Today, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-21), spoke on the House floor in support of the American Rescue Plan Act, which the House will vote on tomorrow. The House passed a previous version of this bill in February, and will now vote to reconcile changes from the Senate.

For video of Rep. Frankel’s full remarks, click here. Below are Rep. Frankel’s remarks as delivered:

“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the American Rescue Plan.

Madam Speaker, I have been honored to be in public service in my state legislature, as mayor of West Palm Beach, and now here in Congress, and I can unequivocally say that this is the most important, impactful piece of legislation I have ever had the honor to vote for.

We all know that this past year has tested us like never before. The pandemic has destroyed lives and livelihoods. It has disproportionately hurt women, especially women of color, who are already at an economic disadvantage.

The impacts have been devastating. Women have lost 5.3 million jobs, 2 million of which are permanent losses. And that’s not all. Women also make up the majority of our frontline workforce.

In fact, Madam Speaker, we are calling this a she-cession. A she-cession. Schools closed and the loss of accessible childcare have only added to the crisis.

This bill will rescue women and their families with the relief they need. It will crush COVID-19, get our children safely back to school, and rescue the childcare industry. It is going to increase the Child Tax Credit, taking half of our children in poverty out of poverty, and its going to get vaccines into the arms of Americans.

And I will tell you this, Madam Speaker. My office is getting calls days after day, all day, from people who want these vaccines.

This rescue plan will put money directly into the pockets of working people and get people back to work. Women have shouldered so much of the burden of this pandemic, so it’s time to extend the helping hand that they and their families need to get through this pandemic.

I believe, Madam Speaker, that better days are ahead with this rescue plan, and I urge my colleagues to pass it.”

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