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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E711-E712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
______
speech of
HON. JOHN B. LARSON
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R.
7617, the Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water
Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor, Health
and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban
Development Appropriations Act, 2021.
This defense funding package continues to make strong investments in
our nation's national security and in turn Connecticut's robust defense
manufacturing base. It also includes a needed pay raise for our troops.
Thousands of Connecticut residents work on programs supporting our
military and many more benefit
[[Page E712]]
from economic activity these contributions bring to our state. This
funding will help spur Connecticut's economy during these difficult
times and secure thousands of jobs at larger employers like Pratt &
Whitney and hundreds of smaller suppliers across the First District and
the state.
Throughout the years, the Connecticut delegation has worked hand in
glove with suppliers, companies, and educators to bring Connecticut to
the forefront of advanced manufacturing. The Delegation, led by Joe
Courtney and Rosa DeLauro, have worked hard to ensure not only the
manufacturing base, but the supply chain remain on top. This was
recently demonstrated in the Hartford Courant, which cited a Pew
Charitable Trusts Study that said: `Pentagon contract spending powers
Connecticut to No. 1 in US.' This builds on the work of the F-35 Joint
Strike fighter caucus which I'm proud to co-chair. This is good news
for our supply chain and economy during a time when commercial spending
is down. These military contracts will keep these jobs going.
In addition to the vital funding that directly contributes to our
state, this package fights back against the President's ill-conceived
border wall, by preventing the use of Defense funds being used for the
wall. It also ensures that the President cannot go to war without
Congress's authorization by prohibiting funds from being used in
contravention of the War Powers Resolution. It specifically prohibits
funds for any use of military force in or against Iran and repeals both
the 2001 and the 2002 war authorizations. The power to go to war lies
with Congress, not the President. These are important provisions to
ensure the Executive Branch does not overstep its authority.
The passage of the FY 2021 Labor-HHS Appropriations package is a win
for millions of Social Security beneficiaries. It blocks a proposed
rule that would dramatically increase the frequency of continuing
disability reviews. These reviews can be extremely difficult for
individuals with severe disabilities to navigate and can lead to
wrongful loss of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
benefits when they are unable to complete the complex process. This
rule was an attempt to throw beneficiaries off the rolls. The bill also
blocks a Trump Administration proposed rule to deny individuals their
right to appeal a denial of Social Security or SSI benefits before an
Administrative Law Judge.
I am thankful for the leadership of Chairwomen Nita Lowey and Rosa
DeLauro for making this happen. Chairwoman DeLauro always fights for
the least among us and she continued that with this bill.
____________________