United States-Mexico Economic Partnership Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, the American people are incredibly frustrated, and rightly so. This relief package, while a step forward, should have been passed months ago. House Democrats first passed the Heroes Act in May; at the same time, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called for a `pause' and Senate Republicans refused to act until now.

More than 315,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. Experts have said if we had made a larger investment in testing and tracing, many of these deaths could have been prevented. Millions of Americans are unemployed and many are facing food insecurity. Our state and local governments, including first responders, have been on the frontlines of this pandemic but are being left out of this relief package. We can and we must do more.

As I have said before, we cannot get the economy up and running until we conquer the virus.

Today's relief package makes significant investments in testing and tracing efforts, vaccines, therapeutics, and medical supplies and funding for underserved communities, all of which are critical to crushing this pandemic.

This package provides help for the millions of Americans who are struggling right now. It strengthens critical programs for those who are unemployed by extending and enhancing unemployment insurance and rental assistance. It also offers $600 in direct payments to low- and moderate-income Americans and includes a $13 billion increase in food assistance programs to help the millions of families facing food insecurity.

This bill also includes vital funding for small businesses, including specific funding for arts and cultural programs and smaller businesses who weren't able to access the initial relief funding.

These are welcome steps forward, but they are just a down payment on what needs to be done.

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