Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, Mike's Western Cafe, a family-run diner for 38 years, closed its doors in Duluth, Minnesota, for good on October 7.

On October 25, Waters of Superior, an art gallery and boutique, went out of business.

On the 27th of last month, Grandma's in the Park Bar and Grill, a local watering hole in Hibbing, Minnesota, was forced to call it quits.

And after 10 years in business, the Duluth Candy Company is closing up shop for good on December 31.

These are just a few stories of so many real people, real small business owners in my district who are losing their livelihoods due to effects of the COVID-19 closures. Yet here we are today, with mere days left in the year to get something done for the American people who are suffering, and Speaker Pelosi has brought up a drug legalization bill as mom-and-pop shops close for good, as families remain uncertain where their next paycheck is coming from, as children struggle to receive their education, and as childcare facilities close. As seniors remain isolated from their families, this is their solution: a drug legalization bill.

Mr. Speaker, my friends on the other side of the aisle like to point out that they have passed the Heroes Act, so they claim they have done their part. The Heroes Act was filled with so many partisan wish-list items that it was embarrassing.

In fact, Speaker Pelosi is so obsessed with pushing drug legalization efforts forward, she even puts provisions in the Heroes Act--if you can believe this--a new annual study on diversity and inclusion within the marijuana industry.

Come on, man. Families are losing their livelihood. People are hurting.

Mr. Speaker, Speaker Pelosi's answers to these families is: ``It is out of our hands.''

It is not out of our hands. We have the responsibility and opportunity to provide relief to the American people. We have the power to do better and work harder and be better than this.

It is time we think about the real needs of our constituents and get back to work on legislation that matters. Our priority should not be legalizing drugs or banning tigers; it must be bipartisan, targeted COVID-19 relief.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time each side has remaining.

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