Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her extraordinary service and leadership as the chair of the Appropriations Committee. I commend her and I commend the ranking member for their leadership in bringing this bipartisan legislation to the floor. It was formulated in a bipartisan way. It was voted for in the Senate with a large bipartisan vote just earlier today, and now we will be able to pass this legislation, enroll it in a ceremony, and send it to the President of the United States.

Madam Speaker, I thank not only the chair but the chairs of the subcommittees. We call them the cardinals. They have all worked so hard to get us to this place, which will make such a difference.

Actually, Madam Speaker, it helps us honor what the Constitution is about. The Preamble said to ``establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.''

So establishing justice, justice in many broad senses of the word: helping hungry families, ensuring people have access to justice and the courts, advancing fairness in health and in the workplace.

Ensure domestic tranquility: funding Interior, keeping the commerce and economy of America running smoothly.

Providing for the common defense: paying our troops and diplomats and keeping our homeland safe.

Promoting the general welfare: educating our children, keeping workers paid, fighting the climate crisis, protecting the environment, providing relief for families suffering from natural disasters.

Securing the blessings of liberty: including by helping resettle Afghan refugees.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chair for the important language she crafted in a bipartisan way in this legislation.

What is important about it right now is that it meets the needs of people who are affected by Hurricane Ida across our country. That is why it is hard to believe, from time to time, that our colleagues cannot support something that helps the immediate needs of their constituents at home.

When disaster strikes, it is clear in our country that we are there for them. There is a social compact. Disaster strikes. We are there. And this, in record time, has come out since Hurricane Ida. And so many people affected--both in elective office and people affected by elective office who have to deliver the services--have said this is the fastest we have ever received relief.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chair and the ranking member for their tremendous leadership in honoring the vision of our Founders and meeting the needs of the American people; honor our commitment to the Afghan evacuees who have come here, and in so many other ways; and, of course, addressing the disaster assistance, Hurricane Ida and other disaster assistance that is needed.

Again, it provides secure government funding through December 3, providing an appropriate amount of time for Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate, to address appropriations priorities in the regular order process for fiscal year 2022.

Democrats are for the people, and we will fight to protect their health, the national security, and their well-being. This legislation does just that, especially in time of natural disaster, which is especially important.

Madam Speaker, I once again commend the leadership on this, and I urge a ``yes'' vote.

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