[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 44 (Thursday, March 5, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   BIPARTISAN CORONAVIRUS LEGISLATION

  (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  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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