[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 47 (Friday, March 12, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT

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                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 10, 2021

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that the Senate has 
passed and the House is now expected to re-pass the ``American Rescue 
Plan Act of 2021'' (H.R. 1319), for President Biden to sign into law.
  This critical legislation provides federal relief totaling more than 
$218 billion to state governments and more than $140 billion to county 
and municipal governments. State and local governments will use this 
federal relief to continue providing essential services to the American 
public. With this soon-to-be law, Congress has answered President 
Biden's call to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic, rebuild our economy, and 
help Americans return to normal life once we have widespread 
vaccination.
  While this soon-to-be law does not include my ``Special Districts 
Provide Essential Services Act'' (H.R. 535), I hope that states will 
use the flexibility provided under the ``American Rescue Plan Act'' to 
pass though some federal relief to the 2,700 special districts in 
California and 30,000 special districts nationwide providing essential 
public services cities and counties do not provide to residents. Those 
services include first responders, policing, firefighting, public 
health, and more, making special districts indeed critical to the 
communities they serve. Special districts must now make their case 
directly to each state's Governor.
  I want to thank my colleagues who cosponsored H.R. 535 and U.S. 
Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) for sponsoring the companion legislation.
  I plan to continue working to ensure that special districts can 
access the Federal Reserve's Municipal Liquidity Facility in the 
future, as called for in my ``Special Districts Provide Essential 
Services Act.'' Like states, counties, and cities, many special 
districts serve large populations and have the legal authority to issue 
short-term tax and revenue anticipation notes. However, special 
districts are not currently guaranteed access to the Municipal 
Liquidity Facility, even to offset revenue shortfalls caused by this 
ongoing pandemic or similar emergencies.
  Congress must ensure that local governments including special 
districts have the federal support needed to deliver crucial quality-
of-life services to communities during this global pandemic and future 
national emergencies.

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