On the recordApril 23, 2020
Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in strong support of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. COVID-19 is a crisis with few parallels in world history. Yet I have been amazed by the resilience of my fellow Rhode Islanders: the tenacity of our small businesses and the dedication and bravery of our frontline healthcare workers. This bill is for them. It refills the coffers of the Paycheck Protection Program, which is a vital lifeline for so many small businesses. Thanks to House Democrats' efforts, it backstops our hospitals, community health centers, and nursing homes and funds the nationwide testing strategy. This cannot be the end of the work of Congress to help Americans weather the storm, but it is another vital step as we confront this crisis.
