Kevin Brady

Mr. BRADY

Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Kustoff).

Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, the coronavirus launched an unprecedented attack on Americans' health in the best economy our Nation has experienced in decades. America responded with an unprecedented effort to contain the virus, led by President Trump and the healthcare community. Congress responded by working with the President to deliver not one, not two, but three bipartisan measures to combat the health and economic damage of COVID- 19. The battle continues amidst signs that in some regions we are flattening the curve and beginning to reopen the economy safely as health conditions on the ground permit. This fourth bill replenishes the crucial help for Main Street businesses and local healthcare providers, while devoting more resources to producing more tests and distributing them more quickly. It adds $320 billion in crucial funding to the Paycheck Protection Program to help keep our local businesses afloat. It boosts funding for local healthcare providers by another $75 billion. It expands our States' testing capacities and ensures more resources for our Nation- wide effort to continue locking down this virus. It is targeted. It will have an immediate impact, and it deserves strong bipartisan support. Once President Trump signed the CARES Act into law merely 4 weeks ago, then moved with historic speed to provide forgivable loans to small businesses, it soon became clear more dollars are needed to keep workers on local payrolls. So far, the Paycheck Protection Program is helping nearly 1.6 million local businesses, impacting and helping save 30 million jobs for local construction, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, and service businesses. Despite media portrayals, the average loan is around $200,000--that is Main Street--and more often than not, it is provided by a community bank. These dollars are reaching small businesses. And when funding ran out, Republicans and President Trump urged Congress to quickly replenish them. It is unfortunate that Speaker Pelosi decided to hold up this bill nearly 16 days while small businesses and their workers desperately fought to hold on, especially minority-owned businesses in underserved communities. They suffered, and during this unnecessary delay, America's jobless numbers climbed to 26 million. How many jobs could we have saved if partisan politics had not reared its ugly head? This emergency funding is just that; it is funding. It doesn't adjust the design of the Paycheck Protection Program nor does it address the flawed unemployment design that pays some Americans more than they make at work. It takes what is working for businesses and healthcare providers and replenishes it, which is why it has earned the support of a number of organizations like the American Hospital Association and the National Federation of Independent Business. Today's bill makes it possible for families to stay connected to their work. Local businesses can keep their lights on. And once we get to the other end of this, we will return to a safe, healthy America for our seniors, our children, and our grandchildren. I will conclude with this: The President is right. We can continue to apply maximum pressure on the coronavirus while reopening our economy safely and responsibly. Not only can we, we must, if we hope to prevent hurting working families and the jobless with an unnecessarily extended economic recession marked by shortages of needed day-to-day supplies and serious healthcare problems created by long-term unemployment. This isn't a choice between lives and livelihoods. We must do both. With the President, State and local leaders, healthcare providers, and local businesses all working together, I am convinced we can. How? The way we tackle every adversity our Nation has faced: with American ingenuity, know-how, and common sense. Today, we help our small businesses and healthcare heroes. Tomorrow, Congress and President Trump will continue to work together to identify practical ways to help businesses create safe, healthy workplaces, jump-start this economic rebound, and accelerate a return to work for those who are jobless or furloughed. I urge all my colleagues to support it. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Walorski), a key leader of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Mr. BRADY. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Mitchell).

Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce), a member of the Small Business Committee.

Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the Republican Whip.

Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, our prayers are with Chairwoman Waters, her sister, and her family. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Fleischmann), one of the leaders of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. BRADY

Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Watkins).

Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).

Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Mitchell).

Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).

Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Steil).

Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill).

Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, I thank Leader McCarthy for his strong and relentless leadership. I thank him for allowing each of us to bring to the table the pro-growth policies that brought about the strongest economy on the planet as we headed into this challenge. Thanks to our House leaders and to our ranking members on all the key committees: Representatives Granger and Foxx, Representatives Walden, McHenry, Cole, and Chabot. These are Members here today who have engaged in this historic agreement. Thanks to the professional teams who have backed us every moment, night and day, in this endeavor. I want to thank our Democratic colleagues for working with us on this bipartisan bill and our Republican colleagues in the Senate. I especially want to thank Secretary Mnuchin, the point man for President Trump on these negotiations, as well as all of the Cabinet and the White House economic team. I especially want to thank President Trump for his strong and results-oriented leadership at a time of unprecedented crisis for this great country. In times of challenge, I lean on this proverb: Fear knocked. Faith answered. No one was there. Coronavirus has knocked at America's door and with it fear. Faith is answering. We answer with faith in ourselves and our abilities, faith in our free enterprise system, faith in our amazing healthcare system, and, yes, faith that when the chips are down, Congress can come together with our President to help hardworking families and businesses when they need it most. We answer that door at this crucial moment with faith in our creator and faith in our great American spirit. This is the challenge of a lifetime, but if we keep pulling together and if we pass this bill today without delay, then we take another step toward that day when we answer the door and fear is no longer there. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of President Trump and the Republican Congress, we urge support for this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs).

Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Marshall).

Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost).

Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock).