Suozzi Fights for New York; Slams McConnell on House Floor Ahead of Vote on Interim COVID-19 Funding Bill

Today, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Long Island, Queens) traveled down to Washington, DC to ensure passage of the Paycheck Protection Program Increase and Health Care Enhancement Act. Ahead of the vote, Suozzi spoke on the House floor in support of this critical legislation, while acknowledging that more needs to be done in the future to aid New York State and provide support for smaller small businesses looking for less than $100,000 in loans.

Suozzi also slammed Senate Leader Mitch McConnell for his comments that states like New York should declare bankruptcy rather than receive federal aid. While introducing Suozzi, House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal called him a “champion for all things New York.”

A transcript for Suozzi’s speech (as prepared for delivery) can be found below, and a video link to the floor speech can be seen here.  

Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation.

I am concerned, however, that the banks have focused on the “big” small businesses and have ignored the “small”er small businesses seeking $100,000 or less.

I am asking my colleagues to send a clear message to the banks and to Secretary Mnuchin – “we will be watching.” “We need you to fight for the little guys.”

There are a lot of good things in this Bill including something we in NY have pushed for – money for hospitals based upon “rate of infection,” but we need more.

My 3 counties are in the top 5 in the nation in confirmed cases. New York has over 30% of the cases and deaths.

Yet previously, this Administration gave New York hospitals less money than Texas which has only 3% of the cases. How does that make sense?

Now Sen. McConnell is saying let’s bankrupt our hardest-hit states and local governments. Mr. Speaker, my state subsidizes Senator McConnell’s state and has for decades. The Grim Reaper is telling my state and others to “drop dead.” Well, I have a message for you, we will fight you.

Most Democrats and Republicans have put aside ideological differences for the common good. I will continue to fight for New York, for my district, and for the little guy. Thank you, and I yield back.

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