Tifment for what purpose does the gentlewoman from michigan seek recognition . Mrs. Dingell pursuant to h. Res. 965, i inform the house that mr. Rush will vote aye the speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from connecticut seek recognition . Mr. Courtney as the member designated by mr. Langevin of rhode island, pursuant to House Resolution 965, mr. Langevin will vote aye on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore as the member designated by representative roybalallard pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that ms. Roybalallard will vote aye on s. 31747. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . As the member designated by. Khanna, pursuant to h. Res. 965, i inform the house that mr. Khanna will vote aye on h. Res. 3147. As the member designated by mr. Gonzalez of texas, pursuant to h. Res. 965, i inform the house that mr. Gonzalez will vote aye n s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from illinois seek recognition . Ms. Underwood as the member designated by mr. Rush, pursuant to h. Res. 965, i inform the house that mr. Rush will vote yes on s. 3147. For what purpose does the gentleman from maine seek recognition . As the member designated by mr. Rows pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Rose will vote yes on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from minnesota seek recognition . Ms. Mccollum as the member designated by mr. Peterson, punt to House Resolution 965, i inform the house mr. Peterson will vote aye on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from missouri seek recognition . As the member designated by representative clay, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house mr. Clay will vote yea. As the member designated by mr. Carson, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Carson will vote yea on s. 3127. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from delaware seek the gentlewoman from delaware seek recognition . As the member designated by ms. Degette of colorado, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that ms. Degette will vote yea on senate s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from pennsylvania seek recognition . As the member designated by ms. Speier, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that ms. Speier will vote yes on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from maryland seek recognition . As the member designated by ms. Jayapal of washington, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that ms. Jayapal will vote aye on s. 3147. As the member designated by mr. Pocan of wisconsin, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Pocan will vote aye on s. 3147. As the member designated by mr. Doggett of texas, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Doggett will vote aye on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from massachusetts seek recognition . As the member designated by pursuant f vermont, to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Welch ill vote yes on s. 3147. As the member designated by mr. Lynch of massachusetts, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Lynch ill vote yes on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition . As the member designated by mr. Edesaulnier, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Desaulnier will vote yes on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from New Hampshire seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, as the member signated by mrs. Bustos, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mrs. Bustos will vote yea on s. 3147. As the member designated by mr. Keating, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Keating will vote yea on s. 3147. As the member designated by ms. Meng, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that ms. Meng will vote yea on s. 3147. As the member designated by ms. Pingree, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that ms. Pingree will vote yea on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, as the member designated by representative lowey, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that representative lowey ill vote aye on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, as the member designated by mrs. Lawrence of michigan, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mrs. Lawrence will vote yes on s. 3147. As the member designated by mr. Ryan of ohio, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Ryan will vote yes on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from virginia seek recognition . As the member designated by mr. Minnesota eachin, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Mceachin will vote yes on s. 3147. As the member designated by ms. Porter, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that ms. Porter will vote es on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from florida gentlewoman from florida seek recognition . As the member designated by mr. Lawson, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Lawson will vote ea on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from florida seek recognition . Ms. Wasserman schultz as the member designated by mr. Hastings of florida, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Hastings will vote yea on s. 3147. As the member designated by mr. Payne of new jersey, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Payne will vote yea on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition . As the member designated by mr. Takano, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Takano will vote yes on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new jersey seek recognition . As the member designated by ms. Bonnie watson coleman, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mrs. Watson coleman will vote yes on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . As the member designated by chairwoman Eddie Bernice johnson, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that chairwoman johnson will vote yea on s. 3147. Mr. Jeffries as the member designated by chairwoman zoe lofgren, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that chairwoman lofgren ill vote yea on s. 3147. As the member designated by chairman swrerry nadler, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that chairman nadler will vote yea on s. 3147. As the member designated by congressman brendan boyle, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that congressman boyle will vote yea on s. 3147. As the member designated by congressman jose serrano, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that congressman serrano will vote yea on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from massachusetts seek recognition . As the member designated by ms. Bonamici, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that ms. Bonamici will vote yes on s. 3147. As the member designated by ms. Brownley, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that ms. Brownley will vote yes on s. 3147. As the member designated by ms. Frankel, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that ms. Frankel will vote yes on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, as the member designated by mr. Lipinski, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Lipinski will vote yes on s. 3147. As the member designated by mr. La costa, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. As the member designated by mr. Costa, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Costa will vote yes on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from washington seek recognition . Thank you, mr. Speaker. As the member designated by dr. Schrier, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that dr. Schrier will vote yes on s. 3 47. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from connecticut seek recognition . As the member designated by mrs. Wilson, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mrs. Wilson will vote es on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from North Carolina seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, as the member designated by mr. Price of North Carolina, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Price will vote yes, he will vote yes, on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition . As the member designated by representative Brian Higgins of new york, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Higgins will vote ye on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, as the member designated by Congress Member napolitano, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that Congress Member no poll tau noah will vote yes on s. 3147. Mr. Speaker, as the member designated by Congress Member vargas, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that Congress Member vargas will vote yes on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from texas seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, as the member designated by mr. Castro of texas, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Castro will vote es on s. 3147. Mr. Speaker, as the member signated by ms. Escobar of texas, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that ms. Escobar will vote yes on s. 3147. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman rom virginia seek recognition . Mr. Connolly mr. Speaker, as the member designated by mr. Cohen of tennessee, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Cohen will vote yes on h. R. 3147. As the member designated by mr. Kind of wisconsin, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Kind will vote yes on s. 3147. Mr. Beyer as the member designated by ms. Moore of wisconsin, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that ms. Moore will vote yes on s. 3147. As the member designated by ms. Barragan of california, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that ms. Barragan will vote yes on s. 3147. As the member designated by mr. Liu of california, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Liu will vote yes on s. 3147. As the member designated by mr. Lowenthal of california, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Lowenthal will vote yes on s. 3147. And as the member designated by mr. Blumenauer of oregon, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Blumenauer will vote yes on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . Mr. Sherman as the member designated by mr. Garamendi, pursuant to House Resolution 965, i inform the house that mr. Garamendi will vote yes on s. 3147. The speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 394, the nays are zero. 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The chair will now entertain requests for oneminute speeches. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . To request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Last week i had the honor of presenting Korean Ambassador peace medals to korean war veterans and their families in pennsylvania. The Korean Ambassador of peace medal is aner from the embassy of the republic of korea for American Veterans who served in the korean war. One of the greatest parts of representing pennsylvanias 12th Congressional District is hearing our veterans stories of service and sacrifice for our nation. As the names of these heroes are read on the house floor, it is my hope that their legacies echo through the these halls and across america for generations to come. Mr. Keller glen ellis, United States navy. Silas mills, United States army. Charles miller, United States army. Kendall et set, United States marine corps, nicholas williams, United States navy. Edward more its, United States army, earl mayo, United States army. Carlton representer jr. , United States army. And it is incumbent upon us to honor these vepts and reflect on their heroism in the name of liberty and our american way of life. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i seek unanimous consent to address the house for one minute, revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. During the coronavirus pandemic, Community Organizations in east tennessee stepped up to help our neighbors in need. I rise today to highlight the efforts of random acts of flowers which recently delivered its 500,000th bouquet and to recognize the retirement of its founder, my good friend, larson jay. In 2007, larson jay was in the hospital recovering excuse me, mr. Speaker, recovering from an accident and he noticed many patients werent receiving visitors or flowers. He reflected on the amount of support he received and wanted others to have that encouragement too. Mr. Burchett larson founded random act of flowers in 2008 to deliver repurposed flowers to local hospital patients and seniors in nursing homes. The nonprofit recycles arrangements donated from events like weddings and makes them into beautiful floral bouquets. Since opening its doors, they have grown to serve nokes indianapolis and tampa bay, florida. Random acts of flowers is safely resumed has safely resumed operations after a pause during the coronavirus pandemic. Isolation continues to be a serious problem for seniors and those in poor health during this crisis but outstanding organizations like random acts of flowers are their let our neighbors know they are loved and supported, mr. Speaker. After reaching the milestone of delivering half a million bouquet, larson jay announced its retirement from random act of flowers. Hes long been active in the Community Service currently serving as chairman of our naaqs county commission and i know he will continue to find ways to find an impact to make an impact in our communities. I thank him for his efforts to make it a successful, Meaningful Organization in east tennessee congratulate the nonprofit or congratulate the nonprofit on its 500,000th delivery. Thank you, mr. Speaker. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair lays before the house the following personal requests. The speaker pro tempore leave of absence requested for mr. Aderholt of alabama for today and the balance of the week. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the request is granted. Under the speakers announced policy of january 3, 2019, the gentlewoman from california, ms. Lee, is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the ajority leader. Ms. Lee is recognized. Ms. Lee first of all, let me ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of our special order tonight. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Lee thank you very much. First, i wanted thank you, mr. Speaker. For yielding. And also to the chair of our Congressional Black Caucus, i want to thank chairwoman bath who has helped organize this tonight and for her leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus. I join with my colleagues to speak on the impact of covid19, the pandemic which has had especially disparate impact on communities of color. First again let me thank chairwoman bass, chairwoman chu, castro of the tricaucus, as well as kelly, holland and davis for working together to ensure we address the disproportionate impact of the effects of the covid19 pandemic on communities of color. Also to congresswoman sylvia garcia. Its really imperative that our strategy to crush covid intentionally includes provisions to support the specific needs of our communities. I also want to take a moment to thank Speaker Pelosi and chairman pallone for negotiating some of the provisions of our Covid Community care act, thats h. R. 8192, in our heroes will bill, which further strengthens efforts to engage medically Underserved Community the heroes bill. Id like to thank chairman scott and our subcommittee chair rosa delauro, for their support and input and assistance in getting this bill, the Covid Community care act, really very targeted, very focused, and something that all of us could support as a tricaucus also. And of course specter pelosi again for her steadfast understanding and support for this issue. Millions of people have suffered incomprehensible grief and hardship due to the covid pandemic. Just in the United States we now have over 10. 3 million cases of covid19 and over 240,000 deaths. Thats mind boggling. Were here today to insist that any Coronavirus Response address the needs of people of color. This is because the impacts of the pandemic and the economic fallout have had a disproportionate impact on africanamericans, latinx, indigenous, asian, Pacific Islanders and immigrant communities. We have witnessed the horrific result of how longstanding inequities stemming if structural rationism has exacerbated covid stress to people of color. Black people are dying at more than twice the rate of white people in the United States. Indigenous and latinx people are both 50 more likely to die from covid than white americans. Between january and july, the aapi death rose 35 compared to an increase of 9 for white americans. The federal government must address the vicious cycle of disparities that drive these unequal impacts on communities of color especially during the covid19 crisis. That is why we introduced together h. R. 89 8192, the Covid Community care act, legislating that we will ensure that any effort to fight the pandemic engages local communities as partner crushing the virus. This bill supported by our tricaucus colleagues, ensures that any testing and tracing efforts engages communities of color where they live with trusted messengers who speak their language and know their unique challenges. Speaker pelosi and chairman pallone worked with us to add language to chairman pallones 75 billion contact plan, this is included in the revised versioner of the heroes act passed october 1 which will further strengthen efforts to engage communities of color. The strengthened contact plan mandates that communitybased organizations and nonprofits in medically underserved communities play an Important Role to reach those communities that Public Health agencies have difficulty engaging and it ensures the people hired to conduct the outreach have experience and relationships with People Living in the communities they serve. Turning a blind eye to the american peoples desperate need for cultural rooted Contact Tracing and testing will result in increased deaths and illnesses that we could have prevented. We must build a relief package that addresses the needs of millions, especially black and brown people who are suffering disproportionately from this virus. So thank you again, mr. Speaker and to our excuse me, mr. Speaker, and to our speaker for her persistent leadership and fighting spirit to ensure that lawmakers acknowledge and respond to the racial and ethnic disparities that have plagued our nation for centuries. I would like to now yield to the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Garcia, who played an Important Role in making sure that the Latinx Community and all the hispanic issues as it relates to covid were included as part of this bill. Thank you again. Ms. Garcia thank you, mr. Speaker. Thank you, representative lee and thank you to the caucuses involved for putting this special order together. Today in america, there is not one state that has the pandemic urn control. My own state of texas became the first state to surpass one million cases. Let me repeat that. One million cases. These cases represent many of our neighbors, our friends, and our own family. I personally have several i personally have selfquarantined once and have been tested four times for different times ive been exposed to someone with the virus. Thank god, all tests have come back positive. Im sorry, negative. I meant to say not come back positive. Little misspeaking there. Mr. Speaker, this pandemic is affecting everyone. But it is not affecting everyone in the same way. Black and latino communities are bearing the weight of this pandemic. While black and latino people are being hospitalize and dying at higher rates than white people theyre also the ones most likely to be working jobs that put them more at risk. They have always been essential workers. Now more than ever, this is sadly more true. There are meatpacking workers, farm workers, san days workers, custodians, restaurant workers, grocery clerks, postal workers, police officers, firefighters, longshoremen. These arent jobs you can do from home. If you dont show up, you just dont get paid. Black and latino families have had to go into work even when it meant they may get sick and many of them have gotten sick. And even worse, many infected a loved one with the virus. America depends on these workers to put food on our table and keep us safe. And because our leaders didnt take any steps to prepare us for this pandemic, we cant even offer the protective gear needed to keep essential frontline workers safe. So while were asking these communities to go to work every day without the proper protections, we also know that latino and black americans are more likely to have Health Conditions like asthma and diabetes that make the virus even more dangerous. Nationwide, latinos make up 55 of the covid cases and 24 of the overall deaths. Only 18. 5 of the total u. S. Population. In texas, latinos are about 40 of the population, but were making nearly 55 of the deaths. More than half, mr. Speaker. And in houston, sadly, latinos account for 54 of the deaths caused by this virus. Again, more than half. My district, which is nearly 80 latino, was one of the hardest hit areas in the houston region. But despite these numbers, many of my constituents are still scared of getting tested or even seeing a doctor. Many dont have health insurance, others dont trust our health care system, and many more are undocumented and fear deportation. Now, i am optimistic, mr. Speaker, about the future. Given some of the news about vaccine trials. However, we must make sure that once we have a safe and effective vaccine that it is distributed fairly and equitably and no one is left behind. Do not need to repeat the disparate mistakes of the past. As elected officials we must Work Together to keep all our constituents safe. And right now with the virus rapidly spreading, were losing precious time if we dont act. People will get sick and even more people will die if we wait any longer. Legislation like the heroes act provides protections that working families and frontline workers need now. It would provide rent relief for families who are afraid of losing their homes. It would help our schools keep kids healthy and safe for inperson learning. It would give local and state governments muchneeded relief to retain frontline workers on payroll. It would give hardworking families another stimulus check. It would also reinstate the weekly supplemental 600 in unemployment benefits, a lifeline that help maryland families stay afloat. Lastly we need to earn the trust of these communities and let them know that yes, theyre a part of us. People of color know and must know that we are working for them. We cannot save the economy if we dont save people first. Saving as many lives must be our top priority. It will take all of us to crush this virus. But i know that we will get together to make sure that we are all working together to get past this pandemic and if we do, it will be for all of us. Thank you and i yield back and i thank the gentlelady for the time for this special order. Ms. Lee thank you very much, congresswoman garcia. Thank you again for your input in helping to write the public Community Care act. Now id like to yield to my good friend from connecticut, the chair of the subcommittee on labor, health, Human Services and education of the House Appropriations committee. Congresswoman, chairwoman rosa delauro. Ms. Delauro i want to say thank you to my colleague for yielding time to me. And to be here with other colleagues. Because with eknow and weve said other and over again that we face a Public Health and economic crisis unlike any that our country has seen in a generation. More than 245,000 americans have died of covid19. Tens of millions are out of work and we know how communities of color have suffered acutely and disproportionately. And while weve known some of these issues about some of these issues in the past, about the inequity our health care stem, in our economy, this virus has exposed and shown and schoen a light on the depths and shone a light on the depths of the injustices and inequities that exist for communities of color. D while we need to fight the virus, we need to fight the virus of injustice. In my home state, connecticut, as of last thursday, black people accounted for more than 14. 5 of connecticuts covid related deaths, when they are just 12 of the population. 18 of covid cases are hispanic. Outpacing the 17 they make up of our states population. Is not this stat perfect which is why ive been so proud to work with my friend and colleague, congresswoman barbara lee, to require the health and Human Services agency and centers for Disease Control and prevention to provide congress with the data on what communities are bearing the worst impact so we can make sure that testing, once we have an administration that takes testing, a testing strategy seriously, is focused on those communities, and they get the resources they need going forward. My colleague from california, congress william lee, than indefatigable in questioning the issue of the data that we have on communities of color and did this probably before we could spell coronavirus. To be frank, its frustrating that we even have to put this requirement into law. And the c. D. C. Thats complying with the reporting but we keep a vigilant eye on that information. We have more work to do to ensure that we have complete data. Through november 12, 47 of cases had unknown race and ethnicity in the c. D. C. s surveillance system. Thats not good enough. This moment demands the boldest possible efforts to secure Affordable Health care, address the deep Racial Disparities exposed by this virus, help families. Im proud to chair the subcommittee which has been central tour response to this pandemic and the disparity that disparities it has exposed. Together my colleagues on the committee and on this subcommittee, we have appropriated 280 billion in emergency funding for education, for health, for working people throughout the pandemic. Through the good offices of my colleagues, congresswoman lee and congresswoman bass, we inserted language that would focus on the issue of disparities and how we address how we address them. We could add 400 million in the latest iteration of the heroes act, yet yeth the United States senate has refuse to do anything to help struggling americans and to get to us a placey we can test everyone place that we can test everyone, that we can do Contact Tracing and we can provide treatment. We know more is needed. So as i mentioned, the house has passed two additional relief packages and we looked at boosting snap benefits by 15 . Expand access to paid leave and paid sick days, expand and improve a Child Tax Credit for 1 3 of our children. Which includes half of black and hispanic children who are currently left behind because their families earn too little. If we do not address the virus, we will not be able to do anything about turning our economy around. Let me say a thank you to congresswoman barbara lee who has been a tireless champion for communities of color, for organizing this special order, and she is, and i along with her and others, are committed to bringing to bear the full weight of the federal government for the community of colors, not only in my district, but around the country. Because together we can and we must do better. Peoples lives are depending on it. We know what we need to do to save lives. It is incomprehensible that we cant get to a protocol which allows us to save peoples lives. And those in communities of color, which are affected the most. And i thank the gentlelady from california and i yield back. Ms. Lee thank you very much. Thank you, chairwoman delauro, for your statement and for reminding us that we have to address the health and Economic Impacts at the same time. One does not supersede the other. And thank you for helping us move our Covid Community care act forward with your leadership on the subcommittee. So thank you very much. Now id like to yield to the chair of the congressional asianpacific american caucus, someone who contributed to crafting our Covid Community care act, but also who i have had the pleasure to serve with as cochair of the Health Task Force for k pack, true leader issues. Ny thank you for being with us tonight. I yield. Ms. Chu thank you. As chair of the congressional Asian American pacific caucus, we have reached another terrible milestone. Just yesterday the number of covid19 cases in our country surpassed 11 million. And one million of those cases came in just the last week alone. The coronavirus is spreading at an alarming rate and while hospitals are whomed, there is still no plan to contain it. The failure to contain the coronavirus has let it spread within every state and community. Almost 1 3 of americans know someone who has died from covid19. And yet we are still hearing false claims, including from some of my colleagues on the other side of this chamber, that masks dont work and that gathering in large groups indoors is safe. The message that we can or should live with this virus is a denial of the hundreds of thousands of americans who are sick or who have died from this virus already. And its condemning thousands more to die as well. But not everyone is impacted equally. While all of us are susceptible to the virus, communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by the trump administrations inaction. Now that we know more about this virus, we can see who is paying more for it. Native hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have seen cases surge in their communities and continue to face some of the highest covid19 infection and mortality rates out of any of the racial groups in several states, including in my own state of california. And new data shows that Asian Americans are also diing from covid19 at a disproportion rate, with deaths in the Asian American community nationwide increasing by 35 this year, compared with the average over the last five years. And this is compared to a 9 increase in deaths for white americans. For other communities of color, there are equally high rates. For blacks, 31 increase compared to five years ago, 44 for hispanics and 22 increase for native americans. Down playing this virus is also down playing the reality of Health Care Inequality and Minority Health disparities in this country. And thats why we crafted an urgently needed covid19 response bill to make us sure we can combat the disproportion affects of coronavirus on communities of color. And that is precisely what the house did in may with the passage of the heroes act. And again in october with the updated heroes act. Which ensured that we collected dising a grated race and ethnicity data represented to covid19. And that we restore medicaid coverage for citizens of the freely associated states of the Pacific Islands and include provisions like Congress Member barbara lees covid19 Community Care act. So important because it would provide targeted covid19 testing, treatment and Contact Tracing for communities of color that have been devastated by the pandemic. And what is so crucial is that it would include culturally and linguistically competent outreach for Contact Tracing that is so critical to the aapi community. Communities of color cannot wait any longer. Americans cannot wait any longer. We need the outgoing president and republicans in congress to stop playing games with american lives. We cant ignore the fact that americans are dying, the economy is struggling because of our refusal to take this virus seriously. Its time to face facts and Work Together to pass a Coronavirus Relief package now. And i yield back. Ms. Lee thank you very much, chairwoman chu. And thank you for being with us tonight. But also for your consistent consistently sounding the alarm to all of us about the necessity for culturally andling which isityly appropriate services ling r and linguistically appropriate services, Contact Tracing, as well as the importance of disaggregating the databased on race and ethnicity. Thank you for your input in helping to write this bill. Id like to now yield to my friend who is the chair of the congressional black can you cause Caucus Health brain trust, someone who has is a member of the house energy and commerce committee, and also a member of the oversight and reform subcommittees on national security, civil rights and civil liberties. Congresswoman robin kelly has helped put together this bill and helped make sure that we put provisions in for Data Collection and based on all of the information that we know we need to be able to target these resources. So thank you, again, congresswoman robin kelly, for being here tonight and for helping us do this. Ms. Kelly thank you, congresswoman barbara lee. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to challenge this congress to act to end the shocking Health Disparities that covid19 has put on display. To date, nearly 250,000 americans have lost their lives to covid19 and more than 10 million have been infected and these numbers are still rising. Shocking but not surprisingly, a disproportion number, as youve heard, of those who fought and those who fought and lost battles with covid19 have been people of color. Once again, another public Health Crisis has taken an oversized toll on black americans, latinx commerns americans, airborney and pacific americans and native americans. Covid19 is simpley the latest in a long list of diseases, including cancer, addiction, h. I. V. Aid, Maternal Mortality, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and on and on and on, with a disproportion impact on communities of color. Why does this continue to be the case in america . The greatest, richest, most powerful country in the history of our world. The answer is simple. Health disparities. In america, despite all of our technology and pledges to equity, the zip code in which you are born is nearly innes capable as a determinant of your life, your health and, yes, even your death. In chicago, part of my district, Life Expectancy varies up to 30 years by neighborhood. The pattern is the same across most american communities. But what are the social determinants of health . Or as i like to say, the social determinants of life. In short, they are all of the nonmedical factors that impact your health. The things you dont necessarily see a doctor for. Such as not having ample fresh food and vegetables in your diet because there arent any Grocery Stores in your community. Missing routine Preventive Care such as cancer screenings, because seeing the doctor means getting up at 4 00 a. M. , taking two buses and missing a day of work, or school. It means worrying about lead poisoning in the air you breathe, the water you drink, or the playground where your child plays. It means dealing with stress, anxiety and depression, from housing instability on top of a recession and pandemic. All of these factors decide our lives, our health and tragedy lick again, our death and tragically again, our death. So many of these factors are out of one individuals control, including environmental factors, the location of medical facilities, discriminatory housing policy, and discrimination and so forth. We all know these factors have been with us for a long time. They have been undermining our health and the health of generations of americans for centuries. As we work on these issues, im continuously reminded of a quote from dr. King. Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane. And e 70 years passing amazing advancements since he spoke these words, injustice in health care of all the forms of inequality still remains the most shocking and inhumane. Right now we have seen parallel covid19 pandemics, one in wealthier whiter communities and a much harsher one in vulnerable communities of color. But this is america. There shouldnt be a twotiered system because when it comes to Public Health, were all in this together. The only solution is to root out Health Disparities at their source. We must end systemic racism and a lack of opportunities for lowincome and minority communities. To address these issues in health care, my colleague and mentor, congresswoman barbara lee, has introduced the Covid Community care act, h. R. 8192, this legislation, which im proud to support, and my office helped develop, would provide grants for communitybased organizations and nonprofits to conduct testing, tracing and outreach activities in communities. Given the number and rates of covid19, we know that these resources are most urgently needed in communities of color. I believe this legislation is central to making Health Equity a cornerstone of our nations immediate pandemic response. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this important and immediately acting legislation. Additionally, ive introduced the ending Health Disparities during covid act, h. R. 8200, which provides a sweeping approach to addressing the widening Health Disparities from covid19. It tackles the immediateterm needs of testing, tration and Public Awareness from covid19. But just as crucially, the bill makes longterm investments to build a strong system to reduce and eliminate Health Inequities in the future via investments in social determinants of health, terminology, research, Work Force Diversity and Community Health center workers. Lastly, h. R. 8200 makes our government accountable for progress on Health Equity, by creating a federal task force with oversight over Health Disparities during covid19 and beyond. And protects the office of Minority Health. Thats a long list to do, but its all desperately needed. I truly feel that this longterm priche combined with strict accountability for Health Disparities is exactly what this moment calls for. For the first time, Many Americans are waking up to the reality faced by communities of color. A reality that the tricaucus and our fellow members of congress such as champions like representative barbara lee are working to address. We need to harness this rightful outrage and catalyze it into action. We need to make in the last pandemic to have a disproportion impact on any american community. Because the fact is, americans deserve a Public Health system that works for all americans. We deserve to live in one america, not an unequal america with worse Health Outcomes for black and brown people. We all deserve health care because health care is a human right. Yet its not easily won. It must be fought for, as Frederick Douglass taught us, power sees nothing without demand, it never did and it never will. And the only path forward is for us to demand this. We demand action to end Health Disparities once and for all much we must do this by passing all. We must do this passing the Covid Community act, h. R. 8292, and ending disparities during the covid act. Ms. Lee thank you very much, congresswoman kelly, and thank you for laying out what the social determinants of health care are. Oftentimes we see that as separate from health care, but you laid it out perfectly and so thank you for educating us tonight. Thank you again. Id like to ask my colleague from the great state of texas, Sheila Jackson lee, to come forward who is a member of the Judiciary Committee but is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the native american caucus. Congresswoman jackson lee, i know her district in texas is ravaged by this pandemic. I want to thank you for helping us with this Covid Community care act and for being here tonight. Ms. Jackson lee thank you very much. To the distinguished manager, the honorable barbara lee, i am most grateful for you yielding to me and as well let me acknowledge the very important work that you have done over the years in disparities and racial equity. Thank you for being my partner in h. R. 40 and me your partner in h. Res. 100. That really also speaks to the pain and the issues of disparities. We look forward to reconciliation and we look forward to repair with those two initiatives. Let me also acknowledge the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus for gathering us all together and my colleagues that are here and my colleagues my colleague that has just joined us, congresswoman adams. Let me try to address where we are, nationwide, and how disparity weaves its way into this phenom in in a of the peaceful transfer of power and how the present status of the president elect and Vice President elect is interwoven in how to best respond to one of the disparities in health care and that is covid19. Mr. Speaker, it is first to take note of the fact that the first the first involved the election of 1800ing the first time the power was transferred. The second was in 1876 when the president was chosen not with the popular vote or electoral votes but it was resolved by the hayestilleden compromise. The third involved the 2000 election which saw the Supreme Court decide the election. Each of those miamis there was an end, a transfer of power. We find ourselves a quandary. Believe it or not, there are people on ventilator, people in el paso and dallas who are being negatively impacted by the idea of the lack of peaceful endangerment engagement, specifically because the president elect, Vice President elect definitively need to be able to secure information, to have their covid19 task force speak with the White House Task force, to be able to understand how vaccines will be transferred or implemented throughout the nation. So as people are languishing on hospital beds, as loved ones are saying goodbye over telephones, we have this inability to transfer power. Our history has shown the transfer of power in the nation, it was designed to benefit can be harmed when the transition is not smooth and transparent which can be invariably attributed to one or more of the following reasons. The jut going president is still engaged in the business of his or her legacy in the final months of the administration. Two, there are sharp difference philosophy or style between the outgoing and incoming administrations. Or the current or future president act ily makes trouble for his or her successor. In this time frame, i hope my colleagues, republicans and democrats, will find a way as we come back to washington to be able to look to the transition of dwight d. Eisenhower and john f. Kennedy, for example, and speak to the idea of how to this should go. Or maybe even from lyndon b. Johnson and richard nixon. Opposite parties. But yet they found a way to come together in the wake of the importance of the constitution and democracy. Why would i start a Health Disparities discussion on the transfer of pow her as i indicated, it is very important for the work that is going to be part of containing covid19 to really start now. To really start now with a new attitude abwearing masks. Socially distance. Washing your hands. And yes, testing, testing, testing. That is what i have found as a chair of the bipartisan congressional Covid Task Force, where we have been working on doing the work of implementing and talking about the diagnostic testing in all its gradations over the past couple of months. Our first testing site in houston was open march 19. We opened 41 test sites, the most recent was this past saturday we opened the 42nd on this coming saturday. The question in disparities is very, very real. The pandemic dealing with Racial Disparities indicates that there 74 black or africanamerican persons from 100,000 that have covid. Alaskan native or native american, 40. Native hawaiian, 29. Others 29. We can see that there is a large numbers of africanamericans, hispanic and american indian. We just heard that the navajo Navajo Community will be shutting dun for a period of time. Thats how devastating covid19 is. Thats how much the disparities in health care are evident. Let me share with you this question of disparities and underlying conditions. Those are numbers of the number of deaths. O the number of deaths is much higher among africanamericans and hispanics. Why . 0 more likely to die of c. V. D. , cardiovascular disease. Thats black americans. Latin americans 40rk more likely to die from stroke. Then it goes on two times as likely to die as an infant, three times more likely to develop esrd. Two times as likely to die prostate cancer, three times in pregnancy. Theres still a high level of Maternal Mortality among africanamericans. His pan ins, two time more likely to die of liver cancer, 1. 7 times more likely to have diabetes. Two times more likely to die of hivaids. This is which is why we see an increasing number of those in that ethnic background, africanamericans, hispanics, native americans and alaskans, because of the underlying conditions an lack of access to health care, were on this floor today because as members of the tricaucus, we have made it our constructive business, starting from the Affordable Care act, to deal with the question of Health Disparities. As a member of Congress Many years back, i offered legislation to create an office of disparities, Health Disparities in the health and Human Services department, knowing there was a lack of recognition of different clinicals that africanamericans were not participating in, men and women, hispanic men and women were not participating in those as well. In the course of the work that were doing right now, were seeing a high number of deaths. Texas hit one million cases on 5. Mber now in dallas and el pasoing, my sister citiesing, my colleagues who are there working very hard, our hospitals are being oversaturated. The same thing that happened to houston, texas, in july of 2020. It is crucial to do two things. Three things. One, we must pass the heroes act. We are desperate for that money and testing. Desperate for p. P. P. s, desperate for p. P. E. s, were running out of p. P. E. s in these saturated towns. Were desperate for testing. Were desperate for economic dollars needed. Every testing site ive had, most of them, weve had food bistdution by the Houston Food Bank because people need food. As evidenced with lines in my sisters state just a day or two ago in los angeles, we saw cars and cars and cars of individuals recognizing that testing was crucial. Believe that we cannot ignore anymore. There must be cooperation with our republican friends. I will call them, to deal with providing this Financial Relief to our cities and to all of our constituents who are desperately in need. We must acknowledge the Health Disparities and it is important both in the White House Task force, we know that it is happening in the bipartisan in the Covid Task Force under the president elect and Vice President elect, that Health Disparities can kill. We can see that the lack of a transition of power, right at this time, to continue denial of who has been the victor, so that the General Services administration can stop violating the administrative procedure cold in not allowing the resources necessary for the team that is now in place looking to transition to power with with the existing presidency. Being stopped not by law, not by any determination that you did not meet the standard of victory in terms of the Electoral College but by an individual administrator who indicates that they refuse to certify and to allow that transfer of funds for them to work on. I want to thank the gentlelady for allowing me to present today, to speak both on the disparities and the need for response but also on the devastating impact of covid19 impacting our several states. I want to close on this. I want to say it to america. Were coming on our holidays and many different faiths celebrate their holidays during this time. From thanksgiving to in the Christian Faith christmas, but many different faiths. I am not here to judge how and which faith will be sell will be celebrating this special time of year. We beg of you on the basis of science to realize that because someone is your Family Member does not mean that they are immune or that they cannot transfer covid to you or theyre not asymptomatic my message is that we must test, test, test. And today i had a press conference in houston and i want to read these words as i close, and i would encourage all, all cities and states to follow what was utilized in los angeles. And it was effective. And that is a Public Safety alert. Public safety alert that is simple that goes out to the texts of all citizens. Covid19 cases are increasing. Please wear masks and social distance. Get tested if you have symptoms or might have been exposed. I would add to that, guess tested because you may be asymptomatic. That simple note to the texts of people in that state allowed thousands, thousands of individuals to see the importance of getting tested and they went to the testing sites. That is going to help contain and stop the community spread. So my message is, as you get into thanksgiving, please do your events outside. If youre inside do them 10 or less. And then of course if you are going to have, please ask all your relatives an loved ones, get tested, tested, tested, so that we can contain this preceding the vaccine which we know is come bug is not coming as as soon as wed like and we also know that well be addressing the question of implementationed on distribution as it relates to people of color and those who suffer disparities along with the elderly and those with underlying conditions. You will not get a vaccine tomorrow. While were waiting for that process, we need to do what is right and that is continue to social distance, wearing a mask and getting tested. I thank the gentlelady and i yield back my time. I thank her for her kindness and leadership. Ms. Lee i thank the gentlelady from texas for using this opportunity to deliver a powerful Public Health message also. And also just note of personal privilege, i was born an raised in texas, in el paso, texas. And my heart goes out to all of those who are suffering from this terrible deadly pandemic. I want to salute my colleague, our colleague, congresswoman Veronica Escobar for being such a tremendous leader in el paso and trying to help on the ground with taking care of people and preventing the transmission of the virus. Thank you again, congresswoman jackson lee. Id like now to yield to congresswoman alma adams, a member of the committee on the a member of the committee on education an labor from North Carolina, whose, i think, mission in life is to make sure that our young people are elingted and receive the best quality education through the historically black colleges and universities and also at the same time make sure that they are that their health and safety is a top priority issue for their health and their safety. So thank you again, congresswoman alma adams. Ms. Adams thank you very much. I thank the gentlelady for yielding and for her leadership. I thank as well the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus for getting us together tonight. Mr. Speaker, i rise today as founder and cochair of the black Maternal Health caucus. I want to take this time to speak briefly about the impact of covid19 on the black community, communities of color and pregnant women. For the past eight months, our country has been battling this incredibly deadly virus. Its a National Public Health Crisis unlike any we have experienced and it has highlighted the existing racial Health Disparities that our communities already were already facing. The data does not lie. We know that people of color are experiencing significantly higher rates of infections and deaths compared to white individuals. Black people are more than twice as likely to die from covid19 as white people. Researchers found that black and hispanic people are three times as likely to contract covid19 and two times to die from covid19. Is month, a c. D. C. Mortality weekly report found that pregnant women are at increased covid19. Ying 38,000 women have been diagnosed with covid19 of which 51 have died. The study found that pregnant women are receive ventilation and are at increased risk of death compared to white nonpregnant women. What we know, before the pandemic, black and brown anhers were already diing as unacceptable rate and plaque women from all walks of life were three and four times more likely to die from pregnancyrelated complications. Latina women account for 50 of covid19 cases and these numbers indicate the devastating effects of the pandemic. A study showed that plaque and latina women who were pregnant were more likely to be exposed to the new coronavirus than white women. And they said they were seeing similar patterns. According to an august report in the washington post. Congresswoman lee and i have continued to say we are facing a crisis within a crisis and i have been working with stakeholders to provide a comprehensive plan for eliminating these Racial Health diss parts. We must improve access to screening and treatment for women. And ensure that women have access to high quality Maternity Care no matter where they live and mid wives that can advocate for familys leave. This summer, i introduced the covid19 bias and anticipate racism and training act to provide Health Care Providers for training in light of covid19. We all have our unconscious bias and it is important for our Health Care Providers to provide care. We need to invest in programs to help families including nutrition and housing assistance. We must improve the quality of the data being collected and ensure diversity that serve on mortality review committees. If we dont address these inequities, our families will continue to suffer. I hope this congress will stand together to ensure our mothers and babies have the resources they need not only to survive this pandemic but to thrive and build back stronger. I thank you, mr. Speaker. And i thank the gentlelady from california for her leadership. I yield back. Ms. Lee thank you, congresswoman, alma adams for that clear statement and thank you for outlining the intersection between systemic underlyinghow it the conditions. So thank you for your eadership. I would like now to yield to my friend from pennsylvania, who sswoman mary scanlon knows the devastating impact of this covid pandemic in her district and i visited her district and understand how close she is to her nonprofits in her communitybased organizations who are doing phenomenal work. Ms. Scanlon thank you for arranging this special order. Im frustrated by the lack of federal relief as covid19 surges across the country. With each day we dont have relief for families and businesses, our frontline workers and state and local workers that have borne the brunt of the pandemic response. Its impact grows that much more and disproportionately so for communities of color. More than a quarter of my constituents are plaque and black individuals are likely to be become infected. And twice as likely to die of the virus. So over the past nine months, my district has seen families and neighborhoods devastated by this you virus. My district is home to our nations poorest and hungriest. Hen you lose paychecktopaycheck. One missed shift forces families to make decisions between food on the table or a roof on over the head. For the most part, these are not new challenges caused by covid19. These are challenges that are plaguing our communities of color for decades but the pandemic has laid bare these inequities for all those who see. We must provide relief to help our communities survive the pap and commit to closing the gap that have been Holding Families back. Our families are in crisis. They need stimulus checks to pay their rents and mortgages and free testing to protect themselves and families and need food and child care and access to housing, health care and wages. This pandemic has shown us there is a road map. Especially our communities of color. But we must have the courage to follow it. I yield back. Ms. Lee thank you very much, congresswoman scanlon and thank ou for joining us with our tricaucus because many of the issues you are talking about as relates to covid and we are dealing with in our districts and thank you for your leadership and thank you for helping to get this here east act passed. Mr. Speaker, i would ask for unanimous consent to insert into the record some statements. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Lee i would like to insert a statement from the Leadership Conference on civil and human rights from the National Indian health board. Indian health the asian health unity u. S. The speaker pro tempore woiks. Lee lie mr. Speaker, let me take a moment to thank our colleagues who joined us this evening laying out the pandemic upon pandemic upon pandemic in communities of color. One reoccurring lesson stands out and success depends on the willingness of people to trust the Health Information they are getting. We learned this from the hivaids pandemic, ebola and now during covid. This is especially true. This year, millions of americans have demanded racial justice. This is because the system that exists today has failed them. We must acknowledge the centuries old ethnic disparities and build culturally and communityminded policies to move forward for a stronger and unified country. We must act swiftly. The longer communities suffer from covid19, the greater the longterm impact and disparities. States project their shortfall for 2021 fiscal year will be uch deeper than the shortfalls faced. Federal reserve and economists project that unemployment will 2021. 6. 5 at the end of the Congressional Budget Office projects a higher rate of 7. 6. Communities of color, it is more than likely than double. Our work force is composed of communities of color and the most marginalized communities of groups. These workers and their families are being put at greater risk during the coronavirus pandemic due to their realities and the lack, mind you, the lack of federal response. We must pass a covid relief bill. Im proud to stand you joined by my colleagues because i know the change is on the horizon from the sidewalks to the ballot box, people are fully engaged and advocating to be heard. Its our job that every community, every community is ensured Coronavirus Relief and that we negotiate what is needed, including funding to provide relief for every community and with community stakeholders. Community covid care act does just that. We cannot afford to leave anyone behind. Let me once again thank our speaker, chairwoman bass for sharing this special hour and thank our chairs, congresswoman chu, castro, representative gars i cant remember and thank all of our colleagues to sound the alarm. This is an emergency in the entire country. It is a deep and broad emergency pandemic as it relates to covid19 and we need relief right away. Thank you again, mr. Speaker. Pursuant to section 4b of House Resolution 967, the house stands adjourned until 10 00 a. M. Tomorrow for morning hou fatal airplane crashes in 2018 and 2019. This week, legislation that authorizes and expands the National Sensitive act, which aims to create more opportunities by 2025. And off the floor, republicans and democrats will elect leadership positions for the Upcoming Congress set to begin in january. Members return tuesday at 10 00 a. M. Eastern for morning speeches, and noon for legislative work. Announcer youre watching cspan, your unfiltered view of government. Created by americas Cable Television company as a public service, and brought to you today by your television provider. Announcer the nasa spacex crew to arrive at the International Space station tonight. Our live coverage starts at approximately 11 00 p. M. Eastern when they dock with the iss. That is followed by an onboard welcoming ceremony and a post docking news conference. Cspan, online at cspan. Org, or listen on the free cspan radio app. Announcer cspans washington journal. Everyday we are taking your calls live on the air on the news of the day, and discussing policy issues that impact you. Coming up tuesday morning, Biotechnology Innovation Organization chairman jeremy levin discusses how the biotech industry is helping in the fight against coronavirus. Then the fulcrum editor in chief David Hawkings talks about how the results of the november election will shape the next congress. Watch washington journal live at 7 00 eastern tuesday morning, and be sure to join the discussion with your phone calls, facebook comment, Text Messages and tweets. Announcer tuesday, twitter Ceo Jack Dorsey and Facebook Ceo Mark Zuckerberg testify about allegations that their company is censored and suppressed the news leading up to the elections. Live coverage from the senate Judiciary Committee begins at 10 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan 3, live and ondemand at cspan. Org , or listen live on the cspan radio app. Announcer earlier today, president elect joe biden and Vice President elect Kamala Harris spoke about the economic recovery plans after a meeting with business and labor leaders
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