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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
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speech of
HON. ANN WAGNER
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Friday, March 27, 2020
Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I care deeply about the health of our
citizens and our economy. We are in the midst of a National Emergency
that has taken lives, disrupted the economy, and threatened the health
and economic security of our nation. Americans have called on Congress
to pass legislation that provides relief, and we cannot let another day
go by without answering that call. While this bill is not perfect, and
I disagree with a number of specific provisions within, unprecedented
crises demand unprecedented solutions, and I am confident the CARES Act
as a whole will assist Missourians and Americans around the country in
our time of need.
COVID-19 has prevented too many Americans from working to support
their families, and could overwhelm our heroic health care workers and
other first responders. I have worked day and night with my colleagues
in Congress and our state and local officials to find a way to get
people back on their feet. Just days ago partisanship threatened to
destroy all of that work, abandoning the people who need this
assistance most. But I am grateful that Leader McConnell was able to
get a historic and unanimous vote in support through the Senate, and
that Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer finally realized they needed to
put politics aside and join us in placing our countrymen and women
above petty political fights.
Americans are resilient and, although these are difficult times, I
have faith we will emerge stronger as a nation, a people, and an
economy. The CARES Act will help Missourians get back to work, keep
businesses open, and allow our economy to rebound. This legislation
gives financial support directly to families and workers who need it
most and provides assistance to struggling small businesses so they can
keep their doors open and pay their employees. If you have lost your
job, unemployment insurance has been expanded so you can feed your
family and keep a roof over your heads during this uncertain time, and
this was done in a temporary fashion so we do not disincentivize people
from working. Our health care workers and first responders who have
worked long hours on the front lines of this crisis will receive vital
personal protective equipment and other resources to keep up the fight.
This is an extraordinary piece of legislation, but the work doesn't
stop here. Congress will keep working to improve upon this legislation,
mitigate the effects of this pandemic, and ensure the safety of the
American people.
I am disappointed that Democrats insisted on adding many extraneous
provisions that are not relevant to the crisis at hand. Millions of
dollars for forest research and other items do not belong in urgent
coronavirus relief legislation. I am also extremely concerned they
insisted on including over $1 billion for Amtrak and $10 billion for
the Postal Service. We can have a reasoned debate on these items, but
in another forum. The issue at hand is relieving our distressed
families and small businesses, not trying to tack on political pet
projects when so many people across America need our help. We are in a
National Emergency and it is shameful Democrats tried to force through
partisan issues, including aggressive union mandates and taxpayer
funded abortion. I fought these provisions and am grateful they were
ultimately left out of the final bill.
____________________
