[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 96 (Monday, June 10, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E727-E728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. BRADLEY SCOTT SCHNEIDER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 10, 2019

  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today regarding votes I missed 
on June 3, 2019, due to health reasons.
   Had I been present for Roll Call Vote 232, on the disaster 
supplemental appropriations package, I would have voted yea. The 
federal government plays a critical role in helping communities across 
the country respond to

[[Page E728]]

and rebuild from natural disasters. But aid to these communities has 
been long delayed and I think it is unacceptable that these communities 
are being needlessly denied the assistance they needed. I was honored 
to vote previously for this aid relief and would have certainly done so 
again. The overwhelming margin by which this legislation passed is 
testament to the long-held agreement on the federal government's role 
in responding to these disasters.
   As climate change continues to exacerbate these sorts of weather 
events--from drought-stoked wildfires to climate-exacerbated flooding--
we need to make sure the federal government is not only responding to 
these events but working to mitigate their damage before they strike. 
As we invest in infrastructure, climate resilience must be a top 
priority so that these sorts of weather events don't continually cost 
more in response funding each year.
   Additionally, had I been present for Roll Call Vote 233 on H.R. 
2940, which extends authorization for the Temporary Assistance for 
Needy Families (TANF) program through the end of the fiscal year, I 
would have voted yea. TANF is a crucial resource for thousands of 
families throughout Illinois--and throughout the Tenth District. While 
I look forward to a more thorough policy discussion on how we can 
improve and expand TANF in the coming years, I believe it was essential 
that Congress provide certainty to families and communities that rely 
on these programs. I was encouraged that Illinois saw a benefit 
increase for the first time in over a decade, but Congress must have a 
more robust discussion on how we can expand these benefits in the 
future while ensuring the long-term sustainability of this program.

                          ____________________