Congressional Record, Senate, March 17, 2020 — Coronavirus (Tester, Cornyn)
Summary
Congressional Record — Senate for March 17, 2020, beginning at page S1770, with remarks under the heading Coronavirus. Mr. TESTER says the Senate should vote on a bill the House passed with a bipartisan majority, and describes its provisions as free testing, sick leave and unemployment insurance, with effects in Montana for school lunches and Meals on Wheels. Mr. CORNYN says the Senate passed an $8.3 billion emergency package and that the legislation includes a new Federal emergency paid sick leave program.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, March 17, 2020 — Coronavirus (Tester, Cornyn).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-03-17-crec-2020-03-17-pt1-pgs1770-082d7a7844/
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S1770 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2020
our healthcare professionals, from doc- need is great and that the absolute ne- ing their jobs through no fault of their
tors and nurses to sanitation staff, who cessity of cooperation is greater than own.
risk exposure every day to ensure that ever. I look forward to working with We could have done this several days
Americans receive the care they need. our colleagues here this week as we ago, but, instead, we continue to wait.
When we have come through this out- move forward in a way that will, hope- We continue to wait as we have
break, all of us will want to be able to fully, lead to some very positive results watched athletics shut down—the
look back and say that we did every- and will address the very critical needs NCAA, baseball, hockey, basketball,
thing we could to help keep our fellow being felt by families all across this NBA—restaurants, Broadway, schools
Americans safe and slow the spread of country as a result of this coronavirus close. The list goes on and on, and we
this disease. The best way to do that is disease. continue to languish here in the U.S.
by following the guidelines that we I yield the floor. Senate, supposedly the greatest delib-
have been given—washing our hands I suggest the absence of a quorum. erative body in the world. We do this
frequently and thoroughly, practicing The PRESIDING OFFICER. The while 4 in 10 Americans struggle to
social distancing, avoiding large gath- clerk will call the roll. cover an unanticipated expense of $400.
erings, and staying home when advised. The legislative clerk proceeded to Let me say that again: 4 in 10 families
Some of these measures may be incon- call the roll. are $400 away from financial crisis.
venient, but they are a small price to Mr. TESTER. Madam President, I
pay to flatten the curve and limit the ask unanimous consent that the order This bill ensures that a hotel em-
disease’s spread. for the quorum call be rescinded. ployee in Billings can stay home if she
While anyone can be hit hard by the The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. is feeling ill without sacrificing that
coronavirus, there are a lot of people LOEFFLER). Without objection, it is so $400 for rent, groceries, or childcare.
who are especially vulnerable to com- ordered. A quarter of a million Americans go
plications—from elderly Americans to f without medical care for fear of the
the many individuals who have pre- cost. This bill ensures that no one is
CORONAVIRUS
existing conditions. Let’s do every- going without healthcare or
thing we can to protect our fellow Mr. TESTER. Madam President, I coronavirus tests for fear of the ex-
Americans and prevent our hospitals rise today at a pivotal time for our Na- pense. More than that, the bill would
and our healthcare professionals from tion. It is quiet today in Big Sky Coun- increase the amount of funding for
being overwhelmed with cases. try. Over the last 36 hours, we have Montana’s Medicaid Program to cover
I am confident that, if we pull to- seen schools, restaurants, bars, gyms, additional Medicaid expenses.
gether and look out for each other, our ski resorts, and churches close. Thou-
Nation will emerge from this challenge sands of children are home from school, Many kids in Montana rely on lunch
stronger. I look forward to working many unsure where their next meal that they get at their schools as the
with my colleagues here in Congress to will come from, and parents are with- primary source of nutrition for the
ensure that our Nation has the re- out childcare. day. This bill will allow those students
sources it needs to combat and defeat There are no test kits to test for to continue to get lunch even if the
this disease. coronavirus to speak of—a few, but not schools are closed.
I was encouraged to hear our Senate nearly enough, and inadequate medical Seniors who are homebound rely on
Democratic leader speak about his supplies in Indian Country. meal delivery services such as Meals on
willingness to work with the Repub- Thousands are concerned about what Wheels. Missoula Aging Services is al-
licans. Obviously, to do anything here it means for their paychecks. Seniors ready preparing to use its allotment of
in the Senate requires 60 votes, which are worried about their health. Busi- millions of dollars in additional rev-
means we have to have bipartisan co- nesses are forced to make very, very enue for senior nutrition, for providing
operation. We have a legislative vehi- tough choices. more meals for seniors who are fol-
cle, as I mentioned, that contains a Millions of Americans are depending lowing recommendations to stay home.
number of features that are helpful, I on us here in Washington, DC, to act This pandemic is already causing sig-
think, in terms of addressing the crisis and to act quickly. The House jumped nificant impacts to our economy. We
that we are experiencing, not only on into action and began negotiating with know that all too well. This is why this
the healthcare front but on the eco- the administration on a bill to address bill addresses unexpected unemploy-
nomic front with regard to the hard- some of the most pressing and imme- ment and helps small businesses cover
ships that are being experienced by diate concerns of the coronavirus. A paid sick leave for those who need it.
millions of Americans. deal was struck, and the House passed
There is more that we need to do, and the bill with an overwhelming bipar- Under this bill, low-income pregnant
those discussions, as I mentioned, are tisan majority. women and mothers with young chil-
underway, and I am hopeful that we And what happened in the Senate? dren who lose their jobs due to COVID–
will be able to come to a conclusion, to Well, last Thursday, the majority lead- 19 will be able to access food assist-
a resolution, that would be good not er sent us home. Business as usual. ance. All of these are commonsense, bi-
only for those Americans who have What we should have done—we partisan solutions that the Senate has
been hurting economically and who, should have stuck around and done the delayed for no good reason.
perhaps, are not working and are not people’s work. But, instead, my friends On the farm, when there is work to
able to get to work, but for those busi- in the majority decided we should oper- be done, especially when it is time-sen-
nesses that have shut down—our small ate as business as usual and take off sitive work, you don’t take a break.
businesses that create the majority of Friday, take off the weekend, and go You get the job done. I call on my col-
jobs in this country—and for, cer- home. leagues not to waste another moment—
tainly, the healthcare professionals, Well, this is not business as usual. If to hold a vote and get the job done.
who, as I said, are on the frontlines the majority leader would have lis- I yield the floor.
every single day. We need to take every tened to the CDC, he would have heard
step we possibly can to ensure that we that what he did last Thursday was I suggest the absence of a quorum.
protect people from the spread of the contrary to the recommendations they The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
disease and ensure that they continue have made to avoid groups, to avoid clerk will call the roll.
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE
to sustain their economic livelihoods airports. We did just the opposite. The legislative clerk proceeded to
in the midst of this crisis. Millions of Americans are waiting for call the roll.
Many of the things that are being the Senate to act. What we are here to
discussed and worked on that will re- consider today, which we should have Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I
quire collaboration with the Democrats considered last Saturday, is an impor- ask unanimous consent that the order
and the House of Representatives will tant start toward providing needed re- for the quorum call be rescinded.
need to be approached in a bipartisan lief. It provides free testing, sick leave, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
way. We need to recognize that the unemployment insurance for those los- objection, it is so ordered.
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March 17, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1771
CORONAVIRUS those who rely on tips—are among the This legislation also includes a range
Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, hardest hit. of provisions to provide financial secu-
across our country, we are seeing cit- I am glad to say that soon the Senate rity for those who are unable to work,
ies, schools, businesses, and other orga- will take action to provide additional and that is because they are protecting
nizations take the necessary and seri- relief. As the Presiding Officer knows, the public health. It will create a new
ous precautions to keep the American we passed an $8.3 billion emergency Federal emergency paid sick leave pro-
people safe from the spread of the package to help fast-track discovery of gram for those impacted by the
coronavirus. School districts, colleges, a vaccine and to make sure that our coronavirus. That means that any
and universities are canceling in-per- healthcare sector is prepared for what Texan—any American who is diag-
son classes, churches are moving serv- is coming at it, or at least better pre- nosed, quarantining, or caring for a de-
ices online, professional sports teams pared. pendent who was impacted by this
are hitting pause on their regular sea- The House has now passed the Fami- virus will be able to take 14 days of
son, airlines are canceling flights, and lies First Coronavirus Response Act, paid sick leave. And many Texas work-
many Main Street businesses are clos- which we are in the process of taking ers will be able to access 12 weeks of
ing their doors. up and will hopefully finish this week, paid leave for virus-related long-term
I know that all of this is a little dis- and then I expect there will be a third absences. These protections include
orienting and certainly alarming. But installment—a stimulus package that workers who stay home to care for
while these measures aren’t normal, it Treasury Secretary Mnuchin will be up their loved ones, including staying
is a sign that we are heeding advice here on the Hill talking about today to home with their kids due to school clo-
from the experts, people like Dr. Fauci try to help employees and employers sures.
and organizations like the Centers for and entire industries survive this eco- This bill also makes changes to un-
Disease Control. It is a sign that we are nomic trauma. employment insurance. It will tempo-
doing what we can to prevent or at The Families First Coronavirus Re- rarily waive requirements for workers
least slow down community spread. It sponse Act will help protect both the to prove they are actively searching for
is a sign that we are standing together physical and financial health of our work during the public health emer-
and making progress, ultimately ex- country by supporting workers and gency response, and it will provide $1
pecting that we will get through this their families impacted by the virus. It billion in emergency grants for States
together. The difficult decisions that will remove financial barriers for Tex- to support processing and paying un-
need to be made by elected officials, ans who need access to coronavirus employment insurance benefits. In
business owners, and community lead- testing, regardless of income or insur- other words, we know that people are
ers when they decide to shut down nor- ance coverage. staying home because their employers
mal parts of our daily lives—these are This is one of the things I talked to have told them their businesses have
not easy decisions for them to make. Governor Abbott about in particular. been shut down. Even though they are
Despite the public health benefits He said that there are two things that not sick, they are suffering financial
these closures will provide, we are also Texas needs. He said it is more testing loss. The purpose of this is to make
expecting other serious—mainly eco- and it is more protective equipment, sure that through the vehicle of unem-
nomic—consequences. Our economic personal protective equipment—PPEs, ployment insurance, they do get some
engine is being brought to a halt as as they are called—in order for this money so that they can take care of
people are staying home rather than testing to take place. their necessities and keep putting food
producing, and small businesses and While it is still true—according to on the table.
their employees in particular are feel- the Centers for Disease Control—that This bill also takes serious steps to
ing the impact. you should not be tested unless you are strengthen food security for those who
Jason Phillips is a manager at Zoli’s experiencing symptoms and referred by are struggling with reliable access to
Pizza in Fort Worth, TX, and he has a healthcare provider, it is clear that healthy meals. This is one of the things
been in the service industry for more more testing is going to be needed, and I heard from a friend of mine out in
than 20 years. Still, he said he has indeed we have heard from the Presi- West Texas just today concerned about
never been in a situation quite like dent and the Vice President and the ad- the food banks that provide a safety
this one. He said this past Saturday ministration in general that we expect net for people without access to reg-
that Zoli’s Pizza had about half the a huge ramping up of the capacity to ular, healthy food. This bill actually
number of customers they have come test people so they can know whether will send $400 million to local food
to expect. they are positive and they need to stay banks, which are supporting those low-
Steven Startz has experienced a simi- in isolation or possibly need healthcare income families across the country, in-
lar struggle. Last November, he opened treatment or whether, like the Presi- cluding in places like West Texas.
a new restaurant in New Braunfels, TX, dent and one of our colleagues here, We know that older Americans are
just north of San Antonio, called Le Senator GRAHAM, they are negative, the most vulnerable when it comes to
Citron European Cafe and Bistro. The and obviously the peace of mind that the coronavirus, and many are afraid
first year for any new restaurant is comes with that. This legislation re- to leave their homes at the risk of get-
bound to be tough. As luck would have moves all financial barriers for that ting sick. This legislation provides a
it, a week after they opened, an oven testing. quarter of a billion dollars for the sen-
broke, and it had to be replaced. But For those who have private insur- ior nutrition program to provide home-
nothing has prepared Steven for the ance, it requires that all plans cover delivered meals to low-income seniors.
months of February and March, what the cost of testing, including the cost It also provides half a billion dollars
they would bring. He was hoping, as of a provider, an urgent care center, for Federal food stamps. It provides
you might imagine, for an uptick in and emergency room visits in order to flexibility on work requirements, so
tourists, which would mean more busi- get tested. As I said, right now, CDC those who lose their jobs or aren’t able
ness, but instead a pandemic has kept protocol calls for a healthcare provider to work can receive assistance when
everybody at home. Rather than a posi- to make a diagnosis based on symp- they need it the most.
tive bump in the business, revenue for toms that would then lead to a test. I mentioned the food banks and the
his young restaurant is down 60 per- Those are the same zero-cost meas- school lunch program. Last week, the
cent. As a result, he has had to cut ures that would apply to those covered U.S. Department of Agriculture ap-
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE
staff, and he hasn’t hired replacements by Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE. proved a request from Texas with re-
for the employees he has recently lost. It also requires the National Disaster gard to school lunches. Millions of
This is an all-too-familiar struggle Medical System to reimburse the cost Texas students are currently eligible
for millions of Americans who are un- of testing for patients who are unin- for free lunch programs, but, obviously,
able to go to work during this pan- sured. when the schools close, they don’t get
demic and are facing serious economic In short, the bottom line is, no one access to that nutrition. But thanks to
uncertainty about their future. Those will have to pay to be tested for the the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
in the service industry—especially coronavirus, period. Texas schools can continue to serve
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