[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 172 (Friday, October 2, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION EXTENSION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 2020

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, over four months ago, the House passed the 
Heroes Act to support our nation's heroes and everyday Americans to 
meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  Unfortunately, the Senate has refused to take up this vital 
legislation, and many senators seem to believe that Congress has 
already done enough. The truth is that the needs of our country have 
only increased. Today 13.6 million Americans are unemployed and 200,000 
Americans have died from COVID-19, with cases rising again around the 
country.
  The House is serious about providing relief to Americans and reaching 
a compromise with the Senate and the White House which is why today's 
Heroes Act is $1.2 trillion less than the original bill we passed in 
March. Although smaller, today's bill still meets the needs of the 
American people by putting money in their pockets to strengthen our 
economy and providing the resources we need to crush the virus. 
Specifically, the updated Heroes Act includes the following:
  An additional $600 per week in Unemployment Insurance through January 
2021;
  A second round of $1,200 checks to most taxpayers and $500 for their 
dependents;
  $75 billion for testing, tracing, and treatment to get COVID-19 under 
control;
  $436 billion to state and local governments who employ heroes like 
first responders and health care workers who are at risk of losing 
their jobs;
  $225 billion for K to 12 school, colleges, and universities to 
address the challenges of distance learning in the new school year;
  $71 billion for renters and homeowners to ensure they don't lose 
their housing during the pandemic;
  Over $15 billion for connectivity, including $12 billion to close the 
homework gap, $3 billion to keep low-income Americans connected, and 
$200 million for telehealth.
  The new Heroes Act is proof that the House is willing to compromise 
in order to deliver desperately needed relief to the American people. 
It's time for the Senate and the White House to meet us halfway so we 
can protect American lives and livelihoods.

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