[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 38 (Monday, March 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E186-E187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. VICTORIA SPARTZ

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 26, 2021

  Mrs. SPARTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1319. This 
$1.9 trillion spending package is being considered without meaningful 
debate and without Republican input. While more than 200 Republican 
amendments were proposed, Democrats only accepted two.
  I personally authored five commonsense amendments to improve 
government transparency and accountability, assist juvenile justice and 
foster care systems, and address concerns with standardized testing. 
All of them were unanimously rejected by Democrats.
  We must take action to address the consequences of the coronavirus 
pandemic, but this bill does not address the concerns of everyday 
Americans. It addresses the desires of the Majority. It also does not 
address small business struggles. Instead, it adds more regulations on 
businesses already suffering from the pandemic.
  Less than nine percent of the $1.9 trillion authorized in this bill 
goes to defeating COVID-19. Under this package, taxpayers will have to 
finance the wish list of the Majority passed under the guise of relief.
  Democrats' partisanship stands in the way of meaningful discussions 
about how to best

[[Page E187]]

serve our constituents. The American people need Congressional action 
to crush COVID-19. While there are portions of this bill I could 
support, I cannot support it in its current form.

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