Nita Lowey

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I claim time in opposition. There are many things in this en bloc that I oppose, and I could speak to each issue, but I want to reserve my comments for the attack on climate change. Most of us, even my friends across the aisle, agree that climate change is a real global threat. Our military also believes this. I cannot emphasize enough that climate change is exacerbating the root causes of conflict. We will see an increasing demand on our humanitarian aid and other resources if we do not address it now. Prohibiting U.S. contributions to the multilaterals that combat climate change is a shortsighted, harmful policy that does not prepare our country to face this threat. We cannot afford to stand idly by while others address climate change. We already feel its effects. We should not be alienating multilateral partners. We need to join the fight. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Panetta).

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

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Tlaib). Welcome to her children, too.

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

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

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

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Congressman John Lewis, an American hero, a dear friend. He taught us what patriotism is, that to love our country is to acknowledge and work to repair its imperfections. Congressman Lewis endured angry mobs, death threats, and so much violence with endurance, persistence, and even warmth and optimism. Surely we can honor his remarkable life by coming together to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act, to ensure our laws reflect that Black lives matter. Advocating for the Nation's marginalized throughout his life, acting as the conscience of Congress during his 34 years of service, he inspired generations of Americans to get in ``good trouble.'' I remember sitting on the floor with John. Rather than sitting in the chair, we were proving our point and all sitting on the floor. He has taught us so much with his sweet, sweet manner, but the strength of his conviction. We must honor Congressman Lewis' legacy by striving to achieve the equitable and just society for all that he fought so hard to attain. In the words of John himself, ``If not us, then who? If not now, then when?'' Dear, sweet, kind John, we will miss you. We love you. May you rest in peace.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, it is my honor, on behalf of the New York Congressional delegation, as the co-dean along with Chairman Eliot Engel, to welcome our newest member, Chris Jacobs. Or perhaps I should say welcome him back, since Mr. Jacobs began his career just out of college working for New York Congressman Jack Kemp. After returning home to western New York, he has pursued various professional paths, including public service. He began an education charity and his own small business, Avalon Development. Mr. Jacobs served as the Erie County Clerk and most recently was a member of the New York State Senate since 2017. I congratulate Congressman Jacobs and look forward to working with him at this critical time to deliver for our home State of New York in the coming months. I also welcome his family here today, including his wife, Martina, and beautiful young daughter, Anna. Madam Speaker, at this time I am pleased to yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. King).

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield to our newest Member of Congress, Congressman Chris Jacobs.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from New York, the Honorable Chris Jacobs, be permitted to take the oath of office today. His certificate of election has not arrived, but there is no contest and no question has been raised with regard to his election.

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 4\1/2\ minutes. Mr. Speaker, nearly 86,000 Americans have died, more than 1.4 million have become sick, and more than 36 million have lost their jobs because of coronavirus. While Congress has taken significant action, we must do more. On Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell urged Congress to think big to address this crisis. The HEROES Act is a bold step to provide that support and ensure our Nation meets the challenge of the pandemic and the ensuing economic recession. Within the Appropriations division, this bill deploys more than $1.5 trillion in Federal funds to address this health and economic crisis. First, the bill delivers nearly $1 trillion to States and local governments so that they can keep our heroes--first responders, health workers, teachers, and other public servants--paid and working for the American people. I am proud that this bill will provide $67 billion to my home State of New York, which has been hit so hard by this crisis. Second, we will only beat this disease with a robust national strategy for testing, tracing, and treatment. Yesterday, Dr. Rick Bright, one of the Federal Government's top scientists, warned us: ``If we fail to develop a national coordinated response, based in science, I fear the pandemic will get far worse and be prolonged, causing unprecedented illness and fatalities.'' To that end, the bill builds on the CARES Act, with $75 billion for a nationwide testing and contact tracing strategy, and an additional $100 billion for the Health Provider Relief Fund. Third, we must meet the challenge that the economic effects of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders are having on families. As a mother and a grandmother, I am deeply concerned about the effects of coronavirus on children and their education. We are including $100 billion to support K-12 and higher education systems as they respond to this crisis. To address rising hunger, this bill funds an expansion of SNAP benefits and other nutrition programs so that children and families have enough to eat. To prevent a housing crisis, we are deploying new funds worth nearly $200 billion to help struggling families make rent or pay their mortgages. Finally, to stop this crisis from weakening our democracy, we have included funding to hold safe elections, to carry out a fair and accurate Census, and to ensure that the Postal Service can continue safely delivering mail to American households. I am so proud of the hard work of so many to ensure this bill provides the help that families, businesses, and communities need. Mr. Speaker, the HEROES Act will meet the challenges this pandemic poses to our Nation. I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the outstanding Speaker of the House.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney), my friend, a fellow New Yorker, an outstanding Congresswoman from New York, and the chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), the outstanding chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and another member of our great class.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), my friend, the distinguished chair of the subcommittee that does so much good work here.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), who is the chair of the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries), who is the chair of the House Democratic Caucus.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark), who is a leader of our Caucus and a member of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Bustos), who is a member of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan), who is the chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), who is the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), a senior member of the Committee on Appropriations.