Joseph Morelle

Mr. MORELLE

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I would just note that bipartisanship is a two-way street. While some may suggest that the majority is at fault, I would argue that there was a lack of a good-faith effort on the part of the minority to engage in meaningful dialogue on things like climate change and the importance of making sure we have infrastructure investments in our schools and in our healthcare systems. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I just note that in the last Congress, the majority invested $2 trillion in a tax cut that 83 percent went to the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans, and despite that, we see no lasting benefit of that. It has added substantially to the deficit of the United States, to the tune of over $1.3 trillion. We prefer to make these investments in American families and in American jobs. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Barragan).

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Texas.

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson).

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Very briefly, I do note that we certainly could have entered into a bipartisan agreement if we didn't care about climate change, if we weren't interested in the greatest impact on our carbon footprint by transportation and automobiles, and we create a number of provisions in this bill which we could not get support on, which is why we had to go on our own way. I do also note for my great friend from Georgia, 17 bipartisan amendments are included in this package. So there is bipartisanship, despite the feelings that the White House has given as it relates to this bill. Before I yield, I insert in the Record a May 8 Industry Week article titled, ``Crumbling Infrastructure is Hurting America's Competitive Edge.'' [From Industry Week] Crumbling Infrastructure Is Hurting America's Competitive Edge (By Michael McGarry) With unemployment rates in the U.S. at historic levels due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to invest in areas that help get more people back to work. Today, lawmakers should prioritize the passage and implementation of a comprehensive infrastructure program, as part of a future round of stimulus funding that would immediately provide employment opportunities for many Americans. Even before we started feeling the economic impacts of COVID-19, our country was in dire need of these upgrades. Data from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) reveals that underinvestment in U.S. infrastructure worsens by the year, and infrastructure investment before the pandemic was only one-third of what it was in 1960. Manufacturers, who today continue to provide essential resources to the medical community and other front-line workers, are currently relying on outdated roads, bridges, waterways, ports, runways and drinking water systems, many of which are more than 50 years old. More than 54,000 bridges across the U.S. are rated ``structurally deficient'' according to NAM. Roadways, ports and waterways are in disrepair. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released a report card in 2017 of infrastructure in the country and gave the nation a rating of D+. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 65% of major U.S. roads are rated as ``less than good condition.'' In addition to the challenges we will now face due to the current economic environment, these deficiencies take an additional toll on manufacturers' bottom lines, causing unreliable delivery times and increased fleet maintenance costs. Congested highway networks add $74.5 billion to transportation costs for manufacturers moving goods and raw materials by truck, according to the American Transportation Research Institute. In order for America to remain globally competitive now and after this pandemic, our leaders must be committed to improving our infrastructure. China's infrastructure investment is almost double the size of the infrastructure spending in the U.S., and India's infrastructure investments are growing at a rate that triples the infrastructure outlays of the U.S., Canada and Mexico combined. Manufacturing workers in the U.S., and all Americans, should refuse to settle for infrastructure that lags behind the rest of the world. Many have acknowledged that the current economic challenges bring an opportunity to upgrade the nation's neglected transportation systems. Stay-at-home orders covering nearly the entire country in March and April kept Americans off the road, and gas tax revenues have plummeted as a result. According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, state and local governments need $50 billion to ensure that they can continue existing transportation construction and maintenance programs without disruption. The nation's airports also need a backstop to make up for lost user fees. Keeping current infrastructure projects afloat is only a start. Our deteriorating national infrastructure is not solely a state or federal issue. It is not a small or large business issue. It is not a Democratic or a Republican issue. Infrastructure is an American issue that directly affects our ability to compete in the global marketplace and provide financial security for millions of American families. Once it is safe to work, the U.S. government should mobilize to rebuild our nation's infrastructure. It would ensure that the nation emerges on the other side with a stronger, competitive economy. Infrastructure projects put people to work at high wages, create demand for materials and equipment and generate tax revenues for governments at all levels. They build systems of lasting public benefit, improving the safety, convenience and efficiency of commerce, communication and travel. Making substantial investments in America's infrastructure will not only put Americans back to work, but it will improve the lives of workers, while helping all manufacturers better serve their customers and communities. It will bolster the security of our nation, and it will strengthen the ties that bind us together as a country, improving commerce and communication and paving the way for the success of the next generation. Congress must invest now. I urge our elected leaders to work together to prioritize a bold vision for improving infrastructure. Congress's next stimulus bill must include aggressive investments in infrastructure such as highways, bridges and airports. It's good for our citizens, our economy, and our country to remain globally competitive. We cannot afford to wait.

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Woodall), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1028 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am always excited to be with my friend from Georgia, and we do get to sit through long hours of the Rules Committee and question back and forth our witnesses. And he is right, I am not particularly media savvy, I have a face for radio, as they say. But we do find that time to be very informative. I struggle a little bit, I was not here in 2015, but I do know what has happened over the last 18 months or so. First and foremost, I just note that in the midst of a pandemic, I think we can hardly be excused had we just done a closed rule. Put the bill before us for a vote without a structured rule, which is in front of us. I also note, and this is one of the challenges of trying to engage in bipartisanship, which I am not only a big fan of, but I engaged in in my previous life as a member of the New York State Assembly where we had a Republican Senate and a Democratic House, much as we find ourselves in here today, and we worked across the aisle to find common ground when we could. But I will say that I think that the difference between 2015 and now is the opposition of the minority, particularly as it related to a number of issues that dealt with climate change, and made it, as I understand listening to the chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, effectively mitigated any chance of having a bipartisan agreement on this. But that is not to say that there aren't Republican amendments before us. I know Ms. Foxx will have an amendment here later. The ranking member of the Education and Labor Committee on which I serve, as well as the ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will advance an en bloc amendment. So there will be, and there continues to be an effort on our part to work across the aisle. But I do find it hard to be bipartisan, and I think if it was a voice vote, then I think there was general agreement. Clearly, there were differences of opinion here that we could not get past, and we felt the need very much to advance this. Mr. Speaker, I also will say, just to note--and I hate to keep hearkening back to my experience in State government, but I will, nonetheless, even though I hate it, I will do that, which is to say, I served under Republican and Democratic Governors. And something that would have been this important would clearly have engaged the Governor of either party in discussions with the members of the legislature in both houses. And I note that while the President has indicated support for an infrastructure bill, I think it was over a year ago, back in May of 2019, where the President hosted a meeting at the White House after having talked about a $2 trillion infrastructure package and broke up the meeting in anger and left, and as far as I know has not engaged either House in substantive discussions moving forward. So I don't disagree with my friend from Georgia. I know that he is profoundly interested in this institution and in working across the aisle, but there are times when, unfortunately, for various reasons that is not the case, and we have it in front of us today. And I feel compelled that we move forward on the Moving Forward Act because this is vital to the interests of the American public. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui), a distinguished member of the Committee on Rules.

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 1028, providing for consideration of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, under a structured rule. The rule provides 2 hours of general debate on the bill, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The rule self-executes a manager's amendment offered by Chairman DeFazio, makes in order six en bloc amendments in total, and makes in order three further amendments. Prior to the offering of an en bloc amendment, the chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure may designate amendments that shall not be considered as part of the en bloc and shall be considered separately. And, lastly, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, the Moving Forward Act provides more than $1.5 trillion to rebuild American infrastructure. The state of disrepair of our roads cost Americans $160 billion in 2014, and 200,000 of our Nation's bridges are more than 50 years old. Our aging water system loses trillions of gallons of treated water each year and leaves some families without clean water to drink at all. Children across the Nation are trying to learn in classrooms that are falling apart, without climate control in extreme temperatures, and without reliable internet access. At the same time, more than 200 million Americans are facing unemployment during a global pandemic. Our Nation is facing long-term economic repercussions of our inability to stem the spread of COVID-19. We must do something. Nearly a century ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt lifted this Nation up during the height of the Great Depression by putting Americans back to work. By investing in good-paying jobs and public works to improve our communities across the Nation, we were able to provide direct help for working families and invest in much-needed infrastructure. This shaped the face of America for generations to come. The time has come again to invest in desperately needed infrastructure projects that can put Americans to work right now in their own communities. There has been tremendous bipartisan agreement from leaders at every level of government, from our village mayors to the President of the United States, that this country must invest in infrastructure that will carry the next generation. The Moving Forward Act is the first step in meeting that need. With H.R. 2, we will be investing not only in transportation, housing, schools, and broadband, but in families, workers, and communities across this country. This legislation supports American manufacturing and ingenuity, and together we will create millions of jobs right here at home. We will secure the future of our children by forging a path toward zero carbon emissions, making our streets and transit safer, and bringing a better learning environment to every child. This legislation provides more than $300 billion to repair and upgrade existing roads and bridges, railways, and ports. We are going to provide $100 billion to put zero-emission buses on American roadways, cutting congestion, providing new options for families and workers. We are working to make roads smarter and safer for all users, including children, pedestrians, and cyclists. We will also provide over $100 billion to create or preserve 1.8 million affordable homes, reducing housing inequality, creating local jobs, and increasing resiliency in the face of natural disasters. I am proud to support provisions to triple funding for Amtrak to allow long-awaited upgrades and expansion of our Nation's passenger rail network. America has long lagged behind in accessible and efficient rail travel, and this funding will improve safety and assist local traffic congestion. The Moving Forward Act represents a true partnership between the Federal Government and American States and localities. The bill also permanently reinstates Build America Bonds and advance refunding bonds as well as increasing the issuance of private activity bonds, spurring private investment in community projects that our Nation desperately needs. We have $70 billion for clean energy and a plan to upgrade America's electrical grid to make it more efficient and more resilient. H.R. 2 also delivers affordable high-speed internet access to all parts of the country by investing $100 billion to promote competition for broadband internet infrastructure to unserved and underserved rural, suburban, and urban communities. As our Nation battles this global pandemic, and so many of our hospitals have been stretched to the brink, the Moving Forward Act invests $30 billion to upgrade hospital facilities to increase capacity, strengthen care, and prepare for future health emergencies. This bill invests $25 billion to modernize postal infrastructure and operations, including a zero emissions postal vehicle fleet, and puts Americans to work strengthening our coast with a $3 billion grant program for shovel-ready projects to restore Great Lakes, coastal habitats, and marine ecosystems. As we discuss the far-reaching benefits of the Moving Forward Act, I would like to note the significance of one particular provision that I was proud to advocate for along with my colleagues in the Education and Labor Committee, the Reopen and Rebuild America's Schools Act. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, chronic neglect of America's public schools forced students and educators across the country to learn and work in outdated and hazardous school buildings. Now the pandemic is exacerbating this crisis and making abundantly clear how unprepared and under-resourced many of our Nation's school districts are. The Reopen and Rebuild America's Schools Act takes great strides to move beyond the traditional brick and mortar school infrastructure to support schools and designing the types of building and classrooms needed to serve students, especially those from low income families. This critical legislation is needed now more than ever. Today, we can work to not only help teachers and students get back to school, but commit serious investment in high poverty schools with facilities that pose health and safety risks to students and staff, expand access to high-speed broadband to ensure that all public schools have the reliable and high-speed internet access that students need for digital and distance learning. This legislation, the Moving Forward Act, represents a significant step we must take to invest in the future of American infrastructure from our highway systems to our classrooms. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support the rule and support H.R. 2. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I do note, while this is certainly a very, very important issue, cyberattacks on the United States, both on government and our private sector, I think what is equally troubling are physical attacks and bounties placed by Russian leaders on U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. I don't see any note of that in the resolution. But the bigger issue here is that we have a $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill in front of us. I would certainly join with my colleagues in any resolutions on Chinese and Russian interference in American activities. The work in front of us, however, is a $1.5 trillion transportation bill desperately needed for American citizens throughout this country. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon), a distinguished member of the Rules Committee.

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking my colleague and friend on the Rules Committee (Mr. Woodall), who is really one of the thought leaders in this Chamber and has always committed to bipartisanship, always committed to what is best for our Nation and for the people blessed to call this Nation home. I want to thank him, as always, for his partnership and his hard work in his diligence to the cause. I take a slightly different view of what we do here today than my friend because this isn't, in my view, strictly a partisan issue or a party issue or a platform issue or a messaging issue. This is an issue of what we value as Americans, what we believe and what the majority believes is important to the citizens of this country. We do face, as Mr. Woodall notes, the greatest pandemic this country has faced in at least a century. We have 125,000 Americans who have lost their lives to it. So this is an extraordinary time, and it calls for extraordinary measures and a $1.5 trillion plan to move America forward to address our transportation crisis, to address our climate change crisis, to address our healthcare crisis, to address the challenges brought on by crumbling schools across this country. One of the learnings of this pandemic, in my view, has been the digital divide. Whether it is in telehealth, in telemedicine, we know that those communities of color that already face disparities face even greater disparities. So the broadband initiative included in this is so vitally important to all of us. We see that when it comes to distance learning in our schools. Crumbling schools, yes, but the inability of schoolchildren to get to online classes and distance learning because of broadband challenges is great, as well, and we need to do everything we can to limit those disparities. And those are the great learnings, perhaps, of this pandemic and things we can do about it. That is why we believe so strongly in investing those dollars in meeting the challenge of climate change, the defining challenge of our time. Transportation is the leading cause of U.S. carbon pollution. So these are the values we embrace. While certainly I take as an article of faith what Mr. Woodall said, which is, perhaps it is not likely this bill, every word and every comma will become law unless, all of a sudden, there is enlightenment in the United States Senate, which I frankly have some doubt about. But make no mistake, much of what is in here will become law because it is important to us as a majority and it is important to the American people. We are going to continue to stand and fight for these things in the midst of these great crises because they are important, we need to put Americans back to work to build our infrastructure and to build an infrastructure for the next generation. This isn't about now. This isn't about digging a hole and filling it back up, digging another hole and filling it back up. These are great needs. They are needs that we have, frankly, ignored for decades now. The time has come to address them. So this is a question of values. It is a question of what we believe Americans need, what our families need, and what our communities need. We will get there. I have faith that we will negotiate a bill, and much of what is included today, hopefully, will pass, will be included in the final package, and will be signed by the President because it is too important for America not to do. Mr. Speaker, I thank all my colleagues for their words in favor of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and a ``yes'' vote on the previous question.

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. MORELLE

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, with so much uncertainty in our future, families shouldn't have the additional burden of worrying about the state of their healthcare. Unfortunately, though, COVID-19 has only further exposed the cracks in our healthcare system and forced us all to face the urgency with which we must work to address them. As we continue to respond to the public health crisis, I have been working with my colleagues here in the House to find innovative and timely solutions for the problems that COVID-19 continues to exacerbate. Over the past several months, I have fought for the price of insulin and other drugs to be lowered immediately because families that are struggling need access to lifesaving medication. I fought alongside my colleagues for more supplies for our healthcare workers, for hospitals, and for community healthcare centers. We can't let up now. We must continue to take steps that address the health disparities that place a significant and dangerous burden on American families. I would like to join my colleagues and constituents in remembering the lives tragically lost during this pandemic and recommit to working together to help families across our country stay safe.

Mr. MORELLE

Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, I regrettably missed Roll Call vote 60 on February 12, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted AYE.

Mr. MORELLE

Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. MORELLE

Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. MORELLE

Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my dear friend, Ron Pettengill, a pillar of the Rochester community, who passed away on February 28. As head of the local carpenters union in Rochester and Monroe County building trades, Ron defined the Rochester labor movement, dedicating himself and his life's work to improving the lives of working people everywhere. Our community is a better and more equitable place because of his tireless commitment to advocating for social change. Ron's work will continue to open doors for people in our community for generations to come. I am so proud to have been able to call him my friend. I join all of Rochester in mourning his loss and extend my prayers and deepest sympathies to the Pettengill family.

Mr. MORELLE

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which is recognized around the country on March 3 each year. This day is especially meaningful for me, as my daughter, Lauren, battled triple negative breast cancer for nearly 2 years before her death in August 2017. Between 10 and 20 percent of breast cancer patients are triple negative, meaning they don't respond to traditional hormone therapies. They are considered more aggressive cancers, and the prognosis is poor. My daughter was very public in her fight against breast cancer, and I know that she would want me to use today to raise awareness and to encourage those at risk to be screened. I am humbled to have reintroduced a resolution officially designating this day in the hopes that, together, we can bring greater awareness of triple negative breast cancer and encourage early detection and treatment. May we resolve to fight together with the strength and courage that Lauren demonstrated each and every day to finally find a cure for this awful and dreaded disease.

Mr. MORELLE

Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Bill O'Rourke, Jr., a beloved pillar of our community, who passed away on January 28, 2020. Mr. O'Rourke was above all an educator, coaching hundreds of students in the Webster Central School District for over forty years. Under the coaching of his father, O'Rourke became an outstanding player at St. John Fisher, eventually leading the New York Knicks to draft him. During his tenure at Webster Thomas High School, he coached the boys' varsity basketball team where he was inducted into the Section V Basketball Hall of Fame and the Frontier Field Walk of Fame. He completed his career with two Section V championships and 468 wins. O'Rourke understood that the game of basketball is mastered not simply through dedication, but with a commitment to spirit and integrity. We did not just lose a wonderful basketball coach, we lost a devoted man who dedicated his life to his family, friends, and community. His legacy will live on through his family, his players, and the hundreds of lives he touched. He is survived by his wife, Marsha Barber, five children, two grandchildren, one brother, and one niece. While I am saddened by Mr. O'Rourke's passing, it brings me great pleasure to have represented a man who lived his life inspiring all those around him. My heart is with his entire extended family. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body join me to recognize Bill O'Rourke, Jr.

Mr. MORELLE

Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, as we know, March 7 marks the 55th anniversary of the 1965 Selma march, where courageous men and women crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery to peacefully fight for the right for Black Americans to register to vote. I rise today to honor those who marched and to spotlight and highlight the Sisters of St. Joseph in my home district of Rochester, New York. The Sisters of St. Joseph came to Alabama from New York and played an integral role in running the Good Samaritan Hospital in Selma, Alabama. The 600 peaceful marchers that day were met with tear gas and clubs, and the Good Samaritan Hospital was the only facility within nine counties that would serve Black citizens. Despite having just emergency room beds, the sisters diligently cared for the huge onslaught of people who had been attacked and beaten in their pursuit of equality. Some of the nuns present reside in Rochester today, and I could not be prouder to call them my constituents. Let us celebrate them as courageous leaders and honor them by committing to continue their fight for justice and equality.

Mr. MORELLE

Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, it can be easy to feel disheartened in Washington amid the partisan strife and bitter political division. I want to take a moment to change that narrative and thank my district for their profound display of community. My office is leading a Valentines for Veterans drive this week, which encourages members of our community to make valentines for those who have bravely served our Nation. The number of heartfelt cards we have seen thanking our servicemembers for their commitment to this country has been truly heartening. I would like to especially give a shout-out to the students in my district whose classes have dropped off a number of incredibly creative cards: Ms. Walsh's fourth grade class at Northside School in Fairport; the Klem North Elementary School in Webster; TLC Adventure in Child Care daycare; the Joseph C. Wilson Foundation Academy in Rochester; the Mary Cariola Center; and my granddaughter Harper's class at Paddy Hill Elementary School in Greece. I am so proud of our Nation's veterans and of our community for coming together in such a touching display of support for them.

Mr. MORELLE

Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, I regrettably missed rollcall votes 38 through 54 on February 6th and 7th of 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 38, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 39, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 40, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 41, ``no'' on rollcall No. 42, ``no'' on rollcall No. 43, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 44, ``no'' on rollcall No. 45, ``no'' on rollcall No. 46, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 47, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 48, ``no'' on rollcall No. 49, ``yea on rollcall No. 50, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 51, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 52, ``no'' on rollcall No. 53, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 54.