Affordable Insulin Now Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this continuing resolution.

In addition to averting a disastrous government shutdown, this legislation provides critical funding to continue our support for Ukraine, resettle Afghan refugees, support communities impacted by natural disasters, and help low-income families heat their homes this winter.

However, we still have work to do as this package lacks funding to support our public health response to COVID-19 and monkeypox, also known as MPV.

Our public health workforce is depleted and exhausted from battling the COVID-19 pandemic over the last 2 years. They cannot stop the spread of these outbreaks without additional Federal support.

Both viruses disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color. Congressional inaction will deepen these disparities.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote today to avert a government shutdown and then join us in working on long-term funding bills that address these public health crises and the other priorities of the American people.

I want to end by thanking the extraordinary chairwoman of the Committee on Appropriations, Rosa DeLauro, for her leadership in negotiating today's legislation and thanking her for all she has done.

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