Congressional Record, Senate Page S2006 — March 24, 2020
Summary
Congressional Record — Senate for March 24, 2020, beginning at page S2006. Mr. GRAHAM asks unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess until 9:30 p.m., and the Senate recessed at 8:32 p.m. Speakers discuss a coronavirus relief bill, including borrowing money to pay employees up to $8,000, $600 more for those on unemployment, and manufacturing monoclonal antibodies before the fall. Mr. CASSIDY refers to waiting for a decision between the Democratic minority leader, the Speaker of the House, and the administration. The text closes with executive communication EC–4365 and S. Res. 553, introduced by Mrs. BLACKBURN (for herself and Mr. COTTON).
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“Congressional Record, Senate Page S2006 — March 24, 2020.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-03-24-crec-2020-03-24-pt1-pgs2006-60feae299d/
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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
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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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March 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2007
tried to impeach the President of the this pandemic. It will rush new re- wondering about the future of their
United States for allegedly withholding sources onto the frontlines of our Na- health, the health of their loved ones,
aid from Ukraine, and now they with- tion’s healthcare fight, and it will in- and the economy. It necessitates us to
hold aid from the American people. ject trillions of dollars of cash into the do all we can to help them and help our
Whatever gloss they put on it, we could economy as fast as possible to help country.
have finished this up on Sunday, and American workers, families, small From the very beginning, the Demo-
now we are stretching it out to their businesses, and industries make it crats have had two primary goals: a
political advantage. through this disruption and emerge on Marshall Plan for public health work-
I believe that was the allegation the other side ready to soar. ers and hospitals on the frontlines and
against the President: To his political The bipartisan CARES Act will of putting workers first. The agree-
advantage, he was using aid that was squarely address each of the four big ment now, after these 5 days, reflects
to go to the Ukrainians. Now we see priorities that I laid out in my legisla- those Democratic priorities, and we are
two people—again, the Speaker of the tion at the beginning of the process proud that they are now part of this
House and the Democratic minority about a week ago. It will rush financial legislation.
leader—both of whom are from States assistance to Americans through direct Like all compromises, this bill is far
that have been hard-hit; my State of checks to households from the middle from perfect, but we believe the legis-
Louisiana and theirs, being New York class on down and through a signifi- lation has been improved significantly
and California, have been hard-hit— cant and creative expansion of unem- to warrant its quick consideration and
who are using that misery as leverage ployment insurance during this emer- passage. Because many Democrats and
to their political advantage. gency. Republicans were willing to do the seri-
I am sorry to be so worked up, but I It will deliver historic relief to Main ous and hard work, the bill is much
have people calling me, asking: Do I Street America through hundreds of better off than where it started. The
have to lay somebody off? billions of dollars in emergency loans Democrats have succeeded in making
Oh, my gosh. I have lost my job. Will so more small businesses can survive the bill substantially better on many
I have unemployment benefits? You this and keep paying their workers. counts.
say there is a check coming. When will It will help secure our economic Here are four major pillars of the
this legislation pass? foundations and stabilize key national bill.
I realize it could have been done on industries to prevent as many layoffs First, a Marshall Plan for our hos-
Sunday until two people saw an oppor- as possible, while keeping big compa- pitals and medical needs—there is
tunity that was to their political ad- nies accountable, as both sides have much more money for our hospitals,
vantage. In their political advantage, sought to do. for our nurses and physicians, for our
they withhold aid from the American And, of course, it will push major re- nursing homes and our community
people, but they tried to impeach the lief to hospitals and healthcare pro- health centers to do the jobs they need
President for such an allegation viders, invest in new medicines and to do, over $130 billion.
against another people. vaccines so we can beat this virus fast- Second, workers first—so many peo-
I hope they answer to the voters. I er, and help get more equipment and ple are being put out of work through
understand that the people who sup- masks to the frontline heroes who put no fault of their own. They don’t know
port them might not be touched by themselves at risk to care for patients. what their futures are going to be like.
this, but my people are touched by it, In effect, this is a wartime level of How are they going to pay the bills?
and my State is affected by it. As a investment into our Nation. The men Well, we come to their rescue, and the
physician, I don’t care where you live and women of the greatest country on most significant part of that is some-
in the country, for I feel, as a physi- Earth are going to defeat this thing we are proud to have devised. We
cian, that we should be doing every- coronavirus and reclaim our future, call it unemployment compensation on
thing we can for those who are in dis- and the Senate is going to make sure steroids. All American workers who are
tress right now and not using it to our they have the ammunition they need laid off will have their salaries remu-
political advantage or using it in a way to do it. nerated by the Federal Government so
to extract a little bit more—maybe in I am thrilled that we are finally they can pay their bills. Because so
requiring airlines to do this or that or going to deliver for the country that many of them will be furloughed rather
maybe in sneaking a sweetheart deal in has been waiting for us to step up. than fired, if they have benefits, they
for a friend because we will get that I am relieved that my distinguished will continue, and—extremely impor-
language and have to vote on it 2 hours Democratic colleagues are ready to tant—they stay with the company or
later. take yes for an answer. This has been a small business. That means that com-
This is not how our Founding Fa- long week for the Senate, but it has pany or small business can reassemble
thers had imagined. It is, unfortu- been a much longer week for the hun- once this awful plague is over, and our
nately, how it has become—not to the dreds of millions of Americans who find economy can get going quickly.
benefit of the American people, to the themselves in this strange new reality, Third, strict oversight, transparency,
benefit of two people, and I find that where every morning brings new wor- and accountability of all loans made to
outrageous. ries about their health, about their corporate America—we need oversight.
I yield the floor. loved ones, and about whether their job We need transparency. Every loan doc-
(Ms. MCSALLY assumed the chair.) or their small business will still exist ument will be public and be made
(Mr. CASSIDY assumed the chair.) at this time next week. available to Congress very quickly so
(Ms. MCSALLY assumed the chair.) So, Madam President, help is on the we can see where the money is going,
(Mr. SASSE assumed the chair.) way. The American people are already what the terms are, and if it is fair to
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. rising to this grave challenge, and the the American people. There will be an
MCSALLY). The majority leader. Senate is about to follow suit. We are oversight board, as well as an IG, to
Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, going to pass this legislation later make sure things are done on the level.
I have an update for the information of today. Fourth, real resources for our State
all the Senators and for the informa- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The and local governments—that was one
tion of the American people, and it is Democratic leader. of the last decisions we had to make.
good news. It is good news for the doc- Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, There is $150 billion that will go to
tors and nurses in emergency rooms after 5 days of arduous negotiations, States and localities that are so hard-
around the country who are waiting for after sleep-deprived nights, and mara- pressed because of all the new expenses
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more masks and more funding. It is thon negotiating sessions, we have a that COVID–19 puts upon them, and be-
good news for families all across Amer- bipartisan agreement on the largest cause they are not getting the re-
ica. At last we have a deal. rescue package in American history. sources they usually get, taxes will be
After days of intense discussions, the This is not a moment of celebration delayed until June.
Senate has reached a bipartisan agree- but one of necessity. We have the an- Finally, there is real, real help for
ment on a historic relief package for guish of the American people, their small businesses. My dad was a small
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S2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2020
businessman, an exterminator. I know ning and Economic Development Limited mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
how small business people worry and Grant Making Authority for Check It Enter- tation.
suffer. They will get loans, and their prises Amendment Act of 2020’’; to the Com- f
mittee on Homeland Security and Govern-
employees will be paid by the Federal INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND
mental Affairs.
Government while they are closed be- EC–4366. A communication from the Attor- JOINT RESOLUTIONS
cause they don’t have customers or ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department
services, and they can, too, bounce The following bills and joint resolu-
of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu-
back afterward. So this agreement is ant to law, the report of a rule entitled tions were introduced, read the first
really an outstanding agreement. ‘‘Safety Zone; Monongahela River Mile 28.0 and second times by unanimous con-
To them and to all Americans, I say to Mile 30.0, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’’ sent, and referred as indicated:
((RIN1625–AA00) (Docket No. USCG–2020– By Mr. CRAMER (for himself and Mr.
help is on the way, big help and quick
0057)) received in the Office of the President SULLIVAN):
help. We are going to take up and pass of the Senate on March 24, 2020; to the Com- S. 3572. A bill to require the removal of
this package to care for those who are mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- United States Armed Forces from Saudi Ara-
now caring for us and help carry mil- tation. bia; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
lions of Americans through these dark EC–4367. A communication from the Attor- By Mr. SCOTT of Florida:
economic times. ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department S. 3573. A bill to require personal protec-
I yield the floor. of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- tive equipment to be included in the stra-
ant to law, the report of a rule entitled tegic national stockpile, and to require the
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma-
‘‘Safety Zone; Hurricanes, Tropical Storms Federal Government to procure such equip-
jority leader. and Other Disasters in South Florida’’ ment from United States sources, and for
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020 ((RIN1625–AA00) (Docket No. USCG–2016– other purposes; to the Committee on Health,
Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, 1067)) received in the Office of the President Education, Labor, and Pensions.
I ask unanimous consent that when the of the Senate on March 24, 2020; to the Com- By Mr. TILLIS:
Senate completes its business today, it mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- S. 3574. A bill to protect consumers from
tation. price-gouging during emergencies; to the
adjourn until 12 noon, Wednesday, EC–4368. A communication from the Attor- Committee on Homeland Security and Gov-
March 25; further, that following the ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department ernmental Affairs.
prayer and pledge, the morning hour be of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- By Mr. BLUMENTHAL:
deemed expired, the Journal of pro- ant to law, the report of a rule entitled S. 3575. A bill to amend title 38, United
ceedings be approved to date, the time ‘‘Safety Zone; Munitions Transfer Safety States Code, to restore entitlement to reha-
for the two leaders be reserved for their Zone; Alameda Estuary, Alameda, Cali- bilitation programs for veterans affected by
use later in the day, and morning busi- fornia’’ ((RIN1625–AA00) (Docket No. USCG– school closures or disapprovals, and for other
ness be closed; further, that following 2020–0149)) received in the Office of the Presi- purposes; to the Committee on Veterans’ Af-
dent of the Senate on March 24, 2020; to the fairs.
leader remarks, the Senate resume Committee on Commerce, Science, and By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself, Mr.
consideration of the motion to proceed Transportation. BLUMENTHAL, Ms. HIRONO, and Ms.
to H.R. 748. EC–4369. A communication from the Attor- CORTEZ MASTO):
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department S. 3576. A bill to clarify that the Federal
objection, it is so ordered. of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- Trade Commission Act prohibits excessive
ant to law, the report of a rule entitled and unjustified price increases in the sale of
f
‘‘Safety Zone; San Juan Harbor, San Juan, certain products and services when an emer-
MORNING BUSINESS Puerto Rico’’ ((RIN1625–AA00) (Docket No. gency or disaster results in abnormal disrup-
USCG–2019–0686)) received in the Office of the tions of the market, and for other purposes;
President of the Senate on March 24, 2020; to to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
EXECUTIVE AND OTHER the Committee on Commerce, Science, and and Transportation.
Transportation. By Mr. PETERS (for himself, Mr.
COMMUNICATIONS EC–4370. A communication from the Attor- BLUNT, and Mrs. BLACKBURN):
The following communications were ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department S. 3577. A bill to amend the Internal Rev-
laid before the Senate, together with of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- enue Code of 1986 to provide a tax exemption
accompanying papers, reports, and doc- ant to law, the report of a rule entitled for distilled spirits used for hand sanitizer;
‘‘Safety Zone; Limetree Bay Terminals, St. to the Committee on Finance.
uments, and were referred as indicated:
Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands’’ ((RIN1625–AA87) By Mr. GRASSLEY:
EC–4361. A communication from the Sec- (Docket No. USCG–2020–0011)) received in the S. 3578. A bill to provide oversight for the
retary of Defense, transmitting a report on Office of the President of the Senate on care and assistance provided to businesses
the approved retirement of Vice Admiral March 24, 2020; to the Committee on Com- under the coronavirus relief package; to the
Matthew J. Kohler, United States Navy, and merce, Science, and Transportation. Committee on Homeland Security and Gov-
his advancement to the grade of vice admiral EC–4371. A communication from the Attor- ernmental Affairs.
on the retired list; to the Committee on ney, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Home-
Armed Services. f
land Security, transmitting, pursuant to
EC–4362. A communication from the Sec- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Draw- SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND
retary of Defense, transmitting a report on bridge Operation Regulation; Hackensack SENATE RESOLUTIONS
the approved retirement of Lieutenant Gen- River, Little Snake Hill, New Jersey’’
eral Leon S. Rice, Air National Guard of the ((RIN1625–AA00) (Docket No. USCG–2019–
The following concurrent resolutions
United States, and his advancement to the 0086)) received in the Office of the President and Senate resolutions were read, and
grade of lieutenant general on the retired of the Senate on March 24, 2020; to the Com- referred (or acted upon), as indicated:
list; to the Committee on Armed Services. mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- By Ms. MCSALLY:
EC–4363. A communication from the In- tation. S. Res. 551. A resolution providing that the
spector General of the Federal Deposit Insur- EC–4372. A communication from the Attor- salaries of Senators shall be held in escrow
ance Corporation, transmitting, pursuant to ney, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Home- until the Senate has passed legislation that
law, a report relative to a violation of the land Security, transmitting, pursuant to appropriately addresses the COVID–19 out-
Antideficiency Act; to the Committee on Ap- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Draw- break; to the Committee on Rules and Ad-
propriations. bridge Operation Regulation; Chelsea River, ministration.
EC–4364. A communication from the Assist- Chelsea, Massachusetts’’ ((RIN1625–AA09) By Mr. HAWLEY (for himself, Ms.
ant Secretary for Export Administration, (Docket No. USCG–2019–0809)) received in the MCSALLY, Mr. CORNYN, and Mr. COT-
Bureau of Industry and Security, Depart- Office of the President of the Senate on TON):
ment of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant March 24, 2020; to the Committee on Com- S. Res. 552. A resolution supporting an
to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Tem- merce, Science, and Transportation. international investigation into the handling
porary General License: Extension of Valid- EC–4373. A communication from the Attor- by the Government of the People’s Republic
ity’’ (RIN0694–AH97) received in the Office of ney-Advisor, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of China of COVID–19 and the impact of han-
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the President of the Senate on March 24, of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- dling COVID–19 in that manner on the people
2020; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, ant to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Spe- of the United States and other nations; to
and Urban Affairs. cial Local Regulation, Salinas Power Boat the Committee on Foreign Relations.
EC–4365. A communication from the Chair- Race; Bahia De Rincon, Puerto Rico’’ By Mrs. BLACKBURN (for herself and
man of the Council of the District of Colum- ((RIN1625–AA08) (Docket No. USCG–2020– Mr. COTTON):
bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report 0108)) received in the Office of the President S. Res. 553. A resolution expressing the
on D.C. Act 23–244, ‘‘Deputy Mayor for Plan- of the Senate on March 24, 2020; to the Com- sense of the Senate that the Government of
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