Senate Legislative Agenda (Cong. Rec., March 22, 2020)

Summary

Congressional Record for Sunday, March 22, 2020, Volume 166, No. 56. The House was not in session, with its next meeting set for Monday, March 23, 2020, at 11:30 a.m., and the Senate met at 2 p.m. with Mr. Grassley presiding. Mr. Grassley says Senators have heard from businesses, hospitals and nursing homes about the coronavirus crisis. Mr. McConnell says Senators spent days in vigorous bipartisan discussions and that it is about time to take yes for an answer, which is his view. A speaker tells of a local government worker, Debbie, who heard of students still in dorms.

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“Senate Legislative Agenda (Cong. Rec., March 22, 2020).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-03-22-crec-2020-03-22-pt1-pgs1893-8-a108985084/, SHA-256 bc7a611022e23850cb5a10d1368f357d4b885ddf156766c5e33e1fffad0dca0b.

Full text

Congressional Record
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116 th CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
United States
of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE

Vol. 166 WASHINGTON, SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020 No. 56

House of Representatives
The House was not in session today. Its next meeting will be held on Monday, March 23, 2020, at 11:30 a.m.

Senate
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020

The Senate met at 2 p.m. and was CORONAVIRUS RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY
called to order by the President pro LEADER
tempore (Mr. GRASSLEY). Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I bet
all of our fellow Senators have been The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma-
hearing from businesses, hospitals, jority leader is recognized.
f
nursing homes, and local civic business f
PRAYER and political leaders about the issues SENATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
they are facing right now due to the
The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President,
coronavirus health crisis.
fered the following prayer: Senators have now spent days engaged
Let us pray. Likewise, I have been talking to fam- in vigorous bipartisan discussions
Almighty God, open our eyes to Your ily and friends back home in Iowa. I among ourselves and with the adminis-
movements in our midst. Remind our find that they are banding together to tration.
lawmakers that You have brought us support one another. In times of strife, Earlier today, I hosted a productive
through times more challenging than Iowans can count on each other. meeting in my office with the Demo-
what we now face. Keep them from We have to give special attention to cratic leader, the Speaker of the House,
being intimidated by this global pan- the hard work of our medical profes- the House Republican leader, and the
demic, as they cling to Your promises sionals and first responders. They are Secretary of the Treasury. These in-
and trust the unfolding of Your trium- under immense pressure and going tense conversations have built a piece
phant providence. above and beyond to serve their com- of legislation that is as bold and as big
Lord, continue to protect them and munities. I believe they are doing as the American people deserve and as
to order their steps. Clothe them with God’s work, keeping the American peo- thoroughly bipartisan as our process
the honor of integrity. Shield them ple safe and healthy. So I thank our demands.
with Your truth and guide them with medical professionals and first re- Now what we need to do is to move
Your power. sponders for their dedication to their forward. This national crisis is not
We pray in Your strong Name. Amen. communities and send my encourage- going to wait around if Congress slips
ment to keep up their essential work in back into conventional politics or hag-
f the days and weeks ahead, as we see gles endlessly over the finer points.
ourselves through this virus pandemic Every day, more Americans’ jobs are
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE we are in. disappearing or coming ever closer to
The President pro tempore led the I yield the floor. the brink. Every day, more small busi-
Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: nesses are faced with hard decisions
I suggest the absence of a quorum. that could change local communities,
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the
United States of America, and to the Repub- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The literally, forever. Every day, major
lic for which it stands, one nation under God, clerk will call the roll. American companies that employ
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. countless people are seeing their com-
The senior assistant legislative clerk
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. proceeded to call the roll. merce crushed by their own govern-
BRAUN). The Senator from Iowa. ment for the sake of public health.
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Every day, doctors, nurses, and
unanimous consent to speak for 1 ask unanimous consent that the order healthcare professionals will keep re-
minute in morning business. for the quorum call be rescinded. porting to work and treating patients,
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without whether or not Congress has their
objection, it is so ordered. objection, it is so ordered. back.

dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

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S1894 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 22, 2020
The risks to our country grow every thing would recognize, whether they though in-person classes have been
single day that we do not act. The have purchased a home, bought a car, canceled. Some had to remain in the
needs of hospitals and healthcare pro- or negotiated for their small business. area for work. Others were inter-
viders grow every day that we do not We are at the point where both sides national students who couldn’t get
act. have come a long way toward each home. Their situations were com-
That is why we have worked around other, and each side has to decide pletely uncertain.
the clock to craft a major bipartisan whether to continue elbowing and ar- The local shelves were not fully
relief package. That is why we are guing over the last several inches and stocked, so Debbie decided to do some-
going to hold our first procedural vote risk the whole thing or whether to thing. She put out a call for help, and
in just a few minutes. It is so that we shake hands and get it done. Kentuckians answered the call.
can keep moving forward, because this Thus far, throughout this crisis, the Churches, restaurants, and neighbors
virus is not going to wait for politics as Senate has risen to the occasion. It was all pitched in with food and supplies.
usual. just a few days ago when the Senate Debbie drove all over Northern Ken-
These past few days have brought Republican majority moved expedi- tucky collecting those donations and
unity and bipartisan energy here to the tiously to pass the House Democrats’ then delivering them to these young
Senate. I think Members on both sides phase 2 legislation, even though many people.
agree that it has been very encour- of my colleagues on this side of the She has found everything a college
aging. aisle and I had serious reservations and student could need: canned goods,
Since Senate Republicans released would have written it very differently. microwaveable meals, and even
our initial framework to give some We passed it anyway. It was basically Airheads candy, which I am proud to
structure to these discussions, both written on the House side. Neverthe- say are made right there in Kentucky.
sides have worked hard to create some- less, as I just said, I pushed the Speak- There are so many stories like this
thing that can pass the Senate, pass er’s legislation through the Senate be- pouring in from all over our country.
the House, and be signed into law by cause urgency and results matter dur- Americans are stepping up to the plate.
the President. Americans realize this is no time for
ing a national crisis; because, imper-
The bipartisan product delivers
fections notwithstanding, it was the selfishness and no time for division but
strongly on each of the core priorities
right thing to do for our country. a time for solidarity, generosity, and,
we identified at the outset. It puts ur-
So, look—look—I hope and anticipate yes, courage.
gently needed cash in the hands of
that a similar degree of bipartisanship Americans are rising to the occasion.
American workers and families. It de-
and urgency will be reciprocated now. I The Senate must do the same. Let’s
livers historic and rapid relief to small
understand the Speaker said following move this legislation forward this
businesses so they can make payroll
and keep people employed. It helps sta- our meeting this morning that she may afternoon, as the last few discussions
bilize key industries to avoid layoffs simply give up on these bipartisan begin to wind down, and then let’s get
wherever possible and preserve the talks and begin writing her own sepa- this done tomorrow.
greatest economy in the world for rate bill. Perhaps that is related to the I suggest the absence of a quorum.
when we come out on the other side of remarks of one of her senior House The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
this. And, of course, it sends a mas- Democratic leaders who reportedly told clerk will call the roll.
sive—massive—new infusion of re- colleagues a few days ago: ‘‘This is a The senior assistant legislative clerk
sources to the frontlines of the medical tremendous opportunity to restructure proceeded to call the roll.
response. things to fit our vision.’’ Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask
That is what we have to do: inject a ‘‘ . . . a tremendous opportunity to unanimous consent that the order for
significant amount of money as quick- restructure things to fit our vision.’’ the quorum call be rescinded.
ly as possible into households, small Well, I sincerely hope that nobody The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
businesses, key sectors, and our Na- actually views this crisis in such a cyn- objection, it is so ordered.
tion’s hospitals and health centers. ical manner. This is not a political op- f
This bill would do that, and it would portunity. It is a national emergency.
CORONAVIRUS
do it fast. The comprise product also That is why we have engaged in days of
contains many ideas that our Demo- bipartisan talks to get to this point. It Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, before I
cratic colleagues brought to the table. is why it is time to move forward. begin, we just learned that our col-
It balances the administration’s focus Americans don’t need to see us hag- league Senator RAND PAUL has tested
on sending direct cash to Americans as gling endlessly. They don’t need us to positive for the coronavirus. Our
quickly as possible with our Demo- jeopardize all the progress we have thoughts and prayers are with him for
cratic colleagues’ focus on bolstering made over the past several days for the a speedy recovery. We will consult with
State unemployment insurance pro- sake of some eleventh-hour brinkman- the attending physician at the Capitol
grams. It places conditions which our ship. The American people need an out- about appropriate measures for those
Democratic colleagues have sought on come, and they need it tomorrow. They of us who have been in contact with
the loans that would flow to major need us to vote to advance this legisla- the Senator.
businesses, conditions which the Presi- tion today and pass it tomorrow. This is the kind of situation that
dent has also endorsed. And both par- As I said yesterday, Congress should Americans across the country are deal-
ties have made sure to keep strength- take inspiration from our own con- ing with right now, and it underscores
ening the resources that will be pushed stituents. We should be inspired by our the importance of acting immediately
out to the frontlines. own constituents. Look at what they to deliver more relief for the American
The bill includes $75 billion in a new are doing. Even during this pandemic, people.
fund for hospitals and health providers, the American people are showing the The Senate has been working around
and more than three-quarters of the world the soul of our country. the clock over the past few days to put
funds in the appropriations section— In my home State of Kentucky, the together a third round of coronavirus
nearly $200 billion—will not stay in official motto is ‘‘United we stand, di- legislation. We are very close to mov-
Washington but will go straight to vided we fall.’’ And every day I hear ing forward with a major bill that will
State and local priorities. about new ways Kentuckians are deliver much needed relief to American
So what we have is a comprise prod- standing united, even if they have to families, workers, and businesses and
uct which contains ideas, contribu- stand 6 feet apart. put more resources into the hands of
tions, and priorities from both sides I recently heard about a resident of medical professionals.

dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
and which can become law as soon as Campbell County in Northern Ken- This is a big bill, but this situation
tomorrow—as soon as tomorrow. In tucky named Debbie Buckley. In her requires a big and bold response.
other words, it is just about time to day job, Debbie works for the local gov- Across our country, American workers
take yes for an answer. ernment, but recently she heard about and American businesses are strug-
We are now at a point which every some students at a nearby university gling. Families are scared. Businesses
American who has ever negotiated any- who were still living in the dorms even have been forced to drastically curtail

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