Frank Pallone: “I heard some of the Republican Members say they want to fight the virus, yet they are voting ``no'' on this bill. I…”

“I heard some of the Republican Members say they want to fight the virus, yet they are voting ``no'' on this bill. I would say they should do the opposite. If they want to fight the virus, they should be voting ``yes'' on this bill. Unlike under President Trump, when there was no national plan to fight the virus, under President Biden, for the first time we have a national plan to fight the virus that does not force States and local governments to compete with each other for testing, contact tracing, and medical supplies. The American Rescue Plan will support the national effort to ramp up distribution and administration of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the implementation of a national testing strategy that will help us quickly track and contain the virus. It also includes the largest expansion of healthcare coverage since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, including lower monthly premiums for millions of Americans and a coverage expansion for millions under Medicaid who are currently uninsured. Mr. Speaker, the American Rescue Plan lives up to its name. It rescues families by providing critical utility bill assistance so they can keep their lights on, the heat working, and the water running. It rescues kids by boosting internet connectivity to bridge the digital divide and close the homework gap. Mr. Speaker, the American people are hurting.…”