Nita Lowey

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY

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

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I am enthusiastically supporting this bill. Childcare is essential for every woman who has ever raised children with the struggling days that she manages to work and take care of the children, so I am a very strong supporter of this bill. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1053, I call up the bill (H.R. 7327) making additional supplemental appropriations for disaster relief requirements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to offer H.R. 7327, the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act, which I introduced with our exceptional Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee chairwoman, Rosa DeLauro; our esteemed Appropriations Committee colleague, Congresswoman Clark; and our Ways and Means colleagues, Chairman Neal, Chairman Davis, and Congresswoman Sanchez. It is no secret, with quality childcare, children enter kindergarten ready to learn; hardworking families have better job security, knowing their children are healthy and safe; and our communities thrive. But even before COVID-19, millions of hardworking families, disproportionately families of color, struggled to find and afford quality care that matched their work hours and ZIP Codes. At the height of the pandemic, more than half of childcare providers--many of them women, minority-owned small businesses operating on razor-thin margins--closed their doors. We risk losing more permanently. Every single industry counts on childcare. In order to save our economy, we need to save childcare. The Child Care for Economic Recovery Act would: More than triple mandatory funds for the childcare entitlement to States; Invest $10 billion in new infrastructure grants so providers have the resources to address hazardous conditions like broken heaters, mold, and lead paint, as well as necessary modifications to protect our children and caretakers from the risk of coronavirus; Reimburse child and dependent care costs incurred by essential workers who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe; Make the child and dependent care tax credit fully refundable for the first time; keep the lights on and doors open with a new tax credit for childcare providers to help cover costs for rent, mortgages, and utilities; and Recognize childcare workers as essential. What is good for our babies is good for our budget. With this bill, we can do what is good for our babies and the budget. Madam Speaker, I urge support, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Haaland).

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Kennedy).

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I share my colleague's concern about China's malign activities. That is why, last year, I negotiated $300 million on a bipartisan basis to counter Chinese influence. And that is why I wrote this bill to give the State Department the flexibility to spend more than $300 million, if that is necessary. A President who has America's best interests at heart would use this flexibility to invest in a whole-of-government response to the China threat. Unfortunately, President Trump refuses to spend the money that we have appropriated and have given to him. On Twitter, President Trump, I am told, lavishes praise on President Xi. In private, according to his National Security Advisor, President Trump begged Xi for help in winning reelection. The Trump administration has turned a blind eye to Xi's human rights abuses and endorsed a trade deal that allows China, frankly, to continue to cheat. Worse still, this motion to recommit is really an attack on America's environmental leadership. That is what this motion to recommit is all about. As the Republican whip has announced, this MTR slashes funding for the Green Climate Fund, which is essential to combat climate change. This amendment ratifies the Trump administration's head-in-the-sand approach to climate change, which weakens our standing in the world and leaves our Nation vulnerable to this existential threat. At its heart, the motion to recommit asks us to weaken American leadership in climate while trusting President Trump to prioritize the United States' national security against our enemies. The last four years makes clear that this just is not correct. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose the motion to recommit, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY

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

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This minibus combines four bills: State and Foreign Operations; Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA; Interior, Environment; and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. The package is the product of months of thoughtful deliberation and input from Members on both sides of the aisle. I am proud of the work we have completed under the incredibly difficult circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. This appropriations package addresses urgent national priorities. I would like to highlight a few of our key successes that our cardinals have secured: strong funding and protections to help put nutritious food on people's tables during this time of economic crisis and rising food insecurity; increased investments in broadband to connect more Americans to work, school, healthcare, and family; robust funding to protect the environment and build resilience to climate change; and $12.5 billion in emergency funding to address sharply rising veterans' healthcare costs. I am proud that the package also includes strong emergency appropriations to confront coronavirus and support economic recovery, with investments in critical infrastructure and coronavirus preparedness, response, and relief domestically and globally. Turning to the State and Foreign Operations division, it is bittersweet to bring my last State and Foreign Operations bill to the floor before I retire. As subcommittee chairwoman or ranking member for two of my three decades here, I am honored to have been entrusted with this responsibility on this bill that has been a key component of United States foreign policy since World War II. The work of the subcommittee has been marked historically by bipartisanship, and I thank former Chair and Ranking Member Hal Rogers and former Chair and Ranking Member Kay Granger for their partnership to advance this vital legislation each year. Pivotal moments, from September 11th to the devastation the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause, underscore the significant value of foreign aid. It promotes freedom and democracy and supports global development and security, all of which increase stability and mitigate threats to Americans here at home. Indeed, our own children and grandchildren are more secure as a result of the United States' foreign assistance that has made the world better, safer, and healthier for generations, efforts that are continued in the fiscal year 2021 State and Foreign Operations bill we consider today. With a total of $65.87 billion, it rejects the President's go-it- alone approach to foreign policy. The bill includes $47.85 billion in base funding, $8 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations funds for base requirements that otherwise would not be funded by the President's budget request, and $10.018 billion in urgently needed coronavirus emergency funding to mitigate COVID-19's impact on our health and economy. To ensure this pandemic does not derail decades of development gains, this bill provides $3.8 billion in base funding for development assistance. This includes $975 million to increase access to basic education, of which not less than $150 million shall be spent on girls' education in areas of conflict. It effectively addresses food insecurity, poor water and sanitation services, trafficking in persons, and other long-term development objectives. The bill's holistic approach to global health seeks to bolster low- and middle-income countries' management of health threats and communicable diseases. It would sustain progress against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria with $5.93 billion for global HIV/AIDS activities, including $1.56 billion for the Global Fund, for which it clarifies the United States' commitment to our 33 percent share. It also reverses the President's global gag rule, stops counterproductive restrictions on family planning and health funding, and includes $805.5 million for family planning services, of which $55.5 million is for the United Nations Population Fund. The bill provides restoration of funds for the World Health Organization to ensure American influence in an organization critical to the development and distribution of vaccines. To address policies of the administration that harm our neighbors and drive migration, the bill amends prior-year appropriations acts to significantly limit the President's ability to redirect assistance outside of the region. It also maintains robust funding for counternarcotics and law enforcement efforts in Colombia, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean; includes $68 million to address international organized crime; and maintains funding to combat cybercrime. The bill provides $9 billion for security assistance to key allies and partners with support for programs in Eastern Europe, Jordan, and Tunisia. It keeps the commitments of the United States at Camp David to promote peace in the Middle East by providing $3.3 billion in aid for Israel's security as well as assistance for Egypt. It restores humanitarian and development assistance to Palestinians with resources to organizations working in the West Bank and Gaza, and it advances a bipartisan priority, with $50 million to fund a new partnership for peace that would strengthen economic development and engagement between Palestinians and Israelis. It includes $7.83 billion in refugee and disaster assistance, including to Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Additionally, the bill prioritizes the security of diplomatic and development staff and facilities with $6.071 billion for embassy security, which is $692.2 million above the President's request. To effectively engage allies and reclaim our leadership role, this bill reaffirms our support for international partners and multilateral organizations, which extends the impact of our assistance, and facilitates delivery of urgent aid to mitigate human suffering. Lastly, to combat the destabilizing and persistent threats posed by climate change, the bill provides funds in this and prior acts to support multilateral efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also strengthens conservation and environment programs and continues funding for adaptation and renewable energy programs at prior-year levels. This bill reflects our common belief in the absolute necessity of effective diplomacy, global engagement, and robust development assistance to protect our own national security even as we address moral imperatives beyond our own borders. Mr. Speaker, I thank my subcommittee staff who have worked in difficult circumstances to prepare the bill, including Majority Clerk Steve Marchese; staff Craig Higgins, Erin Kolodjeski, Dean Koulouris, Jason Wheelock, Marin Stein, Jean Kwon, Clelia Alvarado; Minority Clerk Susan Adams; Jamie McCormick; Austin Gage of Ranking Member Rogers' congressional staff; and finally, Wendy Coursen, Kelly Healton, Dana Acton, and Elizabeth Stanley in my congressional office. Mr. Speaker, I express my gratitude to more past staff members and fellows than we have time to name today who have supported my work on the subcommittee. They are: Matthew Traub, Beth Tritter, Howard Wolfson, Clare Coleman, Jean Doyle, Jenny Luray, Scott Fleming, Mark Isaac, Heather Howard, Jim Townsend, Chris Bigelow, Lucy Heenan, Ann Vaughn, Talia Dubovi, Liz Leibowitz, Sonali Korde, Joe Weinstein, Brigid Otieno, Mark Carrato, Mark Lopes, Barbara Feinstein, Dennis Vega, Cortney Dunn, Megan Oates, Jennifer Munoz, Karen Larson, Ashley Quarcoo, Ralph Falzone, Mark Murray, Nisha Biswal, Michele Sumilas, and Michael Marek. Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I urge support for the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.

Mrs. LOWEY. I yield the gentleman from Georgia an additional 30 seconds.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the majority leader.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), who is the distinguished chair of the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I claim time in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, our national security is strongest when development, diplomacy, and defense are equally prioritized. This amendment undermines U.S. leadership and diminishes our engagement in the world. Yes, I do think of my eight grandchildren when I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1060, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. Craig).

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell), the co-chair of the DPCC.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus).