On the recordFebruary 26, 2021
Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule. It has been nearly a year now since the COVID-19 pandemic reached our shores, and Iowans are still struggling. Iowans need targeted pandemic relief. I would have been the first to cross the aisle and compromise on legislation that would help Iowans and Americans who are in need, but this behemoth of a bill fails to provide targeted relief that my constituents asked for. It forces taxpayers to bail out States that have chronically mismanaged their budgets. It includes a $15 minimum wage hike, which would decimate the rural economy in Iowa and destroy the very livelihoods this bill claims to be saving. It opens the door for taxpayer funding for abortions. With $1 trillion from previous relief packages still unspent, this legislation contains no guardrails to ensure new money is used on pandemic relief this year. This legislation abdicates our responsibility to those who need our support and to taxpayers. Voting for this rule is a slap in the face to taxpayers, and I urge a ``no'' vote on this rule. Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), the distinguished chair of the Committee on Financial Services.





