[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 164 (Tuesday, September 22, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H4654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRESS MUST WORK TO SAVE LIVES, PROTECT LIVELIHOODS

  (Ms. LEE of California asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, this pandemic has taken over 
200,000 lives, bankrupted State and local governments, and destroyed 
our economy, not to mention nearly 20 million people have lost their 
jobs as a result of this devastating public health and economic crisis. 
Communities of color have been hit the hardest.
  My condolences go out to those who have lost loved ones.
  Over 4 months ago, House Democrats passed the HEROES Act, which 
reflects the needs of the American people and allocates the resources 
to save lives and to boost the economy. It has been over 130 days since 
we passed the HEROES Act.
  Since that time, the other body and the White House have done nothing 
to help the American people. Instead, this administration and Senate 
Republicans muzzled scientists and refused to compromise.
  Let me be clear: The White House intentionally downplayed the 
severity of the virus, and now the COVID pandemic has taken lives that 
could have been saved.
  Time is of the essence. I urge my colleagues across the aisle to work 
with Democrats to save lives and protect livelihoods now more than 
ever.

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