[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 214 (Thursday, December 17, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H7253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 STAND UP FOR AMERICANS WHO ARE TRYING TO SURVIVE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I thought about every day I would 
rise to emphasize the number of Americans who have died in the last 24 
hours because of COVID-19, some 3,000-plus; 300,000 Americans have 
already died, a half a million are expected to lose their life by the 
beginning of the year.
  It is crucial that we, without ceasing, pass a COVID-19 package that 
includes a lifeline for families that are trying to survive: cash 
payment; unemployment; more money for vaccines; more testing; more 
money to stop evictions; more money for small businesses, restaurants, 
and our transportation community.
  But more importantly, children are losing parents. And the holiday 
season is coming, and many are not even thinking about another surge 
like we had from Thanksgiving.
  Madam Speaker, I beg of America to prayerfully commemorate, 
celebrate, love this holiday season, but it should be a skinny season 
to save lives.
  Save lives.
  And we must pass a COVID-19 package, not leave until we get it done.
  Americans are dying, and that means that we have to stand up, and 
stand up for them, and I am here on the floor to stand up for them.

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