[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 21 (Thursday, February 4, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            COVID-19 RELIEF

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the bipartisan 
Restoring Communities Left Behind Act.
  This legislation establishes a $5 billion neighborhood infrastructure 
stimulus program at the Department of Housing and Urban Development to 
help communities face down the dire COVID-19 economic crisis.
  I am grateful for the cooperation and leadership of Michigan 
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for leading this bill with me, and also for 
Chairwoman Maxine Waters for encouraging our efforts.
  In addition to COVID-19, Americans in rural and urban areas are still 
suffering from the effects of the 2008 Great Recession, decades of job 
washout, and redlining. Wall Street's malfeasance resulted in African 
Americans alone losing nearly half of their accumulated wealth since 
the founding of the Republic.
  Nothing is more important for wealth creation than owning a home. 
This bill will provide a lifeline for families to restore financial 
security through homeownership.
  The bill is a critical job-creation program. By investing in 
neighborhood infrastructure, we are investing in skills training and 
creating good paying jobs.
  Congress must act now to provide stimulus for neighborhoods to 
recover so they emerge more resilient. I look forward to working to 
include this bill in a larger COVID relief and recovery package. I urge 
my colleagues to support this important housing recovery legislation.

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