Jerry Nadler: “I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, we find ourselves at a critical moment: 1.4 million Americans are…”

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, we find ourselves at a critical moment: 1.4 million Americans are sick; nearly 90,000 people have died; 36 million Americans are out of work. My constituents in New York have been at the epicenter of this pandemic for months. While this bill is not perfect, it goes far to support the country and New Yorkers. First and foremost, State and local governments will see nearly $1 trillion dollars in funding to fill the massive gaps in their budgets and prevent huge cuts to critical services. For New York State and New York City, that funding will mean the difference between recovery and total economic collapse. I am proud the HEROES Act includes two bills I introduced: the COVID- 19 Correctional Facility Emergency Response Act, for testing, treatment, and prevention of COVID-19 in prisons and jails; and the Public Safety Officer Pandemic Response Act, which will make sure that our brave first responders who die or become disabled get their benefits. The bill also includes many priorities for the Judiciary Committee, like additional funding for the Violence Against Women Act to address the surge in domestic violence, funding for Legal Aid and local law enforcement, and a ban on price gouging. The bill includes $100 billion for rental assistance, $75 billion for homeowners assistance so people don't lose their homes, and financial support for the frontline and essential workers keeping our country running.…”