On the recordSeptember 17, 2020
Madam Speaker, I was hopeful that this resolution would lead us to common ground. None of us here believes in discriminating against our fellow Asian-American neighbors. On March 23, President Trump said the Asian-American community ought to be ``totally protected'' in light of the xenophobic attacks during the coronavirus pandemic. ``It is very important that we totally protect our Asian-American community in the United States and all around the world,'' President Trump tweeted. ``They're amazing people, and the spreading of the virus is not their fault in any way, shape, or form,'' he said. ``They're working closely with us to get rid of it,'' the President added. ``We will prevail together.'' I have restauranteurs in my district who suffered from bullies because of their heritage, so I asked my staff to prepare a resolution to echo the President's sentiments. My staff reported to me that such a resolution already existed, H. Res. 908, ostensibly to protect Asian Americans. On April 7, I signed onto what I considered to be a good faith effort to protect Asian Americans. I am more than saddened to see that this resolution and today's debate is being used for nothing more than to malign and vilify the President of the United States, just as the President and congressional Republicans have been called domestic enemies in the last couple of days. I would hope for more, but, sadly, this body has chosen to take the low road.…





