Rosa DeLauro

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the chairwoman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, who has been a leader leading the effort and the fight to make sure that we help to preserve democracy in Ukraine and to really be responsive to the Ukrainian people.

Ms. DeLAURO. I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provides $40.1 billion in much-needed emergency security, economic, and humanitarian aid to support the Ukrainian people and defend global democracy in the wake of Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine. For nearly 3 months now, Putin's greed, growing aggression, and unyielding pursuit of power have led to grievous loss of life and humanitarian devastation. The cruelty against innocent civilians at the hands of Putin and his cronies is devastating. The images of the violence and terror coming from Ukraine should horrify us all. Entire cities are being demolished. Ukraine's democracy is being undermined every single day. Women and girls are being sexually abused by cruel Russian soldiers. Hospitals and universities, which should be safe havens, are being intentionally attacked. War crimes are being carried out every single day as part of a deeply dangerous pattern of extensive shootings, torture, and other violent crimes. Thousands of innocent children and their families have been brutally murdered. As a result, nearly 6 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their country, and another 6\1/2\ million have been displaced inside war-torn Ukraine. Given the magnitude of the terror campaign being waged against the Ukrainian people and Ukrainian democracy, we are morally obligated to ensure the brave Ukrainian fighters and the Ukrainian people have the security and economic aid that they need. I am proud to be standing here today in support of a bill that does just that. This legislation invests strongly to support Ukraine's dire efforts to defend itself by keeping weapons and ammunition flowing without interruption. With $6 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, we will provide the equipment, training, and weapons that the Ukrainian military and national security forces need to continue to protect the Ukrainian people. And at the same time, we are providing additional support for Ukraine and our allies and partners in the region as they continue to build and update their capabilities. But we know very well that Russia's invasion is not only a threat to Ukraine's physical security, but also a threat to the very core of Ukrainian and global democracy. This bill will invest in critical economic assistance to help Ukraine protect its democracy by ensuring the continuity of its democratic government, by countering human trafficking, and by fighting dangerous Russian lies. But the impact of this war does not end there. The prolonged invasion has taken an immense toll globally, where people the world over are suffering from a growing food insecurity and the rising costs of food. To address this devastating reality, we are providing more than $5 billion in emergency food assistance and support for agricultural development. As we support the fight against Russian aggression, those struggling to put food on the table, the most vulnerable people around our world deserve our support. And none of the devastation caused would have been possible without help from Putin's cronies. For that reason, the funding in this bill will continue efforts to hold them accountable for the terror they have caused the people of Ukraine. With funds to seize, retain, and sell the forfeited property of Russia's criminal kleptocrats who enable Putin's regime war crimes, this bill ensures that we are one step closer to making them pay the full price for their actions. And in the process, we will be standing firmly with the Ukrainian people while combating the exploitation of Ukraine's vulnerable financial system. For those Ukrainians who managed to find refuge at our borders, this bill provides funds to expand support services that will make sure they feel safe here as they search for peace and for freedom. We are providing funds for trauma care, housing assistance, case management, English language classes, and for screenings, vaccinations, and ongoing public health surveillance. The Ukrainian people are in desperate need of our support, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to threaten peace and democracy around the globe. This bill will protect democracy, limit Russian aggression, and strengthen our own national security while, most importantly, supporting Ukraine. We have no room to fail and must act swiftly and decisively. The Members of this body came together quickly in March to provide critical security and economic support for the people of Ukraine. Mr. Speaker, while I am saddened and angry that we have to be here again today, Russia's continued aggression and this vicious invasion require us to act decisively in support of Ukraine, our allies in the region, and the millions of others suffering as a result of this war. We need to protect global democracy, limiting Russian aggression in the longer term, and strengthening our own national security. Failure is not an option. For those critical reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), the chairwoman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), the chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Granger for her support for this effort. As the Speaker pointed out, this has been a bipartisan measure since we moved on March 8. I also thank Chairman Rogers for speaking here tonight as well. The world must see that we are united in our support of Ukraine. I think the Ukrainian people--they need us. They are in desperate need of our support. Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to threaten peace and democracy around the globe, and Vladimir Putin must be held accountable. Why is there an unprovoked attack on a sovereign Nation whose only desire is to be free, to be a democracy, to associate itself with the West? Why is that a provocation for being invaded, for the massive destruction that Ukraine is undergoing at the moment? Again, Vladimir Putin and his cronies must be held accountable. This bill does that by protecting democracy, limiting Russian aggression, and strengthening our own national security. We must act swiftly and decisively tonight. We have not seen such a mobilization of support around the world for an ally since World War II. I am so proud that that mobilization has been led by a United States President, President Biden. It is a moral obligation. It is a moral responsibility. We can't sit by and watch news day-in and day-out seeing the massive destruction that is being wrought on Ukraine and its citizens. President Zelenskyy said: Light will overcome darkness. And our job is to help to provide the light. I think it was stirring when you had, in Moscow, victory day, and President Putin with his extraordinary display of power. Then watching President Zelenskyy walk down the street of Kyiv on his own by himself, an extraordinary leader who needs to know--and I think he does know-- that the United States and the world is there to support his efforts. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the majority leader.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, we were together, as I said earlier on March 8, in support of Ukraine. Let us be together tonight in support of Ukraine. Let us tell Vladimir Putin that the United States is leading the world in support of Ukraine on behalf of the Ukrainian people. Let him understand that he is alone in this world and needs to pay a price for this outrageous invasion and unprovoked attack on a sovereign nation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, restaurants and small businesses are the heart and soul of our communities, but the pandemic has cost them over $280 billion in sales, and approximately 90,000 were forced to close. That is why we created the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, a historic investment to increase aid to restaurants and bars hit hardest by the pandemic. The funding has run out, and restaurants are still struggling. In Connecticut, the restaurants have been one of the hardest hit sectors by the pandemic. Due to high demand, I heard from far too many of my constituents who applied on the very first day the RRF funds were available and were still unable to receive them. We must do more to ensure that small businesses receive the funding they need to survive and continue to serve our communities. The bill before us does just that by providing $42 billion to replenish the fund and putting $13 billion toward other businesses impacted by the pandemic. This bill is the center of our efforts to help these small businesses survive and thrive. Madam Speaker, I look forward to voting in favor of this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Will the gentlewoman yield?

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. The agreement permits the Army to use 2022 funds for the Strategic Long-Range Cannons so long as it produces a comprehensive funding plan and a detailed schedule of activities.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Cartwright), the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce Justice, Science, and Related Agencies.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Ms. Sherrill).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 973, I call up the bill (H.R. 2471) to measure the progress of post-disaster recovery and efforts to address corruption, governance, rule of law, and media freedoms in Haiti, with the Senate amendment thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2471.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of our 2022 government funding legislation. This package makes historic investments in the middle class and people who are living paycheck to paycheck. They deserve a government that, instead of catering to the wealthy and big corporations, bends over backwards to support them. By providing a 6.7 percent increase for nondefense funding, the largest increase in 4 years, that is exactly what we are doing. What a marker we have put down. That is translated into funding for agriculture, increased by 6 percent; energy and water, increased by 6.6 percent; 5.7 percent increase for financial services and general government; 5.2 percent increase for interior and environment; a 7.5 percent increase for transportation and housing; 11.8 percent increase for legislative branch, which includes support for the Capitol Police who put their lives on the line defending this body; and a 7.5 percent increase for labor, health, and human services, and education to support Americans at every stage of their lives. That is what this bill represents after years of stalled investment in each area. With the funding included in this package, we are helping working families with the cost of living; we are helping students pay for the high cost of education; we are giving hardworking families a better chance to own their own homes; and we are connecting rural communities to the internet so that they can reach their full potential. We are putting Americans back to work by creating jobs here in America, helping small businesses, supporting job training, rebuilding our infrastructure, including unlocking the full funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. We are supporting the vulnerable by feeding the hungry and the food insecure through nutrition assistance, making housing more affordable, and addressing gender-based violence. And we are tackling our toughest challenges. We are confronting climate change through environmental enforcement. We are supporting environmental justice with $100 million, an $83 million increase over last year. We are making historic investments in clean energy and climate science. By rebuilding our public health infrastructure, investing in lifesaving biomedical research, with $3.2 billion, an increase of $104 million, for HIV/AIDS research, and confronting urgent health crises, we are making healthcare more affordable for more Americans. And we are going to ensure that big corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share to support these investments by increasing funding for the IRS to $12.6 billion. Think about the leaders that we hoped to emulate as we entered public life, all of us, leaders like Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Labor and one of the principal architects of the New Deal. She once said, ``I came to Washington to work for God, FDR and the millions of forgotten, plain common workingmen,'' and I add women. She, as well as my parents, told me to battle for working people, never to take no for an answer. They said work for the everyday citizen. With this government funding legislation, we are here tonight as well to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. As the world watches in horror, civilians--including children, the ill, expectant mothers-- are being targeted by Russia's unprovoked and utterly inhumane attacks. We are becoming witness to one of the worst humanitarian crises we have seen in generations, which is why this bill provides $13.6 billion in humanitarian assistance, defense support, and economic aid to help the Ukrainian people in their most desperate hour of need. We care for our servicemembers and our veterans by providing $224 million for the military's child development centers; strengthening the VA with $598 million for suicide prevention outreach of veterans; and $840 million for gender-specific care and programmatic efforts for women. At the Labor, Health, and Human Services and Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, which I am honored to chair, we go even further to expand access to education, Head Start, childcare, lifesaving biomedical research, public health, maternal health, mental health, job training, and worker protection; and we support workers and support the skills they need to succeed. We deliver for our students by providing the largest increase to Pell grants since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. By investing $14.5 billion for special education programs, $75 million for full-service community schools, $17.5 billion to support low-income students, we are giving millions of students a chance to access higher education and unlock a lifetime of opportunity. We make healthcare more affordable and accessible; $8.5 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We bolster the public health infrastructure. We confront pressing health crises with $1 billion for maternal and child health, $2 billion for mental health, and $3.9 billion for substance use treatment. Finally, we are strengthening lifesaving biomedical research, accelerating the pace of scientific breakthroughs with $6.9 billion for the National Cancer Institute, $1 billion to establish the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, ARPA-H. Together we are accelerating the pace of scientific breakthroughs for diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and cancer. I must, however, express my disappointment that the Hyde amendment remains in this bill. I am the first Appropriations chair since 1977 to remove it, because I understand that this is an offensive and discriminatory policy which has shut out countless women from the reproductive healthcare that they deserve for more than 40 years. While Republicans blocked our efforts, I will never stop fighting to ensure equal treatment for women. The ten bills in this package include community projects funding, which meets the urgent needs in districts across the country and sends a clear message to the American people that Congress is working for them. I conclude with this comment from Frances Perkins, who said in her farewell address: There is always a large horizon, and it is up to us to contribute some small part to a program of human betterment for all time. I believe that through this government funding package, we are proving that that horizon is not only large, but it is endless. There is no limit to what we can achieve, and for the first time in a long time I believe we show just how government can work for working people once again and to achieve the betterment of humankind. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members' support for this transformative investment in working families and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), the chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), the chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I thank Ranking Member Granger, our Senate partners, Chairman Leahy, Vice Chairman Shelby, our cardinals, and all of our Members. I salute the staff on both sides of the aisle. I won't mention all their names in the interest of time, but these are the most unbelievably professional individuals I have ever met. They do the job every single day and night and they are up all night. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 973, I call up the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 75) making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.