Kay Granger

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I was unable to attend votes due to circumstances beyond my control. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 123; NAY on Roll Call No. 124; YEA on Roll Call No. 125; NAY on Roll Call No. 126; YEA on Roll Call No. 127; NAY on Roll Call No. 128; and NAY on Roll Call No. 129.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise today in support of the Paycheck Protection Program and the Health Care Enhancement Act, which provides nearly $500 billion for economic recovery and public health efforts in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The cornerstone of this legislation is the support for small businesses through the PPP, the Paycheck Protection Program. These PPP loans, which can be completely forgiven, are essential for small businesses to continue paying their employees and cover operating costs. To illustrate how crucial this loan has been to the 30 million small businesses in this country, the SBA supported more loans in the first 14 days of the PPP than it did in the last 14 years. In total, more than $340 billion has been provided to more than 1.6 million American small businesses. An additional $60 billion is provided in this bill for another key source of assistance for small business: economic injury disaster loans and grants. Borrowers can get loans at low interest rates and then repay them over a long period of time, up to 30 years. This legislation also provides $100 billion for critical healthcare initiatives. These funds will support our heroes on the front lines and allow us to deploy more tests so we know where the virus is having the most impact. With this information, we can begin safely reopening our communities and restarting our economy. While it took much too long to get this bill to the floor today, I want to thank my colleagues for coming together to deliver results for the American people whose health and livelihoods depend on it. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting on this measure to continue supporting our Nation's small businesses, their hardworking employees, and our critical healthcare workers.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jennifer Holmes, a member of the professional staff of the House Appropriations Committee, who is retiring after 28 years of service to the Legislative Branch. Jenny began her Federal career in 1986 working for the U.S. Government Accounting Office. Soon after, in 1989, she started her long tenure working for the House Appropriations Committee, first as staff of the Treasury-Postal Service and Defense Appropriations Subcommittees. After leaving the Hill briefly to work in the private sector, Jenny returned to the House Appropriations Committee in 2005. In 2007, Jenny became professional staff for the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee where she was instrumental to the operations of Congress. In response to two tragic events that affected our colleagues in the House of Representatives, the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the shooting at the Congressional baseball game practice, Jenny worked tirelessly to ensure that resources were focused beyond just the few square blocks that make up the Capitol grounds. Jenny advocated for infrastructure projects that will make the Nation's Capital, specifically the U.S. Capitol grounds, accessible for years to come. Jenny was involved in many important projects, such as the restoration of the Capitol dome, improvements to the Capitol power plant, billion-dollar renovations of the Cannon House Office Building, the Library of Congress's Visitor Experience initiative and so many more. Jenny and her colleagues on the committee staff oversaw many of these projects from start to finish, and she should be very proud of her accomplishments. Jenny was known to cheerfully volunteer to coordinate retirement ceremonies, portrait dedications, and other social events for the Appropriations Committee. Jenny also demonstrated her leadership and compassion by pulling together Appropriations Committee staff, Members, and external stakeholders for a very meaningful celebration of life event in honor of Chuck Turner, a long-time Committee staff member who was a dear friend and mentor to many. A hallmark of Jenny's reputation was being a problem solver. She dedicated so much of her life to public service and never forgot why she was here. I know Jenny is looking forward to spending time with her husband Paul. her sons Kevin and Caiden, her daughter Karley, and her horses. We wish her the very best in her next journey and thank her for everything she has done for the United States Congress.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, our nation is facing an unprecedented pandemic, and I am proud that Congress has come together again to provide desperately needed resources and relief to the American people. The ``Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act'' is the third emergency relief bill to provide assistance to millions of Americans, especially for our healthcare workers, first responders, small businesses, and individuals who are unable to work because of this outbreak. Eighty percent of the $340 billion in emergency funding included in the bill goes directly to state and local governments, supporting their frontline efforts to respond to the virus. More than $125 billion will be used to support our hospitals and purchase medical supplies likes gloves, face masks, and gowns and equipment like ventilators and respirators that our healthcare heroes desperately need. The bill also provides small businesses with the capital to sustain operations and payroll, preserving the jobs of millions and ensuring that those job creators can reopen immediately once the virus passes. Our around-the-clock efforts to negotiate this bill paid off--we've reached a historic bipartisan, bicameral agreement. While there are some things in this bill that I wish were addressed differently, the bill will do what is intended: support the American people, lessen the impact of the virus, and jumpstart our economy. As many of you know, Tarrant Country has a ``stay-at-home'' order currently in effect, and due to that order and travel concerns, I disappointingly will not be in D.C. to cast my vote in person today. Nevertheless, relief is on its way to the American people. As we continue to fight this invisible enemy, it is vitally important that we remain in it together, follow the recommendations of the President, his task force, and our state and local leaders, and support those that need assistance during this time. The health and safety of our community relies on our partnership. As the situation progresses, I will continue to work with President Trump, Governor Abbott, and local leaders to keep our friends and family safe and ensure we win against this pandemic.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady).

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6201, the second coronavirus relief bill. Fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills were enacted less than 3 months ago, which included record levels of spending on our public health infrastructure. This allowed the administration to respond immediately to the coronavirus when the threat became clear. Last week, the House and Senate voted almost unanimously on an $8 billion emergency supplemental, giving the administration new resources to respond to the virus. Unfortunately, the threat we face has grown more complex and costly in only a week's time. The bill before us will provide a second installment of supplemental funds and combat the negative economic effects of this disease that has now been called a pandemic. This legislation builds off of last week's bill, where we expanded the availability of tests for the coronavirus to ensure that everyone who needs to be tested, gets tested. Mr. Speaker, in his remarks today, the President reaffirmed his commitment to distribute millions of tests and speed up how they are processed. This bill takes the next step to include more than $1 billion to cover the cost of taking these tests, including for servicemembers and veterans. We must ensure tests are administrated so that people know if they are infected. This is the only way we can stop the spread of this virus. Emergency food assistance is provided in the bill for seniors, women, children, and low-income families. That includes additional help for children whose schools are being closed as a precautionary measure to keep them safe. Tax incentives are included to encourage American businesses to allow employees to take emergency leave to limit the spread of the virus. No one should have to choose between getting a paycheck or infecting other people. Mr. Speaker, we have heard many concerns about the needs of small businesses. In addition to the tax incentives in the bill, more than $37 billion is already available from prior appropriations for the Small Business Administration to make loans. As we watch the impact of this virus on our Nation's job creators, I will continue working with the administration and my colleagues to ensure they get the help they need. While bringing this bill to the floor has taken much longer than I had hoped, it is time for Congress to pass it. This bill will give the President and our public health officials the tools that are needed right now to respond to this quickly changing threat. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this measure. We must pass this bill today to help lessen the devastating impact of this global pandemic on the American people. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), the former chairman of the full committee and the ranking member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee.

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6074, an emergency supplemental appropriations bill to fund the U.S. response to the coronavirus. When the news broke about this virus, the administration was able to respond immediately with reserve funds the Committee on Appropriations created for the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development. These funds were championed by Republican leaders of our subcommittees and had broad bipartisan support. It is my hope that the supplemental funding bill will receive the same level of cooperation. Madam Speaker, the bill before us today will allow the administration to continue its efforts to address the virus, both at home and abroad. Specifically, the bill includes funds for the development of broadly available testing kits to diagnose those who may be infected, medicines to minimize the symptoms of the disease, and vaccines to prevent its spread. An overwhelming majority of our drug ingredients, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices are manufactured overseas. It is critical that we increase domestic drug production, increase the safety of the medical supply chain, and identify potential shortages. That is why this bill also includes funds for the Food and Drug Administration to further ensure the safety and security of all Americans. The bill will also direct nearly $1 billion to State and local public health agencies on the front lines protecting our communities. Finally, the bill protects American citizens abroad and helps prevent further spread of coronavirus worldwide by providing just over $1 billion for the State Department and USAID. The Trump administration, through a task force led by Vice President Pence, is doing what is required to respond quickly to this ever- changing threat. We must give them the resources they need. The health and safety of the American people is not, and never should be, a political issue. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting for the measure so that we can continue fighting this virus and protecting our loved ones. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton).

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I missed votes due to circumstances beyond my control. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 79, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 80, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 81, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 82.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I was unable to attend votes due to circumstances beyond my control. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea on Roll Call No. 76; Yea on Roll Call No. 77; and Nay on Roll Call No. 78.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, we have heard my Democratic colleagues say that passing the equal rights amendment is necessary to secure basic rights under the law for women. Not only is this untrue, it obscures a fundamental fact. This ERA actually denies the most basic human right: the right to life. This ERA uses gender equality as a smokescreen to create an unlimited constitutional right to abortion. Instead of working to craft legislation that protects women's rights without trampling on the right to life, Democrats have put forward, today, an unconstitutional, partisan measure. Not only would this result in on-demand abortions across all 50 States, but it would also clear the way to provide taxpayer-funded abortions throughout all 9 months of pregnancy, costing millions of dollars every year. This measure is not about advancing women's rights, especially as women across the country, Republicans and Democrats alike, are increasingly horrified by the practice of late-term abortion and by recent comments made in New York and Virginia that lifesaving treatment should be denied to some newborns. Allowing women to discard their unborn children at taxpayer expense is not ensuring gender equality. It is not protecting women. It is not empowering women. It is not providing women equal pay for equal work. It is simply another step down the path of devaluing all human life and dignity. Madam Speaker, I oppose this amendment and urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this measure.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon).

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5687. While this bill is being sold as an appropriations bill for Puerto Rico, it has more than $16 billion in unnecessary tax breaks which are largely unrelated to the recent earthquakes that hit the island. Also included in this bill are more than $4 billion in new emergency appropriations, much of that for disasters that haven't happened yet. And finally, this bill is premature, as Puerto Rico has funds from previous bills that have not been used. Over the last 3 years, we have allocated more than $40 billion for Puerto Rico disasters, and less than half of that has been spent. And we have all seen recent press reports about warehouses in Puerto Rico full of water, diapers, and food that have not been distributed to residents in need. As for the recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico, the Federal Government has not completed the required studies and reporting on the extent of the damage. While I, too, have been frustrated with the amount of time it takes the Federal Government to distribute funds after a disaster, appropriating funds before we know what is truly needed is not the answer. There are billions in the FEMA Major Disaster Relief Fund that are already available and can be used toward earthquake response and recovery efforts now, while we wait on a full and accurate report on the damage and estimated cost. When disasters strike, it is our job to ensure that the Federal Government helps those in need. We also have a duty to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used in a fiscally responsible manner. Unfortunately, including tax breaks related to disaster recovery and funds for disasters that haven't even occurred yet is not a good use of taxpayer funds. Again, when funds are needed, we will be there, just as we have been there repeatedly for Puerto Rico for the last several years. But at this time, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.'' Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves).

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise to offer a question of the privileges of the House previously noticed.