Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, at this historic moment for our beloved nation, we come together to pass the largest federal boost to our economy in modem history. This package is ``For Our People.'' It will save lives and our economy.

Let me begin with a heartfelt thank you to our first responders, medical workers, grocery store workers, field hands and migrant workers, municipal employees, drug store and pharmacy employees, food bank volunteers, truck drivers and delivery workers, and the US Army Corps of Engineers, National Guard personnel, and non-profit Samaritans and volunteers of every persuasion helping across America. Each of your tireless efforts and dedication make this nation stronger.

Our country is under attack by an invisible foe. We have not experienced a threat of this magnitude since Pearl Harbor when our nation found itself quite ill-prepared to meet foreign foes. Today, we vote on a $2.3 trillion response package that recognizes the medical and economic horrors confronting the American people. This legislation provides assurance and support to those who need healing and a bridge toward a more secure future.

To America's medical frontline, our families, workers, seniors, and small businesses, we have heard your pleas for rescue. Today we provide a lifeline.

Because of Democratic efforts, huge investments in hospitals, health systems and state and local government will receive the resources they desperately need to meet this pandemic.

Democratic efforts won significant increases in unemployment insurance benefits to match average paychecks of laid-off or furloughed workers, and direct cash payments to millions.

Democratic pressure led to significant expansion of fast relief for small businesses and made rent, mortgages, and utility costs eligible for SBA loan forgiveness.

Because of Democratic leadership, students will have billions for emergency education funding and student loans will not bear income tax on repayment assistance provided by an employer.

And most importantly, spending of the taxpayer dollars will be held accountable with oversight, preventing secret bailouts to the wealthiest friends of this Administration.

This legislation is bold. But is not an immediate cure all. More action is required soon.

This global pandemic exposed the reality the Heartland of our nation has known for decades. We cannot rely on foreign manufacturing for vital, daily essentials, surely medical supplies. It is overtime for this Administration to bring the full force of the Defense Production Act online, but more importantly to then partner with Congress to rebuild America's security through domestic manufacturing.

Too many Americans have already lost their lives in this crisis because of missed warnings, ignored alarms, and disregard for our industrial base and vital medical supply lines. With Congress next turning to a legislative solution to provide robust economic recovery, we cannot ignore the elephant in the room.

We must do everything to rebuild our strategic medical stockpile through American manufacturing ingenuity. American lives are at stake now and in the future. We make America great again by healing her people and rebuilding her domestic medical production.

I fully support today's response package and urge all my colleagues to do so.

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