Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019

Floor Speech

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Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, this economic boost is desperately needed as our Nation sits on such a dangerous precipice.

The bill offers hope to millions and millions of Americans, our small businesses, hospitals, and those on the front lines, yet I am troubled by the limited insight into how the last $2 trillion was spent and why so much has yet to be disbursed. It seems little went to those who need it most, while those with access had their takings.

Unfortunately, today's bill drastically shortchanges America's local communities and first responders as calls and pressure to reopen mount. Without data, it is shortsighted. It also offers no assistance to our postal service, whose jobs hang in the balance.

Madam Speaker, Congress must move America forward a step at a time. Lives are at stake. I urge my colleagues to vote for this important bill.

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Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this economic boost desperately needed by our communities. Our nation is on a dangerous precipice, an experiment with thousands of lives in the balance. This bill offers hope for thousands more small businesses, hospitals, and perhaps most importantly those on the frontline, with an infusion of $25 billion to ramp up desperately needed means to advance widespread testing. Testing is the key that offers containment of this virus.

I am troubled. Troubled by the little insight we have into how the last two trillion dollars approved by these hallowed chambers was spent by the Trump Administration. We must ask why so much has yet to be disbursed. We must question why little help was provided to those who need it most, while those with access had their takings.

I am proud of the work of my colleagues, particularly Small Business Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez, Financial Services Chairwoman Maxine Waters, and our dedicated Speaker, who fought for $60 billion in community lending and a $310 billion infusion into the Paycheck Protection Program. This bill provides a great step forward and a vital lifeline to small businesses across Northern Ohio.

Unfortunately, this bill drastically shortchanges the localities now forced with overwhelming burdens, huge losses of revenue, huge cuts to budgets, forced decisions of laying off first-responders or cut back on other life-sustaining services. It also offers no assistance to our postal service workers whose jobs hang in the balance.

Calls to reopen without science and data are short sighted. Shame on Republican elected leaders who lead their constituents into the fire. What our constituents need is real leadership to keep them safe and supported until a bridge to the future for America can safely lead to reopening. Lives are at stake.

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