Congressional Record, Senate, March 21, 2020 — Senate Legislative Agenda (S1881)
Summary
Page S1881 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for March 21, 2020. The majority leader, McConnell, speaking under the heading Senate Legislative Agenda, says bipartisan negotiations with the administration continue and that an agreement on legislation for workers, families and small businesses has yet to be finalized. The remarks say Senate Republicans introduced the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, and that a first procedural vote is set for tomorrow, with a vote on passage on Monday. The remarks also describe Erin Hinson of Louisville, who built a matching service for neighbors and is tracking more than 400 volunteers.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, March 21, 2020 — Senate Legislative Agenda (S1881).”
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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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