Richard Neal

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, too many workers in this nation reach retirement age without the savings they need. The retirement crisis in America is real and will only worsen unless we make saving easier and do more to encourage workers to begin planning for retirement earlier. And that's why I've committed as the Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee to addressing this crisis. For example, about 50 percent of American workers work for an employer that does not offer a retirement plan at work. To make a significant dent in this coverage gap, it's critical that we enact legislation that requires employers that don't currently offer a retirement plan to at a minimum provide their employees with an auto IRA option. I'm also pleased that the American Rescue Plan Act includes the Butch Lewis Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act of 2021, which would create a special financial assistance program under which cash payments would be made by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to financially troubled multiemployer pension plans to ensure that such plans can continue paying retirees' benefits for the next 30 years. What we have here is a national emergency that we need to address immediately. If Congress doesn't act, the multiemployer pension system could collapse entirely, leaving retirees in poverty, businesses in bankruptcy, and communities in crisis. Reform for both the multiemployer and single employer retirement plan system is a priority for the Ways and Means committee and we plan on addressing these issues this year. I commit to working with Ms. Davids on this as we move forward.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge Mr. Yarmuth here for the clarity and the speed with which he has proceeded. A reminder in support of this resolution here to the previous speaker, the gentleman from Missouri: this is the opening salvo in a process. This is not the conclusion. To talk to the President of the United States this morning without any incendiary rhetoric and no divisive tone, but for him to reiterate good suggestions will be entertained as good suggestions as the process goes forward. The COVID-19 crisis is far from over. Record numbers of deaths--look at the numbers in front of us, Mr. Speaker. What has happened? The number of people who are projected to die by the next quarter, 500,000 Americans dead, 25 million infected, 19 million Americans receiving unemployment insurance. And we are going too fast in this process? President Biden and his American rescue plan contains the kind of bold policies that we have sought to advance here for months. We understand that the economy will not recover without first crushing the virus. Mr. Speaker, we will not get the economy back up and running until we defeat the virus and restore safe working conditions, as previously noted. This public health emergency requires aggressive, science-based action, and it is going to take time. In addition to passing measures to eradicate the pandemic, we must ensure that families and jobless workers are able to afford life's basic necessities, or, as we might say, liquidity and cash flow in the system. Accomplishing these goals requires us to go big. Economists left, right, and center have all said the same thing in this chorus: Go big. The Ways and Means Committee is ready to meet this challenge. We are going to beat this virus and we are going to put money into the hands and pockets of the people in America who really need it, extending unemployment assistance, combating child poverty, supporting hard-hit families, the retention tax credit, and the earned income tax credit. We are going to give some help to people in America who, again, really are in harm's way. Passage of this resolution will provide us with an additional pathway to swiftly advance these priorities. By the way, as of this morning, 76 percent of the American people agree with what we are doing. In times as desperate as these, we need to prepare our mechanisms so they are ready at our disposal to get the American people the relief they need. Mr. Speaker, for millions of lives and livelihoods that are at stake, I urge all of my colleagues today, regardless of their party, to support this critical measure.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself the balance of my time. I acknowledge the good efforts of Ranking Member Brady on the energy front in the tax package, as well. It is a series of compromised measures. He did a terrific job, I think it is fair to say, on surprise billing, and not to mention USMCA. Those were very substantial accomplishments that the Ways and Means Committee led on in the 116th Congress. Mr. Brady, as he was closing, mentioned that this measure he did not want to see treated as stimulus, and he is right; this is not about stimulus. This is about stability. This is about building a bridge for those people who are really hurting as we turn the page on this year. This is about those who are wondering how they are going to make the next rental payment, sustenance for the American family, how they might repair that automobile that sits in the garage idle because they couldn't afford it. That is what this is really about this evening. I started with Charles Dickens and ``A Christmas Carol'' and the lessons of Jacob Marley, but let me conclude with a very simple description in ``The Epic of America.'' When asked what it was that set America apart from the rest of the world, it was suggested it was a habit of the heart, a kindness and a decency and a goodness. And let me close the debate on that basis and urge passage of the CASH Act and $2,000 for the American people. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, might I remind the gentleman that this is not about creating a path to prosperity. This is about creating a path to liquidity, which subsequently creates a path to demand for people at the lower end of the economic spectrum, 20 million of whom are not working at the moment through no fault of their own. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer), an excellent member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, we are here today at a moment of extreme hardship for families across the country. Last week, both the House and the Senate passed bipartisan legislation that would provide relief for people who are struggling to make ends meet. That package includes a wide variety of provisions that will allow Americans who are at the end of their ropes to stay in their homes and to put food on the table. Despite the fact that the Trump administration was part of the negotiations for the legislation and approved of all the measures that it contained, the President unexpectedly decided to delay signing the package into law for several days. This stalling was an act of theater that cost the American people millions of dollars in terms of pandemic- related unemployment assistance that they desperately need. Fortunately, last night, the President finally signed the bill. At last, workers and families can exhale a bit, knowing that aid is on the way. The primary reason that the President provided for holding up his signature was the enactment of this important legislation that we are about to undertake in the next 40 minutes. Democrats agree that families deserve more, and that is why I introduced the CASH Act on Christmas Eve to increase the payments in the relief package to $2,000, the exact amount the President said he wants. Madam Speaker, I introduced this legislation on Christmas Eve with the following parable in mind. Jacob Marley forewarned that the three ghosts would visit Ebenezer Scrooge to warn him about the path to redemption. He started with Christmas Past, and we might start here with Christmas past, acknowledging that, 3 years ago, one of the largest tax cuts in American history that overwhelmingly came to people at the very top, including a top individual rate cut of 39 percent to 37.5 percent and a corporate rate cut from 36 percent to 21 percent, were part of that endeavor. In the Christmas present, there are 20 million Americans who are receiving unemployment insurance, more than 350,000 dead, and 19 million people infected with this pandemic. For Christmas Future, Marley warned Ebenezer Scrooge that there was a way for redemption, and that was through a new generosity and a new kindness. We could emulate that here this afternoon by raising that impact payment from $600 to $2,000. The miracle of this season would remain the triumph of light for those who desperately need our assistance. Madam Speaker, we could have passed this bill 4 days ago, but our colleagues on the other side went against the President's wishes, and they blocked it. So, here we are today, back again to try to get a bigger check for the American people. I sincerely hope that the House Republicans have had a change of heart and will join us in passing the CASH Act. Madam Speaker, let's pass this bill and do what is right for our neighbors back home as they simply try to survive each day. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9051) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase recovery rebate amounts to $2,000 for individuals, and for other purposes.

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman.

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green).

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I am glad the ranking member reminded us of what we were able to accomplish together in the CARES Act, and I think that is what we are asking here again this evening. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Speaker of the House.

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi), who did a great job on the surprise billing legislation that passed in the COVID Act.

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, let me remind the Members of this Chamber why we are here today. The CARES Act passed this House with, I think, five dissenters in the entire Chamber. That was months and months ago. People exhausted the $1,200 that we allocated, based upon our tax system. And even the difficulty we had in trying to find adequate identification for those in America, as joint filers, making under $24,000 a year, single filers making under $12,000 a year. Who can live on $12,000 a year? That is $1,000 a month. People have exhausted that benefit. They have tried earnestly and seriously to overcome these obstacles that were created for them, not because of anything they did. We are not here because of malfeasance, speculation that derailed Wall Street in 2008, or corruption. We are here because of an international pandemic, and members of the American family at the lower end of the economic spectrum are hurting. When we sought advice on putting together the CARES Act, the Speaker and myself, in particular, in those very earnest days with Secretary Mnuchin, sought the advice of the best economists--former Treasury Secretaries, members of the Federal Reserve Board, people who do this every single day--and they all said you need to act with speed and determination, speed to get that money into the hands of the people who will actually spend it. And that is precisely what we did. We got it to people at the lower end of the economic spectrum. As we proceed now to the new year, these people need another infusion of cash. I am going to go back to this point that I think is something that we need to remember. Three years ago, this House, over the objection of myself and many others, passed a tax cut that clearly benefited the people at the very top of the economic spectrum, the top 1 percent, in particular--dividends, buybacks, a top cut in the corporate rate from 36 percent to 21 percent, and the top rate on the individual side from 39 percent to 37 percent. And we can't find it in our hearts in this holiday season, again, based upon the Charles Dickens' parable of ``A Christmas Carol,'' to provide $2,000 worth of assistance to our brothers and sisters at the bottom end of economic income? This Chamber is better than that. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, let me proceed with acknowledging that this legislation had many crucial elements that were developed and constructed by the Committee on Ways and Means on a bipartisan basis. We expanded on unemployment insurance. We provided an additional supplement of $300 a week. We expanded the retention tax credit, which was very important. We maintained and expanded the EITC and the child credit. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Donna Shalala, because perhaps one of the most important elements in this successful piece of legislation was addressing surprise medical billing. She supported my position on this from day one, and she couldn't have been more earnest. She has been a terrific Member of this House. We provide direct payments. We provide assistance in terms of tax extenders. We add a really good job on the renewable tax credits as well, and we expand eligibility for a round of checks to include people in mixed-status families. Many of these pieces of legislation people said couldn't happen and, indeed, they did. We addressed those who are most vulnerable. And, the truth is, we also give Joe Biden a chance after January 20, because of the duration of this legislation, to provide what we all know is going to be a plan for additional assistance to members of the American family. Madam Speaker, there are 20 million Americans collecting unemployment insurance right now in America. For people at the lower end of the economic spectrum, this has been cruel and callous. We need to come to their assistance. People with white-collar jobs, they have held on and their unemployment rate is significantly less. But we know how stubborn this problem is, and until we defeat the virus, it is hard to see how we get to a full economic recovery. I hope that the argument will not be, once Mr. Biden takes the oath, that we need to proceed to austerity. What we do in this legislation with these checks is we provide additional liquidity, which then provides additional demand for people at the lower end of the economic spectrum. This is a very good piece of legislation. I am very proud of what the Committee on Ways and Means did to help get us to this day.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, it is with great satisfaction that I rise today to recognize the remarkable career of retired Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe, Jr. Sheriff Ashe, in a career spanning over four decades, has created the model of rehabilitating inmates across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the country. A native of my hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts, Sheriff Ashe has spent his life embodying the fundamental principle that all who are willing to work for a second chance, ought to receive one. His signature philosophy of ``strength reinforced with decency; firmness dignified in fairness'' led to countless lives being changed for the better, while resulting in one of the lowest reincarceration rates in the United States. Originally a social worker, Sheriff Ashe sought to provide long-term care and housing to the youth who were most in need of it. Serving as the first Assistant Director of Downey Side homes for the youth, Mike Ashe displayed remarkable leadership by being the first to welcome to his home battered or at-risk children, a reminder that no member of the community shall be forgotten. His commitment to those who are often forgotten in society led to his candidacy for Sheriff of Hampden County. Since his initial election in 1974, Ashe was re-elected every 6 years without contest until he announced his retirement in 2016. Anyone who has gotten to know Sheriff Ashe will affirm that he had never been in the business of incarceration, rather his focus was on corrections. His doctrine on correctional supervision was guided by the simple principle that inmates should be held accountable and be positive and productive. The Sheriff long understood that if he were to adequately rehabilitate his inmates, he would need to put together a competent coalition of staff and volunteers who could command the situation, while exemplifying the upmost professionalism. Sheriff Ashe instituted an inmate Basic Intensive Regimen in which all inmates are required to undergo during their first 5 weeks of incarceration. During this critical time, inmates are required to participate in programs that focus on substance abuse, anger management, cognitive thinking, victim impact, and more. In Hampden County, it is excepted that inmates work on assignments or some sort of productive activity, for at least 40 hours per week. With over 140 programs available, inmates are encouraged to famously ``answer the bell'' for a productive day, just like they will have to do if they are to be productive citizens. Under his leadership, Hampden County was home to the nation's first Day Reporting Center, the first program of its kind to offer support for inmates close to re-entering society. A model that has been replicated throughout the country. Similarly, Sheriff Ashe was responsible for the nation's first Incarceration Support Systems, offering assistance to those newly freed from incarceration. And if that wasn't enough, Sheriff Ashe helped construct the Western Massachusetts Correctional Addictions Center, one of the nation's original correctional facilities dedicated to substance abuse treatment. Throughout his career, Sheriff Ashe's tireless work has made our community a safer, more just, caring place. During his tenure, Sheriff Ashe witnessed over 4,600 inmates graduate his educational programs, earning a GED or a high school equivalent diploma. While Mike Ashe oversaw his inmates contribute over 1 million hours of community service to Hampden County communities. While heading the Massachusetts Sheriffs Association, Ashe was able to present his successful philosophy for community corrections to the rest of the Commonwealth, further promoting an emphasis on rehabilitation rather than punishment. A recipient of the White House ``Champions of Change'' Award, Sheriff Ashe has made the Commonwealth proud while illustrating through his work, that the United States is indeed a nation of second chances.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, today's House Consideration of the MORE Act marks an important step in mitigating the impacts of the historically racist war on drugs. This legislation will reform our federal criminal laws while also making investments in and empowering communities of color and those adversely affected by current unjust policies. The MORE Act makes important changes to federal law by removing marijuana, or cannabis, from the list of federally controlled substances. This change to federal law does not undermine the ability of states to apply their criminal laws as they see fit. Instead it makes marijuana a federally regulated substance that is subject to the FDA's regulatory authority and federal taxation. The excise tax that is established by the bill is similar to those for alcohol and tobacco. By creating a legal marijuana market that is subject to federal taxation, this legislation also creates an opportunity trust fund that will increase opportunities or individuals and communities affected by the war on drugs. The opportunity trust fund will fund programs such as job training, reentry services, and substance abuse disorder services, as well as assistance to small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. I thank my colleague, Representative Blumenauer, for his tireless leadership on this issue. As this bill continues through the legislative process, I look forward to continuing to work with the measure's sponsors and the other committees of jurisdiction to achieve an effective tax regime that supports a vibrant legal market and provides individuals most affected by the war on drugs the opportunity to fully participate in this emerging economy.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Mr. Daniel J. Forte as he completes his 35-year tenure with the Massachusetts Bankers Association. After joining the MBA in 1985, Daniel ascended to the position of President and CEO in 1997 and has since developed close relationships with many bankers, lawmakers, and banking regulators in New England and across the country. Representing 72,000 employees across 130 banks, his contribution to the New England banking community cannot be overstated. His accomplishments include working in conjunction with the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation to support the passage of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, various pieces of banking modernization legislation, and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. He will be remembered by his colleagues for his leadership, integrity, strong faith, wit, and attention to detail. I'm proud to recognize Daniel for his distinguished service to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the New England banking community, I wish him, his wife Stella, and their two children the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in support of the updated Heroes Act. The previous gentleman was dismissive of the idea that there is some import to this moment in terms of getting a package done. So that means expanding unemployment insurance? That is not important, unemployment insurance that we might consider now which is part of the need of the American family? A reminder: There are 26 million Americans right now collecting unemployment insurance. Let me put this in terms of what an economist might say. If we don't expand unemployment insurance and keep the $600 supplement, the challenges that people are going to have in terms of daily sustenance for food, paying the rent, and paying their utility bills is going to mean, eventually, that the landlord can't collect rents that then, subsequently, are used to pay for property taxes and mortgage payments, which means then that they can't make their payments to the credit unions or community bankers, which, overwhelmingly, are the custodians of America's origination in terms of the mortgage markets. So maybe we, as two parties, might agree on the following: If you don't defeat the virus, Mr. Speaker, you are never going to expedite economic recovery. That is the real argument in front of this Chamber at this moment. Mr. Speaker, 200,000 Americans--actually, about 205,000 Americans as of today--have died from the pandemic. Every one of us at home are hearing the desperation of our constituents. Let me submit this as well: When the CARES Act came before this House, only five Members of this institution voted against the CARES Act. Mr. Speaker, do you know what else we can all agree on? The CARES Act saved the American economy. You hear that at home from conservatives, liberals, moderates, Republicans, and Democrats. They all rally around that theme. The number of people who are still out of work is astounding. Family members are sick, they are having trouble paying for food, and Republicans suggest somehow you can handle this on your own? This is about the national principle. We all come to the aid of the American family at moments like this. We don't ask if you are a Democrat or a Republican, from a red State or a blue State, or how you voted in the last Presidential election. We say that is the family, and we have to take care of them. They are looking to this institution today to help them survive this pandemic. The economic challenges that we have are not about corruption, and it is not about economic malfeasance. It is about the reality that the world is confronting the worst pandemic since 1918. The American people are looking to us for leadership, and House Democrats have stepped up to the plate. Just think of it. May 15 we passed the Heroes Act. So when the other side says things like, ``Well, if we just do something in a bipartisan fashion,'' what, through this intervening period of time, did they offer? Not much. We have taken the affirmative position here. The American people need help. The idea of the stimulus checks was, as I noted a moment ago, not just to provide sustenance, but most economists would say, well, also to help create simultaneous demand. The speed with which we moved these payments along was extraordinary, even by contrast to how the institution usually responds. How about the jarring testimony of the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board last week about what this economy needs? How unsettling was it to hear the testimony from the Fed about what we should be doing? I am really proud of the role the Ways and Means Committee played in developing the legislation and unemployment insurance. How about expanding the retention tax credit? Everybody on the other side of the aisle supports expanding the retention tax credit, but that will get in the way of the eventual vote here later on this evening because somehow it doesn't square with their philosophic beliefs. This moment calls for leadership, and the chaos that this country has exhibited as it relates to defeating the virus leaves a good deal to be desired. Leadership doesn't mean telling suffering Americans it is what it is. This is about the American family. Our frontline workers need us now more than ever.

Mr. NEAL. Every person in this Nation right now needs us more than ever. This is a crisis unlike any we have faced in our lifetimes. It calls for real solutions, and it puts the American family first. We need to get this done for the American people. Vote for this legislation. It is a good piece of constructive work on behalf of the American people.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Maloney for her good work on this very issue, and I rise to condemn Postmaster General DeJoy's assault on the U.S. Postal Service. The organizational and operational changes he has been implementing are a betrayal at this moment of the American people. They are turning their backs on seniors and veterans in Pittsfield, North Adams, Springfield, and Southbridge who rely upon the Postal Service for their medications and other essential services. The Postmaster General is dismantling a lifeline for people in every community across the Commonwealth, but his actions particularly harm those who live in some of the most rural areas in western Massachusetts. These mail delays and disruptions will be harmful at any time, but they are downright deadly during this pandemic. Families and small businesses are desperately trying to stay safe and stay afloat as the crisis rages on, and the Postal Service plays a critical role in their survival. Who else suffers due to the Postmaster General's actions? The hardworking men and women who process and deliver our mail, essential workers. He is compromising jobs for generations that have been a pathway to the middle class, particularly in marginalized communities. Our Nation's economy and the people's health rely upon the Postal Service. So, too, does American democracy. Millions will use this indispensable tool to cast their ballots this year. They should not be discouraged. They should be encouraged by the Postmaster General. The Postmaster General is directly attacking the fundamental rights and well-being of all Americans. I call upon him to step down now. His removal is urgently needed, as are all the provisions in the Delivering for America Act. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this legislation and call on my colleagues to do the same. A reminder: His support right now is urgently needed to reverse what he has been doing and saying.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson).

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Alabama (Ms. Sewell).