Ashley Hinson

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose the previous question. This is the third time here today that Republicans have called on this body to consider my bill, the Reopen Schools Act. It is a commonsense solution to get students and teachers to return to the classroom and to do it safely. This legislation would condition a portion of State COVID relief grants for education on schools actually reopening. My Democrat colleagues already voted for these funds to be used specifically for schools to reopen safely back in December, $54 billion. The science on this is definitive. If certain safety precautions are taken, teachers and students can resume in-person learning safely. So that is why Congress sent the States this money back in December. But after nearly a year of this pandemic lockdown, millions of students are still learning exclusively from behind a screen. Our children are struggling academically and they are falling behind. But the toll on mental health is what is most concerning to me. Even after a year, many kids haven't seen their school friends. They haven't been out to play on a playground. They are isolated, disconnected, and they are lonely. From increased stress and anxiety, depression, even suicidal thoughts or attempts, our youngest generation is facing a mental health crisis. Hospitals have seen a staggering increase in mental health emergencies among young children. It is heartbreaking. And the longer the goal posts continue to be moved on reopening schools, the worse this mental health crisis for our young people will become. My home State of Iowa is leading the way to put students' education and mental health first. My two sons got on the school bus this morning in Iowa. They are in class right now receiving hands-on attention from their teachers, and they will play with their friends at recess today. As a parent, I am grateful that I had the ability to make the right choice for my children and send them back to class to learn in person. But millions of parents around the country have not been given this choice, with many school districts still only offering virtual learning. I have heard of so many families who are struggling as schools remain shuttered and they have no clear timetable for reopening. It is vulnerable families with at-risk children who are impacted the most by these decisions. Let's think about the kids who don't have access to a computer or WiFi to try to complete their lessons online. Or let's talk about the kids who rely on school breakfast and lunch and they are going hungry without these vital nutrition programs. Or what about the victims of child abuse and neglect who are locked in with potential abusers. Or kids who are left at home all day because their parents have no choice but to go to work. We cannot allow children and families to continue to suffer right now. It is time for students to get back into the classroom, and we can do it safely. With the Reopen Schools Act, they will be able to do so safely. Teachers will be back in the classroom safely, and we can get this country moving forward again. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join me in supporting our students by defeating the previous question. We need to get kids back to school. So I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Madam Speaker, tonight, we are here to honor the life of Luke Letlow, who was taken from us far too soon. Luke led a life of public service, and he was dedicated to bettering the lives in Louisiana. I know he was so looking forward to serving the great people of the State of Louisiana here in Congress. Most importantly, though, he was a dedicated husband to his wife, Julia, and a loving father to their two young children. We are all grieving with them during this time, their entire family. I hope the Letlow family can seek some comfort in knowing that so many people here in D.C., back in Iowa, Georgia, and around the country are lifting up prayers for them every single day. Although Luke is no longer with us, he does leaves behind, and he reminds us about, a remarkable legacy that we and, most importantly, his two children will always be able to remember him by long after we are all gone from this place, too. Thank you, Madam Speaker, for letting me speak tonight on behalf of our classmate, Luke Letlow, and his entire family.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a voice for the voiceless. Since Roe v. Wade was enacted by the Supreme Court decision 48 years ago, 62 million abortions have been performed--62 million. This is a tragedy. This is definitely something that is devastating to think about. We must stand up for the unborn, those who cannot stand up for themselves. I always will, and I am doing that here tonight. As a mom of two boys, this issue is close to my heart. While reflecting on the lives lost is difficult to do, I am inspired here tonight. I am inspired by the growing pro-life community and movement in our country. I am hopeful that the next generation will fight for life, and I am proud to help lead this fight in Congress, standing with you. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my friend, the gentleman from New Jersey, for his leadership on this very important issue, and I am honored to add my voice to his and many others in the defense of life here tonight.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this sham budget resolution. When I came to Congress, I said I would work with anybody to get things done and deliver for Iowans. I know there will be opportunities to do that, and I hope there are across the aisle. But today, I have to say I am disappointed that we are debating a hyper-partisan resolution instead. It is a disgrace to taxpayers. It was crafted in the back rooms. And Iowans' seat at the table was taken away through this process today. As a result, this budget resolution will allow major legislation to move along partisan lines, including President Biden's $1.9 trillion spending plan. Mr. Speaker, this plan isn't about COVID relief at all. It is about jamming through a liberal agenda, including a $15 minimum wage mandate. This would absolutely decimate our rural economy in Iowa and would destroy livelihoods across my district. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that a $15 minimum wage would kill at least 1.3 million jobs. So let's talk about the real people here, the workers, the Iowans who make up these statistics. Cubs Auto Shop is a small business in Brooklyn, Iowa, in my district. The owner built his business from the ground up, and he told us that a $15 Federal minimum wage would make it hard to expand his business at all. We need economic growth now more than ever before. He is just one of my many constituents who have told me they would have to lay off workers, raise prices, or even shut down permanently if a $15 minimum wage becomes a reality. This might be right for California and New York, but one-size-fits-all Federal minimum wage mandates would destroy small businesses and rural communities in my district. It is unacceptable that the budget would be used to push this through. Instead, we should be using it to stop Washington's pork spending. So, today, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to oppose this faux budget resolution and stand up for taxpayers.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose the previous question, and I do so in support of our students. Our amendment would ensure that students get back in schools safely and soon. Students have been out of the classroom for far too long, and the costs of at-home learning are far greater than we could have ever imagined, especially when it comes to mental health for our kids. My bill, the Reopen Schools Act, would prioritize State COVID relief grants for education for schools that are reopening. It would require schools to offer at least partial in-person learning in order to receive these Federal pandemic relief funds. These funds were intended to help students get back into the classroom safely, taking important precautions. Congress sent States this money so we could reopen schools safely, yet this hasn't happened in so many communities across our country. I am so proud of our home State of Iowa for already taking a stand for students and requiring schools to offer an in-person learning option. But The Washington Post found that roughly one-third of all K- 12 school districts in the United States right now are only offering virtual learning. So this means one-third of our classrooms are closed and one-third of our school playgrounds are still roped off. The cost of this goes well beyond academics. Child depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges are surging. The science shows kids need to be back in school.

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, even the CDC has confirmed that young kids have an extremely low infection rate right now, a low transmission rate, and a low rate of serious illness from COVID-19. Yet they are forced to stay home and learn from behind a computer screen, that is if these kids have access to computers and broadband internet. For many students, especially those in rural Iowa, virtual learning is not easy. It is not just going downstairs and logging onto the family computer. It is sitting in the parking lot of the Cedar Rapids Public Library, logging onto the WiFi to finish homework or take a test. So it is no surprise that our most vulnerable students are the ones who will suffer the most and are suffering the most. Isolation, lack of social support, added stress, and environmental strain of this lockdown have gone on far too long. Kids and families are suffering. As a mom of two school-age kids, this issue is personal to me. This issue is personal to all parents, and it is personal to all families who care about their kids' well-being. Kids need to be in school. We can get them back behind a desk instead of in front of a screen, and we can do so safely. That is exactly why we allocated funds for this purpose. It is past time for States and local school districts to stop hoarding these resources and use them for their intended purpose: To pay for science-based safety measures that get students and teachers back in the classroom with less risk. That is why my bill would condition a portion of the $54 billion Congress sent to States for K-12 schools in December on reopening their doors. One-third of the education funds provided would be immediately available right now with the remaining two-thirds available to schools in increasing amounts as they move to reopen. Schools with at least 50 percent of students attending in person at least 50 percent of the time would receive the full amount of funding. Parents and students want to return to the classroom. My bill will help make that happen. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join me in supporting our students by defeating the previous question, and I urge a ``no'' vote.