Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., March 20, 2020)
Summary
Page S1870 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for March 20, 2020. A speaker describes a proposed fund that could be administered through the Small Business Administration and would offer loans up to 75 percent of a business's last 3 months of payroll, with no one employee receiving more than $5,000 per month, passed through payroll companies that are used by about 40 percent of American businesses. Under the heading Securing America's Medicine Cabinet, Blackburn urges support for the bipartisan Securing America's Medicine Cabinet Act, or SAM-C Act, sponsored with Menendez, and says the FDA expects the pharmaceutical industry to continue to rely on Chinese companies without intervention.
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“Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., March 20, 2020).”
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S1870 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 20, 2020
our relationship with China in every distancing. Do those things we have could be administered through the
single way. It is inevitable. Starting talked about now for several weeks to Small Business Administration. It
now, we must take advantage of this try to get folks to do their part be- would offer loans up to 75 percent of a
knowledge. As we think about an exit cause we are trying to do our part. We business’s last 3 months of payroll,
strategy from the coronavirus crisis, are doing this in an incredibly bipar- with no one employee receiving more
we have to think about this. As we tisan effort. I think you will see a lot than $5,000.
think about a way forward to bring of things coming out of the Senate and I want to repeat that because it
manufacturing back to the United out of the House, along with the ad- would affect so many people in this
States, we need to remember this. ministration, to try to make sure we country. It would offer loans up to 75
f do those things for Americans. percent of a business’s last 3 months of
Over the past few weeks, I have payroll, with no one employee receiv-
SECURING AMERICA’S MEDICINE talked with countless business owners ing more than $5,000 per month.
CABINET and local and State officials. I have The key to this fund is, it would pass
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, I heard from a lot of folks who are directly through the payroll compa-
have spoken several times about the scared to death, working folks who are nies. Payroll companies around this
vulnerabilities in our pharmaceutical now at home. They are not telecom- country are used by about 40 percent of
supply chain and again encourage my muting because their jobs are not like American businesses. They mostly
colleagues to support the bipartisan that. They are alarmed about where we cater to the small businesses with
Securing America’s Medicine Cabinet are today and where we are going to be fewer than 500 employees. Payroll com-
Act—or SAM-C Act—which I am spon- tomorrow and next week and over the panies are in the best position to do
soring alongside my colleague from coming weeks and even potentially this because they already have the in-
New Jersey, Senator MENENDEZ. months. frastructure in place. They are a smart
Without intervention, the FDA ex- Businesses are having to lay off choice because they have payroll his-
pects the pharmaceutical industry will folks. They are having to furlough tory. They have the employee data
continue to rely on Chinese companies workers, sending a surge of folks to the that makes this quick. It makes it effi-
to make the active pharmaceutical in- unemployment line. We have seen that cient. It uses the infrastructure and
gredients—or the APIs—that are nec- in just the last few days, which is the pipelines that already exist with-
essary for so many of our prescription something that, as we were moving, we out having to go back and reinvent or
and over-the-counter drugs. The threat thought we would not see. create a new whole set of dynamics
it poses to our supply chain is real. Small businesses, like restaurants that may or may not work. We know
On February 27, 2020, the FDA an- and Main Street retailers, will go the payroll company system in this
nounced the shortage of one drug that bankrupt if we are not careful. They country works. Again, 40 percent of
is used to treat patients with are going to go bankrupt without cus- folks use it.
coronavirus. They attributed the short- tomers, as folks stay home and prac- This process would help to alleviate
age to difficulties obtaining the API tice the social distancing that we know the strain on our unemployment pro-
from a site in China. That site has been we have to do and as States start en- gram. It would be a seamless way to
affected by—guess what—coronavirus. acting forced closures of schools and continue to pay workers, while also en-
We do not need to remain vulnerable. events. Those businesses will shutter. suring that payroll taxes can continue
We need to realize that we are dealing Hopefully, it will only be a temporary to fund important programs, like Medi-
with someone who has not been trans- shutting. care, Medicaid, and Social Security.
parent. They have hidden information First and foremost, there are steps I want you to think about this. What
from us. They are causing shortages of we can all take to stop the spread of we are talking about doing is not just
drugs and vaccines and antibiotics. It the virus and begin to get the economy a one-time $1,000 check or two-time
is time for us to learn from these les- on the right track. It is up to us indi- $1,000 check; it is literally funding pay-
sons. If we ignore them, we do so at our vidually. In the meantime, we, as Mem- roll the way it exists—maybe only 75
own peril. bers of Congress and public officials percent of it. But people who are used
I yield the floor. across this country—from local county to getting those payroll checks
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- officials and city officials to the Gov- through a payroll processor have their
ator from Alabama. ernors and State legislators and Mem- taxes deducted, they have their Social
f bers of Congress—we have to do all we Security deducted, and they have their
can to make sure our businesses, par- Medicaid and Medicare expenses de-
CORONAVIRUS ticularly the small businesses, which ducted. Those things would still come
Mr. JONES. Mr. President, I appre- make up an overwhelming amount of in. It is just that we have created a
ciate the opportunity to speak today in business in the State of Alabama in fund from the Federal Government to
the wake of what is going on. particular, can continue to meet pay- do that. Part of what we are fronting
I appreciate my colleague from Ten- roll and keep workers paid so that they comes right back to the Federal Gov-
nessee talking about supply chains. I can then continue to meet their obliga- ernment.
completely agree with her. It is some- tions. That is where my proposal comes As part of this, we would also like to
thing that we are going to have to seri- in that I talked to a number of col- offer assistance to folks who are self-
ously look at as we get through this leagues about. employed or run microbusinesses. Ac-
process. We have become too depend- In addition to providing the same cording to IRS data, in 2017, there were
ent. I appreciate her efforts in that re- kind of direct assistance payments some 26 million sole proprietorships in
gard. that are being kicked around now— the United States. That is a lot of folks
I want to talk today—I know we have whether it is through checks or in out there working hard, hustling every
a lot going on up here. For those who some form or another that people are day to make their businesses—their lit-
are watching and the American people, widely talking about right now—I tle piece of the American dream—suc-
you need to understand that while this would also like to see a new fund that cessful, but they don’t have the cash
Gallery may be empty and this floor is created to quickly get cash into the reserves to fall back on in times like
may be empty, there is a lot going on hands of small businesses so they can these. We could carve this out and
in the Senate right now. There is a lot make their payroll and not have to lay make sure they are taken care of in the
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happening to try to make sure that we off workers. I am calling this the small short run.
save this economy, that we do those business lifeline fund. It would provide This is not the time, in my view, to
things necessary to try to make sure a no-interest bridge loan for up to 3 shortchange the economy. This is not
our businesses, our workers, and our months, to be paid back over 5 years the time to send out just a check here
economy from all sectors are saved. with no interest. This is a work-in- and a check there—especially for those
Again, I want to go back to the thing progress, so there are even proposals to who are the most vulnerable to the cat-
you can do as Americans, and that is to make sure that this loan can be for- aclysmic shocks we have seen in recent
stop the spread of this virus. Do social given in certain circumstances. It weeks. We have to be bold. We have to
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March 20, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1871
be big. We need to act fast. We need to of years ago. In a State like Alabama, children. Aunts and uncles take care of
cut the bureaucracy. That is why using some 300,000 people could get access to their nieces and nephews. They are all
these payroll companies makes so Medicaid who do not have insurance there together, and we have to figure
much sense. right now and cannot get it but who out a way to protect them. We have to
Again, I want to emphasize that this are wondering in our rural commu- figure out a way to get those tests to
is only one piece of this overall puzzle. nities and everywhere in the State of them and to make sure that they are
It doesn’t cover everyone. It will not Alabama: What in the world am I going treated just as if they were part of our
cover folks in the gig economy. We to do if I catch this virus? Where am I urban areas that have easier and ready
have to do other things to make sure going to go? access.
unemployment insurance and other Ultimately, with our hospitals, our I end with what I talked about the
things are available to them in a simi- doctors, and our safety nets that we other day and with which I have ended
lar fashion. But this is a big piece of are putting in as part of this package, so many of my talks, and that is back
the puzzle that can get money directly we are going to have to cover it any- to the people of Alabama and the
to folks. Their wages can get to folks— way. We all know that, sooner or later, American people.
their wages can get to them right now we are going to have to cover it. So I I can assure you we are doing a lot up
so that if we also have to do things like would love to see the SAME Act, or the here. I see my friend from Alaska, who
forbearance on mortgages and rents, States Achieve Medicaid Expansion is presiding today. I know she has been
we don’t have to do it across the board Act, get out there and be a part of this working. I have watched her back here
because these folks will have the package. Let States have the oppor- as she has worked the phones and
money to pay those mortgages and pay tunity. It is a States’ rights issue. Not talked to different people. Everywhere
those rents and help those businesses a single State would have to expand I go, I do see that Senators—most of
stay afloat as well. The ripple effect of Medicaid if we pass this bill, but we us—are doing things by phone and are
doing something like this, I believe, would at least let those local leaders doing things remotely. Everybody is
would be enormous. decide for themselves whether it would working the phones back in their
With this small business lifeline be time to give this opportunity to so States to make sure we do the right
fund, we can send a message to folks on many of the people in our States who thing.
Main Street, who are the lifeblood of are caught between Medicaid and jobs Yet, at the end of the day, this is
our communities. We can take this in which they are eligible for health in- about you. This is about the people of
idea up and keep them afloat so they surance benefits. It would be a quick, America. Everyone in this country—to
can get right back on track as soon as easy way to make sure we are doing use a phrase from the old civil rights
we get things back to normal. our part, and I urge that this be put in days in Birmingham, AL—is a foot sol-
Right now, they need us. They need there. dier in this movement. Everyone can
us in Congress. They need us at the Finally, I have heard from so many do his part. We can appropriate money,
local level, and they need us at the people today who are in our under- and we can designate, and we can give
State level. served communities in Alabama—the tax breaks. We can do those things
I urge my colleagues to look at this African-American community, the that are necessary that we as the Fed-
very seriously—at this package that we poor communities in Alabama. The eral Government can do, but we can’t
are putting together and that we will, preachers are calling, and the mayors stop the spread of this virus. A U.S.
hopefully, get done in the next day or, are calling. I have been on the phone Senator cannot stop the spread of this
hopefully, in hours—so we can all get all day because they are concerned. It virus. We can only stop it among our-
back to our States and our families and is not just that they are concerned be- selves. We can’t stop it across this
do those things that are necessary. cause they don’t believe the State has country. Only you can do that.
Only the foot soldiers in America—
Keep in mind: I think folks will under- them in mind, for I have talked to
the hundreds of millions of people we
stand that whatever we do in the next State officials in Alabama, and there
have in this country—can stop the
day or so will only be the next step. are plans.
The fact of the matter is that in this spread of the virus by heeding the
I mean, I don’t want anybody who is
country, across the 50 States, we still warnings and by doing the things that
listening to anything any of us has to
don’t have enough tests, and we don’t are necessary with social distancing
say to think that this is the end of it
and washing their hands. I think my
and that we are just going to finish our have enough personal protection equip-
hands are just about raw since I have
work and go home. We are going to ment for my hospitals, for my testing
washed them so much. We are the foot
have to monitor this constantly. We labs, and for everybody in Alabama. It
soldiers.
don’t know what the future holds in is just like in every other State. We are You are the foot soldiers. You can
some aspects. So we will be back, if hurting, and we need those supplies. stop the spread. The other day, when I
necessary, and, if necessary, we will do We are giving them money, and the was here on the floor, I pulled out a
things differently. States are doing a good job. Yet I want picture of my old friend from my child-
There are two other things I want to to make sure that, in Alabama and hood, Smokey Bear, who said that only
mention before I yield the floor, one of across this country, we don’t leave out you can prevent forest fires. I talked
which I have talked about with regard the poorest of the poor; that we don’t about the fact that the coronavirus,
to my State for a long time, and that leave out the underserved commu- the COVID–19 virus, is a forest fire
is the need for Medicaid expansion. nities; and that we just don’t put test- across the country, and you can help to
Alabama is one of those few States— ing facilities in the big, urban areas— stop the spread.
I think out of 14 or 15 States—that did at the mega churches or the big hos- I want to be a little bit more patri-
not expand Medicaid. As part of the pitals, like I have in Birmingham, otic about it today. I invoke one of my
package we are talking about now, we which are awesome. We have to make heroes who used this desk at one point,
increase the Federal Government’s por- sure that we have these clinics set up John F. Kennedy. It was 59 years ago
tion of that and add additional Med- around the State, such as in the Black when John F. Kennedy was sworn in as
icaid funds. For those States like Ala- Belt of Alabama—the poorest of Ala- President of the United States and ut-
bama, we will get the extra benefits for bama’s counties—wherein people can’t tered the famous words that sent such
sure, but we will not get as much as we drive an hour and a half or 2 hours to an emotion throughout America and
should because we will not have ex- get tests. We have to make sure that that really got so many in this country
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panded Medicaid. we spread this out, because this disease to be patriotic and stand up for what
Senator WARNER and I have a bill. It is going to spread out. This disease is we do.
is called the SAME Act, or the States not just going to be concentrated in He said: ‘‘Ask not what your country
Achieve Medicaid Expansion Act. It is our urban areas. It is going to continue can do for you—ask what you can do
not mandatory. It does not make the to spread. for your country.’’
States that haven’t achieved Medicaid In these underserved areas in par- That is what all Americans have to
expansion do that, but it gives them ticular, families live together. Grand- ask themselves today: What can I do
the same incentives they had a number mothers take care of their grand- for my country?
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S1872 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 20, 2020
It is not like a day when we have a Col. Daniel A. Devoe Col. Mark A. Holler
tornado that has ripped through, and Col. Gerald A. Donohue Col. Daryl O. Hood
you can go out and get a chain saw and Col. Russell D. Driggers Col. Mark J. Hovatter
Col. Michael R. Drowley Col. James P. Isenhower, III
help your neighbor. It is not like a day
Col. John R. Edwards Col. Ryan M. Janovic
when a hurricane has come through, Col. Todd A. Fogle Col. Michael B. Lalor
and you can go get bottles of water and Col. Jennifer Hammerstedt Col. Steven M. Marks
diapers to send to folks. What you can Col. Matthew W. Higer Col. Gene D. Meredith
do for your country today is to stop the Col. Jason T. Hinds Col. Thomas W. O’Connor, Jr.
spread of this virus. What you can do Col. Stacy J. Huser Col. Isaac J. Peltier
for your country is to try to stay home Col. William H. Kale Col. Keith C. Phillips
as much as you can—social distancing. Col. Joseph D. Kunkel Col. Ronald R. Ragin
Col. Leslie A. Maher Col. Hope C. Rampy
Work those things. That is what you
Col. Michael H. Manion Col. William A. Ryan, III
can do for your country. Col. Paul D. Moga Col. David F. Stewart
If you do that, yes, businesses are Col. Joshua M. Olson Col. David C. Trybula
going to have problems. We know it. Col. Derek J. O’Malley Col. Colin P. Tuley
That is what we are trying to work Col. Brandon D. Parker Col. John W. Weidner
on—making sure we provide that safe- Col. Stephen G. Purdy, Jr. Col. Timothy P. White
ty net and making sure we provide the Col. Mark B. Pye Col. David B. Womack
necessary tools so that, if we can blunt Col. Neil R. Richardson Col. Richard L. Zellmann
Col. Patrick S. Ryder The following named officer for appoint-
that curve—if we can get past this—
Col. Christopher S. Sage ment in the United States Army to the grade
then we will come back even stronger. Col. Jennifer M. Short indicated while assigned to a position of im-
To get there, we have to have you. Col. Dale R. White portance and responsibility under title 10,
We have to have you stand up and Col. Parker H. Wright U.S.C., section 601:
speak out to everyone—to do your IN THE MARINE CORPS
To be lieutenant general
part, to do those things that are nec- The following named officers for appoint-
essary to make sure you do for your Maj. Gen. Robert L. Marion
ment in the United States Marine Corps to
country what you should be doing. the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., IN THE AIR FORCE
Help everyone in this country, and help section 624: The following named officer for appoint-
everyone around you. When we do that, To be major general ment in the United States Air Force to the
we will blunt this curve. We will make grade indicated while assigned to a position
Brig. Gen. Scott F. Benedict
this the least severe as possible, and we of importance and responsibility under title
Brig. Gen. Jason Q. Bohm
10, U.S.C., section 601:
will move forward and be stronger and Brig. Gen. Francis L. Donovan
better because, at the end of the day, Brig. Gen. Bradford J. Gering To be lieutenant general
we are the United States of America. Brig. Gen. James F. Glynn Maj. Gen. David A. Krumm
Brig. Gen. David W. Maxwell
I yield the floor. The following named officer for appoint-
Brig. Gen. William H. Seely, III ment in the United States Air Force to the
(Ms. MURKOWSKI assumed the Brig. Gen. Roger B. Turner, Jr.
Chair.) grade indicated while assigned to a position
IN THE ARMY of importance and responsibility under title
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
The following named officer for appoint- 10, U.S.C., section 601:
SASSE). The majority leader. ment in the United States Army to the grade To be lieutenant general
f indicated while assigned to a position of im-
Lt. Gen. Timothy G. Fay
portance and responsibility under title 10,
EXECUTIVE SESSION U.S.C., section 601: The following named officer for appoint-
To be general ment in the United States Air Force to the
grade indicated while assigned to a position
Lt. Gen. Edward M. Daly of importance and responsibility under title
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
IN THE NAVY 10, U.S.C., section 601:
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I The following named officer for appoint- To be lieutenant general
ask unanimous consent that the Sen- ment in the United States Navy to the grade
Lt. Gen. Jon T. Thomas
ate proceed to executive session for the indicated while assigned to a position of im-
consideration of Executive Calendar portance and responsibility under title 10, IN THE NAVY
Nos. 604 and 606 through 628 and all U.S.C., section 601: The following named officer for appoint-
nominations on the Secretary’s desk in To be vice admiral ment in the United States Navy to the grade
the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Rear Adm. Randy B. Crites indicated while assigned to a position of im-
portance and responsibility under title 10,
and Navy; that the nominations be The following named officer for appoint- U.S.C., section 601:
confirmed; that the motions to recon- ment in the United States Navy to the grade
indicated while assigned to a position of im- To be admiral
sider be considered made and laid upon
the table with no intervening action or portance and responsibility under title 10, Adm. Robert P. Burke
debate; and that the President be im- U.S.C., section 601: The following named officer for appoint-
mediately notified of the Senate’s ac- To be vice admiral ment in the United States Navy to the grade
tion. Rear Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, Jr. indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624:
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without IN THE ARMY To be rear admiral
objection, it is so ordered. The following named officers for appoint- Rear Adm. (lh) Anne M. Swap
The nominations considered and con- ment in the United States Army to the grade The following named officer for appoint-
firmed are as follows: indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624: ment in the United States Navy to the grade
To be brigadier general indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624:
IN THE AIR FORCE
Col. Steven L. Allen To be rear admiral
The following named officers for appoint-
Col. Robert L. Barrie, Jr. Rear Adm. (lh) Michael W. Studeman
ment in the United States Air Force to the
Col. Guillaume N. Beaurpere
grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section The following named officers for appoint-
Col. Christopher G. Beck
624: ment in the United States Navy to the grade
Col. Trevor J. Bredenkamp
To be brigadier general indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624:
Col. Winston P. Brooks
To be rear admiral
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Col. Jason E. Bailey Col. Jacqueline D. Brown
Col. Kenyon K. Bell Col. Larry Q. Burris, Jr. Rear Adm. (lh) Stuart P. Baker
Col. William D. Betts Col. Paul G. Craft Rear Adm. (lh) Michael D. Bernacchi, Jr.
Col. Shawn W. Campbell Col. Lance G. Curtis Rear Adm. (lh) Frank M. Bradley
Col. Houston R. Cantwell Col. Glenn A. Dean, III Rear Adm. (lh) Daniel L. Cheever
Col. Eric A. Carney Col. Matthew L. Eichburg Rear Adm. (lh) Yvette M. Davids
Col. Sean M. Choquette Col. David C. Foley Rear Adm. (lh) Daniel W. Dwyer
Col. Michael E. Conley Col. Patrick L. Gaydon Rear Adm. (lh) Peter A. Garvin
Col. Eric P. Delange Col. Clair A. Gill Rear Adm. (lh) Alvin Holsey
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