Biden Policies Hurting Tennesseans

Floor Speech

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Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, the time is now to make bolder investments in our families, workers, and communities across the country.

For years, I have said that America is living off the investments our parents and grandparents made a generation or two ago.

Bringing Federal dollars back to my home in California's San Joaquin Valley is one of my highest priorities, as is the need to invest throughout the country, throughout our Nation, for our future infrastructure needs.

During this week, we will vote on new investments that will make a difference in our communities and the residents who live there. From water projects to funding jobs, healthcare and education programs, our votes this week are to improve people's lives. Thus, in this budget appropriations that we will be dealing with, these bills are critical to pass and send to the Senate.

But our work doesn't end there. We must also pass transformative infrastructure to build our roads, bridges, and transit systems and modernize our schools and hospitals.

Rural and underserved communities in our country, many that I represent, should never be left behind.

We also must expand and prioritize broadband access to these areas. This pandemic has taught us a lot of things, like telemedicine and tele-learning is difficult enough, but if you don't have access to broadband, good luck.

Repairing our aging water infrastructure to ensure reliable access to clean drinking water is critical for the richest Nation in the world. We are suffering from extreme droughts in California. We need to make these investments.

Also, access to quality healthcare is critically important. I have introduced legislation to bring more doctors to underserved areas around the country, like the San Joaquin Valley, by creating new medical schools. Everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, deserves access to quality healthcare.

These investments will make life better for Americans and will help spur economic growth by creating millions of good-paying jobs. Guess what? We need them.

The health and development of our communities and the economy depend on infrastructure, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in building back America's future better.

It is essential that, in the next few months, we pass the bipartisan infrastructure package, the infrastructure bill and reconciliation package, to bring this country together and to invest in the future.

Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

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Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated public servant and a strong, strong advocate for students in my home of Fresno, California, Carol Mills.

Carol Mills was passionate about everything she ever did. She was a 17-year trustee for the Fresno Unified School District, the third largest school district in California, and spent every moment of that time fighting for more and better opportunities for kids.

Early this year, Carol Mills was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. We all know it is a terrible disease, yet she continued to work throughout that courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease and served on the Fresno Unified School Board. Why? Because that was Carol.

During my time in Congress, I got to know and see firsthand her passion for helping students. Two months ago, I visited Carol at her home. We recounted efforts in the past. We laughed. We shared the challenges of the future because, over the years, she never lost sight that our country's future comes first when we prioritize the education, the quality education, of America's next generation. That is why Carol made a difference in everything she ever did.

Our community and the students of Fresno Unified School District were made better because of Carol Mills' passion and dedication to not only her service but to the quality of their education and the future of America.

She will be missed dearly by everyone who knew and loved her. My thoughts and prayers go to the family during this very, very difficult time.

Carol, we loved you. God bless.

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