Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I want to give all acknowledgment to the outstanding gentlewoman, Eleanor Holmes Norton. President Washington said: ``The Constitution is the guide which I will never abandon.'' Nothing in the Constitution says that we cannot make the Washington State the Douglass Commonwealth. Frederick Douglass said there is no power without struggle. The sons and daughters of Washington, D.C., laid down their lives for this country in World Wars. They stand for this country in service to this government. Why are we denying them their rights? Alaska has 700,000-plus people. There is no population requirement. Make Washington, D.C., a State now. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Committee on the Judiciary, as an original cosponsor of the legislation, I rise in strong and enthusiastic support of H.R. 51, the ``Washington, D.C. Admission Act,'' which declares the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, to be a State of the United States of America, and declares its admission into the Union on an equal footing with the other States in all respects whatsoever. George Washington, the nation's first Chief Executive, and the President of the Constitutional Convention which met in Philadelphia, said: ``The Constitution is a guide which I will never abandon.'' The action we are taking today to admit the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, as the 51st state of the Union is consistent with the authority vested in the Congress by the Constitution in Article IV, section 3, clause 1. The Constitution does not specify a minimum population or acreage test that a state must meet to gain admission to the Union, rather leave the determination to be made in the sound judgment of the Congress, which admitted Wyoming which has more than 200,000 fewer persons than the District of Columbia, and Alaska, which had only 224,000 persons when it was admitted as a state in 1959. Mr. Speaker, in doing passing this legislation, we remove a stain that has blighted our nation for more than 200 years. I thank Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, my colleague and the representative of the 706,000 residents of the District of Columbia, for her tireless and relentless efforts in shepherding this legislation to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, in his famous 1857 oration in Candaigua, New York, the great abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, said: ``If there is no struggle there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation are men who want crops without plowing up the ground; they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters.'' The vote we are about to cast today is long time in coming but shows that struggle can lead to progress, that truth crushed to earth shall rise again, that justice cannot be denied. Today, we vote to end two centuries of shame and correct an injustice to the citizens of the District of Columbia. Mr. Speaker, let us not lose sight of one indisputable and shameful fact: over 700,000 people living in the District of Columbia lack direct voting representation in the House of Representatives and Senate. Specifically, the citizens of the District of Columbia pay more in federal taxes than 22 states and pay more in federal taxes per capita than any state. The District of Columbia's population (705,000) is larger than the populations of Wyoming and Vermont, and seven states had populations under one million in the last census. The District of Columbia's annual budget ($15.5 billion) is larger than the budgets of 14 states. The District of Columbia has a higher per capita personal income and gross domestic product than any state. District of Columbia residents have fought and died in every American war, including the Revolution itself, and almost 200,000 District residents have served in the military since World War I alone. Approximately 30,000 veterans live in the District of Columbia, and it should be noted that during the Vietnam War, 243 District residents were casualties of war, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 10 different states. So, Mr. Speaker, it is undisputable that residents of the District of Columbia serve in the military, pay billions of dollars in federal taxes each year, and assume other responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. But for over 200 years, the District of Columbia has been denied voting representation in Congress--the entity that has ultimate authority over all aspects of the city's legislative, executive, and judicial functions. Mr. Speaker, if a person can be called upon to pay federal taxes and serve in the armed forces of the United States, then he or she should at least have the opportunity to vote for a representative who could at least cast a symbolic vote in this chamber on critical matters facing our nation. Issues like war and peace, equality and justice. And tear-gassing peaceful protestors in Lafayette Square exercising their First Amendment rights. Mr. Speaker, taxation with representation is tyranny. H.R. 51 would create a state from essentially the eight hometown wards of the District of Columbia and provides that the new state would be equal to the other 50 states in all respects, and that the residents of the State of Washington, D.C. would have all the rights of statehood, including voting representation in Congress and full local self-government. Under the legislation this new state would have no jurisdiction over the reduced federal district, which would consist of the area that Members of Congress and visitors associate with the capital of our country: the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Supreme Court, the White House, the principal federal monuments, and the federal buildings and grounds adjacent to the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. It is unconscionable that 700,000 Americans are being unconscionably denied a vote and a voice in the most important legislative body in the world. As a supporter of freedom, democracy, and equality, I believe that it is long overdue for the citizens of the District of Columbia to have representation in the House and the Senate to advocate for their interests on vital matters coming before the Congress of the United States. Mr. Speaker, it is wrong that we must be reminded daily by license plates in the District of Columbia that ``Taxation without representation is tyranny.'' The people in Boston felt so strongly about this in 1775 that they rebelled in Boston Harbor, launching the ``Boston Tea Party.'' The principle that political authority derives from the consent of the government is no less applicable when it comes to the District of Columbia. Let us be clear, there is no dispute that hundreds of thousands of American citizens reside in the District of Columbia. We all agree that universal suffrage is the hallmark of a democratic regime, of which the United States is the world's leading exemplar. None of us believes it is fair that citizens of the District of Columbia pay federal taxes, risk life and limb fighting wars abroad to protect American democracy and extend the blessings of liberty to people living in foreign lands. In short, there is no moral reason to deny the citizens of the District of Columbia admission as a state in the United States and the right to full representation in Congress. The only question is whether Congress has the will and the constitutional authority to do so. Congress has always had the constitutional authority but for much of the last 200 years, it has not had the will. Let us change that, beginning today with our vote to pass H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, this is a somber moment, and I thank the gentleman from Florida for not only his passion but his recognition that America should never forget. I thank the Speaker pro tempore for letting us remember all the faces and families and loved ones that were impacted. Forty-nine lives, I believe, were taken in one moment, with an act of violence by a crazed gunman, with a gun. We have been trying to stand in the gap, with background checks passed the very first moment under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi, gun violence legislation that has no impact on the Second Amendment but seeks to derail the kind of crazed gunman that was able to take these lives before first responders could come. I remember hearing the stories of families waiting outside of the Pulse nightclub, saying they heard from their loved one but had not seen them because they were making their last-minute cries for help. This memorial would say to America that we are not a nation of bigots, of xenophobia, racism, hatred. We are a nation of respect and dignity. I know the families of those who died at the Pulse nightclub are still in pain and will never forget. But it is the duty of the United States Congress, with our voices raised, to say that the book that I have been holding on to over the last 2 days, to fight for justice in policing, to talk about D.C. statehood, this book, this Constitution, which George Washington said he would use as a guide, that he would never abandon, everyone has the right to decency and life and due process. I enthusiastically support this legislation to give dignity to the lives, and for America never to forget those lives, at the Pulse nightclub. Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the House of Representatives, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3094, ``To designate the National Pulse Memorial located at 1912 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida, 32806, and for other purposes.'' I am voting for H.R. 3094 because it not only memorializes and honors the 49 people who tragically lost their lives from this horrific act of violence, but it also stands as a symbol to the LGBTQ+ community, to our Latino community, to our nation, and to the world, that we will not stand for or tolerate acts of hatred against marginalized persons. Madam Speaker, you will remember that the Pulse nightclub shooting took place on June 12th, 2016 in Orlando, Florida when a gunman shot and killed 49 people and injured 53 others. It was the single deadliest known violent attack on both the LGBTQ+ community and our Latino community. The Pulse nightclub was a haven for the LGBTQ community to live, love, and dance. They came for music, celebration and fellowship. Over four dozen would leave the Pulse Nightclub with their names added to a list of fatal victims of gun violence . In the aftermath, we saw communities come together and support one another. We saw doctors, first responders, and friends rush to save the wounded. Others donated funds, supplies, and even their blood. There were countless murals and other artworks, gifts, and letters left at impromptu memorial sites, paying tribute to the victims and survivors. Our nation refused to let hate win. We came together in the form of thousands of candlelight vigils to grieve, remember, and heal. By passing H.R. 3094 today, we seek to create a permanent reminder that this act of violence and other heinous instances of bigotry are not emblematic of America or its true values. It will also remind us that it is our duty as a society to be better and do better in terms of standing up against hate in all its forms. I ask all members to join me in voting for H.R. 3094, ``To designate the National Pulse Memorial located at 1912 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida, 32806, and for other purposes.''

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, my friends on the other side of the aisle are consistently being persistent in the language of why process for them is more important than saving lives. I answer the question with a little book called the Constitution of the United States, which on this day we hope that we will make it holier and more potent for the large numbers of African American men and women who have seen the brunt of racial profiling and police brutality. Now, let me be very clear. In the opening of this Constitution, it tracks the language that says we are created for a more perfect union. Centuries later, Dr. Martin Luther King asked the question of why we can't wait to be allowed to be full citizens in this Nation as African Americans. He also said now is the time. So when a Member asked me about the moment of this bill, this day, I said: There are few seismic moments on the floor of the House. There are few catastrophic earthquake moments that change lives and save lives. Today, we cannot wait. Amadou Diallo could not wait more than 20, 30 years ago. Now, we have legislation that will be a significant civil rights moment in our history. I am very pleased to have introduced the Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act with my colleagues that does help police, that does require the accreditation of 18,000 police departments. Maybe if the officers in Minneapolis had been trained in human decency and the stopping of excessive force and the duty to intervene, not only would George Floyd's life been saved, but many others in times before. But we have a bill that says that you have to require something. And when I walked amongst the neighbors of George Floyd that grew up in Cuney Homes near Jack Yates, they surrounded me, even in the midst of COVID-19, and said: What is this bill going to do? Is it going to do something? This bill provides a direct requirement for accreditation, the requirement to professionalize police. And, yes, it is racial profiling, and it has teeth in it because it includes a prohibition in profiling based on ethnicity, national origin, religion, and gender. And it creates a cause of action by the Attorney General of any who are injured. We have never had that before. And, yes, it adds a modification of rollback on qualified immunity. But I say to my friends, in rolling back qualified immunity, you have due process. You are in the courthouse. It limits the military hardware disbursements, use of force, and it professionalizes the police. Now, I want to answer the question of Philonise Floyd. He doesn't want his brother to be on his shirt; he wants justice. As I conclude, Madam Speaker, I just want to answer his daughter's point. His daughter, Gianna, said: ``My daddy changed the world.'' We are changing the world. We can't wait, and now is the time--not process, but reality, and making a bill that changes civil rights in this Nation.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Committee on the Judiciary, as an original cosponsor of the legislation, and the author of several of its key legislative provisions, I rise in strong and enthusiastic support of H.R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act of 2020, which marks a defining turning point in our country. By the millions, Americans have taken to the streets in protest to affirm that no longer will the people of this country tolerate or acquiesce in horrible policing practices that include excessive and unnecessary uses of lethal force that has diminished community trust of policing practices across the country and has angered and terrified communities of color who are overwhelmingly and disproportionately its innocent victims. Mr. Speaker, the horrifying killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 by a Minneapolis police office shocked and awakened the moral consciousness of the nation. Untold millions have seen the terrifying last 8:46 of life drained from a black man, George Floyd, taking his last breaths face down in the street with his neck under the knee of a police officer who, along with his three cohorts, was indifferent to his cries for help and pleas that he `can't breathe.' It direct response, for the past several weeks civil protests against police brutality have occurred nightly in cities large and small all across the nation. These protests are a direct reaction to the horrific killing of George Floyd but are most motivated by a deep-seated anger and frustration to the separate and unequal justice African Americans receive at the hands of too many law enforcement officers. The civil disobedience being witnessed nightly in the streets of America are also in memory of countless acts of the inequality and cruelty visited upon young African American men and women no longer with us in body but forever with us in memory. Beloved souls like Breanna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky; Stephan Clark in Sacramento, California; Eric Garner and Sean Bell in New York City; Sandra Bland in Waller County, Texas; Jordan Baker in Houston, Texas; 12-year old Tamir Rice in Cleveland; and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, also, Pamela Turner, Sandra Bland, and Danny Ray Thomas. They remember as well the senseless killings of Ahmaud Arbery and Trayvon Martin by self-appointed vigilantes, Robbie Tolan, shot by police at his own home and he lived but was seriously injured. And the continuing need for their activism is reflected in the most recent outrage, which began on June 12, 2020 and ended in the senseless slaughter of Rayshard Brooks, who was simply sleeping in his car at a local Wendy's restaurant, by a uniformed officer of the Atlanta Police Department. Indeed, the history goes back much further, past Amidou Diallo in New York City, past the Central Park Five, past Emmitt Till, past the Racist abuse of law enforcement power during the struggle for civil rights and equal treatment. Mr. Speaker, the times we are in demand that action be taken and that is precisely what my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, on this committee, and Congressional Democrats did in introducing H.R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020. And we are taking the next bold action today in voting to pass this legislation and send it to the Senate and on to the White House for presidential signature and enactment. I support this bold legislation not just as a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee who also served on the House Working Group on Police Strategies, but also a mother of a young African American male who knows the anxiety that African American mothers feel until they can hug their sons and daughters who return home safely, and on behalf of all those relatives and friends who grieve over the loss a loved one whose life and future was wrongly and cruelly interrupted or ended by mistreatment at the hands of the police. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 is designed to destroy the pillars of systemic racism in policing practices that has victimized communities of color, and especially African Americans for decades, is overdue, too long overdue. This legislation puts the Congress of the United States, on record against racial profiling in policing and against the excessive, unjustified, and discriminatory use of lethal and force by law enforcement officers against persons of color. The legislation means no longer will employment of practices that encourage systemic mistreatment of persons because of their race be ignored or tolerated. With our vote today to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020, the government of the United States is declaring firmly, forcefully, and unequivocally that Black Lives Matter. It is true all lives matter, they always have. But that Black lives matter too, and in so many other areas of civic life, this nation has not always lived up to its promise but that the promise is worthy of fulfilling. Every African American parent, and every African America child, knows all too well 'The Talk' and the importance of abiding by the rules for surviving interactions with the police. While many police officers take this responsibility seriously and strive to treat all persons equally and with respect, their efforts are too often undermined by some of their colleagues who abuse the enormous trust and confidence placed in them. And systemically racist systems and practices left in place can corrupt even the most virtuous police officers. So, the most important criminal justice reforms needed to improve the criminal justice system are those that will increase public confidence and build trust and mutual respect between law enforcement and the communities they swear an oath and are willing to risk their lives to protect and serve. That is the overriding purpose and aim of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020, which contains numerous provisions to weed out and eliminate systemic racism in police practices. Specifically, this legislation holds police accountable in our courts by: 1. Amending the mens rea requirement in federal law (18 U.S.C. Section 242) to prosecute police misconduct from ``willfulness'' to a ``recklessness'' standard; 2. Reforming qualified immunity so that individuals are not barred from recovering damages when police violate their constitutional rights; 3. Incentivizing state attorneys general to conduct pattern and practice investigations and improving the use of pattern and practice investigations at the federal level by granting the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division subpoena power; 4. Incentivizing states to create independent investigative structures for police involved deaths; and 5. Creating best practices recommendations based on the Obama 21st Century Policing Task force. I am particularly pleased that the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act includes the End Racial Profiling Now Act, which I introduced to ban the pernicious practice of racial profiling. In addition, I am proud that this legislation includes as Title I, Subtitle B, the bipartisan and bicameral George Floyd Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act, which I introduced as H.R. 7100. This legislation provides incentives for local police organizations to voluntarily adopt performance-based standards to ensure that incidents of deadly force or misconduct will be minimized through appropriate management and training protocols and properly investigated, should they occur. The legislation directs the Department of Justice to work cooperatively with independent accreditation, law enforcement and community-based organizations to further develop and refine the accreditation standards and grants conditional authority to the Department of Justice to make grants to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of obtaining accreditation from certified law enforcement accreditation organizations. As I have stated many times, direct action is vitally important but to be effective it must be accompanied by political, legislative, and governmental action, which is necessary because the strength and foundation of democratic government rests upon the consent and confidence of the governed. Effective enforcement of the law and administration of justice requires the confidence of the community that the law will be enforced impartially and that all persons are treated equally without regard to race or ethnicity or religion or national origin. As the great jurist Judge Learned Hand said: ``If we are to keep our democracy, there must be one commandment: thou shalt not ration justice.'' Equal justice is the proud promise America makes to all persons; the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act will help make that promise a lived reality for African Americans, who have not ever known it to be true in the area of community-police relations. And when Black Lives Matter, then and only then can it truthfully be said that all lives matter. Finally, let me say a few words in memory of the man whose sacrifice of his inalienable right to life has galvanized the world and awakened the sleeping giant of moral decency. Mr. Speaker, in Acts 2:23 of the Scriptures it is written that ``This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.'' Duty calls us to improve the quality of policing in America. We cannot agitate for change one day and then allow things to remain the same, to allow wicked men to keep committing this crime against humanity. This behavior did not begin with George Floyd; there is a 400-years of history here, from slave patrols, to Jim Crow to Bull Connor to the modern day lynching of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. But the good news is that right is on our side; God has stepped in. In John 1:46 it is said, ``can anything good come out of Nazareth?'' When he growing up I am sure there were people who saw George Floyd and asked can anything good come out of the Third Ward of Houston? We now know the answer is clearly yes. George Floyd was here in service to God's divine plan. And as his daughter Gianna said, her Daddy changed the world. Thank you, George Floyd for what you have done for us, for helping us find our voice and our resolve. We will not let you down; we will finish the job.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the question: Where is the party of Lincoln? Where is the moment of courage when the slaves were freed in that moment in 1863? This Senate bill, the MTR, does not rise to the occasion of those who are in the streets. It fails the moment. It does not require anything. It does not ban, require, or create. The Senate bill is threadbare and lacking in substance. It does not even provide a proper baseline for negotiation. It does not contain any mechanism to hold law enforcement officers accountable in court for their misconduct. It does not address mens rea, a standard that should be the basis of due process. For too long, it has allowed law enforcement officers to evade criminal liability for excessive force. It is absolutely imperative that any meaningful policing reform contain accountability. It fails the moment. Tim Scott introduced the Walter Scott bill many years ago. It has yet to see the light of day in the United States Senate. Where is the party of Lincoln? The JUSTICE Act has little to do with the urgent need, the cry of our people, or those gathering around me in Cuney Homes who came to me, friends of George Floyd, who knew Big Floyd, and said, ``What does this bill do? Will it do anything?'' And as I told them about the bill, unlike this George Floyd Act, which repurposes existing grant moneys, I let them know that this bill will give money to community groups, not give bunches of dollars to those who will continue the same patterns. For too long, the disciplinary and misconduct records of officers who pose a knowing threat to public safety have been shielded from the public in a manner that has resulted in great harm to the communities they are entrusted to. Our bill shines the light. The Senate bill and the motion to recommit does nothing but closes the door and says nothing about Black Lives Matter. In fact, it is a system that encourages the collection of records. We can give him credit for working in a hostile Chamber, but members of the CBC have prioritized and made sure that the issues of today are important. Let me be very clear. There are some notable distinctions between the two proposals. The House Justice and Policing Act vastly deals with a more systemic approach to accountability by developing national policing standards and requiring police departments to gain accreditation. It is a friend of police. It gives and deals with professionalizations. It has a national registry. It is not private. It is public. It is systemic racism, and so we must be transparent. This fails the moment. The Justice and Policing Act takes a multiprong approach to eliminating the use of chokeholds. In this bill, George Floyd would not have lived. In the Justice and Policing Act, we could have saved his life and Eric Garner's. How does the House bill ban no-knock warrants? We do it. And the Senate bill, all it does is study. We have no time for studying. It must be accountable time now. Now is the time. Can you believe that the JUSTICE bill, Senator Scott's bill, this bill does not have anything in it about use of force? Nothing about banning or racial profiling, nothing to fix the Federal criminal prosecution standards, nothing to roll back unqualified immunity, and nothing on limitations of military hardware and disbursements. Mr. Speaker, I ask my brothers and sisters: Where is the party of Lincoln? Where is the party of the Constitution that says we create a more perfect union to create justice? Mr. Speaker, this bill here is the cry of those who have never been heard. It gives us a pathway for success. I am glad to stand with the Congressional Black Caucus and the Justice Department to say that this bill has to pass, the Justice and Policing Act named after George Floyd.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I say to my community in Houston that I know that they are celebrating the idea that the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act has passed. I look forward to going home and engaging with them and indicating that we are re-imagining police and that we are building on police-community relations. I also make mention of the fact that as I left Houston, the State of Texas had 5,000 new COVID-19 cases. Today, we have counted 900 cases in the Houston, Harris County area. People are dying. People are being tested positive, and we need help. Mr. Speaker, it is important that we pass the HEROES Act, but more importantly, that we keep our testing open. On Saturday, I will open another one-day testing site, my 11th, working with local health professionals. The city of Houston and Harris County need our help, and we must continue these testing sites. We must keep them open. I encourage everyone in Houston, get tested. If you are positive, give us your blood for antibodies after you have cured. But more importantly, wear your mask, wash your hands, and socially distance. We have to save lives.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, who for more than 60 years has been a professor of philosophy at Texas Southern University, which is located in my congressional district. Dr. Freeman died last week, on Saturday, June 6, 2020, in Houston, Texas at the age of 100 years old but forever young. In addition to being an educator and scholar of the first rank, Dr. Freeman was world renowned as the legendary coach and teacher of the art of forensic debate and who helped shape the lives of countless young people who were his students, including the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the late Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who once held the seat I now hold. Dr. Freeman's tools were the spoken word. His canvas was the minds of the brilliant and talented young African Americans seeking a higher education. A prodigy himself, Dr. Freeman graduated from Virginia Union University at the age of 18 and went on to become a professor at Virginia Union University before his 30th birthday. He would later receive degrees from Andover Newton Theological School; Harvard University; Chicago Divinity School; the University of Vienna in Austria, and the University of Liberia in Africa. In 1949, Dr. Freeman was among a group of accomplished academics of color hired by Texas Southern University (TSU). That same year he held a debate in his TSU logic class using his own undergraduate experience as a guide. Debate is defined as a contention by words or arguments; or as a formal discussion of a motion before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure; or a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides. But to Dr. Freeman, it was much more than a contest; it was a way of life. Dr. Freeman understood, as did Socrates when he said to Glaucon in Book X of the Republic that ``the contest is great my dear Glaucon, greater than it seems--this contest that concerns becoming good or bad.'' Dr. Freeman's success was informed by his passionate belief that strong debate skills translated into a range of life skills that would serve students well in their personal lives and professional careers. Dr. Freeman's academic roots in moral philosophy and theology came through in his instruction of his debate team students. Through the art of debate, Dr. Freeman taught what the ancient Greeks called arete, which is defined as an ``activity of the soul in accord with virtue in a complete life.'' As Aristotle explains in the Nicomachean Ethics, happiness comes from exercising the full range of one's vital powers directed toward excellence. Virtue and excellence and happiness is what Dr. Freeman taught his students and that is why he and they were special. In 1949, the Texas Southern University students who participated in Dr. Freeman's debate class were so impressed with their experience that they requested that Dr. Freeman form and coach a team. Dr. Freeman agreed and founded the Texas Southern University debate program which today is world renowned for its skill and for the number of championships won. Dr. Freeman was internationally known for his debate coaching prowess and for the prominent Americans who studied under his tutelage. As noted, among them were the late Congresswoman Barbara Jordan and the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. The debating skills that young Barbara Jordan developed under Dr. Freeman's tutelage were so formidable that she became the first female to travel with the TSU debate team. She and her debate partner Otis King participated in and won many awards, including the championship at Baylor University, the first integrated debate match held in the South. Barbara Jordan went on to become a Texas State Senator and the first Texas African American woman elected to the House of Representatives from my state. She characterized her experience of learning under his tutelage as having shaped her view of the importance of mastering the skills of debate. Congresswoman Jordan and Dr. Freeman remained close and upon her death he gave the eulogy at her funeral. Dr. Freeman's skill as a debate coach came to the attention of Denzel Washington when he sought a model for the role of a debate coach for his role in the critically acclaimed film ``The Great Debaters,'' based on life of Melvin B. Tolson, who formed the Wiley College debate team. The Wiley College debate team defeated the University of Southern California (USC) debate team for the 1935 national championship. One of the students in Dr. Freeman's class during his tenure as a visiting lecturer at Morehouse University was a young Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Freeman had such an influential effect on him that years later while he and a group of students happened to be in the same restaurant he was surprised when Dr. King approached his table to say hello and reminded him that he had been a student in his Morehouse class and shared with the students how much that experience shaped his life. Dr. Freeman's contributions to the Texas Southern University Community included serving as Founding Dean of both the Weekend College and the Honors College. Dr. Freeman worked with then TSU President Granville M. Sawyer to develop the program and serve as its dean. The Honors College, renamed in his honor as the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College, was developed for academically gifted and motivated students to provide them with the most rigorous and challenging academic regimen. In 1972, Dr. Freeman was asked by Rice University to join its faculty after it had desegregated. Dr. Freeman began a 23-year career association with Rice University. As near as anyone recalls, he was the first African American professor to teach at this prestigious university before returning to TSU where he resumed teaching and leading the TSU debate team to countless victories. The life of Dr. Thomas F. Freeman reminds us all of the impact a great teacher can have in changing the world for the better through his or her students. Too often a teaching career is viewed by too many as an option taken by those who cannot excel elsewhere. But those of us who know better know that it is the great teacher that makes it possible for us to succeed anywhere and in any pursuit. Dr. Freeman was such a teacher. But as he lived a full and complete life rooted in excellence, virtue, and service, he also was a minister of the gospel, community leader, husband, father, mentor, and a friend to thousands. It can truly be said of Dr. Freeman that his has been a consequential life. That is why Dr. Freeman is legendary and why in memory of this great man that I ask the House to observe a moment of silence as a tribute to Dr. Freeman's service to Texas Southern University, to America, and to humanity.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise to announce to the House that I have introduced the George Floyd Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act of 2020 (LETIA) to modernize law enforcement training, practices and procedures, and to address the issue of police accountability and build trust between police departments and the communities they serve. Over the past two decades, tensions between police and communities of color have grown as allegations of bias-based policing by law enforcement agents, sometimes supported by data collection efforts and video evidence, have increased in number and frequency. This legislation is designed to provide incentives for local police departments to voluntarily adopt performance-based standards to minimize incidents of misconduct, improve operations and enhance community accountability. Since the tragic police-involved shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, there has been public outcry for Congressional action to address police accountability and public safety issues through the adoption of substantive law enforcement policy reforms. Despite the fact that the majority of law enforcement officers perform their duties professionally and without bias, the relationship between the police and some of minority communities has deteriorated to such a degree that federal action is required to begin addressing the issue. With recent Washington Post reports of more than 1000 reported police-involved shooting fatalities in the last year, the time is long past for bipartisan action. The George Floyd Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act of 2020 provides incentives for local police organizations to voluntarily adopt performance-based standards to ensure that incidents of deadly force or misconduct will be minimized through appropriate management and training protocols and properly investigated, should they occur. The legislation authorizes the Department of Justice to work cooperatively with independent accreditation, law enforcement and community-based organizations to further develop and refine the accreditation standards, and authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of obtaining accreditation from certified law enforcement accreditation organizations. Beyond the human toll created by law enforcement accountability issues, there remains the fiscal impact created by the high cost of litigation settlements for police abuse claims. Currently, there are no federally recognized minimum standards to follow for operating a police department. The ad hoc nature of police management has left many officers and agencies in the dark about how to cope with changes in their communities. While most cities fail to systematically track the cost of litigation, the cost reports for major cities can prove staggering. In New York City alone, during Mayor Michael Bloomberg's three term tenure, NYPD payouts were in excess of $1 billion dollars for policing claims. For small departments, the cost of a single high-profile incident could prove crippling in its impact on public safety. While the Department of Justice has a range of criminal and civil authority to address policing issues, the Civil Rights Division will never have the resources necessary to investigate more than a small fraction of those departments engaged in unconstitutional conduct, even with the enhanced funding and task force authority granted by this legislation. Through the support of a robust accreditation regime, like that existing for the healthcare industry, Congress can ensure that all communities have the best trained and managed police departments. Only by establishing acceptable police operations standards can we begin to address issues like use of force before they occur and heal the rifts within our communities. Madam Speaker, I ask the House to observe a moment of silence in memory of George Floyd and for all Members to join me in sponsoring the George Floyd Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act of 2020 (LETIA).

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the Committees on the Judiciary and on Homeland Security, and founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Coronavirus Taskforce, I rise in strong support of the Pandemic Heroes Compensation Act, a bill that would create a compensation fund for all essential workers and personnel who have been injured or impacted by COVID-19. Modeled after the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, the fund would provide compensation for injuries to any individual, or the families, across all essential industries who were deemed an essential worker and required to leave their homes to perform their services and became ill or died as a result of COVID-19. Every day we learn more about the unprecedented impact that the COVID-19 virus has had on American lives across the nation. To date, there are more than 1,676,401 confirmed cases, over 98,000 dead, including 54,509 cases and 1,506 deaths in my home state of Texas, and 10,921 cases and 221 deaths in Harris County. On top of that, by taking the necessary measures to slow the pandemic and `flatten the curve' so as not to overwhelm the nation's health care system, economic activity in the United States has experienced a severe shock to the system. More than 40 million initial unemployment claims in the past month alone. In addition, on March 23, 2020, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) dipped to 18,321.62, which is even lower than it was on Election Night 2016, and far below the 19,827 mark where it stood on January 20, 2017. In other words, Madam Speaker, all the gains that were made to the stock market and heralded by this Administration as evidence of its genius have been wiped out, depleting the retirement savings and 401(k) funds of millions of ordinary Americans. We will overcome this crisis and become better and stronger for it. But we must never forget who waged the battle to contain the pandemic, risking their lives and livelihoods on the frontline. Courageous first responders, transit workers, brave healthcare workers, fearless grocery store clerks and delivery workers, as well as many other federal, state, local and tribal employees who have been deemed essential workers. These workers are risking their health and safety to continue to provide essential services to their communities and our families. As recently as April 2020, the Center for Disease Control reported that over 9,200 health care professionals have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 27 have died from the virus. Research shows that essential workers often work in low-wage positions that require risky face-to-face interactions without adequate protection; they are disproportionately African American or Hispanic. They are most at risk of illness during the COVID-19 pandemic, but in many cases, least able to afford the financial setback that can result from any interruption in work. When a loved one becomes ill on the job, the cost of healthcare and lost wages can create additional burden on families. Madam Speaker, we have a moral and patriotic obligation to stand behind them and their families by ensuring their financial stability. Now, more than ever, our essential workers need help and I urge all Members to join me in voting to pass the Pandemic Heroes Compensation Act.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for her leadership with the ranking member, Mr. Phillips and Mr. Roy. Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support because 100,000 people are dead. Small businesses are living in the midst of those communities of devastation, but they are trying to keep their doors open so they can help their fellow citizens. I am grateful that we will allow an extended period of time, 24 weeks, for allowing for forgiveness. I am very grateful we have extended the date, for extending the program to December 31, and, of course, the payment, the loan period to 5 years. I know the mom-and-pop barbershops and cosmetology shops and nail shops and restaurants; they are crying out to survive. Some of their very workers have died. They are taking care of families. And so to ensure the full access to payroll tax deferment for business tax, that takes PPP loans. In addition, I support the TRUTH Act because the money that we give must be used right, and transparency on who gets the loans is important. Mr. Speaker, this further relief for small businesses is well placed because they are the anchor of the economy. I say to Houston small businesses: We are coming to help you. We will be speaking to you this week. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and we should move this forward as quickly as possible. They are the anchor of the economy of this Nation.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6782, the Small Business Transparency and Reporting for the Underbanked and Taxpayers at Home Act or TRUTH Act, which directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to explain and justify all disbursements of coronavirus relief funds, ensuring transparency and accountability from this critical agency. Together, the CARES Act and the Payroll Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act together allocated more than $2 trillion to address the devastating coronavirus pandemic, the most expensive relief package ever authorized by Congress, and the largest outlay of taxpayer funds in all human history. The stakes simply are too high to allow irresponsible stewardship, and those charged with disbursing coronavirus relief funds must be held to the highest standards and held to account for misfeasance or malfeasance. Mr. Speaker, it is wholly unacceptable that the SBA has not to date provided full transparency over its administration of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL). PPP and EIDL were created by Congress to provide relief for small businesses affected by the pandemic, and more than $700 billion has been allocated in service of those goals. However, in too many cases the programs did not function as Congress intended, and large organizations such as the Los Angeles Lakers received funding while many of our smallest and most vulnerable businesses were unable to secure assistance. In light of this mismanagement, it is imperative that SBA be subject to an exhaustive audit of its handling of PPP and EIDL funding. The agency has refused to do so voluntarily, requiring Congress to mandate compliance from the agency that exists to serve small business, the backbone of the American economy. The TRUTH Act would require the SBA to make the following information publicly available in an online, searchable, sortable, and downloadable format within 30 days of passage: 1. The identity of every recipient of a grant or loan that was funded by the CARES Act or the Payroll Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act; 2. An explanation of the SBA's decision-making process; 3. The number of employees at the entity in question; 4. The date when the grant or loan was disbursed; 5. The identification number of the bank or lender that administered the grant or loan; and 6. The amount of assistance provided to small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, women, and veterans. Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us in ways we could have scarcely imagined; it has claimed lives and destroyed livelihoods all across our nation. We are in this together and we will come out stronger and better. And we do that by caring for each other and rendering equal, justice and fairness, whether it is in the area of coronavirus testing, distribution of PPE, or economic assistance. Our small businesses need help and they need the truth, which is why I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to pass H.R. 6782, the TRUTH Act.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for his leadership. I thank Mr. Smith for his leadership as well, and the gentleman from Texas, my colleague, for his leadership; and listening to the Speaker for her continued years of leadership. The treatment of Uyghurs in China, which warranted the call for the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020, S. 3744, the treatment is of such volcanic, mammoth proportions that we cannot even describe it on this floor. We, in America, take our faith so seriously. We are gratified that whatever our faith is, and whatever the time that we have for our particular faith, whether we go to confession as Catholics or whether or not we take communion, as many faiths do, whether we honor Easter as a special moment for Christians of resurrection, whether or not we know the Passover and the specialness of that, or whether as Muslims we know Ramadan, we are clearly ones that understand how much faith is a part of our life. Can you imagine being in a country that brutalizes you because you practice your faith; keeps you from reading the very book that gives you faith and inspiration, the Koran, and then, doing the most dastardly act, which is to separate you from your families? Of course, many of us know, Ramadan just finished with Eid on Saturday. Americans who are Muslims had the opportunity to do and practice their faith and share it with their families without recrimination and violence. Just imagine a Uyghur in China, fearful of your life, and not having the ability to practice your faith; and as one of my colleagues said, the worst, forcing you to eat pork and continuing to subject you to penalties and punishment. So, I rise to support this legislation because we can do nothing less but to support the Human Rights Policy Act for the Uyghurs and bring them out of the terrible tragedy of oppression in China.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, we are in the backdrop of commemorating Memorial Day just 2 days ago, when the Nation bowed their heads to honor the fallen. We did that without question, without equivocation. But we also acknowledge, and I stand here today acknowledging, the sacrifice of those heroes, acknowledging that 1,000 veterans, as well, have lost their lives from COVID-19. I stand here today to say to America, almost 100,000 of our fellow Americans, our fellow residents, our mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, loved ones, and neighbors, dear friends, classmates, and all around us have been the victims of COVID-19. So I speak for the overwhelming number of Americans who say yes to the HEROES Act. Mr. Speaker, I ask those in the other body and in the administration: Have you ever seen a headline that said, when a city tried to do its best, $15 million in rental assistance runs out in 90 minutes--in my hometown of Houston. Mr. Speaker, I say thank you to the mayor, thank you to the county judge. They are trying. Have you ever seen someone who's never had to beg for food or ask for food sit in the hot Sun in their car for 7 hours--I have--to be able to get groceries for their children? Have you ever seen folks line up to be tested, because they should have been tested in February, March, but there were no kits? So working in a public-private partnership with UMMC, I opened seven testing sites. The first one opened before any governmental site was opened. So I say today, that is why I am on the floor supporting $75 billion in testing, $1 trillion in making sure that brave municipal workers, firefighters, teachers, and all those who do our work every day, police and others, are standing and supporting the community. That is why I am supporting the direct payment, because Chairman Powell of the Fed said we have to go big. There are going to ultimately maybe be 36 million people unemployed. That is why I am supporting rental assistance and mortgage assistance. That is why I am supporting food assistance. Mr. Speaker, has anybody seen the faces of these people? Do we not understand the pain of what they are going through? That is why I am here on the floor dealing with the support of the HEROES Act that must be signed by the President and passed by the other body, the U.S. Senate. We Must Demand Justice

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I want to pause for a moment and now come to something that has soaked my very DNA and my soul, and that is that a young man by the name of Ahmaud Arbery cannot jog in Georgia and be left to his constitutional rights. They were denied. He was gunned down for absolutely no reason whatsoever. It must be addressed. There must be a trial, and there must be justice. Justice will render not his life back to his family, but it will render truth. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I have written letters, and I look forward to us organizing a response that I have asked for in terms of hearing from the victims and their various representatives. Brianna Taylor was going to be a nurse; Mr. Arbery was going to be an electrician. She was going to be a nurse. She was doing what Americans do--sleeping, getting ready for work the next day--and lo and behold, she was bombarded; she was invaded. And she was the wrong house and the wrong person, and that person was in custody already. We must demand justice. When you have the color of law and when you have those whom you look to for sanctity and you can respect them when they are doing their work, you must also--and I ask my fellow lawmakers and, also, law upholders--stand together. Now, brother George Floyd, I was up until 2 in the morning with the pain of the video. George Floyd, his family--he was raised in Houston in my district--went to Jack Yates High School. There are people mourning in Houston, Texas. He lived there for 40 years, a gentle giant, and he was taken away from us by a knee on his neck, crying for his mama. There must be charges. They must be brought to justice, even if they wear a uniform, in order for law and order to be upheld. Everyone is watching that. I have had fellow officers send me messages: Outrageous. My heart is burning; my heart is hurting. I am crying when I heard him say, ``Mama, Mama, Mama,'' and his brothers and sisters have the pain of hearing that over and over again. People were asking, Good Samaritans, saying: Please take your knee off his neck, his trach. You are choking him. You are killing him. How can this be? I quietly say, Mr. Speaker, as I close, God is on our side. We are a nation of laws and the Constitution. All I ask for these families, all I ask, is fairness, simple justice, and mercy for these families. May they rest in peace, those who have gone on, and others, at the hands of those who should not have brought them down. God bless you.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as a member of the Law Enforcement Caucus and a senior member of the Committees on the Judiciary and Homeland Security, I rise in support of S. 2746, the ``Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act,'' which requires the FBI to open a voluntary data collection program to track suicides and attempted suicides within local, tribal, state and federal law enforcement. Information collected and maintained by the FBI will not include any personally identifiable information. The legislation also directs the FBI Director to submit an annual report on the data to Congress and publish the report on the FBI website. This program would serve as the principal data collection tool on suicides and attempted suicides within law enforcement across the country. It is altogether fitting and proper that we do this to commemorate National Police Week, which occurred earlier this month. Madam Speaker, this legislation reminds us of the enormous strain law enforcement personnel necessarily endure daily as they try to do their best to keep our communities safe and healthy. By providing accurate and detailed information on these suicides and attempted suicides, more effective prevention programs could be implemented to save lives. I urge all members to Join me in voting for S. 2746, the Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer strong support for the Public Safety Officer Pandemic Response Act and to just take a little journey down memory lane. Just 2 days ago we honored the fallen that have sacrificed their lives for this Nation for our freedom. We could not help many of us who held Memorial Day ceremonies for the fallen and to acknowledge their families who at that time, as well, acknowledge the nearing 100,000 mark of those who died from COVID-19. As a Member of the United States Congress here during 9/11, right here in this Capitol, watching the billowing smoke from the Pentagon, hearing about the Trade Center, and of course, about the plane that no one could find that wound up in Pennsylvania, in all of those instances, first responders rushed to the scene. They were on the front lines. I remember that; heroic actions. But at the same time, I remember, as a Member of the Homeland Security Committee, the long and arduous journey, the suffering that these individuals had to go through to receive ultimate compensation, even just a few months ago, or about a year ago, reminded of the first responders that were in the Judiciary Committee pleading again for compensation through the 9/11 bill. I believe that where we are today is the right direction to get in front of and to help those who are still on the front lines, firefighters and techs, law enforcement officers in a variety of service, they are still there, many of whom started with COVID-19 without the right PPEs, as many of them will tell you. Some who have already lost their lives. Many that continue to suffer with the remnants or the effects of COVID-19. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the sponsors and thank the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Nadler. I want to thank Mr. Pascrell and Mr. Rose for all of the efforts to get in front, to say that the Nation does care. Because right now, Madam Speaker, as we are on this floor, there are emergency workers rushing to someone's home to be able to take them to a medical facility to save their lives, or they may be in an emergency room right now. So COVID-19 has not ended. That is why we are wearing masks. COVID-19 has taken 100,000 lives with no end in sight. So I rise in support to be able to provide these lifesaving front- liners the safety net that they need, and the compensation that they need, in order for us to say more than a thank you, but to acknowledge and honor them for their service. Let us hope that we can, as a Nation, follow the instructions of social distancing, testing, wearing masks, that we can overcome this. But all the time that we are taking that journey, we will be looking to these first responders to be on the first line. Madam Speaker, I thank you for the time, and I ask our colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. We heard on this floor, Mr. Speaker, God bless America, and now we know that America is sick and needs that blessing. Her lives, her livelihood are sick. This is not Speaker Pelosi's bill. This is America's bill. And I am glad to stand here and support heroes who will get $200 billion, including transit workers. I am glad we will get more direct payments, $6,000, to families that are desperate. I am glad that there will be testing and contact tracing that will help save lives. I am glad that local governments--my mayor is suffering--$375 billion. And I am delighted to make sure that we know that the hungry people in the streets will get food. I support the HEROES legislation. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Committees on the Judiciary and on Homeland Security, and founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Coronavirus Taskforce, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or HEROES Act, the most installment of the necessary assistance and relief provided by Congress to address the adverse health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The HEROES Act provides an additional $75 billion for the testing, tracing, and treatment we need in order to have a science-based path to safely reopen our country and helping ensure that every American can access free coronavirus treatment. I support this legislation also because it provides strong support for our heroes fighting the pandemic on the front lines with nearly $1 trillion for state, local, territorial and tribal governments who desperately need funds to pay the health care workers, police, fire, transportation, EMS, teachers and other vital workers who keep us safe and are in danger of losing their jobs. The Heroes Act also establishes a $200 billion Heroes' fund to ensure that essential workers receive hazard pay, something that I have long advocated and for which I worked closely with the House and committee leaders to secure. Another reason to support this bill is that it puts money in the pockets of workers with a second round of direct payments to families up to $6,000 per household, new payroll protection measures to keep 60 million workers connected with their jobs and extending weekly $600 federal unemployment payments through January 2021. There are several additional salutary provisions in this legislation which I will later address, but it is important to note for the record the scale of public health and economic crisis we are in. Every day, we see the need for further action to combat the coronavirus crisis. To date, there are more than 1,400,000 confirmed cases, over 85,000 dead, including 42,403 cases and 1,158 deaths in my home state of Texas. On top of that, by taking the necessary measures to slow the pandemic and `flatten the curve' so as not to overwhelm the nation's health care system, economic activity in the United States has experienced a severe shock to the system. More than 36 million initial unemployment claims in the past month alone. In addition, on March 23, 2020, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) dipped to 18,321.62, which is even lower than it was on Election Night 2016, and far below the 19,827 mark where it stood on January 20, 2017. In other words, Mr. Speaker, all the gains that were made to the stock market and heralded by this Administration as evidence of its genius have been wiped out, depleting the retirement savings and 401(k) fund of millions of ordinary Americans. The situation is so dire that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, appointed by the current President, stressed the importance of Congress providing further fiscal relief, stating this week: ``While the economic response has been both timely and appropriately large, it may not be the final chapter, given that the path ahead is both highly uncertain and subject to significant downside risks. Additional fiscal support could be costly, but worth it if it helps avoid long-term economic damage and leaves us with a stronger recovery.'' Mr. Speaker, among people who were working in February, almost 40 percent of those in households making less than $40,000 a year had lost their job in March. And in addition to the highly inequitable of gender and racial impacts, this economic downturn reveals a strong class dimension to the unemployment wave with 18.1 million of the 19.5 million jobs lost in the private sector last month classified as production and non- supervisory workers as opposed to managers. So, we have simultaneously a public health emergency and an economic calamity, both of which are addressed in the legislation before us. But before we can get back on our feet economically and restore the booming economy inherited by the current Administration, Americans must be assured and confident that there is a plan and strategy to combat COVID-19 and the resources and commitment needed to implement the plan and execute the strategy. And that means testing, testing, and more testing, along with contact tracing. Mr. Speaker, as the media was reporting in early January on the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus and the alarming increase in the numbers of persons infected, I understood that this was an emergency situation requiring urgent and immediate attention. On February 10, 2020, I held the first press conference on the issue of the novel coronavirus at Houston Intercontinental Airport, which was followed by a second press conference on February 24, 2020 to continue efforts to raise public knowledge of the impending threat. On February 26, 2020, I wrote the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security requesting to be briefed by Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf to regarding the preparedness of DHS to address a possible pandemic. On March 19, 2020, I partnered with United Memorial Medical Center to open the first drive through Coronavirus Test Screening facility in the Houston area. Since March 19, I have worked to open six other testing sites for a total of seven that are located within high risk communities in the city of Houston to reduce the need for travel to get access to COVID-19 testing. In early March news reports regarding the high risks for COVID-19 infections in jails and prisons provided early notice that these locations might become hot spots where the unchecked spread of the virus would pose health risks to detainees, staff, and communities where they were located. Infectious disease experts warned that overcrowded unsanitary conditions existed in these facilities making them extremely unsafe given what was known about the highly infectious nature of COVID-19. That is why I worked with the Harris County Sheriff's Office to provide COVID-19 testing for detainees and staff beginning on April 21. Detention centers are overcrowded and unsanitary and pose significant risks to detainees and staff should COVID-19 breach them, whether they are prisons, jails, or ICE detention centers. In the weeks before the White House declared a national emergency concerning COVID-19, ICE held approximately 38,000 individuals in more than 130 federal, private, and locally operated detention facilities across the country. Crowded, unsanitary conditions in ICE detention facilities put detainees, detention facility staff, and surrounding communities in danger. Placing detainees in local jails or state prisons may have triggered infections in those confinement settings that might reach local communities where the infections would not be detected until infected persons were sick enough to seek medical assistance at hospitals. Individuals in detention are often housed in close quarters together with individuals in poor health, making them highly vulnerable to contagious disease. Reducing the number of persons being held by focusing on release of non-violent persons who are at the greatest risk should they contract the infection-the elderly, those with underlying medical conditions, and those with compromised immune systems is the right thing to do for public safety and health. As I wrote in a May 6, 2020 Houston Chronicle op-ed, entitled Universal Testing Is A National Security Issue, universal testing, contact tracing, and social distancing is needed to protect the public health and safety, and to provide Americans with the confidence they need to restart the national economy by resuming economic activity. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that H.R. 6800 includes in its provisions many of the policies I have advocated and worked with leadership to secure, including the following: Bureau of Prisons--$200 million to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus in Federal prisons, including funding for medical testing and services, personal protective equipment, hygiene supplies and services, and sanitation services. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) programs--$100 million, with a waiver of the local match requirement, including $30 million for grants to combat violence against women, $15 million for transitional housing assistance grants, $15 million for sexual assault victims assistance, $10 million for rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement assistance, $10 million for legal assistance for victims, $4 million for assistance to tribal governments, and $16 million to support families in the justice system. Byrne Justice Assistance Grants--$300 million to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, including for purchasing personal protective equipment and controlling outbreaks of coronavirus at prisons, with waivers of the local match and non-supplanting requirements. Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)--$300 million for law enforcement hiring grants and for the purchase of personal protective equipment, with waivers of the local match and non-supplanting requirements. Second Chance Act grants--$250 million for grants to help facilitate the reintegration of ex-prisoners back into society and to prevent recidivism. Pandemic Justice Response Act Grants--$600 million, including: (1) $500 million to prevent, detect, and stop the presence of COVID-19 in correctional institutions, and for pretrial citation and release grants, (2) $25 million for Rapid COVID-19 Testing at correctional institutions, and (3) $75 million for Juvenile Specific Services. Legal Services Corporation--$50 million to address legal needs arising from coronavirus. I also note in passing many additional provisions in the legislation that will benefit the nation and my congressional district: Community Development Block Grant--$5 billion for coronavirus response and to mitigate the impacts in our communities to be distributed by formula to current grantees. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)--$10 billion to support anticipated increases in participation and to cover program cost increases related to flexibilities provided to SNAP by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC)--$1.1 billion to provide access to nutritious foods to low-income pregnant women or mothers with young children who lose their jobs or are laid off due to the COVID-19 emergency. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)--$150 million to help local food banks meet increased demand for low-income Americans during the emergency. Including funding provided by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), TEFAP has received a total of $1 billion. Child Nutrition Programs--$3 billion in additional funding to provide emergency financial relief to school meal providers and USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program. Census--$400 million for expenses due to delays in the 2020 Decennial Census in response to the coronavirus and an additional $10 million for expenses incurred as a result of the coronavirus. State Fiscal Relief--$500 billion in funding to assist state governments with the fiscal impacts from the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus. Local Fiscal Relief--$375 billion in funding to assist local governments with the fiscal impacts from the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI)--$1 billion for economic support and recovery in distressed communities by providing financial and technical assistance to CDFis. Assistance to Homeowners--$75 billion to states, territories, and tribes to address the ongoing needs of homeowners struggling to afford their housing due directly or indirectly to the impacts of the pandemic by providing direct assistance with mortgage payments, property taxes, property insurance, utilities, and other housing related costs. Elections--$3.6 billion for grants to States for contingency planning, preparation, and resilience of elections for Federal office. Broadband--$1.5 billion to close the homework gap by providing funding for Wi-Fi hotspots and connected devices for students and library patrons, and $4 billion for emergency home connectivity needs. Small Businesses--$10 billion in grants to small businesses that have suffered financial losses as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Postal Service--$25 billion for revenue forgone due to the coronavirus pandemic, plus language providing additional protections to Postal workers. An additional $15 million is provided for the Postal Service Inspector General for oversight of this funding. Federal Emergency Management Agency--$1.3 billion to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, including $200 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program; $500 million for Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG); $500 million for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants; and $100 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG). Environmental Protection Agency--$50 million for environmental justice grants, including investigating links between pollution exposure and the transmission and health outcomes of coronavirus in environmental justice communities. Indian Health Service--$2.1 billion to address health care needs related to coronavirus for Native Americans. Department of Labor--$3.1 billion to support workforce training and worker protection activities related to coronavirus. Health Resources and Services Administration--$7.6 billion to support expanded health care services for underserved populations, including: 1. $7.6 billion for Health Centers to expand the capacity to provide testing, triage, and care for COVID-19 and other health care services at approximately 1,000 existing health centers across the country; and 2. $10 million to Ryan White HIV/AIDS clinics to support extended operational hours, increased staffing hours, additional equipment, and additional home delivered meals and transportation needs of clients, who disproportionately suffer from co-morbidities and underlying immunosuppression that puts them at greater risk for COVID-19 complications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--$2.1 billion to support federal, state, and local public health agencies to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus, including $2 billion for State, local, Territorial, and Tribal Public Health Departments and $130 million for public health data surveillance and analytics infrastructure modernization. National Institutes of Health--$4.745 billion to expand COVID-19- related research on the NIH campus and at academic institutions across the country and to support the shutdown and startup costs of biomedical research laboratories nationwide. Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response--$4.575 billion to respond to coronavirus, including: 1. $3.5 billion for Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for therapeutics and vaccines; 2. $500 million for BARDA to support U.S.-based next generation manufacturing facilities; and 3. $500 million for BARDA to promote innovation in antibacterial research and development. Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund--$175 billion to reimburse for health care related expenses or lost revenue attributable to the coronavirus, as well as to support testing and contact tracing to effectively monitor and suppress COVID-19, including: 1. $100 billion in grants for hospital and health care providers to be reimbursed health care related expenses or lost revenue directly attributable to the public health emergency resulting from coronavirus; and 2. $75 billion for testing, contact tracing, and other activities necessary to effectively monitor and suppress COVID-19. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services--Nursing Strike Team--$150 million for States to establish and implement strike teams to deploy to skilled nursing facilities or nursing facilities within 72 hours of three residents or employees being diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19. Administration for Children and Families--$10.1 billion to provide supportive and social services for families and children through programs including: 1. $7 billion for Child Care and Development Block Grants; 2. $1.5 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); 3. $1.5 billion to support paying water bills for low income families; 4. $50 million for Family Violence Prevention and Services; 5. $20 million for Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) State Grants; and 6. $20 million for Community Based-Child Abuse Prevention Grants. Administration for Community Living--$100 million to provide direct services such as home-delivered and prepackaged meals, and supportive services for seniors and disabled individuals, and their caregivers. Department of Education--$100.15 billion to support the educational needs of States, school districts, and institutions of higher education in response to coronavirus, including: 1. $90 billion for a State Fiscal Stabilization Fund for grants to States to support statewide and local funding for elementary and secondary schools and public postsecondary institutions. 2. $10.15 billion to help alleviate burdens associated with the coronavirus for both colleges and students, including $1.7 billion for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions, $20 million for Howard University, $11 million for Gallaudet University, $11 million for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, and $8.4 billion for other institutions of higher education. Tenant-Based Rental Assistance--$4 billion to allow public housing agencies (PHAs) to respond to coronavirus and the ability to keep over 2.2 million families stably housed even when facing a loss of income, including $1 billion for new, temporary, vouchers for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, or fleeing domestic violence. Public Housing Operating- Fund--$2 billion for PHAs to carry out coronavirus response for the operation and management of almost 1 million public housing units. Housing for Persons with AIDS--$15 million to maintain operations, rental assistance, supportive services, and other necessary actions to mitigate the impact of coronavirus on low-income persons with HIV/AIDS. Homeless Assistance Grants--$11.5 billion for Emergency Solutions Grants to address the impact of coronavirus among individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and to support additional homeless assistance, prevention, and diver on activities to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. I am also pleased that the language of my bill, H.R. 6803, to specifically help the Elderly and persons with disabilities during COVID-19 through wrap a round services was included. Emergency Rental Assistance--$100 billion to provide emergency assistance to help low-income renters at risk of homelessness avoid eviction due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Project-Based Rental Assistance--$750 million to ensure the continuation of housing assistance for low-income individuals and families living in project-based rental assistance properties, and to ensure housing providers can take the necessary actions to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the pandemic. Housing for the Elderly--$500 million to maintain operations at properties providing affordable housing for low-income seniors and to ensure housing providers can take the necessary actions to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Housing for Persons with Disabilities--$200 million to maintain operations at properties providing affordable housing for low-income persons with disabilities, and to ensure housing providers can take the necessary actions to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Housing Counseling Assistance--$100 million to enable housing counselors to respond to the surge of demand for services, which include foreclosure and eviction mitigation counseling, in light of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill allows the purchase of technology and equipment so services can be provided through electronic means. As the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic becomes clearer and more far-reaching, it will be necessary to continually replenish the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (EIDL). Mr. Speaker, perhaps the principle reason to support this legislation is because it provides $75 billion for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and isolation measures; and ensures that every American can access free coronavirus treatment. The legislation also provides hospitals and health care workers on the frontlines needed funding for the necessary resources, especially personal protective equipment (PPE), to battle the coronavirus pandemic and care for its victims. Mr. Speaker, we have all seen the heart-wrenching stories of courageous doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, orderlies, and others selflessly striving to save other others while putting themselves in harm's way because of the severe shortage of PPE. Mr. Speaker, the current president fancies calling himself a ``War President.'' For anyone who needs reminding, the nation's greatest wartime presidents made sure that American troops on the frontlines were trained, equipped, and protected in battle. The funding provided in this legislation will help states and local jurisdiction conduct necessary COVID-19 testing in local jails, juvenile detention centers, and elsewhere in the criminal justice system. Testing is the key to reopening the economy and resuming our lives, and to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, domestically or internationally. If we cannot see where COVID-19 is within a community, there is no reliable way to prevent its spread other than quarantine. If we do not dramatically increase testing, we will remain prisoners of COVID-19 until we have a vaccine widely available, which is not expected to occur until early 2021. Universal testing for COVID-19 is a matter of life and death for millions of Americans, but it is also a salvation for millions of others who are living desperate lives behind locked doors. The liberation of millions hinges on getting testing in every community so that we can shine a light on where COVID-19 is and where it is not present. Mr. Speaker, the occasion demands that we rise, and I urge all Members to join me in voting to pass H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. We cannot do and cannot do--and how many times can I say it?--we cannot stand here and do nothing. The Constitution has no provision that prohibits this body from doing something to avoid a catastrophe of not being able to govern this Nation. My friends who were here during the heinous tragedy of 9/11 remember that we had a continuity committee and put in a provision of the rules under Republican leadership of what would constitute a quorum. But let me say this, my friends. No one is telling you not to be present, but what it does say is that we are prepared, we will not panic. We are prepared in case a catastrophic resurgence of COVID-19 comes in the fall as the scientists have said. And, no, no proxy is going to dominate this floor. A proxy is directed by the Member, and they must specifically, on each vote, tell you what to do. Those directions are specific. At the same time, no Member is prohibited, as I said, from coming to this floor. Eleanor Roosevelt said: ``One thing I believe profoundly: We make our own history.'' That is what we are doing. We are making our history so that we can serve the American public. Do you think truck drivers and first responders want us to collapse and not pass a bill that provides for them so they will not be furloughed and fired? They want us to do our job. Thomas Paine said, ``times that try men's souls.'' This is a constitutional process. It allows for us to proceed and govern this Nation without an interruption. We have seen Members who are COVID-19 positive. It can happen to a predominant number of Members. How, then, will we respond? We need to respond with the exact idea that has been promoted and put forward in this resolution. Let me also acknowledge the fact that 36 million have filed for unemployment; 85,000 have died. It is projected 134,000 will die. That is why we have done prison dollars. That is why we put the heroes money in so that we don't have people seeking to eat. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record an article entitled ``City Staring Down $169 Million Budget Gap'' and an article from the Houston Chronicle entitled ``Universal testing for coronavirus is a national security issue. [From houstonchronicle.com, May 13, 2020] City Staring Down $169M Budget Gap (By Jasper Scherer and Dylan McGuinness) Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, facing an economy hammered by the coronavirus pandemic and collapsing oil prices, on Tuesday proposed to close an upcoming budget gap by furloughing about 3,000 municipal workers, deferring all police cadet classes and exhausting the city's entire $20 million ``rainy day'' fund. The proposals are in response to an estimated $169 million revenue shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Emptying the rainy day fund ``leaves the city in a precarious state for the upcoming hurricane season,'' the mayor acknowledged in a message to city council members that accompanied his budget plan. The account hold money in reserve for emergency situations, such as cash flow shortages and major disasters. The city had just recently replenished the fund after using all $20 million in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. It will not have that option if a storm hits Houston this year. ``The dollars from the economic stabilization fund are gone,'' Turner said. ``There is no rainy day fund.'' Under Turner's plan, the city also would draw $83 million from its cash reserves to balance the budget. The city's tax- and fee-supported general fund, which covers most basic city operations, would spend $2.53 billion under Turner's plan, a decrease of about 1 percent from the current budget. Despite the narrow spending cut, the city would be left with a general fund balance that dips below the amount required by city ordinance. Turner said the rule makes an exception ``in the event of economic instability beyond the city's control.'' Houston is expected to lose nearly $100 million in sales tax revenue during current fiscal year and the one beginning in July, due in part to a precipitous drop in oil prices, along with the closure of bars, restaurants and other businesses during the pandemic. The overall city budget, including services that are funded by dedicated fees and utility charges, is $5.1 billion, a slight increase from the current budget. The proposed spending plan, which is subject to approval by city council, only says that the city would furlough ``thousands of municipal employees.'' At a news conference Tuesday, Turner said the number would be around 3,000 of the city's nearly 21,000 employees. The workers would forego 10 days of paying the city roughly $7 million. Turner did not specify which departments would be required to send workers home without pay, though he said the city would not place anyone on furlough from the police, fire and solid waste management departments. The city will implement any cuts until the new fiscal year begins July 1, Turner said. The bulk of the city's operating budget is devoted to paying roughly 5,200 police officers and nearly 3,800 firefighters. Public safety would account for 59 percent of the general fund under the proposal, and usually about 90 percent of the police and fire departments' costs are devoted to personnel. Both departments would see modest increases of about 2 percent in spending under Turner's plan, with police climbing to $930.6 million and the fire department to $516.9 million. The departments seeing the biggest cuts in their operation budgets include Public Works ($4.5 million, or 14.3 percent of its budget); Parks and Recreation ($10.4 million, 13 percent); and Solid Waste ($4.5 million, 4.8 percent). Turner's budget plan could undergo significant changes, the mayor said Tuesday, if Congress allows local governments to spend COVID-19 stimulus funds to make up for lost tax revenue. Houston received $404 million from the roughly $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package and for now is barred from spending it on previously budgeted expenses, though city officials may identify some public safety expenses related to the pandemic that can be covered with federal aid, Turner said. ``More than likely you will see additional dollars flowing into this budget in the next couple of weeks,'' Turner said. The mayor already is proposing to use federal COVID-19 funds to cover the city's roughly $10 million annual contract with the Houston Zoo, which is paid out of the general fund. Turner said he also has directed the fire and police chiefs to determine which of their recent operations were devoted to COVID-19--spending that could be eligible for federal aid. Democratic lawmakers in Washington, D.C., also have sought more money for state and local governments in Congress' next stimulus package, though such plans have met skepticism in GPO ranks. Even if Congress gives Houston officials more flexibility to spend the funds, Turner said the $404 million will not cover all the city's COVID-19 expenses and lost revenue. The city already is projected to spend about $200 million on testing, contact tracing and other health expenses, Turner said, while putting additional funds toward rental assistance and programs to help homeless Houstonians. ``The $404 (million), though it seems like a big number, it's not big at all considering the needs that exist,'' Turner said. ``Just because we may be able to pull dollars from what we have received, it doesn't mean that there will be sufficient dollars to do it.'' If the federal government does provide more money, Turner said his first priority would be to reinstate the police cadet classes, which would cost $14 million. Next on the list would be eliminating furloughs and refilling the city's reserves. Cities across the country already have slashed large chunks of their payrolls, placing workers on furlough, laying off employees and implementing hiring freezes. As many as 1 million municipal workers may be laid off or placed on furlough, according to the National League of Cities.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, we need rural, city, local, and State funding and $15 million in rental assistance. We need to do this resolution and pass the HEROES legislation now. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Committees on the Judiciary, and on Homeland Security, and the Budget, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 965, which authorizes the Speaker, in consultation with the Minority Leader, to temporarily implement remote committee proceedings and remote voting in the House when she has been notified by the Sergeant-at-Arms, in consultation with the Attending Physician, of a public health emergency due to the coronavirus. When exercised, that authority lasts for 45 days but can be extended if the public health emergency persists or there is a resurgence. Mr. Speaker, in the 231 years since the first Congress met in New York City on March 4, 1789, our nation has undergone and overcome many crises and challenges, from the presence of British troops in the capital city during the War of 1812, to the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Spanish Flu of 1918, the Great Depression, and the Great Recession of 2008. Through it all, Americans have persevered and America has flourished because Americans do not give up hope or give in to despair. Instead of cursing the darkness, we light candles. Our national history is one of pride in our democracy, in a government of, for, and by the people, and our willingness to sacrifice to keep it and our ability to adapt to changing times to sustain it. Mr. Speaker, we are now in the midst of one of those `times that try men's souls,' as Thomas Paine put it two centuries ago. As of yesterday, there were at minimum 4,405,688 cases of COVID-19 across the globe and 1,400,500 in the United States, resulting in more than 300,000 deaths worldwide and more than 84,985 in the United States. With just 4 percent of the world's population, the United States has one-third of the total COVID-19 cases and nearly 30 percent of deaths from COVID-19 globally. Mr. Speaker, the necessary measures taken to slow the pandemic and 'flatten the curve' so as not to overwhelm the nation's health care system has also delivered a severe shock to economic activity in the United States. Yesterday, the Department of Labor reported that the number of first- time unemployment insurance claims exceeded 2.85 million, bring the total number of unemployed to 36 million, shattering by orders of magnitude all previous marks. So, Mr Speaker, it is essential that this Congress act and act now to put in place measure that will address the public health crisis, stem the economic onslaught, and ameliorate the suffering and deprivation of individuals and communities. But requires that we first ensure that the Congress discharge the duties delegated it under the Constitution in a way that does not needlessly endanger Members, their staff, or any of the thousands of Capitol Hill personnel. That is the purpose and intent of H. Res. 965; to allow Members from across the country to continue legislating on behalf of the American people while adhering to the advice of medical experts and protecting public health. First, the resolution authorizes remote committee proceedings during the pandemic. During the public health emergency period, committees are authorized to hold virtual hearings, markups, and depositions so Members can perform oversight, conduct fact-finding, and prepare legislation for the House floor. Committee chairs can choose to hold entirely virtual proceedings, with Members participating from any location, or they can hold proceedings in the hearing room with some Members participating remotely. Members participating remotely will count towards a quorum and be able to vote. Committees are required to use software platforms approved by the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for remote participation. Second, H. Res. 965 authorizes and implements procedures for remote voting on the House floor during the pandemic. Specifically, the resolution allows for remote voting by proxy on the House Floor during the public health emergency period. All Members voting remotely will be counted toward a quorum. After sending a letter to the Clerk designating a proxy, Members are permitted to vote remotely on any vote. Members voting remotely will be given 24-hours' notice before any final passage vote to ensure they can secure a proxy if they have not yet designated one. Mr. Speaker, it is important to emphasize that this is not a general proxy, rather proxies must receive exact written instruction from the Member voting by proxy on each vote and are required to follow that instruction precisely. To ensure transparency, a list of designated proxies will be posted on the Clerk's website and a list of Members voting remotely will be printed in the Congressional Record following each vote. In addition, Members' votes will be read aloud during the vote. Additionally, no Member can serve as a designated proxy for more than ten Members. Finally, the resolution provides for remote voting through technology during the pandemic, after a system is developed and certified. The resolution directs the chair of the House Administration Committee to study the feasibility of using technology to vote remotely in the House, and to provide certification upon a determination that there is operable and secure technology for remote voting. After the certification, the chair of the Rules Committee is directed to issue regulations on the implementation of remote voting and the Speaker is then authorized to notify the House that Members may cast their votes remotely during the public health emergency period covered by the resolution. Mr. Speaker, in this moment of national crisis Americans are looking to their government to be there for them and enact policies and take action that will see us through this pandemic as safely and as quickly as possible. To ensure that the House, the first branch of the co-equal but preeminent body vested by Article I with the power to investigate, legislate, and appropriate in further of the general welfare and national defense, remains able to discharge its constitutional duty, I urge all Members to join me in voting to pass H. Res. 965.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise to support the underlying bill, which was made much safer to save lives and to provide economic opportunity. But, as well, I rise to support the bipartisan, as it should be, oversight bill created by the vision of our Speaker, and I ask my colleagues to understand what oversight is in COVID-19. It is to save lives and to make sure that we focus on the needs of those like the elderly in nursing homes who need to be tested or essential workers. Or we find out the underlying incompetence, if you will, of large companies getting money from the mom-and-pop businesses. That needs oversight. Or we promote more testing, like the $25 billion that is in the underlying bill, and contact tracing. That is what oversight is. Oversight is to maintain the idea that we have responsibility for the budget of this Nation, but we have the responsibility for the lives of this Nation. I served as a staffer for the Select Committee on Assassinations when people were in dismay about the assassinations of Dr. King and John F. Kennedy. I will tell you that even that small committee in the House gave some comfort that Congress was caring about lives and about our budget. I support enthusiastically the rule and, as well, the bipartisan Oversight Committee. Wise people will know that Congress must continue to do its work in a way that saves lives and strengthens our economy. I ask support for this bill and the rule.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, let me acknowledge that people are dying. That sometime in the future, we may have one-sixth of the number of people that died in World War II in the battles on behalf of the United States. I rise because I support this legislation because it has universal testing for COVID-19. It is a matter of life and death. And I call upon using this $25 billion for testing nursing homes and all essential workers. They must be assured that they are safe. I join with the Congressional Black Caucus to make sure that we have concentrated voluntary testing in areas where there have been high deaths, contact tracing to identify the people, which has been included, antibody tests, working with our communities and faith-based. And, yes, The Nickel in the Fifth Ward, where Mickey Leland and Barbara Jordan work; that is a restaurant. I want them to be part of those who will get now the new dollars, the $60 billion that is going to help the very, very small. And I want to stand in the way of the Ruth's Chris and the Shake Shacks, the large corporations, to make sure that they understand that we are sharing with each other. So small businesses now with minority banks and CDFIs can do this. Finally, our hospitals that have been on the front lines. They need to be reimbursed and those who are Medicare focused, not just Medicaid focused, not just Medicare focused. And, yes, I want hero pay for our transit workers and hero pay for our professionals. Madam Speaker, I support this legislation now to save lives. Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the Committees on the Judiciary and on Homeland Security, and founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Coronavirus Taskforce, I rise in strong support of the ``Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act,'' an interim measure that supplements the CARES Act, the assistance and relief package passed by Congress providing more than $2 trillion to address the adverse health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. But more must be done, and it is our obligation to ensure that the necessary assistance is provided, and that our decisions are informed by science, based on evidence, and put the physical safety and economic security and livelihoods of the American people foremost. Every day, we see the need for further action to combat the coronavirus crisis. To date, there are more than 800,000 confirmed cases, over 43,000 dead, including 20,196 cases and 547 deaths in my home state of Texas. On top of that, by taking the necessary measures to slow the pandemic and `flatten the curve' so as not to overwhelm the nation's health care system, economic activity in the United States has experienced a severe shock to the system. More than 22 million initial unemployment claims in the past month alone. In addition, on March 23, 2020, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) dipped to 18,321.62, which is even lower than it was on Election Night 2016, and far below the 19,827 mark where it stood on January 20, 2017. In other words, Madam Speaker, all the gains that were made to the stock market and heralded by this Administration as evidence of its genius have been wiped out, depleting the retirement savings and 401ks of millions of ordinary Americans. Democrats dramatically changed the package originally proposed by the Senate from an insufficient Republican plan that left behind hospitals and health workers but did nothing to aid the survival of the most vulnerable small businesses on Main Street. That is why Democrats in Congress insisted on, fought for, and succeeded in shepherding into law the CARES Act, established the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a new guaranteed loan program at the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help small businesses cover payroll and other expenses during the crisis, with 100 percent of the amount eligible for forgiveness if employers retain employees. The CARES Act also created the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, a new $10 billion grant program, leveraging SBA's Office of Disaster Assistance to provide small businesses with much needed capital in a timely manner. Congress intended that these programs would provide immediate financial support to secure the survival of the small business community, which is the backbone of the national economy. As the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic becomes clearer and more far-reaching, it will be necessary to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (EIDL) funding made available under the CARES Act. The legislation before us replenishes these funds, and importantly, sets aside a portion of those funds be deposited in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), minority depository institutions (MDIs), certified development companies, microloan intermediaries, and State or Federal Credit Unions to ensure that economically distressed or disadvantaged communities have access to the capital needed to revive and regenerate their local economies. Specifically, the legislation before us strengthens the Paycheck Protection Program with $310 billion in additional funding and $50 billion for SBA disaster lending, translating into more than $350 billion in loans, and $10 billion in SBA disaster grants. Additionally, and importantly, this legislation directs that $30 billion be deposited in banks and credit unions with less than $10 billion in assets, as well as all Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), MDIs, certified development companies (CDCs), and microlenders that are PPP lenders. Madam Speaker, another reason I strongly support this legislation is because it provides $75 billion to provide hospitals and health care workers on the frontlines the necessary resources, especially personal protective equipment (PPE) to battle the coronavirus pandemic and care for its victims. We have all seen the heart-wrenching stories of courageous doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, orderlies, and others selflessly striving to save others while putting themselves in harm's way because of the severe shortage of PPE. Madam Speaker, the current president fancies calling himself a ``War President.'' For anyone who needs reminding, the nation's greatest wartime presidents made sure that American troops on the frontlines were trained, equipped, and protected in battle. I also support this legislation because it provides as I requested $25 billion for diagnostic testing and contact tracing promised at no charge to the person. This funding will help states and local jurisdiction conduct necessary COVID-19 testing in local jails, juvenile detention centers, and elsewhere in the criminal justice system. Testing is the key to reopening the economy and resuming our lives, and to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, domestically or internationally, for necessary expenses to research, develop, validate, manufacture, purchase, administer, and expand capacity for COVID-19 tests to effectively monitor and suppress COVID-19, including tests for both active infection and 19 prior exposure. If we cannot see where COVID-19 is within a community, there is no reliable way to prevent its spread other than quarantine. If we do not dramatically increase testing, we will remain prisoners of COVID-19 until we have a vaccine widely available, which is not expected to occur until early 2021. Universal testing for COVID-19 is a matter of life and death for millions of Americans, but it is also a salvation for millions of others who are living desperate lives behind locked doors. The liberation of millions hinges on getting testing in every community so that we can shine a light on where COVID-19 is and where it is not present. The lack of testing early on and the continued lack of testing is costing trillions in lost economic output and it will continue to cost much more as we struggle to save lives through social distancing and providing adequate universal access to COVID-19 needed medicines, equipment, and PPE to protect medical personnel. Madam Speaker, based on the limited data available to date, it is clear that African Americans are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and experiencing the worst outcomes. An April 2020 analysis by the Washington Post of available data and census demographics shows that counties that are majority-black have three times the rate of infections and almost six times the rate of deaths as counties where white residents are in the majority. Madam Speaker, African Americans are 26 percent of the population in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin but account for 73 percent of COVID-19 related deaths; comparable numbers in Chicago, Illinois and Washington, D.C. are 32 percent and 46 percent of the population but 67 percent and 58 percent of COVID-19 deaths respectively. Faced with this grim reality, I am particularly pleased that the legislation before us directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect, publicly release, and report to Congress racial and demographic data on COVID-19 in order to identify and address racial disparities in the response. But Madam Speaker, we all recognize the legislation before us is only an interim measure and more must and will be done to protect our nation and make our people whole. In the next supplement to the CARES Act, I look forward to working with my colleagues to include the following priorities: 1. Hero pay for mass transit workers; 2. Increased childcare direct payment assistance to essential workers; 3. Additional funding for CDC data collection and research regarding disparate impact of COVID-19 on African Americans and Latinos; 4. Expanded Medicaid payments to local counties in states that have not accepted the expanded Medicaid; 5. Medical shelters creating extra COVID-19 hospital beds to be funded at 100 percent so counties like Harris County in my home state of Texas is not subsidizing all of its neighboring counties; and 6. Funding for an additional cash distribution of $2,000 per adult and $500 per child. Madam Speaker, the occasion demands that we rise, and I urge all Members to join me in voting to pass the Senate Amendment to H.R. 266, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I join my friend from Michigan. There should be no one who rises to object, in spite of the fact that we know there are challenges in this bill. But I hear these words: ``We are scared. We are stressed,'' the words of an emergency room doctor. These are the ones who are on the front lines right now, today, when we have the largest number of cases as a nation and over 1,100 dead. Now we have $500 billion for industries, with oversight; $350 billion for small businesses, which includes the microbusinesses, the gig economy, and faith institutions and nonprofits. I will fight to make sure all of our nonprofits get it. We also have direct payments for individuals, as well as $100 billion for hospitals. I watched as the Memorial Medical Center gave out over 1,100 tests, a small hospital putting themselves on the front line. Here are my words, Mr. Speaker: No man is an island. Each man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind. We must get this passed for the people of the United States. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Committees on the Judiciary and on Homeland Security, and founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Corona virus Task force, I rise in strong support of H.R. 748, the ``Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act'' or ``CARES Act,'' which is the third and latest bipartisan assistance and relief package passed by Congress and provides more than $2 trillion to address the adverse health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. I quote Dr. Megan Ranney, an Emergency Room Physician: ``We are scared. We are stressed. And we're worried about what comes next and about our ability to take care of our patients and our communities. As well as our ability to take care of ourselves.'' Therefore, I rise to thank all of the First Responders all over the nation--medical personnel are First Responders. I specifically, thank my Hometown Houston local leadership--mayors, the County Judge, School leaders and all volunteers--thank you. COVID-19 is the great equalizer--we all can become ill from it--no matter if we are rich or poor; the powerful or the powerless. We will all succeed, or we will all fail--today we are here to make sure that all of America succeeds. Tens of thousands of medical personnel and professionals are on the frontlines of a battle over the survival of tens of millions of people in the United States. We as a nation must place our trust and faith in these heroes as they take to the battlefield of emergency rooms, ICUs and beyond to win this war against COVID-19 because they are the only warriors capable of waging a successful battle against this implacable foe. The title of the Greatest Generation that ever was--is held by the generation that fought World War II. They did not bestow that title upon themselves--it was future generations who looked back on what they had done and how their sacrifices saved future generations from war, famine, and untold horrors from authoritarian regimes. Future generations will judge what we do in our moment of crisis to save them from the effects of this pandemic and the consequences of future pandemics that may threaten to emerge in the future. Let us be judged as worthy to be on the list of Great Generations to have guided this nation during some of its darkest hours into the light of day--still shining as that beacon of freedom for the world. The needs of families are three-fold: health maintenance, healthcare, and financial. This is just the third measure to address the needs of the American people, but more will need to be done as this national--no global disaster unfolds. I and my fellow Democrats will man the ramparts of this nation and keep a close eye on the frontlines of this battle to ensure that the people in the fight have everything they need to win this war. The economic and emotional stress that families and working people are under in this nation during this crisis is tremendous and they need the help that we Democrats have fought and won for them in each of the bills passed so far and in this measure. I join my fellow Democrats in supporting passage of each of the bills that provide essential tools to local, state, tribal, territorial governments and to individuals and families to help them weather this storm. I fought for cash payments for all Americans up to $3000 per adult and $1500 per child and the bill provides for $1,500 per adult and $7,500 for a family of five. I sought relief for the entertainment industry including freelancers, independent contractors and those in the music, dance, and visual performing arts--the bill provides for enhanced unemployment compensation of $600 a week for any worker affected by COVID-19 to be combined with other benefits to replay 100 percent of wages for the average worker. I fought for the development of a small business grant program funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program by way of H.R. 6292, ``The COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Grants Act.'' This legislation is modeled after my Hurricane Harvey Relief legislation and it should include enhanced support for restaurants and bars. Add $125 million dollars more to the CDBG account--the bill provides $500 billion in grants and interest free loans. I requested much needed relief for non-profit organizations including faith-based institutions who are closed due to the Coronavirus and the allows these entities to access the $350 billion in funding provided to small businesses. I fought for and will continue to fight for small businesses who purchased business interruption insurance coverage are being told by insurance companies that they will not cover the Coronavirus. I wrote to the President requesting that he invoke the Defense Production Act to fully implemented his authority to meet the need for personal protective equipment, medical supplies and technology to save lives. I sought support for the aviation industry in the form of low interest loans, and I will continue to work to include them in the next aid package with the condition that they must agree to no employee layoffs and no share buybacks. I fought for $155 billion for hospital expansions to create more bed space that will be needed for Coronavirus victims and the bill provides for $150 billion for hospitals and $80 billion in low interest loans to hospitals. I also, sought a directive to be issued prior to mass testing for the reimbursement to health providers who are providing free testing, the cost of test should be fully borne by the Federal government and not healthcare providers--the bill eliminates cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatments and vaccines for all patients. In addition to these measures, I am working to include in the next aid package: a prohibition on foreclosures or evictions for upwards of 3 to 6 months for all housed persons living within the United States; utility restoration so that every American has access to potable water, electricity, and where available natural gas while complying with stay at home orders, quarantines, and telework requirements; and funding for alternative facilities and relocation needs for prisoners to prevent community spread within federal, state, and local prison systems. The government is an umbrella on a stormy day. The storm instead is not just hitting one community, region or state it has it is hitting the entire country with every community, neighborhood, and family with tremendous force that they need help that only the Federal government can provide. In 2008, it was said that some companies were too big to fail, well today the American family is too important to the future of this nation to fail and we Democrats will make sure that they have all that is required to save as many lives as possible and assure not only physical survival but your economic survival. Some may wonder why the American family matters so much to our nation. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, half of federal revenue or 51 percent comes from individual income taxes. Another 35 percent of revenue comes from payroll taxes, which are assessed on the wage or salary paychecks of almost all workers and are used to fund Social Security, Medicare Hospital Insurance, and unemployment insurance. Corporate income taxes make up about 6 percent of federal revenue, with the remaining 8 percent coming from excise taxes, estate taxes, and other revenue sources. It is imperative that we are clear eyed about what we are doing with the tax revenue of this nation--it is paid by working people. Corporations, businesses and top one percent of the nation's wealthiest people received a trillion-dollar tax cut last year. Nothing in the COVID-19 emergency response measures has changed this fact. Given the state of the demand on the federal treasury the funds provided to major corporations and businesses that so richly benefited from the tax cuts should repay any funds paid to them from the treasure. This is only fair, right and just. They may need funding a bridge to provide for stability over the course of the year, but they will emerge in an economy with pent up demand that once unleashed will create prosperity that is unheard of and that point they should begin to reply what they received from the treasury. This is not the case for working people who will emerge basically where they were and in need of consumable that were out of reach or unavailable once the crisis ends. The relief provided in this legislation is essential if we are address and overcome the unique challenges posed to America and the global community by the coronavirus outbreak. Mr. Speaker, as of today, there were at minimum 552,598 cases of coronavirus across the globe and 85,755 in the United States, resulting in more than 25,042 deaths worldwide and at least 1,304 in the United States. On top of that, by taking the necessary measures to slow the pandemic and ``flatten the curve'' so as not to overwhelm the nation's health care system, economic activity in the United States has experienced a severe shock to the system. Yesterday, the Department of Labor reported that the number of first- time unemployment insurance claims exceeded 3.3 million, shattering by nearly 500 percent the previous record of 700,00 set in 1982 after the passage of Reaganomics. In addition, on March 23, 2020, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) dipped to 18,321.62, which is even lower than it was on Election Night 2016, and far below the 19,827 mark where it stood on January 20, 2017. In other words, Mr. Speaker, all the gains that were made to the stock market and heralded by this Administration as evidence of its genius have been wiped out, depleting the retirement savings and 401ks of millions of ordinary Americans. So, Mr. Speaker, it is essential that this Congress act and act now to put in place measure that will address the public health crisis, stem the economic onslaught, and ameliorate the suffering and deprivation of individuals and communities. The coronavirus bill that Senate Republicans put forward this weekend was a non-starter and put corporations first, not America's workers. It gave big corporations billions in taxpayer dollars with no real requirement to protect their workers' wages and benefits instead of CEO pay, stock buybacks and layoffs. It failed to provide meaningful support for Americans losing their jobs or hours. And it certainly did not satisfy the priorities that were so critical to the constituents I represent in the Eighteenth Congressional District of Texas, which were: 1. To provide increased funding for small, urban and rural hospitals under 150 beds and for federally qualified health clinics; 2. Enhanced training and resources for CBP personnel where international flights land beyond the originally designated airports; 3. Funding for airports that receive international travelers to allow for quarantine facilities to be established and for medical personnel to be onsite; 4. Funding for school districts to cover non-teaching personnel to make sure cafeteria workers, bus drivers and janitorial services have equal access to resources if their schools are closed; 5. Financial support for state and county governments and school districts; 6. Enhanced funding for protective equipment for Transportation Security Officers; and 7. Reimbursement for telemedicine. Thanks to the leadership of we Democrats, the Republican corporations-focused proposal has been turned into a bipartisan workers-first bill and has now been passed by the Senate. Because of Democratic contributions, the legislation before us contains bold, pro-worker provisions that are desperately needed to protect the health and well-being of the American people. For example, I fought for $155 billion in funding to help hospitals in the fight against coronavirus, and won a $100 billion investment in hospitals, health systems and health research, and $150 billion for state and local governments in this agreement, to give them the resources they desperately need during this emergency. As a Democrat, I fought for and won for American workers a massive $260 billion investment in Unemployment Insurance benefits to match the average paycheck of laid-off or furloughed workers and secured an additional 13 weeks of federally-funded benefits to be made available immediately, defeating a last-minute attempt by Republican senators to claw back the $600 in expanded Unemployment Insurance. For small businesses, Democrats insisted on and won a $377 billion infusion of fast relief for small businesses and made rent, mortgage and utility costs eligible for SBA loan forgiveness. For students, Democrats fought for and secured more than $30 billion in emergency education funding and eliminated income tax on student loan repayment assistance by an employer. And to protect taxpayers and provide accountability and oversight, Democrats opposed and defeated Republican attempts to create a $500 billion secret corporate slush fund controlled by the Treasury Secretary. This coronavirus legislation builds on the swift actions previously taken by the House in response to COVID-19. Three weeks ago, on March 4, 2020, the House passed H.R. 6074, the ``Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020,'' which provides $8.3 billion of entirely new funds and commits more than $3 billion to the development of treatments and a vaccine available to all, and protects against price-gouging of medicines developed with taxpayer dollars. This legislation also provided $2.2 billion in prevention, preparedness and response measures, including nearly a billion dollars to help state, local, tribal and territorial health systems and helps families by extending telemedicine services regardless of where they live and supports small businesses, with billions in low-interest SBA loans to those affected. Passage of the ``Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020,'' was followed 10 days later, on March 14, 2020, by H.R. 6201, the ``Families First Coronavirus Response Act,'' which ensures free coronavirus testing for everyone who needs a test, including the uninsured and increases funding for Medicaid to support local, state, tribal and territorial health systems, so that they have the resources needed to combat this public health emergency. In addition, this legislation provides two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of family and medical leave for eligible workers and enhances Unemployment Insurance and supports small businesses by fully reimbursing them for providing leave. Finally, the ``Families First Coronavirus Response Act'' promotes food security for families by strengthening nutrition initiatives including SNAP, student meals, seniors' meals and food banks. Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic reminds us once again how interconnected our world is and how an action occurring in a faraway place can reverberate around the world. On December 31, 2019, the first cases of pneumonia detected in Wuhan, China were first reported to the World Health Organization. One week later, on January 7, 2020, Chinese authorities confirm that they have identified the virus as a novel coronavirus, initially named 2019-nCoV by the WHO. Four days later, on January 11, 2020, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission announces the first death caused by the coronavirus, a 61- year-old man exposed to the virus at the seafood market who suffered respiratory failure caused by severe pneumonia. On January 13, 2020, Thai authorities report a case of infection caused by the coronavirus involving a Chinese national who had arrived from Wuhan. Three days later, January 16, 2020, Japanese authorities confirm that a Japanese man who traveled to Wuhan is infected with the virus and on January 20, 2020, China reports 139 new cases of the sickness, including a third death. On January 20, 2020, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, states that the National Institutes of Health is ``in the process of taking the first steps towards the development of a vaccine'' against the coronavirus. The next day, on January 21, 2020, officials in Washington state confirm the first case on United States soil. From that first outbreak of coronavirus four months ago, the coronavirus has made its way across the oceans and across the borders of nation-states to the point where today it is present in more than 145 countries and all 50 states, including 1,456 cases and 17 deaths in my home state of Texas. As the poet John Donne wrote in ``For Whom the Bells Toll'': No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. So, Mr. Speaker, we must act. No single one of us can do everything, but everyone can do something. That is why I thank the unsung heroes, the grocery staff, delivery persons, all essential workers; Thank You. Here is how I proceeded to join with our community to sound the alarm--so help could come earlier. But we will prevail, with hard work and the American spirit. On February 10, 2020, I held the first press conference on the issue of the novel Coronavirus at Houston Intercontinental Airport where I was joined by public health officials, local unions, and advocates to raise awareness regarding the virus and the implications it might have for travel to the United States from China and to combat early signs of discrimination targeting Asian businesses in the United States. On February 24, 2020, I held a second press conference on the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization's declaration of a ``public health emergency from the outbreak of the Coronavirus'' where I also released an Action Plan calling for: 1. Enhanced production of N-95 masks; 2. Informing state health agencies and all federally qualified health clinics to test all patients presenting with flu like symptoms for the coronavirus; 3. Increasing the supply of flu vaccine and use public service announcements to promote getting a flu shot to reduce the number of persons with flu like symptoms; 4. The federal Coronavirus Task Force to name a single coronavirus authoritative source for all federal information on the virus and establish clear communication links to K-12 and post-secondary schools, the media, and the public; 5. Require that the nation's airports, trains, and mass transit systems, both small and large, have in place response teams as necessary to deal with and treat the traveling public; and 6. Ensure the federal advisory task force makes public reports on the status of the spread of the coronavirus, including by the development of a computer app that provides up to date travel advisories regarding certain countries and basic information on the virus On February 26, 2020, I wrote the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, seeking a briefing from Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf to gain insight into the preparedness of DHS to address a possible pandemic. In early March 2020, I founded the bipartisan Congressional Coronavirus Task Force with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Congressman Raul Ruiz of California and invited all members to join; at last count over 25 members have signed on. I have advocated to the President and congressional leadership on the need for robust support and assistance that puts workers and their families first. And just yesterday, I announced the opening of a wing at United Memorial Medical Center in Houston that will house 46 new beds to treat coronavirus victims. Mr. Speaker, let me list briefly several of the many of the other salutary provisions of the legislation now before us: 1. $150 billion for a state and local Coronavirus Relief fund, of which Texas is slated to receive $11.25 million; 2. 4 months of more unemployment insurance instead of 3; 3. $6.3 billion for the Strategic National Stockpile for critical medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and life-saving medicine; 4. $10 billion for SBA emergency grants of up to $10,000 to provide immediate relief for operating costs once a small business or non-profit has applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan; 5. $17 billion for SBA to cover 6 months of payments for small businesses with existing SBA loans; 6. $30 billion in emergency education funding and $25 billion in emergency transit funding; 7. $30 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to state and local governments, as well as private nonprofits providing critical and essential services; 8. $30.75 billion for grants to provide emergency support to local school systems and higher education institutions to continue to provide educational services to their students and support the on-going functionality of school districts and institutions; 9. Prohibition banning stock buybacks for the term of the government assistance plus one year on any company receiving a government loan from the bill; 10. Robust worker protections are attached to all federal loans for businesses; 11. Real-time public reporting required of Treasury transactions under the Act, including terms of loans, investments or other assistance to corporations; 12. Retention tax credit for employers to encourage businesses to keep workers on payroll during the crisis; 13. Income tax exclusion for individuals who are receiving student loan repayment assistance from their employer; and 14. Eliminated ``secret bailout'' provision that would have allowed bailouts to corporations to be concealed for 6 months. Mr. Speaker, in 1862 Annual Message to Congress, President Abraham Lincoln wrote: The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country. Mr. Speaker, the occasion demands that we rise, and I urge all Members to join me in voting to pass the Senate Amendment to H.R. 748, the ``Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act'' or `CARES Act.' House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear House and Senate Appropriators: Thank you for all your strategic and important work on the Coronavirus pandemic for which this nation has never faced in its modern history. As we are aware, the Coronavirus is in all 50 states and any financial response must be significant and long lasting. As a result, I am recommending the following: 1. Cash payment for all Americans up to $3000 per adult and $1500 per child. The criteria should be based on national income levels already designated or for individuals and families making under $85,000. 2. Relief for the entertainment industry including freelancers, independent contractors and those in the music, dance, and visual performing arts. This particularly impacts those in the gospel music industry due to concert cancellations and church closures. All these individuals are most vulnerable as a result of cancellations and closures. There should be a special account under the extended unemployment insurance which will allocate an additional $2,000 to the cash payment for these individuals whose income is generated sporadically from project to project. 3. Development of a small business grant program funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program by way of H.R. 6292, ``The COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Grants Act.'' This legislation is modeled after my Hurricane Harvey Relief legislation and it should include enhanced support for restaurants and bars. Add $125 million dollars more to the CDBG account. 4. Relief for non-profit organizations including faith- based institutions who are closed due to the Coronavirus. They should be funded through the CDBG program. 5. Small businesses who purchased business interruption insurance coverage are being told by insurance companies that they will not cover the Coronavirus. I am proposing a legislative fix to include coverage for the Coronavirus under the business interruption insurance coverage. 6. The President has now invoked the Defense Production Act and it should be fully implemented after Members of Congress insisted that production needs to be increased for personal protection equipment and the Coronavirus tests. Increased funding for Health and Human Services for these tests. 7. Any support for the aviation industry should be with low interest loans. The airlines must agree to no employee layoffs and no share buybacks. There should be increased funding to help the nation's airports and the small business concessionaires in the airports that have unique needs as opposed other small businesses. Increase transportation funding that is going to be used for the airline industry. 8. There must be increased funding to protect airport personnel, including Transportation Security Officers, through the purchase of gloves, masks, and other protective equipment that they have not received. This is extremely critical as they are nearing complete depletion. Also, there must be additional funding for personal protection equipment for Customs and Border Protection agents. 9. Requesting $155 billion for hospital expansions to create more bed space that will be needed for Coronavirus victims. In addition, we should use the United States military to help supplement hospital capacity in case of shortages. Specifically increase HHS funding for these funding items. 10. Hospitals are indicating they will not have enough bed capacity to take in the expected large numbers of Coronavirus victims. Funding needs to be assured for increased hospital capacity. Additionally, increased funding to hospitals and healthcare providers for personal protective equipment for their personnel. The President quickly use the Defense Production Act. Specifically increase HHS funding for these funding items. 11. Directives need to be in place for the reimbursement to health providers who are providing free testing. Before mass testing begins, healthcare providers must understand how to utilize the reimbursement process. Physician owned hospitals should also be covered for reimbursement for Coronavirus testing. 12. There should be no foreclosures or evictions at this time; upwards of 3 to 6 months. The President has indicated that should be applied to HUD-properties, but it should also apply to all potential evictions and foreclosures. 13. Funding for alternative facilities and relocation needs for prisoners to prevent community spread within federal, state, and local prison systems. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Very truly yours, Sheila Jackson Lee, Member of Congress, Chair, Congressional Coronavirus Taskforce, Senior Member of the Homeland Security Committee. Proposals for Coronavirus Relief Package To: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Wendell Primus From: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Senior Member of the Committee on the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committee and Member of the Budget Committee Date: March 11, 2020 Below is my proposal for the Coronavirus Relief Package: 1. Enhanced funding for small, urban and rural hospitals under 150 beds. Added resources for their standing emergency rooms including training as necessary for patients without mobility to be tested at the hospital. 2. Increased funding for federally qualified health clinics. Resources to provide separate facilities which may include blocking off certain areas of the facility to provide for walk-in patients with Coronavirus symptoms. 3. Enhanced training and resources for CBP personnel where international flights land beyond the originally designated airports. More assessment is needed to prevent persons with Coronavirus symptoms from leaving the airport into the general population, before medical personnel can assess them. 4. Funding for airports that receive international travelers to allow for quarantine facilities to be established and for medical personnel to be onsite. 5. Funding for school districts to cover non-teaching personnel to make sure cafeteria workers, bus drivers and janitorial services have equal access to resources if their schools are closed and financial support for those school districts that have to close. 6. Financial support for state and county governments as needed. 7. Enhanced funding for protective equipment for Transportation Security Officers. 8. Telemedicine visits should be covered with reimbursement.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in strong support of H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, which provides much needed protections for American families from the worst conditions that might arise as the nation fights the spread of COVID- 19. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones and the thousand who are sick, and the many others who will struggle with the effects of COVID-19 over the coming days, weeks, and months. We owe a special debt to First Responders who will be the lifeline for those who will need medical care to overcome this coronavirus designated as COVID-19. The legislation includes: Health Care Worker Protections; Emergency Paid Leave; Emergency Unemployment Insurance; and Paid Sick Days for Public Health Emergencies and Personal and Family Care. This bill provides immediate help to American families that are now on the frontline of this fight to defeat COVID-19. Yesterday, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, which has reached at least 114 countries, sickening over 139,000 people, and killing more than 5,116 worldwide. The first presumptive COVID-19 positive case was reported in the Houston area occurred in Montgomery County, Texas, which borders Harris County, the location of Houston, Texas. Montgomery County, Texas officials confirmed that the man has not traveled out of the state or country recently. Currently, the 20 people he had been in close contact with are in self-quarantine. If the case is confirmed by the CDC, this could be the first community-spread case in the Houston area. Community-spread occurring is the reason why we need tests in enough supply that everyone can be tested so that we know the state of COVID- 19 in each community. While the Houston area has other cases that are linked to travel outside of the state, this is the first case not linked to travel outside of the state. The Montgomery County, Texas Public Health officials took steps to protect children by closing schools two days before spring break to do a deep clean, and they are expecting to resume classes after the break. The person is being treated at an undisclosed hospital and is reported to be under observation and doing well. COVID-19 is more contagious than the flu. The contagious score is 1.5 and COVID-19 is 2.3. Although symptoms are compared to the flu, COVID-19 is not the flu. Because there is no immunity, vaccine, or widely agreed upon treatment there are only a few options for protecting the public and limiting its spread. This is a time in our nation that historians will write about and anthropologists will study, but for us--living today--we are in a fight against a foe that we have never faced before, but we must defeat. The army before us are our medical researchers, doctors, nurses, first responders, and sanitation workers, but they cannot defeat this enemy alone. Each of us, not just in the United States but around the world must join the fight by paying attention to facts and not spread rumors. The weapons for slowing the spread of COVID-19 are simple and they work: Washing hands; Sanitizing surfaces; Social Distance; Isolation; and Quarantines. These tools for controlling the spread of infectious diseases are as old as civilization and are still used today because they work. Some of the first records of the use of cleaning, washing, and isolation of the sick and those thought to be ill is found in the Bible in the Book of Leviticus Chapter 13. It provides detailed instructions to the community about leprosy, a dreaded contagious disease. To defeat COVID-19, we must practice hand washing, social distance, isolation, and quarantine. Hand washing sounds simple but it involves much more attention and time to do it right--and remove germs. To get accurate instructions on what is needed to know visit https:// coronavirus.gov, where information can be found on cleaning and personal care. Social distance means limiting physical contact and having at least six feet separating persons while in public spaces. Social distance practices can include not shaking hands, or touching surfaces where the virus can be picked up. Social distance can also involve limiting the number of people who may be in an enclosed space. Isolation for at least 14 days is for persons who may have been in contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19. Quarantine is for persons who are suspected of having COVID-19 or tested positive for having COVID-19. Given the fluid nature of the events unfolding each person should be informed and ready to support efforts to prevent or slow the spread of the illness. The National Institutes of Health, the CDC, university researchers, and private companies are working on a vaccine, which will take a year to produce in enough quantities to inoculate people from becoming infected with COVID-19. In the meantime, we must do all that we can to protect the elderly; those with serious pre-existing health conditions, and our health care workers from contracting COVID-19. I believe that we must do more to prepare the public for what may be localized, household, or individual quarantines to address the spread of COVID-19. We must vastly increase the number of tests and make sure that everyone presenting with mild cold or flu like symptoms is tested to accurately gauge the spread of COVID-19 in communities. I saw news reports in early January on the novel Coronavirus's rapid spread and the numbers of infected expanding so quickly, I knew this was not something to be taken lightly and that time was not on our side to mount an effective defense. On February 10, 2020, I held the first press conference on the issue of the novel coronavirus at Houston Intercontinental Airport. I was joined by public health officials, local unions, and advocates to raise awareness regarding the virus and the implications it might have for travel to the United States from China and to combat early signs of discrimination targeting Asian businesses in the United States. On February 24, 2020, I held a second press conference on the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declaration of a ``public health emergency from the outbreak of the Coronavirus.'' At that time, I formally requested the President of the United States by letter to immediately suspend any health-related cuts that impact efforts to contain and treat the coronavirus, including the $3.3 billion in cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the discretionary budget cuts for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of nearly 19 percent at $678 million, severely threatening the CDC's ability to respond to this and other epidemics in the future. Additionally, I requested the President to suspend cuts in both the Medicare and Medicaid programs. On February 26, 2020, I sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security seeking a meeting with Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf to gain insight into the Preparedness of the Agency to address a possible pandemic. On February 28, 2020, I spoke on the Floor of the House and announced plans to form a Congressional Coronavirus Task Force. I thank Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick and Dr. Raul Ruiz for joining me as co-chairs of the Congressional Coronavirus Task Force. Today, March 13, 2020, the House of Representatives is offering additional tools to help the American public during this crisis, the second relief package in less than a week. I want to impress upon the American people that if they have not been paying attention to the issue of the virus, they need to stop and learn all that they can. First, do not panic--get informed with facts by visiting https:// coronavirus.gov, this website is maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://cdc.gov). They must prepare for what is coming--if it has not officially arrived in their community--do not assume that it will not make its presence known. The earlier bill provided $8.3 billion in funding in emergency supplemental appropriations, which included: More than $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics; $2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness, and response, $950 million of which is to support state and local health agencies; Nearly $1 billion for procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, to support healthcare preparedness and Community Health Centers, and to improve medical surge capacity; $435 million to support health systems overseas to prevent, prepare, and respond to the coronavirus; $300 million to respond to humanitarian needs; $61 million to facilitate the development and review of medical countermeasures, devices, therapies, and vaccines, and to help mitigate potential supply chain interruptions; and Allows for an estimated $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses. On, Thursday, March 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the coronavirus outbreak has now infected more than 1,000 people in nearly 40 U.S. states--and the country's top authority on infectious diseases reports that things will only get worse. The World Health Organization reports a 3.4 percent mortality rate for COVID-19. The challenge with this new coronavirus is that it is highly contagious, and of those infected, 15-20 percent contract pneumonia And 5 percent of these cases may develop Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which is a rapidly progressive disease occurring in critically ill patients. The main complication in ARDS is that fluid leaks into the lungs making breathing difficult or impossible. This virus is a serious public health threat, but this does not mean that we should have a public health panic. There are knowledgeable and trained virologists, public health experts, and physicians who need the funding provided by this bill. I ask that my colleagues join me in voting in support of H.R. 6201.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as I stand before the words ``In God We Trust,'' tonight we took a vote to save the lives of our fellow Americans. I am very glad that what we did today was for families, healthcare worker protections, emergency paid leave, emergency unemployment insurance, paid sick days for public health emergencies, and personal and family care. I will go home to my district and convene meetings regarding those who are dealing with education, healthcare, and testing, but the main thing that we must do is test every single American who is showing signs or needs. What we have in this bill is to provide free testing. In addition, we have organized the bipartisan Congressional Coronavirus Task Force. We are doing that to engage with Members as they are away in their districts. This is more contagious than the flu and more deadly. Let us be assured that we take care of the American people. I intend to do so in my State of Texas and intend to make sure that resources go to save lives. In God we trust.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of International Women's Day. On March 8, International Women's Day, we take the time to commemorate the incomparable contributions that women and girls all around the world have created in order to better our communities. I am honored to be able to commemorate this momentous day with so many other women that have devoted their lives to making a change in our society. We commemorate women's enduring achievements for our world and rededicate ourselves to delivering education and opportunity to girls in every country. Our lives have changed because of influential figures from Arabella Mansfield, America's first female lawyer and philanthropist, Katherine Johnson, mathematician, critical NASA employee and revolutionary force of her time, Oprah Winfrey, first black multi-billionaire, American media executive and social influencer, and our very own mothers who have raised and supported us. Women are beginning to leave their mark in every industry from corporations, to music, to sports, to education, to finances, to entertainers, to the Armed Forces, and to politics. The fight of women has always been fueled and grounded in the belief in what is possible, we have always built a future that we could see and believe in and fight for. That is why the United States currently has the most diverse Congress in history, with over one hundred female members whose visions and values continue the legacy of the women that came before and paved the way for those who follow. That is why a young woman who saw an existential crisis spoke up and sparked a revolution to combat climate change on a global scale. That is why we will never stop advocating for the Equal Rights Amendment and Equal Pay. That is why a woman was selected as the Democratic party's nominee for President of the United States; she served as the Nation's first lady, senator from New York, and proudly served as Secretary of State. That is why we continue to reshape and rethink the role of women in society. It has been a momentous year for women as we thrive in the 21st century. We are no longer hidden figures behind a man, held back by ambition, or forced to take on stereotypic roles of women. However, we are still far from reaching the equality envisioned in our Constitution. The scales of justice held by Lady Liberty are not yet balanced, and it is incumbent upon all women to continue our fight for equal rights under law and in the eyes of society. One in 3 women worldwide are victims of physical or sexual violence. More than 200 million women and girls alive today have experienced Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Complications from pregnancy and childbirth is the number one killer among girls ages 15 to 19 in the developing world. Despite women working longer hours than men when both paid and unpaid work is taken into consideration, women still earn an average of 24 percent less than men do worldwide. Women spend one to three hours more on housework than men, two to ten times the amount of time caring for children and the elderly, and one to four hours less per day on economic market activities. An estimated 63 million young girls worldwide are out of school. Millions of women are still denied fundamental rights, but we look to the promise of our past and know that our future is bright. We will usher in a new era of growth for our economies, security for our families, and strength for our countries. Let us build on the successes of our history, protect the rights we have won, and continue to march towards a new dawn for women and girls around the world. Our commitment to the empowerment of women and girls also calls us to rededicate ourselves to fighting violence against women and girls in all spheres of life, from the classroom to the courtroom to the bedroom and everywhere in between. This year, as we prepare to commemorate the centennial of the 19th Amendment, we take acknowledgement of this momentous achievement that unleashed the power of women to have a voice in our democracy, and in the process helped deliver transformative progress toward a more perfect union for all Americans. In recognition of the innumerable contributions and continued leadership of America's women, we will never stop fighting to advance the cause of freedom, equality and justice for all. Today, and always, we reaffirm a vital truth that when women succeed, America succeeds.