Joe Neguse

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, I want to say one of the reasons I support this bill is because it includes significant relief for small businesses, which are the backbone of Colorado's economy. My Republican colleague and I, John Curtis, introduced a bill just a few weeks ago to provide EIDL relief, essentially ensuring that we would exclude the EIDL advance when determining forgiveness for PPP loans. We have heard from countless business owners in my district, in Fort Collins and Loveland, who are struggling and who have told us that this provision would provide needed relief to ensure that they can continue to keep their businesses solvent, keep their doors open, serving the people of our great State of Colorado and, of course, my colleague, the State of Utah, and small business owners across the country. That provision is in this bill. It is in the updated Heroes Act, alongside so many other important provisions to help small businesses in our country recover. I say to my colleagues: Let's get this done. Let's pass this bill. Let's provide the relief that the American people are counting on us to provide.

Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the updated Heroes Act. I want to thank House leadership and, of course, our distinguished chair of the Appropriations Committee, Chairwoman Lowey, for introducing this vital update. First, let me just say, look, we are all entitled to our own views and opinions in this Chamber, but we are not entitled to our own set of facts. As I have heard some of the comments from my friends on the other side of the aisle, I have been a bit confused because, as we all know, 4 months ago, this Chamber passed, on a bipartisan basis, the Heroes Act, $3.4 trillion, to provide an economic lifeline to small business and working families struggling across this country. The Senate declared a so-called pause, decided that they would do nothing, wouldn't meet us halfway, wouldn't come talk to the House Democrats to try to reach a compromise bill. So we continued to get to work, and we put together an updated Heroes Act that is now a $2 trillion bill that provides an economic lifeline to so many Americans across our great country. The fact that House Democrats continue to make every effort to work with anyone in good faith to deliver for the people of our country, in my view, is something that we should continue to pursue in this great Chamber.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of this resolution. There has been quite a bit of discussion regarding partisanship from some of my friends on the other side of the aisle. I would offer the following quote, which was uttered 39 years ago: ``To a few of us here today, this is a solemn and most momentous occasion, and yet, in the history of our Nation, it is a commonplace occurrence. The orderly transfer of authority, as called for in the Constitution, routinely takes place as it has almost for two centuries, and few of us stop to think how unique we really are. In the eyes of many in the world, this every-4-year ceremony that we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle.'' Those words were uttered in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan, and his words couldn't have been more prescient. It is a shame that we are here today, a shame that the current President has refused to affirm perhaps that most basic tenet of American democracy, the peaceful transfer of power after an election. I don't believe that this should be partisan. We may be on different sides of the aisle; we have different solutions to some of the most pressing challenges that our country faces; but we all should, we all must, believe in this grand American experiment. The peaceful transition of power is a hallmark of our Republic. For over 200 years, as President Reagan noted, every President has honored the orderly and peaceful transfer of power to his successor. So, in my view, the House of Representatives must speak loudly here. We must meet the unrelenting insistence on undermining our democracy with the full force of the United States Congress by joining together today, on a bipartisan basis, to reaffirm our commitment to the peaceful transition of power, as our colleagues in the United States Senate did just last week. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Swalwell for leading on this issue, and I would urge every one of my colleagues in this Chamber, Republican, Democrat, and independent, to support this important resolution.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. I thank Chairman Nadler for introducing this vital bill, and I also thank Chairman Scott for his incredible leadership and his work in getting it to the floor. Ending discrimination against pregnant workers is a critical component in closing the economic divide between men and women in our country. Before coming to Congress, I ran Colorado's Consumer Protection Agency, which included our State civil rights division, and I saw up close in the complaints that we adjudicated the unfortunate reality is that women are often denied even the simplest of workplace accommodations because they are pregnant, and too often women are forced out or not considered for hire due to their pregnancy. This must end. And we have an incredible opportunity to do precisely that by getting this bill across the finish line today. I am a proud supporter of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and I would encourage every Member of this body to vote ``aye'' on this critical legislation. Madam Speaker, I submit for the Record a letter from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a 1.4 million-member organization highlighting their support for this critical legislation. International Brotherhood of Teamsters, September 11, 2020. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative: On behalf of the 1.4 million members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, I urge you to support H.R. 2694, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act when it comes to the floor in the next week. The Teamsters Union is proud to support this important legislation which would promote healthy pregnancies and economic security for pregnant women. In the last few decades, there has been a demographic shift in the workplace. Women now make up almost half of the workforce. There are more pregnant workers than ever before and they are working later into their pregnancies. Yet, too often, instead of providing a pregnant worker with an accommodation, her employer will fire her or push her onto unpaid leave, depriving her of a paycheck and health insurance at a time when she needs them most. While pregnancy discrimination affects women across race, ethnicity and economic status, women of color and low-wage workers are disproportionately impacted. Women of color are more likely to hold certain inflexible and physically demanding jobs that can present specific challenges for pregnant workers, making reasonable accommodations on the job even more important. In 2018, the New York Times ran a front page article detailing the tragic loss experienced by a number of women working at a Verizon fulfillment center/warehouse in Memphis, TN, operated by XPO Logistics and previously operated by New Breed Logistics. New Breed and XPO should be quite familiar at this point, as they have garnered considerable press attention in recent weeks. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy was CEO of New Breed and served on the XPO Board during the time at which these tragedies took place. The women who worked at the Memphis warehouse generally spent twelve hour shifts moving boxes full of Verizon cell phones and other devices. Upon becoming pregnant, all had asked for reasonable accommodations, including light duty. Three of the women said that they even brought in doctors' notes recommending less-taxing workloads and shorter shifts, but supervisors disregarded the letters. Certainly, some of these women considered leaving their jobs with New Breed/XPO, or taking unpaid leave to protect theirs and their unborn child's health, but at an average hourly wage of $11/hr, unpaid leave and elective terms of unemployment are entirely unrealistic. In response to the New York Times article and additional coverage by the Los Angeles Times and the PBS Newshour, nearly 100 members of Congress submitted a letter to the House Committee on Education and Labor urging investigation into the disturbing treatment of workers at the Memphis facility. With pressure mounting, XPO solicited the counsel of an outside expert to draft an internal policy to address the needs of pregnant workers. This was a step in the right direction, but it should not take congressional action and national press coverage to compel an employer to do the right thing. Make no mistake, this new XPO policy only exists because of the workers in Memphis who stood up and spoke out. Unfortunately, XPO's new policy has zero chance of helping women at the Memphis facility. Two months after announcing the policy, XPO Logistics abruptly announced that it would shut down the warehouse where all of the women featured in the New York Times article had worked. This action creates a chilling effect on other workers who might choose to access reasonable accommodations at XPO. What pregnant worker is going to feel comfortable asking for reasonable accommodation when the end result of speaking up might be job loss? Key among its many protections is that H.R. 2694 would prohibit retaliation against pregnant workers who request accommodation. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act will provide a clear, predictable rule: employers must provide reasonable accommodations for limitations arising out of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless this would pose an undue hardship. No woman should have to choose between providing for her family and maintaining a healthy pregnancy. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would ensure that all women working for covered employers would be protected. The Teamsters Union is proud to stand with XPO workers and all pregnant workers demanding change. I urge you to stand up to unscrupulous employers like XPO and swiftly enact H.R. 2694, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Sincerely, James P. Hoffa, General President.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Maloney for her leadership. Madam Speaker, I am proud to speak in strong support of the Delivering for America Act. I have been here on the floor listening to this debate, and I have heard several of my Republican colleagues describe this as a manufactured crisis. Tell that to my constituents. Tell that to Kelsey, a small business owner in Loveland, Colorado, who is worried about her ability to get packages delivered on time to her customers because of delays at the Postal Service. Manufactured crisis? Tell that to Marsha, my constituent in Boulder, who depends on mail-order prescriptions, which this month took nearly 2 weeks to arrive. This is not a manufactured crisis. There is a real crisis at the Postal Service under this Postmaster General, and we, here in the House, strive to fix it. That is why I am a strong supporter of the bill that is before the House today, ultimately to ensure that the current standards of the Postal Service are protected and provide $25 billion in emergency funding. Let us get this done for the American people.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, last month, Colorado lost one its most brilliant legal minds, a mentor treasured by generations of lawyers and Coloradans, Mr. William Harold ``Sonny'' Flowers, Jr. Sonny was raised in Boulder, Colorado by his mother Ruth and father William Harold, Sr. Since his days as a university student in the 1960's, Sonny was a fierce, vocal advocate for social justice and racial equality. This was a commitment he kept throughout his life by traveling our state to recruit students of color, helping to establish CU Boulder's Black Alumni Association, and creating an endowed scholarship for students of color at both Colorado Law and the University of Denver. Sonny is remembered not only for his intelligence and commitment to justice, but also his great kindness, radiant laughter, and the kinship he formed with those great many people he encouraged and guided throughout his lifetime. I count myself so lucky to have been among the countless individuals that Sonny supported, and can say with certainty that I would not be where I am today without both the great many paths he forged on my behalf and his caring, devoted mentorship. Sonny's legacy will be felt by those throughout the Boulder community and the whole of Colorado. I share my deepest condolences with Sonny's wife Pam, his entire family, and all those whom he impacted throughout his lifetime. Let us remember Sonny by one of the last messages he sent to a friend: ``With enough voices, mountains may indeed be moved!'' Sonny certainly moved mountains for each of us, and it is in his honor that we continue to champion the justice and equality for which he dedicated so much.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, our nation is fighting multiple crises at once: the risks of COVID-19 on our health and the health of our friends and neighbors, the dire economic impacts of communities halted to keep us each safe, and the surge of racial justice movements across the United States and the world. During these times of difficulty and change, I find myself turning to the institutions in our communities that have always worked to address each of these crises, individually and as a whole--Community Health Centers. This week we honor the work of Community Health Centers during National Health Center Week. As we contemplate a path forward of safety, health, prosperity, and equity in our country, our conversations must begin and end with the CHCs that have been stalwart providers of accessible healthcare for every individual who needed it. Each and every day, CHCs provide care for some of our nation's most vulnerable folks. In 2018 in Colorado, CHCs served over 200,000 children, nearly 32,000 individuals without homes, and over 9,500 veterans. Overall, they served nearly 650,000 patients in my state who might have otherwise been unable to access or afford health care. CHCs provide irreplaceable healthcare services, but they are also economic drivers during this time of unprecedented financial hardship: For every $1 in federal investments, CHCs generated $5.85 in economic activity across Colorado. In total, health centers in Colorado deliver $1.38 billion in economic activity, economic benefits the likes of which can be found in states across the U.S. And as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, CHCs have risen to the challenge, innovating constantly to keep providing excellent care to their patients and communities. I have no doubt that we can and we will overcome the struggles presented to us as Coloradans, and as Americans. To do this, it will take robust support for the tried and true systems of healthcare that efficiently, yet humbly serve our communities every day. That is why I'm so proud to recognize the work of Community Health Centers in my home state and across the United States this week and every week. I thank the doctors, nurses, dentists, behavioral health specialists, and the countless other workers who ensure the success of CHCs and the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, the country has lost a beloved community member in Denver, a matriarch of the Chicano Movement. Geraldine Gonzales-Romero, known as Jerry, was born in Brighton, Colorado in 1931, and married Rudolfo Corky Gonzales in 1949. Jerry was part of the Romero family, one of the oldest families in the San Luis Valley, an area of Colorado from which my own wife's family originates. Jerry and Corky had eight children, 19 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren, many of whom have followed in the footsteps of Jerry and Corky with their own advocacy, activism, and public service. A true American hero, Jerry was a giant whose sacrifices and relentless pursuit of equality paved the road for so many of us who stand here now. Commemorations of her family include the Rodolfo ``Corky'' Gonzales branch of Denver Public Library which opened 2015. As a nation we once again find ourselves in a critical moment in the struggle for equity and justice, and it is people like Jerry Gonzales- Romero who inspire us with her life-long work on behalf of her community. I thank Ms. Gonzales-Romero for her endearing spirit and example.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, today I wish to recognize and honor the work of an unsung hero. While elected officials across the country receive praise and notoriety for their position, it is often those behind the scenes that truly toil to execute the work needed to keep our great country going. This has never been truer than in the City of Boulder, in Colorado's Second Congressional District, which I have the honor to represent. Nowhere has a City Manager made more of an impact on her community than Jane Brautigam made on hers--on mine. This month, Jane announced her retirement, an announcement that cannot go unrecognized. Jane was the first female City Manager and the longest serving City Manager in Boulder's history, a testament to her talent, fortitude, and commitment to public service. Among her many accomplishments, Jane guided Boulder through the 2013 floods, the most devastating rain and flood event in modern Colorado history. Earlier this year, Jane was honored by the Colorado City and County Manager's Association as City Manager of the Year. Today, Jane remains pivotal in the necessary response to the urgent crisis of COVID-19 and its unprecedented impacts on our community. Prior to serving in Boulder, Jane worked as the City Attorney, then as the City Manager, of Loveland, CO, also in my district. In her many leadership roles, Jane strove to empower her staff and to lead by example. Above all, Jane was committed to social, economic, and racial justice. I am grateful that Jane plans to continue supporting the development of strong city managers in the next generation of leaders, and that she continues to serve as President of the International City/County Manager's Association. While she leaves enormously big shoes to fill in Boulder, her legacy both today and tomorrow will not be forgotten.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, today I rise because the country has lost a true American hero. A giant whose sacrifices and relentless pursuit of equality paved the road for so many of us who stand here now. One of the greatest honors of my life was serving with Congressman Lewis. Occasionally, I'd have the privilege of walking with him to this very Chamber. Along the way, there wasn't a single Capitol employee whom he didn't greet effusively, and often by name. Put simply, he was a truly generous, humble and decent man. We find ourselves in times when we must struggle not only for the safety of our communities, but also the soul of our nation. But as Mr. Lewis said, ``Freedom is not a state; it is an act . . . it is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society.'' It is, indeed, difficult times like this for which we are made--times when we must embody the spirit and drive for freedom in every one of our actions. Our fight continues while Mr. Lewis has earned his rest, and we benefit always from his life-long example and the paths he forged for each of us. From an indebted nation, thank you to Mr. Lewis for his endearing spirit and example.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I missed the vote on S. 2163, the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act, a critical piece of legislation that would establish a Commission to conduct a systematic study of the conditions affecting Black men and boys, report on the community impacts of relevant government programs, and make recommendations. I am a cosponsor of the House companion measure and support the legislation. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 167.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to speak today in support of the Great American Outdoors Act. I would like to thank my colleague from Arizona, the distinguished chairman, Chairman Grijalva, for his leadership; and also thank my colleague from South Carolina, Representative Cunningham, for introducing this bill. The Great American Outdoors Act, as you have heard today, Mr. Speaker, would provide full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and address the significant maintenance backlog on our Nation's public lands. Since its inception, the LWCF program has established many of our Nation's most coveted and incredible public lands. The program has invested in over 41,000 parks, including Rocky Mountain National Park, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, Lory State Park, and so many other iconic parks in my district, the Second Congressional District of the State of Colorado. Nearly 1,000 LWCF grants have leveraged over $147 million dollars for local government and State park investments in Colorado. In my district alone, there have been 191 LWCF projects. Therefore, establishing permanent and full funding truly is critical. Additionally, deferred maintenance, as you have heard my colleagues on both sides of the aisle discuss today, on our public lands is a mounting problem that we can no longer afford to ignore. As one of our country's most popular National Parks, Rocky Mountain National Park faces a significant maintenance backlog of $84 million. Our park employees are working incredibly hard, but they can't do it alone. We must address this by increasing funds designed to upkeep and rebuild infrastructure on our Federal public lands. I have consistently urged Congress to fully fund LWCF and address these challenges, and I am so heartened to see this collaborative effort considered on the House floor today and, of course, grateful to the county commissioners, and to so many local officials, conservation groups, anglers and outdoor recreation businesses who have come together to contribute their time and dedication to this effort. Let's get this bill passed.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, today, I rise in support of the NO BAN Act, a powerful bill that preserves the promise of America and rejects this administration's xenophobic and anti-Muslim immigration policies. The President's reckless bans on majority Muslim and African countries do not align with our American values or the unique promise that this country has offered immigrants and refugees for centuries. It will not make us safer, and it is yet another example of this administration's haphazard and cruel immigration policies. I am proud that I was able to successfully offer an amendment during the Judiciary Committee's markup, with the chairman's support, that added this President's latest ban to the underlying bill. It is not only the right thing to do for our country but also a matter very personal to me. As many in this Chamber know, my parents came to America nearly 40 years ago as refugees from Eritrea, one of the very countries that this President has targeted in his latest ban. My parents' ability to start a new life in this country offered me and my family freedom, opportunity, and the privilege to truly experience the American Dream. There are countless success stories like my family's waiting to be told, stories that won't be written if this body does not pass this NO BAN Act today. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleague to support it.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, while I disagree with my colleague, Mr. Tipton, on this particular issue, I do appreciate his friendship and his service to the House for many years. I would just offer three closing arguments. First, for those who argue that these public land measures should not be attached to the NDAA, there is certainly precedent for these type of provisions to be included in the NDAA. In fact, the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act by my colleague from Colorado, my good friend, was signed into law as a provision of the 2015 NDAA in the 113th Congress under a Republican-controlled House. So there is ample precedent. With respect to the HAATS issue, I would simply note that, in December of last year, the Department of Defense sent a letter to my Senate companion sponsor, Senator Michael Bennet, informing him that the Department had determined that: The land management designation in H.R. 823, the CORE Act, should not affect current or future military overflight in Colorado. Mr. Speaker, these bills have nothing to do with China or Kazakhstan and everything to do with protecting crown jewels here in the United States of America, the Grand Canyon and hundreds of thousands of acres of wilderness in my home State of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support these important public land designations and support the amendment being considered by the House. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, as I referenced, I stand today in support of this amendment offered by myself and the distinguished chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, Chairman Grijalva, which would amend H.R. 6395 to add the text of two bills that have already passed this Chamber with bipartisan support, H.R. 823, the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act, or CORE Act, and H.R. 1373, the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act. Both of these bills are imperative, and this amendment would protect public lands and preserve our access to clean air and water across the State of Colorado and Arizona. My bill in particular, the CORE Act, would protect over 400,000 acres of public land, including establishing the first-ever national historic landscape at Camp Hale. This unprecedented designation speaks to the storied legacy of the Army's 10th Mountain Division in Colorado and around the world. It was in the mountains of Colorado in my district that American soldiers received the training that allowed them to defeat Germans in the northern Italian Alps, leading our Nation to victory during World War II. Today, Camp Hale is home to a network of 34 backcountry huts connected by 350 miles of trails. Hut visitors share the special spirit of the 10th Mountain Division in their pursuit of excellence, self- reliance, and love of the outdoors. A National Historic Landscape designation ensures that future generations will be able to learn about the history of the 10th Mountain Division, appreciate these sacrifices of our servicemembers, and enjoy outdoor recreation opportunities. I hope my colleagues will join me in honoring those sacrifices by supporting this amendment today. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva).

Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, I inquire as to how much time remains.

Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the amendment, which would amend H.R. 6395.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, 2020 commemorates the 10-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, historic legislation which has greatly expanded access to healthcare for tens of millions of Americans. For those with pre-existing conditions, and for so many hardworking middle- class families, the ACA truly is a critical law that has provided access to life-saving care. As the President and my Republican colleagues champion the dismantling of the ACA--destruction of progress for millions of citizens with, indeed, no proposal to take its place--I am honored to instead collaborate with my Democratic colleagues to ensure we are building and improving upon the victories of the ACA. That's why I'm proud to champion the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act, which included my bill the Fairness in Social Security Act--legislation to ensure Social Security recipients continue to receive the Affordable Care Act tax credits for which they are eligible. Without this legislation, countless citizens will have the same experience as a constituent of mine, who suddenly and unfairly owed 27 thousand dollars to the IRS. For people with disabilities, veterans, and countless others, this bill will mean the difference between having access to healthcare or not. And that's the bottom line of so many provisions within the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act: without them--and without the ACA as a whole--the lives of our nation's most vulnerable citizens will be at-risk. Now, as our nation faces unprecedented health and economic crises, is the time to improve our healthcare system, not dismantle it. I look forward to working with each and every member on both sides of the aisle who share that goal.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I want to extend my condolences to my good friend and to the Speaker for her recent loss. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a powerful and transformative bill that will ultimately help save lives. In the wake of the tragic deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Elijah McClain, Michael Marshall, and so many others, it is critical and it is our duty to act. As a multicultural and multiracial movement sweeps our Nation and as communities across the country plead for change, it lands on each of us to act. This bill will ban chokeholds. It will bring transparency by standing up the first ever national database of civilian police encounters, and it will provide additional tools to the Department of Justice and State attorneys general for pattern or practice investigations. We must enact these reforms. We must stand up on the side of justice and equality. We must act. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the bills before the House. In Colorado, our small businesses are struggling under these unprecedented economic circumstances. From the mom-and-pop taverns in Gilpin County and Winter Park; the restaurants in Loveland, Fort Collins, and Boulder; Main Street businesses in Nederland and Breckenridge; and the many Colorado businesses that rely on outdoor recreation and ski season, in particular, they never could have planned for this pandemic. We cannot expect them to weather this crisis alone. The Payroll Protection Program has provided critical funds to keep many of these businesses afloat and workers employed. But as we have heard from both sides of the aisle today, many fixes are needed, and that is what we are here today to do. We must ensure that loan forgiveness periods are extended so that small businesses are not on the hook for this money while their doors remain shut. We must extend the program past June 30 as so many of our businesses face increased uncertainty and as our country faces uncertainty about what the future holds in the coming months. We must expand access and transparency and prioritize our veteran-owned and economically disadvantaged businesses. At the end of the day, we must continue to support our local small businesses because they are the lifeblood of our communities, for the sake of our families, our local economies, and our future. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for her strong leadership over the course of this pandemic and my freshman colleague, Representative Phillips, for his leadership in bringing this bill forward. I am proud to support it. Let's get this done for small businesses in Colorado and across America.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, from Eagle County to Gilpin County and every community in between, our communities are looking to us to help them weather this crisis. These aren't red counties; they are not blue counties. They are American counties. This bill is about helping all of America, and in particular, the American heroes who are standing up for us every day, the firefighters, the nurses, the first responders, the teachers, and so many more. They continue to stand up for us. Let's stand up for them. Please, let's pass this bill.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, one of the many leaders of the talented freshman class. Thank you to Majority Leader Hoyer for his leadership. Thank you to Speaker Pelosi for her leadership and our very distinguished committee chairs for their work on this incredible, important bill. As many have said, this bill is far from perfect, but let us be clear about one thing: The American people need relief now, not tomorrow, not next week, not next month--now. And so the question before this Chamber is very simple: Will we step up for the American people? Will we step up for the healthcare workers sacrificing their own health to save the lives of others? For the millions of unemployed across our country in each of our States struggling to make ends meet to pay their rent, to be able to feed their families? For the small businesses in Boulder and Fort Collins and Broomfield and across our country on the brink of collapse? For the scientists at CSU and at NIH and everywhere in between working to develop a vaccine to the COVID-19 pandemic? I pray and I hope that we will step up for them by passing this bill today. Let's get it done. Let's meet this moment.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 473) to authorize the Every Word We Utter Monument to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. NEGUSE

Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 2490, introduced by Representative Fortenberry of Nebraska, would direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility of designating the Chief Standing Bear National Historic Trail. The proposed trail would extend approximately 550 miles from Niobrara, Nebraska, to Ponca City, Oklahoma, tracing the route taken by Chief Standing Bear during Federal Indian removal and their return to Nebraska. The trail would commemorate and elevate the story of Chief Standing Bear, and the trail would memorialize the honor, the courage, and the fortitude of Chief Standing Bear and the Ponca people as they struggled to return to their homeland. It would serve as a reminder of their fight to achieve justice, freedom, and equality. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Fortenberry for championing this important legislation and for his efforts to bring about a greater understanding of Tribal sovereignty and rights. Madam Speaker, I certainly urge my colleagues to support this important bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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