[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 8, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H1337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Garcia) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate President Biden and his administration following 
February's job report.
  678,000, that is the total number of jobs created last month. But 
these are not just any type of jobs. These jobs are good-paying jobs 
that are giving Americans the dignity of a good paycheck.
  In the last 13 months, 7.4 million jobs have been created, and 
unemployment has been slashed from 6.4 percent to 3.8 percent. When the 
President took office, over 18 million people were receiving 
unemployment benefits. Today, only 2 million people remain.
  The bottom line, Madam Speaker, is we are seeing the best economy for 
American workers in decades, with people getting higher wages, better 
benefits, and better jobs across the board.
  Our national deficit has also seen improvement. Under President 
Biden's watch, the deficit fell by $360 billion last year. This is the 
first deficit decline in more than half a decade. Better yet, our 
Nation is on track to cut the deficit even more this year. Biden's plan 
of action will make sure we continue our path to building a better 
America.
  But building a better America requires much more than only economic 
success. It also requires healthy communities. I am proud to share that 
America has had much success on the public health front during Biden's 
first year.
  In my home State of Texas, only 10 percent of the population was 
fully vaccinated this time last year. Today, 60 percent of the entire 
population is fully vaccinated in Texas. On top of that, 21 percent of 
the population have received a booster shot.
  In short, Madam Speaker, our Nation is recovering, and we are 
powering through the challenges COVID-19 created.
  As we continue to recover from COVID-19 and rebuild the economy, we 
also must invest in our infrastructure. Investing in roads, bridges, 
and public transportation is critical. Shockingly, in America, one in 
three U.S. bridges need repairs or replacement. Biden has a plan for 
that, too.
  There are 4,000 infrastructure projects already planned, alongside 
65,000 miles of highway and 1,500 bridges scheduled to be repaired.
  But it is not only highways and bridges that need repairs and 
upgrades. Our ports need improvements as well. In my home area, the 
Port of Houston secured $142,500,000 in new funding because of the 
Biden boom.
  In Houston, the transit authority, METRO, also received more than 
$137 million in Federal funds to strengthen local public 
transportation.
  The best part, Madam Speaker, this is only the beginning. I am truly 
excited that we are really accomplishing much for the American people 
as we work in partnership with President Biden and his boom. We truly 
are building a better America for generations to come.

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