Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, spoke on the House Floor in support of H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act. Below are her remarks, as prepared for delivery.
Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney
Floor Statement for H.R. 1319 - American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
Feb. 26, 2021
I rise in support of this bill, and of the 1.4 million first responders, teachers, transit workers, and other public servants already laid off from state and local governments across the country.
We must act before more people lose their jobs, and before more life-saving programs are cut.
The state and local funding included in this package will provide many local governments dedicated support for the first time since the pandemic struck.
It can be used to administer vaccines, increase testing, and save countless jobs by replacing lost revenue.
For New York City, which last month projected a $10.5 billion loss in expected tax revenue, this money would mean it can continue to provide vaccines and food assistance, and reopen schools safely.
Hundreds of local officials told us the relief in this bill will mean recovery instead of recession, and cannot come fast enough.
This package also would provide emergency paid leave for federal employees affected by the pandemic, which is critical to the health and safety of the federal workforce.
Taken together, these provisions-and the relief package in total-are the light this country needs at this dark hour.
I yield back.
