Providing for Consideration of H.R. Colorado Wilderness Act of and Providing for Consideration of H.R. Equality Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose the previous question. This is the third time here today that Republicans have called on this body to consider my bill, the Reopen Schools Act. It is a commonsense solution to get students and teachers to return to the classroom and to do it safely.

This legislation would condition a portion of State COVID relief grants for education on schools actually reopening. My Democrat colleagues already voted for these funds to be used specifically for schools to reopen safely back in December, $54 billion.

The science on this is definitive. If certain safety precautions are taken, teachers and students can resume in-person learning safely. So that is why Congress sent the States this money back in December.

But after nearly a year of this pandemic lockdown, millions of students are still learning exclusively from behind a screen. Our children are struggling academically and they are falling behind.

But the toll on mental health is what is most concerning to me. Even after a year, many kids haven't seen their school friends. They haven't been out to play on a playground. They are isolated, disconnected, and they are lonely. From increased stress and anxiety, depression, even suicidal thoughts or attempts, our youngest generation is facing a mental health crisis.

Hospitals have seen a staggering increase in mental health emergencies among young children. It is heartbreaking. And the longer the goal posts continue to be moved on reopening schools, the worse this mental health crisis for our young people will become.

My home State of Iowa is leading the way to put students' education and mental health first. My two sons got on the school bus this morning in Iowa. They are in class right now receiving hands-on attention from their teachers, and they will play with their friends at recess today.

As a parent, I am grateful that I had the ability to make the right choice for my children and send them back to class to learn in person. But millions of parents around the country have not been given this choice, with many school districts still only offering virtual learning. I have heard of so many families who are struggling as schools remain shuttered and they have no clear timetable for reopening.

It is vulnerable families with at-risk children who are impacted the most by these decisions. Let's think about the kids who don't have access to a computer or WiFi to try to complete their lessons online. Or let's talk about the kids who rely on school breakfast and lunch and they are going hungry without these vital nutrition programs. Or what about the victims of child abuse and neglect who are locked in with potential abusers. Or kids who are left at home all day because their parents have no choice but to go to work.

We cannot allow children and families to continue to suffer right now. It is time for students to get back into the classroom, and we can do it safely. With the Reopen Schools Act, they will be able to do so safely. Teachers will be back in the classroom safely, and we can get this country moving forward again.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join me in supporting our students by defeating the previous question. We need to get kids back to school. So I urge a ``no'' vote.

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