Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., March 18, 2020)
Summary
These pages of the Congressional Record for the Senate, March 18, 2020, at S1786 and S1787, carry floor speeches under the heading Coronavirus. Mr. Thune says the Senate expects to pass the House-passed relief bill that day and is looking to a third bill, with priorities including direct assistance to American workers and families. Mr. Merkley of Oregon contrasts an airline request for a $50 billion bailout with what he says was almost $50 billion spent on stock buyouts, calls it private gain and public pain, and reads accounts from small businesses in Ashland and Klamath County whose sales have dropped. The Presiding Officer then recognizes the Senator from West Virginia.
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“Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., March 18, 2020).”
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S1786 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 18, 2020
CORONAVIRUS The cherry blossom trees are blooming. went on to make billions of dollars and
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, here in There were mothers with young chil- then get a massive tax break in 2017.
the Senate, we are continuing to move dren, 3- and 4-year-old children, play- Right now, the airlines are asking for
forward with the next installment of ing on the grass, and it seemed like a $50 billion bailout, but they have
coronavirus relief legislation. I expect, just so idyllic, so perfect. It seemed spent almost $50 billion in stock
later today, we will pass the bill that like nothing could be wrong in Amer- buyouts over the last few years because
was passed by the House earlier, and ica. they were so profitable. And why did
we are looking beyond it to a third bill But, in fact, so much is wrong in they do stock buyouts? Because it in-
that will provide additional relief to America. Our everyday rhythm of life creased the value of the stock options
the American people. has been shattered. We are facing a of the corporate executives in that in-
As the leader has said, we have three medical pandemic and an economic col- dustry.
priorities: providing direct assistance lapse: K–12 schools, closed; univer- This is a version of private gain and
to American workers and families, sities, shut down; grocery stores, public pain. When a business says,
many whose lives have been disrupted empty; restaurants, locked; gyms, ‘‘During the good times I will keep all
and dislocated in jobs, who are feeling movie theaters, music venues, closed that money; thank you very much for
a lot of economic harm, economic pain; for business. not charging me any taxes to maintain
giving our economy, especially our The reverberations of so many core our infrastructure or our military or
small businesses, the necessary support businesses and core retail being shut our medical care system, and then,
with which to weather the storm; and are affecting virtually every family when we hit a hard time, we will ask to
most importantly, providing medical and every small business across this be bailed out’’—so we will have con-
professionals with the resources they country. So many forms of commerce versations about that strategy for big
need in order to fight this virus. The are grinding to a halt. The economy is business.
House bill addresses these priorities to imploding, and it is touching the work- How about, instead, we focus on the
some degree, but it is not a comprehen- ers and it is touching those small busi- families and the pain they are feeling,
sive bill, and additional legislation is nesses. Workers are experiencing the and focus on the small businesses and
going to be needed. reality of reduced hours, lost shifts, the challenges they are facing?
We especially need to ensure that the layoffs; and they don’t know when they We need a Main Street recovery, not
worker benefit requirements the House are going to be able to pick up that a Wall Street bailout. We need an econ-
bill places on small businesses are ac- work again. omy rebuilt from the bottom up, not
companied by sufficient support. Small Then, they are not sure how they are from Wall Street down—small busi-
businesses are at the most risk eco- going to pay their utilities. How are nesses, like Bargaritas, a small Mexi-
nomically during this time, and we they going to pay their rent? How are can restaurant in Ontario, OR. It is a
need to ensure they have the resources they going to pay their mortgage? And great place for people to gather for a
they need to get through this. I am when will America and the economy meal, and unlike nearby fast food res-
looking forward to continuing to work start to heal, and when will they be taurants, they aren’t known for their
with my colleagues of both parties on able to go back to work? takeout.
the House bill and on additional legis- So the American people are anxious But to combat the virus, the State of
lation. and worried, rightly, about the threat Oregon has shut down sit-down res-
This is a time for all of us to come of the disease and worried, rightly, taurants and asked them to go to take-
together to ensure that medical profes- about the collapse of the economy. out only. Well, that is taking a toll on
sionals, American businesses, and Coronavirus is marching on America. Bargaritas. When a couple came re-
American families have what they need As of yesterday—or, actually, as of this cently in the door and sat down for a
to combat the coronavirus and to deal morning—we have almost 6,000 cases meal, the restaurant staff had to ex-
with its effects. I can’t think of a time here in our United States of America— plain that they could make their meal
at which we have seen schools and 5,881 cases as of this moment. Compare for them, but they would have to make
businesses close on such a mass scale. that to a week ago. We are talking it to go. The couple got up, and they
It is a challenging time for our coun- about 1,200 cases a week ago. That is a didn’t order to go. They walked out the
try, but if we pull together, we can get five-fold increase in a week. door.
through this and come out even strong- We now have more than 50 States af- The owner of Bargaritas notes that
er. fected—all the States, Puerto Rico, they are just struggling to keep their
All of us have roles to play in com- Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. restaurant open, that business is not
bating this virus—washing our hands Then, we can ponder the fact that the coming in enough to pay the workers.
regularly and thoroughly, practicing number of deaths has gone up—51 So if things don’t pick up quickly, he is
social distancing, staying at home as deaths compared to in the thirties a going to have to close and ask his em-
much as possible, listening to advice week ago. ployees to file for unemployment.
from healthcare officials. All of these So the coronavirus is marching on Or how about the Paddington family
things are essential to our flattening America and marching on the econ- of stores in Ashland, OR, in business
the curve and limiting the number of omy. It is a double hammer affecting since 1973? In recent years they have
infected Americans. families and small business, and it is endured all kinds of challenges, includ-
It is vital that we keep as many peo- particularly appropriate at this mo- ing a couple of summers in which wild-
ple as possible from getting infected so ment to share with all of you the sto- fire smoke created major challenges
that our hospitals and medical profes- ries of small businesses in my home for the businesses in Ashland, OR. But
sionals are not overwhelmed with State that are being impacted. things were looking pretty good this
cases. Our medical professionals are More than 40 businesses sent in their year. Business was going OK.
putting their lives on the line every stories, and I am going to share 6 or 7 Now, however, the owner says they
day to care for coronavirus patients. of those stories. But as we think about ‘‘felt [their] world crumble in March
Let’s make sure we do everything we how we proceed, we need to recognize with the threat of the coronavirus
can to keep the number of cases they that this recovery needs to be one changing our world.’’ They have laid
are dealing with as low as possible. where we invest in the foundation of off eight staff members just this week.
In difficult times, Americans rise to our economy, we invest in the families, That is 30 percent of their staff. In a
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE
the occasion, and I am confident that we invest with sick leave, we invest single day, their sales dropped 50 per-
is what we will do again. with unemployment insurance, we in- cent. As things are going now, they
I yield the floor. vest by covering the health costs of will need to lay off more staff within
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- getting tests and the cost of getting the next few weeks if the business cli-
ator from Oregon. treatment, and we invest in our small mate does not change.
Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I businesses. And the story is much the same for
walked outside across the Capitol Not so long ago we had a bailout that the retailers throughout the town of
grounds, and it is such a beautiful day. favored big business, and big business Ashland, OR.
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March 18, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1787
The story is similar in Portland, as well this has had a spiraling effect on our Democratic leadership. Why is this
where Betsy and Iya, a company that ability to pay for bills, insurance, mortgages Chamber not acting?
has designed and manufactured jewelry and to take care of our families. Then we must immediately go to this
for the past 12 years and regularly em- Amy Baker is the owner of Thread broader strategy—the stimulus to sup-
ploys about 17 workers, had to Bare Press in Eugene, and she notes: port our economy through this collapse
downsize. They had to ask three of My screen printing business relies pri- to try to keep the collapse from being
their workers to be let go. marily on schools, restaurants and events to as severe and shortening the period be-
This is a business that has gone out keep our T-shirt presses running. On Friday fore it can be restored. That period is
March 13th as the stock market tanked and
of its way to promote other local busi- going to depend a lot on how successful
major cultural centers shut down across the
nesses, but sales have dropped off very country, I saw a third of our monthly rev- we are at interrupting the course of
quickly. I would presume that in this enue vanish in one day. In the five days this disease. That is why this is so im-
sense of crisis, families are buying es- since, my email inbox has remained empty portant—social distancing is so impor-
sentials, and that means those in the as our client base struggles to shore up their tant. We have to stop the disease from
jewelry industry are seeing their sales expenses. I have laid off half of my six staff moving from one person to another.
drop. The sales have dropped very this week and have let the rest know that The disease is on the march against
quickly, and they are seeing the virus’s next week they will temporarily not have a America, and we have to interrupt it.
job. It’s hard to feel like so many people de-
huge economic impacts, and they are We have to bring it to a standstill.
pend on me for their paychecks, let alone my
expecting to have to lay off more peo- own children that depend on me for our own
Meanwhile, we have to help those
ple soon, and they are looking for help. livelihood. I have helped my staff apply for families and businesses being so pro-
Ultrazone Laser Tag—now, you unemployment, but there is no unemploy- foundly affected across America. Let’s
might think that, with folks being out ment for business owners. We are a small rebuild this economy from the bottom
of work, they might go to a place to business that essentially lives week to week up, paying attention to the impact on
get some exercise and have some recre- based on our clients. In a perfect world there families and the impact on our small
ation, and a sense of separation might would be money to pay my staff paid leave or businesses. As John F. Kennedy once
savings to sustain myself while we close our put it, ‘‘In a time of domestic crisis,
be OK. Maybe laser tag would see an
doors for what I estimate to be a month.
upsurge in sales—not the case. Lee However, we are not in that position. What
men of goodwill and generosity should
Sturman, of Ultrazone Laser Tag, in I’m hoping for is to ride out this storm with be able to unite regardless of party or
Milwaukie says: forgiveness on my own bills and expenses politics.’’ That is what we did after 9/
My name is Lee Sturman, and I am the that will not get paid next month. I’ll need 11. That is exactly what must happen
owner of Ultrazone Laser Tag, a family en- emergency, low interest capital to get back today.
tertainment center Located in Milwaukie, to work and bring my staff back on. Let us not be moved by the powerful
Oregon. As the founder, I have successfully Then we have all of our State’s music and the wealthy to give yet more
operated for 26 years. During this time, like venues, like Mississippi Studios and wealth and power to them. Let us be
all small business owners, I have battled the historic Liberty Theater in Astoria moved by the fact that we are all
competitors and overcome other challenging and the Ashland Shakespeare Festival Americans in this together. Let us tend
obstacles. On a level playing field, I have in Ashland. All of them are in danger
managed to survive and thrive. But, unfortu- to the fundamental needs of healthcare
nately, my business has been upended by an
of going out of business. With social and housing and education and, most
invasion of tiny microbes. COVID–19 has distancing and prohibitions on large importantly, good jobs as those jobs
struck fast and struck hard. In a matter of gatherings and a sudden cancellation of disappear across America.
two weeks, Ultrazone has gone from busy musical acts, the venues are experi- Let’s pay attention and work to-
crowds to near emptiness. encing a sudden and total loss of in- gether to shore up small businesses
Steve and Kristi Ball operate Basin come. with low-interest loans and with grants
Indoor Gardening in Klamath Falls, Those stories are representative of to see them and their employees
OR. In response to the Klamath County things happening all over my State and through this difficult time.
Chamber of Commerce collecting sto- I know in every State of the United The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
ries of the financial impact that States of America. The economy is im- ator from West Virginia.
COVID–19 is having on local businesses, ploding, and with each and every small f
they submitted the following and ap- business that can’t pay its bills, it af-
fects other small businesses and other CORONAVIRUS
preciate the opportunity to share, and
I appreciate the fact that they re- larger businesses. It affects those who Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, thank
sponded and are sharing. Steve and have rental housing and those who you. I want to thank my colleague
Kristi note: have mortgages. All of us are going to from Oregon for his big heart and his
[They have] owned a small retail business be touched. compassion, continually always wor-
in downtown Klamath Falls for nearly 11 That is why it is going to be so im- rying about those being left behind and
years so have experience with seasonal fluc- portant that we turn to this third stage forgotten. I can assure you that Mr.
tuations and customer trends that affect the of response by the U.S. Senate. The MERKLEY does not leave anybody be-
cash flow and overall revenues of my store. first stage was to shore up the hind, and he never forgets those who
Things have been shockingly slow since the healthcare industry. The second stage are in need of help.
beginning of March but especially this last was some immediate help with sick Let me just say, in speaking about
week where customer traffic has almost leave and unemployment insurance and what we are dealing with, unlike any-
halted. Based on last years total for March
and daily sales compared to this years same
food assistance and free testing for the thing we have ever seen in my lifetime
time frame my store gross sales are down to coronavirus. That bill inexplicably has and most people’s lifetimes, up until a
about 36% of normal, indicating 64% loss in been sitting untended in this Chamber. couple days ago, my State of West Vir-
revenues. I hope this is a short lived situa- Why aren’t all 100 of us here debating ginia felt like we were immune. There
tion and business can go back to what is nor- it before the American people and vot- were no cases reported, and we were
mal, more than a month like this will force ing on it? like an island in a sea of infestation
some difficult decisions for the future of my I am told now that maybe, possibly, around us. I knew that was not the
store. the bill may come to the floor this case. Many people did not know that
April Severson of Portland writes: afternoon; that some deal will be we were just not testing and the
I’ve owned my event production company worked out. Wouldn’t it be better that amount of tests were just not out
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE
for 20-years. My business has always had it’s we actually be on the floor talking there, so people had a false sense of
ups and downs but this is the first time I’ve about it, discussing it, and voting on hope and security.
had all of my contracts cancelled. I am the amendments, if necessary? In a perfect That has been shattered. We have our
sole employee of my company however, my
world, I would like to pass it just the first case now. I am praying to the
cancelled contracts have also cancelled the
work for my associates and vendors in audio- way the House sent it to us and get it good Lord we don’t have many more,
visual, entertainment, decor, furniture rent- into law immediately. The President but I suspect because of the fragility of
als, floral and catering. Since most of my has signed on, the House has signed on. our citizens and the elderly population
vendors are small and emerging businesses You have Republican leadership and that we have, those who have done
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