[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17624]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



COMMITMENT TO ADDRESS NEEDS OF WORKERS AFFECTED BY EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 
                                   11

  (Mr. GEPHARDT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, as we work to address the problems 
affecting our airlines, we must not forget the men and women who have 
lost their jobs as a consequence of the tragic events of September 11. 
These workers are without income, without health care coverage for 
themselves and their families, and without a clear path right now to 
future employment opportunities. I had hoped that we would be able to 
include something in this package to meet the needs of these American 
workers and their families. In my view, it is not right, and it is not 
fair, for these workers and their families to be denied these 
fundamental necessities after having lost their jobs through no fault 
of their own because of this national disaster. Working families are 
the backbone of our economy and our greatness as a Nation. I would hope 
that we would not ignore their plight now. I would ask the Speaker, who 
has worked hard with us to produce this legislation, if he could commit 
to me to address this problem in the coming weeks.
  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield, I agree with 
the minority leader that we need to ensure that the safety net is 
strong and secure for all working Americans. And it is. Displaced 
workers need access to financial assistance as they work to get back on 
their feet. They have it. They need to be able to maintain their 
current health coverage without being thrown into the individual 
insurance market. Under current law, they can keep their same coverage. 
And for those workers unlikely to make it back to their old jobs, we 
need to ensure that they have access to adequate training programs. And 
we have. As the leader knows, due to the bipartisan progress over the 
years in this Congress, those pledges are secure.
  But that does not mean that we should not consider proposals to do 
even more. The leader and I have discussed ways to address the unique 
health care needs of these working Americans as they seek employment. 
The committees of jurisdiction have already been examining proposals to 
assist in this area. We will take a comprehensive look at the health 
care needs of these displaced workers and work together to bring an 
appropriate legislative response to the floor as soon as possible. In 
the meantime, working Americans should know that the safety net is 
there, it is strong, and it is working.
  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Speaker of the 
House. He has dealt with me through these difficult days in an 
honorable and very good way. I appreciate it. I know all the Members 
appreciate it on our side as well.

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