legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. mcgovern: madam speaker, today the rules committee met and reported a rule, house resolution 198, providing for a motion to concur with the senate amendment to h.r. 1319, the american rescue plan act of 2021. the rule provides two hours of debate on the motion equally divided among the controlled -- equally divided and controlled by the chairs and rarnging minority members of the -- ranking minority members of the kegs on budget and ways and means -- committees on budget and ways and means. madam speaker, a once in a century pandemic brought us need to act. and a democratic congress and a democratic president have seized the moment. not as a chance to help big corporations or the already well-off, as those on the other side have done over and over again, but as an opportunity to invest in our workers, our students, and our communities,

and the very people who need help the most. more than 18 million americans are receiving unemployment benefits today. nearly 24 million adults are going hungry. roughly 12 million children are living in households with food insecurity. up to 40 million people cannot afford to pay rent and fear eviction. over two million women have been forced to leave the workforce. and eight of 10 minority businesses are on the brink of closure. that is what covid has wrought in america today. this is more than a band-aid. this is a lifeline, madam speaker. it will put more vaccines in arms, put more kids back safely in schools, put more money in people's pockets, and put more people back to work. it's hard to overstate just how important this is. this bill, madam speaker, attacks inequality and poverty

in ways we haven't seen in a generation. this legislation makes the biggest investments in our workers and in our middle class than i have seen in my 2 1/2 decades of service here. make no mistake, i'm disappointed to see the cut in unemployment insurance made over in the senate, and we are going to keep fighting to raise the minimum wage so that no one who works full time lives in poverty. we are going to keep focusing on the hunger crisis in this country until we end it once and for all. these should be fundamental priorities of the wealthiest nation on the planet. but let's be clear. today, we are on the doorstep of history. we are about to send the most sweeping and progressive economic investment in modern times to the president of the united states. $1,400 in direct payments. a historic child allowance.

school infrastructure. an expansion of the affordable care act. student loan relief. billions in rental assistance. aid that will cut child poverty in half. and i could go on and on and on. everything included in this final package is necessary to crush the virus and revitalize our economy. and as i've noted, i've been in congress for more than 20 years, but this, madam speaker, this is among my proudest moments. i want to thank our distinguished speaker, nancy pelosi, my fellow committee chairs who worked so hard on this bill. i want to thank budget chair, congressman yarmuth. and all of my colleagues here in the house for getting us to this point. democrats on both sides of the capitol, together with the biden administration, have crafted something historic. and in one day, with a single

vote in favor of this bill, we will change the lives of millions of americans for the better. for all of our important workday in and day -- work day in and day out, we don't get many chances like this. and i urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting for this rule and the underlying rescue plan. let us rise and meet this moment. and let's send this historic bill to the president's desk for his signature. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. and i thank the chairman, mr. mcgovern, for yielding me the customary 30 minutes. and i'll i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for such time as he may consume. mr. burgess: madam speaker, today's rule provides for consideration of the senate amendment to h.r. 1319, the american rescue plan act of 2021. first, the house considered the budget resolution, setting the

budget reconciliation instructions for this massive coronavirus relief bill. then, the house considered and passed on a partisan basis the budget resolution authorizing a deficit increase of nearly $2 trillion. after an all night vote-a-ramma in the senate, the house -- vote-a-rama in the senate, the house will consider this yet another time. three times the house will debate and pass a partisan package and only 9% is dedicated to actually crushing the coronavirus. this isn't just disappointing. it's irresponsible and it's unrepresentative of the american people. currently, democrats only hold the majority by five representatives. that means that the 211 republicans representing nearly 150 million americans have been shut out of this process.

150 million americans are not represented in the package before us today. madam speaker, we all want to provide the resources to successfully emerge on the other side of the pandemic. this bill does include funding for testing and vaccine deployment as well as some economic support and aid to those who are unemployed or experiencing food shortages. but this support is not targeted toward those identified as most vulnerable. this bill includes $1,400 in economic stimulus payments to anyone making $75,000 a year or less, including those who may not have lost their jobs or experienced reduced employment. in addition, there is no mechanism to ensure that these payments go only to american citizens. republicans were pleased that the infrastructure projects in california and new york,

projects that had nothing to do with coronavirus relief, well, they've been removed and we're glad of that. my democratic colleagues may argue these projects would have created jobs. but why, then, are democrats providing $125 billion to schools even if they remain closed? teachers want to teach. teachers want to be safely in their classrooms teaching. the centers for disease control has confirmed that with appropriate safety precautions, the risk of coronavirus transmission in the schools is minimal. in fact, many states are prioritizing teachers for vaccines. as you know, madam speaker, our state of texas is doing so. why are we paying schools to keep them home? this bill also provides $362 billion for state and local governments. the cares act -- remember the cares act? it passed on march 27.

the cares act already provided $150 billion coronavirus relief fund to help local entities with lost revenue during the shutdowns. however, many local authorities have chosen to keep their economies shut down, despite a drop in coronavirus cases, and the effectiveness of safety measures, like social distancing and mask wearing. congress should not bail out state and local governments for mismanagement that occurred prior to the pandemic. the total revenue loss of state and local governments during the pandemic is $7.6 billion. this bill provides over $219 billion, and it's available until expended. let me say that again. it's available until expended. that's $200 billion more than the lost revenue due to the pandemic. the crisis with which this bill is meant to fix.

this bill also provides $400 million for emergency food and shelter program with $110 million set aside specifically for humanitarian relief to families and individuals encountered by department of homeland security officials. . president biden has worked to overturn the advances achieved by the trump administration to limit board ircrossings by those undocumented, which is particularly concerning given that limited coronavirus testing is occurring along our southern border. just recently, over 100 individuals crossing without documentation tested positive for the coronavirus, but were subsequently released into the interior of the united states. we cannot allow the desires of foreign nationals to come before the needs of american citizens. we should provide testing and personal protective equipment to all encountered along our

southern border so we can protect our front-line officials and protect american communities. these are only a few of the concerning provisions included in this so-called relief package. republicans' participation in this process was extremely limited by democrats. bipartisanship is not unprecedented. we came together to pass prior coronavirus relief bills, literally one year ago, march of last year, we passed three bipartisan coronavirus relief packages through the house and the senate. and we can do so again. why now are the democrats deciding republicans are not worthy partners and limiting the voices of our constituents? why should only half of the congress be allowed to participate in the making of a law that will affect the entire country? is only half of the american

population worth saving? that's the question that is being asked today. with that, i urge opposition to the rule, and i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. mr. mcgovern: i would like to ask unanimous consent to insert in the record an article that appeared in politico entitled check bipartisanship at the door. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. mcgovern: i raise that because the only place where this bill isn't bipartisan is here in washington. republican mayors and republican governors all across the country want this bill. 70% of the american people want this bill. but here in washington, my republican friends think they know better than their constituents. they have what we call potomac fever or gone washington on their constituents. people back home need help. people back home are struggling.

businesses have been devastated because of this pandemic. and this is a bill -- this is a bill designed to help the american people. and before i yield to the gentlelady from connecticut, we are about to be treated to theatrics and i understand they want to delay the passage of this bill and bring up an alternative, a bill that they claim is going to help our schools but provides no new funding. what we are doing here, madam speaker, we are not only providing our funding to help our schools reopen safely, we are providing money to help those unemployed, to help those who are hungry and help our cities and towns cities and towns that are laying off first responders. we are in a moment where everybody in this house needs to stand and be counted. and on this side of the aisle -- and i hope our republicans join

with us -- we are going to stand with the people. we are going to stand with the people. i yield two minutes to the the gentlewoman from connecticut, ms. delauro. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from connecticut is recognized for two minutes. ms. delauro: after a year of battling this pandemic, our communities are on the edge and the american rescue plan is here. to the american public, help is on the way. it will put money directly into people's pockets, $1,400 per person payments will help people deal with increasing debt, paying represent and buying food. state and local funding is necessary to prevent our state and local governments from relying on tax increases to stay afloat and keep responders, front-line health workers and other providers vital services on the jobs. one of the services that i'm

proud of is the expansion and the improvement of the child tax credit. and this plan, the credit increases from $2,000 to $300 for children 6-17 and think of that. it is a new lifeline for the middle class and it cuts child poverty nearly in half. franklin roosevelt lifted seniors out of poverty, 90% of them with social security. and president biden is going to lift millions and millions of children out of poverty. as families struggle, this plan provides for hard-working americans and $12 billion in emergency food assistance and extension of increased food stamps and relief provides $45 billion for rental and mortgage assistance. it is time to make a bold

investment in the health and security of the american people. a watershed moment. historic piece of legislation. we will vote for the american ress view plan with the determination to adequately meet the moment with strength, with action and with hope. and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. burgess: i would like to yield to the gentlelady from iowa for purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized. >> i unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the chair would advise that all time has been yielded -- the chair would advise that all time has been yielded for the purpose of debate only. the gentleman yield? mr. mcgovern: all time yielded

is for purposes of debate only the speaker pro tempore: the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts does not yield. therefore the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i yield to the gentleman from california, distinguished republican leader for the purpose of the unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. mccarthy: i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair now recognizes the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. thraffer the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. mr. burgess: i now would yield to the gentleman from arkansas, mr. craund, for the purpose of unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. crawford: i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and

back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. thraffer the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. mr. burgess: i yield to the gentleman from georgia, mr. hice, for the purpose of unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. hice: i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682 the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. thraffer, unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i yield to the gentleman from virginia, mr. goo good. >> i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 8682 to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classrooms. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose, thraffer the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. mr. burgess: i yield to the

gentlelady from texas for the purpose of unanimous consent request. >> i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, reopen schools act to get our schools out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the sm the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded and unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. mr. burgess: i yield to the gentlelady from arizona, mrs. lesko. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentlelady is recognized. mrs. lesko: i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and back into the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose, therefore the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i yield to the gentleman from louisiana, mr.

johnson. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. johnson: i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682 the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classrooms the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded. therefore the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. mr. burgess: i now yield to the gentleman from south carolina, mr.¦wilson, for the purpose of the unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from south carolina is recognized. mr. wilson: i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682 to get our kids from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. mr. burgess: i yield to the gentleman from iowa. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. >> mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and

back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose, therefore the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i now yield to the the gentleman from iowa. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. >> i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair runses that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose, therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i now yield to the gentleman from texas, mr. fallon, for the purpose of unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. fallon: i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and

back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. therefore the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i yield to the gentleman from north carolina, mr. cawthorn for the purpose of unanimous consent request. mr. cawthorn: unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682 the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and back into the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair runses that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded. the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i yield to the gentleman from texas, a valuable member of the doctorso caucus, ronny jackson. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. jackson: i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682 to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the

classrooms. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not been. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i yield to the gentlelady from south carolina, representative nancy mace. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from south carolina is recognized. ms. mace: as a single working mom, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682 the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind the screens and back into the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the chair would advise members that even though the request, embellish mncht constitutes debate will become an imposition of the time of the member who yielded for that purpose. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i yield to the gentleman from wisconsin, mr. fitzgerald for the purpose of

unanimous consent request. >> i call up h.r. 682 reopen schools act to get our kids from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose therefore the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i yield to the gentleman from california. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california is recognized. >> i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. h.r. 682 the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded. therefore unanimous consent request cannot be sbained. mr. burgess: i yield to the gentleman from tennessee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. >> i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682 to get our kids

from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose, therefore unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. . mr. burgess: madam speaker, the house is not in order. conversations by members should be taken off the floor. we are in the midst of debate on a very important question. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i yield to the gentlelady from california, ms. boebert, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. boebert: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up the reopen schools act, to get kids behind screens and back in the classrooms. the speaker pro tempore: chair understands that the

gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i am now pleased to yield to the gentlelady from missouri, mrs. hartzler, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. mrs. hartzler: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i now yield to the gentlelady from georgia, representative marjorie taylor greene, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. mrs. taylor greene: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 862 -- 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent

request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from georgia. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i now yield to the gentlelady from illinois, mrs. miller, for the purposes of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from illinois is recognized. mrs. miller: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i am pleased to yield to the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. meuser, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. mr. meuser: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get kids out from behind the screen and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent

request cannot be entertained. members, the house has to come to order. conversations that members are having need to be taken off the floor at this time. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i am now pleased to yield to the gentleman from ohio, mr. davidson, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio is recognized. mr. davidson: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. at this time. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i'm now pleased to recognize the gentleman from montana, mr. rosendale, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. mr. rosendale: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools

act, to get kids out from behind screens and back in the classrooms. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i'm pleased to yield to the gentlelady from new york, ms. tenney, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. tenney: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back into the classrooms. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i'm now pleased to yield the gentleman from georgia for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. >> madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from

behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i'm now pleased to yield to the gentleman from texas, mr. williams, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. williams: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i am you a now pleased to yield to the gentleman from florida, mr. webster, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. webster: i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind the screens and behind -- and back in the

classroom. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. at this time i'm pleased to yield to the gentleman from texas, mr. arrington, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. mr. arrington: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. arrington: thank you, madam speaker. i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classrooms. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i'm pleased to yield to the gentleman from florida, mr. gimenez, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. gimenez: thank you, madam speaker. i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the

classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. at this time i'm pleased to yield to the gentleman from alabama, mr. carl, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from alabama is recognized. mr. carl: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classrooms. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i'm now pleased to yield to the gentleman from texas, mr. gohmert, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: i'd like to call the house to order and ask members who have conversations to please take them off the floor. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. gohmert: madam speaker, i

ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: madam speaker, i'm now pleased to yield to the gentlelady from indiana, mrs. spartz, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from indiana is recognized. spartz spartz madam speaker -- mrs. spartz: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back into the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i'm now pleased to yield to the gentleman from utah, mr. burgess owens, for the purpose of a

unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from utah is recognized. mr. owens: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get kids out from behind the screens and back in the classrooms. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i now yield to the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. smucker, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. mr. smucker: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the chair has examined the journal of the last day's proceedings -- the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained.

the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent -- i now yield to the gentleman. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. >> i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: madam speaker, i'm pleased to yield to the gentleman from texas, mr. norman, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from tk is recognized. -- texas, is recognized. mr. norman: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get kids out from behind screens and back in the classrooms. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: madam speaker, i am you a now pleased to yield to the gentlelady from texas, ms.

malliotakis. for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. malliotakis: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i am now pleased to yield to the gentleman from alabama, mr. moore, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. moore: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for the purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i am you a now -- i'm now pleased to yield to. gentleman michigan, a valuable moren in of the energy and commerce committee, mr. walberg, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. walberg: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up

h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair continues to understand that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. burnl burj madam speaker -- mr. burgess: madam speaker, i am you a now pleased to yield the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. perry, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. mr. perry: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the class ams room. the speaker pro tempore: again, the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts continues to disagree and has not yielded for that purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: madam speaker, i'm now pleased to yield to the gentleman from florida, dr. dunn, another valuable member of the energy and commerce

committee, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. dunn: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i am you a now -- i'm now pleased to yield to the gentleman from texas, mr. nehls, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. nehls nehls madam speaker -- mr. nehls: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: madam speaker, um' now -- i now pleased to the gentleman from georgia, another valuable member of the energy and commerce committee, for the

purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. carter: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i'm now pleased to yield to the gentleman from arizona, mr. gosar, for the purpose of a unanimous consent -- purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. gosar: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back into the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i am you a now pleased to yield to the gentleman from idaho, mr. fulcher, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. fulcher: thank you, madam speaker. i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools

act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. . mr. burgess: i yield to the gentleman from new york, mr. jacobs. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. jacobs: i ask unanimous consent request to call up h.r. 682. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose, therefore the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained at this time. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i'm pleased to yield to the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. reschenthaler. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. reschenthaler: i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind

screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded and that purpose cannot be entertained at this time. unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: at this time i am pleased to recognize the gentlelady from north carolina, dr. virginia foxx for purpose of unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. foxx: i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682 reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands that the gentleman from peace has not yielded for that purpose. therefore the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained at this time. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: at this time, i'm pleased to yield to the gentleman from minnesota, for the purpose of unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized.

>> i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and back into the classrooms. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: at this time, i am pleased to yield to the gentlelady from new mexico for the purpose of unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognize dollars. >> unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682 the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. therefore the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i'm now pleased to yield to the gentleman from ohio, dr. wenstrup. the speaker pro tempore: the

gentleman from ohio is recognized. mr. wenstrup: i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682 the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. therefore the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained at this time. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i'm pleased to yield to the gentleman from florida, mr. franklin, for purposes of a unanimous consent request. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. franklin: i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682 the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and back into the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i'm pleased to yield to the gentleman from virginia, mr. griffith, for the purpose of unanimous consent request.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. grijalva: i ask unanimous consent to call up h.r. 682, the reopen schools act to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the chair understands this the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded for that purpose. the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained at this time. mr. burgess: i yield to the gentleman from virginia, mr. clinne. the speaker pro tempore: recognized. >> i call up h.r. 682 to get our kids out from behind the screens and back in the classroom. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts has not yielded. therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained at this time. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i'm pleased to yield one minute to the gentlelady from indiana. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized for

one minute. mrs. spartz: i rise in opposition to this rule. i'm not going to talk much about the underlying bill because it won't change anyone's vote but i would that it is a socialist agenda by putting band acknowledges on old problems and takes expense of the middle class and the future. i wanted to express my strong how dysfunctional congress is. if we do not fix it soon and have common sense we are going to destroy our great republic. we should be embarrassed to call ourselves policy makers. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. mr. mcgovern: it's interesting that we just saw a parade of republicans come before the

microphone and urge us to move on a bill and read the short title of the bill. but the real title of the bill and let me read it to you is quote, to encourage local educational agencies to resume in-person instruction at elementary and secondary schools. that is what the bill does. let me say to my republican friends, i don't know if you don't go home and don't talk to principals, superintendents, parents, students and teachers, but our schools don't need encouragement. what they need are resources to be able to safely reopen. and this bill after you are talking about here doesn't provide one additional cent. nothing. no money, no resources, nothing. give me a break. come on. the bill that we are about to

debate here would provide $130 billion to help k-12r schools reopen safely. it's not encouragement. it's real resources to make it a reality. and by the way, the bill requires states to award k-12 funds to local school districts no later than 60 days of receipt in school districts to develop plans to ensure that schools return to in-person learning. i could have saved you a lot of time and embarrassment. that was bad theater. it was terrible theater. i mean, people need help. we are trying to crush this virus and to get this economy back on the right track and reopen our schools and this is what we get? look. i hope everybody takes note of those who went before the mic to

argue against this bill and for a symbolic bill that provides no resources, because at the end of the day, people need to know who was on their side in the middle of this crisis, who stood up and fought for them and provided much needed federal relief to our communities and to our schools. that was pathetic. i'm happy now to yield 1.5 minutes to the the gentlewoman from north carolina, a distinguished new member of the rules committee. the speaker pro tempore: let me remind members who are on the floor to take their conversations off the floor and remind members to direct their comments to the chair. i'm delighted to recognize the gentlelady from north carolina for 1 1/2 minutes. mr. ross: the american rescue plan will deliver needed aid to individuals, families, workers,

businesses and health care systems. i'm proud that this congress has taken such swift action to get this important work done. i want to highlight one part of the bill that would be life changing for hundreds of thousands of people in my state. sadly, north carolina is one of only 12 states that has not expanded medicaid under the a.c.a. and has left for 600,000 north carolinaians without health care. the american rescue plan provides an added incentive for states like mine to expand mid cade. the bill offers a 5-point increase for funding match for federal cade for two years for states who choose to expand this program during this pandemic. this would bring north carolina more than $2 billion in federal

health care coverage for our most vulnerable people and help our hardest-hit hospitals. our state desperately needs the relief provided in this bill. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. burgess: may i inquire as to the time remaining on my side? the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas has 22 1/2 minutes. mr. burgess: i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts has 18 minutes. the gentleman from texas reserves. mr. mcgovern: we reserve at this time and i don't know if the gentleman has additional speakers. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts reserves. the gentleman from texas. mr. burgess: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas is

recognized. mr. burgess: if we defeat the previous question, republicans will amend the rule to immediately h.r. h.r. 682 introduced by ms. simpson of iowa to ensure the $53.4 billion that congress appropriated in december in order to help schools reopen is in fact, prioritized to meet the expenses of actually being open for in-person learning. i ask unanimous consent to insert the text of this amendment into the record along with extraneous material immediately prior to the vote on the previous question. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. burgess: here is the gentlelady new york to explain it. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. tenney: i rise today to oppose the previous question and offer an amendment to help our schools safely reopen their doors for in-person learning.

madam speaker, millions of children have been out of the classroom for the better part of the year. this has taken a serious toll not only on their learning and social development and working parents who have been is forced to juggle home schooling and working full-time jobs. the data is in and makes it clear that at-home learning is not a substitute for in-person education. one recent study that children began to fall significantly in math and would take students in grades five and six at least 12 weeks on average to catch up to where they were expected to be. the science is also in and it makes abundantly clear that schools can reopen safely if the right precautions are taken. commonsense social distancing measures reduce the spread of covid-19 in schools and make the classrooms a safe place for our

teachers and the science shows our schools can reopen safely even before every teacher is vaccinated. this is what the science tells us. too many children in my district and around the country are still not in the classroom. students are losing out on a true sound basic education guaranteed them by the new york state education and parents are being forced to choose before going to work or stay at home to teach their children. it is impossible decision that no parent should be forced to make. in any home state of new york, governor cuomo has said one thing and done another. the result has been confusion across the state and a patch work of incoherent and conflicting policies. governor cuomo claims to support the science and new york still does not have a state-wide plan

to reopen our schools. he is putting special interests before our students' education. sadly, we aren't surprised. governor cuomo has lost credibility due to his unconscionable coverup of nursing home deaths and failed to put seniors first and now failing to put our students first. we can and must do better. under the american rescue plan, nearly $130 billion is set aside for schools, but if you read the fine print, 95% of that money won't be spent until after 2021 is over and if you keep reading you realize there is no requirement that the funding be used to reopen schools safely, something our nation is desperately crying out for. the rescue plan fails to prioritize our students and does not return safely to in-person

learning. if we defeat the previous question, we will move to immediately reconsider the reopen schools act, which states that schools, which accept a portion of the covid-19 funding, must reopen. in order to receive full funding, schools are required to allow 50% of their students in the classroom in person, at least 50% of the time. this is what new york families are requesting and it is what families across the country are demanding from their leaders in washington. i yield back. . . . mr. mcgovern: i'm happy to yield to the gentlewoman if she tells me how much money is in her bill. tell me how much money is in her bill? mr. burgess: there's $54.3 billion that was appropriated. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is not recognized at the time.

the gentleman from massachusetts is yielding. mr. mcgovern: i yield 15 seconds. how much new money is in your bill? ms. tenney: the money is coming from the american rescue act. what we're doing here is prioritizing the spending so the spending goes to -- mr. mcgovern: i reclaim my time. the speaker pro tempore: the time belongs to the gentleman. mr. mcgovern: here we have our republican colleagues coming to the floor basically advocating nothing. their bill -- let me read the long title again. is to encourage local educational agencies to resume in-person instruction in elementary and secondary schools. not one new cent in money. schools don't need to be encouraged. they need the resources to be able to deal with issues like ventilation. to be able to make sure that infrastructure is such that it is safe for students and teachers and others come back to the school. and my republican friend, why they're coming here and trying to find ways to delay the american rescue act, they're

going to vote against it. and they're not advocating for one additional cent for vaccines. they're not advocating for any additional help for those unemployed. for small businesses and restaurants that are struggling. they don't want any more resources to go to cities and towns. so i hope, i hope that we don't see some of my republican friends show up at announcements announcing money and resources for schools and cities and towns and for those who are struggling, trying to take credit for something they voted against. so madam speaker, i would, again, urge my colleagues on both sides to look at this for what it is. this is -- this is not about trying to help people. this is about a continuing effort to delay much-needed resources to our schools, to our struggling families and to our small businesses. and with that, madam speaker, i reserve my time. sorry, madam speaker. i'm going to yield two minutes to the gentlewoman from florida,

ms. frankel. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from florida is recognized for two minutes. ms. frankel: thank you, madam speaker. thank you, mr. rules chairman. madam speaker, i rise today in support of the american rescue plan. madam speaker, i have been honored to be in public service in my state legislature, as mayor of west palm beach, and now here in congress, and i can can unequivocally say this is the most important, impactful legislation i have ever had the honor to vote for. we all know that this past year has tested us like never before. the pandemic has destroyed lives and livelihoods. it has disproportionately hurt women, especially women of color, who are already at an economic disadvantage. of the impacts have been devastating. women have lost 5.3 million

jobs. two million of which are permanent losses. and knows not -- and that's not all. women make up the majority of our frontline workforce. in fact, madam speaker, we are calling this a she session, a she session. schools closed and the loss of childcare have only added to the crisis. this bill will rescue women and their families with the relief they need. it will crush covid-19, get our children safely back to school, and rescue the childcare industry. it's going to increase the child tax credit, taking half of our children in poverty out of poverty, and it's going to get the vaccines into the arms of americans. and i will tell you this, madam speaker. my office are getting -- my office is getting calls day after day from people who want these vaccines. and this rescue package will put

money directly into the pockets of working people, get people back to work. women have shouldered so much of this pandemic, so it's time to extend the helping hand that they and their families need to get through this pandemic. i believe, madam speaker, that better days are ahead with this rescue plan, and i urge my colleagues to pass it. thank you. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman's time has expired. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i'd like to yield two minutes to the gentlelady from new york. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from new york is recognized for two minutes. ms. tenney: i'd like to address the gentleman from massachusetts has posed. who was has been allocated $52 billion will be appropriated immediately. at this point the bill you have is only 5% until after 2021 and we have students and parents and everyone, they're coming to us and they want to open their schools because their children

are falling far behind. this is particularly difficult in new york where we have no plan in place and the governor has failed to give us a plan and our students are failing and we need to have our students back on track. and that's all that we're asking for, is that this money be allocated now and not wait for only 5% to be allocated until after 2021. i yield my time back. thank you, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back. the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. mr. mcgovern: madam speaker, let me just state for the record in response to the gentlewoman. the bill you're talking about is not an appropriations bill. so let's be clear. let's make sure we are clear about what we're talking about. this is not an appropriations bill. you're talking about money that was previously allocated in previously bills. the bill that my republican friends are bringing forward allocates zero. it encourages schools to do -- to open up. again, our schools don't need encouragement. what they need are resources. and if my friends would go home and listen to their

superintendents, to their principals, to the teachers, to the parents, to the students, they would understand how desperate the situation is. now is the time for action. not more empty rhetoric. not more political theater. not more words. but people need resources, and they need it now. i'm happy to yield two minutes to the gentlewoman from pennsylvania, a distinguished member of the rules committee, ms. scanlon. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from pennsylvania is recognized for two minutes. ms. scanlon: thank you, chairman mcgovern. i rise today in strong support of the rule and underlying act, the american rescue act. the covid-19 pandemic has taken the lives of over 525,000 americans. our communities are struggling, and our constituents are desperate for relief. millions remain out of work, and as many as 12 million children are living in households where they don't get enough to eat. we're grateful to have new leadership in the white house and in the senate and look forward to passing legislation that will end the pandemic and open our economy and let america get back to work. the american rescue plan puts

money directly in the hands of american people. the direct cash infusion will help millions of americans pay their rent and keep the lights on at home. in addition to $1,400 worth of direct stimulus payments for large chunk -- a large chunk of americans, support for small businesses and restaurants, and an extension of unemployment insurance benefits, the american rescue plan act extends the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit to give families the support they so desperately need. the child tax credit can cut child poverty in half. i look forward to passage of this act, because unlike the political charades that our colleagues wasted our time and the american people, the american rescue act will, number one, crash the virus. number two, get americans back to work. and number three, actually help children get out from behind their screens and back in the class loom. i aurj -- classroom. i urge all of my colleagues to support this rule and this bill

and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. the gentlewoman from texas -- the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i'm pleased to recognize the gentlelady from georgia for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from georgia is recognized for one minute. mrs. taylor greene: thank you, madam speaker. i'd like to remind my democrat colleagues across the aisle that i'm from the state of georgia where proudly we are open. my son has been going in person to school this entire school year. as a matter of fact, he played football where they had practices and games, and parents got to attend and sit in the stadium. children being kept home from school is about the worst thing that you can possibly do. if you really want to do anything to help americans, reopen the schools, reopen america, and stop wasting more american tax dollars. it's a complete lie to the american taxpayers that you're going to save the day with your $1.9 trillion spending bill and you think you're going to save children. if you're going to save

children, reopen the schools. the biden administration is fine with having 100% open schools at the border for children that are coming into our country. why are our children being forced to stay home in blue states, in many places, for no reason when their parents pay the taxes? the best way to save america is reopen. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman's time has expired. and we ask members to direct their comments to the chair. the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. mr. mcgovern: madam speaker, we all want schools to reopen. we want them to reopen safely. there's such a thing called science that we need to respect and we need to make sure our schools are reopened safely. this is a deadly disease that has invaded our country. we've all watched friends and loved ones to -- lost friends and loved ones to covid-19. we lost a congressman-elect and a sitting man on the republican

side, lost to covid. to get up here and to talk like this is much ado about nothing, c'mon. what are my friends thinking? this is serious. and community after community all throughout this country are trying to find ways to reopen schools safely. some of them are trying to invest in infrastructure, for better ventilation. to make sure that it is safe. some people -- some are talking about additional school buses to be able to transport kids to and from safely. they need resources. not encouragement. give me a break. how insulting to somebody watching this debate in any of our districts to hear members of congress get up and say, you don't need any help, you don't need any resources, you don't need any money to be able to help institute these changes so we can get kids back to school safely. but we're going to give you encouragement instead. come on. we can do better than that.

i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves his time. the gentleman from georgia. texas. mr. burgess: georgia, texas. the speaker pro tempore: again, let me say this, the gentleman has been from texas for as long as i can remember. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. at this point i'd like to recognize the gentlelady from new mexico, ms. herrell, for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from new mexico is recognized for one minute. ms. herrell: thank you, madam speaker. i just rise in opposition to this and, madam speaker, i would say it is more disingenuous for this body to pretend to tell the american people that we're doing something good for their children when in fact more money in this bill is going to help one democratic district in california than it's going to help all of the covid relief efforts. we have got our priorities very wrong. our children are the future. and thank god that the senate took the $15 an hour minimum wage out of this because that was another nail in the coffin

for our small business owners. but to sit here and think we're doing something special for our constituents, that's not really truthful. we're doing something special for speaker pelosi and a lot of others that want big bailouts for the democratic cities. we can do better. we can do better for our students, for our families because those are the people in the trenches. our future depends on it. our students depend on it. we need to put our children back into school, and we need to open our economy. thank you, madam speaker. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back. the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. mr. mcgovern: madam speaker, i would encourage all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to read the bill and to look what is in this bill. and to look at the people that it will help and to claim somehow that this is not going to help with reopening of schools or helping our small businesses or helping children struggling with poverty or helping people who are hungry shows people are not reading the bill. this is a big, bold, appropriate

response to a horrific pandemic that has struck our country and struck the world. so we are acting, and it is the right thing to do. at this time i yield two minutes to the gentlewoman from connecticut, mrs. hayes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from connecticut is recognized for two minutes. mrs. hayes: madam speaker, i rise in support of the american rescue plan. i was sitting in my office listening to debate and i was thrilled to hear my colleagues on the other side of the aisle speak up about reopening schools. these are words i've been waiting a year to hear. i immediately looked up h.r. 682 to read it and i was so disappointed that this bill offers no support, no assistance, no funding for school reopenings. the american rescue plan, on the other hand, invests on helping k-12 schools reopen safely and addresses learning loss in the classroom. the bill provides nearly $130 billion to help schools take the steps recommended by the c.d.c. to ensure students and educators

can return to the classroom safely. this includes repairing ventilation systems, reducing class sizes, implementing social distancing guidelines, purchasing p.p.e., and hiring support staff to address students' well-being. as someone that spent over a decade in the classroom, i can tell you that's what every teacher in america is looking for. this is what every parent is looking for. this is what is necessary to reopen schools safely. not just in communities that are largely democrat but also in republican communities. all of our children will benefit from the provisions of this bill. the bill also sets aside 20% for long-term learning loss to get our kids from behind screens and back into the classroom by providing comprehensive after-school programs, summer learning programs, extended school days, re-engaging students who have been absent from remote learning, and hiring counselors and nurses to care for students' emotional and physical well-being. i am thrilled to see part of my

own legislation included in this bill, the save education job act, which will not only make sure that we're not laying off support staff and personnel to meet our students but to make sure there are not budget cuts in light of the catastrophic shortfalls that's resulted because of this pandemic. i'm so proud to be part of a body that came up with this legislation that gave america's schools exactly what they need, that gives america's children the support that is necessary, and reopens our economy by investing $130 billion. thank you, madam chair. with that i yield back. . the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. burgess: i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts. mr. mcgovern: can i ask the gentleman how many more speakers he has? mr. burgess: myself. mr. mcgovern: you can close and then i'll close. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. burgess: thank you, mike:. i yield myself the remainder of our time. madam speaker, here's the facts. this bill is not going to

reopen our economy. it's not going to reopen our schools or provide targeted relief to those who need it most. this is the most expensive bill in the history of the united states house of representatives and it does not even prioritize the immediate needs of the american people. rather than work for the american people, democrats are fine working for their own future. two years from now -- future two years from now. that's not the way it's supposed to be. we're supposed to be focused on the next generation, not the next election much i find this unacceptable. -- election. i find this unaccept. this is a partisan wish list that ultimately could increase the deficit $3 trillion. without addressing the immediate needs of americans who are trying to survive this pandemic. with $1 trillion of unspent funding, cash already in the till from previous bills, why is it so urgent to pass another $2 trillion now without the representation of literally 1/2

of the country? with that, i urge a no vote on the previous question, no on the rule and no on the underlying measures. and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from massachusetts is now recognized. mr. mcgovern: madam speaker, you know, we can talk and talk and talk and talk and it might make us feel better. but it doesn't do any good for the people we represent. who are in desperate need. they're crying out for help. people are struggling and hungry. businesses are shutting down. my friends talk about reopening schools. they offer a measure that would encourage our schools to be reopened, but don't offer one additional penny in resources to help them reopen. which is so tone deaf and so disconnected from reality. people need help and they need it now.

and, madam speaker, let's be really honest here. my republican friends do not have a problem spending $2 trillion. they spent that with their tax cut bill that benefited mostly people who are well off and well connected. and they were willing to spend that on covid when donald trump was president. what they have a problem with is where this is going. to our workers, not the wealthy. to our communities, not corporations. and that is the fundamental difference in how we govern. democrats govern for the people. right now people are hurting, madam speaker. an overwhelming majority of the american people across all party lines and divisions support the american rescue plan. we've seen that in poll after poll after poll. my republican friends just say that they're uninformed. including their republican mayors and republican governors. how insulting.

this bill will put more vaccines in arms. it will put our kids back to school safely. it will put food on din -- on dinner tables and put workers back in jobs. this pandemic is an all hands on deck moment. after weeks and weeks of work, congress doesn't have a moment to spare. and i urge all of my colleagues to support these historic investments in our nation. you know, we have told our neighbors and communities that help is on the way. let's deliver on that promise. i am proud to be on the house floor today. i am proud to speak in favor of the american rescue plan. i am proud to vote in favor of this important piece of legislation. this will help save lives and will help save our economy. and with that, madam speaker, ir

and 15 minutes. >> i want to welcome you to this very special webinar. we are going to celebrate international women's day, which is march 8. we are also going to celebrate national women's month.