Brad Schneider

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleagues in recognition and celebration of the independence of the State of Israel 73 years ago today. Seventy-three years ago today, the United States became the first country to recognize Israel, and I am proud to join those here in the United States and around the world in wishing the people of Israel a happy Yom Ha'atzmaut. Today, we reaffirm the critical, unbreakable bond between our two nations. The United States and Israel have a friendship rooted in our shared values that goes back decades. Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East and one of our most important allies in the world. Today, the cultural and societal bonds between our two countries remains as strong as ever. Today is a day of celebration for Israel: Celebrating her perseverance, economic growth, cultural achievements, and democratic values that have developed in the decades since their independence. Israel's existence as a Jewish, democratic, secure state is vital to both the Jewish community and the peace of the entire Middle East. I vow to continue to do my work supporting and strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship so that we can keep working together for our shared goals. Israel has become a country of innovation and growth, one where there are prospects for peace in the region. I look forward to continuing that relationship.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today regarding a vote I missed on March 17, 2021. Had I been present for Roll Call Vote 88 on the COVID-19 Bankruptcy Relief Extension Act of 2021 (H.R. 1651), I would have voted yea. During the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses and American families have struggled to make ends meet. This bill offers critical support to businesses by extending the bankruptcy relief provisions in the CARES Act for another year. I was honored to vote for these provisions in the CARES Act and am a strong supporter of extending them. In keeping with the spirit of this legislation, I will continue to advocate for relief to small businesses and economic recovery in the wake of COVID.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the incredible achievements of the American Rescue Plan, which will put shots in arms, money in pockets, children in schools, and people in jobs. President Biden's American Rescue Plan will power our efforts to defeat this virus and move America forward. Significantly, experts agree that the American Rescue Plan will cut child poverty in half by expanding the child tax credit and sending $300 per month per child to struggling families on top of the $1,400 check that the American Rescue Plan will put in the pockets of every American. The American Rescue Plan will give schools the resources they need to safely reopen and stay open. It will enable our businesses to hang on and safely cater to their customers while retaining their employees and planning for a better future. Job one for this new Congress and the new administration was always to beat back the virus and lift up our Nation. The American Rescue Plan takes direct aim at COVID-19 and charts the course to bring America back to normal.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, to help constructively change the culture of law enforcement and strengthen the trust between police and the communities they serve. Last summer, communities across the Nation convulsed with raw emotion after George Floyd was brutally murdered by a police officer. His death may have been the spark, but the true force motivating these protests was the systemic racism that harms Black Americans every day. Last June, one month after his death, this House passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, only to see it stall in the Senate. We will vote again on the bill this week. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, these people and countless others should still be alive today. We can't bring them and the others back, but we can honor their memory and, in so doing, strengthen our communities and our Nation. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to implore that my colleagues pass this urgently needed COVID relief for millions of struggling Americans. Across the country, families and friends have had to say good-bye to more than 500,000 loved ones, too often knowing that they have died alone. In our communities, large and small, more than 18 million Americans are receiving unemployment benefits as their only lifeline. Millions of small businesses are on the brink of permanent closure. Schools are struggling to reopen. Meanwhile, the miraculous vaccines offer a light, but it is still at the end of a long and steep tunnel. President Biden's American Rescue Plan will get people back to work, help parents safely send their children back to school, assist our families in paying their bills and our small businesses in building their future. This bill helps people and businesses in every community in Illinois and in every State in America. That is why it has such bipartisan support across the country. It deserves the same support here in Congress. To truly heal our economy and our Nation, we must pass the American Rescue Plan. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I am so pleased to rise today to celebrate an amazing program in my community, Waukegan to College, and to honor this year's class: Alexis Valdovinos, Moises Arreola-Malagon, Daisy Camacho, Maurice Davison Jr., Diana Diaz, Justin Garcia, Jesus Murillo, Jose Ochoa, Giselle Palomar, Emilio Salgado, and Gabriela Serna-Gutierrez. A year-round college readiness service, the Waukegan to College program, or W2C for short, launched in 2009. Over the course of students studies, W2C seeks to advance individual's intellectual and emotional development, cultivating a strong commitment to community and a profound belief that they can build a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities. By establishing high academic expectations and counseling students and their families on the college application process, W2C helps students realize their full potential by making the dream of college a reality. All of these students will be the first in their families to attend college, and were selected for the W2C program due to their impressive academic achievements and their contributions to their local communities. As leaders inside and outside the classroom, these students show tremendous dedication and potential. Strengthening our communities requires building new ladders of opportunity so that all Americans can succeed and thrive. This begins with providing every child, regardless of zip code, access to a high quality, affordable education, and continues by ensuring all families can afford to send their sons and daughters to college. When our nation's talented young people pursue their passions and follow their dreams, they accomplish far more than personal growth. They serve as role models in their communities and their achievements inspire and motivate other young people to equally strive and achieve. These students truly are Champions of Change. I wish them the very best of luck in their academic studies and in all their future endeavors.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the frontline heroes, especially our healthcare workers who are working tirelessly under unbearable stresses to save lives. I thank the researchers and scientists who are developing COVID vaccines. But I also want to plead with my fellow citizens to act responsibly to protect each other in this battle against a deadly virus. Today, Moderna announced remarkable results for a second vaccine on the heels of Pfizer's recent announcement. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel is long, and the road back is still many months away. We can't afford to let our guard down or millions of Americans will get sick and thousands, tens of thousands of our fellow citizens, our neighbors, and our family members will needlessly die. As I speak, America's hospitals, especially in rural and underserved communities, are at capacity. They are airlifting patients to bigger cities. We have reports of growing shortfalls of medical supplies and staff. Our frontline healthcare workers desperately need our help. As we enter the holiday season, I am begging Americans to stay vigilant. Wear a mask, watch your distance, and wash your hands. If you must gather, do so outside, even though it is cold. I know that you want to see your families. I want to see mine. I know that the sacrifice will not be easy, but I also know that there is pain. We can do this. We can beat back this virus, but only if we do it together. If we don't people will die, and God forbid you or your loved one is the last to die before a vaccine.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I am most proud today to rise today to recognize Ms. Lorraine Knuth, a long-time resident of Waukegan, Illinois, who will celebrate her 100th birthday on October 31. I first met Lorraine through Mary Carmody at Midwest Veterans Closet where she has volunteered for many years. In honor of her centenary year, Lorraine has asked for donations to be made to Midwest Veterans Closet to help her construct a new building and expand their service capacity to our men and women veterans in the area. To mark her lifetime of service, I wish to share Lorraine's life story today, for it clearly embodies so much of the opportunity, perseverance, and sacrifice that makes her and our nation so special. Lorraine was born on October 31, 1920, in Langlade, Wisconsin, the seventh of nine children. She excelled in school, entering high school a year early. During the Second World War, Lorraine enlisted in the U.S. Army as part of the Women's Army Corps. After basic training at Daytona Beach, Florida, she headed west to Camp Stoneman in northern California. She served there until the war ended, working in the camp hospital as a Special Diet Cook. After the war, Lorraine met her husband and travelled the world through his military service. She decided to move to Waukegan after visiting her late sister, who was already living in the area. She has lived in the same house for more than sixty years, where she raised her three sons. Today, Lorraine is both a proud grandmother and great-grandmother. Lorraine is a longtime volunteer with Midwest Veterans Closet, and now serves as the organization's Chair. Midwest Veterans Closet provides food, clothing, and other household items for veterans of all ages in the local area, all free of charge. Employment and housing assistance are also offered at no expense as well. In addition to her incredible work at Midwest Veterans Closet, in 2017, Lorraine was just the fourth woman veteran to participate the Lake County Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. In 2019, she was one of a select group of women veterans to be honored by the James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center Annual Women Veterans Lunch. I wholeheartedly congratulate Lorraine Knuth on her 100th birthday and thank her for her service to our community and nation.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), my friend, for yielding me the time. I rise today in support of the COVID PREPARE Act, H.R. 7496. As I stand here, our Nation stands at more than 7 million Americans confirmed infected with the SARS-Cov-2 virus and more than 206,000 American lives lost to COVID-19. The scale and scope of this pandemic is unprecedented in American history, causing dual national crises: one of public health, the other of economic calamity. Over the past 6 months, the pandemic has affected all of us, putting our loved ones at risk, overwhelming our healthcare systems, keeping our kids out of school, devastating our businesses, and pushing State and local governments to the brink. Most experts agree that things are likely to get worse before they get better. According to Reuters, for the week ending September 27, total new cases are up 10 percent from the prior week. Daily new cases are again rising, with The New York Times reporting a 23 percent increase in average daily cases over 2 weeks ago. And The Times shows that more than half of U.S. States already have high rates of infection--at least 15 cases per 100,000 population--or are concerningly facing rising rates of infection. So many people are suffering and looking to their government for relief. They needed help as they navigated the daunting challenges of spring and summer, and they want confidence that the Federal Government, our entire government, has a plan as we head into the fall and winter. Every day I hear from constituents in my community, Illinois' 10th Congressional District, about how they are struggling to cope. I hear from parents juggling full-time jobs while schooling their children; from small business owners scraping to pay their bills and worried they may have to shut their doors forever; from healthcare workers forced to use and reuse their PPE, the personal protective equipment that keeps them safe--for up to an entire week because of ongoing shortages of supplies; from city mayors and village presidents forced into cutting essential services and laying off critical workers; from individuals of all ages and in all stages of life concerned about their future and the future of our country. With the timeline for rolling out a safe and effective vaccine still unknown, it is imperative that the government develop and implement comprehensive strategies for beating back this virus and mitigating its effect on our healthcare system, on our economy, and our lives and our livelihoods. This is not about politics. Congress and the administration must work together to provide immediate relief to those suffering now and get us on a path to full recovery as soon as possible. We can't get there by ignoring our challenges or by wishing them away. We can only get to the other side of these crises with clear-eyed assessment and realistic, fact-based, science-driven solutions. These are the ideas that lie behind the COVID PREPARE Act. This is bipartisan, commonsense legislation, crafted with my friend John Katko, to assure the American people that their Federal Government is fully prepared to address this ever-changing public health crisis and economic crisis. This legislation would require Federal agencies to submit to Congress their plans for addressing surges of COVID-19, anticipating a potential increase in infections and even greater demands on our healthcare system and pressure on our economy. Trying to anticipate the unforeseen is always a difficult task, but any number of our ills--from shortages of PPE, to nationwide testing strategies, to school reopening protocols--could be at least partially cured by thoughtful planning and careful preparation. The COVID PREPARE Act will provide bipartisan oversight and full transparency in both the planning and execution of our national response. The goal of this legislation is not to tell our Federal agencies what to do. Rather, this bill provides the American people transparency and confidence that their government is putting their needs and the needs of our Nation front and center; that the government is anticipating what resources and responses will be required in the immediate, middle, and long-term battle against COVID; and that we are taking the necessary steps at the Federal level to maximize our likelihood of national success. In a time of such great uncertainty, any reassurances we can provide our country should and will be a welcome salve. I will say it again: ending the pandemic should not, should not be a partisan issue. We need to move forward together, Democrats and Republicans. My bill seeks to do just that, and to take an aggressive approach to tackling this urgent public health crisis. We can certainly hope for the best, but we must responsibly prepare for the worst.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentlewoman from Texas, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in support of my bill, H.R. 5602, the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2020. White supremacists and other far-right extremists are the most significant domestic terrorism threat facing the United States. Don't take my word for it. Making that point last week in testimony to the House Homeland Security Committee, FBI Director Christopher Wray stated that domestic violence extremists, DVEs, ``pose a steady and evolving threat of violence and economic harm to the United States.'' He notes in his next paragraph: ``The top threat we face from domestic violent extremists stems from those we identify as racially/ ethnically motivated violent extremists (RMVE).'' RMVEs were the primary source of ideologically motivated lethal incidents and violence in 2018 and 2019. From the Tree of Life synagogue to Walmart in El Paso, Texas, we have all tragically seen the deadly effect. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the number of white nationalist groups rose by 55 percent since 2017. Last November, the FBI reported violent hate crimes reached a 16-year high in 2018, and that number went up in 2019. Groups like the boogaloos, Rise Above Movement, and white nationalist militias across the country are organizing, and so must we. Therefore, we need to equip our law enforcement officials, the FBI, and the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security with the tools necessary to identify, monitor, and prevent acts of violent terrorism. The bill before us today does just that. It establishes offices within the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security and empowers them to coordinate their efforts with each other. It requires them to report to Congress twice a year on the assessment of the threats, ranking them and allocating the resources based on their assessed threats. Congress must, with a single voice, definitively state that if you or your group is plotting violence or taking weapons--be they guns or knives or otherwise--into a crowd to intimidate or coerce others to further your ideological goals, you are a terrorist and will be treated as such. This is not a partisan issue but one that affects all Americans' personal and economic security. This bill passed out of committee with bipartisan support overwhelmingly, 24-2. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' This bill will make a real difference. Again, I thank the chairman and the Speaker for bringing my bill to the House today.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today regarding votes I missed on September 14, resulting from a family emergency, and September 15, 2020, due to a historic signing ceremony at the White House of two agreements decades in the making. Had I been present for Roll Call Votes 183, H.R. 4894, the Congressional Budget Justification Act, and 184, S. 2193, the CHARGE Act, I would have voted yea. These bills have my full support, and I hope they are swiftly signed into law. Additionally, had I been present for Roll Call Votes 185 and 186, on ordering the previous question and agreeing to H. Res. 1107, respectively, I would have also voted yea. The bills brought to the House floor by this rule are long overdue for consideration. In particular, H.R. 2694, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, of which I am a cosponsor, is vitally important legislation. No woman should ever be forced to choose between a healthy pregnancy and her career, but for too long, that has been the reality for many women. Despite existing laws, many workers still face pregnancy discrimination, including job loss, hiring discrimination, or an unsafe work environment. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act establishes clear, reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees, and further ensures that pregnant employees cannot be retaliated against, denied employment opportunities, or be forced to take paid or unpaid leave due to their pregnancy. I look forward to supporting this legislation, as well as others brought forward by this rule.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my two amendments, Amendment No. 137 and Amendment No. 138, both which work to address the incidents of domestic terror that are increasing across the country. According to the Anti-Defamation League, in 2019, domestic extremists killed at least 42 people in the United States in 17 separate incidents. This number makes 2019 the sixth deadliest year on record for domestic extremist-related killings. Last year, a Trump Administration Department of Justice official wrote in a New York Times op-ed that ``white supremacy and far-right extremism are among the greatest domestic-security threats facing the United States.'' Regrettably, over the past 25 years, law enforcement, at both the Federal and State levels, has been slow to respond. It is not enough to just condemn hate; we need to equip law enforcement with the tools needed to identify threats and prevent violent acts of domestic terrorism. I am pleased that these two amendments are included in H.R. 7617 to help address this urgent need to keep Americans safe from these heinous acts of discrimination. The first, Amendment No. 137 allocates $1 million to direct the FBI to track and report to Congress every year on extremist activity in law enforcement agencies. It is critical that our law enforcement agencies are held to the highest standards. My amendment allocates these funds for the FBI to combat white supremacist infiltration of the uniformed services and federal law enforcement. The second, Amendment No. 138, allocates $10 million in funds so that the FBI can assign a special agent or hate crimes liaison to each field office of the FBI to investigate hate crime incidents with a nexus to domestic terrorism, so that the agency has the resources in place to address this national issue. I thank the Committee for including both of these important amendments in En Bloc 2. The time is now to take the grave threat of domestic terrorism seriously. That means not only speaking out but giving our agencies the tools to combat it immediately. I believe these amendments are an important first step to effectively monitoring and putting a stop to extremist violence in America.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of two important bills, H.R. 7027, the Child Care Is Essential Act, and H.R. 7327, the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the gaps in America's childcare system. Even before the current crisis, America faced a dire shortage of quality, affordable childcare. Now, with daycares closed, schools out, and many working from home, parents are struggling between fully attending to their kids' needs and focusing on their jobs. These two bills will lend a hand to working parents. The Child Care for Economic Recovery Act will help ensure parents have quality childcare within their reach. The Child Care Is Essential Act will provide necessary emergency funding for childcare providers, the majority of which are small businesses. Adequate, quality childcare for every working family is critical to successfully opening our economy. Passing these bills will help our children, our working parents, and the countless businesses dependent on their talents. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for organizing this Special Order this evening. This morning the Capitol bid farewell for the last time to our colleague and friend, the inimitable American hero, our beloved John Lewis. In the days since his passing, countless words have been delivered in tribute to John's life, his accomplishments, his character, his importance to our Nation. I have no doubt in the years to come John Lewis will take his place in our history books among not only the champions of the civil rights movement but also in the pantheon of historical giants who have literally reshaped the foundation and recalibrated the moral compass of our Nation. But as our Speaker clearly recognized on Tuesday when his body was brought to lie in state under the Capitol's dome, no words, no matter how great the tribute, can match those of John himself. From his famous speech in 1963 at the March on Washington to his frequent and inspired remarks to his fellow Members of Congress, often in what seemed like the darkest moments, John Lewis' voice thundered, but his words were always uplifting. He talked to us about ``good trouble,'' noting that there is nothing wrong with a little agitation for what is right and what is fair. He instructed us to see all sides of an issue, ``You have to tell the whole truth, the good and the bad, maybe some things that are uncomfortable for some people.'' And he always looked to the future with hope and optimism. ``Take a long, hard look down the road you will have to travel once you have made a commitment to work for change. Know that this transformation will not happen right away. Change often takes time.'' But he also said: ``If you're not hopeful and optimistic, then you just give up. You have to take the long, hard look and just believe that if you're consistent, you will succeed.'' John may have left this Earth, but his inspiration remains deep within us. I hope in the days ahead we can honor his memory by passing into law the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. And wouldn't it be fitting to also rename the Edmund Pettus Bridge-- where 55 years ago John put his life on the line to change the world-- the John Robert Lewis Memorial Bridge to reflect the change that John brought to the world. May his memory remain a blessing for each of us and for our country at these most difficult times and hopefully in better times ahead.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This year's NDAA provides our nation's service members with the resources they need to succeed and upholds the values and protects the interests of our nation with important investments in people, equipment and infrastructure. In addition to paying our troops, getting them the gear they need, and ``providing for the common defense,'' this year's NDAA goes above and beyond. It makes sure that we are preparing for future pandemics, it creates a more inclusive military by establishing a new Chief Diversity Officer, and it takes on climate change. Two other important areas of investment are supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life and fighting domestic terror. Importantly, I want to highlight two provisions that I appreciate are included in this bill. The first is formally codifying the proven Boots to Business training program. Now more than ever, Boots to Business is invaluable for servicemembers transitioning into civilian life and a struggling economy. It's already trained more than 100,000 servicemembers on the essentials of entrepreneurship and business management. This Obama-era program would be codified into law through this amendment. Now turning to my second amendment. For some time now, I have been working to enhance the federal government's efforts to combat domestic terrorism, specifically through my bill, the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2020. Domestic terrorism, and in particular far-right extremism, is a growing threat to our nation. Concerningly, and our military is not exempt from this problem. The military has grappled with extremists, including White supremacist and neo-Nazi, infiltration of their ranks for some time. We saw both active duty and former service members playing a prominent role in the disturbing violence at the White Supremacist Charlottesville rally. And despite statements from military leaders at the time condemning these actions, recent events highlight the need to address this issue urgently. Recent arrests of individuals with ties to the Boogaloo Movement--an extremist organization seeking a second Civil War--include Staff Sergeant Steven Carrillo. Private First Class Shandon Simpson participated in neo-Nazi forums. And Private Ethan Melzer is charged with sharing classified information to a neo-Nazi group in order to plan an attack on his own unit. We cannot let this insidious contamination continue. This year's NDAA will include my amendment to strengthen reporting on extremist activity in the military. We need to fully understand the problem to effectively combat it and root out extremism in the military. While I will continue to seek passage of my Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2020, I am pleased we are taking steps forward with this NDAA with respect to combating extremism in the military and ensuring the safety of all Americans. I have been working hard on these priorities to take care of our service members returning home and to root out extremism and hate. So I'm pleased that these initiatives have been included in this essential piece of legislation.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I count among my life's greatest blessings the distinction of being able to call John Lewis my colleague and my friend. Martin Luther King said the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice. John Robert Lewis spent his entire life working to accelerate and complete that bend fully committed to justice, to nonviolence and, in his own words, to good trouble. John Lewis' incredible capacity for love, his steadfast belief in nonviolence, and his limitless humility inspired all of us, Democrat and Republican, to be better. His singular character established him as the conscience of the Congress. I have too many personal stories to share in a short 1-minute speech, enough stories, in fact, to more than fill the entire hour. I will hold each of these treasured memories in my heart for the rest of my life. I join with my colleagues to honor his legacy and together hope we will continue his work bending that arc toward justice. Rest in peace, John, knowing your memory will be a blessing to your Nation and to all whose lives you touched.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, our Nation is in crisis. Yesterday, the United States added more than 1,000 names to the already unbearably long list of 140,000 people killed by COVID-19. There have been nearly 4 million confirmed cases in the United States, and the CDC believes the number is many times greater. There are hotspots around the country, most notably in Southern States. Many States like California and my State of Illinois that have taken measures to reopen are now looking at rolling back these measures and reinstating greater restrictions to keep their citizens safe. The pandemic has affected all of us, putting our loved ones at risk, keeping our kids from school, overwhelming our healthcare systems, and devastating our businesses while costing 40 million people their jobs and pushing State and local governments to the brink. With so many people and communities suffering, we desperately need a national strategy to beat back this virus. Unfortunately, while families, students, community leaders, and citizens are all making great sacrifices, and local governments are being forced to cut vital services, leadership and support from the administration have repeatedly fallen short. The American people deserve better. All the sacrifices made since March were and are meant to buy us time to bend the curve, knock down this virus, and, ultimately, stand up our economy. But the sacrifices are only valuable if we are using the time to prepare for what many experts believe will be a spike come the fall. Sadly, around the country, testing capacity remains below where it needs to be. Hospitals in many States are over capacity in their ICUs, understaffed, and anxious about still looming shortages of personal protective equipment, or PPE. Six months into this pandemic, it is simply unconscionable that there are still shortages of PPE, the masks, gloves, and gowns we need to safely treat patients, protect workers and residents in our nursing homes, confidently open our schools, and get our economy on the road to recovery. In Illinois, we have lost nearly 7,500 lives to this disease already. With concerns that the disease may get worse this fall, and with conditions already worsening as States struggle to reopen, I am calling on Congress and the administration to take urgent action to address our immediate needs while at the same time preparing for the challenges that lie ahead. It has been nearly 10 weeks since the HEROES Act passed the House and was sent on to the Senate. States and local governments, hospitals and nursing homes, and schools and businesses need the aid provided by the HEROES Act. The Nation needs the supply chain czar included in the HEROES Act. We all need the testing capacity funded by the HEROES Act. Yet, after 10 weeks, the Senate still has neither taken up our legislation nor offered a plan of their own. Instead, they are delaying the Federal response to an urgent national crisis. Ending this pandemic should not be a partisan issue. We need to move forward together, Democrats and Republicans. That is why I am asking my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the COVID PREPARE Act. I introduced this commonsense, bipartisan legislation with my colleague, John Katko, to assure the American people that their Federal Government is prepared to address this ever-changing public health crisis. This legislation would require Federal agencies to submit to Congress their plans for addressing COVID-19 in the fall, anticipating a potential increase in infections and even greater demands on our healthcare system and pressure on our economy. The COVID PREPARE Act will provide bipartisan oversight and full transparency into both the planning and execution of our national response. We all certainly hope for the best, but we must responsibly prepare for the worst.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. At home we have seen firsthand the effects of our Nation's aging and overburdened infrastructure in crumbling roads, inadequate public transit, and more frequent floods. Today's package is not simply about rebuilding our roads, bridges, and rail, though it does all that. The Moving Forward Act is about making smart, transformative investments in our future: investing in rebuilding school infrastructure to help them safely reopen; expanding internet access to underserved communities to close the digital divide; and creating millions of good-paying jobs in the process, lifting up entire communities. I am particularly proud this legislation has been designed with addressing the climate crisis as a top priority. Climate change is an existential threat. We see it in rising lake levels, a record level in Lake Michigan. We see it across the country in stronger storms and longer hurricane seasons, longer fire seasons, and disrupted growing seasons. We have to act now. We have to reduce emissions. We have to build resiliency. To that end, I am proud that this act includes two clean energy provisions I have previously introduced to promote electric vehicle charging stations and incentivize waste heat to power projects. This comprehensive package is transformative legislation that will ensure our Nation's infrastructure is built to ensure our success in the 21st century. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleague to join us in support of this important legislation.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, it was reported that U.S. officials were aware more than a year ago of Russian bounties on the lives of our troops and, further, that President Trump received written intelligence in February, 4 months ago. If true, this represents a gross dereliction of duty. I shudder at the idea that the men and women defending our Nation might not have the full confidence that their Commander in Chief has their back. Mr. Speaker, I am the father of a young Navy officer. I represent Naval Station Great Lakes, where every enlistee receives basic training on their journey from recruit to sailor. I feel a great personal responsibility for everyone who volunteers to risk their lives in service to our Nation. I wish I had confidence that the President felt the same. Mr. Speaker, Congress needs answers as to the truth. Every Member of Congress needs to be briefed by the CIA and the intelligence community. With the truth, Congress can better protect our troops, fulfill America's role as a global leader, and make sure that Russia is held to account for their heinous actions.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I am proud to rise in strong support of H.R. 1425, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. Our country is in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic requiring unprecedented actions, like the HEROES Act the House sent to the Senate more than 6 weeks ago. Beating back this virus will test us in unimaginable ways, and we cannot afford to allow petty politics to push us backward. Sadly, inconceivably, that is exactly what the Trump administration asked from the Supreme Court last week when they argued to fully overturn the Affordable Care Act. With more than 2.5 million infections, and more than 125,000 lives tragically lost, we need to expand access to affordable healthcare; lower the cost of prescription drugs; and improve outcomes for those hardest hit, especially in communities of color and rural communities. Madam Speaker, the end of the Affordable Care Act and other actions previously announced by this administration, with no plan of their own, will instead leave millions of Americans at risk of losing their insurance. It will result in higher premiums for millions of individuals and small businesses. Remember this: The 130,000 of us with preexisting conditions, including those who have been infected with COVID-19, will pay the heaviest price. Madam Speaker, the Affordable Care Act is essential to ensuring Americans have access to affordable and quality healthcare. It is still under attack by our President and his allies. Today, I and my colleagues demonstrate our commitment to protecting it. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act will strengthen the ACA by strengthening protections for those with preexisting conditions. It will ensure that no one pays more than 8.5 percent of their income for quality coverage. It will allow negotiations for lower drug costs. It will help address the inequalities in healthcare faced by so many in our country, especially communities of color. Madam Speaker, this is the kind of bill that should receive bipartisan support in the middle of a historic pandemic, and I urge my colleagues to vote for it.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, we are all concerned about the growing spread of coronavirus, and these concerns are not relieved by troubling stories of shortages of critically needed medical devices, including respirator masks. Concerningly, as our healthcare system responds, it is exposing serious weaknesses in the supply chain for medical devices. These are products providers depend on to deliver lifesaving care. That is why, today, with my colleagues Jan Schakowsky from Illinois and Jody Hice from Georgia, I am introducing important, bipartisan legislation to help the FDA combat the threat. My bill would allow the FDA to act expeditiously to address shortages, including by importing medical devices as needed. It would ensure that the manufacturers are communicating with the FDA about expected shortages of medical devices and that this information is shared transparently with the public. The FDA already has these authorities to act during drug shortages, and we should grant them the same ability to respond to shortages of medical devices. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join us in supporting this commonsense bill.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the irresponsible and immoral budget request proposed by President Trump. The President's shameful betrayal of Americans most in need of vital services comes just days after he stood in this very Chamber and promised he would protect them. A budget reveals our priorities, and this document makes clear President Trump does not prioritize hardworking Americans and their families. Once again, the President goes out of his way to target Americans' access to healthcare and affordable education. In the President's upside-down budget, $500 billion is stripped from Medicare, $900 billion from Medicaid. Student loan funding is cut by $170 billion. Public Service Loan Forgiveness would be completely eliminated. More than $200 billion would be cut from the SNAP program, the safety net for families facing temporary challenges putting food on the table. Madam Speaker, these cuts are wrong, and the House must not let them go forward. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to protect these critical programs that our seniors, working families, young people, and children depend on.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, like so many of my colleagues, I rise today during National Gun Violence Survivors Week. We mark this occasion at the beginning of February because with a gun death rate 10 times greater than other developed nations, more Americans have already been killed with guns in 2020 than are killed in the entire year in our peer countries. We are a Nation suffering an epidemic of gun violence. Each year, more than 36,000 Americans are killed in acts of gun violence, and an additional 100,000 are injured by firearms. The trauma caused by this violence is not limited to the victims. Losing a loved one to gun violence is a wound that never heals. If this were any other epidemic destroying lives on such a great scale, we would have long ago taken action. To be fair, in this House, we did act. Nearly a year ago, we passed bipartisan background check legislation, H.R. 8, to close loopholes that allow gun sales to go unchecked. In the Senate, Leader McConnell is blocking a vote and choosing obstruction over saving lives. Enough is enough. For all the survivors of gun violence, this week, we demand action.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his leadership in moving this bill forward and my colleagues in the House for passing this bill later this evening. I rise today in support of H.R. 943, the Never Again Education Act, of which I am proud to be a cosponsor. Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi's largest death camp and genocidal machine that killed more than 6 million Jewish men, women, and children. It also marks the continuation of our ongoing responsibility to keep a promise made after the Holocaust: ``never again,'' never again to allow the evils unleashed by anti-Semitism, extremism, and hatred to fester, never again to stand idly by in the face of genocide. Last week, I had the solemn honor to visit Auschwitz with a bipartisan congressional delegation led by Speaker Pelosi. Standing before the gas chambers and furnaces, seeing what seemed like infinite piles of personal belongings taken from the victims, endless piles of hair of the people murdered at Auschwitz, I felt a deep responsibility to fulfill the promise once again. Yet, today, in this moment, we are witnessing an increase in anti- Semitism around the world and specifically here in the United States. In 2018, a gunman walked into the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and killed 11 people. It was the worst anti-Semitic attack in our Nation's history, but it was not the last. A synagogue in Poway, a kosher grocery in New Jersey, and a Hanukkah celebration in Muncie-- across the country are increasing numbers of verbal and physical assaults, vandalism, and other acts of anti-Jewish hate. The numbers are truly horrifying. Here we are in this moment, 75 years since the horrors of the Holocaust came into full view, close to a time when there will be no survivors left to tell their story.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Yet, anti-Semitism is just as dangerous today as it was then, and a key lesson of the Holocaust is more important than ever, that in the face of a dramatic rise in anti-Semitism, we must not--indeed, cannot--remain silent. This act is a step toward that aim by empowering the Holocaust Memorial Museum to develop and distribute national education materials for teachers across the Nation. Only by standing strong in our fight against these threats in our time and on our watch can we live up to the sacred promise of ``never again.'' Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''