Throughout the past several months, this pandemic has wreaked havoc around the world.
There has been devastating loss of life, millions have been forced out of work, and others have been asked to work from home.
But some Americans are essential to our safety and well being. And they continue to report to their appointed place of duty. Among them are the heroes who put on their uniform every single day to serve and protect our communities.
This week as we recognize National Police Week, I want every one of our officers – from those serving right here in the Capitol and those standing watch across the country – to know how much America appreciates their dedication to our safety. May God Bless you each and every day.
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For weeks now Republicans have urged the Speaker to re-open Congress and get us back to work for the country. But eroding the power of the people and attempting to pass a parody of a relief bill isn’t what we had in mind. Yet, that is exactly what Democrats have on the agenda for today.
Proxy Vote
First let me talk through their “proxy vote,” or Congress’s most significant power grab in history actually means:
Lets members of Congress stay home while they continue to collect a paycheck – a luxury many Americans don’t have
Diminishes the voice of the people — individuals lend their voice to their representative. Democrats are trying to erase Americans’ vote by making it transferable to other members.
Tramples on the Constitution and destroys 200-years of precedent and tradition.
There is no question we must continue to deliver for the country, which is why myself and ranking members Rodney Davis and Tom Cole proposed a plan to do just that. But the proxy vote falls woefully short of that objective.
HEROES Act
We will also be voting on the Democrats’ so-called Heroes Act, or a more suitable description “Pelosi’s Partisan Wishlist.” The only bipartisan consensus on this joke of a legislation, including analysis by the media, is that this bill is an unrealistic proposal that has no chance of becoming law.
Here are a just a few examples of how this bill is beyond parody, and includes many provisions that have absolutely nothing to do with fighting COVID-19:
Mentions “cannabis” more than job
Aims to change election laws
Suspends the cap on SALT tax deductions – a policy change that would directly benefit millionaires and billionaires
Provides millions of more dollars for an endowment for the arts and humanities
This proposal is laughable at best – a slap in the face to the American people.
Even more insulting to our constituents is that Democrats have included a provision into today’s rule that allows the House to remain in recess until July 21.
In other words, while many Americans are working, Pelosi is preparing the House for extended recess, even beyond the initial 45-day proxy voting period.
This is not only unacceptable, it is a dereliction of our duty as representatives.
At a time of unprecedented need, Congress must answer the call to fulfill our responsibilities to the American people, not remain in recess for months at a time.
Instead of pushing a liberal wishlist, we must focus on helping to get America back to work safely, incentivizing rehiring and removing regulatory barriers to help job creation, protecting our mom and pop shops from frivolous lawsuits, and returning our supply chain from China.
That should be our focus – it is why the American people voted for us to represent them in Washington, and it is the mission we must work tirelessly to fulfill.
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