March 31, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 63 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E337-E338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 27, 2020

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, in my congressional career I've served 
during many challenging times. Each one required Members of Congress to 
understand the national crisis, appreciate the separation of powers, 
and know his or her district.
  Some events were long and protracted like impeachment, but others, 
like 9/11 for example, hit like a lightning strike, unpredictable, 
powerful and life altering. The coronavirus outbreak is one of these 
events that struck out of the blue.
  Yes, it started in China. Yes, the world was slow to understand its 
true danger. But even as the world scurries around in an attempt to 
mitigate its damage and slow its spread, the United States is rising to 
the challenge with unheard of speed--amazingly so during this time of 
divided chambers and divided government.
  On March 4, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental 
Appropriation Act was signed into law. This quick response provided $4 
billion to increase the availability of tests. $2.2 billion went to the 
Centers for Disease Control and $1 billion to state and local response 
efforts. It also jump-started public and private efforts toward 
developing a vaccine (which is already being tested).
  On March 18, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed 
into law. The bill's $2.5 billion ensured that the government would 
cover the cost of testing. Anyone becoming sick themselves, or needing 
to care for an infected loved one, would be entitled to paid leave. 
Food assistance was expanded for the needy. Some federal Unemployment 
Insurance requirements were also relaxed, making it easier to apply and 
quicker to receive benefits.
  On March 27, the Coronavirus Aid and Relief and Economic Security 
(CARES) Act will be signed into law. This bill directed cash assistance 
to most Americans. In my district, two-thirds of my constituents are 
eligible for the full amount and 97 percent of all households in my 
district should be eligible for some amount. For those who may not need 
this cash assistance for themselves, the bill also authorized a $300 
charitable tax deduction whether a taxpayer itemizes or not.
  To help ensure workers have jobs to return to, the CARES Act provided 
$500 billion to the Treasury Stabilization Fund to make loans, loan 
guarantees and other investments. To benefit, borrowers must maintain 
employment levels as March 24, 2020 and retain 90 percent of employees. 
The bill also directed $349 billion to the Small Business 
Administration's 7(a) Loan Program. These loans will be administered 
through local financial institutions and are available to eligible to 
small businesses, independent contractors, self employed individuals, 
nonprofits and veteran organizations.
  Other notable provisions of the CARES Act included $100 billion for 
unreimbursed COVID-19 costs, $1.32 billion for community health 
centers, $15.5 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
Program (known more commonly as food stamps), $25 million for long 
distance learning and telemedicine through USDA Rural Development, and 
liability protection for medical device manufacturers. The provisions 
in the CARES Act are much more extensive than my short summary, and I 
would direct those interested in learning more about the bill to the 
Ways and Means Committee website.
  It is always fashionable to look for someone to blame in these 
situations. Even within our legislative branch, Members have 
communicated for or against certain aspects of the response, whether 
for sincere policy objections or in hopes of gaining some local 
political benefit. Make no mistake, this always happens because it's 
part of our human nature. The Framers understood this well, and that's 
why our bicameral legislative branch creates its own checks on each 
Chamber. The Senate remains the cooling saucer of debate, just as 
Washington and Jefferson discussed more than two centuries ago.
  In times like these, I'm thankful we have a constitutional republic 
under a federal system

[[Page E338]]

of governance, with the limited duties and powers of the federal 
government spelled out clearly in our Constitution. Over the years the 
federal government has crept into the responsibilities of the states, 
but the 10th Amendment stipulates that if those duties are not listed 
they are the responsibility of the states. We are partners and all have 
to play our respective part. I think the Congress, in passing three 
response bills in twenty-three days, has done its part.
  I am also a capitalist and believe that free markets provide the 
highest quality goods and services at the lowest cost. I also believe 
in risk and reward--the power of individuals or groups raising capital 
and assuming risk with the hope of earning a return on that investment. 
Notice I say ``hope'' because in a free market a return is not 
guaranteed. During the financial collapse of 2008 I voted against the 
Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). I did so because the market 
collapse was due to bad management and those responsible should have 
borne the cost. I also believed allowing this to occur would speed up 
the recovery.
  This market involvement is fundamentally different. For me and many 
conservatives this is a takings debate. The government--whether 
federal, state or local--is forcing businesses to freeze economic 
activity. In essence, the government is depriving businesses of income 
they would otherwise be free to earn. What we have done in the third 
coronavirus bill is attempt to keep the employee and employer afloat 
until economic activity can resume, and to compensate those who have 
been ordered to forgo the fruits of their investment and labor.
  As a retiring Member I have the ability to step back and observe the 
big picture while still having access to some inner rooms, or in this 
case some inner (and many) conference calls. The crying and gnashing of 
teeth has occurred on both sides. Whether it was Republicans attacking 
Speaker Pelosi for delaying the process with her attempt to jam in 
Green New Deal inspired provisions, or Democrats attacking Congressman 
Massie who thought it was not too much to ask for a recorded vote on an 
unpaid-for $2 trillion spending bill that would immediately increase 
the national debt to $25 trillion.
  Members were thrown into a real quandary by the looming request for a 
recorded vote on this bill. Some were hunkered down in D.C. Most, like 
myself, were hunkered down in our home districts. Many Members would 
make a long drive to D.C. while others would risk air travel. To some 
it was an impossible commute with the limited time. I have the concern 
of an elderly parent living with me. Emotions were running high for 
everyone.
  I think that what we observed is Congress working at its best. A 
recorded vote was requested by Congressman Massie, which was his right. 
Democrat Whip Clyburn and Republican Whip Scalise did their jobs and 
counted to ensure that a quorum of 216 Members were present. If my 
inside information is correct, 130 Democrats along with 120 Republicans 
were present. But while the Rules of the House dictate that any Member 
may ask for a recorded vote, his or her request must be supported at 
least one-fifth of a quorum. No one joined Congressman Massie in 
support of his request.
  Mr. Speaker, the bill will pass by voice vote and signed into law 
that same day. Members were also given the opportunity to include in 
the Record how they would have voted, should a recorded vote have been 
ordered. I would have voted yes.

                          ____________________