Bipartisan Coronavirus Legislation

Floor Speech

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Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise my House colleagues for their swift and decisive action to attack the corona threat yesterday.

Members of both parties recognized that this disease is a national and public health crisis, that it will affect all Americans, regardless of political party. We came together to approve $7.8 billion to protect the safety and well-being of all Americans. The Founding Fathers created this Chamber for exactly that reason.

In the spirit of bipartisan cooperation, I would like to discuss the Affordable Care Act. Like our coronavirus bill yesterday, the ACA attacked a public health crisis. It improved the health and security of millions of Americans, especially those with preexisting conditions. It has saved money for American workers, and it has helped millions of American families provide care for their children.

If these attacks on the ACA are successful, at least 25 million Americans will be uninsured. We do not want them to avoid screenings for coronavirus or future viruses because they cannot afford it.

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