Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

I rise in support of this package, which contains four amendments I introduced.

My first amendment supports the family-owned dairy farms, backbones of the rural economy in northwestern New Jersey, which are facing major challenges from the pandemic.

Dairy farmers have suffered more than $5.7 billion in losses from the crisis, and my amendment calls for support for the dairy farmers.

My second amendment provides more resources for the inspector general of the VA to investigate and ensure proper compliance of the State-run veterans homes, like the disaster-stricken State-run New Jersey veterans home in Paramus, where 81 residents and one staff member tragically died from the coronavirus outbreak. My amendment will make much stronger Federal oversight of these facilities possible, which we need to protect our veterans.

My third boosts investment for medical care at non-VA facilities to continue our fight for greater access to healthcare for veterans in north Jersey.

And my fourth would increase investment for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's outreach services.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, my fourth amendment would increase investment for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's outreach services so more Americans can learn about the history of the Holocaust, anti-Semitism, and other forms of hatred, bigotry, and intolerance.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bipartisan en bloc set of amendments.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her incredible leadership.

I rise in support of this package, which contains two amendments I have introduced.

My first amendment addresses the harmful algal blooms impacting many north Jersey lakes and harming our ecotourism, local businesses, and residents. We need the U.S. Geological Survey to report to Congress on ways to combat toxic HABs like those in Greenwood Lake and Lake Hopatcong.

My second amendment prohibits any funds in the bill being used to promote the sale of vaping and dangerous e-cigarette products, which can harm our children. We must do everything we can to help save lives and protect families by combating the youth vaping epidemic.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this set of amendments.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source