[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 100 (Thursday, May 28, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PANDEMIC HEROES COMPENSATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 28, 2020

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the Committees 
on the Judiciary and on Homeland Security, and founder and Co-Chair of 
the Congressional Coronavirus Taskforce, I rise in strong support of 
the Pandemic Heroes Compensation Act, a bill that would create a 
compensation fund for all essential workers and personnel who have been 
injured or impacted by COVID-19.
  Modeled after the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, the fund 
would provide compensation for injuries to any individual, or the 
families, across all essential industries who were deemed an essential 
worker and required to leave their homes to perform their services and 
became ill or died as a result of COVID-19.
  Every day we learn more about the unprecedented impact that the 
COVID-19 virus has had on American lives across the nation.
  To date, there are more than 1,676,401 confirmed cases, over 98,000 
dead, including 54,509 cases and 1,506 deaths in my home state of 
Texas, and 10,921 cases and 221 deaths in Harris County.
  On top of that, by taking the necessary measures to slow the pandemic 
and `flatten the curve' so as not to overwhelm the nation's health care 
system, economic activity in the United States has experienced a severe 
shock to the system.
  More than 40 million initial unemployment claims in the past month 
alone.
  In addition, on March 23, 2020, the Dow Jones Industrial Average 
(DJIA) dipped to 18,321.62, which is even lower than it was on Election 
Night 2016, and far below the 19,827 mark where it stood on January 20, 
2017.
  In other words, Madam Speaker, all the gains that were made to the 
stock market and heralded by this Administration as evidence of its 
genius have been wiped out, depleting the retirement savings and 401(k) 
funds of millions of ordinary Americans.
  We will overcome this crisis and become better and stronger for it.
  But we must never forget who waged the battle to contain the 
pandemic, risking their lives and livelihoods on the frontline.
  Courageous first responders, transit workers, brave healthcare 
workers, fearless grocery store clerks and delivery workers, as well as 
many other federal, state, local and tribal employees who have been 
deemed essential workers.
  These workers are risking their health and safety to continue to 
provide essential services to their communities and our families.
  As recently as April 2020, the Center for Disease Control reported 
that over 9,200 health care professionals have been diagnosed with 
COVID-19 and 27 have died from the virus.
  Research shows that essential workers often work in low-wage 
positions that require risky face-to-face interactions without adequate 
protection; they are disproportionately African American or Hispanic.
  They are most at risk of illness during the COVID-19 pandemic, but in 
many cases, least able to afford the financial setback that can result 
from any interruption in work.
  When a loved one becomes ill on the job, the cost of healthcare and 
lost wages can create additional burden on families.
  Madam Speaker, we have a moral and patriotic obligation to stand 
behind them and their families by ensuring their financial stability.
  Now, more than ever, our essential workers need help and I urge all 
Members to join me in voting to pass the Pandemic Heroes Compensation 
Act.

                          ____________________