Congressional Record, Senate, March 19, 2020, Page S1822 — Student Loan Debt and Senate Rules
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated March 19, 2020, at page S1822, with remarks about the coronavirus legislation. One Senator thanks Senator Durbin for working on a change in Senate rules so the Senate can do its constitutional duties regardless of the crisis. Another says the legislation will address three priorities: direct, immediate assistance to American workers and families, support for small businesses, and resources for medical professionals, and notes work with the Senate Commerce and Finance Committees. A further passage argues that if Congress simplifies bankruptcy for businesses it should relieve crushing student loan debt.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Congressional Record, Senate, March 19, 2020, Page S1822 — Student Loan Debt and Senate Rules.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-03-19-crec-2020-03-19-pt1-pgs1822-2-bc5c1da4ec/
, SHA-256 4b5716f3b495cb4e4363b255f43739b779ee1fa8279103508448bda09b78f5ab.Full text
S1822 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 19, 2020
If Congress is going to consider which is perhaps to shift over to article Our legislation will address three pri-
changes to make the bankruptcy proc- II—to the executive branch—or not to orities: providing direct, immediate as-
ess simpler and less painful for busi- be addressed at all. sistance to American workers and fam-
nesses, we ought to do the same for I thank my colleague from South Da- ilies; giving our economy, especially
workers and families. That includes kota. I thank Senator DURBIN from Illi- our small businesses, the necessary
Americans who are currently being nois for working with me on this support to weather the storm; and, of
crushed by student loan debt and face project. My hope is we can see a change course, most importantly, providing
their own economic recession even be- in our Senate rules coming out of this medical professionals with the re-
fore this one. If we are talking about process so that we can have the ability sources they need to fight this virus.
relieving debts that businesses and in- to do our constitutional duties regard- I have been working closely with col-
dividuals cannot pay, for goodness’ less of what is happening with regard leagues on the Senate Commerce and
sake, how can we ignore the crushing to the National Capital or the crisis we Finance Committees to develop the
student loan debt across America, are currently facing with COVID–19. parts of the legislation that will ad-
which compromises the futures of the I yield back my time. dress tax relief, particularly for small
thousands of Americans? We need to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- businesses, and support for industries
take steps to forgive student debt, like jority whip. that have been directly impacted by
for students who were defrauded by for- f this pandemic, including the airline in-
profit colleges—a measure we continue CORONAVIRUS dustry, which has taken a devastating
to fight Secretary DeVos over—and we hit from this outbreak.
Mr. THUNE. Madam President, yes- The Senate will be here as long as it
need to restore dischargeability in terday the Senate passed the Families
bankruptcy for student loans once and takes to get this additional legislation
First Coronavirus Response Act, which to the President’s desk.
for all. is bipartisan legislation that will pro-
In short, bold policy ideas to help These are difficult days. This is new
vide critical relief to American work- territory for most of us, and there is a
families during this time are not exclu- ers, families, and small businesses. lot of uncertainty in the air. Ameri-
sive to either political party. I look Two weeks ago, the Senate passed cans are worried about their own
forward, as we have in the first two the first phase of Congress’s COVID–19 health and that of their loved ones.
measures, to a bipartisan effort and a response, and that was $8.3 billion in They are worried about what this out-
timely effort to respond. America is funding for coronavirus research, test- break will mean for their jobs and their
counting on us. Now is the time for us ing, and medical care. Yesterday’s bill financial health. It is a difficult time
to produce. was the second phase of that response.
I yield the floor. for our country. We are going to get
The Families First Coronavirus Re- through this.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- sponse Act will ensure that all Ameri- America has faced big challenges be-
ator from Ohio. cans can access coronavirus testing at fore, and we have come through them
f no cost. even stronger. This time will be no dif-
REMOTE VOTING The bill also ensures expanded tele- ferent. I see the strength of America
health access for Medicare recipients everywhere I look—in the dedicated
Mr. PORTMAN. Madam President, I during this outbreak, which I strongly
appreciate my colleague from South doctors and nurses putting their lives
support. As a resident of a rural State, on the line to care for the sick and our
Dakota giving me a minute to respond I have long been a supporter of tele-
to the comments of the Senator from first responders who are always at the
health for the expanded healthcare ac- forefront of the response to any crisis
Illinois about remote voting. I appre- cess it can deliver for rural commu-
ciate his joining me today on a bipar- and the truckdrivers and grocery store
nities. The value of telehealth isn’t employees and delivery workers who
tisan resolution to say that, during limited to rural States. During an out-
times of emergency and crisis, the U.S. keep on doing their jobs in the face of
break like this, for example, telehealth
Senate would be able to vote remotely the outbreak, ensuring all of us have
services can help keep patients—par-
in a secure manner. I think it is time the essentials we need. It is also in the
ticularly vulnerable, elderly patients—
for us to turn to this. thousands of ordinary Americans who
out of doctors’ offices and hospital
I actually supported such legislation are stepping up to help their neigh-
waiting rooms. Patients can use a
back in the House when I was there al- bors—running to the grocery stores for
phone call or the internet to check in
most two decades ago. At the time, we elderly or sick individuals, providing
with their doctors for minor com-
didn’t have, frankly, the electronic childcare for those who can’t telework,
plaints or medication followups, in-
communications we have today to be and looking out for those who are
stead of having to venture out and be
able to safely vote remotely; now we exposed to possible coronavirus infec- struggling financially. This is what
do. We have the ability to do it in a se- tion. I am very pleased that Medicare will get us through.
cure way, in an encrypted way—a way I and my colleagues in Congress will
patients will have greater access to
that would protect the fundamental continue to do our part to ensure that
telehealth services during this out-
right to vote. I think it is important our country has everything it needs to
break.
that we move forward with this. The largest part of the Families First weather this crisis and to defeat this
It is something that would be up to Coronavirus Response Act focuses on disease.
the majority leader and the minority I yield the floor.
providing economic support for fami-
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
leader to jointly agree upon. Once they lies during this difficult time. The bill The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
agreed upon that, there would be 30 makes provisions for paid sick leave clerk will call the roll.
days. After 30 days, Congress would and paid family and medical leave for The legislative clerk proceeded to
have the vote—the Senate would have American workers, particularly for call the roll.
the vote to continue it. those who might not otherwise have Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I
I think—not just because of COVID– access to these benefits. It also invests ask unanimous consent that the order
19, where we have an obvious problem additional money in unemployment in- for the quorum call be rescinded.
right now but the threat of terrorism, surance where benefits are available The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
bioterrorism—these sorts of issues, un- for those who need them. objection, it is so ordered.
fortunately, are part of our 21st cen- I am pleased we were able to pass f
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE
tury life. We have to be aware of the this bipartisan bill that the House pro-
fact that this is possible. duced, but there is more work to be CORONAVIRUS
It is important to me and I think all done. The House bill touches on only a Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, over
my colleagues that article I be heard; small part of what is needed to help the last few weeks, given the nature of
that the legislative branch be heard; Americans weather the storm, which is this unprecedented virus, Members of
that we have the ability to convene for why Senate Republicans are currently Congress have been able to come to-
the continuity of government and not working to develop the third phase of gether during divided times to support
allow what we would normally do, Congress’s response. our country’s response.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:45 Mar 20, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G19MR6.007 S19MRPT1
File and source
- File
- CREC_crec-2020-03-19_crec-2020-03-19-pt1-pgs1822-2.pdf
- Size
- 215,701 bytes
- SHA-256
- 4b5716f3b495cb4e4363b255f43739b779ee1fa8279103508448bda09b78f5ab
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov