Congressional Record, Senate, March 21, 2020 — Senate Legislative Agenda (Schumer)

Summary

Congressional Record — Senate for March 21, 2020, beginning at page S1880, under the heading Senate Legislative Agenda. Mr. SCHUMER says negotiations on the third phase of the coronavirus legislation went late into the night and will continue through the day, and that Democrats have two primary goals: address the public health crisis with a massive infusion of resources to hospitals and medical facilities, and put workers first, in a proposal entitled "Workers First". Mr. SCHUMER also says that any bailout of an industry should carry strict conditions, including no layoffs and no stock buybacks.

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“Congressional Record, Senate, March 21, 2020 — Senate Legislative Agenda (Schumer).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-03-21-crec-2020-03-21-pt1-pgs1880-5798443762/, SHA-256 7b1fbe163597c719e3d7449bd43a8f71d095a0b395f12cf0e2577f0232fdfeb7.

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S1880 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 21, 2020
SENATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA supply, we re-use them until they fall apart. I spoke to the President about this
We don’t have adequate supplies of sup- yesterday. He said he was sympathetic.
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, nego- portive medicines. Beds, ventilators, nurses
tiations on the third phase of the He said at the podium yesterday that
and critical care doctors are also needed. We
coronavirus legislation went late into interest payments he would cancel, but
need a national response to this disease.
the night last night and will continue I think we need to do more.
I urge my colleagues to hear the ur- We also must rescue small and me-
through the day today. gency and strain in this brave doctor’s
I have spoken to Speaker PELOSI and dium-sized businesses with a generous
voice, the desperation in his warning. loan program, so long as they protect
Secretary Mnuchin several times, as If we don’t provide these resources their workers. They have other ex-
well as President Trump, to keep them right now, what is already a dire situa- penses. We will take care of their work-
apprised as we continue the work tion will—not could—become cata- ers under the expanded unemployment
through a number of issues. In fact, I strophic. It will affect hospitals every- program and on the small business pro-
just had a very good, very detailed where: big-city hospitals, medium-sized gram, but they have other expenses.
phone call with Secretary Mnuchin—or suburban hospitals, and small rural We don’t want them going under when
‘‘Steve and Chuck,’’ as he prefers to hospitals. Many of them will go under these are good, ongoing businesses that
call it. We discussed many of the out- in a short period of time. did nothing wrong. They have to come
standing issues, and we are making So we need a Marshall Plan for our back. So small business really needs
very good progress. I have every expec- public health infrastructure, and it help.
tation that this progress will continue must be in this legislation, in the opin- And, if we are going to bail out any
throughout the day. Democratic nego- ion of the Democratic caucus. industry, particularly the big compa-
tiators will meet with their Republican As we have made clear from the be- nies, we have to include strict condi-
counterparts throughout the day to ginning, we must also put workers tions that put workers first: no layoffs,
continue hammering out the details. first. That means a dramatic expansion no salary cuts for workers or salary in-
The Senate is here, we are working, and reform of unemployment insur- creases for corporate executives, guar-
and we are all eager to come to a bipar- ance. We need unemployment insur- antees that workers be rehired at their
tisan agreement as soon as humanly ance on steroids. Some are calling it previous wages once the crisis abates,
possible. ‘‘employment insurance.’’ It must be and no stock buybacks.
There are still a number of priorities easier to access. It must cover many I have heard the President mention
that Democrats continue to fight for in more Americans during this crisis, in- that he is against stock buybacks in
the package that is now being assem- cluding Americans who have nontradi- the past. So when I called him yester-
bled. tional employment. day, I said: Make it clear. It is not in
As I have made clear, Democrats It must provide more generous bene- the bill that has been put before us, but
have two primary goals, broadly de- fits. Workers who are laid off should re- Democrats will insist that it be in any
fined, in this next phase of coronavirus ceive a paycheck equal to what they proposal once we come together in a bi-
legislation. One is to address the im- were receiving while employed. Work- partisan way, as we are doing now.
pending public health crisis head-on ers must be protected, whether they Democrats have several other prior-
with a massive infusion of resources to work for businesses small, medium, or ities, as well, and we are working
our hospitals, our medical facilities, large. through each of them with our Repub-
and our other public health infrastruc- The plan we have would allow them lican colleagues even as we speak. As I
ture. The second priority is to put to get unemployment insurance quick- said, I had a wonderful—well, I had a
workers first. In fact, our proposal, ly. They would be furloughed. So they very good—conversation. I will not go
which we laid out as early as Monday, would stay as employees—even though too far, but I had a very good conversa-
is entitled ‘‘Workers First.’’ they weren’t working—of their em- tion with Secretary Mnuchin, and we
Democrats want to do as much as ployer, so that when, God-willing, this are making good progress on many of
possible to prepare our healthcare sys- crisis ends, they can go back to their the issues that we Democrats feel are
tem, and we want to give Americans employer and the businesses that are important.
who are most immediately affected by now closed and decimated can start One other need, by the way—because
the economic slowdown ample relief so running again. we do have other needs—is that I want
they can weather the storm over the We propose that this be not just a to emphasize that one of the issues
long haul. So, on healthcare, Demo- one-shot deal but a paycheck every that is quickly emerging is that State
crats are fighting for a Marshall Plan work period, and it should go for as and local governments are running out
for our public health infrastructure. long as the crisis lasts. We want to of cash and may soon be broke. Gov-
We need hundreds of billions of dol- fund it for at least 4 months, maybe 6. ernors, mayors, county executives,
lars for ventilators, testing equipment, If the crisis ends more quickly, of county officials, town officials—Demo-
gloves, masks, ICU beds, and PPE, or course, we might be able to terminate cratic and Republican alike—are clam-
personal protective equipment, for our it, but we need to give the workers of oring for help. We must provide it.
frontline medical workers. America the assurance that they will They are on the frontlines.
I spoke to the head of the nurses have paychecks. The same amount of So, in conclusion, I have no illusions
union in New York yesterday. They are resources that they had before this cri- about the difficulty of putting together
short of masks. These brave nurses are sis they should have now, and it will legislation this momentous in this
going to work, doing their job, but occur ongoing until we beat this hor- short a period of time, but all parties
they don’t have the right equipment rible disease. are working in good faith and as fast as
that they need. There are other things we must do possible to see that we accomplish the
Money must go to our hospitals and for American families as well. We task at hand.
our nursing homes, our community should greatly expand paid sick leave Of course, far greater than our chal-
health centers, and our State and local and family leave. We need to expand lenges here in Congress are the chal-
governments. This can neither wait for food assistance. The kids who go to lenges that now confront the American
a future bill nor a supplemental pack- school get their best meals, many of people. Working families are at home
age. We need it right now, not 2 weeks them, at the school lunch or school without a paycheck, with no knowl-
from now. breakfast. They need to be fed. Others edge of when the next one might ar-
A senior doctor at Maimonides hos- who lose work, they need food help rive. Small businesses are watching the
pital in Brooklyn, NY, wrote to me right away. labor of their lives teeter on the brink
I believe our students are under of collapse.

dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
yesterday. Here is what the doctor
said: strain. Many of their colleges are gone. I spoke to a small business owner. He
I’m writing to you in a move of despera-
Those who have just gotten out of had spent 8 years getting his business
tion. Currently, we have severe shortages in school have difficult employment pos- to be successful. It just had begun to be
the basic necessities needed to fight the dis- sibilities. We should cancel student that way, and now his doors are closed
ease and protect health care workers. Dis- loan payments during the course of the and his employees are furloughed. We
posable masks and gowns are in such short crisis, both principal and interest. have to help people like that.

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March 21, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1881
Our healthcare workers, men and Four, continue to rush resources to delay it needlessly. We did not try to
women who perform extraordinarily the frontline healthcare workers and originate our own version and burn
difficult jobs even in ordinary times, providers who are actually treating pa- several more days trying to fit them
are now asked to bear additional bur- tients. together. Instead, we treated that bill
dens. But know this, healthcare work- And perhaps most important of all, with the bipartisanship and urgency
ers: You are our heroes. America we looked specifically for policies that this crisis requires. Since then, the sit-
stands with you, and Democrats are could do all of the above as quickly as uation has only grown more dire, so I
fighting to help every one of the emer- humanly possible. hope that our Senate Democratic col-
gency workers during this crisis. Small businesses all across the coun- leagues and the Democratic House will
So, to our healthcare workers and to try have made it clear: If they are bring equal bipartisanship and equal
every American out there finding their going to keep their lights on and keep urgency to this legislation as well.
way through these challenging times: their employees on payroll, they need In closing, I think all of us could
Stay strong. We are working to provide help, and they need it now. take a lesson from our constituents. As
you the relief to see you through the Americans who have already been we finish negotiating and finalize this
crisis. We will get it done—Democrats, laid off due to this crisis have made it bold legislation, we should look to the
Republicans—together. Once the clear they need help and they need it American people. Everywhere you look
scourge of this virus has passed, we now. Key national industries which are these past days, individuals, families,
will come back stronger and even more hemorrhaging business through no and organizations are stepping up to
resilient. fault of their own but due to the gov- the plate and finding creative ways to
President Franklin D. Roosevelt told ernment’s own public health guidance serve those in need.
a generation facing its own national have made it clear: In order to retain One of my fellow Kentuckians is a
crisis: their workers, they need help, and they woman named Erin Hinson. Erin lives
This great Nation will endure as it [al- need it now. in Louisville. She is someone whom
ways] has endured. It will revive and it will In particular, every single American doctors have told to be particularly
prosper . . . [because there] is no unsolvable who has opened a newspaper or turned careful these past few days, so her op-
problem if we face it wisely and coura- on the television in the last week has portunities to pitch in were somewhat
geously. heard from our brave nurses, doctors, limited, but she was determined to do
With wisdom and with courage, we first responders, and public health ex- her part. Here is what she said: ‘‘I may
will endeavor to finish the job here in perts: If our Nation is going to punch never have the capacity to develop a
Congress—whatever it takes. back and beat this virus, the people on vaccine or a magic pill to get rid of
I yield the floor. the medical frontlines need our help, COVID–19 . . . but I can master a
f and they need it now. spreadsheet!’’
Senate Republicans put out our Erin created a website—
RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY starting proposal as fast as we could.
LEADER Louisvillecovid19match.com. There is
Then I created a structure for bipar- one signup sheet for neighbors who are
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- tisan discussions to begin as fast as older or at heightened risk and another
jority leader is recognized. they could. No legislation will move signup sheet for neighbors who are
f through the Senate that does not con- young and healthy. And Erin is per-
tain ideas from both parties. That is forming a kind of matchmaking serv-
SENATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
the way this body is designed. So these ice. If someone needs a prescription
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, bipartisan talks have been essential,
Senators’ bipartisan discussions con- pickup or some groceries delivered or
and they are ongoing, but what we need even a friendly phone call, she helps
tinued all day yesterday and through to do now is move forward.
the night. Both sides’ negotiators, with make the connection.
Now, 2 days ago the press reported
the administration, are continuing to With a little help from local media,
that a senior Member of the House
work toward a bipartisan agreement on Erin is already tracking more than 400
Democratic leadership told his col-
major legislation to support American volunteers—400 volunteers—from every
leagues: ‘‘This is a tremendous oppor-
workers and families, protect small Louisville ZIP Code. It is the perfect
tunity to restructure things to fit our
businesses, help to stabilize our econ- manifestation of Kentucky’s State
vision’’—a senior Member of the House
omy, and put more resources on the motto: ‘‘United we stand, divided we
Democratic leadership.
frontlines of our healthcare battle fall.’’ United we stand—even if we have
Well, let me suggest that that is ex-
against the coronavirus. to stand 6 feet apart for a few weeks—
actly—exactly—the wrong approach
As of now, an agreement has yet to and divided we fall. Brave and generous
right now. That is the kind of thinking
be finalized, but our committee chairs, and creative Americans all across our
that could bog down these urgent dis-
their Democratic counterparts, and Nation get it. They just need Congress
cussions. That is the kind of mindset
President Trump’s representatives are to get it too.
that the American people cannot afford
making important progress. for their elected representatives to I am impressed and heartened by the
Yesterday, I took action on the floor adopt. I hope it does not describe the speed and bipartisan spirit that has
to keep the process moving along with view of our own Senate Democratic characterized the past day’s discus-
the urgency that it demands. By rule, colleagues as we try to close out these sions, but we need to keep it up. We ab-
it set up our first procedural vote for talks. solutely cannot let up now. We need to
tomorrow, and then, on Monday, the More Americans are being laid off finish these negotiations and move for-
Senate will vote on passage. every day. More small businesses are ward.
It has only been 2 days since Senate being forced to shed payroll every day.
Republicans introduced the Our nurses and doctors are running f
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic lower on key supplies every day. This
Security Act to give shape and struc- is not a political opportunity. This is RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME
ture to these urgent discussions. We not a political opportunity. This is a The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
put forward four objectives: national emergency. It is time to come the previous order, the leadership time
First, put emergency cash in the together, finalize the results of our bi- is reserved.
hands of individuals and families as partisan discussions, and then close
quickly as possible. this out. f

dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
Second, deliver the major relief that Earlier this week, I had the Senate
American small businesses need at this move quickly to pass the more modest
unprecedented time, and deliver it fast. bill that came over from the Demo- CONCLUSION OF MORNING
Three, help bring some stability to cratic House of Representatives. I BUSINESS
our economy and prevent as many lay- didn’t believe it was perfect—far from The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning
offs as possible. it. But Senate Republicans did not business is closed.

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