Effective Date

Floor Speech

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Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Neal for his leadership in crafting such a big part of this bold package. It has been almost 1 year since our lives were turned upside down. In that time, we have lost loved ones, friends, and neighbors; and millions more families are out of options.

We cannot afford to leave anyone behind. That is why this plan extends critical lifelines, so that families can meet their basic needs of putting food on the table and paying their rent while we finally get this pandemic under control. I don't know what fantasy la-la land my colleagues on the other side of the aisle live in, but families are hurting in this country, and this bill will help them.

Mr. Speaker, you cannot stand up here and say you support the working class and families when you plan on voting ``no'' to helping them.

I am proud that this package includes many good things that help deliver on behalf of families that are in need. But I am especially proud that this package includes a bill that I introduced with Congresswoman McBath from Georgia, which will provide those on unemployment benefits with a guaranteed subsidy for healthcare so they don't lose their coverage in the middle of the worst pandemic that our country has seen in 100 years.

I am also pleased that this package includes an expansion and an improvement of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit that I have long championed. These robust resources will help us meet the moment. This rescue plan will keep families and children from falling into poverty.

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Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, this is not the time for small thinking. My Republican colleagues don't get that. They oppose this bill, despite the fact that it is wildly popular even among Republicans. Their opposition, I think, is simply because it is a Democratic bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' for the American Rescue Plan so that all families can see better days ahead.

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