Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., March 17, 2020)
Summary
Page S1768 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for March 17, 2020, headed Coronavirus. A senator urges colleagues to work in an orderly, safe way and to follow the same guidelines the Senate is preaching to the country, and describes checking one's own temperature morning and evening. Another passage says the response should focus on people who lost income, seniors, children out of school and hospitals short of equipment. A closing portion thanks grocery and pharmacy workers and truck drivers, and says the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act provisions that expired Sunday are key weapons.
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“Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., March 17, 2020).”
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S1768 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2020
leader, the Republican leader, has a morning and in the evening. It is a and senior citizens. It focuses on those
plan, please share it with us too. All of good way to check whether you have who need help—those who don’t have
us are waiting and anxious to know this illness and it is progressing within an income because they have lost their
what our circumstances will be for the you. Not all experts agree with that, job temporarily; those who need help
days ahead. but many do. In my view, it can’t hurt. with senior citizens, with children who
I want to stay here and get the work It is something I am doing. I am urging are not in school; hospitals that are
done, but let’s do it in an orderly, safe, my family to do it, and I am urging my short of equipment and maybe per-
and nonrisky way. Let’s try to abide by staff to do it. sonnel. That is the immediate focus.
the same guidelines we are preaching Our response in the Senate and in That is what we must do right now. We
to the rest of America. Let’s use new Congress—the response to the must focus on those who need help im-
technology. Let’s use our best thinking coronavirus—will require a massive mediately and do it in a way that deals
and come up with bipartisan answers. mobilization of public resources—Fed- with the structural problems in the
That, to me, is the way to manage the eral, State, and local—as we have mar- country that have made the attack of
Senate in the midst of this national shaled before only in wartime. It is this virus more virulent, more harmful,
emergency. going to require Congress to work in a and worse.
We shouldn’t be returning, as we bipartisan way and with uncommon By contrast, it is reported that the
have this week, and facing situations speed. And the American people, too, administration is proposing a massive
like last night where our vote was not must pull together and sacrifice in Federal bailout of industry and a pay-
even necessary. Many of us came here ways small and large their normal way roll tax cut. If we are going to follow
ready to vote and found that there had of life in an effort to combat this dis- up the House bill with another major
been an agreement that made such a ease and limit its spread. All hands economic stimulus package, which we
vote unnecessary. must be on deck because the task be- must, our major focus cannot be based
It is time for a greater spirit of co- fore us is daunting and may yet eclipse on bailing out airlines, cruises, and
operation and communication. Just to the pain felt by workers and families other industries. We must first
have the Republican side come up with during the great recession—at least for prioritize economic solutions that are
their list and we come up with ours, many things. focused on workers and their families,
without dialogue, doesn’t lead us to The first order of business here in the solutions that would allow us to fix our
where we need to be. Let’s have that Senate is to take up and pass the re- broken unemployment system; rebuild
dialogue and do it in a safe and cent House bill and do it today. It will our public health system, which is
thoughtful way. provide free coronavirus testing. That overburdened; save small and medium-
I yield the floor. is essential. It would extend paid sick sized American businesses that have a
I suggest the absence of a quorum. leave. It would give food assistance, cash crunch and will go out of business,
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Medicaid reimbursement, and expanded even though they were healthy a
clerk will call the roll. unemployment insurance. month ago, because no one is buying
The senior assistant legislative clerk I understand that some of my col- their products or using their services.
proceeded to call the roll. leagues on the other side of the aisle Let’s remember—corporations are
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I might want to amend the legislation or not people. People are people. And
ask unanimous consent that the order have it written differently if they were when it comes to this cascading crisis,
for the quorum call be rescinded. the ones putting it together. But I re- we should help our fellow Americans
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without mind them that Leader MCCONNELL first, even as we plan and execute poli-
objection, it is so ordered. said that he would defer the agreement cies that protect our economy. The ad-
f between the Speaker of the House and ministration’s proposal, if that is the
Secretary Mnuchin. The President has sum of it—a massive bailout of indus-
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY said he will sign this bill if the Senate try and a payroll tax cut—doesn’t do
LEADER passes it. If we change the bill, it will that. It doesn’t target the people who
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The go back to the House and be delayed most need the help. Any package we
Democratic leader is recognized. and delay the aid it contains for Amer- are going to do here, which must be
f ican families coping with the impact of passed in a bipartisan way, must con-
the virus. tain large elements of what I am talk-
CORONAVIRUS Please, my colleagues, we will have ing about and maybe other things as
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, other opportunities to legislate, and well that help the people who are in
our country is facing an unprecedented there will be a great need for them, but need.
public health emergency with severe let’s move this now. Let’s move this I will be sending my proposal and a
and potentially long-lasting economic now. I believe our side of the aisle will PowerPoint slide to every one of my
consequences. As COVID–19 spreads, clear this. I hope the other side will, colleagues shortly, and I hope they will
our local health officials and health ex- and it will be on the President’s desk understand the need for it. I have con-
perts tell us we are woefully unpre- today. Let’s hope, and let’s not delay sulted with large numbers in our cau-
pared for what is about to hit us. Pub- any longer. cus, and we have broad support for
lic health infrastructure, like hospital But there is much more to be done. these proposals and some others.
beds and masks and ventilators, must Once this legislation is sent to the Again, when it comes to this cas-
be produced and procured. Testing is President’s desk—COVID 2—our work cading crisis, we should help fellow
still not at its proper capacity. The re- will not be over, not even close. We Americans first, even as we plan and
sulting economic downturn from this must soon move to other very nec- execute policies that protect our econ-
virus is already impacting millions of essary measures to address the omy.
American families, workers, and busi- coronavirus and its widening impact on First, we take actions to fight this
nesses—small, medium, large, alike. the health and well-being of the Amer- virus. First, we get lifelines to our
First, on a personal note, please, ican people. workers, our parents, our students, our
Americans, take care of yourselves. Today, I am presenting a series of seniors, our small businesses. If your
Avoid unnecessary contact, even proposals to congressional appropri- house is on fire, the first thing you
though I know so many of the meetings ators that would provide initial infu- worry about is not smoke damage to
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE
and gatherings and celebrations that sion of at least $750 billion. Our pro- the roof; you try to put out the fire.
we have planned must be postponed. It posal is big, it is bold, but it is also tar- That is what our proposal does. It
is painful but not as painful as the con- geted. It focuses on those Americans in means, first and foremost, we work to
tinuing spread of this awful virus. the parts of the health sector and the address the virus itself and the people
And a little advice—this is not uni- economy most in need now: hospitals most impacted.
versal, but I have heard this from a and treatment, unemployment insur- In the midst of a sprawling health
number of medical people whom I ance and Medicaid, loan forbearance and economic catastrophe, industry
trust: Take your temperature in the and aid for small business, childcare, bailouts should not be at the top of our
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March 17, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1769
priority list. Our proposal also does not In conclusion, this crisis is going to keep Americans safe. I am pleased we
include a payroll tax cut. That option demand more from all of us—more were able to pass a 77-day extension
may be premature and the wrong re- from the administration and a Presi- yesterday and set up a process for con-
sponse to the problems we face today. dent who has been far too slow in wak- sideration of a long-term extension.
There are much better ways to get ing up to the scale of the challenges we I strongly support the bipartisan
money in the hands of the Americans now face, more from a Congress that House bill, which combines extensions
who need it most and in the ways they has to set aside partisan squabbles and of these key anti-terrorism tools with
need it most. work together, and more from the new accountability measures that will
For example, in our proposal, the American people, who must diligently ensure that law enforcement is held to
Senate Democratic proposal, if you are follow public health guidance and en- the highest standards when pursuing
a worker and lose your job or can’t dure massive disruptions of their daily surveillance of suspected terrorists and
work, you would qualify for nearly lives. I know my family is enduring foreign agents. Attorney General Barr
$10,000 over 6 months in unemployment that right now, and so are millions and has also endorsed the House bill. I look
benefits. If you can’t work because you millions of families across America. forward to taking up this legislation
get sick and your employer doesn’t We have to stick together, be strong, and debating several issues raised by
provide paid sick leave, we would allow support one another, and we will get my colleagues before we are on the
you to apply for unemployment insur- through it. We will. We have not faced brink of another expiration.
ance and get reimbursed. Under Sen- a public health crisis of this global f
ator MURRAY’s leadership, we are also scale in recent times. We are unsure
doing more on the sick leave front. CORONAVIRUS
how long the disturbance to our na-
If your hours are cut and you sud- tional economic life will last. Yet we Mr. THUNE. Of course, the other
denly can’t pay your mortgage, you are Americans have overcome challenges thing we are focused on this week is
going to lose your home, or if you are of this magnitude and even greater be- the issue that is at the top of every-
otherwise struggling to make ends fore, and we will again. It will demand one’s mind, and that is dealing with
meet because you choose to pay your determination, cooperation, and sac- the coronavirus outbreak.
mortgage but then can’t pay other rifice. It will demand an enormous, co- Two weeks ago, Congress passed
vital expenses, our proposal would let coronavirus legislation providing more
ordinated effort by the Government of
you defer your mortgage loans for 6 than $8 billion in funding for virus re-
the United States at all levels to pro-
months with no penalty, fees, or im- search, testing, and medical care. This
tect the health and safety of the Amer-
pact on your credit. We will do the week, we are looking to pass the sec-
ican people. But we will overcome this
same for student loans. We will do the ond phase of Congress’s response, and
problem, together—strongly, force-
same for small business loans. There that is legislation to continue our in-
fully, and smartly.
will be a 6-month moratorium. That vestment in medical care and to begin
I yield the floor.
helps real people. to address the economic impact the
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
If you are a working parent and sud- coronavirus is having on American
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
denly you have to worry about finding workers.
clerk will call the roll.
a safe place for your kids to stay dur- The House has reached an agreement
The senior assistant legislative clerk
ing the day, we would provide emer- with Treasury Secretary Steve
proceeded to call the roll.
gency funding to safely ramp up Mnuchin, and Senators are currently
Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask
childcare services for heavily impacted reviewing the House’s legislation,
unanimous consent that the order for
parts of the country. If you are a small which arrived here in the Senate just
the quorum call be rescinded.
business suddenly facing cash flow this morning. I look forward to passing
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
problems, we would allow you to apply that bill this week.
objection, it is so ordered.
for low-interest loans and other forms As the leader said on Sunday, Senate
of direct financial assistance that can f
Republicans believe that any legisla-
offer relief quickly and allow you to FISA tion we pass this week is only the be-
overcome this problem and keep your Mr. THUNE. Madam President, the ginning of Congress’s response to the
business going in a healthy way. Senate had three priorities for this virus.
These are just a few examples. Our
week: reauthorizing the expiring provi- As this outbreak continues to unfold,
proposal includes much more but in-
sions of the Foreign Intelligence Sur- other issues will need to be addressed,
cludes what is needed and needed im-
veillance Act, passing the second phase and Senate Republicans are already
mediately. It includes what Governors
of our coronavirus response, and initi- planning for legislation to address fu-
across the country are calling for—aid
ating a serious discussion about what ture priorities, whether they be in the
to public health systems and citizens
else we need to do to help Americans increased funding for medical facilities
impacted by this crisis.
I would say to my Republican col- address this challenge. I have to say I or measures to provide support for
leagues: We want to work with you. am glad we have already made progress American families and businesses.
You will have different ideas, but our on all three fronts. This is a challenging time for our
ideas must be contained in a package. On Sunday, several key provisions of country, but it is often in challenging
The thing the administration has been the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance times that we see the very best of
talking about, if that is true, is not Act expired, including the provision America. We are seeing that already—
good enough at all. that allows the FBI to wiretap lone- in neighbors’ ensuring that neighbors
There is one other thing we need. As wolf terrorists—terrorists not affili- are supplied with necessities; in sports
more testing becomes available, the ated with a specific terrorist organiza- figures’ donating to ensure that work-
number of confirmed coronavirus cases tion—and the roving wiretap provision ers at their arenas are still paid even
will inevitably increase and the strain that prevents the FBI from having to when games aren’t being played; in res-
on our public health system will be- seek a new wiretap warrant each time taurants’ helping to feed their neigh-
come even greater. We are going to a terrorist suspect changes his phone bors even though their businesses are
need massive investments to ensure we number. currently suffering; in companies and
have the capacity and necessary infra- Every minute of every day, the men arts organizations’ acting to provide
structure to treat all Americans who and women of our law enforcement and free resources to families who are
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE
need it. Our proposal addresses that as intelligence communities are working hunkering down at home; in the mil-
well. to track terrorist threats and prevent lions of Americans who are providing
As we discuss what is to come in the attacks on American citizens. We need the essential services we need during
next few weeks, I strongly urge my col- to ensure that they have all the tools this outbreak—from the workers’
leagues on both sides of the aisle, both they need to do their jobs. stocking the shelves at our grocery
ends of the Capitol, to review our pro- The Foreign Intelligence Surveil- stores and pharmacies to the truck
posal and organize our next legislative lance Act provisions that expired Sun- drivers’ delivering needed goods across
response around these ideas. day are key weapons in the fight to our country; finally and especially, in
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