Congressional Record, Senate, March 24, 2020 — CARES Act and H.R. 748 Motion to Proceed
Summary
Pages of the Congressional Record, Senate section, dated March 24, 2020, beginning at page S1976. The pages open with a floor speech stating that Senate Republicans released an initial framework for the CARES Act five days earlier and urging the Senate to act that day. Mr. THUNE, recognized as the majority whip, speaks on the coronavirus relief bill, and the Senate resumes consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 748, a bill to repeal the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage. Floor remarks describe provisions including $600 per person per week in added unemployment insurance for 3 months, checks of $2,400 for married couples and $500 per child, $350 billion for small business payroll, and $75 billion for hospitals. The closing pages include further remarks urging a vote on the bill.
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S1976 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
Five days ago, Senate Republicans Now, at last, I believe we are on the 5- high cost employer-sponsored health cov-
released our initial framework for the yard line. It has taken a lot of noise erage.
CARES Act. We put forward bold poli- and a lot of rhetoric to get us here. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma-
cies like sending cash directly to That, of course, sometimes happens in jority whip.
Americans, pouring money into small this town. CORONAVIRUS
businesses, lending to national indus- At different times, we received Mr. THUNE. Madam President, at
tries to prevent mass layoffs, and surge Democratic counteroffers that de- this very minute, across the country,
resources for doctors, nurses, and pa- manded things like new emission families are wondering how they are
tients. We knew we needed a proposal standards or tax credits for solar pan- going to survive financially now that
to address our Nation’s pain at lit- els. We saw the Speaker of the House mom or dad is out of a job. Hourly
erally every level. release an encyclopedia of unrelated workers whose businesses have closed
Now, in the past few days, some demands as though it were a temporarily are praying that they will
voices have tried to pit some Ameri- coronavirus proposal somehow. In spite still have a job to go back to when this
cans against other Americans and of all that, we are very close. We are is all over. Small businesses are facing
argue that directly helping workers close to a bill that takes our bold Re- agonizing decisions about whether they
and strengthening businesses are some- publican framework, integrates further will have to lay off employees or close
how conflicting priorities. That is ideas from both parties, and delivers their businesses altogether.
utter nonsense. American workers need huge progress on each of the four core And Democrats? Well, Democrats
paychecks. They need jobs. priorities I laid out a week ago. have been focused on fuel emissions
The working men and women of this Today the Senate has a chance to get standards and early voting. That is
country do need direct relief from gov- back on track. Today we can make all right. In the midst of an unprecedented
ernment in this crisis, but for good- of the Washington drama fade away. If health and financial crisis, Democrats
ness’ sake, they also need their pay- we act today, what Americans will re- have been delaying a major relief bill
checks. They need to be able to resume member and what history will record is in hopes that they can include a laun-
their lives and their jobs once this is that the Senate did the right thing, dry list of their pet projects—projects
over. The two things can’t be sepa- that we came together, that we took a that have absolutely nothing to do
rated. There is a term for when you lesson from the way Americans are with providing financial relief to
separate employees from employers. uniting all across the country and Americans or ensuring the medical pro-
There is a term for that. It is called un- working together, that we combined fessionals have the resources they need
employment. Let me say that again. ideas from both sides and took a bold to fight this virus.
There is a term for when you separate step to protect Americans and help our Republicans developed this legisla-
employees from employers. It is called Nation through this crisis. tion in conjunction with Democrats. It
unemployment. That is what we are I am not sure how many ways to say was teed up, being written up Satur-
trying to avoid. it, but the clock has run out. The buzz- day, Saturday evening, ready to vote
This is no time to point fingers or er is sounding. The hour for bargaining Sunday morning, when Democrats
stoke these culture wars. This is the as though this were business as usual voted to block even getting on the
time to unify. Perhaps now more than has expired. bill—even getting on the bill. They
at any moment in living memory, all of The American people need our Demo- said: Well, we need to block it now be-
us Americans are in this together. This cratic friends to take yes for an an- cause we may not be able to block it
pandemic is not the fault of the Amer- swer. I hope that will happen today. later—not, of course, acknowledging
ican workers who make this country Doctors and nurses need masks. Fami- that there is yet another 60-vote hurdle
run. It is not the fault of small busi- lies need help. Small businesses need that we would have to get over before
ness owners. It is not the fault of major cash. Hospitals need funding. Their we get to final consideration of the
national employers. Everyone needs Senate majority is ready to deliver bill. But it has been teed up and ready
help. We are all in this together. We those things. We have been ready to de- to go now since Saturday night. We
need an ‘‘all of the above’’ approach, liver those things for a while. I hope made a lot of changes since then to the
and that is what our framework put today is the day this body will get it legislation to address the Democrats’
forward: help for workers and families done. priorities.
and employers and healthcare pro- I thought we were very close to
f
viders. agreement on a final bill. Of course,
As soon as Republicans put out a RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME then the Democratic leadership of the
draft proposal to treat every aspect of House and Senate stepped in. They ap-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
this crisis, I immediately called for bi- parently decided this was a perfect op-
the previous order, the leadership time
partisan talks. That is not something portunity to implement a bunch of
is reserved.
you see often in Washington. As soon Democratic pet projects that have
as I released our first draft, I imme- f nothing to do—nothing to do with
diately invited the other side, these CONCLUSION OF MORNING fighting the coronavirus or helping the
folks over here, to make their sugges- BUSINESS American families who are suffering fi-
tions. That is what you call urgency. nancially at this very minute.
We set up bipartisan working groups. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning I know my Democrat colleagues have
I asked negotiators to work together to business is closed. come to regard ‘‘bipartisanship’’ as a
turn our rough draft into something f bad word in the past 3 years, but I had
that could pass the Senate with over- hoped—I really, sincerely had hoped—
whelming bipartisan support. Repub- LEGISLATIVE SESSION that in this hour of serious need, the
licans and Democrats traded ideas. Democrats would be able to put aside
Democrats asked for many changes to their prejudices and work with Repub-
the initial draft and received many. MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS
licans to pass this critical legislation.
The updated text, released a few days TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019—MO-
Apparently, that was too much to hope
ago, included proposals from the other TION TO PROCEED—Resumed
for from the Democrat leadership.
side. And, of course, as our colleagues The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Neither my colleagues nor I have
have dragged out the last several days, the previous order, the Senate will re- given up on reaching an agreement. We
even further changes have been made sume consideration of the motion to are still working, and I am still hoping
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at their request. proceed to H.R. 748, which the clerk we will arrive at a final bill sometime
This majority has gone out of its way will report. later today.
to make this process as bipartisan and The senior assistant legislative clerk We should already have passed this
as open as possible. The administration read as follows: legislation 3 days ago. The blame for
has bent over backward to work with A bill (H.R. 748) to amend the Internal Rev- not passing it lies squarely on the
Democrats and address their concerns. enue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on Democrats’ shoulders. I really hope
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1977
they will rethink their decision to hi- and small businesses, there is about Today is the day. I hope and pray
jack this relief bill for their political $1.1 to $1.2 trillion that could be on the that when the Democrat leadership
purposes, because the American people street today helping address the comes out here on the floor, they will
deserve better. healthcare and economic crisis that is announce that today is the day they
The bill before us is filled with re- being felt and experienced by the are going to work with us on a bill
sources to help struggling families, American people. But no, we are still which they had input in.
provide relief to workers, and enable here. We are still here waiting for the Two of the great fallacies about this
businesses to retain their employees Democrats to conclude, at some point, legislation is, one, that this is a par-
during this crisis. Americans need this we hope, all these political games that tisan bill. They know that isn’t true.
bill today, not tomorrow, not next they are playing. Their rank-and-file Members who have
week, not when Democrats are finally It does seem like a big transaction participated in the working groups all
satisfied that they have scored enough for them—political winners and polit- know that isn’t true. Yet their leader-
political points—today. ical losers. The only loser we know is ship keeps coming out here announcing
I hope my Democrat colleagues will the American people in all of this be- this is a partisan bill.
urge their leadership to come to the cause the longer this goes on, the hard- This is not a partisan bill. This was
table and pass this legislation. Amer- er it becomes for them to get back to constructed in a way that gave both
ican workers and families need relief, where they were, and the harder it be- sides input, which includes many of the
and they need it now. We can’t afford comes for that small business to stay priorities both sides brought to the
to let them down. All we need is a few open or keep those employees em- table. That is what this bill represents.
Democrat Members who are willing to ployed. Every single day is costing the It represents the very things they said
go against their leadership and vote American economy and American they want: an emphasis on workers, an
with us to pass legislation that ad- workers jobs, resources, and wages emphasis on unemployed people, and
dresses all the fundamental issues that they could be putting forward to take an emphasis on businesses.
I just mentioned: assistance to families care of them and their families. And the other great fallacy that they
displaced, people who need cash, people The Democrats have said they want raised is somehow that this is a bailout
who need to pay bills; assistance to more money for hospitals. That is ne- for big businesses—big businesses that
those who are unemployed in the form gotiable. They want more conditions have been forced to shut down. Look at
of unemployment insurance, increasing on the loan fund that larger businesses the airlines. They have 10 percent to 20
the States’ unemployment insurance would be able to access in order to keep percent capacity. Why do you think
that people already get by $600 per per- their businesses afloat. That is a nego-
that is? That is not their fault. That is
son per week for 3 months; checks of tiable thing. There are many of our
not their choosing. They have been
$2,400 for married couples and $500 per Members here who support those very
forced to shut down.
child on top of that, to go out imme- things. They say they want more There are industries in industry sec-
diately upon passage of this bill. For money for State and local govern-
tors all across this country that are
small businesses, there is $350 billion ments, which is probably something
being affected in the same way. All this
set aside to pay their payroll, to keep that could be negotiated.
I keep having rank-and-file Democrat bill includes is a provision that allows
employees working, hopefully, to keep
Members come up to me and say: This them to access credit so that they can
those jobs there so that they don’t go
is the list of things we want to nego- keep their operations going, so that
away, and, when this thing is over, to
tiate on and get in this bill. they can continue to pay the millions
ensure that those jobs are still there
Those are all things we are willing to of employees who are employed by big
for people.
Those are all provisions in this bill negotiate on and, frankly, many of our businesses across this country. The
that are designed to help working Members would support some of the Democrats continually come to the
Americans, families, and employees to things some Democrats want to do floor and say: This is a bailout for big
keep their jobs and keep their liveli- there, too. corporations; we need more emphasis
hood until we get to a better place, What is the holdup? I don’t think on workers.
which, hopefully, will be very soon. In rank-and-file Democrats even realize Who do you think employs the work-
the meantime, we need to deal with the what their leadership is demanding ers?
healthcare crisis, which this also ad- just past those doors and trying to get As I mentioned, all the provisions in
dresses. done in this bill: getting the Green New this bill—this is a pro-worker bill. This
Look at this. There is over $240 bil- Deal into effect; requiring, basically, is about getting paychecks in the
lion in relief in this bill dealing prin- federalization, nationalization of our hands of American workers. That is
cipally with the challenges that our election system in this country; and all what this bill does. That is what this
healthcare community has: $75 billion kinds of new requirements that benefit bill is about. It is a sad and regrettable
directly for hospitals and another $25 their special interest groups. That is chapter in this time of enormous cri-
billion would come in reimbursements what this is about. This is the hijack- sis—something we haven’t seen, cer-
under Medicare to hospitals, so $100 bil- ing of a crisis to try and get permanent tainly, in my lifetime. You have to
lion for hospitals; $20 billion for vet- changes on a political agenda they look back in the annals of history a
erans healthcare; $11 billion for vac- haven’t been able to get and normally really long time to find a time where
cines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and wouldn’t be able to get under those cir- we are facing the kind of cir-
other preparedness needs; $4.5 billion cumstances. cumstances, the kind of crises, and the
for the Centers for Disease Control; $1.7 We are happy to debate all of those kind of hardships we see, both in terms
billion for the Strategic National issues. We are happy to have the debate of people’s health and livelihood, as
Stockpile; $12 billion for America’s about all those other things they want well as their economic livelihood in
military, also an important component to talk about. That is what we do here. our history.
in this fight; $10 billion for block That is what we do in the Senate. If Today is the day to get this done. We
grants to States; $12 billion for K–12 you have a good idea and you think can’t wait any longer. The time for po-
education; $6 billion for higher edu- something needs to be changed in this litical games is over. It is time to act.
cation; $5 billion for FEMA disaster re- country, let’s come here and let’s de- I hope and pray that, by the end of the
lief; $10 billion for airports; and $20 bil- bate it. Let’s get a piece of legislation day, we will see the kind of coopera-
lion for public transportation emer- to talk about and see if we can come up tion, the kind of bipartisanship that
gency relief. with a solution. will let us address the needs of hard-
In all, just in this particular provi- Right now is not the time to be de- working Americans who are fearful for
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sion of the bill, there is $242 billion in bating ancillary, unrelated issues. Now themselves and their families.
assistance—$186 billion, I might add, is the time to put out the fire, and I yield the floor.
which would run through and be ad- there is a fire burning in this country The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
ministered by the States. right now. It is affecting every Amer- ator from Wyoming.
All told, between the amount that is ican. Every single American is being Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I
going to families, workers, employees, affected. would like to associate myself with the
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S1978 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
remarks of the Republican whip. The She talked about calling the House seemed, on Saturday night, to be right
time for political games is over. It is back in session as one of her options on its way to being a successful, bipar-
time to get this piece of legislation and then having a House-passed bill tisan effort. Yet, at the direction of the
passed and signed into law. The Amer- and then going to a conference. We Speaker of the House, they all voted
ican people need it. They want it, and need action in this body today, and we no. She said she wanted more in it and
they are watching. need this bill on the President’s desk came out with her own bill. I will get
Yesterday, the U.S. Surgeon General tonight. to that wish list in a moment.
warned us. He said: ‘‘This week, it’s Today, in this country, we have over We told the American public and
going to get bad.’’ He was talking 46,000 people who have had the test for Governors and mayors and hospitals
about the healthcare aspects of it. coronavirus and have tested positive. that we were doing everything we
I was on the phone last night, along There is a lack of testing. So even could, and over the weekend, I believed
with my colleague, Senator ENZI, in a though 46,000 people tested positive, that as this bipartisan group worked
telephone townhall meeting, talking to the total numbers may be beyond that. together. Yet to have seen all of the
people all around Wyoming. We have nearly 600 deaths in the Democrats come to the floor and vote
It is not just the healthcare side of it United States from this virus that is no has made me rethink that. We have
that is going to get bad. The economic raging around the world. an opportunity to do something the
side of it is going to get bad, as people In New York, where the minority American public needs. We could have
who every day want to get up and go to leader is from, they are turning the done it and should have done it yester-
work are now, for the first time in a Javits Center into a field hospital. Men day.
long, long time, told they can’t do so, and women in the military know what The demands we are looking at really
not by their employer but by the gov- a field hospital is all about. Physicians, have nothing to do with saving lives
ernment. who have gone through medical school, and nothing to do with combating the
I have been visiting with doctors. Our coronavirus. The list that I have seen
understand the history of field hos-
healthcare providers are expecting in the House bill has everything to do
pitals. According to some estimates,
more patients today and tomorrow and
the New York healthcare system could with capitulating to the extremes of
through the week. Some healthcare
be overrun in a week. NANCY PELOSI’s party—the far left of
systems are being overrun. We need to This bill needs to pass today. When her party—and in making good on the
get this done today.
you will look back on this in a day, in deal that she cut so that she could re-
Americans are doing their part in
a week, in a month, you will just ask: main as the Speaker of the House.
preventing community spread of the
How many deaths could have been pre- Yesterday, she seemed to be more in-
virus, but the men and women on the
vented if this bill had been passed yes- terested—and was more interested in
frontline taking care of those patients
terday instead of today? If one thinks terms of the press reports—in reliving
need resources that would be included
in this bill, and we need to get this that delaying this even beyond today is the passage of ObamaCare 10 years ago
passed today. an option, it is not. The bipartisan bill than in the crisis that we are facing
The private sector mobilized to pro- that the Senators have worked on today. She seemed to be more inter-
vide more tests, more masks, more res- needs to pass today, be accepted, and ested in reliving a law of 10 years ago
pirators, and more ventilators. They moved from the House to the White instead of in what law needs to be
are doing their job. This Senate needs House. passed today and should have been
to do its job today. The administration It is hard to defend the indefensible, passed yesterday.
has green-lighted scientific break- but that is where we find ourselves It is ironic that one of the architects
throughs and flexibility for our with so many Democrats coming to of ObamaCare, Ezekiel Emanuel—one
healthcare system. vote against even the motion to pro- who celebrated it—wrote a book when
The Senate has had a bipartisan ceed to debate on the bill—an unneces- ObamaCare was passed. He wrote in the
process throughout this entire process, sary delay that blocks the surge in sup- book that we have too many hospitals
as the Senator from South Dakota has plies that our hospitals need; that in the United States. He actually wrote
just outlined. Working groups have blocks the access to healthcare; that that we have 1,000 too many hospitals
been coming up with bipartisan solu- blocks the medical innovation; that in the United States.
tions. Together we have put together blocks the support for our healthcare Since ObamaCare has passed, 120 hos-
the largest economic and healthcare workers. Every one of those ‘‘no’’ votes pitals have closed, and many of those
rescue package in the history of this was a block to assistance for commu- have been rural hospitals. ObamaCare
country. It is time to pass it today. nities all around the country. The has also blocked the expansion of phy-
Today—at least at the end of last votes to block the move to the motion sician-owned hospitals. Yet I hear from
night—we were still at a standstill, to proceed delayed over $240 billion in the same folks that, today, we need to
being blocked and delayed by, basi- emergency funding. That vote to block expand our healthcare capacity—that
cally, the Speaker of the House. We are the motion to proceed blocked $100 bil- we don’t have the hospital beds and the
blocked from providing relief for the lion for hospitals, $20 billion for vet- facilities to provide for the care that
American people by the Speaker of the erans’ healthcare, $11 billion for vac- may be necessary in what the Surgeon
House and the Democrats who are cines and therapeutics. The list goes on General has said will be a week during
doing her bidding. They continue to and on. which things are going to likely get
play politics with the lives and liveli- Why? much worse.
hoods of the American people. It seems to me the Speaker of the I don’t understand why the Senate
It is distressing because, just within House has come back here with her Democrats have chosen to align them-
the last hour, the Speaker of the House own bill that we had on the floor yes- selves with Speaker PELOSI on this
was on national television. She is talk- terday, having just been made aware of leftist list of all of their wants that
ing about what her options are—her po- what was in it. We looked at this wish override the needs of the American
litical options—with no sense of ur- list while the American people waited people. The House bill that NANCY
gency at all. I did not hear a sense of and watched and worried. It was a lib- PELOSI just put out—1,100 pages—is one
urgency in her voice. I didn’t get the eral wish list of things that had noth- special interest giveaway after an-
sense that she understood the gravity ing to do with the disease or the treat- other.
of the situation when I listened to her ment or the recovery of the economy. This came up last night during the
voice talking about this. She talked In their liberal wish list, they block telephone townhall meeting that Sen-
about a number of things on her wish the list of things that would help to ator ENZI and I had with the folks in
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list and talked about leveraging oppor- save people’s lives—resources that, as a Wyoming. I said: Really? There are tax
tunities. This isn’t about political le- doctor, I know are needed in a breaks for solar panels? for wind tur-
verage. This is about the American healthcare crisis. bines? They are holding up voting for
people and the needs of our Nation at Why are they holding this up? this emergency bill that will help the
this time of healthcare crisis and eco- We had a productive, bipartisan proc- American people in terms of the econ-
nomic crisis. ess in putting a bill together that omy and in terms of our healthcare
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1979
over solar panels, wind turbines, and a line to deal with this healthcare crisis of my mother’s way of saying: Don’t sit
Green New Deal about airline emis- during a week that, as the Surgeon around and wait. Do things. And it
sions? General said, is going to get much was—there were two things she would
In this bill, this emergency rescue worse. We need today to prepare our always say: Leave things in better
package for the American people, there hospitals and our healthcare systems shape than you found them. In other
is a student loan giveaway, a bailout for the surge of patients that is com- words, always be helping to improve a
for the U.S. Postal Service, new same- ing. They need to be ready. situation. Leave things in better shape
day voter registration, and early vot- The men and women who are working than you found them.
ing requirements. Those have no place in those hospitals are ready. They are She would always say ‘‘Give back
in an emergency rescue package for the in the fight of their lives. They are the more than you take,’’ stressing to us
American people. That is why we were heroes in hometowns all across Amer- the importance of being a giver to our
astonished on this side of the aisle ica because the coronavirus is in every community, to our family, to our soci-
when the Democrats—one after an- State and in many, many communities. ety, and not being a taker, sitting
other, after another—came to the floor So those men and women are there, around feeling like you are entitled
and voted no for even a motion to pro- and they need to hear that the Senate and you want people to bring things to
ceed to this rescue legislation. and the House and the President and you.
The American public needs relief— this Nation—the government—are So in our family, as we approached
healthcare relief. The American public standing behind them and not standing situations that may have been less
needs to know that there is treatment at a distance. They need to know the than wonderful or if there had been a
on the way; that there is research government is right there in the fight hurricane—I grew up in South Mis-
being done for vaccines; and that the with them by providing what they sissippi—or a terrible storm or some
things they need for testing are on the need—the testing, supplies, the equip- other event, we would always look at it
way. That is what the American people ment—one thing after another—so they and say ‘‘Leave things in better shape
need to know. If they can’t get pay- can do what they are trained to do, than you found them’’ and ‘‘Give back
checks at work because their work- which is to save lives, to heal the sick, more than you take.’’
places have been shut down and they and to prevent disease. It was important that action be a
can’t go to their jobs—whether they That is why people go into medicine. part of the solution, not only for our
are at restaurants or stores or what- That is why they go into the profes- family and our community but right
ever has been shut down—they need to sion. Doctors and nurses and therapists now. Taking the right actions, exer-
know they can pay for food to put food and all of those people who work there cising good judgment, is something
on the tables for their families. go to school to learn to save lives. that is important for our entire Na-
Instead, what the Speaker is asking They learn to treat disease, to heal the tion, and Tennesseans are hard at work
for in her bill is to increase collective sick, and to prevent disease. That is helping to address this coronavirus—
bargaining for Big Labor; requirements what this coronavirus has put them all COVID–19—crisis that we are under.
for racial and gender diversity for cor- in a position to do—to do their best Right now, there are 166 members of
porate boards; an automatic extension work. We have to make sure they have the Tennessee National Guard who are
of nonimmigrant visas; money for everything they need. training to provide support to the Ten-
Planned Parenthood; and money to For that reason, we need to pass this nessee Department of Health. All to-
maintain the John F. Kennedy Center bill today. There is no reason to delay, gether, the State currently plans to ac-
for the Performing Arts—the Kennedy no reason to wait another day. The bill tivate 250 guardsmen to help out at
Center? These are all worthy topics for provides them with what they need, clinics across the State. They will be
discussion but not on this bill, which is and it provides the economy the sort of helping with assessments and screen-
a rescue bill for the American public. certainty and security that the entire ing.
Let me be clear. This list that came country needs. To these National Guardsmen,
to us from the House is a special inter- I appreciate the opportunity to share Guardswomen, to these members and
est wish list. It is not a list for people these thoughts. My final message is, their families who are going to acti-
who are suffering from the coronavirus. this bill needs to be passed today. vate in this crisis, bless you—God bless
This is why we have 150 million Amer- I yield the floor. you—and thank you for once again
ican workers who are watching and I suggest the absence of a quorum. stepping up to help defend our Nation
waiting and worrying. If those on the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The and to meet our Nation’s needs.
other side of the aisle thought they clerk will call the roll. The Tennessee Air National Guard
could just slip some of these items that The senior assistant legislative clerk assisted in transporting 1 million test-
the Speaker of the House wants into proceeded to call the roll. ing kits. They put these on the C–17s
this Senate bill in an emergency, they Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Presi- that are housed there in Memphis and
are wrong. The President said last dent, I ask unanimous consent that the flew them from Aviano Air Base in
night that he will not approve such a order for the quorum call be rescinded. Italy to Memphis, and then those kits
list. So they are delaying, and they The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. were divided out and sent to healthcare
seem to be blocking the bill for some- LOEFFLER). Without objection, it is so providers all across the Nation to get
thing that will never become law. ordered. testing into communities where our
We know what is going on here. The Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Presi- citizens are fearing they may have con-
media even understands well what is dent, as we are all facing this, we are tracted COVID–19.
going on here because one major out- hearing from our Tennesseans; we are In finding solutions, our scientists at
let, CNN, said the Democrats are en- hearing from small businesses; and peo- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
gaging in political gamesmanship. This ple are trying to hang on to every piece are working hard in participation with
is about the future of our country, the of information they can get. other labs to find a vaccine for this,
future of the people of our country. Yet It helps them to stay informed, and the Denison Lab—and I had the oppor-
we are seeing political gamesmanship we encourage everyone: Stay informed. tunity to talk to Dr. Denison last
being played by the other side of the Stay up to the minute. Talk to us. Be week. We know that, in conjunction
aisle. The American people get it as on our websites and social media. with other labs, they are expediting
well. They see through it. They know We all want to get to you the infor- the testing that is necessary and find-
that valuable days are being lost here. mation you need as quickly as we get ing therapies, anti-virals, vaccines.
We need to pass this today with no it because that is how we are going to This is something they are focusing on,
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
more delays. The bill has been written defeat this—by realizing that we are all and they are working as hard as they
in a bipartisan way in the Senate, and in this together, and it is going to take possibly can, around the clock, to find
it should pass with overwhelming num- every single one of us doing our part to these solutions.
bers. I see no reason we can’t vote get past it. Of course, we do know if China had
today. I see no reason to delay. This is In my family, we had this mantra been more forthcoming, if they had not
the time to get healthcare capacity on- that we grew up with, and it was kind tried to keep this a secret—imagine
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S1980 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
trying to keep this a secret, which is I heard from the manager of a YMCA so incredibly disappointing to know
exactly what they tried to do—we that is outside of Nashville, and they that we had a failed vote—not once but
would be further along in this process, have 65 part-time employees who work twice—to get cloture to move forward
but we are so grateful—so, so grate- in that facility. This manager is con- to get on this bill.
ful—for these brilliant minds that are cerned about how nonprofits and small With all of these good-faith negotia-
researching this and are building off businesses are going to end up being tions, I have just been appalled, as I
past research from coronaviruses and treated in this legislation. He is cer- said yesterday, with the comments to
from SARS, and they are whittling tainly wanting to keep those people on restructure this bill to meet the pro-
down what can be used to fight this. the payroll. And do you know what? I gressive vision. You know, there is a
Indeed, the supercomputer at Oak agree with him. We want people to stay season for everything. There is a time
Ridge and the team of scientists there, on the payroll. When we get past this and place for everything, and this is
working with the supercomputer, the 15-day period—we are about halfway neither the time nor the place to have
Summit, were able to put in a lot of in- through it right now, 15 days to slow a debate about things like collective
formation and distill down to 77 drugs the spread that the President and Vice bargaining powers for unions and mak-
that could be effective in this fight President have put in place—we want ing our airlines meet emissions stand-
against COVID–19. people to be going back to work. ards—the Green New Deal emissions
You may remember that just as we I heard from another business owner. standards by 2025. For goodness’ sake,
identified our first case of COVID–19 in It is a family-owned business, and they let’s keep the airlines flying right now.
Tennessee, that was the week that do maintenance services like plumbing Wind and solar tax credits have noth-
West and Middle Tennessee were struck and electrical work, and they have em- ing—nothing—to do with COVID–19.
by a devastating series of tornadoes. ployees who have been with them since Come on, I say to my friends across the
TEMA, our emergency management 1993. They have never had to lay off one aisle, let’s set these aside for the ap-
agency, and all of the volunteers who single employee, and they are con- propriate season to discuss this, but it
have worked on this have done an un- cerned about where uncertainty is. is not now. Election assistance fund-
believable job in the midst of dealing We have retail—fabulous, homegrown ing? That has nothing to do with
with unprecedented devastation. retail—entities in Middle Tennessee, COVID–19. Corporate board diversity?
Again, we thank President Trump for around Nashville. One of those employ- It has nothing to do with COVID–19.
his attention to this, and the people of ers has five stores. They are Same-day voter registration? The list
Tennessee are so grateful for his atten- headquartered in Franklin, TN, right goes on and on. There is a time and a
tion to the concerns of those hit with outside of Nashville. He is keeping peo- place, there is a season, and right now,
the tornado and his visit to the State ple working even though they are bare-
and FEMA and TEMA working to- dealing with the crisis in front of us is
ly bringing in revenue, and he needs us what should be the center of our atten-
gether to address that.
to pass this bill, this rescue bill, so he tion.
So our State has had a full plate, and
can keep those employees on the pay- I think that yesterday my fellow Re-
I say thank you to every Tennessean
who has looked at the situation that roll. Then a company that has stood publicans and I made it abundantly
we are in and decided that they are itself up in the last several years—and clear. We do not have time. At this
going to do whatever they can to help. they are a valuable asset in working point in time, we do not have time for
We have a lot of distillers in our with the vulnerable population, moving political games and antics based
State, and, God bless them, they are people from poverty to work—is want- around a progressive policy wish list. It
stepping up and instead of distilling ing to keep people working. is disrespectful of the American people.
whiskey, they are moving to sanitizers. We are hearing from all of these It is hurtful to those who are directly
And, yes, to those distillers, we know about the importance of having this affected by COVID–19, which, indeed, is
there is an excise tax problem, and we bill that will be a bipartisan bill to ad- everybody. It is important for us to
are on it, trying to resolve that for dress the concerns of businesses, large move forward.
you. and small, and to address the concerns I didn’t get everything I wanted. I
I have to give a shout-out to our of workers who are working for those would have preferred a payroll tax holi-
singers and our songwriters, our musi- businesses, large and small. day. I would have preferred rebating in-
cians. While they cannot go fill the au- What we have had in the bipartisan come taxes that have been paid for
dience at one of the clubs on Lower bill—and hopefully this will move for- businesses and for individuals. I would
Broad or one of the concert venues in ward—is $350 billion in loans for small have even liked to have seen more of
so many places around our State and businesses, and if people stay working, my bipartisan SAM–C Act, Securing
up in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, those become grants; $500 billion in America’s Medicine Cabinet. But
what they are doing is hosting virtual emergency relief through low-interest adults realize you are not going to get
concerts on their own Instagram and loans that could go to businesses and everything you want, and reasonable
Facebook, and they are doing this hospitals; $242 billion in emergency ap- people realize you are not going to get
every single day, trying to bring a bit propriations across Federal agencies. everything you want.
of joy to lift our hearts during a time Seventy-five percent of that money This is a time where we should be re-
when we are quarantining and staying would go to State, local, and Tribal spectful and we should be reasonable
separate and apart. How wonderful governments, which are much better at and we should apply common sense. We
that we have this technology that will managing their affairs than the Fed- know the American people are expect-
allow us to walk through this entire eral Government. There is $250 billion ing our best efforts, and they are look-
process of this pandemic together. in increased and expanded unemploy- ing forward to a solution.
Here in DC, we are doing our best to ment benefits. I talked about this yes- As I said yesterday, I had talked to
be as positive as we possibly can and to terday. If you normally are going to someone who said: You know, I am
be productive because we know, as I get $300 in unemployment, with the scared to death.
said on this floor yesterday, that this $600 plus-up, you are at $900 a week. This is a small business owner who
is a very difficult time for small busi- These are all things to keep the econ- struggled. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
nesses, and it is why I have worked so omy going. There is an additional $75 allowed them to move forward with
very consistently and diligently billion for hospitals and our healthcare growth. There are teenagers in the
through this process of negotiating our workers. house, and homeschool is starting
legislative solution to be sure that it So there is much that is in there. today.
includes a small business definition Imagine a bipartisan bill including She said: I am screaming inside si-
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
that is going to include the self-em- this—including tax rebates for Ameri- lently. I do not want the kids to know
ployed and the sole proprietors and the cans, $1,200 for individuals, $2,400 for that I am afraid.
independent contractors so that they joint filers, $500 per dependent child. So I encourage my colleagues to lay
are not left in the lurch. We are con- There are student loan deferments for down your progressive policy wish list.
tinuing to do that. We are hearing from those who are affected by COVID–19. Lay it down. Set it aside. There is a
people every day. All of that—all of that is in a bill. It is season to everything. There is a time,
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1981
there is a season, and I encourage you starting with those in healthcare— last Saturday. What happened in the
to realize that this is neither the time nurses, doctors, lab technicians, and Senate? Well, the Senate didn’t move
nor the season. Let’s address the crit- others working in senior citizen facili- on the bill until Wednesday of last
ical issues in front of us. ties, our first responders, and many week. So we are talking about waiting
I yield the floor. like them. Let us not forget that every 4 days when we could have considered
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The as- single day while we isolate, they are the bill in the Senate and didn’t move
sistant Democratic leader. forced to break isolation and to come forward with it because we didn’t have
Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, first to help those in need, and we can never consent requested or given. But it has
let me say a word to my colleague from thank them enough. been done that way before. It doesn’t
Tennessee. So what is going on in the U.S. Sen- have to physically make it across the
It is good to see you, and it is a good ate? If you hear the other side of the rotunda. So 4 days passed, and last
social distance. I thank you for your aisle, there is a suggestion that we lost Wednesday, Senator MCCONNELL called
presentation. We may not agree on ev- our opportunity, that we are wasting for this vote, and it passed—$100 bil-
erything, but we do agree on some time and nothing is happening. They lion.
things, and we are working together on argue that we have had two votes in a Then he announced we would start
the issues that affect Tennessee, Illi- row—Sunday afternoon and then yes- crafting this third bill. If you notice
nois, and many other places, to in- terday—to decide not to debate on the the calendar days we are facing here, it
crease the number of medical profes- floor the MCCONNELL bill which was hasn’t been a week since that an-
sionals available in small towns and produced. The argument is that we nouncement, and we are considering a
rural America. can’t waste a second, that we need to bill of the size and magnitude the likes
As we go through this public health get to the serious business of helping of which we have never seen in a single
crisis, it reminds us that we need to people across America and turning our undertaking. It is a bill for authoriza-
keep focused on that, and she and I will economy around. tion and appropriation that may range
continue to work on that. I thank her I just want to say for the record that somewhere north of $1.5 trillion. Why
for her bipartisan cooperation. That is I left the office not 30 or 40 feet away is it that big? Because the problem is
a timely issue with or without the cur- of the Democratic leader, Senator that big, if not larger. That is why we
rent crisis we face, and I look forward SCHUMER. I didn’t go and see him be- are trying to do this the right way.
to her successful completion on that cause he is in active negotiations at When Senator SCHUMER was told by
bipartisan issue. this minute with Treasury Secretary Senator MCCONNELL we were moving
Madam President, my daughter Mnuchin, representing the White toward this third bill, his first response
called me yesterday from New York House. He is in communication with was the right one: Let’s do it as we did
and talked about her first day in the the Speaker of the House, NANCY with the first two. Let’s have a bipar-
classroom. You see, our grandkids go PELOSI, about the progress being made, tisan, bicameral approach. He sug-
to public schools in Brooklyn, and they and, as he said on the floor yesterday, gested bringing together the four cor-
are, of course, closed, and the kids are he feels positive and optimistic about ners, as we call them here—the Demo-
back home. Well, yesterday was the the outcome. I do too. cratic and Republican leaders of the
first day there was to be remote learn- This is an awesome undertaking. House and Senate, together with the
ing using laptop computers. So my son- Consider for a minute that the bill we White House, sitting down at the table
in-law took my grandson and my are trying to style and craft literally is to craft this bill.
daughter took my granddaughter into larger than 1 year’s Federal budget for Senator MCCONNELL refused. He said:
separate rooms and spent 3 or 4 hours domestic discretionary spending, and We will start this as an exclusively Re-
in that made-up classroom. My daugh- we are doing it in a matter of days. publican Senate bill. We will ask our
ter said: This is harder than I ever When it comes to the Federal budget, task forces to write something. We will
imagined. we spend a year—sometimes longer— get back to the Democrats in the Sen-
So it is a reminder, No. 1, of how putting it together. In this case, we are ate later.
much we owe it to teachers every sin- writing a bill of that magnitude in a No mention was made of the involve-
gle day, and not with 1 child, usually matter of days because it is a compel- ment of the House.
with more than 1–15 to 30 in a class- ling challenge and should happen. Well, after some 48 hours, we were
room. Let us also remember that the The argument on the other side of presented with the proposal from the
learning process is critically important the aisle is that we wasted our oppor- Republican side. In fairness, there were
as we go through this health crisis. I tunity here, that we should have parts of it that were bipartisan in the
hope all parents will try—I know my agreed to the MCCONNELL bill that was MCCONNELL bill. I think of the effort
daughter and her husband are trying— brought forward for a vote on Sunday that Senator CARDIN of Maryland and
to help the kids keep up with their and got on with it. But many under- Senator RUBIO of Florida put into the
learning process. In some places, it is stood that there was a fundamental whole question of dealing with small
hard. Kids don’t have access to com- flaw in the process Senator MCCONNELL business and the problems that they
puters or may not have remote-learn- started. are facing with this massive public
ing possibilities. But it is something When he suggested that we needed health crisis. They have come up with
that is essential, and I thank the this third bill, it was after we had what I consider a good approach—a
teachers and school districts that are passed two previous bills. good approach that literally could help
trying to put it together. The first one, the President asked, if 50 to 60 million small businesses across
Janice Jackson, who is the head of you will remember—it seems like an- America. There were others involved in
the Chicago Public Schools, called me cient history—about 3 weeks ago, the the conversation—Senator WYDEN,
just a few days ago, and we talked President asked for $2 billion to deal Senator GRAHAM, and others. It was bi-
about how they were implementing with coronavirus. Many of us thought partisan—start to finish—and I believe
this in the city of Chicago and how that was totally inadequate, and we we are this close to coming up with
they are trying to distribute school put our heads together on a bipartisan this bipartisan proposal.
lunches. It is an awesome responsi- basis with the President and raised it However, the other provisions in the
bility. to $8 billion. We did it in a timely way, MCCONNELL bill were not as bipartisan,
Let’s give special thanks to those and we did it in a bipartisan fashion. It and there reached a point where Sen-
who are working overtime to try to probably shocked people across Amer- ator MCCONNELL announced that that
make sure our kids can keep up with ica who have limited high regard for was the end of the story. He was bring-
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the learning process and some of the Congress to start with. ing the MCCONNELL bill to the floor
basics in life, like feeding them to Quickly thereafter came a need for without further negotiation. That
make sure they have something for another bill. We upped the amount came as a surprise because there were
lunch and breakfast, if not more. from $8 billion to $100 billion in that elements that the Democrats were ask-
I can go through the long list of peo- second bill. It passed in the early ing for and insisting on that really
ple to thank, which I have done before, morning hours of last Saturday—just were fundamental.
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S1982 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
So a vote was taken this last Sunday like New York—and even Illinois, for more. Many of them live week to week,
afternoon, and we decided, as a caucus, that matter—has to anticipate this not paycheck to paycheck, and we
to argue on the Democratic side that dramatic increase in patients, our sys- want to make certain that they have
there were fundamental elements miss- tem could be easily overwhelmed. that peace of mind. We have measured
ing in the MCCONNELL proposal and we So the Democrats have said from day every proposal for economic recovery
wanted to include them. So we voted one that we want to make that the against working families in America
no in going forward on the MCCONNELL highest priority in this third bill. We and against the individual workers and
proposal. want to make sure we put money in the challenges they face.
At that point, we didn’t stalk off and there for hospitals and for healthcare There has been a complaint that we
fold our arms and say: That is it; we to respond to this crisis, and I will tell raised the issue of collective bar-
are not part of the process. Senator you that progress has been made. Since gaining. We want to make certain that
SCHUMER and the leaders in our caucus the negotiation between Senator SCHU- when we give money to corporations, it
did exactly the opposite. We sat down MER and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin does not change the status of the work-
with the White House, with the Treas- has been under way, we have made ers whom they have bargained with
ury Secretary, and started engaging on progress, and I hope that if we can hold over the years. We are going to wait, of
those issues of importance, and, within it, we will have a dramatic increase in course, for another day to consider fu-
a few hours, we involved the Speaker of the amount of money that was origi- ture contracts and work contracts, but
the House of Representatives, NANCY nally in the MCCONNELL bill for this for the time being, we want to make
PELOSI. purpose when it comes to hospitals. certain that whatever money is going
Time and again, I have noticed over I also want to say a word about the into the corporation respects the exist-
the last several days that Senator unemployment insurance. This is a ing rights of workers under their col-
MCCONNELL and others have come to proposal that comes from the Demo- lective bargaining agreements. I don’t
the floor and complained that Speaker cratic side but has been embraced by think that is a radical notion. Corpora-
PELOSI was part of this negotiation many Republicans as well, and the no- tions are going to continue to operate
process. If you go back to that pam- tion behind it is that those workers
under the laws of America. I think that
phlet of how laws are made, you under- who cannot go to work, because there
the workers should be entitled to the
stand that this is not a unicameral leg- is no work to be done or they have been
rights that have been granted to them
islature. Both the House and the Sen- furloughed or lost their jobs, would
under their collective bargaining
ate need to pass a measure for it to be have access to the highest levels of un-
agreements, and that is basically the
sent to the President. So the involve- employment compensation in our Na-
bottom line for us when it comes to
ment of the House leaders—starting, of tion’s history. Now, we think that this
collective bargaining.
course, with the majority, Speaker is a significant change and even a sig- When it comes to loans to corpora-
PELOSI, and including Mr. MCCARTHY of nificant restructuring of unemploy-
tions, that is where we have a serious
California, representing the minority— ment insurance to reflect the current
problem with the MCCONNELL bill.
is an integral part of this process, and crisis we face.
I don’t run away from this issue of There was a provision in Senator
it should be. I don’t understand why it MCCONNELL’s bill, which he calls a bi-
restructuring. I have heard many Re-
is so unnerving for so many Republican partisan bill—and I acknowledge that,
publican critics, but when it comes to
leaders to consider sitting down at a in part, it was—but there was a provi-
unemployment insurance, we are, in
table with this woman from California sion that was far from bipartisan. It
fact, restructuring it. The payments
who happens to be the Speaker of the was a provision which said when it
that were generally made in my State
House and the leader of the majority, came to loaning money to corpora-
of Illinois and in other States were just
who is essential if we are going to get tions, the Treasury Secretary could
not sufficient for those to maintain a
this done in a timely way. I think she family and pay their bills during times waive the disclosure of that loan for up
should be part of it. of economic crisis. So we have started to 6 months. That is unacceptable to
She has been following the progress me, and it was to most of us on the
moving toward an amount for indi-
that is being made with Senator SCHU- Democratic side.
vidual workers closer to what they
MER, Mr. Mnuchin, and Senator MCCON- We believe that if billions of dollars
were paid at work, and we believe that
NELL. She has made positive state- are flowing through the decision of the
this should be done over a long period
ments in the hopes that we can reach a Treasury Secretary to individual cor-
of time. To say 3 months is enough
point where we have a bipartisan porations, there should be trans-
may be a rosy scenario, which we hope
agreement, and that would speed this will occur, but it may not. We want to parency and accountability: Who is re-
up, as it should be. So we involved the give these workers the assurance that ceiving the money, under what condi-
House of Representatives in this con- they can keep their families together tions, and what is going to happen with
versation at the earliest stage, not and pay their basic bills, even if they the money that is being sent—taxpayer
after we have finished the Republican are not going to work because of this money that is being sent—for this pur-
measure that Senator MCCONNELL public health crisis, which we are fac- pose?
wanted to bring to the floor, but after ing. So we have insisted, as we sit down
we have completed a bipartisan meas- Is that restructuring? I think it is. Is in negotiation here, for this account-
ure that is one that she may be able to it necessary? Certainly, it is, and it has ability and transparency when it comes
take to the House of Representatives been agreed to on a bipartisan basis. to these massive amounts—billions of
for consideration and maybe even a That is one of the things that we don’t dollars—that could be transferred by
unanimous consent on the floor. believe the MCCONNELL bill, originally the decision of one person in the ad-
So what are the items that we are proposed to us on Sunday, really ad- ministration. I don’t think that is too
now negotiating, and where do they dressed in a fulsome and complete way. much to ask. We should be held ac-
stand? The first item—and we made it We have made it our kind of standard countable as Members of the Senate
clear on the Democratic side—that is on the Democratic side to make cer- and the House of Representatives for
essential is that we deal with the tain that we measure every proposal the money that is appropriated when
healthcare system across America. The for economic recovery against the we allocate it, and the administration
Governor of New York, Governor workers and working families of Amer- should be held to the same basic stand-
Cuomo, announced yesterday that he ica—not what it does in the boardroom ard.
wishes that every hospital in New York but what it does in the family room of We also believe that when it comes to
would increase its capacity by 50 per- individual families who still get those the basic standards, we have been
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
cent. Then, he went on to say: I really bills in the mail and still face the pres- burned once and don’t want to be
mean 100 percent. But 50 percent is so sures of being out of work and won- burned a second time. For those of us
that they have enough bed space for dering if there is enough money to get who voted for past legislation to give
those who are likely to come in seek- by. money to corporations, we want to
ing help facing this COVID–19 virus. We We know that a majority of Ameri- make certain that that is for the good
can understand that if a great State cans do not have savings of $400 or of the economy and the good of the
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1983
workers. Sadly, in the past, we have to do it, and it wasn’t easy at all. They breaking highs, but the fact is, if we
seen, under tax bills and other provi- decided in Ohio to postpone the pri- don’t deal with the underlying cause of
sions that were supposed to benefit the mary election. The point I am getting our economic chaos, and that is this
economy, that they ended up being a to is that the conduct and timing of virus, and deal with it effectively,
windfall for executives and corpora- elections relates directly to COVID–19, sadly, we are going to see the economic
tions in terms of stock buybacks and whether there are enough people who situation in this country deteriorate
dividends. Yes, we are holding a stand- will be able to vote and enough people even more in the future.
ard that buybacks should not be part of to serve as judges in polling places. I am going to close my bottom line
the future of any corporate assistance. So I don’t know if that is being de- with this: We believe that the first two
We should be dealing with this to help bated in the other room, but we should measures passed related to COVID–19
the workers and help the economy but bring that issue up, because we want to were done in a timely and bipartisan
not to line the pockets of those who make sure that, in this democracy, the manner. They have been done in an ef-
are at the highest levels of corporate most fundamental element of a free fort to make sure the American people
governance. I don’t think that is a rad- and democratic election is going to know that we can overcome our polit-
ical idea. I think most Americans agree occur. I encourage all of my friends and ical differences and actually come to-
with it, and it is one of the things that family to vote by mail and vote early. gether in a bipartisan way to serve this
we continue to argue for. We can do it in our State. In some Nation, as we were sworn to do.
I see my friend Senator CARPER has States you can’t. I hope we can find a There have been differences along the
come to the floor. We served in the mechanism to guarantee that elections way. This bill that we are currently
House of Representatives together, and really do reflect the sentiment of the considering is one of such magnitude
then he took a little vacation and be- American populace. that we have never seen anything like
came Governor of the State of Dela- Is that related to COVID–19? You bet it in the history of Congress in terms
ware and then returned to service at it is. It is basic. And whether it is in- of the dollar amounts that are being
the Federal level in the Senate. He cluded in this bill or in a later bill, I debated now. We want to make certain
knows, as all of us do, that Governors don’t think we should ignore it. that we do everything in good faith
across the United States and mayors Finally, let me say a word about the that we can to have a good negotiation
and presidents of county boards, for ex- President’s press conference last and a bipartisan negotiation involving
ample, are making exceptional sac- evening. I watched it, and I watched it the House, the Senate, and the White
rifices to fight this battle against this because the news reports leading up to House in the hopes that we can get this
coronavirus. They are spending a lot it raised a question as to whether the done and come up with a truly bipar-
more money on public health matters President was going to change Amer- tisan package.
than they ever anticipated. They are ica’s strategy when it comes to dealing The original bill—I mentioned four or
seeing more claims at our State level with this coronavirus. The current five particulars—was lacking, from our
for unemployment insurance than they strategy, of course, is social distance, point of view. I am happy to report
have seen in history, and many of them to make sure that you are isolating that, in most of these, we have made
are facing fiscal budgetary problems yourself as much as possible, and when progress since the early decision not to
because of it. It is so obvious. We have in the presence of others, you don’t move forward with the MCCONNELL bill.
seen dramatic leadership when it stand too close, and wash your hands But there is more work to do.
comes to the Governors. over and over. Those are the fundamen- I think it is naive to believe this is
One of our colleagues of the House, tals. I mean, we hear those rec- the last piece of legislation that will be
Mike DeWine, now the Republican Gov- ommendations, and I think they are needed. We don’t know where America
ernor of Ohio, has made some, I think, sound. will stand in 30, 60, or 90 days. But
significant, important, and good deci- But now there is a suggestion from whatever it takes—whatever it takes—
sions for his State. Some of those have the President that we may take a dif- we need to come together as a nation,
involved more spending by the State of ferent course. I don’t know what he put aside political differences, and
Ohio than he ever could have antici- will finally decide, but I will stand agree on a strategy that serves the best
pated. The same thing is true for J.B. with the public health experts—Dr. interests of families across our coun-
Pritzker in the State of Illinois. I talk Fauci and others—who believe that the try, red and blue States alike, and do it
to him virtually every single day. We best way to slow the growth of this in- here in Washington as well.
text many times during the day, and I fection rate in our country is by using Engaging the House of Representa-
know that he is spending money that some form of social distance and isola- tives in the earliest stages of these ne-
he thinks is necessary to save lives in tion of individuals and families. It is a gotiations just makes common sense.
Illinois. great personal sacrifice and burden for Whatever we agree to here has to head
So the point I am making is that we many families to go through this, I over to the House of Representatives
want to make sure that the bill that know, but if, at the end of the day, we for approval as well. So let’s involve
emerges helps State and local govern- can reduce the number of people who the Speaker, involve the Republican
ments with the fiscal problems they suffer or die from this virus, it is worth leader in the House—the four corners
face because of this economic and the sacrifice, as far as I am concerned. that Senator SCHUMER asked for at the
healthcare crisis. I don’t think that is Presidents, in times of national cri- earliest stage of this conversation. To
unreasonable. I think it is the right sis, are expected to be credible, with me, that is the best way to achieve it.
thing to do, and I hope that we can in- clarity and consistency. I hope the For those who see an empty Chamber
clude it. That is why the original pro- President will remember that as he and wonder if work is being done, as I
posal in the MCCONNELL bill did not go makes his decision on policy. mentioned earlier, just across the hall-
far enough and why we have continued Don’t follow somebody talking on way, Senator SCHUMER, who may come
to negotiate up to this minute. cable TV and their recommendations. to the floor in a moment to give us an
I might raise an issue of difference Follow the experts in public health update, has been negotiating around
between myself and the Senator from who have dedicated their lives to sav- the clock with the White House and
Tennessee, who was on the floor just a ing the lives of others. Even though it with Senator MCCONNELL to come up
few moments ago. She had suggested may not be politically popular to con- with a better bipartisan package to
that we shouldn’t involve ourselves in tinue with this current social move forward from this point.
issues that really have nothing to do distancing, it is an approach which I I am going to close now with just one
with COVID–19, and she used as an ex- believe has been proven in many other point I would like to make, and that is
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
ample the administration and execu- countries around the world to work that many of my colleagues are joining
tion of elections. successfully. Senator PORTMAN and me in cospon-
Well, I will tell you, we went into a The notion that we are doing damage soring what we have called the remote
debate just a week or so ago in Illinois to our economy, of course, is being voting amendment in the Senate rules.
as to whether to go forward with the heard. The number of unemployment It is complex because it is the first of
primary election. We decided in Illinois claims may reach historic and record- its kind where we are discussing using
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S1984 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
modern technology to meet our con- our medium-size hospitals, our small Reserve, we don’t know about it. And
stitutional responsibilities and obliga- hospitals, and the small and rural hos- we have been pushing hard that for any
tions. The reason, of course, is obvious. pitals actually face the risk of closing contract the Federal Government
We shouldn’t be gathering on the floor if we don’t help them. makes with a company to give it loans,
in groups. We have been warned by the So we Senate Democrats have been we know of that contract in a very
Centers for Disease Control not to do pushing very hard for an increase, a short period of time so that we can ex-
that. Yet we do it because we have very significant increase, in money for the amine it. And we, in the Senate, those
few alternatives. healthcare system. We are very, very in the House, the press, and the Amer-
So I am hoping we can work with the pleased with what seems to be moving ican public will see if those things are
Parliamentarian and with the officers forward in the bill, in the bipartisan on the level because we all know there
of the Senate to come up with some- bill, that we hope will be brought to was a load of dissatisfaction with
thing that is bipartisan, makes sense, the floor. TARP.
and protects the integrity of voting on Second, workers first—the title of In addition, we are fighting for over-
the floor of the U.S. Senate. our Democratic plan has been ‘‘Work- sight, a new inspector general, to be
We need to do our jobs, even in times ers First.’’ We believe we have to put able to look into these contracts. We
of national crisis, whether it is a public working people—families, average would like very much, and believe we
health crisis or a threat of terrorism. Americans—ahead of anybody else. should have, a congressional oversight
Let us devise a way—let’s work hard on They are losing their jobs through no board as well. We are fighting for
it—that both the Senate and, I hope, fault of their own. Their kids are stay- transparency, oversight, and disclosure
the House can agree on that respects ing home because there is no school. when the Federal Government gives
the rules and traditions of the Senate There are so many—so many—prob- corporations money.
but gives us options that make more lems that are befalling average people, We also want to make sure that
sense in this time of special peril. so we wanted to put them first. That workers are put first in these situa-
I yield the floor. has been our No. 1 goal, along with the tions so that when there are direct
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER Marshall Plan for hospitals. Federal grants and direct Federal loans
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The This bill, as it comes forward, as it is to these companies, they either have
Democratic leader is recognized. now at least being agreed upon, has a incentive or mandate to keep their em-
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, lot of that. It has unemployment insur- ployees and their benefits. We are mak-
first, I want to thank my good friend, ance on steroids. This is a great plan. ing very good progress in that direc-
the Senator from Illinois, for his out- What it says is that if you lose your job tion as well.
standing work on this issue. He has in this crisis, you can be furloughed by Small business—we all ache for these
been such a strong voice for the work- your employer. That means you stay small business owners, probably second
ing families of America, for the people on that employer’s payroll. If you have to the people who have illness in their
who need help. And his empathy and health benefits with the employer, you families. We ache for these folks. My
understanding of how average folks are can keep getting them. But, and most father was a small businessman. He
suffering is very, very important. importantly, the Federal Government had a little exterminating business. It
In fact, I just spoke to his Governor, will pay your salary, your full salary, was never very successful. He would
J. B. Pritzker, and told him that Sen- for now 4 months. We had asked for 4 pace the floor Sunday night at 2 a.m.
ator DURBIN is working very hard on months, and 4 months looks like what because he hated going to work. So I
something we Democrats believe is im- we are going to get when we come to know what people go through. You put
portant, and that is money for the this agreement. your blood, sweat, and tears into your
States and localities because they are It will mean two things. Most of all, small business, and all of a sudden, it
getting clobbered economically by this it will put money into the hands of looks like it is blown away. Well, there
crisis. They have new expenses, and those who need it so much because is a very fine proposal, bipartisan, on
without tax returns being filed until they have lost their jobs, as I said, small business that I believe will be in
June, much of their income is not through no fault of their own. So that this package as well.
going to be there because of States fil- is vitally important, and that will So there are lots of good things here.
ing in concert with the Federal Gov- pump money into the economy prob- We all know that not everyone is going
ernment. ably in a better way than anything else to want every provision. We all know
Now, I will be brief. I just finished a could do. there are many things that so many of
very productive meeting with Sec- It also has a second benefit. It will us want that are left out, but we all
retary Mnuchin, the White House con- keep companies intact. The small res- know we must do these things.
gressional liaison, Eric Ueland, and taurant owner, the middle-size busi- We are not looking for things that
MARK MEADOWS, the President’s Acting ness, even the large businesses worry are extraneous to this crisis, and I
Chief of Staff. that if they just had to remove their don’t believe they are in this package.
Last night, I thought we were on the workers, fire them because they don’t We are looking at things that deal di-
5-yard line; right now, we are on the 2. have any money coming in, those rectly with this crisis, and that is what
As I also said last night, at this point, workers would scatter to the winds, we have proposed here as Democrats in
of the few outstanding issues, I don’t and they would look for other jobs, and the Senate. Whether it be workers
see any that can’t be overcome within when, God willing, this awful crisis is first, helping our medical system, pro-
the next few hours. over, these businesses would not be viding oversight and transparency in
Here are the things that we have able to reassemble. But with our plan, the boards, and helping small business,
been fighting for, we Senate Demo- since they stay on the payroll of their those are all directly related to the cri-
crats. First, a Marshall Plan for our employer, as soon as the crisis is over, sis. We need them soon. We need them
medical system. Our hospitals, our they all can come back together, and desperately.
nursing homes, our community health that small restaurant, that middle-size In the last few days, we have made
centers—our whole healthcare sys- manufacturing facility, and the service huge progress in achieving these goals.
tem—need desperately needed dollars. business will be able to reassemble Again, I hope, I pray, that we can come
They need them fast, and they need quickly, and we can get the economy together very quickly and pass in large
them in a very large amount. going again. That is another thing we numbers the bipartisan bill that will
Hospital beds have to expand. Ex- have been fighting for. help the American people, who so
panding capacity is not easy. The need We have been fighting very hard that badly, badly, badly need our help.
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
for ventilators, for PPEs for the work- any bailout funds—money to industries I yield the floor.
ers, for masks, even things as simple as that have trouble—have real oversight The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
swabs are not always available. And in and transparency. That is vitally im- ator from West Virginia.
New York City, New York State, and portant. We cannot have the situation Mrs. CAPITO. Madam President, I
around the country, hospitals are going where, when a company is getting am glad to be on the floor right now to
to be overwhelmed. Our big hospitals, money from the Treasury, the Federal hear the Democratic whip and the
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1985
Democratic leader talk about the prin- The $75 billion that we have in it— pacts this has across our State and the
ciples of a bill that we want to pass and sounds like it may be more—fine, good. State of Iowa and others.
wanted to pass 2 days ago. Let’s keep our hospitals going, particu- West Virginians want a financial
The principles of helping workers larly our rural hospitals in rural areas boost to our families during this uncer-
first, the principles of helping small where they don’t have the availability tain time. This is in the bill. I heard
business, the principles of looking after of healthcare like they have in other the leader talk about it like it was a
the healthcare system in its entirety— places. new concept. It has been there. It has
these are the fundamentals of the bill But, I tell you, we want our hospitals been in the bill.
that we have worked on together, in a to be open. What West Virginians don’t They don’t want us to leave our com-
bipartisan way. Both the Democratic want is a delay in getting them the munities without the tools they need
whip and the Democratic leader said help they need just to score political to confront this crisis.
that this is and has been a bipartisan points. West Virginians, we always really
bill. The other things West Virginians band together. We really do every-
I just got off the telephone with my want are the best medical care for our where, but I have a particular pride, I
local radio station, and I had to fight veterans. We have four medical cen- think, in my State around neighbors
back the notion that the bill that was ters. We have a very patriotic State helping neighbors.
before us yesterday and Sunday was a that has some of the highest per-capita West Virginians want us to assist
strictly Republican bill; it was not. military and veterans in the entire workers who have been laid off as a re-
The bill that has the small business country. We want help for our vet- sult of the emergency by extending un-
provisions that the Democratic leader erans. employment benefits. Again, it is in
just said was worked on in a bipartisan What we don’t want is to use a crisis there. It has been in there.
way, which we all know was and is a to advance a partisan or ideological They don’t want for us to fail to show
great idea. Jointly, we agree on that. agenda, which we have seen. West Vir- compassion for our fellow citizens dur-
So I am glad to see the acknowledge- ginians want to make sure that we ing an emergency.
ment that, yes, we have been working have protective equipment for doctors, West Virginians want to keep edu-
together; yes, we have had conversa- nurses, and first responders on the cating our students. We have a par-
tions across the line; and, yes, we have frontline. I talked to some of my vol- ticular issue here with our tele-edu-
worked on issues that we know are unteer fire departments. You don’t cation because we don’t have the
going to put workers and families think how deep this goes or how deep broadband. That is a subject for a dif-
across this Nation first. the need is for personal protective ferent day. I know part of that is in
So I have spent a lot of time, as all this bill, but if anybody joins with me
equipment until you start thinking
of us have, talking to county commis- in this fight, which many of us have,
about all the different ways people
sioners, our mayors, the Governor, the urgency of yesterday is here on the
have contact. I tell you what—they
health professionals, small business delivery of broadband services into
don’t want a Green New Deal in this
owners, individuals, moms and dads, rural America.
bill; they want blue masks.
wondering, Is it safe to have somebody What we don’t want is a Federal
West Virginians want research into
help me with the kids? What kind of takeover of our election system that
new vaccines and treatments to help
contact should I have with my grand- requires same-day registration and
fight the coronavirus and end this epi-
children? This is something I am in places Washington bureaucrats in
demic. When we think about how we
constant debate on myself with my charge of our local officials. West Vir-
are going to get out of this, stopping
own grandchildren. ginia has a primary on May 12. I am
So I think what I get from every- the flow of the virus is certainly No. 1.
But we also have to get confidence working with the Secretary of State
body—more than anything—is not just
back that, if this comes back later, we and the Governor to make sure that
the urgency of now but the urgency of
have the vaccines or the therapeutics our State formulates how we can get as
yesterday and the day before. So I am
that are going to help people be many people voting by mail as possible
glad to hear the leader say that we are
healthier and fight the spread of the within the parameters of the way we
close, on the 5-yard line or the 2-yard
line. But let’s not get into too many virus. want to conduct our elections. We
football analogies. We have all been to What they don’t want are regulations don’t need a one-size-fits-all here. We
football games where we have been on and bureaucracies that get in the way need to keep the States in charge.
the 2 and people have fumbled the ball. of action. Our bill helped a lot with al- West Virginians want to stabilize our
We can’t do that because it has been leviating some of those regulatory bur- economy and do everything possible to
fumbled long enough. dens that we see our healthcare pro- avoid a long-lasting economic reces-
So, for the past few days, I have been viders fighting—at least in times of an sion.
very frustrated, as have many of my emergency, alleviating those regu- What we don’t want is to enact
colleagues. I know my fellow Senator latory burdens. Speaker PELOSI’s Christmas list that
from Iowa, who is here on the floor West Virginians want to allow more includes new regulations on carbon
with me, and, certainly, the Presiding medical visits to be done by telemedi- emissions, wind, and solar tax credits,
Officer from Georgia have had great cine during this crisis to keep our pa- corporate board diversity reports, and
angst and great frustrations that care tients and our providers safe. a cap-and-trade program for our air-
has been delayed when Americans need What they don’t want is to read to- lines.
it the most—both economic and morrow morning a newspaper article We have a bill before us. We have had
healthcare. that says who are the political winners it before us for several days. It is ap-
My West Virginians, they want to and losers in this because they know, propriately called the CARES Act be-
make sure that our hospitals, our com- essentially, people are the ones who are cause it takes care of a lot of the prior-
munity health centers, and other pro- losing by the stall tactics that we have ities and issues that we have been talk-
viders—our nursing homes, our ex- seen. ing about, that we hear about in our
tended-care facilities—have the re- West Virginians want to help small tele-townhalls or in talking to our
sources that they need to provide the businesses. We are probably 99 percent neighbors and talking to our constitu-
best coverage. That has been in this small business in our State—a small ents, the urgency of not now—yester-
bill. State. We want to stay afloat and keep day. We face a great public health
I heard the urgency of PPE. We hear our employees on the payroll. threat, and we face a severe threat to
that all over the country, certainly in What we don’t want is for others to our economy.
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
our State, and, also, swabs and other not realize the urgency that small I am a total optimist about every-
testing equipment. This is part of that business is feeling. As I said, not the thing. My glass is always half full and
bill but also our hospitals, which are urgency of now—the urgency of yester- I know we are going to get through this
hurting because they don’t have the day. and I know we are going to survive it.
elective surgeries; they don’t have the We just had a shelter-in-place put in I know we are going to be better for it
revenues to keep them going. place in our State. Think of all the im- because we are going to learn lessons,
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S1986 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
but it sure is tough when you are in it. imagined in their life that they would I want to just mention a couple of
Even a full-blown optimistic person, I be in this situation. things. I see a colleague from Iowa is
admit to myself and to you today, I A lot of people who signed up in the here, and I don’t want to take too
have had some pretty low points during last 2 weeks for food, what used to be much more time, but I am asking in-
this whole thing, where I have won- food stamps—SNAP—food benefits for dulgence for just a couple of minutes.
dered, where are we going? their family, they never imagined they One of our colleagues mentioned
The last thing we need is the polit- would face this situation. today looking ahead to the elections
ical debate that we have had over the My colleagues call me a recovering and thinking about the elections. We
last 2 days over programs and the pa- Governor. I was privileged to be Gov- have great concerns about election se-
rameters that were just laid out by the ernor of Delaware for 8 years. I chaired curity these days, with the Russians
Democratic leader that were in the the National Governors Association. trying to interfere with our elections
bill, have been in the bill. The Governors who met on the 50–State again.
So we must come together—bipar- conference call several days ago, I was We have a Postal Service that is in
tisan. All of us work together. I work fortunate enough to talk to some of dire straits. The Postal Service, as we
with the Senator from Delaware. We them afterward and ask them what know it, has faced great challenges in
are on EPW together. He was born in their priorities were. recent years because of the lack of
West Virginia, so he can’t get too far They said, among other things: We first-class mail. People have moved off
away from me, and we work together a want to make sure, when people file for first-class mail into email to do busi-
lot across party lines. This is an exam- unemployment insurance, if they are ness and personal communications.
ple, and I think we are seeing that now. eligible for it, that it will actually be The Postal Service is in dire straits.
I think that, with the leader’s com- there; and these State funds that were One of the ways we could help them is
ments, we see we are making great created, contributed to by employers in to expand vote by mail. Every State
progress here. 50 States across America, when they with counties and cities that have pri-
So I am encouraged that the deal is are depleted, there needs to be a maries and general elections would be
almost closed and that today might be backup. They were pleading with us to a source of revenue for the Postal Serv-
the day that we will join together and make sure that that backup is there. ice going forward. It actually helps ad-
that we will stop delaying care. Be- I am encouraged that the package dress the concerns we have about the
cause today is the day—yesterday that is before us today will provide Russians interfering in our business.
could have been the day, but today is that liquidity, if you will, for unem- In the last week or so—I know my
the day—because I am an optimist, and ployment insurance so people will ac- colleagues did as well—I called really
I am always looking forward—today is tually be able to get not necessarily smart people I know who have been
the day we come together and take their full payroll or full salary—full leaders in this country—people like
bold action for the American people. I paycheck—back but at least maybe Leon Panetta, Sylvia Mathews
know that is what Americans want, enough to get by. Burwell, John Kasich, and any number
and I know that is what my West Vir- The Governors asked that we—they of other people—Democrats and Repub-
ginians want. use the term ‘‘plus-up’’ the SNAP pro- licans—just to pick their brains as to
I yield the floor. gram. We used to have food stamps. We what they thought we should do. Some
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. now have something called SNAP of the best advice from people like
CRUZ). The Senator from Delaware. cards, and they can be plussed-up or Leon Panetta, Mark Sandy, and several
Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I would down remotely, electronically, and the others used the three Ts.
say to my colleague, my West Virginia Governors were asking that we do I said: Well, what are the three Ts?
colleague and friend: Don’t lose that something about that to make sure He said: When you are putting to-
sense of optimism. It is going to carry that not only people have at least some gether this package, always remember
us through this and, hopefully, well be- kind of payment coming in, through the three Ts.
yond. unemployment insurance, to their What are they?
I live in Delaware. My wife and I live homes but also something—some addi- He said: They are timely—whatever
in Delaware. We live in the same house tional benefits for the SNAP program. we do should be timely; targeted—it
we have lived in for—gosh—33 years, I don’t think we are going to get should be targeted; and it should be
and we raised our sons there and sent that. We made some progress on SNAP temporary.
them off into the world. in the last package that came through I believe that is what we are trying
Every morning that I get up and I a week or so ago. And we probably, es- to do with this huge package—enor-
come here, I go to the train station. It pecially, need to focus on food benefits mous package. I never imagined we
used to take maybe 15 minutes from for families who have kids in schools. would be dealing with one bill of this
my house to get to the train station. Schools are closed. Those kids used to size and magnitude.
Today there were just a few cars on the get their lunch—maybe their break- Timely, temporary, targeted—we
road—no buses. I got to the train sta- fast—at their school. They are not get- have added one to that. Democrats sug-
tion, and most of the doors were closed. ting it now. Those families, especially, gested this, and I think the Repub-
Up on the platform, I think two people are going to need some help. licans embraced this idea. It also
were on the platform to catch the train The third area I want to mention is should be transparent—transparent.
that ultimately brought me down here. health benefits—health benefits. A lot I have a bunch of quotes I carry
A lot of people whom I passed by on of people who have very good health in- around with me on my cell phone.
the way to the train station, some peo- surance benefits through their em- Sometimes I need some inspiration,
ple had slept out overnight—destitute, ployer are going to lose them or face and I pull out my cell phone and look
asking for money. Then, off the train the possibility of losing them. There at a couple of quotes. In anticipation of
station here, an hour and a half later, are going to be people—millions of peo- saying something today, I looked at a
in Union Station, walking through the ple across the country—who are going few of my favorites. One is John Ken-
train station, it was almost empty. The to sign up for Medicaid who never nedy. I think it is especially timely
train I had been on was almost empty. thought they would be in a position to right now. One said: ‘‘Let us not seek
A number of the people whom I did have to do that. the Republican answer or the Demo-
run into walking through the station The Governors are asking that we do cratic answer but the right answer’’—
and out of the station, came out Dela- a little bit more to help make sure that the right answer.
ware Avenue to the Capitol, where peo- Medicaid, which is partly funded by the Another quote I carry around on my
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
ple were, again, destitute and begging Federal Government and partly by the phone is one by Churchill. Churchill
for money. States—that there are sufficient dol- used to say: The worst form of govern-
There are a lot of people who showed lars to meet the demand for healthcare ment devised by man is democracy. De-
up last week and the week before in through Medicaid that certainly would mocracy is the worst form of govern-
this country to ask for and sign up for not have been imagined a month or so ment, except for all the rest. What he
unemployment benefits. They never ago. was saying there is this is a hard way
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1987
to govern. It sure is, especially in the People are looking to us to lead. I hope looking to us. Iowans and, of course,
midst of a pandemic, the likes of which and pray that later today that is ex- all Americans need to know that we
we have never seen in our lifetime. actly what we will do. have their back and that their liveli-
The third one that comes to mind is I want to thank everybody who is hoods are our top priority.
actually an African proverb. It goes working very hard on our side, our What we have seen over the past sev-
something like this: leadership, our caucus and the Repub- eral days is a very sad attempt by folks
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you lican side, their leadership. I was sit- across the aisle to stall and exploit this
want to go far, go together. ting in CHUCK SCHUMER’s vestibule ear- crisis as an opportunity to jam through
Think about that. lier today, and Secretary Mnuchin was their political wish list. Folks, we can
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you going back and forth, and MARK MEAD- have those policy debates. We can have
want to go far, go together. OWS, who is the new Chief of Staff, was those another day. But with each pass-
I think what we have coming to- going back and forth. CHUCK SCHUMER ing minute we waste, more lives are at
gether here is our Democrats and Re- and others—there was lot of activity risk, more jobs are lost, and more com-
publicans—and maybe an Independent and, I think, a little more optimism munities are turned upside down.
or two—who have decided over the last than I have seen in the last several We are not going to play games any-
several days that despite our dif- days. more in the U.S. Senate. The American
ferences, there is not a Republican an- America, take heart. We will get people have made it quite clear: They
swer and there is not a Democratic an- through this. need relief, and they need it now. This
swer; they are the right answers. Hope- I yield the floor. phase 3 relief package is not and will
fully, we get more right answers in this The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- not be a ‘‘Christmas tree’’ bill. In fact,
package—which I expect we will be ator from Iowa. folks, it has been the product of hours
considering later today—than wrong Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, we have a and hours of bipartisan negotiations
answers. The American people are clear objective right now, which is to from five different groups. Those work-
counting on us to pull together, and I get additional, immediate relief into ing groups have worked late into the
think we are beginning to do that. the hands of the American worker and night and over the weekend to come up
I would close by saying that this is to do it fast. That is what we are fo- with a good bill for the American peo-
not the first package—legislative pack- cused on, folks. That is what we have ple. This bill is squarely focused on
age—that we prepared to adopt in the been focused on since passing the phase getting immediate relief to millions of
last 2 weeks or so. This is No. 3. People 1 package, and then the House-led hard-working Americans across our
smarter than me say there will prob- phase 2 relief package last week. great United States.
ably be a No. 4 and maybe No. 5 as we The phase 2 bill was not perfect, but Just a while ago, the Democratic
learn more going forward. I was happy to support it because it leader was on the floor, and he was
The first one is pretty small, $3 bil- was the right thing to do. It was the touting a number of these provisions.
lion. The second, which focused on a support that Iowans needed. Since As my colleague from West Virginia
lot on testing, was over $100 billion. President Trump signed that package pointed out, those provisions the leader
This one is many, many, many times last Wednesday—nearly a week ago—I is touting have been in this package.
that amount. have continued to hear from Iowans— These are not new provisions. These
I hope folks across the country will those in our hospital industry, those in are not new provisions, folks. We
be encouraged that we were able to get the restaurant industry, agriculture, should have, and we could have, ad-
it mostly right in the first legislative trucking, retail, childcare, biofuels. I vanced this bill days ago.
package and get it mostly right in the have heard from all of them, one-on- This bipartisan phase 3 package in-
second legislative package. This one is one conversations about the need for cludes billions of dollars for our Na-
huge. It took another week or so to additional and immediate relief—relief tion’s healthcare workers and our
pound it out, but I think it is probably for the young families in Iowa right healthcare system as a whole. This has
better because we have gone slowly. now who are feeling very anxious about been a big priority of mine—something
I say to the American people, take how they are going to make that end- I have heard from time and again from
heart. We have been through a lot of-the-month rent payment come April Iowa’s hospitals and healthcare profes-
worse than this in our lifetime—a civil 1; relief for the nurses, like my cousin, sionals and something I have called on
war that killed about 800,000 men: fam- and the doctors who are fretting about Congress to respond to: billions of dol-
ilies against families, brothers against going into work because they don’t lars for additional personal protective
brothers. Hundreds of thousands of have the personal protective equip- equipment and other materials.
other women, children, and old people ment they need to prevent them from Healthcare workers are depending on
were killed. After the Civil War was getting and spreading the coronavirus; us to help increase the supply of the
over, President Lincoln was assas- and relief for the small business owner PPE they need so that they can con-
sinated. A short while later, his suc- who so badly wants to able to keep her tinue to battle the spread of the
cessor, Andrew Johnson from Ten- employees on the payroll so that when coronavirus and care for their patients,
nessee, was impeached. we get through this pandemic—and some of whom are our most vulnerable.
We somehow made it out of that cen- folks, we will get through this pan- There are billions of dollars for small
tury to get into the 20th century just demic—she can get her business up and businesses across our States to be able
in time to fight not one world war but running and can keep sending her em- to keep employees on the payroll and
two world wars—fought them, led ployees those paychecks. We have a lot pay their bills. Again, that is a huge
them, won them. The Cold War—led it, of those small business owners all priority for Iowa. Again, as my col-
won it. And when the sun came up on across our Main Streets and all around league from West Virginia stated,
January 1, 2001, here is where we were our squares in Iowa. about 99 percent of her businesses in
as a nation: We had the strongest econ- I also think about the seniors across West Virginia are small businesses.
omy on Earth. We had the most pro- my home State of Iowa who are prob- That is true in Iowa, as well, with 99
ductive workforce on Earth. We had ably worried about access to the med- percent of our businesses being small
four balanced budgets in a row. We ical services and the care they might businesses.
hadn’t balanced our budget since 1968, need during these very challenging There are billions of dollars to pro-
but we ended up in the last 4 years of times or the middle-aged couple who vide direct financial assistance to indi-
the Clinton administration with four have been looking at the market and vidual Americans to ensure access to
balanced budgets in a row, with a Re- seeing those markets spiraling down testing and a future coronavirus vac-
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
publican-led Congress. every single day and wondering, What cine is covered at no cost—at no cost—
We are the mightiest force for justice does that mean for our future and for to the individual and dollars going to
and the most admired Nation on Earth. our retirement plans? expanded telehealth and to increase
If we can get through everything from Folks, the American people are hurt- care for our veterans and also to pro-
the Civil War through the first day of ing right now. They are very anxious. vide unemployment insurance and to
2001, we can get through this as well. And now, more than ever, they are defer student loans.
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S1988 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
Folks, the list goes on and on and on. Indeed, this has always been our cus- But with each hour—let alone day—
This bipartisan phase 3 relief package tom. This has always been our instinct that passes, the number of corona cases
is focused on the American worker and as Americans during crises like 9/11 and is rising. The number of people dead of
our American family. like the great recession of 2008. We this virus is rising. Our public health
Again, many of these provisions have would have every reason to expect that system is taking a beating. The minor-
been in the bill since the beginning. in the face of another national crisis, ity leader’s home State of New York is
These are not new provisions. We need like the coronavirus, Democrats and among the hardest hit. They now have
to stop these stall tactics. It is not Republicans would work together, but 25,000 confirmed cases in New York,
time for long, drawn-out policy debates that has not been the case. and the number of cases doubles every
on the floor of the Senate. We now need Republicans and Demo- 3 days. You would think the Demo-
Folks, now is the time for action. It crats to come together as we have in cratic leader would have a sense of ur-
is time for Congress to step up, put the past to deliver on our shared prior- gency about getting help to his own
aside our partisan wants, and show up ities to support our country during this constituents in New York.
for the people of our States. unprecedented time. If there was any doubt that our
I am an eternal optimist, and I have There is, in fact, broad bipartisan friends on the other side of the aisle
hope that we will be able to come to- agreement about the result. We need to prioritize politics over the health and
gether and reassure the American peo- get relief directly from Washington to safety of their constituents, let me tell
ple that they are our top priority. the American people as soon as pos- you about some of the changes they
Each and every one of us in this body sible. We need to provide small busi- were after. The minority leader wanted
has an obligation to the men and the nesses with help so they can survive to include in this legislation an expan-
women who elected us to do our jobs, this storm and so that once the virus is sion of tax credits for wind and solar
and right now our job is to get Ameri- defeated, they are still around to pro- energy. They wanted to give unprece-
cans the relief that in some instances vide jobs to people they have now had dented authority to organized labor
they are literally crying for. to furlough or lay off. There seems to and to address fuel emission standards
To my friends across the aisle, I be- be broad bipartisan agreement that we for airlines—none of which is relevant
lieve you know what the right thing to need a freeze on student loan payments to the immediate crisis that is at hand.
do is. Join us. Put the people ahead of to provide peace of mind to tens of mil- While these are normal topics that
party. Help us deliver additional relief lions of borrowers. Employees who we would debate and vote on during
to the men, the women, and the chil- have been impacted by the virus should normal times, they are not the sort of
dren of our great Nation. Let’s pass get support now, and they should have things that ought to occupy 1 minute
this phase 3 relief package today. jobs to come back to later. of our time during this crisis. While
Folks, we all want you to stay safe Over the weekend, it seemed like we doctors and nurses have bruises on
and stay strong. God bless you all. were making good progress. There had their faces from wearing masks and
I yield the floor. been negotiating between the parties, goggles for 12-plus hours a day, this
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- compromising. As of Sunday morning, sideshow should not be part of the mi-
ator from Texas. it looked like we were just about there. nority leader’s priorities.
Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, with Then the Speaker of the House and the Clearly, his goal was not to make the
every day that passes, the number of minority leader of the Senate decided legislation better for healthcare profes-
COVID–19, or coronavirus, cases con- the crisis should not be wasted. They sionals or the millions of workers who
tinues to tick up, up, and up. A report claimed all of a sudden that the deal lost their jobs. He is trying to use this
by the World Health Organization last was not good enough even though they national emergency as an opportunity
week noted that while it took more themselves helped to write it. The to enact dramatic liberal policy re-
than 3 months to reach 100,000 cases Speaker in particular played a unique forms that have nothing to do with this
worldwide, it took only 12 days to hit role in blowing this up. After sending crisis. People are dying. Hospitals are
another 100,000. It doubled in 12 days. the House home for a weeklong vaca- overwhelmed. Small businesses have
Now we know it took less than a week tion, she flew back into town at the closed their doors, and workers have
to add the next 100,000. Some of this is eleventh hour and laid waste to count- lost their jobs. The American people do
because of increased access to testing— less hours of bipartisan work. not have time for his games. This virus
something we knew we were not When the time came for a routine is spreading at an exponential rate, and
ramped up to do. procedural vote in the Senate that we can’t afford to waste time fighting
More and more people are getting would start the process of considering one another over these sorts of irrele-
tested. That is good news. Those who legislation and would have provided us vant partisan sideshows.
have the virus can be isolated and even more time to debate it, Demo- I know under normal circumstances
treated, if necessary. Those who don’t crats—on a party line led by the Demo- this kind of gamesmanship is part of
have the peace of mind knowing that cratic leader—killed it dead in its the process, but now, in the face of this
they do not carry the disease and they tracks. crisis, it is absolutely unconscionable.
can—by virtue of good personal hy- It is hard to think of an appropriate It is reckless and irresponsible.
giene and social distancing—remain metaphor during a time like this, but A pandemic has swept across the
healthy. when our Nation is on fire, Democrats country with alarming speed. Our hos-
But if we are going to have any suc- decided to shoot the tires on the pitals are in need of personal protec-
cess at slowing the trajectory of this firetruck that was going to put out the tive equipment, businesses have shut
virus and minimizing the economic fire. In doing so, they fell in lockstep, their doors, employees have been laid
harm, the time to act is now. The eyes in spite of the fact that many of them off, and people across the country won-
of the Nation are upon us. They want had helped negotiate the bill, and they der just how long they can survive at
to know if partisanship can be set aside flushed every ounce of progress we had this pace.
in the face of a pandemic. They want made over the weekend down the drain. The bill we had last Sunday would
us to know that partisanship is an in- Less than 24 hours later, we held an- have taken major steps to support our
dulgence we cannot afford. other routine procedural vote. Once country during this crisis. It would
If you are trying to figure out the an- again, Democrats, in lockstep, blocked have sent desperately needed funding
swer, let me recap what has happened us from even considering this bipar- to the hospitals that are struggling to
in the Senate recently. tisan legislation, which has their fin- manage a new influx of patients and
For weeks, our Democratic col- gerprints all over it. They claim they helped fight the shortage of masks and
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
leagues agreed that this is indeed a cri- are still not happy with the text—or other personal protective equipment. It
sis, that we need to act promptly and weren’t at the time, anyway. Yet that would have provided direct financial
we need to shed our partisanship be- claim clearly doesn’t hold water. assistance for middle-class families. A
cause our country can’t wait. I agree. We continue to hear update after up- family of four would have received up
Our country is in dire need, and this is date with Senator SCHUMER saying: A to $3,400 to help cover rent, groceries,
no time for politics as usual. deal is close. A deal is close. electric bills, and other expenses in the
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1989
interim between being laid off and watching their hard-earned savings can to make ends meet; relief for our
being able to qualify for unemploy- evaporate. Many don’t know when they amazing healthcare workers and com-
ment compensation. We would have will be able to go back to work. munity hospitals that are combating
provided them a lifeline, and we still Here in this body, my colleagues and this disease, caring for their patients
need to do it, and we need to do it now. I are trying to move forward on a bill and saving lives; relief for small Main
This legislation, which we could have that would provide relief to individ- Street businesses—the backbone of
passed 2 days ago, would have delivered uals, to families, to small and medium- America—that make our communities
relief for small businesses that are sized businesses, and to our agriculture vibrant and prosperous. Let’s give all
struggling to stay afloat and ensured producers. Our bill would help to sta- of these great Americans the critical
that their employees impacted by this bilize our economy in this downturn. relief to help carry them through this
coronavirus would be taken care of. The Senate bill offers reasonable, sore- crisis.
What is more, those small businesses ly needed solutions that will help fami- I urge my colleagues on both sides of
need to be able to continue to exist so lies. Yet, while the anxiety and frustra- the aisle to work in a productive way
that when we defeat this virus, people tion around this country rises, the to get this next phase of relief passed
will actually have jobs to go back to. other side is obstructing and delaying and send it to the President’s desk as
But our Democratic colleagues said the relief that the American people soon as possible.
that wasn’t good enough. They chose to need. I yield the floor.
put their partisan political agenda Let’s look at what is happening here I suggest the absence of a quorum.
ahead of the health and safety of the and on the other side of this building. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
American people. So here we are with The House Democrats ceased bipar- clerk will call the roll.
no end in sight. We keep reading re- tisan negotiations on COVID–19—the The senior assistant legislative clerk
ports from the minority leader and relief package that we have been work- proceeded to call the roll.
others saying: Well, the bill is on the 2- ing on—so that they could write their Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask
yard line. Well, you can have the dis- own bill. What are the provisions that unanimous consent that the order for
tance and still never get across the Speaker PELOSI and the House Demo- the quorum call be rescinded.
goal. crats think are critical right now dur- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
Yesterday, House Democrats released ing this crisis of unprecedented propor- TILLIS). Without objection, it is so or-
their own coronavirus package, which tion like we have never seen before? It dered.
is really amazing in the face of this bi- is a wish list about which many of my Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ar-
partisan-negotiated bill. Speaker colleagues have spoken. It is a wish list rived in Washington in November of
PELOSI parachutes back into town after that has nothing to do with the crisis 2001, after winning a special election to
a weeklong vacation and drops an 1,100- at hand—nothing to save lives and no serve the people of the Third District
page piece of a bill which includes a serious, new effort to provide relief. of Arkansas in the House of Represent-
host of proposals that have absolutely Yesterday, I also spoke about the atives. This was shortly after 9/11. It
nothing to do with solving this crisis. fact that, in our bill, we have relief for was a very anxious time in the Capitol.
As I mentioned, this includes emissions agriculture. It is the only effort to pro- Every one of my colleagues sought to
mandates for airlines, tens of millions vide relief for agriculture producers, find ways to work together to move
of dollars for the John F. Kennedy Cen- and it was facing a Democratic effort major pieces of legislation that helped
ter for Performing Arts, and early-vot- to be removed from the bill. I don’t to return a sense of normalcy that
ing and vote-by-mail requirements for often agree with the chair of the Ne- Americans so desperately sought in the
every State across the country. This braska Democratic Party, but she was wake of the attacks.
isn’t a sincere effort to support our right when she said recently, in an Given all that is at stake right now,
healthcare providers, workers, and interview with The Hill, that the for the life of me, I have not been able
small businesses; it is a naked attempt Democrats don’t have a plan for rural to understand why we have been strug-
to use a public health emergency as a America. According to the article, she gling to do the same now. Thankfully,
smoke screen for their radical agenda. said that the Democrats only address the partisanship that has dominated
Democrats’ priority simply isn’t rural voters directly—people in rural these past few days has subsided. It ap-
solving the healthcare and economic communities—when they show up in pears that we can now move forward
crisis we are dealing with today. It is Iowa to campaign for votes. after this unnecessary delay. This is
not. If it were, Senate Democrats To the hard-working men and women vital, as we simply can’t afford to wait.
would not have voted against a bipar- of rural America, I say to you: Take Many small businesses in Arkansas,
tisan relief bill two times already. And note. Take note on who recognizes large cities and small towns alike, are
now House Democrats are flaunting a your vital role in our country and who being forced to close during this crisis,
bill that does more to advance their is fighting for you. both to protect the public health and
agenda and does not solve the crisis at People are sick and people are to protect their families, and because
hand. We don’t have time for more lib- scared. As of this morning, my home of a shrinking customer base, as cus-
eral virtue signaling. We need to act State of Nebraska now has 62 con- tomers are urged to stay home to re-
and act now. firmed cases of COVID–19. Addressing duce the spread of the disease. The un-
I yield the floor. these Democratic priorities will not expected closure for small business
I suggest the absence of a quorum. help our healthcare workers, who are owners, through no fault of their own,
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The on the frontlines in this fight against may prevent many of them from re-
clerk will call the roll. this virus. It will not help our small opening by the time this is behind us.
The senior assistant legislative clerk businesses that might have to lay off Those employed at these operations
proceeded to call the roll. people or shut their doors for good if will be among the hardest hit finan-
Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask they don’t get this assistance. It cially by this crisis.
unanimous consent that the order for doesn’t help our ag producers in Ne- Entire industries that are so vital to
the quorum call be rescinded. braska and all across the heartland our Nation’s economic well-being have
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without who are working tirelessly to feed the been crushed by the pandemic. The
objection, it is so ordered. world during these tough times. markets have taken a huge hit from
Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, yes- I will say again what I said yester- the crisis, putting the retirement secu-
terday, I came to the floor to talk day: We don’t have a lot of time here. rity of millions of American in jeop-
about the need to provide relief for I urge all of my colleagues to work to- ardy. And it certainly is expected that
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
families across this country who are gether and save the debate on a wish our healthcare sector, strained to ca-
hurting because of this coronavirus cri- list for another day. Today, let’s give pacity right now by the coronavirus
sis. I said that people are frightened, the American people what they need, pandemic, will face substantial chal-
that they are stressed, and that they and that is relief—relief for the fami- lenges moving forward.
are looking to us to take action. Many lies who are at home, caring for their Congress’s initial responses in the
people have lost their jobs. Many are children, and doing everything they wake of the crisis were promising. We
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S1990 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
came together to pass a comprehensive can’t go to work, and businesses are to the unemployment line. Another
package to dramatically increase ef- unable to operate. As a result of these small restaurant chain with 6 or 7 loca-
forts to prevent the spread of the dis- measures, individuals are not getting a tions laid off another 1,000 employees.
ease, treat Americans diagnosed with paycheck. We need to be helping them In Myrtle Beach, SC, one of the meccas
COVID–19, and support research to find through this crisis by providing cash of tourism in the Nation, restaurant
a vaccine. President Trump signed this payouts, expanding unemployment after restaurant, hotel after hotel is
bipartisan, bicameral emergency sup- benefits, and by ensuring that there laying off parts of their family. Work-
plemental appropriations package that will be jobs for Americans to return to ers who have become family members
provided a surge in funding throughout when this is all over. over a decade or two of working at the
the government—almost $8 billion—to This is not a stimulus plan. It is an same place and serving amazing people
meet the growing challenge that we existence plan. We have to pass this are today without work, today without
face. It promotes a government-wide bill. Americans have lost faith in many the paycheck that gives them the glue
approach, channeling the collective en- of their institutions. This is a defining to not only keep their families to-
ergy, knowledge, and talents of Fed- moment. We have a chance to restore gether but to keep their finances to-
eral, State, and local public health offi- some of the confidence that is being gether.
cials and healthcare professionals to lost by putting the needs of the Nation Small businesses are scrambling. I
mitigate the spread of the coronavirus over the wishes of the political class. have run three different small busi-
and treat those who have been affected. Americans are looking toward Wash- nesses. I know the pain of not signing
After that, the House passed a bipar- ington for leadership right now. This is the front of the paycheck for yourself,
tisan relief bill, the Families First a true test. not being able to sign the back of that
Coronavirus Response Act, which in- Let’s pass this bill and show that we same paycheck for yourself because
cludes paid emergency leave for work- can rise up to the massive challenge you are willing to do whatever it takes
ers, widespread coronavirus testing at before our Nation. to make sure your employees get to
no additional cost to patients, and en- I suggest the absence of a quorum. cash their paychecks. I understand the
hanced food security initiatives. Last The PRESIDING OFFICER. The turmoil in the heart of the employee
week my colleagues in this Chamber clerk will call the roll. and the employer who simply don’t
worked together to approve the Fami- The legislative clerk proceeded to have the resources they had just a cou-
lies First Coronavirus Response Act call the roll. ple of weeks ago. Even worse, because
and the President signed it into law. Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. Mr. they did nothing wrong, they find
This was the first step in our efforts to President, I ask unanimous consent themselves completely and totally ex-
provide economic relief. We called it that the order for the quorum call be asperated, unable to comprehend and
phase 2. rescinded. understand how outside of their own
There are several aspects of that bill The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without control, they no longer have the re-
that the Senate would like to have objection, it is so ordered. sources necessary to take care of their
changed, but for the sake of urgency Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. Mr. own family.
and building bipartisan momentum, we President, today I rise to speak about We find ourselves in unprecedented
passed the bill without a single amend- the fact that the past 2 weeks—espe- times, but in these times, I am re-
ment. We put our differences aside and cially the last 2 weeks—have been in- minded of the entire group of heroes
did what we believed was in the best in- credibly difficult times for South Caro- who show up every single day, and
terest of the American people. linians and for Americans throughout typically we are only talking about the
Republicans and Democrats alike the country. law enforcement community and first
agree that much more is needed to be As we always do, our American fam-
done to help individual Americans neg- responders, but today we have to add to
ily has shown resilience, and so many the list of American heroes those folks
atively affected by this crisis and to are working to lift up those in need. I
stave off a massive economic disaster. who are clerks in grocery stores, filling
think about the folks who are going to the shelves over and over again. We
That is what this bill does. drive-throughs and leaving tips. I have
Phase 1 provided immediate funding have to add to that list those folks who
heard stories throughout South Caro- are helping in the takeout delivery so
to address the public health crisis.
lina—and I am sure it is true through- folks can have hot meals when they go
Phase 2, the Families First
out America—of folks paying for gro- home. We undoubtedly keep in mind
Coronavirus Response Act, marked the
ceries for the single moms and for the true American heroes—our
beginning of our efforts to address the
those in need behind them. I have healthcare workers, the doctors and
coronavirus’s economic impact. It has
heard of restaurants in South Carolina nurses and, as my mother has been for
a number of helpful provisions in it,
but we have to build upon this effort from the Halls food chain that are pro- 45 years, nurse’s assistants, showing up
and provide more relief to the Amer- viding meals for single parents as well in hospital environments, putting their
ican people in this time of crisis. as for the homeless. There are so many lives on the line for fellow Americans,
That is phase 3, the Coronavirus Aid, positive stories coming out today and folks they don’t even know. They do so
Relief, and Economic Security Act, or yesterday about the will of the Amer- not just because it is their job, not just
the CARES Act, the bill we have been ican family to pull together during their duty, but it is their calling and
trying to move forward over the past these incredibly unprecedented and their mission.
several days. challenging times. We have also We are blessed to live in a nation
The CARES Act would send billions learned a lot about social distancing where everyday people understand that
of dollars to hospital and healthcare and how to keep our restaurants open which it seems we do not in this Cham-
providers, the men and women on the when folks are not allowed to go in. ber. That is what makes the last 3 days
frontlines of this fight. It would send Schools have had to close down and so incredibly frustrating.
direct checks to millions of American shift to online-only learning environ- On Saturday, it looked like this was
households to offset the economic im- ments, taxing both parents, as I under- all about over. We were so close to a
pact of the crisis and allow for a much stand, and teachers. deal—so close that Senator SCHUMER
needed injection of liquidity into our Many workers have been furloughed himself said on TV that he was very
economy. It would expand unemploy- or laid off. I am sure it is true in North pleased with the negotiations, and he
ment insurance while stabilizing indus- Carolina, but it is certainly true in spoke about how bipartisan the nego-
tries to prevent mass layoffs, and it South Carolina that so many of our tiations were. And then the Speaker of
would provide dramatic relief to the restaurant owners—I have been on the the House returned to town, and the
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
lifeblood of our economy—our small calls with hundreds of them talking tide of bipartisanship seemed to be
businesses—which have taken a mas- about shuttering their entire oper- coming to an end.
sive hit as a result of this unprece- ations. Last Thursday and Friday, I We were making real progress, and
dented public health crisis. saw that one restaurant with several the bill text was even released, and
We have to create a path to economic different locations—I think 6 loca- then, for absolutely no reason, the
recovery. We have told Americans they tions—laid off 900 employees, all going Speaker’s passion for partisan hogwash
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1991
started causing the type of delay that an additional $600 would flow to the un- I suggest the absence of a quorum.
doesn’t simply cripple our economy but employed. It is not just the traditional The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
imperils our healthcare response to the unemployed, as we have always defined clerk will call the roll.
people who are infected by the it, but we have expanded the definition The legislative clerk proceeded to
coronavirus. It impairs our response to of unemployment, who would be eligi- call the roll.
the healthcare workers who are pro- ble, to include the 1099 or the person Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I ask
viding the response. It compromises working for themselves because we unanimous consent that the order for
our ability to respond with the PPE or, want to make sure that the average the quorum call be rescinded.
said differently, the material, equip- person in this Nation, who is taking The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
ment, and the uniforms necessary to the risk and taking the chance to do objection, it is so ordered.
something that they have always Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, our
protect the healthcare workers.
I honestly cannot believe we are still dreamed of doing, and they are work- economy is in a free fall. I just got off
here not having already passed legisla- ing for themselves—that if this crisis the phone with another business in
has caused you to lose your paycheck Ohio that was worried about whether
tion that would make such a big dif-
and you are self-employed, we, in a bi- they can survive, whether or not they
ference in the lives of so many. In-
partisan fashion, wove together legisla- can keep the workers they have, and
stead, we have to waste time explain-
tion that takes you into consideration. looking to us to try to pass something
ing to the Speaker and to some of our
So instead of giving the $326 in South that would actually help.
friends on the other side that airline The bill before us does that. Yet here
fuel emissions is not important in this Carolina or the $327 in Tennessee, you
receive more than an additional $600 on we are. Another day has gone by. More
legislation. We can debate that at an- people have lost their jobs. More small
other time. If you want the airline in- top of that because we know the crisis
that you are in is not of your own mak- businesses have shuttered. The
dustry to be carbon neutral by 2025, healthcare crisis continues. The
let’s have that debate, but let’s not ing.
We provide direct payments in this coronavirus is spreading, and we are
have it when people are desperately not passing legislation that addresses
bill. It is very controversial and very
searching for help. We may even debate all of those issues.
debatable, but here it is, a minimum of
the importance of same-day registra- I ask my colleagues on the other side
up to $75,000 in individual income,
tion and early voting, but let’s not of the aisle to work with us. Let’s come
$150,000 in household income. With two
hold up $1 trillion-plus from the hands up with a bill here today.
parents working, 75,000 and 75,000, you
of the people who can’t take care of The bill was the result of a bipartisan
can get up to $1,200 per working adult
their families because of a strong de- process. I was part of it. So I can tell
and $500 for the children. That is $3,000
sire to use this crisis to achieve par- you that. There were four different
almost held up in a partisan debate.
tisan ends. As a small business owner, knowing task forces that were asked to deal
We all should be interested in diver- with four different parts of the re-
how hard it is to keep employees when
sity, but let’s not hold up assistance to business is ripped out of your hand and sponse to the coronavirus. Each one
families because some folks, like the you did nothing wrong, this legislation was bipartisan. In our case, there were
Speaker, want to use this legislation as provides loans to keep your employees two Republicans and two Democrats.
a way to bring diversity to boards. This on the payroll if that is something that The administration was involved. We
is not a place for this debate. This con- makes sense. If you use the funds that made concessions. The Democrats
versation should be a conversation you borrow to keep your employees on made concessions. The legislation rep-
about our healthcare workers, about the payroll, it becomes more of a grant resented that. There were ideas from
those infected and those impacted, not than a loan. That is a good thing be- both sides.
about partisan political gains. cause it is far cheaper for your em- Yet here we are, 48 hours after the
Imagine that—wasting time on 1,119 ployer to keep you on the payroll than bill was introduced. We had hoped to
pages of the Speaker’s political hier- it is to gamble on the unemployment have the bill signed into law by the
archy. insurance line. President on Monday. I had businesses
Thankfully, the American people are So I am thankful to the American calling me yesterday saying: I am hold-
smarter and more resilient than those people. I am thankful to the American ing on because I was told this was
folks in Congress. The American people people because they have provided us going to be done by Monday.
may be concerned, and they may feel everything. They have provided us ex- My hope is that those meetings that
the sense of uncertainty about how amples of hope, reasons to be opti- are happening behind those closed
long—weeks or months—that this will mistic, the picture of strength and te- doors over there result in something
play out, but they know what we need: nacity and toughness, and, most impor- quickly and that Democrats don’t keep
Immediate help for workers, for small tantly, in the midst of a crisis, they trying to add more things to this bill
businesses, and for healthcare profes- have provided us a picture of unity— that are extraneous and that don’t
sionals. people helping people. That is the part have to do with the coronavirus.
That is why, in this legislation, we of the story that we haven’t heard a lot This is not the time to try to get
fund hospitals. More than $70 billion about—people helping people. whatever your wish list is on a piece of
for hospitals are being held up right So, as this charade finally comes to a legislation that is moving. These are
now. More than $20 billion for veterans close, hopefully, by the time we go to not normal times here, where Members
are held up right now. Tens of billions sleep tonight, I want to tell my folks try to take advantage of the bill going
of dollars for vaccines, billions of dol- back home in South Carolina and the through by adding something to it. It
lars for the CDC, billions of dollars for doctors in Washington State, the is also not a time to say: Let’s spend
FEMA, billions of dollars in block nurses in New York City, and the res- more and more and more on every-
grants for the States, and tens of bil- taurant owner in Myrtle Beach one thing.
lions of dollars of emergency assist- thing: Thank you. Thank you for show- This is unprecedented. The total
ance for public transportation so you ing us all what it means to be an Amer- spending in this bill will be about $1.5
can get there are held up. ican, especially during unprecedented trillion. That is roughly the size of the
What are they blocking? Well, they times. Thank you for reminding those entire appropriations that Congress
are blocking hundreds of billions of blinded by politics in Washington what normally makes. The entire appropria-
dollars in unemployment relief. Let me the actual goal really is. tions that come through the process
say it differently. In South Carolina, I know America will not simply sur- here, called discretionary spending, is
the average maximum benefit for un- vive. America will, in fact, thrive in the amount of just one coronavirus
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employment is $326 a week. If you are the aftermath of this crisis. I know it emergency bill.
making 30 bucks an hour or $60,000 a because I know many, many Ameri- To me, it is a rescue package. It is a
year—$5,000 a month, $1,250 a week— cans, and that is what we do. God has rescue package that does three things.
the maximum benefit currently is $326 blessed the United States of America. No. 1, it tries to keep the doors open in
in South Carolina. It is $327 in Ten- Let us be a blessing to each other and those small businesses that are watch-
nessee. In our legislation, no less than get this done. ing us so carefully right now to see
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S1992 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
what is going to happen. Also, as part the status is and how many new cases like shareholders would want to in an-
of keeping the doors open, it means have been open that day. If we have other business kind of commercial
that you can keep your employees. this information from better testing, loan. That is all we are asking for.
So goal one is to keep employees at- from better information flow, from the The final thing is that, under this
tached to businesses. We should all funding that is in this bill, including legislation, there is significant help for
want that. That is where most people billions of dollars going to the Centers these companies to be able to keep
get their healthcare and get their re- for Disease Control and back to the their doors open—small, medium, and
tirement. That is where we want em- States, then we will be able to have large—through some tax incentives
ployees to be as we get over the hump some way to measure our success and that provide more liquidity during this
here and begin to control this virus. eventually be able to say we are mak- year, 2020.
Then we want to go back to work. We ing progress and we have actually re- One of the important points there is
want to get the economy moving again versed the trend. that if you do have payroll—and most
so people can have paychecks and our Only then will moms and dads feel of these companies still do—you don’t
economy can grow again. safe having their kids go back to have to pay your payroll taxes during
No. 2, we do want to take care of school. Only then will workers feel like 2020. So you defer your payroll taxes
those people who, through no fault of it is safe to go back to work. Only then until next year or the year after.
their own, have found themselves out will restaurants be able to reopen and Companies care a lot about that.
of work. Sadly, in my home State of have people coming in to take advan- They tell me that is very important to
Ohio and around the country, there are tage of that hospitality. Only then will them. That lowers their expenses, lets
a lot of people in that category. the theaters be able to open up and the them keep people, and lets them stay
Our unemployment insurance system bowling alleys. This is in this legisla- in business. Yet they have to pay them
is overwhelmed right now. This past tion also, in the first two we talked back over time. So for the taxpayers, it
week, compared to a week ago, we had about, helping to keep employees at is a good deal.
a twentyfold increase. That is a 2,000- There is also an opportunity here to
work and keeping the doors open for
percent increase in the number of peo- help people directly. That is in this leg-
small businesses.
ple who were applying for unemploy- islation. That is the second goal. The
Please, let’s pass this right away, be-
ment insurance. Our claims have sky- first goal is to keep the doors open and
cause there are doors closing as we
rocketed. It has overwhelmed the sys- keep the employees at work. The sec-
talk. Every minute we are here arguing
ond goal is to help people who, through
tem. That is happening all over the over stuff, some of which has nothing
no fault of their own, find themselves
country. We want to take care of those to do with the coronavirus, means an-
unemployed, some for the first time in
people. other business is shut down and an-
And, No. 3, this legislation does what their lives.
other group of employees is let go. I have friends at home I know who
is perhaps the most important thing, This legislation says, if you are a have been let go. They work in the re-
which is that it addresses the problems small business, you can get a loan from tail business or in the hospitality busi-
in our public healthcare system that your bank to keep the doors open. And ness. There is just no business. They
have resulted in this response to the loan effectively converts to a have never been to an unemployment
coronavirus not being as strong as we grant, meaning that you don’t have to insurance office. They never had to.
would like it. Think about more masks pay it back if you use the loan to make Now they have to.
and more gowns and protective equip- your payroll, to keep people, to pay So, yes, this legislation does include
ment. Think about the anti-viral medi- your rent, or to pay your mortgage. a little help for them in two ways. One,
cation people can take—like for the This is new. It is innovative. It is unemployment insurance is bumped up
flu, you can take Tamiflu. We need the something that small businesses are from the Federal Government. So
anti-viral there to give people some excited about, but we have to pass the every State in the country is going to
comfort. legislation to make it happen. This is have the ability to be sure that people
Think about the fact that we don’t $350 billion. And, again, there is total who come and want to get on unem-
have enough tests out there, still. Yes, forgiveness of that loan if you use it ployment have the ability—maybe not
it has improved, and it is improving for these purposes to keep your em- to match their salary entirely, not
every day, but we don’t have enough ployees. total wage replacement, but for low-in-
tests. People who are asymptomatic Please, let’s get this passed right come workers, yes. And for others
ought to be able to get tests. If they away. It is going to take a little while there will be at least enough money to
are positive, then we ought to be able for these programs to get in place. be able to put food on the table, maybe
to trace it. That is what they did in That is all the more reason for us not to pay the rent, and maybe to make
South Korea. That is what they did in to wait another day or even another the car payment during this period.
Japan. That is what they have done in hour. It is a short-term proposal. It is 3
other countries to try to get control of Second, for larger businesses, there is months, but it is really important. It is
this. So that is all in this legislation. this new fund called the Exchange Sta- a safety net, the unemployment insur-
Until we solve the healthcare part of bilization Fund. That is to help compa- ance.
it—that last part, that third part—we nies that can’t get a loan from a bank, And then, second, there is a direct
are going to continue to have problems to be able to get help from the Treas- payment. Perhaps you have heard
in terms of the economic free fall. We ury and the Fed to provide money for about that. I think it is $1,200 per per-
can’t spend enough money to stop what liquidity so they can stay in business. son, $2,400 for a joint filer or for a cou-
is happening in terms of this economic They may have little or no cash flow, ple, and then $500 per child. Why is that
issue unless we deal with the but they are looking for a loan to be important? Because people need some
healthcare part of this. able to stay afloat. These loans don’t cash right now.
I think we are starting to make have to be paid back. Should there be Some people are not going to be able
progress. But do you know what? We accountability for these loans? Of to get on the unemployment insurance
need the funding now so that the Cen- course. Republicans are for account- system for a while because it takes a
ters for Disease Control, so that the ability. That is fine. But let’s get mov- little while to process that. But they
States, so that the State departments ing on this. will have the ability, because the IRS
of public health, and so that the coun- It is under this provision that there will be sending these checks out quick-
ty departments of public health can get will be special help for certain indus- ly, to be able to have a little help, a lit-
to the point where they know who has tries: the national security industry tle cushion.
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this, they can trace it, and they can and the airlines. Republicans are for So this bill has all of that. This bill
tell us with certainty whether we are that, but let’s make sure that this is is there to help people. This bill is
making progress or not. not a giveaway and make sure there is there to ensure that doors can stay
One thing this bill will let us do is to an opportunity for the shareholders, open in these businesses and people can
develop those metrics so that you and who are the taxpayers of our country, stay employed, to the extent possible.
I and everybody every day can see what to be able to get their money back, just Let’s not block it anymore.
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1993
People said: Well, there is not enough So I ask my colleagues—it has al- even know what all you want to be able
money in here. That is really what ready been too long—let’s pass this leg- to include in this bill, and we are just
Democrats wanted, to put more money islation today. Let’s begin the rescue stalling and waiting until we can figure
in the bill. There is already $75 billion package and begin to help the constitu- out what to do?
straight to hospitals, and then I would ents who deserve it. We have been done, and now we are
argue at least another $40 billion going I yield the floor. stuck waiting for the other side to say:
to hospitals directly or indirectly The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. I am thinking of a few more things we
through Medicare reimbursements and CAPITO). The Senator from Oklahoma. want to include.
through other changes in the law that Mr. LANKFORD. Madam President, 8 I had a lady from Southern Okla-
help. That used to be a lot of money days ago we started the process of try- homa call me because the daycare cen-
around here. ing to pull together this economic ter where her daughter works has
My point is, if that is not enough, in bill—8 days ago. We have been in con- closed down. She doesn’t know what is
a few weeks Congress will be back. We tinuous session every day since then. going to happen and wanted to know—
can look at this. We will need to fine- It was our belief that we would vote she has heard about this possibility of
tune this. But don’t block the bill on this bill 2 days ago, on Sunday. The a check being sent out to every Amer-
today because it is not enough money negotiations have gone on for this en- ican—that would sure be helpful right
for whatever you think your needs are. tire 8-day time period. Republicans and now—and wanted to know when that
We don’t know what the needs are. Democrats have been meeting together was coming.
Let’s be honest. What we do know is every day, working through the proc- All I could say was: I don’t know. We
this is an unprecedented amount of ess—Republican chairmen, Democratic are waiting on our Democratic col-
money. Congress has never passed a ranking members, sharing ideas. leagues to finish compiling their list of
rescue package like this before—$1.5 Eight days ago, Senator SCHUMER the other things they want to add into
trillion, on top of about $200 billion presented a list 10 pages long of ideas this bill so we can even discuss it. All
that was in the legislation that passed and priorities that the Democrats I can say is: I keep hearing we are at
only a couple of weeks ago, on top of wanted to include in the economic re- the 2-yard line or we are this close.
the $8.3 billion that was in the first lief package. Multiple of those areas But we never seem to get past the 2-
one. This is phase 3. are included in this final package, in yard line. It is always: We are close.
Then, finally, No. 3, this legislation this compiled package that had all Folks at home don’t need ‘‘We are
does provide the help to the healthcare come together and was all headed to- close.’’ They need this done.
So let me just say, really quickly,
system, particularly the public ward trying to vote on it on Sunday.
what is in this bill and why it is so im-
healthcare system, to be able to pro- Then Sunday happened, and it was:
portant to us:
vide the protective gear that is needed We are close. That wasn’t the answer
Additional money for testing, addi-
for our healthcare workers, the addi- of, We are voting on it. It was suddenly tional money for work on vaccines, ad-
tional ventilators and respirators that the negotiations are ‘‘We are close,’’ ditional money on trying to be able to
are needed in our hospitals, the and a whole new set of priorities sud- go through treatments, ventilators, lit-
antiviral medication that can help denly appeared from our Democratic erally billions of dollars that go to hos-
when someone tests positive to know colleagues to say, well, we have a few pitals and clinics and nursing homes
there is going to be a way to minimize, more things that we want to do and a and senior centers.
to reduce the effects of this virus and few more things that we want to evalu- One section of the bill has $75 billion
the infection. ate. ‘‘We are close’’ is all we heard. and another section of the bill has $40
Then, really significantly, to not We thought we were done. For the billion—just for hospitals and for
only increase the testing—and, today, sake of the American people, we need healthcare.
LabCorp and Quest said that they can to be done. We have folks at home The hospitals are all telling us the
now do 300,000 tests a week. We need to across the entire country who are try- same thing: We need help, and we need
use the cotton swabs. We need to get ing to figure out if they can get a loan, help right now. And I would say back
them the swabs. There needs to be a if they can keep their business going, if to them: Would love to, except we seem
process there to get them, but now we they can keep their employees. They to be parked on the 2-yard line while
are finally starting to come online. have no income coming, and all that is other folks are saying: We are close.
This legislation provides funding to coming out of this body is: We are We are still thinking of a few other
help move that more quickly, to get it close. We have a few more things we things we want to get in.
going so that we can have the informa- want to discuss. There is an immediate check that is
tion to be able to measure whether we Here is a sample of the calls that I to go out to every American to provide
are succeeding or not; then, as we got yesterday: A lady from Southwest some support for utilities and the basic
begin to measure our success, to be Oklahoma called, literally in tears, things because so many people are un-
able to get people back to work, to be saying she has a small business, and employed. To those folks who are call-
able to get the economy back on track, there is little to no business going on ing us saying: When are they coming,
to be able to ensure people are out right now, with no cashflow, and she all I can say is I don’t know. All I hear
there again shopping. The consumer doesn’t know about she and her hus- is that we are close because the other
economy is so important. band’s retirement and she doesn’t side wants to include a few more things
This can all happen, but this legisla- know why the bill didn’t pass yester- they are thinking about on their list.
tion is critical to making it happen, to day. Already in the bill is $250 billion for
providing the rescue to help people All we could say to her was we don’t unemployment insurance, with an in-
weather the storm and to ensure that, know either because it was suddenly a crease on the amount that would come
at the other end of this, we come out new set of issues. It seemed to be all on each check. We would love to get
strong. And we will. We will. But it re- day long Sunday, Monday, and now we that started, except we are on the 2-
quires us working together today, right are deep into Tuesday, and we still yard line, and we can’t seem to get
now, to come out from behind these can’t get a set of answers. past that because the other side is still
doors, stop the negotiating to add more Painfully enough, I caught one of my making a list of the other things they
here and there, and just say this is a bi- Senate colleagues on the Democratic want to include in the bill.
partisan product. Nothing is perfect side and just asked: What is the prob- So we can’t get help to hospitals. We
around here, but if you make perfect lem? What is the holdup? Their answer can’t get immediate support checks
the enemy of the good, you are going was: We are compiling our list from ev- out the door. We can’t get additional
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
to hurt more people. More small busi- eryone right now to try to get down to unemployment insurance going be-
nesses will shut; more people will be what our priorities are. cause they are thinking about a few
out on their own; and there will be This was yesterday, Monday. We other things they want to add into the
more and more people who will be in- thought we would be done on Sunday. bill.
fected with this virus who otherwise All I could say back to them was: You Already in the bill is help for small
could have been saved. are compiling your list? You still don’t businesses: helping people retain their
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S1994 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
full salary if they work at a small busi- ing for grants, though they would love to hospitals. So, look, we fixed it. And
ness—that is, a business of 500 or less— to get those, obviously. They are ask- we didn’t give $10 billion to cities; we
so that they can stay connected to ing for capital. They are asking for ac- gave $15 billion to cities, and so we
their employer so that, when we get cess to loans. They are asking for the saved it’’—well, while you are arguing
through this virus, they actually have opportunity to take out a loan and to about adding a few more dollars at the
a job, and they can continue their same be able to make a payment. That is in end of these different things, in the
salary. That is an immediate offer. this bill. There is not a bailout for big meantime, small businesses and people
It is not like the one that passed last companies in this bill. across the country are saying ‘‘Can I
week that is small businesses are ex- This bill provides an opportunity for get the first dollar while you are argu-
pected to pay for the coverage out of medium and large companies to get ac- ing about the fifteen-billionth dollar?
money they don’t have, and someday cess to credit so they can get a loan to Can I get some help now?’’ Time is im-
the Federal Government will figure out carry their company through. I would portant. Let’s stop pretending it is not.
a process to reimburse them. This is love to tell them: You can go take out It may not be to some folks in this
totally different. This is an immediate, that loan. But I can’t because the other room; it is to the 4 million folks in my
upfront infusion into small businesses, side is still thinking about a few other State.
and they don’t have to come up with things that they want to do. We were ready on Sunday with this
the cash. It is come up with for them, We are waiting. Time is important bill and thought we were voting on it
for them to be able to cover their em- right now. to finish it. Now, 48 hours later, the
ployees. While one of my colleagues made a other side is still thinking about some-
That helps their employees from public statement yesterday saying: thing they might want to add to this.
going into unemployment insurance, This is a $2 trillion bill; we should real- Let’s vote.
and it helps this economy recover a lot ly get it right—oh, I agree, but this I yield the floor.
faster because they are able to come doesn’t seem to be a matter of making The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
right back to it. sure the text is correct. All that I have ator from Arizona.
I would love to tell them: Go to your heard for the last 48 hours is: There are Ms. MCSALLY. Madam President, we
bank right now; that loan is ready—ex- a few more things we are thinking are at war. Unlike the enemies I fought
cept I can’t because the other side is about that we want to be able to get against in uniform, this enemy is invis-
still thinking about a few more things into the bill. ible, but it is just as deadly. Earlier
they want to add into this bill. Yesterday it was solar energy panels today, the World Health Organization
And while small businesses can’t and solar credits, which I don’t know cautioned that the United States could
make it through the week because of how it connects with COVID–19. It was be the next epicenter of this
their cashflow because they have been forcing airlines to be carbon neutral by coronavirus pandemic. The Surgeon
forcibly closed, the other side is think- 2025. It was union representatives on General sounded the alarm that things
ing about a few more things they want corporate boards. It was limiting the would get drastically worse this week.
to add in. ability of corporations to have any Economists are warning of a prolonged
There is help in this for nonprofits kind of access to doing stock buybacks economic downturn that will devastate
that are doing amazing work all over for the next 10 years. the country financially in ways unseen
my State—and they probably are in All those things may be fine to de- since the Great Depression.
States all over the country right now. bate. Why in the world are we holding As of right now, more than 600 Amer-
Nonprofits out there that I have talked up small businesses and holding up icans have died from the coronavirus.
to recently—homeless shelters, but checks to individuals and cutting off In Arizona, our Governor announced
they are at max capacity right now. support for nonprofits because we are this morning that the death toll from
They are actually not allowing addi- thinking about a few things like solar the outbreak is up to five. In the past
tional residents in some of the facili- panels and carbon-neutral footprints 4 days, we have seen more than a 200-
ties there. for airlines? percent increase in the number of cases
The YMCA and YWCA, they are feed- Why don’t we get this done? Time is in my State. It is going to go up. These
ing youth in the community. The important. People at home who have aren’t just numbers; they are people.
schools are stepping up, doing remark- real lives and real families and a small Our hearts and our prayers are with
able work feeding folks. The free com- business have no income coming in the grieving families who lost their
munity clinic has had to close in some right now. They have no cash flow, and loved ones and those fighting for their
of my communities just because of they are trying to pay their employees lives right now.
COVID–19, so they are trying to find and figure out what is going to happen The Nation has embarked on a mas-
ways to help out in other ways. next, while the other side is thinking sive effort to flatten the curve of the
The Hope Center that is in Woodward about something else they might want coronavirus to protect the vulnerable,
is doing a drive-through food distribu- to add to this bill. buy time, and ensure our healthcare
tion right now instead of having people I am fine with thinking through the system doesn’t get overwhelmed. These
come in. So they are getting food to details, but in our office, it is really aggressive steps will save lives, but
them. difficult to continue to answer the this path creates another calamity of
We have got some of the Youth & phone and hear people say: I don’t massive economic hardship unlike any-
Family Services’ facilities that are know how we will stay open any thing we have experienced. We are tell-
doing amazing work right now, but longer. ing people to stay home and not work.
they cannot make payroll right now. I will tell you what—why don’t you The financial devastation is wide and
They are needing some help. Well— answer this call for me while you are deep.
guess what—there is help in this bill thinking about what else you might Arizonans are stepping up to do their
for those nonprofits to keep their pay- want to add to the bill? A hotel owner part to save the vulnerable. Working
roll going and to be able to keep going in my State just closed their doors people deserve relief, and their needs
because we desperately need those non- while you are thinking about what you are urgent.
profits to still be able to provide that want to do next. I was home in Arizona a week ago
help in those communities. I am asking the other side. The bill Sunday and saw a neighbor, a single
I would love to tell those nonprofits already has these elements in it, and mom with three kids. She owns a food
help is on the way, but all I can tell while I am confident people will step truck. She told me that her income
them is we are on the 2-yard line wait- out of negotiations at some point and just went to zero, with all events can-
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
ing for the other side to determine a say ‘‘We miraculously saved the bill be- celed. ‘‘What am I supposed to do?’’ she
few more things that they still want to cause we changed five lines in it and asked me, with her son by her side at
put into the bill. So it is ready— because we added additional dollars the grocery store. I told her I was head-
maybe. into this account’’ or ‘‘This account ing back to DC to pass legislation to
A lot of large businesses that employ was too low, so now we didn’t give $75 get her cash fast for her rent and food,
a lot of people in my State are not ask- billion to hospitals; we gave $100 billion plus additional support for her small
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1995
business. She was scared. I can’t imag- this Chamber have resulted in broken nomic fallouts of the coronavirus—
ine the fear that must be gripping all promises to the American people. By nothing whatsoever.
Arizona parents just like her who must blocking advancement of this urgent Relief was on the way. It was all but
provide for their families in the face of relief package that was drafted by Sen- a done deal. And then NANCY PELOSI
this open-ended economic lockdown. ators of both parties, Democratic lead- landed in DC, and she and CHUCK SCHU-
That same day, I ordered takeout at ership has ushered in one of the saddest MER decided to blow it all up for their
my favorite local restaurant. There chapters in American history. unrelated, ideological wish list. People
was hardly anyone there when it is Although I have only been in the are dying, people are running out of
usually packed, and this was before the Senate for a little over a year, I can money, and they are looking for us to
Governor’s order to shut down eating say it has lived up so far to its reputa- provide strong relief now, but that
in dining rooms. This is a family- tion as a place where nothing happens doesn’t seem to matter to them. We
owned, small restaurant where they fast, but with a sense of urgency, Re- said relief was on the way, and now it
poured their savings, their hearts, and publicans and Democrats came to- isn’t.
their lives into building this local suc- gether and have been working around I was presiding over this Chamber on
cess story. I asked how they were cop- the clock to build this comprehensive Sunday night after the first failed vote
ing, and they said they were deeply relief package. We worked on this with when CHUCK SCHUMER waltzed in that
concerned. ‘‘What are we supposed to the goal of keeping employees con- door and objected to opening up the
do?’’ they asked. I told them to hang in nected to employers to the max extent Senate early on Monday, instead forc-
there and that relief was on the way. possible, and we strengthened unem- ing us to wait until noon. He gave a
More fear in the eyes of people whose ployment benefits for those laid off. theatrical speech from over there,
only sin is to have worked hard and Working Arizonans need cash now to filled with flat-out lies, saying that we
played by the rules in pursuit of their pay rent and buy food. Small busi- had set ‘‘an artificial deadline’’ to pass
American dream. nesses need to be rescued from closing this bill. An artificial deadline for
On Monday morning, I walked to the forever. Our economy needs to be whom?
gate in the airport terminal where I stopped from collapsing. Our hospitals The following day was the deadliest
usually hug a woman who shines shoes. need resources now to meet the coming day in the U.S. fight against COVID–19,
We kept our distance, but I asked how tsunami. with more than 100 new deaths re-
the virus impacted her. She said that If passed on Sunday, this package ported, and people in Arizona are los-
she had only one client that day and would send $3,400 in cash to every fam- ing their jobs every single day. While
that things were grinding to a halt. ily of four in Arizona making $150,000 a the Senator from New York may not
‘‘What am I supposed to do?’’ I heard year or less. It would give small busi- worry about where his next meal is
again. I took her phone number, and I nesses money they don’t have to pay coming from, the people I talk to every
told her relief was on the way soon. back to keep their employees on the day in Arizona do. In fact, they are
This morning, she is waking up to no payroll and pay other overhead costs more than worried. They are afraid.
relief bill and a news story that air- like rent. Those businesses are in dan- People are dying, and the Democratic
lines have plans to shut down alto- ger of closing down in the next week or leaders think this is an opportunity to
gether. It is a nightmare with no end in so, and they won’t be around to provide score political points and grab power.
sight for so many like her. jobs when the virus is defeated. We It is despicable. It is infuriating. It is
On the plane back to Washington, must urgently—urgently—act to keep immoral, and it must stop.
DC, I texted the woman who grooms them afloat. This is an unprecedented challenge
my dog Boomer to ask how the virus The legislation also allows larger em- for our country, but I am confident we
was impacting her business. She told ployers that provide jobs for people in will prevail. Just like other severe cri-
me that it was slowing down but that each of our States to take out loans to ses in our history, this pandemic is
she wasn’t feeling well. I urged her to keep people on the payroll as their rev- bringing out the best of America and
go home immediately and stay away enues plummet. Take PetSmart and the best of Arizona. I am inspired every
from people. She said she couldn’t be- Best Western Hotels, both day by stories of Arizonans who are
cause she had to pay her bills. What is headquartered in Arizona—these busi- stepping up to serve others and putting
she supposed to do? I pleaded with her nesses and others like them provide their own concerns and fears aside.
on text to go home and said relief was jobs for our neighbors, and those are at During this crisis, our country is not
on the way soon. risk too. divided. Our States are not divided.
Later that day, I heard from a doctor For our frontline warriors in this Our communities are not divided. In-
who asked me to send a message of en- pandemic fight, our initial bipartisan stead, Arizonans are being selfless and
couragement to the healthcare workers framework provides $75 billion to hos- serving others. Young people are deliv-
serving on the frontlines of the VA. pitals, more than $1 billion to the In- ering groceries to the elderly. Healthy
‘‘We’re gonna need it,’’ he texted. ‘‘It’s dian Health Service, $20 billion for vet- people are volunteering at food banks
coming.’’ He shared with me their con- erans’ health services, $11 billion to de- and donating blood. Neighbors are
cerns about their patients and families. velop treatments and vaccines, and $1.7 pitching in to provide childcare for es-
‘‘We want to do the best we can against billion for the Strategic National sential healthcare workers. Faith com-
an unknown enemy in darkness,’’ he Stockpile for essential equipment like munities are delivering care packages
said. He went on to share that he was masks, test kits, and ventilators. to the vulnerable and first responders.
most impressed by the nurses and the If you want to plus it up, we could They are rising to the occasion because
support staff, like the housekeepers have done it Sunday afternoon. We that is what we do.
who do their jobs in a petri dish, still could have had that conversation and So here in the Senate, what are we
smiling but terrified inside. I put a swiftly passed this bill. supposed to do? Follow their example.
short video together to thank these he- We also significantly increased un- Rise to the occasion. Put selfish mo-
roes, and I told him that relief was on employment benefits. Currently in Ari- tives aside. Stop with the opportunism.
the way soon. zona, unemployment is $250 a week. We Stop with the ideological wish list, and
Over the past 8 days, I have heard increased that to $850, while expanding start voting yes immediately to get re-
countless stories similar to these from eligibility for those who are self-em- lief to Americans and Arizonans now.
Arizonans across the State. The situa- ployed, independent contractors, part- I yield the floor.
tion is dire, and it is urgent. These are time workers, and gig economy work- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
real people who are suffering real harm ers, like Uber and Lyft drivers. ator from Missouri.
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
from this pandemic. Relief must be de- All of that—that is what the Demo- Mr. BLUNT. Madam President, I am
livered posthaste, bold and swift. crats blocked on Sunday and then tempted to talk about all of the prob-
Time and again, every Senator in again on Monday. And for what? So lems we have had in getting to this
this Chamber has promised a con- they could throw money at liberal pet point with this legislation, but I am
stituent that relief is on the way soon, projects that have absolutely nothing wondering if now is not the time to
but the actions by some Members in to do with treating the health and eco- talk about why we need to get this
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S1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
done. We have heard a lot about who is We will immediately begin to talk in a way that they would if they had
wrong and who is right and who is tak- about whether that needs to be re- their normal levels of cashflow but
ing advantage of the moment, but this peated again as the summer progresses, that are not there now.
is a moment at which we need to do but that is not the point right now. Every day we wait makes it harder
something. This is truly an emergency The point is, what happens 2 and 3 for a small business or any business to
piece of legislation that deals with a weeks from now? decide: Can I keep these people on the
set of circumstances that nobody has This bill will and should provide payroll any longer or is the only choice
ever seen before in our country. We emergency funds for food and nutrition I have to put them on the unemploy-
have a virus that people are reacting to programs. It will create a temporary ment roll? Every day we wait, there
in a way that both encourages them pandemic unemployment assistance are more businesses that are making
and, in some cases, requires them to program to give assistance to workers that decision. Remember, you have no
withdraw from the normal economic who normally wouldn’t be eligible for income coming in. All of your money is
activity of the country. unemployment yet or who wouldn’t be going out, and you have nothing but a
This is different than 9/11. With 9/11, eligible at a rate that would sustain vague promise that Congress is trying
the American people said: We are going their families’ expenses. This would in- to do something about this. People are
to show those terrorists that they can’t clude an additional $600 a week for getting let go every single day. There
slow us down. In many cases, people every recipient of unemployment in- are more people out of work today than
got out even more aggressively into surance for the next 3 weeks. By the were out of work on Monday morning.
the economy than they had been be- time we are done, it might be longer There will be more people out of work
fore. In 2008 and 2009, we clearly had a than 3 weeks, but the goal here is to tomorrow than there are today.
huge economic problem, but that eco- get money into the hands of families We can have a positive impact on
nomic problem didn’t get dramatically and, more importantly, to let them that if we will just act in a way that
changed by people’s unwillingness to know that this money is on the way. will help them keep their doors open
participate, but there was a concern We need to help small businesses that when there is any business to be had
about participating. Now we have, fun- are, in many cases, being told they and to keep their people who work for
damentally, a very strong economy have to close. Restaurants and other them on the payrolls.
that people have been asked to with- retail businesses have been told by By the way, with a small business, it
draw from or have chosen to withdraw Governors in several States that they is usually not just the people who work
from or have been advised to withdraw have to close their businesses—that for you but the people who work with
from, and we need to figure out what to they can’t be in those businesses. If you—the small businessperson who, in
do about that both on the healthcare you are in the restaurant business, you many cases, is doing every single job in
side and on the economic side. might still be able to open and have a the business, at some point, along with
Our role here is limited. We can’t leg- business, but it will no longer be the somebody else. What can we do to keep
islate an end to the coronavirus. If we business you used to have, wherein peo- the door open, to keep the people on
could, we would. We can’t legislate ex- ple would come in and sit down and the payroll, and have them ready to
actly how people will behave, and if we order or would come in and order and bounce back the minute the immediate
could, we probably shouldn’t. We can’t then sit down and the staffing is dif- crisis is over?
tell people they have to wash their ferent. People are going to the unem- Then we need to do things in this bill
hands. We can talk a lot about the ployment lines and on the unemploy- that will support healthcare workers
washing of hands, but, legislatively, ment rolls. and healthcare providers. This bill will
there are a lot of limits there. There Part of the goal of this legislation is make sure, I think, to do that in any
are some things we can do, and now is to see that this doesn’t happen. The form it is taking at this moment. Cer-
the time to do the things we can do. goal is to make loans available to tainly, in the healthcare part that I
How do we get the most help to the small businesspeople. One of the pos- have worked on as the chairman of the
most people in the quickest way? sible ways to satisfy those loans is just subcommittee, testing for the
I hope we can come together today, to keep your employees in place as part coronavirus is going to be paid for. It is
in the next few hours, and decide that of your employee structures for as long going to be paid for by Medicare. It is
the moment is more important than as you can. In Missouri, we have 532,000 going to be paid for by Medicaid. It is
everybody’s winning everything one small businesses. More than 99 percent going to be paid for by private insur-
would like to win, for this is not the of our businesses in Missouri would ance. Hospitals will get relief in terms
moment in which to make the most of qualify to meet that small business of the payments they are supposed to
it because it will not come around standard. Now, it is difficult enough to make. It will be the regulatory relief
again. Frankly, in my view, it is going run a small business in the best of they need to have as they are trying to
to come around again pretty quickly. I times, but these circumstances cer- adapt to a new situation.
would say that the minute we are done tainly don’t allow us to look at this as Hospitals will have the flexibility
with phase 3, we will start talking the best of times. with more telehealth services. We al-
about phase 4 because all of us know This legislation would provide money ready put that in bill No. 2. We are try-
that phase 3 can’t include everything to make sure that workers keep those ing to further refine it here in this bill,
that needs to be included and that it jobs. It is easier to bring somebody bill No. 3. One thing that particularly
can’t look at some of the details that back to work than it is to hire some- has resonance at this moment is tele-
will become only more available and body for work. It is easier if we can health. If you are telling people,
obvious after we get into phase 3. keep those employees and others in ‘‘Don’t go to the hospital unless your
What do we have to do right now? place. In fact, at the Big Business level, doctor tells you that you have to go to
First of all, we have to create a way I think one of the criterion for some of the hospital’’ or ‘‘Don’t go to the emer-
for people to see immediate cash as- the potential programs would be that gency room as your first place to go;
sistance coming for expenses they you would have to keep your employ- rather, find a doctor to talk to’’ or
didn’t have before—either healthcare ees in place, as in the case of the air- ‘‘Don’t even go to the doctor; rather,
expenses they didn’t have before or lines, through sometime in September. find a doctor to talk to,’’ telehealth
childcare expenses they didn’t have be- Hopefully, by September, businesses will allow you not only to talk to a
fore or other kinds of expenses. In will have recovered to the point at doctor but also to have that doctor
many cases, we are going to see many, which it will not be a hardship to keep look at you and have you look at him
many more people who will have new those employees in place. We would as you talk to each other.
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
or current expenses but will not have start with small businesses and then We need to be sure that doctors have
the income they had before. look at all of the businesses, using what we are now all calling the per-
Under this bill, a typical middle-class loans to cover payroll costs, using sonal protective equipment, the PPEs.
family of four would get somewhere in loans to cover interest on their mort- It is a term that, 6 months ago, I am
the neighborhood of $3,000 to $4,000 gages, if they are small businesspeople, not sure I would have recognized—
sometime in the early days of April. or their rent or utilities—using loans maybe not 6 weeks ago—but it is very
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1997
much part of this discussion. As a mat- in our State. The 6- to 10-month travel Small businesses are an important
ter of fact, it is one of the reasons hos- destinations, like Silver Dollar City or part of our American economy that
pitals are being told not to perform Six Flags or Worlds of Fun—if you lose help our country and its inhabitants to
elective surgeries. Elective surgery is, part of that season, that season is lost, thrive, and they employ millions of
by definition, elective, which means and you are not going to get that May people.
you don’t have to have it at that mo- or that June or that April back. You Here is what Congress has done so far
ment. Yet, if people had plenty of are not going to be able to tack it on in response to the coronavirus crisis:
equipment, there would be no reason by saying: Well, we will just be open in We had package No. 1. It was $8 billion.
for those surgeries not to happen. January to make up for the people who Around here, that used to be a big
Make sure you have the protective would have been at our theme park in number—$8 billion for healthcare.
equipment you need when the June. That is not going to happen. Then we did package 2, and that
coronavirus hits your community. We are going to have the Ozark Em- beefed up the healthcare needs and
We need to figure out how to cut pire Fair in Springfield, MO, some dif- other things.
down the need for that equipment by ferent time of the year than August be- I should mention that that package
expanding—again—telehealth and by cause August is hard this year. was put together by the House without
not encouraging people to take the test I noticed today they announced that input from the Senate. It was put to-
who don’t need to take the test because the Olympics in Tokyo are going to be gether by Democrats without Repub-
every one of those tests requires one to postponed by 1 year. You never get lican input. We in the Senate saw the
wear a pair of gloves, a unique mask, that year back. You never get that fair crisis, and even though Republicans
and maybe, with some frequency, dif- back. You never get that county fair, saw things they did not want and
ferent protective equipment. We are that agricultural opportunity to look things that were missing, the bill
trying to figure out how to do all of at agriculture and horticulture and passed in 1 day without amendments.
that. local industry back once it is gone, We held our nose and swallowed. We
We are adding funds for agencies like whether it is the midway operations or recognized the urgency of the situa-
the National Institutes of Health and the part-time workers who make those tion.
the National Science Foundation so things work. All those things are get- Now a package has been put together
they may move toward both thera- ting away from us, and we have to through task groups with equal rep-
peutics and vaccines as quickly as we begin to look—and I think we will do resentation from both sides of the
can. Therapeutics probably happen that more in part 4 than we were able aisle, and it is being decried as a Re-
more quickly than vaccines, but we are to in part 3: How do we go back in and publican bill. This package is to take
looking for ways to do that and ways make sure that, as much as possible, care of the second wave of disaster—
to encourage their early production. we protected these businesses and the disaster of unemployment—mas-
Community health centers matter. these not-for-profits so that a year sive unemployment—caused by govern-
Certified community behavioral health from now they are still around? How do ment caution. Government caution is
centers matter. In this bill, we are you miss all or part of this year’s ac- saving lives, but it is putting people
looking at how we will extend the leg- tivity and still be there next year? out of work.
islation to allow those entities to exist, So we have our work cut out for us. The virus has closed businesses
for we will have reached the end of the It won’t end with the bill we are work- which, in turn, lay off employees. It
authorized period in May. There is no ing on right now. So if anybody out has closed schools. It has changed
reason to have that happen in May. there, my colleagues, is waiting until
every aspect of our daily lives, and it
this bill solves every problem we need
This bill should take those healthcare has left people isolated. It has put a
to solve, we will wait too long.
extension programs out longer than strain on healthcare workers and first
Just as we were able to move forward
the 22nd of May, and I believe it will. with part 1 and get money out there responders. It has done it in what was
There are a lot of competing inter- a strong and growing economy.
quickly for the healthcare providers,
ests here that we have to balance. By Why isn’t there more concern for the
the researchers at the Federal level,
the time we vote on the bill, no person employees out of work? Why haven’t
part 2 did more of that at the State and
who will vote on it will think every- we already done at least the parts of
local levels, as well as beginning to
thing in it is exactly what he would this bill that give nongovernment em-
think about people staying at work.
like to have there. We don’t get to leg- ployees some comfort and hope?
Part 3 does all the things I have just
islate that way. I am just hoping that talked about and more, but there will The main reason is government can’t
there will not be so much in it that I be a part 4. We have to get this done. identify with the small businessman.
won’t like that it will create a bigger People are unemployed today who No one in Congress has to be concerned
problem than I will want to have. I would not be unemployed if we would about how to pay his or her employees.
want to vote for this bill. I want to get have done this work on Monday. People That is the first place government
it done. I want to get it out there for will be unemployed tomorrow who money goes, even if government
people to see. It is harder for me to do would not have been unemployed if we doesn’t have any.
that if it includes a lot of extraneous finish this work today. Government employees—our staffs—
things that will clearly have nothing Let’s get our business done. Let’s get know they have a job and they will be
to do with this healthcare emergency. I started on finding out the gaps that paid. Employees in the private sector
hope that we will not have to make still need to be filled. Let’s do what the don’t have any confidence in their next
that decision. I hope we will get fo- American people expect us to do and paycheck in this new turmoil.
cused on the task. treat an emergency like it is an emer- Many have been laid off. They have
All of those whom I, the Presiding gency, not like it is an opportunity. lost their paycheck. They have lost
Officer, and Senator ENZI—sitting here I yield the floor. their health benefits. The schools and
beside me—have talked to have pretty The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. daycare have closed. Their world has
good cases about how this is affecting BLACKBURN). The Senator from Wyo- been upended. They went from a bright
them. Charities call in and say: We just ming. future to unemployed in a couple of
had to cancel our one, big fundraising Mr. ENZI. Madam President, today I weeks. Congress can’t even imagine
event of the year. Charities call in and come to the floor to talk about the their dilemma. Congress is immune
say: Our volunteers aren’t showing up. plight of America’s small businesses, to economically.
The for-profit people are impacted; talk about the plight of their owners, A small business doesn’t exist for the
the not-for-profit groups are impacted; to talk about the plight of their em- government; it exists in spite of the
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
travel is impacted; agriculture is im- ployees. government. Someone with a lot of
pacted. We are about to get to the sea- As a former small business owner guts, determination, and what they
son of the year where people have com- myself, I am here to plead their case think is a good idea had the gumption
munity festivals and community and reiterate how important it is that to start a business. They take risks
fairs—the Missouri State Fair, Ozark Congress helps them and helps them without guarantees. Many folks, with-
Empire Fair, the carnivals that occur now. out any help from Congress, launched
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S1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
new businesses to sell their products or Now, here is how the small business communities that do not even have 500
services and were successful enough to employee retention part works: Busi- residents. We are a State made up of
hire employees. nesses across America are shut down or small towns, some of which have only
At that point, they built a business considering shutting down. Many busi- one or two businesses. And in my
family. Successful small businesses nesses don’t have any sales. No sales, State, hundreds are or could be laid off
work in that way. They know their em- no money—no money to pay employees each day. Provisions to stop that are
ployees and share a sense of pride for or other bills that come due. an important part of the bill.
helping to provide for them. They often Every truly small business owner has Another part of the bill helps those
know the family of the employee. Usu- that experience of sitting straight up whose business is gone. In cases in
ally, they work side by side with those in bed in the middle of the night and which the pay retention for employees
employees. They share their joys and saying: Payroll is coming. Payday is doesn’t work, the unemployment has
their sorrows. coming. Do I have enough cash to pay been increased up to $600 a week in ad-
But in contrast to government, they my employees? That comes with a de- dition to the normal unemployment
have to sell something of value. They crease in sales. benefits.
have to make a profit or they have no But this time many businesses are And to keep things intact during the
money to pay employees. faced with no business—no business— transition, the bill provides direct pay-
None of them like to lay off employ- and not through a fault of their own. ment to every taxpayer of $1,200 if
ees, but we have built a backstop of un- So the only controllable variable is making less than $75,000 or $2,400 if fil-
employment so that the employees can employees. They can lay off employees ing jointly and making less than
still get some money. However, the to cut costs. If employees get laid off, $150,000 combined. Plus there will be
owner of the business doesn’t have that they can file for unemployment, but $500 for each child in the family. That
backstop. The owner of the business they lose their health insurance at a is to tide people over while the other
would rather be employing his people. time health expenses could be immi- relief kicks in.
But here is the dilemma we have for nent. But it shouldn’t take long for the
our small businesses, and it is unprece- Most people in government can’t ap- employer retention part to kick in, as
dented: Government has effectively preciate this dilemma. It is happening all of the structure is in place now.
taken their customers away. Govern- in the business world. In fact, the lines Any community bank, any lending in-
ment, to protect people from the virus, at some unemployment offices are so stitution, can give the loan to a small
has virtually closed down everything long, they discourage filing. And the business without having to check col-
but grocery stores, hospitals, and clin- rule about keeping safe distance? Wow. lateral or any of the other cumbersome
ics. Government has even rec- In this instance, the government has steps to normally getting a loan, and
ommended curtailing nonessential essentially shut down many businesses, the lender is guaranteed by the Federal
medical services if they are not for ad- eliminating their sales and eliminating Government.
dressing the virus or some other life- their cash to pay employees. For small Loans to others. You have heard
or-death situation. business, their bank says: I am sorry. I about big businesses that have lost
But the real sector that has been can’t loan you any money because you their customers in response to the
hurt is the employees in the small don’t have any sales, and you can’t pay virus. Generally, if they have over 500
business sector, through no fault of me back. Government doesn’t have to employees, they are ineligible for the
their own nor any fault of the person file bankruptcy, but small businesses employee retention piece, but there are
managing the business. Government do. loans quickly available. There are no
has taken their jobs away. The owner probably also has to pay grants for big companies, just loans,
Answers are available and have been rent, heat, and utilities, to name a few and the companies are prohibited from
worked out by a group of equal number essentials. using the money to buy back stock and
from both parties, but we continue to But their main concern is with em- are also prohibited from pay increases
be stopped in our efforts. ployees. They need employees. They or bonuses to managers. The loans are
I sincerely hope this is not about need trained employees. When they lay at market rate with no forgiveness.
bringing down the President or some- off their loyal, trusted employees, they They will have to be paid back. This is
one trying to take advantage of a crisis can’t be sure they can get them back a lifeline to keep jobs.
in order to gain political achievements later. There is money available to State
otherwise not possible. So this bill has a solution, and I con- and local governments—$186 billion.
I gave a speech last Friday about the gratulate the people who worked on it. For hospitals there is another $75 bil-
way to save the employees of small One of them has joined me here on the lion; for veterans, $20 billion; another
businesses. The package was ready floor, Senator SHAHEEN. Senator $11 billion for vaccines, therapeutics,
then. That employee retention package CARDIN worked on it. This bill has a so- and diagnostics; $4.5 billion more for
is part of what has been held up since lution. the Centers for Disease Control, in ad-
Sunday. While Congress continues to nego- dition to what was done before; $12 bil-
Yes, we stayed through the weekend tiate it, here is the direction it is head- lion for K–12 education; $10 billion for
to get a solution before the markets ing: The Federal Government will loan airports; $20 billion for public transpor-
opened on Monday, but it was voted the businesses the money to pay their tation.
down. employees, provided they don’t lay These and other solutions have been
In record time, we accepted a Demo- them off and they rehire the ones who held up by the Democrats. Every single
cratic bill written in the House last have been laid off. The employees keep Democrat has voted against cloture so
week without any amendments. Now a their jobs and their health insurance, far. They say they need more time to
bipartisan product has been held up. even if the business is closed down. negotiate. They promise an agreement
For what? Some of the demands of When things come back to more nor- is imminent.
those across the aisle have nothing to mal, if the owner has been keeping all My colleagues across the aisle have
do with the virus. There are demands of his employees, that part of the used Senate procedures to unneces-
for climate change. The economic cli- money that they got is forgiven. They sarily drag this out. Let me describe
mate has changed and is changing are back in business. They have the the Senate process and how long it can
daily, and they want to wedge in some skilled employees they had, and busi- take to get a final product. It can be
ideas they know would fail standing ness can continue to pay the employ- necessary to get three clotures. That
alone. ees. means a vote supported by at least 60
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
I have always said the best legisla- That part of the bill alone generally Senators. Anyone absent counts as a no
tion is step-by-step legislation, but we takes care of employees of any business vote. Neither party has 60 Members. So
always try to be comprehensive. Maybe with less than 500 employees—yes, even the minority has great power. Many
that is so that it is incomprehensible 1 employee, which would be many busi- votes from their side are necessary.
and too big for anyone to understand or nesses based in my home State of Wyo- Anyone who is sick from the virus and
know. ming. In Wyoming there are a lot of cannot be here counts as a no vote. If
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1999
the virus hits Congress harder, it will died from this disease. Just yesterday, pitals that are facing an uncertain fi-
be harder for us to even function. So health officials reported that more nancial future due to the crisis. All of
we can’t wait. than 100 Americans lost their lives in a these troubling situations point to the
Back to how cloture works and why single day. need for immediate relief so that the
it takes so long, bills can be delayed in I know that everyone in this Cham- organizations and agencies that Gran-
the Senate almost a week if even one ber is thinking of those families and ite Staters rely on can continue to be
person doesn’t like it. That is what is those people who have been lost due to there.
happening now, except it is a lot more this disease. I agree with my colleagues who have
than one person. A shell bill from the Sadly, no one is immune. Everyone is come to the floor over the last 2 days
House has been put up to conform to a affected, including in my home State to say that Congress must act. We
constitutional rule that spending bills of New Hampshire. We have had more must act to provide relief so that so
have to originate in the House. What than 100 Granite Staters who have fall- many Americans who are suffering can
we have been voting on isn’t even the en ill from the coronavirus, and, sadly, get the help they desperately need.
real bill. It is a shell. just in the last few days, one person In the past 2 weeks, Congress has
A motion to proceed to the bill has to has died. My heart goes out to these taken several steps to provide imme-
be by unanimous consent or have clo- families and to the family of the person diate help to those families who are af-
ture filed. If 60 Senators vote for clo- we have lost. fected by the coronavirus. These in-
ture, then there can be 30 hours of de- This virus hasn’t only threatened the clude emergency paid sick leave to
bate on whether we should take up the public health of the Nation, but it many workers who get infected with
real issue. threatens our economy as well. Mil- the virus, who have had to self-quar-
To actually get to amend the bill lions of Americans have been asked to antine, or who need to take care of
takes another 60 votes, to allow amend- stay in their homes. Schools and busi- family members. We provided emer-
ments and another 30 hours, unless ev- nesses have been closed. While we all gency measures to ensure that every
erybody agrees. After amendments are understand that this is a necessary American, including those without in-
finished or if there is a feeling that we step to help curb the spread of the dis- surance, is able to have their
could be moving on without unanimous ease, it is taking a huge toll on our coronavirus testing costs fully covered.
consent, there would be a final vote to workers, our families, and our economy We have expanded unemployment in-
close off debate. That would also take as a whole. The aftermath of this na- surance for those who are laid off as a
60 votes. So the need to have leverage tionwide emergency could leave tens of result of the virus.
before the first cloture vote on the millions of families without work or We can and we must do more. Con-
shell in order to negotiate just doesn’t steady income. gress must work to address the eco-
cut it, with the first vote or the second I have been working closely with my nomic devastation that so many are
colleagues here in Congress and with facing because of this virus. Just yes-
vote and the expenditure of 30 hours
the rest of the delegation from New terday, we heard from a senior Federal
between each vote. That is why we
Hampshire and with our Governor to Reserve official who warned that the
stayed around and voted on Sunday, so
try and think about what we should U.S. unemployment rate could sky-
maybe we could get the first 30 hours
come up with, what kind of package rocket because of this pandemic, and
out of the way while negotiations went
would help those people who are hurt- we are seeing that. I know that all of
on and then get to the bill and then get
ing. During the past couple of weeks, I us are seeing that in our States. At
to the amendments.
have had many phone calls with may- home in New Hampshire, we have had
My colleagues across the aisle are
ors, public health officials, small busi- thousands apply for unemployment in-
using this process to forward their
ness owners, social service agencies, surance because they have been laid off
agenda even for issues unrelated to this
and all of those people who are on the in the last few weeks.
crisis. We are not doing climate change The message from the frontlines is
as part of this emergency bill. Every- frontlines of this crisis.
this: We need help and we need it fast,
thing should have a direct connection I have heard from nonprofit organiza-
and Congress must provide that help—
to the coronavirus. Rome is burning tions that provide vital services to
help for our hospitals, healthcare pro-
and Congress is fiddling. This bill with those with disabilities, to our sen-
viders, and first responders as they pre-
should take care of our country’s in- ior citizens and veterans, and to those
pare for a surge in demand for treat-
habitants and communities. Protec- in recovery from substance use dis-
ment as this virus spreads.
tions for small businesses, their own- orders—because even as we are grap- We want to make sure that they have
ers, and employers are vital and an im- pling with the impact of this the medical equipment and the sup-
portant piece of this response. I im- coronavirus, New Hampshire is still plies they need to keep them safe while
plore everyone to vote for cloture. sadly in the midst of a persistent sub- they are treating so many people who
I yield the floor. stance misuse epidemic. Thanks to the are ill. We need financial relief and
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- tireless efforts of advocates, providers, paid leave to workers, especially to
ator from New Hampshire. policymakers, and so many in our hourly workers and to those who have
Mrs. SHAHEEN. Madam President, I State, we have made strides toward been laid off because of the impact of
come to the floor today, like so many curbing the substance misuse crisis. We this virus.
of my colleagues, during what is un- are ensuring that resources are there We need support for small businesses.
doubtedly the worst crisis that I have so that people can get the care they Small businesses are the lifeblood of
seen in my lifetime. It reminds me of need. Even though we are facing a pan- New Hampshire’s economy. We have to
hearing from my parents and grand- demic, substance misuse doesn’t take a make sure they stay afloat and that
parents about what it was like in day off. they pay their workers while they are
America during the Depression and However, organizations that provide closed or have reduced demand. We
during World War II. This crisis in essential treatment and counseling for need to provide childcare and elder
some ways is even worse because it is Granite Staters are also dealing with care for healthcare workers, especially
an enemy we can’t see—the novel decreased capacity and revenue short- for those who are being asked to work
coronavirus, or COVID–19. falls that threaten their ability to con- extra shifts. We need assistance so
Not since the 1918 outbreak of the tinue to be a resource for their commu- Americans can afford their healthcare
Spanish influenza has a pandemic nities over the long-term. Our critical treatment. That is what I am fighting
posed such an immense threat to the frontline healthcare providers, as well for.
public health of our country. As of this as first responders, police, firefighters, We are making significant progress.
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
morning, more than 47,000 Americans and EMTs, who are on the frontlines of We have seen movement in the last
who have been tested have tested posi- responding to and treating coronavirus couple of days. I want to call out my
tive for COVID–19. We have actually cases are lacking medical resources colleagues, Senators RUBIO and CARDIN,
tested more than that, but that is the and personal protective equipment that the chair and ranking member of the
number who have tested positive, and is so necessary to do their jobs at this Small Business Committee, and Sen-
593 Americans have, unfortunately, critical time. We are hearing from hos- ator COLLINS. The four of us have
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S2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
worked together on small business pro- Our country is hurting right now. status of those negotiations in the Ap-
visions that are in this bill. Work con- People are looking to this body for propriations Committee between my-
tinued through the weekend and late leadership. That is why it is so impor- self and Chairman SHELBY. There is
into the night last night to reach tant that we get this bill right. This is much we have already agreed upon, and
agreement on these provisions, and we one of those times in history when I am confident that we can reach a deal
are almost there. I am confident that Congress must set aside any political that will help millions of Americans in
in the end we will be able to deliver a differences and where we must deliver need.
package of well-thought-out provisions a bill that meets the challenges we face Hospitals, community health centers,
that will provide over $350 billion in as- because at the end of the day, we are and the health care institutions we will
sistance for small businesses and non- all in this together. rely on in the coming weeks and
profit organizations in New Hampshire One of the encouraging things that I months need to be ready for a potential
and throughout the country. This bi- have felt as I have watched the news surge of patients. In our agreement, we
partisan package will provide imme- and heard from people across the coun- are securing hundreds of billions of dol-
diate cash flow assistance so that small try are those people who are stepping lars in direct assistance for these vital
businesses can continue to pay their up now at this time of difficulty. Just institutions.
employees, make their rent, pay their this morning, I heard about one of our Across the country, we are hearing
mortgage, and pay their utility bills. small businesses in northern New reports of medical care providers and
The bill will also provide support to Hampshire who knew that people were first responders reusing masks or first
small business development centers, to buying out toilet paper and that super- responders resorting to covering their
women’s business centers, to veterans markets and any stores that carried faces with bandanas for protection. It
business outreach centers, and all is unacceptable. Increasing their po-
toilet paper were sold out.
those resource agencies that can help They called down the road to Gorham tential risk of exposure to the corona
small businesses as they try to figure Paper, which is one of our paper mills virus because they do not have the
out how to navigate this crisis and how that is still operating that provides tis- tools and resources they need to do
to get the help they need. their job will only put further strain on
sue for people across the country. They
We are also providing 6 months of re- our healthcare system to say nothing
called them to see if they had any toi-
lief for existing SBA borrowers. Of of the danger to those men and women.
let tissue they could provide for busi-
course, to make this work, we need all So we fought hard to include the re-
nesses in the community. We have a
those lending institutions—our banks sources to make sure health care, po-
Federal prison in that community in
and financial institutions that are al- lice officers, National Guard members,
Berlin. They found out, so they called
ready on the frontlines trying to help scientists and more have access to the
them to provide toilet tissue for the
small businesses. They are going to be personal protective equipment they
prison. It seems like a small thing, but
critical to making this package work. need.
There is much more to be done. We it is the kind of thing that has helped In times of crisis, it is critical that
still need to provide funding for State people and made it possible for people we support the most vulnerable among
and local governments because, as we to continue to see past the worst of us. That is why I fought to include sig-
speak, tax revenues are plummeting this crisis, to see beyond, and to see nificant new resources for programs
and the costs of responding to this cri- how we can all work together to co- that provide food to those in need, in-
sis are skyrocketing. I have heard from operate to get through this. cluding child nutrition programs,
so many municipal officials who are on Let’s show the American people that SNAP, and senior meals. Sadly, as this
the frontlines and spending money and their elected leaders can address the public health crisis progresses, the de-
are not sure how to replace those dol- needs of this country. Let’s get this mand for nutrition programs will only
lars as they fight this crisis. bill done. We have no time to waste. grow in the coming months. I also
We need additional funding for hos- With that, I yield the floor. fought to secure resources for the
pitals because they are going to see a I suggest the absence of a quorum. homeless, who without a clean, safe
terrifying surge of patients in the com- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The place to go are at a much higher risk of
ing days and weeks. They are going to clerk will call the roll. contracting the coronavirus among
have to make very difficult decisions The legislative clerk proceeded to themselves and spreading it in their
about the kind of care they are able to call the roll. communities.
provide, and we need to make sure they Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask Every Member in this Chamber rep-
have the resources they need. unanimous consent that the order for resents a rural community, and we will
We need to make sure that big cor- the quorum call be rescinded. ensure that they are not left behind by
porations continue to support their The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. CAS- supporting rural business and including
workers through this crisis. We need SIDY). Without objection, it is so or- help for rural hospitals, who unfortu-
legislation to ensure that New Hamp- dered. nately will not be spared for the im-
shire nonprofits and social service or- Mr. LEAHY. Today, the American pact of this pandemic, and resources to
ganizations like those in the rest of the people are making sacrifices to keep support broadband access, which will
country that are in dire financial themselves, their family, and their be critically important for keeping
straits can continue to receive assist- communities safe. Healthcare pro- people connected as we are encouraging
ance because their services are needed viders, grocery store staff, State and them to stay apart.
now more than ever. Once we get local government workers, truckers, We are securing funds to support
through the worst of this crisis, we are bank tellers, journalists and countless child care. We cannot ask communities
going to need those organizations to others are doing important and nec- to close down their schools and still
continue to serve people in our commu- essary work on the front lines of this rely upon their first responders, med-
nities. crisis. As a Senator from Vermont, and ical providers, and those on the front
I think I and most of my colleagues a Member of this Chamber for more lines without providing their children
here are working in a bipartisan way than 40 years, I want to send my pro- with a safe place to go.
and with this administration to find found thanks. We are providing direct appropria-
common ground and to address the Right now, we are close to expressing tions to support a science-first ap-
needs of the Nation. our understanding of the sacrifices of proach to this pandemic by providing
I have been disappointed at some of the American people in more than an infusion of funding to back research
the partisan attacks on the floor of the words. I believe we are very close to in therapeutics, vaccines, and treat-
Senate because I think everybody’s reaching a bipartisan agreement that ments. It is our communities—State
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
goal is the same. It is to respond to the will provide direct and immediate re- and local govemment—who are on the
needs of this Nation, to make it clear lief to working people and families in front lines of this crisis, and it is our
to people who are our constituents and our country. job to support their efforts. We will be
people across this country that we are As vice chairman of the Senate Ap- including billions of dollars to support
here to try and address the suffering propriations Committee, I want to pro- the services these communities are
they are experiencing. vide Senators with an update on the providing during this crisis.
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2001
I have listened to the rhetoric on this businesswoman is destroyed, so is the tisan process, with a product that both
floor the past few days, accusing Demo- livelihood of everyone she employs. sides had agreed upon, broke down.
crats of delaying critical assistance to There is a sense of urgency that every- Now, let’s contrast this bipartisan
America. This is ridiculous. Democrats one in the Nation should feel but is not process, which led to a series of poli-
have spent the last 48 hours fighting being acted upon now. cies, with the opposite-day rhetoric
for funding and legislation that will Now, let’s describe the situation, be- that has been used by the Senate mi-
help people, not just corporations. We cause what I actually think—I have nority leader. The bipartisan product
have been fighting for more money for tried to understand why that urgency came up with an economic stabiliza-
healthcare, more money for children, is not here. It is not a general lack of tion fund in which dollars would be
more money for hospitals, more money urgency; it is a specific lack of urgency transferred to the Treasury Depart-
for our schools. And in the last few of the Speaker of the House and the ment, which would then be transferred
days we have secured more funding for minority leader in the Senate—the mi- to the Federal Reserve to set up guar-
all of those things. nority leader being the senior Senator anteed loans so that an industry, not a
I feel confident we will soon reach a from New York. It is a specific lack of specific business, an industry—think
deal. The Appropriations Committee’s urgency in which they attempt to le- tourist industry, think healthcare,
component is only one part of this verage the misery of the American peo- somebody particularly affected by the
massive package. But the pandemic we ple so that they can achieve their po- coronavirus epidemic—as a class,
face demands this response. The Senate litical goal. would be able to come and get guaran-
has a history of being the conscience of I have thought deeply about that po- teed loans to keep their people em-
the nation, and we must prove that his- litical goal. In fact, I have noticed ployed and to keep their business going
tory true again during this crisis whenever something is said by the mi- so that when we get through this rough
whether it is today or tomorrow. We nority leader—the senior Senator from patch, their business can restart as be-
will get this done, and we will get it New York—I have to think, well, it is fore.
done soon. opposite day, as my children will say. Now, the opposite-day rhetoric of the
I suggest the absence of a quorum. There is actually something opposite Senate minority leader is that this is a
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The being said. Let me just figure out what bailout for big corporations, and it was
clerk will call the roll. that opposite thing is. a sweetheart deal put together by Re-
The senior assistant legislative clerk So let’s go through where we are, and publicans. Oh, opposite day. It was ac-
proceeded to call the roll. then we will go through the opposite- tually a bipartisan deal that goes
Mr. CASSIDY. Madam President, I day aspect of our conversations. through the Federal Reserve in a way
ask unanimous consent that the order First, people are hurting, but not just that is sector-specific but not business-
for the quorum call be rescinded. people being laid off. Schools have been specific with the goal of keeping people
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. discharged. My wife cofounded a school employed.
MCSALLY). Without objection, it is so for children with dyslexia—a public The opposite-day rhetoric is that it is
ordered. charter school. Children of all back- a bailout. These are loans—specifi-
Mr. CASSIDY. Madam President, I grounds come and have their dyslexia cally, loans that have to be paid back.
would like to speak to the addressed. It is critical that those chil- By law, the Federal Reserve cannot
coronavirus—more specifically, the dren be in school. There is a science- take a loss. That is not a bailout. That
Senate’s response to the coronavirus based way for those kids to learn how is a loan to keep people employed, and
or, shall I say, apparently the absence to read, and if they have to be dis- it is wise public policy brought to-
of a response. missed because of fear about spreading gether on a bipartisan basis—bipar-
I am a doctor, and one of the most disease, then those children are not tisan, Democrats and Republicans—to
exciting things they often show in a being exposed to that science-based come up with a solution reflecting all
TV show is when there is an emer- curriculum, and those children are, viewpoints across the country.
gency—there is a car wreck, some- therefore, losing the opportunity both So, despite the opposite-day rhetoric,
body’s heart stops beating, somebody to learn and to have their issue of dys- as somebody who wishes to disparage,
faints, something like that—every re- lexia addressed. That is just one who wishes to diminish, who wishes to
source is brought. I have been in that school. There are very many more. depreciate a process that worked as the
situation, and when it occurs, there is So, to address that, last week, the Senate is supposed to work—instead, it
someone who might be called—you Senate majority leader put together a was denigrated. I kept asking myself
know, runs the show, if you will, or the proposal where he would have Senators why. Why? We will come to that in a
captain of the show and begins to say from the Republican Party draft some little bit.
‘‘You must do this’’ or ‘‘You must do initial concepts—clearly not written in What else about the opposite-day
that.’’ At that point, nicety does not stone and clearly open to negotiation— process? That not enough is spent on
matter. Orders are given, you respond, and then meet with Democratic coun- healthcare. I am a doctor. I went
and things are done. That is because terparts to come up with a bipartisan through these provisions for
there is not a moment to be lost. solution that would reflect the perspec- healthcare. We are spending literally—
I think I bring that sense of urgency tives of all 100 Senators, knowing that literally—tens of billions of dollars on
to this situation. Our Presiding Officer each Senator represents a different healthcare, trying to find where to use
was in the military as a combat pilot. constituency elected by people with a it best. The opposite-day rhetoric is
She knows quite well that sometimes different viewpoint, but the amalgama- that we are not. I didn’t quite figure
minutes matter. Sometimes minutes tion of those viewpoints and constitu- that one out.
matter. I would argue that ‘‘sometime’’ encies would come up with a wide pub- We are not spending on the average
is now. lic policy that would help to address American—opposite-day rhetoric. We
I have been staying away from gro- both the medical crisis and the eco- give $1,200 to an individual and $2,400 to
cery stores, et cetera, and eating nomic crisis. It was bipartisan. And I a couple. That just goes out the door.
through my frozen food. There is stuff was struck when one of our Democratic Those folks get it. That is a commit-
in the fridge. Somebody told me they colleagues was on a show and was ment.
went to the grocery store, and busi- asked about the process, and he said We are also committed to keeping
nesses that had been in business last that it actually worked well. small businesses afloat with an expe-
week are now boarded up. I am having I met with the small businesspeople. dited process by which that small busi-
calls regularly with small business I met with this Senator from the ness can obtain cash and a loan, and
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
owners back in Louisiana, and they are Democratic side and this Senator from that loan, the portion of which is used
so worried about cashflow and trying the Republican side, and we had a proc- to keep people employed, is forgiven—
to keep people on. Some have already ess that worked. It worked very well on forgiven. So if I borrowed—if I were a
laid folks off, wondering what they can the Member level. It is in the leader- restaurant owner and I borrowed
do. The uncertainty is destroying their ship that it broke down. Oh, that is in- $100,000 and I use $75,000 of it to keep
livelihood. If the livelihood of a small teresting. In the leadership, the bipar- my employees employed, that $75,000 is
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S2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
forgiven, and I only owe back—I only those who are watching may not know We will see that bill. We will vote on
have to pay back $25,000. That is a bi- what the four corners are. The four it after not having time to read it be-
partisan policy put together specifi- corners are when nothing else can cause it has been crafted in a small
cally to keep Americans employed with work, you get the Senate majority room with people who did not include
their benefits. leader, the Senate minority leader, the Senators of both parties from different
By the way, if you were a waitress or Speaker of the House, and the minority places because they had something
a waiter, your tips were included in leader of the House meeting with the they wished to put in there, and we will
your salary, so even though you might White House, and the four of them de- find out later what those stakeholders
get a smaller amount, you make it up cide on everything. There is no trans- were able to get.
on tips. We took that into account parency. They will come out with a My stakeholders are the American
with this bipartisan legislation—bipar- 2,000-page bill with all kinds of sweet- people. My stakeholders are the ones
tisan legislation that addressed that heart bills tucked into it, totally leav- who are boarding up their buildings
need. ing out 98 other Senators but not leav- right now because a bill we could have
Opposite day—the Senate minority ing out those stakeholders. voted on Sunday is still not decided
leader’s rhetoric was that we weren’t If you are a stakeholder and you have upon because somebody has a special
taking care of people. Why would he someone on your speed dial as one of deal which they wish to place.
not tell the truth? Why would he spe- those four corners, you can get what The way the Senate works is not a
cifically attempt to fool the American you want. So in this opposite-day type four corners arrangement, where all
people about what was actually being reality, where someone speaks of bail- the powers are in a group of one or two
done? I had to think about that. Why outs, I am thinking: Ah, somebody or three or four, in which deals are re-
would he attempt to corrupt the entire wants a particular industry bailed out leased the night before, released the
process to tell the American people and doesn’t want the scrutiny of 100 next day, and no one has a chance to
something which is not true? I am not Senators looking at it with enough read, but some people are taken care
sure about that. I am not sure about time to consider it. No, they want to of. Rather, it is to be as the Senate ma-
that. release the bill tonight to vote on it to- jority leader put up, where there is bi-
So we got the deal put up by the morrow morning. Now, the emergency partisan agreement with an oppor-
Speaker of the House in which she said: kicks in. They say: Oh, it is something tunity to study, to understand, to re-
In exchange for the airlines being able we can think about—until that deal is flect upon, the American people are
to continue to employ flight attend- baked, and then we have no time to represented, and special interests are
ants and pilots and ground crew and consider it, and then we must vote. kept in their place. That is the way it
administrators, they would have to do That is how the four corners process should be. Unfortunately, that is not
an emission profile for every airplane. works. where we are now. I wish it were not
Hmm, I am struggling to stay afloat. I Suddenly, it dawned on me. Remem- opposite day, but we shall find out.
have no passengers, and my cashflow is ber the process that I spoke of in which
I yield the floor.
immediately interrupted, but, by the Senators from both parties came to-
way, let me go out and get an emis- gether on a bipartisan basis to come up The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
sions profile for my airplane or else, with something that would provide a ator from Georgia.
otherwise, I don’t get to stay in busi- little bit of support—no, a lot of sup- NATIONAL AG DAY
ness. port—for the economy? Let’s talk Mrs. LOEFFLER. Madam President,
That is so absurd that I kept think- about the airlines. In the deal that last week, the U.S. Department of
ing: That cannot be the answer. That is came together with all the Senators Homeland Security recognized agri-
so stupid. How can you label it any- represented in one way or another, culture for its critical role in the
thing else in this circumstance? When where the airlines would get a loan but United States’ COVID–19 response.
people are in the process of boarding up would not get free money, that is what Today, in recognition of National Ag
their businesses, that is the nonsense Republicans, frankly, wanted. That is Day, I want to highlight the work that
you would propose? what the White House wanted. That millions of Americans do each day to
So I kept thinking: Why would they was agreed to in the bipartisan ar- make the agriculture industry in
want that when American people are rangement before it got blown up by America the greatest in the world.
hurting, and just like in a military the Speaker of the House and the Sen- This industry is incredibly expansive,
emergency and just like in a medical ate majority leader. and at its most basic level, it is defined
emergency, it demands rapid action? Do you know what I am going to be by the food, feed, fiber, and fuel it gen-
I was just presiding before you, and curious to see? I am going to be curious erates. But it is so much more. It fuels
as I was about to come on, I heard on to see if the airlines get free money— the global economy and is driven by
the TV somebody speaking, the senior not just a loan to bridge over the rough millions of dedicated hard-working
Senator from Illinois, and I got a clue. spots to keep people employed—the at- people who are working every day to
He was not speaking of the Senate tendants, the pilots, the administra- deliver these products.
working, where Republicans and Demo- tors, the ground crews, et cetera—but
These folks are our Nation’s farmers,
crats come together and respecting 100 free money, and then I will understand
ranchers, foresters, and producers. This
different constituencies, 100 different opposite day. I will understand that
includes those who manufacture and
viewpoints on a bipartisan basis, estab- the reason people have been talking
sell equipment, who drive trucks and
lishing policy that works for all, tak- about corporate bailouts is because
barges to move products, who provide
ing into account that Louisiana is dif- they have particular industries which
seed and fertilizer, and who store, proc-
ferent than Arizona, and Arizona is dif- they wish to bailout.
ess, and market these products.
ferent than Maine, and Maine is dif- And those who speak of no trans-
ferent than Washington State. parency—again, opposite day—now we It spans small and large businesses,
We are all Americans, but we have are into the four corners situation, from family farms to community
different industries, and so part of this where no one knows what is being put banks, to universities, to science, vet-
bipartisan process, involving as many into that package because 98 Senators erinarians, and livestock operations.
Senators as possible, was to totally re- have been excluded. In my home State of Georgia, agri-
flect that which was going on. By the way, let me just compliment culture is our No. 1 industry. It ac-
But I finally had my clue as to why my Senate majority leader. He is the counts for more than 1 in 7 jobs, and we
the Senate majority leader wants this one who proposed the transparent proc- have 42,000 farms in Georgia.
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
process to break down. It is not to be ess of a bipartisan set of Senators put- I grew up working in the soybean
representative of us as a whole but, ting this together. So let’s just drop fields and the feedlot of my family’s
rather, that merely which he and the blame where blame should be. farm. I know firsthand how hard those
Speaker of the House can negotiate. As my Democratic colleague said on in agriculture work to provide poultry,
The Democratic whip from Illinois TV, it was going pretty well until it peanuts, pecans, cotton, cattle, and
spoke of the four corners process. Now, came to leadership. blueberries. The risks they take each
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2003
day and the exposure with global mar- portant to mark their contributions policies, but it needs to be based on
kets and changing regulations, tech- every year. But on this year’s National science.
nology, consumer pressures, and eco- Ag Day, I call on my colleagues to re- States now are sheltering in place.
nomic pressures—our ag industry rises flect on where our country would be Anything the President does to try to
to all of these challenges. today without the contribution of the open up the economy, count me in if it
This is especially true right now as American agriculture industry and is based on sound science. It needs to
our country faces the coronavirus out- without the contribution of Georgia’s be conditions-based. I want to leave Af-
break. We have all seen how vital each farmers. Especially as we face this un- ghanistan like everybody else, but it
role in our supply chain is, from the precedented challenge, we couldn’t do has to be conditions-based.
ground to the grocery store, and from it without those who feed and clothe I think we are a long way from beat-
the cotton gin to the global export the world. ing this disease. I want to bomb it; I
market that the Savannah Harbor I yield the floor. want to starve it; and I want to kill it.
ships to around the world. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. But right now, I want to get money,
Americans are used to a readily ROUNDS). The Senator from South paychecks up and running that have
available supply of food, but in recent Carolina. been shut down—no fault of your own.
weeks, we have seen empty aisles in Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask If you own a bar or a restaurant in
grocery stores. But we know that this unanimous consent to enter into a col- Arizona or South Carolina, if we can
is not the new normal. These shelves loquy with my good friend Senator pass this bill, you can go to a bank, a
are quickly restocked because of the DAINES from Montana. credit union, and you can borrow
tireless work that is done each day by The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without money, which we will forgive. It will
our farmers, food processors, truck- objection, it is so ordered. not be a loan. It will be a grant for
drivers, and grocery store personnel. Mr. GRAHAM. He is on the way. your employees, up to $80,000 per em-
Without them, empty shelves and food Here is the state of play, folks. If you ployee. You can borrow money, which
shortages would be the norm. are at home and you are a nurse or you will become a grant to pay the rent. We
Today, Americans are heeding the are a doctor and you are running out of just need to pass the bill.
call to protect themselves from the supplies, there is a lot of money in this If you are on unemployment in South
coronavirus. At the same time, agri- bill that will help you. We just need to Carolina, the most you can get is $326
business is continually managing their pass the damn bill. a week. We add $600 to that—if we can
production, processing, and manufac- What is going on here? Endless nego- pass this bill.
turing. It is not just planting and har- tiations. To the hospitals on the frontline,
vest. Mr. President, in case you are watch- there is a ton of money to help you
While some businesses are being ing, tell Steven Mnuchin to come back with supply shortages on the medical
forced to take measures to slow their to the White House and end negotia- side. To the nurses and doctors, there
operations, sadly, such as restaurants, tions. is money there for you. Elective sur-
others, such as grocery stores, are see- I am all for negotiating. I try to gery has been banned in some States.
ing unprecedented demand. Everyone is make deals. I understand the give-and- We need to help hospitals which are
dealing with uncertainty and vola- take of life and the give-and-take of losing revenue. It is all in the bill.
tility. politics, but I have been called by two
In Georgia, fruits and vegetables are If you have student loan debt, we
good friends on the Democratic side in defer all payments, I think, until Octo-
being planted as I speak. Cotton and
the last 5 or 6 hours wanting more ber. I can’t remember. It is in there.
peanuts will be planted very soon.
money. That is good for you. It takes one rock
Some products, like Georgia’s Vidalia
End the negotiations. This bill is $2 out of your sack that you have to
onions, will be harvested in the next
trillion. There is a ton of money in this carry. It relieves your burden.
month.
As we recover from the crisis in the bill for people who need it. But what Pass the damn bill. Stop negotiating.
months to come, farmers will still be in we are doing now is every special inter- Enough is enough. This has been going
their fields, working tirelessly to en- est group in town is trying to get a lit- on for 2 days. Like everybody else in
sure that Americans have access to the tle bit more—nickel-and diming—at a the country, I have lost my patience
food and the products they need. time when people are dying—literally with the political process. We are being
As a member of the Senate Com- dying. Businesses are having to make a nickel-and-dimed now. The big stuff we
mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and decision: Do I send my employees on have pretty well right. If it is not per-
Forestry, I am strongly committed to unemployment or do I hope that Con- fect, we can fix it later, but we need to
supporting America’s leading role in gress can act so that I can keep them vote tonight.
agriculture. on the payroll? The reason I am on the floor is be-
I want to thank President Trump for I tried to do my part in terms of bi- cause I have been called by two Demo-
his strong support of American agri- partisanship, but this is ridiculous. cratic colleagues in the last 5 or 6
culture and for recognizing the con- Steven Mnuchin has done a good job. I hours wanting more money. The store
tributions of the American Farm Bu- appreciate his efforts to negotiate a is closed.
reau, the FFA, 4–H, and so many oth- bill that will help America. Mr. President, end negotiations. Re-
ers. Senator MCCONNELL says we are on quire us to vote. Draft the bill. Do it
Last week, my colleague from Geor- the 2-yard line. I believe it. The prob- tonight.
gia, Senator DAVID PERDUE, and I urged lem is that there are 20 people playing There is $10 billion in this bill—a $2
the administration to support our defense, and we need to take some peo- trillion bill—that may do more good
farmers by enabling flexibility for the ple off the field. What bothers me is than any $10 billion in the bill in terms
labor that they rely on for their har- that at this late hour, I am still get- of defeating the coronavirus. Every-
vest and planting. ting calls from people wanting more body says we are at war.
As the third coronavirus relief bill money. Senator DAINES, do you agree we are
comes to the floor, we worked to sup- This is not the last bill we will do, at war with this virus?
port rural America by expanding tele- but this is the last chance we have to Mr. DAINES. We are at war.
health, as well as funding rural save some lives in realtime. I am en- Mr. GRAHAM. How do you win a
healthcare programs that are so needed couraging the President—begging the war? I want to starve the virus, starve
in our rural communities. This comes President—to end negotiations now. the enemy. If we will practice good
in the form of economic aid for agri- Write what we have done, and let’s containment policy and stop going to
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
business and farmers, whether through vote. If it is not perfect, we will try to the beaches and interacting with each
small business loans or other facilities, fix it later, but it is damn good. other in an irresponsible way, we will
and to support things like tele- There is money in here to help people starve the virus because it needs
communications and broadband. in small business who have had to close human transmission to survive. Con-
Agriculture is perhaps the world’s because they have no customers. tainment policies well-practiced will
most important industry, and it is im- Maybe we can change the containment starve the virus. Therapies, bomb the
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S2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
virus. The anti-malaria drugs—I hope Mr. DAINES. I will. to pay their bills if there is no relief
they work, but therapies are in the Mr. GRAHAM. Have you gotten soon. And their family members have
pipeline that can take the virus from a phone calls from Democratic col- lost their jobs with the community.
10 to a 1 or 2 so it is not so fatal. Bomb- leagues wanting more money? They need relief now.
ing the virus is therapeutic drugs that Mr. DAINES. I have. I just got this letter. This came in
lessen the mortality rates. Killing it is Mr. GRAHAM. That makes it appear this evening. In fact, it is stamped 7:50
a vaccine or an antibody that will get to me that negotiations are not on the p.m.
to the underlying problem. 1-yard line. Dear Senator DAINES:
Senator DAINES has been a one-man Mr. DAINES. We are at the 1-yard I am the General Manager of Fairmont Hot
band to try to accelerate the ability to line, we were told last night. Negotia- Springs Resort.
produce a virus that is the nuclear tions would go all night. Everybody He gave us permission to use his
bomb to kill this damn thing. here said it has to be a good, bipartisan name. I am not going to read you the
We have $10 billion in this bill— bill. But what we have right now is an description of the plight that he is in,
thanks to Senator DAINES—that will economic emergency on our hands. but here is the bottom line.
tell the drug companies that are in the This is like somebody has been seri- I just processed 146 layoff notices, or 85
business of creating vaccines and anti- ously injured and called the ambu- percent of our staff.
bodies: Do your trials. But if there is lance, and we are debating right now This is this evening. It is breaking
any promise, start production, and we about what color ambulance to send, the hearts of these employers to lay
will cover you. If it is a dry hole, we while the patient is dying on the side their people off.
will pay the cost; but if we strike oil, of the sideline. Mr. GRAHAM. Would the Senator
we will all benefit. Listen to some of these stories I had yield for a question?
That $10 billion is going to allow just today from the people of Montana. Mr. DAINES. It is breaking the
drug companies that are in the virus- There is a 60-year-old woman who pro- hearts of these employees who are los-
destruction business, creating vaccines vides cleaning services in Ravalli ing their jobs while the Senate is sit-
and antibodies, money to start produc- County, south of Missoula. It is in the ting here fiddling at the moment. We
tion of anything that is promising—a Bitterroot. It is a beautiful part of our have got to come together and pass
dual system. State. She said that normal business is this bill tonight.
Here is when we turn the corner: almost down to nothing because folks The PRESIDING OFFICER. Senator
When infections go down, not up; when are scared to let her clean their homes GRAHAM.
therapies begin to degrade the virus; and businesses because of the Mr. GRAHAM. I would like to ask a
and when a vaccine is on the horizon. coronavirus. To make ends meet, she question. I don’t know how many em-
That is when we have turned the cor- said she is even willing to do outside ployees the gentleman has, but do you
ner. The money in this bill will accel- yard work during these times. She is agree with me that if you have 500 or
erate turning the corner. worried about becoming homeless. This less employees, you are a small busi-
I want to thank Senator DAINES and is a real story that came from a Mon- ness, and under this bill, instead of lay-
my good friend from South Dakota pre- tanan today. ing off your employees, you can go to a
siding, who has been a Governor, who I posted a video, Senator GRAHAM, bank or credit union and get an SBA
understands give-and-take, getting to about her plight and a couple of others loan that will eventually become a
yes. Nobody does a better job of getting I am going to share with you tonight. grant to pay your employees up to
to yes than our Presiding Officer. Both Here is a warming part of this story. $80,000 per employee; you can also pay
of you come from the part of the We had Montanans hear about her situ- the rent that is coming due? Do you
world—the Big Sky Country—where ation, and they said: We are going to agree that is in this bill?
you have to live off the land, where band together here and help her. We Mr. DAINES. Senator GRAHAM, that
neighbor helps neighbor. We need that are going to hire her and try to make is in this bill.
attitude in this body. The store needs sure she doesn’t become homeless, For these small businesses, help is on
to close. which is her current concern. its way. But we can’t send the help,
Mr. President, end negotiations, Listen, we were told that we were at Senator GRAHAM, until we pass the bill.
write the bill, and let’s vote. the 1-yard line last night to get this Yet the good news for the general man-
The reason we need to vote is because done. All I have to say is, the Senate ager of Fairmont Hot Springs is that,
people are suffering and literally may think it is at the 1-yard line right as the Senator just said, it will not be
dying. now, but Montanans are getting a loan but a grant that will be for-
Senator DAINES, can you tell me sacked. In fact, our unemployment given. In other words, he won’t have to
what it is like in Montana right now? claims in Montana since March 17—we pay it back as long as he keeps the
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- just looked it up 15 minutes ago—14,350 payroll paid, the rent paid, the mort-
ator from Montana. Montanans have filed for unemploy- gage paid. That makes a lot of sense.
Mr. DAINES. Senator GRAHAM, thank ment in the last week. Mr. GRAHAM. Hire back the people.
you for joining me here tonight. There was a gentleman from Kali- Mr. DAINES. He wouldn’t have to lay
I wish the C–SPAN camera, for a mo- spell—another story here—who said his them off today. In fact, he continues to
ment, could pan this Chamber. It is business has been hit hard because of write that they just canceled con-
empty. There are three Senators in the coronavirus. He wrote: Help, both ferences in the last week that total
this Chamber right now. Senator for the businesses to remain afloat and $848,000. This is a big deal in Montana.
ROUNDS is the Presiding Officer from our team members who are being laid In fact, another small business owner
South Dakota. He has to be here be- off or having reductions in work hours. in Montana let us know, by the way,
cause he is the Presiding Officer. Sen- He is worried about his employees. about two other of our well-known
ator GRAHAM is here, from South Caro- Emergency personnel in Missoula, MT, kind of resorts—Grouse Mountain re-
lina, and I am here. let us know that ambulance drivers— sort, which is up in Whitefish, as well
Senator GRAHAM, this Chamber is EMTs—must travel longer distances as Chico Hot Springs. In fact, Senator
empty tonight. We should be here, at because the volunteer fire departments GRAHAM, in 1979, Chico Hot Springs is
this moment, voting. don’t have enough equipment or staff. where we had our homecoming dance
Our phones are ringing off the hook. They can’t get enough personal protec- dinner for Bozeman High School.
Twenty-three hours ago—in fact, I was tive equipment. Mr. GRAHAM. Everybody knows
presiding—we were told that we were That is in this bill, Senator GRA- that. You don’t need to tell us stuff we
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
at the 1-yard line. The minority leader HAM—immediate billions of dollars already know.
came down here and said: We are at the right now—to get more PPE to the Mr. DAINES. Listen. They are in
1-yard line, and we are going to have frontlines. trouble. They are temporarily closed.
discussions all night—— And he said this: Many are working In fact, they just closed Yellowstone
Mr. GRAHAM. Would you yield for a while spouses have lost their jobs. And National Park and Glacier National
question? they are wondering if they will be able Park today. This business owner said
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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2005
they are currently looking at addi- Mr. GRAHAM. Yes, I can. stroys our economy and kills thou-
tional layoffs. They are looking at Mr. DAINES. This is a moment in sands of Americans.
cashflows of nearly zero. which I am just bringing the frustra- The Senator’s legislation—his pro-
OK. So, right now, we are hearing tion and the fear that I hear in the posal—of $10 billion to accelerate our
about the plight of Montanans who are voices of Montanans who are asking: finding an antibody or a vaccine is the
losing their jobs and losing their busi- What in the world is going on back in ultimate nuclear weapon, and that is
nesses. There are 14,000-plus Montanans Washington, DC? the best $10 billion in this entire pack-
who have filed unemployment claims, We have a package. As you can see, age—to kill the virus.
and what is the Senate doing tonight, what happened today in the markets Yet the people in Montana, South
Senator GRAHAM? Look around this around the world is that there was op- Carolina, and South Dakota are out of
Chamber. There is nobody here. It is timism. Why? Because we have some- work today because of containment
you and I. thing here that is going to be a rescue. policies. We have had to make a deci-
Mr. GRAHAM. If the Senator would First, they called it a stimulus. Then sion to stop the spread of the virus. It
yield for a second, all of the people who they called it a recovery package. I is probably one of the most draconian
are negotiating are my friends. I have think this is called a rescue package. decisions we have made since World
been in tough negotiations, and it is We are into a rescue here—rescuing War II, when we rationed goods and
hard to get to yes, but we have never this economy and rescuing the jobs of couldn’t have the lights on at night.
faced a problem like this since World these small business owners. We could Everybody says we are going to get
War II and 9/11. This is not any time. spend the next 30 to 40 minutes going through it, and they are right, but I
This is not any bill. This is not just an- through, in detail, all of the things want you to know it will not be easy.
other legislative endeavor. This is life. that are in this bill that are going to It is going to take a while until we find
It is death. It is the difference between help working people in this country the therapies and the vaccines to kill
bankruptcy and having economic hope. and small businesses. this virus. Until then, we need to act in
It is the difference between having the In the meantime, Senator GRAHAM, I Congress to get help to those who need
supplies you need to save lives and not agree with you. If we can’t get this it. They are the people the Senator has
getting them. passed, every Member of Congress just described—the business owner and
To my colleagues who are doing the should start donating his pay to a the unemployed person. There is a lot
negotiations, stop. It is over. Write the charity that is currently on the front- of help.
bill. Let’s vote. line of dealing with the coronavirus You can call this bill whatever you
Every time I hear it is close, that and COVID–19. would like, but the two Senators who
means we are just a couple of hundred Mr. GRAHAM. If I may, I think the are here with me tonight are from out
billion dollars away. The reason I am Senator is speaking for most Mon- West. This is the cavalry coming over
so agitated is not to try to be cheap— tanans. I know he is speaking for the hill. You are under attack; you are
the bill is $2 trillion. It is that, like South Carolinians. Let’s go back to the under siege. If we can pass this bill, the
Senator DAINES, I have been called in 14,000 people in Montana who are on cavalry will be there for your busi-
the last few hours by people who are unemployment. I don’t know what kind nesses, and it will be there for your
wanting more money for this and that. of spike that is. I have been to Mon- families.
All of them may be very worthy tana—a great place, a lot of land, not The only way we are going to pass
projects, but we need to stop negoti- that many people, hardy folks. They this bill, Senator DAINES, is to stop ne-
ating at this very moment, write the don’t want to be unemployed; they gotiations and write the bill.
bill, and vote tonight or no later than want to be working. I know the Sen- Do you agree?
tomorrow. ator’s people pretty well. They are Mr. DAINES. There has been plenty
Senator DAINES, I have a proposition probably pissed off that they have been of time to negotiate, Senator GRAHAM.
for you. If we cannot do that as the laid off, but there is nothing we can do There have been good faith negotia-
U.S. Senate, don’t you agree with me about it until we control this virus, tions on both sides, and there has been
that we should stop getting paid? and we will. shuttle diplomacy going on between
Now, legally, maybe we can’t stop Do you realize, Senator, that in this both sides. There has been a lot of give
our salaries, for it will take a future bill, every unemployed person in Mon- and get. We are at a point now at
Congress to do that, but we can all vol- tana will get $600 on top of the State which we need to vote, and we should
untarily give up our money. I have a unemployment benefit? In South Caro- be voting tonight.
hard time with my continuing to get lina, the maximum benefit is $326. This Regarding that $10 billion that is in
paid when we can’t solve the problem. bill will take it up $600. Doesn’t the this bill, I have been spending a lot of
We have been doing this for days now, Senator think that will matter to the time thinking about how we get out of
and enough is enough. people in Montana? this war.
Senator DAINES, do you believe it is Mr. DAINES. It more than doubles Mr. GRAHAM. How do you kill it?
time for there to be consequences for what they would otherwise receive in Mr. DAINES. How do you win this
the body in our failing to deliver for the State of Montana in unemployment war?
the American people? benefits. Mr. GRAHAM. How do you kill this
Mr. DAINES. Senator GRAHAM, I sup- By the way, this unemployment in- virus?
port the idea, if we don’t get something surance backstop that is part of this Mr. DAINES. When you step back for
done here, that Members of Congress rescue package is not what Montanans a moment and think about the basics—
shouldn’t be paid. Again, there are con- are after. They want their jobs. of the panic and fear that the Amer-
stitutional issues, but we can get Mr. GRAHAM. Yes. ican people have with regard to this
around that by just saying we will do- Mr. DAINES. So their first choice is, economy—the panic and the fear will
nate our paychecks to some important Would you please help me keep my job. not stop until the pandemic stops, and
COVID–19 relief effort that is going on. For whatever reason, if we can’t do the pandemic will not stop until these
We will find something. that, there will be the unemployment great drugs start.
Here is what we get. At least here in insurance. I will tell you that Mon- Here is what we are thinking about,
the Senate tonight, we have a choice as tanans don’t want a handout, but it is and I want to give a reason for great
to whether we want to donate our pay- there if they need it because it is really hope and optimism as to how we are
checks or not. There are 14,700 Mon- a hand-up—a bridge—until we get this going to get over this great hurdle that
tanans who don’t have that choice be- economy back on its regular course. we face in our Nation today. We have
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cause they have lost their paychecks in Mr. GRAHAM. If I may, we keep some amazing vaccines in development
the last 7 days. I am usually a guy who talking about being at war. I have as we speak. In fact, they started a
stays pretty calm, cool, and collected. made 50-something trips to Afghani- trial in Seattle a week ago on Monday.
Mr. GRAHAM. Yes. stan and Iraq. We are at war with a They vaccinated 45 adults aged 18 to 55.
Mr. DAINES. LINDSEY, you could virus, not with radical Islam, and we They are getting the initial results.
probably testify to that. need to destroy this virus before it de- They will be looking at the safety as
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S2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
well as the efficacy—how well does it The reason we are here tonight is Those 1,700 restaurants and bars, in
work?—over the course of several that we are both upset that people are this bill, if we pass it, can go to a cred-
weeks. still talking about adding to the bill 48 it union or a bank. You can borrow
We have some other amazing, mir- hours after having been on the 5-yard money to pay your employees up to
acle drugs. They are called monoclonal line. We may be on the 1-yard line, but, $8,000. You can borrow money to pay
antibodies. That is the technical term apparently, there are 20 people on de- the rent, pay yourself as the owner,
for them. When you take that drug, it fense when we need to get the ball in and we will forgive it and make it a
provides protection against the the end zone. grant for 6 or 8 weeks. That will change
coronavirus so that you don’t even get I am just begging of my colleagues everybody’s life all over South Caro-
the COVID–19 disease. who have worked very hard—and I am lina.
Here is the challenge, Senator GRA- not being critical as much as I am It is time to change people’s lives. It
HAM. We have to be operating on par- being insistent—because enough is is time to stop negotiating. It is time
allel paths right now to make sure we enough. You have done a good job for to vote.
have those drugs available to the the Democratic causes. We have done a f
American people in a widespread fash- good job for the Republican causes. The
ion before the next flu season hits this cause is the country. RECESS
fall. We are seeing reports right now If you are out of work, we are going Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask
from Singapore and Hong Kong, and to keep you on the payroll so you don’t unanimous consent that the Senate
there are some reinfections going on. have to go on unemployment if your stand in recess until 9:30 p.m.
That should put us on notice. employer decides to go that route. If There being no objection, the Senate,
Assuming our containment strategy you are on unemployment, we are at 8:32 p.m., recessed until 9:30 p.m. and
works and that we bend this curve, as going to give you $600 more so you can reassembled when called to order by
we have talked about, so that we look actually survive better than you would the Presiding Officer (Ms. MCSALLY).
more like South Korea than Italy—we have without this bill. If you are a The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
pray for that and hope for that and are nurse or a doctor and you are running ator from Louisiana.
working to that end—the challenge out of supplies, this bill has a tremen- Mr. CASSIDY. Madam President, I
will be our not having enough immu- dous supply chain in it. spoke to you earlier when you were
nity in our society coming up this fall. So our message is simple: No more presiding.
That will leave us vulnerable to a sec- negotiations. It is over. Let’s vote. I am about to take the Presiding Of-
ond wave of this virus. Mr. DAINES. Senator GRAHAM, thank ficer’s place, as she took my place ear-
The solution—the way we win this you, and we will conclude here. lier, and we will swap once more. Yet,
war—is to start manufacturing some of This is a moment in our history as a before I sit down, I want to repeat the
these drugs earlier, in parallel with the nation. Truly, we have got to come to- message I gave earlier.
testing that is going on, so that, by the gether. The American people are ask- As we wait for a decision to be made
time the fall hits, we will have it avail- ing us to come together. between the Democratic minority lead-
able for the American people. That is Senator GRAHAM, I thought for cer- er, the Speaker of the House, and the
in this bill. tain we would have a vote today, and administration, we had a deal that
Listen, every hour that goes by in here we are, approaching 8:30 p.m., and they had agreed to that was bipartisan,
which we don’t pass this bill is an hour no sign of a vote. We are going to lose on which Senators from both parties
that is lost in this fight. We see what is another day while the unemployment had come together, had reviewed, and
going on. If you look at the World claims are rising and people are get- had an awareness of. No Senator
Health Organization’s numbers—we are ting sicker. There is help on the way thought it was a corporate bailout. If
calculating them on a daily basis and with this historic package. It is time to one did, one didn’t say so at the time.
sometimes on an hourly basis—every forget who is a Republican and who is Every Senator felt like this was the
hour matters right now, and every day a Democrat. The question is—these are way to emerge. This could have been
matters. We have now lost 2 days this 100 Americans serving the U.S. Senate. passed into law on Sunday, but we are
week. It has been incredible. It is time to rise above the current fra- nowhere close, apparently.
Lindsey, it is Wednesday tomorrow. cas and vote. Tonight, I was asked on a TV show:
It is time to vote. This Chamber is Mr. GRAHAM. One last thing. Who is What about the single mother in Baton
empty. Senator GRAHAM, let’s get this the gentleman who is thinking about Rouge? What would I tell her?
Chamber full of Senators, and let’s laying people off from Montana, that Do you know what I would say to
have an up-or-down vote. Let’s get it business? that single mother? I would tell her I
done. Mr. DAINES. Steve Luebeck. care about single moms. I would say
Mr. GRAHAM. We will end where we Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Luebeck, I have that we had a deal, but then the Speak-
began. The reason I am here with Sen- never met you. Maybe one day I will. I er of the House and the Democratic mi-
ator DAINES is that I have been getting enjoy my visits to Montana. Give us 24 nority leader decided to leverage the
phone calls over the last several hours more hours. I am hoping and praying misery of the American people, the
from people who want to add more that we can write the bill. End the ne- businesses that are shutting down as
money. It is not that it is a bad idea as gotiations right now, write the bill, we speak, and the people who are being
much as it is we need to get this bill and vote on this thing, House and Sen- laid off every day, to their political ad-
done. It will not be the last time we get ate, and put it on the President’s desk vantage. I am so sorry to say that, but
to address this problem. It rattles me in the next 24 hours. Sir, if we can’t, we that is a fact.
to no end to know that people are still have let you down and everybody else Then, afterward, they had to come up
asking for billions of dollars at 8:30 at in the country like you. with a big, sort of, ‘‘Oh, my gosh. We
night or 8 o’clock at night. That tells To my Governor in South Carolina, can’t support it because of this or
me that we haven’t sent the right sig- you had to institute some very strong that.’’ It wasn’t what they were saying
nal, which is that this is a good bill. It containment policies so we don’t be- when they agreed to it. They had to
is time to write it, and it is time to come New York. People in my State— come up with a reason to justify men-
vote on it. It is time to end the nego- there are 1,700 restaurants in Myrtle dacity. They are leveraging the misery
tiations. Beach, restaurants and bars. We are of the American people to their polit-
Mr. President, you have done a very going into Easter in a few weeks, and ical advantage. A deal could have been
good job today. That news conference that is when the season begins. signed on Sunday—a bipartisan deal
with you and Dr. Fauci was the most Our Canadian friends would be com- that 100 Senators had some input into
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
encouraging I have seen. We are going ing down any day now. They want to go and that the Speaker of the House had
to listen to good science, and we are swimming in March. We are glad to input into.
going to turn on the economy in a have them. We don’t like swimming in Someone pointed out the irony to
smart way with conditions being faced. March because it is too cold for us, but me—and I have to wrap up shortly—so
You have encouraged Congress. You the Canadians like it. It is a win-win. I tweeted that the Democratic minor-
have been very nice to Congress. They are not coming. ity leader and the Speaker of the House
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