerman mr. Speaker, why is it not too big of a Health Concern to call us back from all across the country to voten a useless messaging bill that will wither on the vine outside this chamber, but it is too much to ask to come back and hold Committee Hearings . Proxy voting shouldnt happen. Not now, not ever. If members of congress are unwilling to do their job, they should step down and let someone else do it. If politicizing a crisis werent enough, the speaker is weakening the core foundations of cry of congress. Already House Democrats have demonstrated their expertise at crafting partisan bills behind closed doors and on the Natural Resources committee they have been holding partisan virtual hearings disguised as round tables with no republican input. I will concede to my colleagues across the aisle that proxy voting will keep the process moving. The wrong process, the wrong direction, and for all the wrong reasons. So im not only concerned about how we will be voting, im also concerned about what we will be voting on. It is the plan now for a handful of members to come back to d. C. Every other week to vote on yet another messaging bill from the speaker . This is wrong and none of us should stand for it. Republicans are ready to get back to real work. Speaker pelosi, please quit playing games with the ruleses and let us do our job. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expire. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield one and a half minutes to my very good friend, the distinguished member from alabama, mr. Byrne. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Byrne thank you, mr. Speaker. I was listening to the majority leader talk about a state thament Abraham Lincoln made. He made it in his annual report to congress, december 1, 1862. In this message he proposed one of the dumbest ideas thats ever been put forth in this congress and that was instead of free and enslaved people in this country we would round freeing enslaved people in this couldnty ry we would round them up and send them back to africa. He talks about the tired dog in as of the past. The constitution is not dogma. This is the fundamental law of this country. Remember in december 1, 1862, this congress was in this room, 50 miles away, 10 days later, a fierce, awful battle took place in fredericksburg, 18,000 casualties. If it hadnt been winter, the Confederate Army could have take then building. Yet they continued to meet here. Through pandemics. Yellow fever. Malaier yasm this was the hottest spot in the country for typhoid fever for over 15 years. Congress still met in this room. Millions millions of americans go to work every day doing their jobs and they expect us to do the same. Concerted this ill rule we should all get to washington, do our jobs and take care of American People. With that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to my very good friend from the great state of pennsylvania, mr. Perry. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Perry i thank my good friend, the gentleman from oklahoma. This isnt about chaining the rules to get things done. This is about changing the rules to hide whats done and who has done it. This bill this rule would change whats going to happen shortly here which a bill provides another 1 trillion to state and local governments in addition to the funds provided under the care act. Much of the 1 trillion already sent to the states has yet to be unspent. You take my own state, the home state of pennsylvania, where the governor there has withheld cares act funding and extorted the counties to go along with his indefinite shutdown. The untimely deaths of hundreds and thousands in Nursing Homes. And the bankruptcy of many of our citizens. This unnecessary and unconstitutional mandate has resulted in 1. 8 million pennsylvanians losing their jobs. Were fifth in population and number one in unemployment and one or two in untimely deaths in Nursing Homes. Despite all of the cares act funds that weve already given, that weve already given, 41 days is what it takes on the average for somebody to receive Unemployment Benefits run by the state. More money isnt going to help anything here, mr. Speaker. Not one more cent. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield one minute to my very good friend from the great state of michigan, mr. Walberg. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from michigan is recognized for one minute. Mr. Walberg i thank my friend from oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, i had the experience just last week in a virtual hearing to be able to push when it came my turn, push the muteoff button on the microphone and it didnt work. I was passed over, then when i texted in to find out why, i was told, well, that basically thats too bad, well catch you at the end. The only place for us to be in this congress is where were supposed to be and thats here. We ought to be doing our Work Together. Let me read you a quote from general omar bradley. A famous general who understood the cost of leadership. He said, in the end, more than they wanted freedom they wanted security. They wanted a comfortable life and they lost it all, security, comfort, and freedom. When the freedom they wanted most was freedom from responsibility, then athens ceased to be free. Ladies and gentlemen, together we work for the freedom of this country. Mr. Speaker, i would submit to you, if im not willing to do whats necessary to be here, its time for me to consider turning over to somebody else. I would suggest that that ought to be for all of us who are privileged to represent people in this august body. Not like any other parliamentary body in the world. Not like under state legislature. This is the u. S. Congress. Lets act like it. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts. Mr. Mcgovern i have a parliamentary inquiry, mr. Speaker. Have a parliamentary inquiry. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman will state his inquiry. Mr. Mcgovern the gentleman just said we had an official virtual hearing in the house. I want to know whether or not under the rules the that currently exist, is it allowed for there to be official earings virtually or remotely . The speaker pro tempore the chair doesnt comment on committees proceedings mr. Mcgovern ill take it as there was not a hearing. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from massachusetts controls the time. Unless he reserves. The gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from oklahoma. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, weve heard a lot today that the republican plan was simply to prioritize testing for members of congress. Actually its a great deal more than that. As my friends know. Its much more expansive, much more complete. So i ask, mr. Speaker, unanimous consent to include the republican plan authored by the distinguished republican leader, mr. Davis of illinois, and myself into the record. Without objection. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. With that, mr. Speaker, i would like to yield one minute to the distinguished republican leader of the house of representatives, mr. Mccarthy of california. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california, mr. Mccarthy, is recognized. Mr. Mccarthy i thank the gentleman for yielding. And thank him for his work. And rodney davis as well. Unfortunately it did not come to the place with we could have a bipartisan agreement where we could have a bipartisan agreement. Mr. Speaker, today isnt just a day for debate. Its also a day for remembrance. It is peace officers memorial day. And the second to last day of police week. So before i begin, i want to say thank you to everyone who serves as a Police Officer or is a Family Member of a Police Officer. Including our wonderful Capitol Police and their families. Who do an incredible job protecting this campus, its employees and its visitors. As the guardians of peace, you are on the front lines every day. Despite the danger, youre undeterred from performing your duty. As a son of a firefighter, i know that you do not do your job for recognition or praise. But you truly deserve our gratitude, especially now. So thank you for everything you do, from a very grateful congress. Now, mr. Speaker, the work of our front line heroes is the definition of essential. It can be done remotely or by proxy. Why should congress be any different . Were supposed to represent the people. We should strive to show a level of determination in our important work that is worthy of the Police Officers we honor today. The American People expect us to do our part to defeat this virus. Just like they are doing on a daily basis. Mr. Speaker, Speaker Pelosi said in this exact chamber just a few weeks ago, and i quote, we are captains of the ship. We are the last to leave. But proxy voting calls on congress to abandon the ship and the be and be the first to leave. For months or possibly for the rest of the session. The speaker is on the brink of launching the most significant power grab in the history of congress. It runs counter to 230 years of house rules and even the constitution. Mr. Speaker, our founders would be ashamed that we arent assembling. I want every american to understand what it means for their members of congress, to whom they lend their voice in washington, it means that you can stay home for the rest of the year but still get paid for the rest of the year. For Many American where Many Americans will not be paid. It means that they can let someone else, Speaker Pelosi, consolidate power and do their job for them when they could do it for themselves. And it means that they will only participate in legislative theater while shutting your voice out for the real law making process. A Virtual Congress would be a congress that is connected to the internet but disconnected from the American People. That isnt fair to our constituents, our colleagues, or our country. And it undermines the very purpose of Representative Democracy as our founders designed it. Robert roger sherman, the only founder to sign all four great , te documents, said in 1789 ill pause until theyre quiet. Mr. Speaker. The house is not in order. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman may proceed. Mr. Mccarthy thank you, mr. Speaker. Roger sherman, the only founder to sign all four great state documents said in 179, when the people documents, said in 1789, when the people has chosen his representatives its his duty to meet with others from different parts of the union and to meet with them for the whole benefit of the community. Sherman is right. Especially in a pandemic, our presence here, our congress together matters. It matters to our constituents. It matters to our constitution. And it matters to institution. And it matters to all those who will come after us. This pandemic has claimed too many lives and livelihoods already. We must now allow this great body we are charged with safeguarding to be the next casualty if you pass this bill. In fact, arent we proving today that we dont need a Virtual Congress . In the middle of this virus, the house is conducting its business while following the health guidelines. We can do that as a at a Committee Level too. Our republican colleagues, mr. Cole, mr. Davis, have submitted that plan for the peoples house, for the committees to work in a safe manner. It is the only side that has produced a plan. And it was a bipartisan plan to move forward. It is about more than reopening a campus. It is about restoring americas voice. We dont have to choose between the health of our Capital Community and the health of this institution. We can continue to work in a safe and effective manner without overturning 230 years of constitutional and legislative tradition. Remote voting should be the final and last option. Not the first and only. Unfortunately rather than allowing the most reasoned voices to prevail on this crucial matter, my friends across the aisle have surrendered to the loudest voice. Mr. Speaker, as i look at this reckless proposal, i am reminded of what the Great American author, james finnamore cooper, said in 1838. He said, the most dangerous attacks on freedom are made by the largest trustees of authority. In their efforts to increase their power. Mr. Speaker, i believe thats worth hearing again. It was said in 1838, the most dangerous attacks on freedom are made by the largest trustees of authority in their effort to increase power. Cooper was correct and that should concern each and every one of us today. By changing the rules to increase the power of a select few, democrats will forever alter our constitution for the worse. That will be the legacy that has left this congress. A congress that is a voice of people, that are lent the voice throughout this nation to 435 members, will now shrink to 20. We were warned that the dangers of freedom will come from those who the trustees of authority who are the trustees of authority. We were warned, so maybe today would never happen. But now we are witnesses of it. In a few minutes, well be biven given the opportunity to make that choice. Ill your legacy be what cooper had warned the nation about . I hope it will not. If you are ok with overturning 230 years of tradition and allowing 20 members to control congress, then vote for this resolution. If you enjoy being cut out of the law making process, then vote for this resolution. If you ran to get a title, but are willing to give your vote in return, then vote for this resolution. But if you think our Congress Still matters, if you think the peoples voice still matters, i urge all my colleagues to vote no. I know each and every one of you will honor the police for doing their job. Each and every one of you will honor all those in the medical community for doing their job. I know youll honor the delivery driver, youll honor the cashier, youll honor those who are behind the check stands at home depot or in the grocery store. Because you think what theyre doing is essential. I hope you look deep in your heart, because when you ask your constituents to vote for you, because you believe the job you are running for was essential for the nation, because i believe it is. I want you to look at your vote. Because if you believe 20 should have the power, if you believe you should have the title and not do the job, if you believe you should be paid while you stay home, i think we have a difference of opinion. I believe our work is essential. I believe were proving we can do it. I believe the speaker when she said just a few weeks ago that we are captains of the ship, that we will be the last to leave. Not the first to abandon it, like you will today. A vote for this resolution is a vote to abandon this house, to abandon the constitution, to bandon 230 years of tradition. Youll still have your title, youll have no power. And worst of all, your constituents will have no voice. Lend back. The speaker pro tempore members are reminded that any comments should be directed to the chair. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. Mr. Cole with that i actually yield back the balance of my time the speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern mr. Speaker, the distinguished minority leader asked a question, why should we be treated any differently why should we be treated differently from anybody else in this country . Thats a very good question. Thats why we rejected his proposal and his idea that members of congress get preference rble treatment. That we move to the front of the line with regard to tests. At a time when our doctors and nurses and our teachers and volunteers at homeless shelters and food banks cant get a test but somehow we are so special that we should move to the front of the line. We rejected that and quite frankly, it is one of the reasons why people have a bad feeling sometimes about congress is when they hear those kinds of suggestions. Quite frankly im assured that even that idea was brought forward in a serious way. I know they do this at the white house but the idea that we would step ahead of everybody else doesnt make any sense. Mr. Speaker, to hear some of my republican friends youd think this house conducts its is Business Today in 2020 just as it did in 1798. But thats just not true. A lot has changed these blast these last 230 years, from the way we vote to the way we count a quorum. Americans are watching and listening to this debate live right now because of Action Congress took decades ago to adapt to new technology. The changes that were talking about here arent permanent ones like that. These are temporary, to be used only during this pandemic. Once it is other we go back to working side by side and in person. State legislatures and governments around the world have already acted to make remote voting possible. I really dont know why some people here believe this house is somehow different. We cannot afford to let this pandemic stop our legislative work and i tell the minority worker we want to do our work and we want to do the oversight to make sure the administration appropriating the money that we fought to get to the American People the right way i urge my colleagues to vote for this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore all time for debate has expired. Pursuant to House Resolution 6 967, the previous question is ordered on the resolution. The question is on adoption of the resolution. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The resolution is agreed to. Mr. Cole on that i request the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. Those favoring a vote by the yeas and nays will rise. A sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from new york, mrs. Lowey, seek recognition . Mrs. Lowey pursuant to House Resolution 967, i call up the emergency6800, making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending september 30, 2020, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 6800, a bill making emergency supplemental appropriationers in fiscal year ending september 30, 2020, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to House Resolution 967, the amendment printed in house report 116421 is adopted and the bill as amended is considered read. The bill shall be debatable for two hours, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on appropriations. The gentlewoman from new york, mrs. Lowey, and the gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Cole, each will control 60 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from new york, mrs. Lowey. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the measure under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, i yield yself four and a half minutes. Mr. Speaker, nearly 86,000 americans have died. More than 1. 4 million have become sick. More than 36 million have lost their jobs because of coronavirus. While congress has taken significant action, we must do more. On wednesday, Federal Reserve chairman jay powell urged congress to think big, address this crisis. The heroes act is a bold step to provide that support and ensure our nation meets the challenge of the pandemic and the ensuing economic recession. Within the appropriations division, this bill deploys more than 1. 5 trillion in federal funds to address this health and economic crisis. First, the bill delivers nearly 1 trillion to states and local governments so that they can keep our heroes, First Responders, health workers, teachers, and other Public Servants paid and working for the American People. I am proud that this bill will provide 67 billion to my home state of new york. Which has been hit so hard by this crisis. Second, we will only beat this disease with a Robust National strategy for testing, tracing, and treatment. Yesterday, dr. Rick bright, one of the federal governments top scientists, warned us, and i quote, if we fail to develop a National Coordinated response based on science, i fear the pandemic will get far worse and be prolonged, causing unprecedented illness and fatalities. To that end, the bill builds on 75 billion with for a nationwide testing and Contact Tracing strategy and an additional 100 billion for the Health Provider relief fund. Third, we must meet the challenge they economic effects of lockdowns and stay at home orders are having on families. As a mother, and a grandmother, i am deeply concerned about the effects of coronavirus on children and their education. We are including 100 billion to support k through 12 and Higher Education systems as they respond to this crisis. To address rising hunger, this bill funds an expansion of snap benefits and other nutrition programs so that children and families have enough to eat. To prevent a housing crisis, we are deploying new funds worth nearly 200 billion to help struggling families make rent or pay their mortgages. Finally, to stop this crisis from weakening our democracy, we have included funding to hold safe elections. To carry out a fair and accurate census. Nd to ensure that the Postal Service can continue safely delivering mail to american households. I am so i am so proud of the hard work of so many to ensure this bill provides the help that families, businesses and communities need. Mr. Speaker, the heroes act will meet the challenges this pandemic poses to our nation. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewomans time has expired. Mrs. Lowey i urge a yes vote and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves the balance of her time. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. And i rise today in opposition to h. R. 6800. Not only is the bill premature, it was crafted behind closed doors and without any republican input at all. The pandemic we currently face is unlike anything weve experienced in modern history. Mr. Cole and so too has been our response. Im pleased with how the congress has worked together and quickly to provide urgent aid to those on the front lines and those struggling with Economic Impacts of this disastrous scourge. Every bill that has been enacted up to this point was ultimately the product of cooperation and bipartisan support. And each of those bills passed this floor with essentially no partisan division at all. So its very disappointing to come before you today, mr. Speaker, on this onesided bill thats loaded with provisions unrelated to the crisis that we faced. This is not in the spirit of cooperation that the American People expect from their leaders during difficult times. Indeed, the bill before us today has three 3 trillion in spending, we think, we dont know, we dont have a c. B. O. Score yet, nearly 10,000 for every person in the united ates, and 1. 5 trillion of discretionary funding provided in this bill is more than typically appropriated in an entire fiscal year. This includes almost 1 trillion in new funding for states, cities and counties, on top of roughly 1 trillion weve already provided over the last two months. These new dollars are made available without any safeguards against funds going to jurisdictions that had financial problems long before the crisis and are unrelated to the crisis. The bill gives the u. S. Postal service a 25 billion windfall without requiring any reforms to their operations. And it bails out multiemployer Pension Plans. Theres also sweeping changes to our election system, requiring sameday Voter Registration, nationwide vote by mail. This is an incredible federal intrusion into the election system that is operated not by the federal government but by the states. I am concerned with this path, mr. Speaker, that leads us in the wrong direction. Theres no reason for us to be here on the floor in this house debating this partisan wish list. I know that we can come i know what can come from members working across the aisle together. Ive done it on many occasions with my good friend, the distinguished chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee. Its what led to the creation of the Infectious Disease Rapid Response fund that allowed the administration to respond immediately to the emerging threat from the new coronavirus as we worked to understand where resources were needed. I was proud to work with my counterpart in the labor, health and human Services Committee, chairwoman delauro, on that fund, and even more proud to see it used effectively. Thats an example of the two parties coming together, working together, to pass a really good idea that benefited this country at a critical time. Thats the cooperative nature thats been the hallmark of our governments response to the pandemic up to now. The American People expect and deserve nothing less. For that reason, i urge my colleagues to vote no on this bill, so that we can Work Together and on a better product that will be a responsible use of taxpayer dollars and truly help those in need. Mr. Speaker, i have full faith that the leaders of the Appropriations Committee, chairwoman lowey, and republican Ranking Member granger, will Work Together to come up with a bill that we all support. That confidence is based on experience. Ive seen them do it over and over again during my time in congress, and particularly in dealing with the last four bills where we did Work Together and manage to craft a bill that not only passed here, but passed the United States senate as well. Essentially without dissent. Mr. Speaker, if we continue down the path with this bill, we know that the senate will not pick it up, we know the president will not sign it. Its much more about political messaging than effective legislating. I would just urge my colleagues, lets return to the path that we walk down together in these recent weeks. We bargained, we debated, but we brought products to the floor that we knew could pass the other chamber and that we knew the president would sign and that we knew would immediately go forward to help with the American People. So with that, mr. Speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, i am delighted to yield one minute to the gentlewoman from california, the outstanding speaker of the house, ms. Pelosi. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from california is recognized for one minute. The speaker thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I thank the distinguished chair for yielding and thank her for her tremendous leadership. My colleagues, a horrible virus has made a vicious attack on the lives and the livelihood of the American People, indeed on the life of the our democracy of our democracy. We have a momentous opportunity and therefore a great opportunity to defeat the virus and to do so in a way that brings us together and takes us forward to a stronger america. Today the house will consider e heroes act, to honor those who are on the front lines. Our Health Care Workers, our First Responders, teachers, sanitation workers, food providers, transit workers and other essential workers. Many of them have risked their lives to save lives and now they may lose their jobs. For many of them, this is just what is happening right now as governors across the country are lanning their budgets. As the coronavirus takes its vicious toll on the lives and livelihood of the country, it is also it has also taken a toll on the states to deliver services to the people. Governors are forced to either cut services or increase taxes or both. The Congress Must honor its responsibility to the American People to lessen the blow of the same irus by making the serious investment of the heroes act to our state, local, tribal and territorial governments. The plan that we are voting on today will make a tremendous difference not only in the budgets in the states, but in the lives of the American People. Public health, education of our children, the sanitation that is so important in defeating the virus, with the support of so many essential workers. Actually, the distinguished gentleman on the other side of the aisle talked about the cost of the bill. The cost to the states, localities, territories and tribal governments is less than the cost of the republican tax break which gave 83 of the benefits to the top 1 . We think this is a major investment in the lives of the American People and in the budgets of our states. Setting aside how we got here, we must approach this tragedy with the deepest humanity, mr. Speaker. All of our hearts are broken by the 87,000 americans who have lost their lives and nearly 1. 5 million who have been infected by the coronavirus. The number of 36 million or more americans who have filed for Unemployment Insurance is almost unimaginable. This is a moment when our fellow americans are in deep suffering. We must have empathy for our heroes, the Health Care Workers, for how exhausted they must be and how stressed they are in doing their jobs. And, again, theyre at risk of losing their jobs in this economy. We must also emphasize the pain of families who do not know where their next meal is coming from or how theyre going to pay next months rent. It is imperative that we address the needs of the American People with clarity as we proceed. Its always interesting to me, mr. Speaker, to see how much patience some people have with the pain and suffering of other people. A tolerance level that is not acceptable and a in a great country like america, with a sense of community and concern for each other. We can all agree that we must open the economy. For sure. As quickly as we can. But we must do so based on science and data. The key to opening this door is testing, tracing, treating and social distancing. Overwhelmingly the scientist community Scientific Community grease. The heroes act has a strategic agrees. The heroes act has a Strategic Plan, something that has been lacking thus far. A Strategic Plan with a vision to end this playing. A strategic, a goal strategic vision, a goal, a timetable, milestone, benchmarks put forth by the energy and Commerce Committee, mr. Pallone, thank you. And that is really important. You have to have a plan. To succeed. As families are devastated by the loss of life, this legislation of putting money in the pockets of the American People, which is also a stimulus for the economy, is essential. Theyre suffering so much in so many ways. We want to lessen the pain for them. As the Federal Reserve chairman powell said, additional fiscal now this is very important because it isnt one of us saying it to each other. The authority of the chairman of the Federal Reserve board, additional fiscal support could be costly. But its worth it if it helps avoid longterm economic damage and leaves us with a stronger recovery. The tradeoff is one for our elected representatives, he says, who wield powers of taxation and spending. As elected officials, he indicated us, we have the responsibility and the opportunity to think big, as he advised, and act now for the people. The distinguished gentleman said, oh, my goodness, we put this bill on the floor. Well, let me just do a little history of the last few months. I too am very proud of the fact that we were able to bring four bills to conclusion in a strong, bipartisan way. First one on march 4, testing, testing, testing. Not really fulfilled. But nonetheless, intended. 10 days later on march 14, masks, masks, masks, masks. Again, p. P. E. , not fully realized. But nonetheless, intended. March 28, the president of the United States signed the cares act. The first cares act. D that was a bill that was developed by the Republican Leadership in the senate. They put forth their proposal, we responded, acted upon it, and came forth with a bipartisan agreement. The next bill, the interim p. P. P. Bill, was also developed by the republican leader in the senate. He put forth their proposal, we put forth our suggestions, we negotiated, we came forth with a bipartisan bill forward with a bipartisan bill. Dont you take pride in the house of representatives having the same opportunity and privilege as the Republican Leadership in the senate for us to put forth legislation in this terrible fight . And more than 80 of what is in this legislation has already been supported in a bipartisan way. Weve agreed on state and local in other bills. Weve agreed on testing and at least two other in at least two other bills. Have agreed on supporting hospitals, weve agreed on Unemployment Insurance. Weve agreed on direct payments. So much that is in this legislation has appeared in previous Bipartisan Legislation. So were not asking people to do something they havent done before. But there are some things that we want to add. The postal system, more for voting. But they did vote for voting vote by mail legislation before. A very strong osha regulation that mandates certain conditions so that our workers will be protected and that our employers will know what the standards are clearly that they must honor and therefore theyre protected as well. Now some of the members say, lets take a pause. Lets take a pause . Do you think this virus is taking a pause . Do you think that the rent takes a pause . Do you think that putting food on the table or the hunger that comes if you cant takes a pause . This is the hardship of losing a job doesnt take a pause. Or tragically, losing a loved one. It doesnt take a pause. So many lives may have been saved if we had testing and tracing and treatment earlier on. Thats what we must do, so we can end this. But we dont end by pausing in the fight. This virus is relentless. It is possibly mutating and changing its nature. This is a very difficult fight. And it gives us a moment that we must admit that the American People are suffering deeply, suffering deeply. We must have empathy for our Health Care Workers again and again who risk their lives to save lives and again are at risk of losing jobs of their own, as i said before. And we have empathy for the families who are sick and parents struggling to pay the rent and put food on the table. Can you just imagine losing a loved one so mysteriously, so out of the blue and many people cannot embrace them or say goodbye because of the way the virus is communicated. We cannot abandon them in this time of need. Protect lives and livelihoods, house and senate, must come together as we have done responding to the republicans bill that they constructed on their own in the nat senate and now we offered much of what they offered, a little more because the needs are greater. And we must give pass this bill to give families the relief they need. These are the American People. This is our family. They are suffering. They need help. We have the resources and the opportunity to do so. Its interesting to me and sad for me as a mother and grandmother of children who are younger and college age that this is the time that they would have been enjoying graduation. I have spoken at many, many, ny graduations, watching hundreds of thousands of Students Walk across that stage to see the pride in their families. Many of them, the first in their families to graduate from ollege, to see the symbol of success and love and joy that is for those families. They will be missing that ritual. Sadly, whether its college or high school or grade school or even going into middle school. So here we are at a time when these young people president kennedy said Young Children are our greatest resource and our best hope for the future. They are our hope. But we must also give them hope as they go forward by alleviating the challenge our country is facing and make the future better for them. Its always about the children and their future. I urge our colleagues to consider all of those children all over america, but also in their own states, in their own districts as they make their decision today that is so important to our country. And that is why i am so grateful, mr. Speaker, to our distinguished chairwoman, chairwoman lowey as chair of the Appropriations Committee. She and chairs of our committees have been dazzling, dazzling with a depth of knowledge of the subject, the extent of legislative brilliance that they have brought to all of this, nowing, knowing the challenge, understanding the policy, strategicically thinking about how best to accomplish and use money. This is not a christmas tree. There is nothing joyful about this. This is a stre strategicically planned piece of legislation that is tailored to meet the needs of the American People regarding the coronavirus pandemic. To do anything less would not be responsible. Theres more we could have done but wanted to keep the cost in line. When you talk about the cost, you have to think about the opportunity lost. The chairman of the fed has told us to think big. Its never going to be cheaper, he said, because the cost of interest is so low, the cost of credit is so low. Nd i say not to act now is not only irresponsible in a humanitarian way, it is irresponsible because its only going to cost more, more in terms of lives, livelihoods, cost to the budget, cost to our democracy. As governors struggle, city halls, county executives struggle to make their budget. So depleted by this virus. So this funding is to make sure to takey have the funds care of some of the funding of the coronavirus expenses directly and also a recognition of the loss of revenue to their budgets because of this assault on our economy by this vicious little virus that we must defeat. So as we do that, i thank the distinguished chairwoman for her extraordinary leadership. She has a few more bills to go. A lot of time left. A great contribution to make, but i had the privilege of serving with her for decades and im sorry to see her leave the congress, but she leaves a tremendous legacy. You know, we all believe that a budget should be a statement about our National Values and its important to us as a nation to be reflected in our budgets and how we allocate our resources. Chairwoman lowey has been just hat messenger of values as she has put forth her budget and does so with respect for the republicans in this committee, in this congress and in this country. Bipartisanship is the order of the day. As a former member of the Appropriations Committee and intelligence, i recognize full well, the product, as mr. Cole said, appropriators working together. Left to their own devices, they can get the job done and they will. And i have no doubt that this legislation will have bipartisan support. I just want it to be soon, because these governors cant wait. Right now as i said, they have many layoffs. They dont have the money. They are going to raise property taxes. We can make that go away in large measure if we pass this legislation because its not just about their budget, its about the services for the people of our country that will be lessened if we do not help. What are we here for but for the American People. How are their services delivered. Many ways by the state houses and the state legislatures, the city councils, mayors offices and the rest, we have a responsibility to make strategic spending that we need to do and thats what this bill does. Its not for us to praise our heroes. Everybody praises them and thanks them and honors them. Words . We need deeds and real support for them. This is the saddest part, all these people who have died. I know, speaking on both sides of the aisle hearing our colleagues speak, but all of us will always carry those people in our hearts. Is 87,000 now and hopefully curtail the growth of that number with our testing, but we must make the decision to do so and thats the decision we have to make today. I thank my colleagues for their thoughtful consideration of the heroes act. And i thank you for your concern about the American People. Let us come together and give them a real signal that we care by allocating the resources to meet their needs. We pray for all of them, all of our constituents and we pray and thank god for continuing to bless america. With that, mr. Speaker, i urge my colleagues to support the heroes act and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from california yields. The gentleman from the gentlewoman from new york yields and reserves. I apologize and the gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole while our istinguished speaker and i may disagree we agree with the appropriations chairwoman and her ability to bring us together. I yield two minutes to the distinguished Ranking Member of the commerce, justice and science subcommittee Appropriations Committee, mr. Aderholt of alabama. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized recognized. Mr. Aderholt i thank the gentleman. I rise in strong opposition to this bill. No doubt as has been said, state and local governments across this nation are hurting because of economic downturn this virus has created. However, these times call for cooperation. The democrats unfortunately have chosen partisanship. America needs us to come together to address this pandemic. But the democrats chose their own way, shutting out the republicans and discussing this bill. Unform, the democratic leadership seems more interested in shaping the debate for november than solving the real problems that this country is going through today. Among the many concerns is the election mandate. The democrat pipe dream would lead to widespread voter fraud by allowing ballot harvesting and prohibiting even states from requiring voter identification. Let me be clear. This bill is chock full of proposals that have absolutely nothing to do with the addressing the economic harms from the pandemic virus that we are experiencing in this nation. A 3 trillion liberal wish list is not a serious proposal. The United States of america, this country deserves better. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from alabama yields. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, i am delighted to yield two minutes to my friend, a fellow new yorker and outstanding congresswoman from new york and chairwoman of the committee on oversight and reform, mrs. Maloney. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized for two minutes. Mrs. Maloney i thank my good friend from new york for yielding. I rise in strong support of the heroes act. This bill provide will provide 67 billion in emergency relief to new york state, emergency aid that is needed by a state that is on the front line of our national fight against the coronavirus. There is more than 17 billion that will go directly to new york city. If people continue to inspire the country with their resilience, courage and compassion. The bill includes perimeters that are important to my district for people who have lost their jobs. The federal government will pay their rent for them out of 100 billion fund. As chair of the oversight committee, i helped lead a bipartisan effort to save the Postal Service from financial ruin. This bill will provide 25 billion to ensure it can continue serving the American Public. I thank the numerous members on both sides of the aisle who have joined me in fighting for this and supporting this funding. This Emergency Assistance will mean that we can avoid drastic service cuts at a time when american lives depend on the mail more and more every day. Recognizing that congress has a constitutional responsibility to sure a fair and accurate census. This bill extends certain reporting deadlines. The administration has asked for this delay as a result of the coronavirus crisis, which caused key operations of the 2020 census to be postponed. The bill would enhance congressional oversight of operations. This administration has fought tooth and nail and the speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. Mrs. Maloney i urge a yes vote. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from from oklahoma. Cole i yield two minutes, mr. Calvert of california. The speaker pro tempore mr. Calvert i rise in opposition to the heroes act with 3 trillion in spending and giveaways and handouts for Illegal Immigrants and yet there is no funding for the Defense Industrial base. As we debate these measures, adversaries are testing our ability to defend ourselves as e battle this virus. Instead of shoring up our Defense Industrial base, the majority ignores the dangers of those who wish to exploit this crisis. Rather than spending billions of dollars to keep people depent on the government, why not put them n building submarines, expeditionary bases, satellites and including the columbia class submarines, the new frigate and the Stealth Bomber and the vertical left lift program. It is comprised of hundreds of companies to persons making nuts and bolts. It is a critical industry that is completely ignored in this bill. Im opposed to the bill for many reasons. Its a road map to more federal government and first step to a socialist system. I stand with the men and women of the Defense Community as the beakon of freedom and democracy in the world. We must send a message that would allow for bad actors will not take advantage and continue to be the worlds superpower to project force in any corner of the world. This is a retreat from our values and americans dont want unlimited handouts but want to work, innovate and succeed. I urge a no vote and i yield back. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, im pleased to yield two minutes to my friend, the gentleman from new york, the outstanding of the committee on the judiciary, mr. Nadler. The speaker pro tempore the entleman from new york is recognized for two minutes. I thank the gentlelady for yielding. Mr. Chairman, we find ourselves moment. Tical 1. 4 million americans are sick. Died. 90,000 people have 36 million americans are out of work. In new york have been at the epicenter of this pandemic for months. While this bill is not perfect, t goes far to support the country and new yorkers. First and foremost, state and local governments will see in funding tolion fill the massive gaps in their budgets and prevent huge cuts to critical services. For new york state, new york city, that funding will mean a recovery and ween total economic collapse. I am proud to hear it includes i introduced, the covid19 correctional facility mergency response act, for testing, treatment, and prevention of covid19 in jails. And and another that will make sure that our brave First Responders disabled get ome their benefits. The bill also includes many of the Judiciary Committee like additional funding for the violence against of n to address the surge Domestic Violence, funding for on enforcement and the ban price gouging. It includes 100 billion for ental assistance and 75 billion for homeowners assistance so people dont lose their homes. And Financial Support for the and essential workers keeping our country running. Who have l that staff been working in apartment additional pay. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure it happens. A sciencebased strategy for testing and Contact Tracing to limit the al spread of the pandemic and to again. Economy open additionally, the bill improves p. P. P. And makes loan much easier to achieve for Small Businesses. Nonprofits, the backbone of new housing onomy and cooperatives will now be eligible for p. P. P. The Postal Service, which has american eline for families since George Washington and now the speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Nadler will also receive a muchneeded funding. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewomans time has expired new york reserves. Mr. Nadler the bill is not perfect. I urge everyone to vote for it. I yield back. The peaker pro tempore gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i yield two minutes friend, ry good distinguished republican Ranking Member on the Budget Committee a valued member of the Appropriations Committee, mr. Womack of arkansas. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from arkansas is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Womack i thank the speaker. Me just say, et before i get to the contents of my remarks, not lost on me is that mr. Cole is doing today as a rules committee the debate anaging we just had, managing this debate with appropriations. Hes a real iron man today. Just want to publicly thank him for the long standing work in support of our work here today. The peaker, here we are in peoples house with nothing debating nothing more than a partisan grab bag, and its an expensive one. A crisis, mr. Speaker, the other side sees as exert rtunity to leverage. O collaboration, no transparency, no republican input. Even wait until the trillions of dollars weve lready spent is completely out the door before coming back for more. Why . Is not about a response to the coronavirus. Implementing an agenda. Any of the items in this bill were already part of the liberal even say ore we could coronavirus. Federalizing elections have to do with covid19 . Does the salt deduction of has been a source contention with the other side have to do with covid19 . Forgiving 10,000 of Student Loan Debt . In the that get conversation with our response to coronavirus . He Postal Service bailout, multiemployer pensions, are you kidding me . Mr. Speaker, the people deserve better. Is not going anywhere, it. They know it and we know its appropriate, mr. Speaker, that the conversations that are place today on this floor about this bill are being done because no one can argue with a straight face cole i yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds. Mr. Womack as i was about to ay, its appropriate we are having this conversation, in many respects, behind a mask ecause theres nobody on this floor today that can argue with a straight face that many of the rovisions in this bill that were debating right now are elated to coronavirus or have any sense of congressional urgency. Yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, i am so leased to yield two minutes to my friend, the gentleman from massachusetts, chairman of the on ways and means, who came to congress in the same i did and we have worked to ther and im very proud yield for two minutes to mr. Neal. The speaker pro tempore the is leman from massachusetts recognized for two minutes. Mr. Neal i thank the gentlelady comments. Nd i am rising in support of the heroes act. T can be called the confidence in the American People act. This is the response to the reality that 85,000 americans 36 million ives, americans are now without a job nd our thoughts are with those families today. Delighted with role the ways and Means Committee once again played in stepping up to deliver latest s in this legislation. The heroes act includes a second round of Economic Impact americans keep afloat and to fuse money back in the economy. Every economist has suggested that. The round is more substantial or families and fixes shortcomings in the first round of payments like those College Students and others who are parents. On we enhance the employee etention tax credit with this expanded version, we will come to the aid of 60 million majority of those are employees of small and midsized businesses. Worst rought about the plunge in unemployment since the Great Depression. Weve extended the weekly Unemployment Compensation payments through january of next year. Havent workers who stopped since this crisis began, e know are under great pressure, we provide childcare daycare for essential worke workers to help ease this burden. The ways and Means Committee also had a role in providing the sions to address persistent Health Emergency thats gripping the nation. E led the charge to make investments in nursing home safety as these facilities have been ravaged by the virus. Was a team effort. Thanks to ways and means ommittee members for their contributions who have been working around clock with staff to get this legislation before us today. Jay pouls jay powells advice from day one early in the beginning. Said, and i quote, just a couple days ago, additional iscal support could be costly but worth if it helps avoid longterm economic damage and stronger with a economy. This is about balance right now. His is about relief and stability, which will hasten recovery. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Today l what we will do is a base the speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentlewoman from new york reserves. R. Neal and i yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i yield two minutes to my very good friend, distinguished member from tennessee and the Ranking Member security eland committee of the Appropriations Committee, mr. Fleischmann. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from tennessee is two minutes. R mr. Fleischmann i thank the Ranking Member. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in bill. Opposition to this this Great Chamber has passed bipartisan, our bicameral bills that the house, he senate, republicans, democrats, and the white house could agree on. That. Ill is not its 3 trillion more of spending. Ed when given the opportunity, the peoples house does need to up and does need to lead, ut we need to lead on economic common ground, not on bipartisan grounds that will never pass this chamber. I spoke with a young man yesterday who showed me a 6yearold is daughter. I spoke with a friend yesterday marys school in oak ridge where theyre having a graduation. Not a giving, its a taking. We are burdening the american with over 30 trillion worth of national debt. Our debter, where does go . It goes on the backs of future worse, who buys our debt, china, other countries. Wrong heading in the direction. I plead with the majority to bill. This come together as we have done in the past. I urge a no vote on this. Urge us to stand up and do the work for the hardworking are justly scared, justly concerned. We owe that to them. Represent them and that is our job and that is our calling. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the yields. N the gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Speaker, i am so honored to yield two minutes to outstanding chairman of the ommittee on energy and commerce, another member of our pallone. Ss, mr. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey is recognized for two minutes. R. Pallone thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of the heroes act. Is the health y and safety of the American People, and the heroes act lays need to ation we will safely reopen the economy. And contrary to my republican this legislation is directly related to the pandemic. Builds out ion National Testing and Contract Tracing by finally requiring the Trump Administration to develop comprehensive plans with clear benchmarks and timelines. We also mandate a National Czar and supply chain to guarantee supplies, testing equipment, and drugs and ultimately vaccines are americans. O all the bill also provides states with additional increases for programs, to ensure that americans dont lose their Health Insurance. Covid19 all treatments and vaccines are free sharing for patients, as we did with previous legislation for testing. Act, mr. Chairman, protects vulnerable patients in Nursing Homes by providing to establish ates and deploy strike teams, manage outbreaks, and assist with care, infection control, and staffing. And this legislation also helps connected. Ay it ensures they do not lose critical utility services. Prevents home energy and water shutoffs and establishes a water gram to provide bill assistance for lowincome households. And ovide telephone Broadband Service providers to rovide bill assistance for lowincome families and those who lost their jobs. It provides funding to schools purchase hot to spots, connected devices, and other equipment. Finally, mr. Irm cha mr. Chairman, we provide the federal states mmission and help with eneral to price gouging. He heroes act is the bold next process in providing critical assistance during this crisis end ts designed to try to this pandemic, ultimately. It deserves strong bipartisan support, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. R. Cole thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield two minutes to my very good friend, distinguished esteemed from florida, member of the Appropriations Committee and today of all days a career Law Enforcement officer as well, we honor him for his service and his colleagues for all of us. Ce to the speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Speaker, i rise in opposition to this political and insincere attempt to Coronavirus Relief. Over the past few months, congress came together in a bipartisan way and passed four major packages to combat coronavirus. Now for whatever reason, the speaker has decided she is done working with republicans. Despite what you may hear from our friends on the other side of the aisle, they know this is not a serious bill. They also know that it was drafted in secret without input from the minority and many of them are just as disappointed that there was no attempt at bipartisanship. Mr. Speaker, almost 40 million americans are out of work and here we are in washington considering a bill that will never ever become law. How do you think those unemployed americans feel right now . I would say they are not interested in watching the speaker who is still receiving a full salary by the way, play these political games. I do support elements of this bill. Let me be clear. I do support additional Coronavirus Relief for hardworking americans. I also support sending additional relief to states and cities to help them respond to the coronavirus costs. Owever, i will not ask taxpayers to wipe out years of debt. Many of these localities incurred long, long before the coronavirus pandemic. Lets get back to working together and write a bill and take out federalizing the elections process and take out the Early Release of criminals and take out incentives for illegal immigration and take out the new Government Programs that keep communities from reopening and keep people from getting back to work. We can do this the right way, but this isnt it. Our constituents the speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. Members are reminded to direct their comments to the chair. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey im pleased to yield two minutes to the distinguished the gentleman from virginia, the chairman of the committee on education and labor, mr. Scott. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from virginia is recognized tr two minutes. Mr. Scott i rise in support of heroes act. The bill confronts the pandemic that we are facing by first directing significant funding to the state and local governments. Without this funding, they will have to make devastating cuts especially in education, Public Safety and basic services and it funds education to address the unique challenges created by the pandemic. In k12, funding would be available for special programs and initiatives to reduce the achievement gaps and supports students and maintain their institutions. It provides relief for Student Loans. Continuing the present relief as well as interest accrual and extending that relief to all Student Loans both federal and private. That relief goes to virtually all Student Loans. And we target additional relief to students most in need of relief. Mr. Speaker, this bill supports families by continuing the enhanced and steppeded Unemployment Benefits and snap benefits and delivering another round of stimulus checks and protects Health Care Insurance so that under this bill when you lose your job, you do not have to lose your Health Insurance. It helps contain the pandemic and Contact Tracings for those who do test positive can be identified and isolate themselves. Finally, the bill makes our workplaces safer by requiring osha to have standards for tech workers from covid19 and front line workers that authorizes premium pay for their heroic work. This bill is a necessary response and enables families and workers to survive the pandemic and if states dont get this money, the public will be infliggetted with drastic cuts. Mr. Speaker, i urge my colleagues to support the legislation and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole i yield four minutes to my very good friend, distinguished past chairman of the ways and Means Committee and current Ranking Member, mr. Brady, from the great state of texas. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for four minutes. Mr. Brady thank you, mr. Cole for your remarkable leadership. What are we doing here . Our nation is fighting a vicious battle for lives and jobs and democrats bring a partisan, political and dead bill to the house never asking republicans to Work Together. Its shameful. As one republican democrat said this isnt a time for partisanship but to find common grouped. Democrats say good big. They didnt go smart to stimulate the economy. At least 36 million jobless americans but it delivers big for democratic. Mailin ballots, marijuana banking, bailing out pensions and releasing criminals have to do with americas struggling economy . Absolutely nothing. The word can business occurs more than the word jobs. And as we continue to battle this virus, republicans believe congress should go smart. Our top economic priorities to make sure millions of americans who lost their jobs temporarily dont lose them permanently because it involves more Domestic Violence and crimes on the streets. We need to reopen our economy safely and help our local businesses rebuild their work forces so they are safe and healthy. Democrats encourage millions of americans to stay unemployed. If you get paid more than your salary and not to work and have good health care, why would you go back . Dont be surprised that local businesses and jobs dont exist anymore. This bill robs precious cash from local businesses struggling to survive and imposes costly mandates and provides wind fall to millionaires and tax dollars to illegals and prevents the jobless for knowing their Health Options and uses your tax dollars to fund abortions. How will this get workers back into jobs . It gets sadder. They choose wealthy trial lawyers over our frontline workers and lawsuits on hospitals, doctors and local businesses doing everything they can to reopen safely. These heroes are already struggling with huge losses. Fighting trial lawyers in court will make it worse. You need to spend hundreds and millions of more for state and local governments who are battling so hard. Did you know that congress has already funded over 760 billion to state and local communities . Thats more than we have helped Small Businesses. Did you know the state and local governments are struggling to spend all that money by the end of the year as one mayor told us, i dont need more money but the flexibility to spend it where it is needed. Most small communities havent seen a dollar because many state governments are refusing to pass it on to smaller counties and cities as congress intended. Bottom line, the bottom line this bill is crammed for special handouts and guarantees more jobs will disappear while silly political games are played. This is an unprecedented crisis and so Many Americans have been heroic. They deserve a congress that works together to help regain their jobs, their savings and their future. This bill is big. Regrettably a big fail for our economy. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, i am very pleased to yield do minutes to the distinguished the gentleman from california, the chairman of the committee on veterans affairs, mr. Takano. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california recognized for two minutes. Mr. Takano Public Health emergency our country is facing requires immediate and bold action and i rise in support of h. R. 6800, the heroes act. It will provide families, workers and veterans in our communities with tup pandemic. As chairman of the House Committee on veteran affairs. This bill includes essential provisions to meet veterans needs. It authorizes v. A. Health care for all veterans who have lost their Health Insurance due to the pandemic including legislation introduced by representative pappas to streamline the payment of emergency claims to community providers. As a result of covid19, they are facing job losses while Vital Services are strained and leaving veterans without support. This bill includes provisions sponsored by representative levin enabling v. A. To provide greater support for Homeless Veterans and tear children and includes from representative allred inacrossing aid for veteran and caregivers. Those who need assistance with daily activities must not be forgotten. The heroes act responds to the dire economic and health Care Challenge our nation is faceing sm it provides 1 trillion in funding to support states and local governments and their response to this pandemic so they can continue their essential services. And it addresses the urgent needs of families and workers by putting direct Financial Assistance in the pockets of every american creating 200 billion heroes fund to give hazard pay to essential workers and providing assistance to renters and home ownerships. We are facing an extraordinary crisis and Congress Needs to respond to it. The health and leafly hoods of the American People depend on it. I urge my colleagues to vote yes. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from new york reserves and the gentleman from oklahoma. Mr. Cole i yield to my friend, the gentleman from oregon, mr. Walden. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Walden i thank my friend from oklahoma. I rise today in opposition to this bill. It oice deeply troubling to me during the worst pandemic in modern history and deep economic crisis, democrats in the house continue to take a partisan path. As republicans in the Trump Administration moved quickly it was democrats who delayed the initial passage of the cares act and caused a pointless weeklong shuttering of the paycheck protection program. How many jobs were lost because of that delay . Here we go again. According to politico and i quote, democrats acknowledge that their proposal whose summary alone is 90 pages is more of a talking point than legislation they expect to become law, closed quote. Just from the energy and Commerce Committee perspective, you have policy for federal government takeovers of entire sectors. There is a deal for medicaid compliance for the state of new york and no one else. It throws more good mup after bad after the failing obamacare and years of agreement to hyde protections on federal health care spending. Why would they craft what ta ts to 1,800 manifesto is dead in the senate. Please drop the partisan petty politics. Lets move forward in a united way for the country. Thats what the people across america are doing and thats what they expect us to do here in congress. With that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, i am delighted to yield two minutes to the distinguished the gentlewoman from new york, the chairman of the committee on Small Business, ms. Velazquez. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Velazquez i rise in strong support of the heroes act and i want to take this opportunity to thank the chairwoman from the Appropriations Committee for yielding. This bill contains important provisions to help stop for Small Businesses, it authorizes additional 10 billion in disaster grants and improves the p. P. P. Initiative allowing initiatives to extend the loan coverage until the end of the calendar year and we are eliminating the 7525 rule to make it easier for Small Businesses to apply for p. P. P. 30s and sets asides 25 or llion with fewer than 10 employees. This legislation assists struggling families. In this bill we increase funding for snap by 15 to address the record increase in hunger we are seeing in this country. The bill extends Unemployment Benefits including 600 per week in pandemic insurance. For new yorkers and hardworking people in this country struggling with rents and mortgages, 100 billion in rental assistance. Many essential workers will receive half of their pay under this bill and personal protective equipment like nurses, door persons and those cleaning buildings so that the rest of us stay safe. Those are the real heroes of this crisis. And the heroes act compensates them more appropriately. Inally, this bill puts forth a Strategic Plan to test, trace, the virus until we have widespread testing, will er confidence remain the speaker pro tempore the gentlewomans time has expired. Reserves. Woman from the gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i yield two minutes to my very good friend, distinguished gentleman from ranking republican member on the House Administration committee, mr. Davis. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois is minutes. D for two mr. Davis thank you, mr. Speaker. And thank you, Ranking Member cole. Democrats are once again taking advantage of a National Emergency to push their own political agenda. Shouldnt be surprised since weve seen them push their wish list at every turn. Saw their attempts to federalize elections in h. R. 1. We saw it during the last relief package negotiation. And were seeing it again now. The heroes act to nationalize election policy, not o help americans vote, but to serve their own interests on election day. His entire package would cost taxpayers 3 trillion, and at will be going on toward their federal elections takeover. Already given 1. 25 billion to states since 2018, alone to help states prepare foyer their prepare their elections amid this pandemic. Are proposingrats is outrageous. And theyre also requiring all to adopt ballot harvesting. Ballot harvesting in the way trying to rats are use it is when any individual can pick up any voters ballot any reason and deliver it to the polling place. Unchecked. They dont have to provide their name. They dont have to show their i. D. Dont have to be a resident of the state. They dont have to be an american citizen. We force states to allow people who arent even eligible to vote to then handle ballots . Ers this practice is so wrought with fraud that i released a report week before consideration highlight how bar bought ballot harvesting misused. We found that this practice is one of the greatest threats to integrity. In addition to this bill jeopardizing ballot integrity ould also jeopardize peoples health. How will ballot harvesting follow social distancing practices . Allowing tion, political operatives to pick up ballots is not necessary when have prepaid ay postage. Why does a ballot broker need to pick up a door to ballot when you can mail it in for free . The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Oklahoma. Man from mr. Cole i yield 30 seconds. Davis one can only assume, mr. Speaker, this is for political gain. One of the egregious provisions. The bottom line is election day is less than six months away. Dont have enough time to implement these egregious election rules. And last week, i received a from over 800 professors telling me to vote for this bill. Little research. Them are donors to democrats. This is why this bill is motivated. Its a takeover of the elections at the national process. We need to vote no on this, and yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, im ery pleased to yield two minutes to the dynamic gentlewoman from california, the the committee on financial services, ms. Waters. The peaker pro tempore gentlewoman is recognized for two minutes. Waurs wraurs waters thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, i rise in support of the heroes act. Legislation includes a number of important proposals from the members of the Services Committee and builds upon my proposal for more to families by providing a second round of for up to yments 6,000 per household. Im pleased that this bill legislation championed by myself and representatives to create a 100 illion Emergency Rental Assistance Fund and a 75 illion homeowner assistance fund. The bill also provides 11. 5 homeless assistance grants and 1 billion for new to support uchers persons experiencing homelessness. He heroes act also suspends negative credit reporting for thatonsumers and to ensure consumers, Small Businesses, and nonprofits can weather the pandemic. Suspends Debt Collection and requires forbearance and loan consumer and for commercial loans. The heroes act strengthens the production act to supercharge the production of and personnel s protective equipment personal to help e equipment save american lives. Importantly, the legislation provides new funding and expands technical assistance, and nment deposits partnerships to support our Nations Community Development Financial institutions, known as cdfis, and minority depository m. D. I. s, who serve our lowincome communities, particularly hit hard by the pandemic. Mr. Speaker, were obligated to protect our nation. Represents the Response America needs to meet urge all s, so i members to support this critical legislation. Both sides ofs on the aisle talking about how much they love america, how much they constituents. Put up or shut up. Now is the time to do it. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. The gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i yield one minute friend, past d chairman and current Ranking Member of the education and labor committee, distinguished North Carolina, ms. Foxx. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from North Carolina is recognized for one minute. Ms. Foxx thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague from oklahoma for yielding. Today in r, i rise strong opposition to h. R. 6800, wish r pelosis socialist list act. At a time when americans are stepping up for one another, disheartening to watch House Democrats and Speaker Pelosi fail to deliver or our nations families, workers, and businesses. As frustrating as it may be, surprising. Democrats routinely disregard their own partys calls for collaboration and accountability by meeting in secret, behind closed doors, consensus to tee craft partisan monstrosities ike the one were set to vote on. To satisfy the most extreme socialist left, democrats are a radical 3 trillion scheme that includes taxpayer for unionrun pensions, money to Illegal Immigrants, hich will do nothing to help this nation combat covid19. This is not a relief package. Pelosis partisan socialist shopping list. We should defeat it. I yield back. The peaker pro tempore gentlewomans time has expired. The gentlewoman yields. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, im very pleased to yield one minute to the dynamic, hardworking, gentlewoman from connecticut, the distinguished chair of the subcommittee on human services, and education, ms. Delauro. The speaker pro tempore the is lewoman from connecticut recognized for one minute. Ms. Delauro the heroes act is rescue al 3 trillion for our frontline workers, cities and states, our small it creates the kind of modernday safety net i ave been fighting for with so many brave allies in and outside the u. S. Congress. Days, paid family and medical leave is now available those workers, including workers in warehouses, health care, grocery stores, pharmacies retail. The Child Tax Credit is now families. For all raised to 3,000 per child over 6 years old. And the higher benefit for younger children. Child poverty nearly in half. We raised the maximum food stamp 15 . It by bigger than in 2009. President trumps 135 billion gift to Real Estate Developers and hedge fund managers. I urge my colleagues, let us act us boldly et and let us act swiftly for this nation. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. New york woman from reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i yield one minute my very good friend, the distinguished republican Ranking Member of the judiciary mr. Jordan of ohio. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio is recognized for one minute. Thank the i gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, in one week, the democrats have shown us exactly do. They want to in one weeks time, may 8, one week ago, seven democrats on the Coronavirus Select Committee a letter to universal products in alloy pennsylvania and said, give back your p. P. P. Money. You have not returned these funds. Days later, may 11, four our colleagues, two democrats, two republicans sent a letter to those seven democrats and said, hey, hey, wait a minute. Universal stainless followed the rules. To their money. If they have to give it back, hey will have to lay off steelworkers. What . Day, this bill does this bill does what . T gives tax dollars to Illegal Immigrants. In one weeks time, take money way from steelworkers, give it to Illegal Immigrants. We or no other reason, should vote against this bill. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, im my friend,o yield to the distinguished chair of the does so much hat good work here, ms. Kaptur. The speaker pro tempore the entlewoman from ohio is recognized for one minute. Chair tur id like to lowey for that gracious setaside and wish to say that expect ican People Congress to have their backs. Our economy needs help, with istoric levels of unemployment bearing down, and the heroes act will provide a bridge of support lives and livelihoods of our families, workers, ospitals, Small Businesses on the frontlines. Imagine those folks. Those still d all working, facing an unknown pillar. A huge win within this heroes direct ignificant and assistance to communities of all sizes that are hemorrhaging the cost of fire, police, and emergency squads. This legislation will finally multiemployer Pension Plans whole as well. Recession deep requires bold action by our congress. American lives truly are on the line here at home. I urge all of my colleagues to lifesaving his bill, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. The gentlewoman from new york reserves. Oklahoma is from recognized. Mr. Cole thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield one minute to my very friend, mr. Grothman from wisconsin, distinguished Member Committee oversight and education and labor committee. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from wisconsin is recognized for one minute. Much. Othman thank you first point id like to make is some people feel this bill is a political instrument that will law. Become i see the current leader in the olls for next years president ial election signing this bill next february. O we have to pay careful attention whats in it. I take three things out of this bill. Irst of all, another 3 trillion further in debt. Together with 3 trillion weve and the 1 ed well n deficit we have, go 22,000 in debt for every an, am would, child in the country. Woman, child in the country. The second thing is we extend by standards another six months in which people will be paid the equivalent of 50,000 a to work and were moving the work requirements for snap. In other words, its an of the idea that we want to discourage work and destroy our economy. Finally, its the effort to comeore and more people to here illegally. Were removing the requirements you have to have a Social Security number for the earned tax credit. The e are saying not only the old 0 a person but ,200 1,200 a person will go to people that dont have a Social Security number. Cant think of no other way to quicker ruin the country. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, i am leased i am pleased to yield to the gentlewoman from the subcommittee on interior and the environment, ms. Mccollum. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Ms. Mccollum native American Communities are facing extraordinary challenges in this pan democrat ex. Like other minority communities they are disproportionately affected by covid19. This pandemic has magnified the Health Disparities and historic lack after resources within indian country. Prioritiesntain miss for native americans to meet their critical needsism acknowledge my coworker, mr. Cole, on the floor on me with on the floor with me on this endeavor. It prvidse clean walter and safe housing, 2. 1 billion for Indian Health service to purchase additional p. P. E. And provide tribes more telehealth. The bill includes dollars for transportation, supports education for children and 20 billion in direct relief to tribal governments. The federal government must uphold its trust and treaty obligations to tribal nations. This bill is critical to ensure the health and safety of our native american brothers and sisters. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole i yield one minute to my good friend the great state of texas the distinguished former navy seal, mr. Crenshaw. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Crenshaw thank you, mr. Speaker. Todays theatrics are shocking. 35 million jobs lost, businesses and livelihoods ruined. While american grocers, nurses and workers kept america going, democrats kept congress in hiding for the past three weeks. Hiding is fear. It is not leadership. When we finally reconvene we get this. Politico sums it up bhest. Neither this bill nor anything resembling it will ever become law. Its a democrat wish list filled with the partys favorite policies. Is this a joke . Because it certainly isnt based on reality. Reality would be working here for the last three weeks, examining each problem our nation faces, and working together to find the best solution. That shouldnt be all that difficult since i would presume we still have the same goals. Mitigate the virus and save our economy and society. Right . That is still our goal, isnt it if it is, then stop playing games. 3 trillion of virtue signaling to your base is no way to govern in the midst of a crisis and you know it. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, im delighted to yield one minute to the distinguished gentleman from new york, the chair of the House Democratic caucus, mr. Jeffries. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Jeffries i thank the distinguished chair for her leadship. Leadership. More than 80,000 americans dead. 35 million unemployed. The economy in recession. There is pain, there is suffering, there is death throughout the land. Congress must act. To provide relief to the American People. We must support our state and local governments. We must strengthen Unemployment Insurance. We must provide an additional round of direct stimulus payment to everyday americans. We must provide hazard pay to our heroes and our essential workers. We must increase access to testing, tracing, and treatment. There is pain there is suffering, there is death. Throughout the land. Congress must act with the fierce urgency of now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Not next month. Now. Vote yes on the ree heroes act. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole i yield one minute to my very good friend, the distinguished member from south carolina, mr. Wilson, a member of the Armed Services committee and Foreign Affairs committee. The speaker pro tempore the jeblingt niced for one minute. Mr. Wilson mr. Speaker, i oppose this absurdity on behalf of americas students and grandchildren. Adson, houston, emily, ruth, jackson, katherine who will be burdened by debt. On monday i saw the best of america in my birth place of charleston. As boeing c. E. O. Presented planes full of p. P. E. s to muse president david cole showing our appreciation for health professionals. Thank you to the the doctors for my n 5 mask. This was private business not government, protecting American Families. All levels of government were present. Municipal, with the mayor of North Charleston and the mayor of charleston sounty with Charleston County council. And federal in senator tim scott and congressman Joe Cunningham and ralph norman. Republicans and democrats working together. 11 weeks ago today i was at the same airport with President Donald Trump and 30,000 supporters thanking him for record job creation. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Mrs. Lowey im pleased to yield, mr. Speaker, one minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from massachusetts, the leader of our caucus and a member of the committee on appropriations, ms. Clark. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Ms. Clark thank you, mr. Speaker. We cant wish away this pandemic. We cant accept the false choice that we either reopen or lose to the virus. No. We must protest the protect the American People and the institutions and values that we define our nation with. The heroes act provides us a path forward. We will save lives with testing, trace, and treatment. Well protect our communities by supporting our teachers, police and frontline workers. We will bring relief to families by providing them financial aid, food, rent relief and health care. And we will protect the sanctity of our democracy by honoring every americans vote. We vote today knowing we have more hard days ahead. And more work to do to ensure we dont just return to normal. But that we emerge stronger. More just. And more prepared for the challenges ahead. Today, we vote for our heroes. For our future. And for the people. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. The gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to any good friend the distinguished gentleman from kentucky, member of the agricultural agriculture, labor and oversight committee, mr. Comer. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Combe k mr. Speaker, hypocrisy and re mr. Comer mr. Speaker, hypocrisy sy and is alive and well. The speaker is bringing up a reckless bill to spend 3 trillion. Much of this bill has nothing do with covid19. Instead this bill is radical democrat wish list. Permanent mailin vote, stimulus checks for Illegal Immigrants, more incentives for americans not to work. Across america, citizens are coming together to help their friends and neighbors and for all its faults, congress did come together in a bipartisan way to pass numerous measures to fight this pandemic. But Speaker Pelosi has broke than spirit of cooperation in choosing to pay partisan politics and go at this one alone shes set a terrible example for a nation in crisis. Instead of p pausing the spending to evaluate our needs an engage with President Trump and the senate, we are here today simply to appease their fringe element of the democrat party. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey im deliked to yield one minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from illinois, a member of the committee on appropriations, ms. Bustos. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Mrs. Bustos thank you, mr. Speaker. A boy scout named noah from peoria, illinois, wrote to me, heard me talking about layoffs in the wake of covid19. Noah understands we failed towns like his. He wrote, quote, many people are going to lose their jobs. Some of those will be firefighters and Police Officers. That will not help my city. The city will not be safe. Noah, i hear you. Today the United States house of representatives hears you. With 915 billion for state and local assistance, we will help towns and cities like noahs. We will also expand assistance to Small Businesses and farmers nd keep families afloat. This isnt the final bat until the war against this virus but it will increase security, food, health and workplace security, and i will vote yes. I yield back, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. The gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield one minute to my very good friend, a member of the Homeland Security and Small Business committee, and a distinguished representative from pennsylvania, mr. Joyce. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Joyce mr. Speaker, in every neighborhood across our country, americans are struggling with the health and economic ramifications of the coronavirus. As schools are closed and Small Businesses stay shuttered, American Families are just trying to make it one day at a ime. Here in congress, democrats are just trying to fund planned parenthood. American families are focused on putting food on tables. Here in congress, democrats are focused on keeping americans out of work instead of saving families familysustaining jobs. American families are working ogether to weather this storm. It is time to hold the communist chinese accountable. Democrats are wasting time we could be using to deliver Real Solutions for the American People. This bill is not the answer. I urge all of my colleagues to vote no. Thank you and i yield the remainder of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentlewoman from oklahoma the gentleman from oklahoma reserve, the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey im pleased to yield one minute to the gentleman from ohio, chairman of the subcommittee on the legislative branch, mr. Ryan. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Ryan this is absolutely unbelievable. Just a few years ago, the stock market at 25,000, corporate profits are the highest theyve been in decades, the rich keep getting richer and our friends on the other side say, what do we do now . Lets do a tax cut. Where 83 of it gos to the top 1 of the wealthiest people. Global pandemic. 36 million unemployed. 40 of families who have a worker that makes 40,000 a year or less lose their job last month. Four Million People didnt pay their rent. And the Republican Party said we dont can have any money to help you. Are you kidding me . Where do you guys live . Food lines around the block at our food banks, in the United States of america. One in five kids are going hungry. This isnt a wish list. If its a wish list its for the working class people. How about the teamsters that are going to get a pension when this bill passes passes. If we dont act their pension gets cut in half. This is ridiculous. Youre turn yurg back on the American People. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you, mr. Speaker. I remind my friend we work with with our worked with our friends to pass four bills, 3 trillion in the last 10 weeks. Wed work with you again if youd sit down and bargain with us. Sadly you decided not to do that. With that, i yield two minutes to my very good friend, great member of the ways and Means Committee, and great neighbor, great state of texas, mr. Arrington. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Arrington mr. Speaker, democrat leadership has established in this piece of legislation a new pandemic protocol for the United States congress, the practice of reality distancing. Reality distancing is the unhealthy distance between politicians and their policies and the people they were elected to serve. While tens of millions of working families have lost their livelihoods, millions more are struggling to survive, members of congress who, by the way, wont miss a single paycheck, are wasting precious time on a partisan bill thats going nowhere. Furthermore, Speaker Pelosi and many of her colleagues are so anxious to appease the left and so zellous to advance their ideology they didnt even attempt to disguise this parade of oracles that are completely out of touch with the American People. Some will suggest that this legislation is so extreme, so absurd we cant take it seriously. I would submit that we cant take it seriously enough. When someone tells you who they are, believe them. This isnt just the democrats plan for americas recory, is their vision for america. I oppose it and i pray to god none of these policies see the light of day. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman is recognized. Mrs. Lowey im delighted to yield one minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from from florida, the chairwoman of the subcommittee subcommittee for military construction and veteran affairs, ms. Wasserman schultz. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Ms. Wasserman schultz thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise to support our best hope to prevent longterm economic damage and preserve a strong recovery. The Great Depression taught us long a long ago, do too little now and millions of temporary job losses will vanish for years. With nearly 90,000 dead and millions out of work, any halfhearted Coronavirus Response is a retreat. The heroes act is a bold response. It lays a path to reopen america through vital testing and treatment. It provides hazard pay and puts more money in workers and familys pockets. Im proud it prevents veterans rom being saddled with copays for covid19 treatment. These heroes need help just like the ones we count on now, First Responders, health care, and postal workers, teachers, sanitation, transit and food service workers. We need bold action now to keep america standing. If we dont act it will cost a whole lot more to pick this nation up off the ground later. By the way, i find it rich that the previous gentleman had the nerve and audacity to quote maya angelou. Shes rolling over in her grave and certainly would support this bill. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. The gentleman from york the gentlewoman from new york reserve, the gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole i yield one minute to my good friend from the great state of mississippi, mr. Guest, member of the ethics, Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Guest it will provide a bailout for pensions, it would release criminals from jail, it protection and payments to illegal aliens and would discourage individuals returning to work as we seek to reopen the economy. Urthermore, the 3 trillion price tag should be creately concerning to every american. T is disappointing that the democrats developed this legislation behind closed doors nd without consulting their republican counterparts. The speaker has presented a partisan bill that does more to our nation than to address the Current National crisis. Kvb outbreak the coronavirus outbreak is a time party. Country before congress has worked in a bipartisan way to respond to the americans. And i hope that future negotiations will return to that cooperation. I intend to vote against this legislation, and i encourage my colleagues to do the same. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, i am very pleased to yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentlewoman from california, a Senior Member f the committee on appropriations, ms. Lee. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from california is recognized for 30 seconds. Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank ma chair, chair of the black for s, chairwoman bass, working together with myself to address the unequal impact of on people on the color and oor and make sure people and organizations play the lead road to recovery including contact communities. R were facing the worst health nd economic crisis in our lifetime. Elevating deaths are in color. Ties of frontline workers being paid poverty wages, struggling inorityowned the speaker pro tempore the gentlewomans time has expired. Ms. Lee may i have 30 seconds . The speaker pro tempore the recognized. S ms. Lee millions unemployed and millions pushed into poverty. Fight who bear the brunt of this pandemic, not big corporations whose wealth weather this o crisis. This pandemic has shown systemic inequality throughout country. It includes 75 billion for testing, Contact Tracing and highest ed in the impacted areas. I am disappointed that we did not include the paycheck act and health care act. However, the paycheck guarantee provide stability of a paycheck through this pandemic. Embrace colleagues to this in the future as we move forward. Yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i yield one minute friend from arkansas, distinguished member of the financial Services Committee, mr. Hill. The peaker pro tempore gentleman from arkansas is recognized for one minute. Mr. Hill i thank the speaker friend, mr. Cole. I rise in opposition to this legislation. Over the last three months we put together a series of that are bills extraordinary. And they amount to 2. 9 trillion spending. F the amount of 2. 9 trillion, 60 , mr. Speaker, of what the federal government spends in an year. Nonetheless, this were about an effort was essential to beat the back and get our economy to full capacity. Today we vote on another 3 trillion in spending when we even gotten all of the first phase of money out, mr. To our to our schools, hospitals, to our cities, to our states. We dont have completed we not completed getting the money out to restart our economy. House majority has blocked the house from working ipartisanly and have cooked up this 1,800page bill in the speakers hidtaway. Proposal hideaway. This proposal discourages work nd delays our economic recovery. We need to assess our actions nd bring bipartisan efforts to the floor to address. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, im delighted to yield one minute to the distinguished chairman from of the chair subcommittee on agriculture, mr. Bishop. The speaker pro tempore the entleman from georgia is recognized for one minute. Mr. Bishop i thank the gentlelady for yielding. Ag appropriations, the ill provides 10 billion for snap, 150 million for food banks, 3 billion for school programs, 1. 1 billion for for rural billion rental assistance. In addition, it provides 1 states, counties, ities, territories, and tribal governments. Hazard pay for essential workers. Ree widespread testing, tracing, and treatment for every american. Ore direct payments to families. It requires safety in the workplace. Small for really businesses and nonprofits of all kinds. Challenges of ovid19 for every single american. I urge my colleagues to vote for it. Its a good bill. Bill for america. And with that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. New york woman from reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Yield one minute to my very good friend, the gentleman from ennsylvania, mr. Meuser, a member of the budget, ed, labor, and veterans committees. The peaker pro tempore gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Meuser i thank the gentleman from oklahoma. Months, ast two americans have showed resilience, grit, patience. Shows we can begin a safe, soft reopening of our economy. Resident trumps inclusionary database leadership in this fight is helping protect both lives and livelihoods. Responded s also effectively in mitigating the effects of the Public Health and economic emergency. Extremely disappointed, house , that this Democrat Bill was drafted with not only republican input but no input from the American People. Is the investment for transportation and infrastructure . Where is the funding to get our or to n back to School Support Small Businesses to open their businesses safely . Announcedsident trump operation warp speed, to develop a vaccine for this virus. Houses investment towards finding a cure . Instead, this partisan wish list Illegal Immigrants to receive stimulus checks, removes local controls of elections, and cannabis is mentioned 68 times. What in the world cannabis has crisis, i dont know. This is another bill going nowhere. He American People deserve better. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Speaker, i yield 30 seconds to the distinguished a tlewoman from new jersey, member of the committee on ppropriations, mrs. Watson coleman. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new jersey is recognized for 30 seconds. The Watson Coleman i thank gentlewoman for yielding. Im grateful to see us take up the heroes act today. To essential pay, this is a step forward to make sure every american makes it through this crisis. I want to draw attention to something equally pressing. Thisth sides of the aisle, pandemic has allowed us to agree hat there is a floor below we dont want any family to fall. The truth is before covid19, countless americans were just a national r local or disaster away from not paying rent, not buying groceries or worse. Covid19 is just one more crisis derailing their lives, those of brown and black communities. The speaker pro tempore the expired. Ans time has the gentlewoman from new york reserves. He gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield one minute to my very good friend, distinguished from michigan, a member of the financial Services Committee, mr. Huizenga. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Huizenga thank you, mr. Speaker. Rise in opposition to this 3 trillion liberal partisan wish list. With our nation facing an unprecedented challenge, this erodes the American Peoples faith in government workthe speaker refuses to on a bipartisan manner to move our nation forward. Giving money to planned creating marijuana diversity studies, permanently nations election laws have nothing to do with the challenges we are currently not helpd certainly do west michigan job creators or their employees. Bill provisions in this disincentivizes Small Businesses from reopening or helping people work in a safe and responsible manner. What the manufacturing kentwood, pizza shop in muskegon or the growers in west michigan to for congress to take a reasonable and responsible approach. That is not whats happening today. This mother of all christmas heroes act. Snt the in fact, it should be called the cynical partisan act of 2020, nd has absolutely no chance of becoming law. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reject this bill and turn our focus to our constituents safely reopen our economy and defeating this virus. Back. D the speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, im yield to the gentleman from rhode island, mr. Cicilline. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Cicilline there has been a morning scussion this that the heroes act is a political agenda. Its an agenda for the people of country. Providing Economic Relief to families who are suffering with direct cash payments. Protect resources to our heroes on the frontlines who are risking their lives to protect us. Desperately needed money to cities and states to protect against tax increases at and local level to make up for revenue losses. Extending testing and treatment pandemic. This supporting hospitals at the center of this crisis. Rental and mortgage assistance these se struggling with payments. So the question is this is the agenda for the people. Why is it estion is, not your agenda . This is about responding in a the hurt ive way to and devastation this pandemic is causing. You ought to join us in this effort. American people need action now, and they need your support on this legislation. Heroes act. The and with that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I just remind my friend, we did four bills. Might have been nice to asked to join in a fifth. Id that, mr. Speaker, yield one minute to my good friend, distinguished gentleman member of the and financial Services Committee, off. Us the speaker pro tempore disturb mr. Kustoff. The speaker pro tempore the recognized. S mr. Kustoff the democrats put a 1,800page bill drafted with zero input from House Republicans. Get serious me to about helping the American People. We should be returning to to vote n to get back what we were elected to do, not bill that essaging has absolutely no chance of becoming law. Our country deserves better. Bill was not a sincere effort to address the pandemic. Ts why i will be voting against Speaker Pelosis wish list bill. And with that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. He gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, im yield 30 seconds to florida, woman from member of the committee on appropriations, ms. Frankel. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from florida is recognized for 30 seconds. Ms. Frankel thank you. Mr. Speaker, the covid pandemic as brought so much grief and desperation to so many people. And weve seen millions of rightfully stayed home to stay safe. Ur health care personnel, our police, our firefighters, our teachers and other vital in full theyve been force. Many risking their own lives to save ours. We make sure that these heroes on the frontline get the they need and deserve to do their jobs. Heroes assage of the act. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. He gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to my very good friend, gentleman from a mr. Whednesday trip, mr. Wednesd for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Nstrup in the same vain, americans need representatives ere in this body back to work too. We should be working on legislative solutions that mark of the e one, phase one recovery and reopening of the United States. Much of this partisan bill has to do with covid19 or the Current Crisis facing so americans. This bill, sadly, paints a vision for this nation that does match our great history. The situation that we find requires our best. From all of us. Test. Ill fails that lets make this our finest hour. Show what we can do, not what we do. T i oppose this bill, and with that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. He gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, im minute toto yield one the distinguished gentleman from texas, a member of the committee appropriations, mr. Cuellar. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is recognized for one minute. R. Cuellar thank you, mr. Speaker. And thank you, madam chair. Years ago, aid many thunder is impressive but its lightning that does the real work. About doing talk things or we can get the work done. I think today we should choose the action done. This is the first step that we eed to take in order to help the folks that live in our districts, the Small Businesses, he cities and the counties and the frontliners. We know whats going to happen. Going to negotiate with the were going to pass pass this bill and this bill will become law. We can talk about doing things or take the first step. I choose to take the first step and get this vote moving. So mr. Speaker, i say thank you so much and i ask all members to support this legislation, the heroes act. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole i yield one minute to my very good friend from the great state of tennessee, mr. Rose of course the financial Services Committee. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Rose thank you, mr. Cole. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Today i will be voting no on an 1,800 page, 3 trillion socialist wish list. This wish list is the product of partisan scrambling meant to take advantage of the present crisis brought on by the covid19 pandemic. I am and the people in my district wont stand for it. Im from tennessee where we balance our budget we dont write checks we cant cash and where common sense is still king. Today i will be using that common sense to represent the people the sixth district of tennessee and vote no. Thank you, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, im pleased to yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from michigan, a member of the committee on appropriations, mrs. Lawrence. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized for 30 seconds. Mrs. Lawrence mr. Speaker, i rise in support of the heroes act. This bold relief package recognize it is a commitment to our Postal Service, providing critical emergency funding for the fiscal solvency of the Postal Service to ensure we fulfill our democratic duties to be counted in the 2020 census, and vote in the upcoming primary. It also demonstrated that we will stay committed to our local governments to have the resources that they have lost during this pandemic. Ladies and gentlemen, this investment is for our families, for our communities, and for our countries. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. The gentlewoman from new york he reserves the gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield one minute to my very good friend, mr. Mcclintock of california, member of the judiciary and Natural Resources committee. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Mcclintock 3 trillion divided by 129 million households means the average family will have to pay more than 23,000 for this single bill. Either from their future taxes or from inflation robbing their savings and retirement. Now when we passed the last bill i warned it was no substitute for restoring our nations commerce immediately for a simple reason. The federal government does not finance the economy, the economy finances the government. Government cannot put a single dollar into the economy that is not first taken out of that same economy. The wholesale lockdown of the American People and the deliberate decimation of their livelihoods has been the single most selfdestructive folly in our nations history. These draconian measures have proven much less effective at stopping the virus than we were assured but have been much more effective at destroying the jobs that people rely upon to feed their families. We have had enough. Democrats, dont take away our future. Give us back our country. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, im pleased to yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentlewoman from illinois, ms. Schakowsky. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized for 30 seconds. Ms. Schakowsky mr. Speaker, at least 84,000 people have died in the United States from covid19. And almost 40 of those deaths are nursing home residents and the valiant workers in those Nursing Homes. We can and must do better. The heroes act included 150 million for strike teams in Nursing Homes struggling with outbreaks. Requires public reporting of cases and deaths and p. P. E. Availability and testing in Nursing Homes. Prioritizing testing for older americans. I urge my colleagues to vote yes. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewomans time has expired. The gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma recognized. Mr. Cole i yield one minute to my very good friend from the great state of california, mr. Lamalfa, a member of the agriculture and transportation infrastructure committees. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Lamalfa thank you to my colleague from oklahoma. Members, mr. Speaker, this is a grab bag of democratic priorities that have nothing to do with abating this virus. One of the most misplace sthed addition of the safe banking act which if enacted would financially green light the marijuana industry. Think about that marijuana is still an illegal drug under the federal schedule 1 yet this bill attempts to legitimize this criminal enterprise. Whats next . Should we have safe banking for whale oil or shark fin sales . Again this has what does this have to do with the supposed Disaster Relief legislation . As well this bill contains h. R. 1 wish list items including ballot harvesting, a shady practice where Campaign Workers go door 20eu door coercing private ballots. How will this mitigate spreading the virus . The whole premise of being included in package. Vote no on. This these are items that have nothing to do with what we should be prior advertising in this time of crisis. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey im pleased to yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from yeavel, mr. Bera. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for 30 seconds. Mr. Behra i know we dont defeat this virus until we have a safe and effective vaccine. Its time for the United States to work with the rest of the world to develop that vaccine and inoculate the world. Mr. Bera this bill allows u. S. Global leadership to reemerge. The president may not want to lead but let the world know that the United States congress is ready to lead and work with the rest of the world to defeat this virus. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield one minute to my very good friend from the state of florida, a member of the Small Business and transportation infrastructure committees, mr. Span of course. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Pano i rise in staunch on stoigs mr. Spano i rise in staunch opposition to this, the largest spending bill crafted without any input from republicans in congress. Overcoming the crisis requires input from all representative, however, the speaker and Democratic Party are clearly not focused on confronting the pandemic. Instead, theyre exploiting the crisis to accomplish Political Goals rather than protect the American People. In this bill, democrats include nearly 1 trillion to bail out blue states an cities for years of irresponsible spending. It prevents states from requiring voter i. D. s and requires same day Voter Registration no where in this 1,800 page bill do they find room for basic prolife protections included in Appropriations Bills since roe v. Wade. This all on top of potentially freeing murderers an rapist. This bill steals money from the many to further the priorities of the few and seeks to change election laws so they can do it all over again. For these reasons i vehemently oppose the bill. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from arkansas reserves. The jolt is recognize the gentlewoman is recognized. Mrs. Lowey i yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from california, mr. Cisneros. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for 30 seconds. Mr. Cisneros i rise in support of the heroes act. Mayors an local leaders in californias 39th and across america asks for help. This will do that by providing direct funding to states stirks and counties and give them funding to do the most good. This is what our leaders in the 39th are asking for because it will allow them to remain crucial programs and adequately fund Public Safety in order to protech our citizens. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and with that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield one minute to my good friend, a colleague from my state, the great state of oklahoma, many mr. Learn, a member of the budget, Natural Resources and Small Businesses committees. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Hern i thank my colleague from oklahoma for doing a great job. I look at this socalled heroes act i dont see anything honoring heroes. I see an 1,800 page bill that takes 40 hour os read, written with zero bipartisan input. I see socialist fan fantasies from previous rejecked bills. I see a mortgage on our future financed by china, the very foreign adversary response initial crisis in the first place. This was formed outside the nature of the house of representatives. It was proposed without going through committee or the amendment process. No one, no one including the democrats, knows whats in it. Passing a 3 trillion spending bill writ behind closed doors in the Speakers Office sets a dangerous precedent that will have generational consequences. This is nothing more than a publicity stunt. This bill shows no bipartisan strategy for economic recovery. We should keep the house in session until we craft real, Bipartisan Legislation that gets our country back up and running. I yield the remainder of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey im pleased to yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentlewoman from new york, ms. Clarke. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized for 30 seconds. Ms. Clarke i rise today in support of the heroes act. As reported in newsweek on tuesday the my beloved brooklyn has the disting of more deaths from covid19 than any county in the United States with the death toll exceeding 46 entire state, over 4,000 souls have departed due to the dreadful virus. The heroes act provides crucial relief support for our heroes on the frontlines who extended to us a lifeline at great risk to their own lives. While this legislation does not include the paycheck guarantee act, i believe we must pass this bill. The speaker pro tempore the jerusalems the gentlewomans time has expired. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. We have additional speakers on the way but theyre not here. I will reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, im pleased to yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from tennessee, mr. Cohen. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from tennessee is recognized for 30 seconds. Mr. Cohen thank you, sir. Let me tell you something in this bill. Theres a repeal of about 100 billion tax break for the richest people in this country that trump and mcconnell snuck in cares one. We didnt see it at first, we found it. We put out a letter asking for support. Did we get one republican to say yes, i want to join you and get rid of that 100 billion tax break, where 80 of the people make 1 million or more . You ought to be for that. Thats thievery. Jesse james wouldnt need a mask because he came here, trump and mcconnell didnt have on a mask, they stole from the American People, 100 billion for millionaires and billionaires. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Cohen i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york reserves. Mr. Cole i advise my friend if hes worried about tax breaks if millionaires and billionaires may want to get rid of the salt deductions in this current bill. With that, mr. Speaker, id like to yield one minute to my very good friend from the great state of georgia, mr. Carter, a member of the energy and Commerce Committee and the only pharmacist in congress. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Carter i thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in opposition to the heroes act. This legislation ignores the fundamental issues affecting our country. It is a harmful misallocation of congressional effort and ignores the plight of the American People. For instance, this package, this package references cannabis more times than it does jobs. It includes hundreds of billions to bail out state which is may be needed but it is not even ensuring that there are guardrails to prevent reckless behavior. It extends increased Unemployment Benefits well past the target of reopening of the country, 14 businesses to compete with Government Programs for employees. This package would allow Illegal Immigrants access to direct payments and it would move to federalize elections. These are just a handful of examples of the misguided and dangerous policies included in this legislation. We have allocated trillions of dollars in aid and significant amounts of that still hasnt gone out the door. Now is the time to discuss solutions for the problems facing the American People. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Carter not a partisan wish list. Mr. Cole 15 seconds. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for 15 seconds. Mr. Carter now, now, now is the time. Now is the time for us to discuss solutions for the problems facing think American People. Not to put out partisan wish lists. I urge my colleagues to oppose this and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey im pleased to yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from virginia, mr. Connolly. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for 30 seconds. Mr. Connolly thank you, mr. Speaker. Their priority is corporate liability. Ours is helping to save a nation. They say wait. Wait for what . The virus to stop spreading . It wont. To wait for another 36 million americans to have to file for unemployment . To wait for another million businesses to collapse . For another 86,000 americans to die . The time to act is now if were going to save this economy and protect Public Health and safety. Not to dither, not to wait. The virus wont. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentlewoman from the gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. R. Cole thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I just advise my very good friend from the great state of wait. Ia, we didnt we worked with you in the past four bills. You are wasting time. Wasting time. You brought a bill here you know will not pass the senate, the not sign. Will you decided not to work with us. O please dont excuse us of delay. With that, mr. Speaker, id like o yield one minute to my very mr. Friend from idaho, fulcher. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Fulcher the United States more rica has generated prosperity than every other nation in history combined. Because our divinely inspired system of government rights zes individual through a rep lynning that has lic that representation, employs market principles and Property Rights up with the rule of law. The sponsors of todays toislation is using pandemic propose 3 trillion on policies that reverses or undermine all