Congressional Record, Senate, May 6, 2020 — Cloture Motion and Coronavirus
Summary
Page S2258 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for May 6, 2020. A closing speaker urges a vote to confirm Bill Evanina, and the Chair then lays before the Senate the cloture motion on the nomination of William R. Evanina to be Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. The yeas and nays resulted in yeas 83 and nays 7 on Rollcall Vote No. 82, with 10 not voting. Remarks follow about Coloradans hurt by the pandemic and about DACA recipients.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Congressional Record, Senate, May 6, 2020 — Cloture Motion and Coronavirus.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-05-06-crec-2020-05-06-pt1-pgs2258-2-ad085ebf30/
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S2258 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2020
mind, too often disregard protections The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 83, that have been laid out by mayors and
for our whole intelligence community. nays 7, as follows: governors and the President—they
With the fact that we have now got- [Rollcall Vote No. 82 Ex.] have been to comply with guidances
ten rid of the unrelated matters that YEAS—83 and health directives and to comply
were precluding Bill’s confirmation by Alexander Fischer Perdue
with the best science and scientists our
my colleague on the majority, I think Baldwin Gardner Peters country has, not out of fear of the
we deserve to give this nominee what Barrasso Gillibrand Portman coronavirus, not because people are
he and the country deserves—a vote. Bennet Graham Reed afraid of COVID–19, but they have done
Blackburn Grassley Risch
And my hope is a very strong vote of Blunt Harris it out of love—love for their commu-
Roberts
confirmation so that we can send some- Booker Hassan Romney nity; love for their parents and grand-
one who, as a career professional, has a Boozman Hawley Rosen parents, whom they hope to keep safe
Braun Heinrich
commitment to holding truth first and Cantwell Hoeven
Rounds and healthy; love for our country, to
Rubio stop the spread and flatten the curve.
foremost above political interference. Capito Hyde-Smith
Sasse
We need Bill Evanina confirmed in this Cardin Inhofe So to all of our incredible healthcare
Schumer
position. Carper Johnson
Scott (FL) workers, the frontline workers, essen-
Casey Jones tial workers, grocery store clerks and
I look forward to Mr. Evanina’s con- Cassidy Kaine
Scott (SC)
firmation today so that he can con- Collins Kennedy Shaheen gas station workers, mechanics at farm
Coons King Shelby equipment dealerships that have re-
tinue addressing the many important Sinema
Cornyn Klobuchar mained open to keep tractors running
counterintelligence and security chal- Cortez Masto Lankford Smith
lenges facing our Nation. Cotton Lee Sullivan during planting, to our ranchers and
I yield the floor. Cramer Loeffler Tester farmers who have kept our food supply
Crapo Manchin Thune flowing: Thank you.
CLOTURE MOTION
Cruz McConnell Tillis People everywhere across Colorado
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant Daines McSally Toomey
are hurting, obviously, because of this
to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Durbin Menendez Udall
Enzi Murkowski Warner pandemic. I have heard numerous sto-
Senate the pending cloture motion,
Ernst Murphy Wicker ries across our great State. I have held
which the clerk will state. Feinstein Paul Young telephone townhalls in every congres-
The bill clerk read as follows:
NAYS—7 sional district in Colorado, speaking
CLOTURE MOTION
Blumenthal Markey Wyden directly with Coloradans who have lost
We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- Duckworth Merkley their jobs, who are unsure about how
ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Hirono Van Hollen they will feed their family, and who
Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby
move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- NOT VOTING—10 have endless questions about what the
nation of William R. Evanina, of Pennsyl- Brown Murray Warren future holds for them.
vania, to be Director of the National Coun- Burr Sanders Whitehouse I have heard from restaurant workers
terintelligence and Security Center. (New Leahy Schatz in Denver who were laid off when their
Moran Stabenow restaurant closed. I have heard from
Position)
Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this restaurant owners who have done ev-
Chuck Grassley, Josh Hawley, Joni vote, the yeas are 83, the nays are 7. erything they can to keep their res-
Ernst, John Barrasso, John Cornyn, The motion is agreed to. taurant workers employed—preparing
Shelley Moore Capito, Deb Fischer, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- meals and providing them to the hun-
Rob Portman, John Thune, Roger F.
Wicker, John Boozman, Roy Blunt,
ator from Colorado. gry and the homeless.
Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mike Braun, Mar- CORONAVIRUS A small business owner in Monu-
sha Blackburn. Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, early ment, CO, shared with me how difficult
last December or at least sometime it was to lay off 35 dedicated staff
The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan-
later last year, people in Wuhan, members but not having a choice.
imous consent, the mandatory quorum I have talked to businesses in El Paso
call has been waived. China, began showing symptoms of
County near Colorado Springs who
The question is, Is it the sense of the what was at that time an unidentifi-
used the last prepaid minutes on a cell
Senate that debate on the nomination able respiratory disease in increasing
phone to participate in our townhall to
of William R. Evanina, of Pennsyl- numbers. We now know that virus as
try to figure out where they could get
vania, to be Director of the National COVID–19, and it has completely up-
food.
Counterintelligence and Security Cen- ended our way of life in the United I have talked to elderly Coloradans
ter (New Position), shall be brought to States and around the globe. This virus who were afraid to go to the grocery
a close? has infected over 3.5 million people store because they didn’t know if they
The yeas and nays are mandatory around the world and killed, tragically, had special hours. They had an under-
under the rule. over 68,000 people in the United States, lying condition, and they didn’t know
The clerk will call the roll. and that includes over 900 incredible if they could go safely. Our staff was
The bill clerk called the roll. and great Coloradans, my home State. able to help this person get the gro-
Mr. THUNE. The following Senators We certainly mourn with those fami- ceries they needed and the disinfectant
are necessarily absent: the Senator lies who have lost loved ones, and we they had requested and leave some in-
from North Carolina (Mr. BURR) and will keep fighting for a path forward as formation about the special hours that
the Senator from Kansas (Mr. MORAN). we get through this together. grocery stores around the town were
Further, if present and voting, the I want to commend in the strongest holding for people who needed a little
Senator from Kansas (Mr. MORAN) terms possible our frontline workers, bit more social distancing—more
would have voted ‘‘yea’’. whether it has been our first respond- space, more time, a safer environment
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the ers, our healthcare professionals, or to go out.
Senator from Ohio (Mr. BROWN), the those who have allowed us to continue But the effects of the coronavirus
Senator from Vermont (Mr. LEAHY), to enjoy a safe and secure food supply; aren’t because somebody intentionally
the Senator from Washington (Mrs. people in the essential businesses who decided to hurt our economy, but they
MURRAY), the Senator from Vermont each and every day don’t complain but are hurting because of the necessary
(Mr. SANDERS), the Senator from Ha- go to work to help make sure our com- public health actions their government
waii (Mr. SCHATZ), the Senator from munities can get back to work. The list has taken. It is in large part the gov-
Michigan (Ms. STABENOW), the Senator of heroes in our communities, those ernment’s responsibility to help get
from Massachusetts (Ms. WARREN), and who have given so much, goes on and them through this because it was the
the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. on and on. government that said to them: Stay at
WHITEHOUSE) are necessarily absent. I think it is important to recognize home. Close your doors. Don’t go to
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. that as we have addressed the work.
CRAMER). Are there any other Senators coronavirus challenge in this country— It is our responsibility to provide the
in the Chamber desiring to vote? the measures we have taken, the steps help that our economy needs to get
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May 6, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2259
moving again, to get people back to across the country. We allowed Federal Protection Program was an absolute
work, because it was the advice of gov- student loan borrowers to defer pay- game changer for these critical and
ernments, from the local levels to the ments for 6 months without interest or vital rural hospitals. Now these hos-
Federal level, that said: These are the penalties. We established a temporary pitals can continue to provide both
things you need to do to stop the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance critical healthcare services to their
spread and flatten the curve. Program for those who are self-em- communities and jobs for their employ-
Throughout this entire health epi- ployed or independent contractors ees, and in many communities, these
demic, I have approached it with a whose livelihoods have been impacted rural hospitals are the largest em-
three-prong strategy. Throughout this by the pandemic—people who otherwise ployer in that community.
process, this three-prong strategy has might not have had a place to go. These actions and programs are es-
been the focus I have used to approach One consistent message I have heard sential cornerstones to our recovery,
what we as a country must do to get from countless Coloradans as I have but we must finish laying the founda-
through. These are not steps that spoken with them during the pandemic tion to ensure our economy snaps back
should be taken one at a time. You is that they appreciate our bipartisan and runs strong. While governments
don’t accomplish step 1 and then at- efforts. It is beyond that. It is not sim- can allow businesses to open, the
tempt to accomplish step 2 and then ply a bipartisan effort where Repub- American people simply won’t return—
maybe get to step 3. These are things licans and Democrats are working to- they won’t fully return to the economy
that need to be done all at the same gether; it is actually nonpartisan be- until they have confidence that the
time as we move on our path to recov- cause Republicans and Democrats real- virus is under control.
ery. ize there is no reason to bear that man- The first step to tackling any prob-
First, we must obviously address the tle of ‘‘party’’ because so many people lem, of course, is seeing it, and that is
immediate health crisis. The second are hurting, and we know what needs especially true with COVID–19. How do
prong is, we must make sure we are to be done for the country to work to- we see it? Through widespread testing.
providing real-time assistance to real gether, to be nonpartisan, and to pro- Widespread testing is key to seeing the
individuals who are really hurting vide the relief real individuals need in bigger picture in the fight against this
across the State of Colorado and the real time. virus. Our country’s well-being both
country. The third prong is to make We have to keep fighting in this non- medically and financially relies on our
sure that we are supporting our busi- partisan way and this bipartisan way ability to see where the illness is and
nesses through this crisis, to make to make testing more widely available, where it is not and where it is spread-
sure that when the health emergency is to support State and local govern- ing and where it is declining. That, in
over, we have an economy that is able ments, to advocate for frontline and es- turn, depends on our ability to ramp up
to snap back and run strong. sential workers, and to set up our econ- testing capacity.
These steps have to be done all at the omy to return as strong as it was be- Rapid testing for COVID–19 and fur-
same time—not step 1, then 2, then 3— fore the pandemic. Thank goodness our ther research into the benefits, applica-
but the first prong, the steps taken to economy was as strong as it was when tions, and development of that body of
flatten the curve and stop the spread, we went into this. Imagine where we testing will help show which Colo-
has been absolutely critical and will would be if we had a weak or struggling radans have been exposed to COVID–19
continue to be critical. economy as we entered the health and the percentage of our population
Congress has taken many steps to emergency. that has already recovered. This will
support the health response, including Prong 3 requires support for busi- better inform local schools, businesses,
$175 billion to support healthcare pro- nesses. The economic relief that was and governments as they make their
viders, $17 billion to the Strategic Na- provided through the Paycheck Protec- own determinations about the path for-
tional Stockpile for medical equipment tion Program under the CARES Act ward. It will help provide peace of mind
and supplies, and a recent infusion of continues to be an essential tool for for Coloradans as they start to visit
$25 billion to support testing, including our small businesses and families their families, reschedule doctors’ ap-
dedicated funding for States and across all four corners of Colorado. pointments for routine preventative
Tribes. We have also spent money to Over $10 billion in round 1 and round 2 services, and return to their jobs. It
support scientists as they rapidly de- of the Paycheck Protection Program will also help States and local health
veloped and produced new testing tech- has been delivered to keep people on departments decide what type of other
nologies and worked to get them to the the payroll in Colorado. The Paycheck responsive measures are necessary.
market as quickly as possible. But it is Protection Program was created to My approach to this pandemic has
going back to that bravery of our keep employees on the payroll and to been an all-hands-on-deck approach.
frontline healthcare workers, our first help keep bills paid so that workers When the Governor calls me and says
responders, our public health experts, can keep their jobs, salaries, and bene- our State needs more tests, more
as well as the innovation of our sci- fits—they can keep them—and so small masks, or more equipment, I get to
entists who have served as beacons of businesses can hit the ground running work fighting to find that assistance.
light during this difficult time and will when they are able to resume oper- Working together with the Governor,
help us get through this health emer- ations. Think about the millions of leaders at the Federal level, and our al-
gency. small businesses in our country respon- lies abroad, we have been able to secure
On prong 2, providing individuals sible for over $6 trillion in salary every hundreds of thousands of masks and
with the assistance they need, we have year in this country. tests for our State, and we are working
continued to do that and must con- We often talk about small businesses around the clock for more.
tinue to do that to address this health being the backbone, the foundation, Without effective widespread testing
emergency because when we started and the bedrock of our economy, and it and a corresponding strategy that
the very first steps, we said to every is absolutely true. Small businesses leverages and improves public health
American: Please stay home. Figure employ nearly half of all American infrastructure to support monitoring,
out how to socially distance. workers, and they make up 99.5 percent we cannot have a real-time response to
As a result, unemployment claims of all Colorado businesses, employing the virus. Rapid testing and the ability
have skyrocketed to record numbers as more than 1.1 million Coloradans. of public health departments to inform
Americans grappled with work reduc- Because of clarifications to the pro- individuals with positive cases quickly
tions, job loss, and overall changes to gram I fought for, just last week I so they can take appropriate action
our daily lives. heard from three rural hospitals in Col- and further prevent the spread is crit-
It is important that Congress acted orado that received Paycheck Protec- ical to making sure our entire economy
quickly to provide individuals with im- tion Program loans through their local is not forced to shut down in the fu-
mediate assistance. In the CARES Act, community bank. They were within a ture.
we provided direct individual assist- matter of a week or weeks of having to The dollars we have provided through
ance to millions of individuals and lay off employees and in some cases, various phases of action as it relates to
married couples across the State and shut down. The access to the Paycheck the health emergency will help provide
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S2260 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2020
that testing to help mobilize new test- conditions for a quicker recovery. Access to mental health care is espe-
ing, to invent the kind of testing we Until the American consumer is fully cially important during this trying
need—an antigen-based test, an anti- back, with confidence in our economy, time filled with grief and uncertainty
bodies test—the opportunities we have we need to look for ways to fill the gap. for so many people, and we must en-
to rapidly let the people of this coun- We have long talked about the need sure we are doing everything we can to
try know what is happening, what is to refurbish our infrastructure. Now is prevent these devastating outcomes
not happening, and how we should tai- the time to do it. from occurring.
lor our public policies to fit the spread This health crisis has laid bare the But no matter how bleak our situa-
of the virus and the decline of the virus cyber desert that exists in many of our tion looks, it is important to remember
and the reopening of our economy. rural communities. We should make a that America has faced its fair share of
We need a test that is so ubiquitous concentrated effort to make rural challenges. Together, we have per-
that people can buy a Big Gulp at 7– broadband a reality. severed and persisted through world
Eleven and buy a COVID–19 test and We should fully and permanently wars, economic disasters, the Sep-
keep it in their car or keep it in their fund the Land and Water Conservation tember 11 terrorist attacks, and much,
first aid kit so that if they wake up in Fund and put funding towards our de- much more. While this virus will not be
the morning with a sore throat, they ferred maintenance projects across our the last challenge our country faces,
can test and they can have the actual Federal lands that we all cherish so we know that this, too, shall pass, and
results. Instead of shutting down a much. That will create immediate jobs together, we will make it to the other
household or a community or a coun- building roads and maintaining trails side stronger than ever. I have faith
try, we can get the results to imple- and creating the kinds of job opportu- and confidence in the American people
ment better public policies then and nities that many of our high mountain and in our ability to pull together and
there. towns desperately need as a result of to continue to meet this challenge
Congress must also make sure that this health emergency and now eco- head-on. Colorado has been that shin-
the Paycheck Protection Program con- nomic emergency. ing example of resiliency in so many
tinues to be funded and improved I have introduced a bill that has the
instances, and it will continue to be.
President’s support and both sides of
where needed to better support Amer- Over these last several months, I
the aisle, and certainly the ideas are
ica’s small businesses and the employ- have spoken directly to countless Colo-
supported across both Chambers of
ees they are able to keep on the payroll radans, all unsure of what the future
Congress—the Great American Out-
as a result. We must make the program holds, but they are certain we will get
doors Act. Communities throughout
flexible enough to be effective, and we through this by looking up to that
the Nation would benefit, and these
must make the rules so clear—so great Rocky Mountain horizon. Colo-
funds would help contribute to a strong
clear—that people will be competent radans everywhere are stepping up and
and growing outdoor recreation econ-
that they can use it. meeting this challenge in the spirit of
omy—one of the largest drivers of our
I have seen the headlines about big our great country. They are donating
economy in Colorado and in many
businesses taking this money when food, they are donating personal pro-
States.
they might not really need it, but I In short, we need to take some big tective equipment, and they are donat-
have also talked to 15-employee compa- and bold steps to make sure that our ing time, talents, and their blood. Indi-
nies that have needed $30,000 or $40,000 economy is back on track and to help viduals and businesses across Colorado
to pay their workers and that are now accelerate it once again. We need these and across the country are seeing needs
terrified of crossing Federal prosecu- big steps because we have taken a hard and responding to those in need.
tors. shot in the last couple of months. To the brave healthcare providers
I heard from a Coloradan I have We also need to support mental fighting around the clock, the reliable
known my entire life who is working health efforts. Prior to the pandemic, farmers and ranchers working day in
with her son’s business. This is an es- 70 percent of Colorado’s mental health and day out to keep food on the table,
sential business that has remained need was unmet, and on average, one and all the essential workers who con-
open because of the role they play in Coloradoan died by suicide every 7 tinue to selflessly put themselves at
our food supply. They went to the hours. Before COVID–19, I was working risk to ensure others are taken care of
bank, and they got a loan under the on a number of legislative efforts to first, I give my deepest thanks and
Paycheck Protection Program. They improve mental health support, and praise.
were very excited that they would be COVID–19 has only underscored just In Colorado, we have lost two first
able to keep their doors open, and then how time-sensitive these matters are— responders on the frontlines in the
they received a letter that said: Hey, particularly my legislation, the Na- fight against COVID–19.
are you sure you needed this loan? tional Suicide Hotline Designation Act. Deputy Jeff Hopkins served in the El
Maybe you didn’t. Now they don’t In a mental health emergency, it is Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and he
know whether they should keep it. almost impossible to remember the had been serving there since 2001. On
They are terrified to use it. current 10-digit hotline. Sometimes April 1, he passed away from COVID–19
While we have to make sure our pro- there is more than one 10-digit hotline. at the age of 41—1 day after he was di-
grams aren’t abused, we also have to So establishing 9–8–8 as a national sui- agnosed with COVID–19. His death was
make sure we don’t create a chilling ef- cide prevention hotline will save lives determined to be a line-of-duty death,
fect on businesses that truly need it. I and help more Americans in need to ac- which is a reminder to all of us that
understand the need to be careful cess critical mental health support. our brave first responders are in harm’s
about who gets this money, but when S. 2661, the National Suicide Hotline way every day but especially during
we are scaring businesses that we all Designation Act, is more than smart this pandemic.
agree need assistance the most, maybe policy that will help save lives; it is a We also recently lost Paul Cary, who
things have gone too far and Congress statement that our government recog- worked as a firefighter and paramedic
is no longer helping. nizes the crisis and is working across in Aurora for more than 30 years. Paul
Congress should act to make rules party lines to address it. Establishing was 66 years old, and he selflessly
that are clear. We should help guide 9–8–8 as a national suicide prevention drove—selflessly drove—27 hours
those rules to be clear and bring con- hotline will save lives and help more straight to New York in an ambulance
fidence to the program to make sure Americans who need access to critical to help out in the battle against
that people can be at work, keep their mental health support. COVID–19. While there, he was tending
jobs, and keep their benefits. I have been proud to push for this to patients and transporting them to
When the foundation is secure and we three-digit hotline and funding for the hospitals. After falling ill with the
have this foundation secure, we should National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, virus, Paul died on April 30. Coloradans
then explore the immediate opportuni- and I will keep fighting to make sui- lined the streets to give him a hero’s
ties for economic activity and employ- cide prevention services more acces- farewell.
ment—the opportunities that will ben- sible. Let’s come together, and let’s get To Deputy Hopkins, to Paul Cary,
efit every American and create the this done. and to the countless heroes like them
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May 6, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2261
who are risking their own lives for our man that I can only imagine was pretty one of her students was having. One of
health and safety every day, thank strong in the arms. While I’m sure they only her student’s mother had contracted
you. broke a few sets and got away with it by the virus, had gone into a coma, but
First responders and medical profes- being [expletive], I’ve enclosed a pair as rec- was pregnant and delivered a child
ompense.
sionals all across our State continue to After you visited, I took that story with while she was in a medically induced
make countless sacrifices on our be- me. After 5 years as an amputee, I’ve been an coma. Her husband also had the virus,
half. Infantry Officer and I spent years training as as did one of her children. So do you
The long hours and time away from a Special Forces Officer—the only amputee know what Luciana did? Do you know
family and loved ones, the undeniable to ever pass Assessment and Selection. It’s what this teacher did? She took the
mental toll this pandemic takes on been inspiring to grip this set of pliers and baby into her home. While she taught
those on the frontlines and the health try to snap them. her students online during the day, she
risks—these sacrifices don’t go unno- And then he wrote: warmed up bottles and fed that baby at
ticed. We must do everything we can to Sometimes our tools break, sometimes it’s night.
make sure the first responders of our fault, sometimes they’re not flat sturdy Jerry Sicardi is 100 years old. He
COVID–19 have the resources, the sup- to begin with, sometimes these tools have lives in Stratford, CT. Even at 100
port, and the personal protective equip- just been used to the point of failure. Every years old, he decided to get together
ment needed to fight this pandemic. time, though, what really matters is what we with his daughter Judy and start mak-
We will never be able to fully show do once that tool is broken. We fix it, get a ing masks. We all have these stories
new one, or we improvise something better.
our deep appreciation for our from our States, just folks who started
Either way, we figure out how to finish the
healthcare providers, frontline employ- job, because people are depending on us to sewing masks and giving them out to
ees, and first responders who are work- get it done. people who needed them. Jerry gave
ing to keep vital parts of our country Carey G. DuVall, CPT U.S. Army, Ft. them out to his neighbors. He sent
moving. We have to do everything we Bragg, NC. some to the Bridgeport Correctional
can to try to make up what they have We face a tremendous challenge un- Center. He gave them to former stu-
done for us in big ways and small ways like we have ever faced in our life- dents. Then, when folks learned that
every day. times, and, while we are going to use Jerry was pretty good at making
In Colorado, we don’t look back; we every tool we have to help fix what has masks, they would call, and he would
look forward. We look out across the happened, we know that every one is make them on order.
Great Plains, the Great High Plains, up not going to be perfect. But we have to These are the stories that could,
to that majestic Rocky Mountain hori- keep trying because that is what the frankly, fill up the whole day from
zon for that next optimistic day. American people do every day. They each one of our States.
In the middle of the health emer- make it work. They fight. They get While my constituents in Con-
gency, a couple of weeks ago, I received back on their feet. We have to be in necticut, who are as generous as that,
a letter in the mail, and it had a pair would have undertaken those actions
this fight with them.
of pliers in this letter, and I really Thank you. regardless of the effectiveness of the
didn’t know what it was. It sat on my I yield the floor. response from their government, their
desk, and I opened it up not knowing The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- actions are all the more important,
what it was. ator from Connecticut. given the failures of their Federal Gov-
I ask unanimous consent that I be al- Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, I think ernment to do the right thing by them.
lowed to share an item on the floor I want to spend a few minutes today
all of us are in awe on a daily basis of
that was sent to me during the health talking about the Trump administra-
those who we have a responsibility to
pandemic. tion’s response to the crisis that we are
serve. The people of Colorado, the peo-
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. ROM- facing. If we are going to be here in
ple of Texas, and the people of Con-
NEY). Without objection, it is so or- Washington, I think it is important for
necticut are doing just absolutely ex-
dered. us to talk about what is missing.
traordinary things, and I hope that There has been a lot of ink spent al-
Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, in the
over the next several weeks we get to ready criticizing the Trump adminis-
letter, this pair of pliers came, and I
hear more of those stories. tration’s response to the crisis—that
opened it up, and here is what it said:
At the end of last week, I got a the strategy was wrong, the focus was
Senator GARDNER, I want to thank you and
everyone at your office profusely for every-
chance, with my Governor, to go down in the wrong place, or that the level of
thing that you have done for me. You have to a healthcare facility in Bridgeport, activity wasn’t high enough. But I
allowed for me to continue receiving unin- CT. It is a healthcare facility that has really think that this is the wrong par-
terrupted benefits and care for combat inju- been designated to serve only COVID– adigm. It is the wrong lens through
ries I have sustained while serving as an Offi- 19-positive patients. The nurses and which to have this discussion because
cer in the U.S. Army. staff came outside into the parking lot
In 2014, you came to visit me in the Ward the problem really isn’t that President
area to have a socially distanced, Trump’s response to coronavirus has
of Walter Reed, while I was still bandaged
masked conversation with us. been ineffective. It is that he hasn’t re-
and pretty beat up, missing my dominant
hand and looking overall pretty haggard. While they have struggles, and while sponded at all. For all intents and pur-
You told me a story about the Korfs (My they need help, they have a sense of poses, there has been no response to
Mom’s side) [of the family] in Yuma County. mission about them that is impressive. coronavirus from this administration.
At this point, I realized who the let- They are working double shifts. They There have been press conferences.
ter was from, and I remembered very barely get to see their kids. They know There is a social media presence, but
clearly the story I had told this young that their lives are in danger every they aren’t running a national re-
soldier. time they go into a facility where sponse.
You told me a story about the Korfs (My there are only patients who have tested From the beginning, the response has
Mom’s side) in Yuma County walking into positive for COVID, and yet they know been left to States, to cities, to coun-
your family’s hardware store and stress-test- they are doing something with their ties, to hospitals, to school districts, to
ing pliers. life today that they will be able to tell nursing homes, to shelters, to food
It was a story I had received from my their kids and grandkids about. They banks, to charitable organizations—
granddad about these two brothers who are making a difference. really, to every public-facing entity
would come in years and years ago— I think about those individuals who that isn’t the administration. We
decades ago. They would grab a pair of aren’t a first responder, who aren’t a shouldn’t lose sight of how remarkable
pliers on the parts counter, and they healthcare worker but have found a that is—that in the face of the most se-
would squeeze them, and they were so way to do heroic things just in their rious national crisis since 2001, perhaps
strong that they would snap the pin in neighborhoods. since Vietnam or World War II, the ad-
the pliers. I told him that story. Luciana Vera was already making a ministration has effectively chosen to
He wrote in his letter: difference. She was a bilingual teacher stand down and let others lead.
Apparently my ancestors wouldn’t buy a in the Stamford, CT, public school sys- I know that sounds like hyperbole be-
pair if they didn’t stand up to the grip of the tem, but she heard about a crisis that cause there is a task force, right?
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S2262 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2020
There are press conferences on TV ards for school and business closings. about the programs that Congress has
every day. But hear me out. This didn’t have to be left to States passed, but they don’t talk about any
At the beginning, the President and municipalities and individual su- meaningful, impactful responses to
didn’t do nothing. He fanned the perintendents. The administration this crisis run by the Trump adminis-
flames. He called coronavirus in the could have chosen to lead on the ques- tration. Do you know why? Because
early days a ‘‘hoax’’ perpetuated by his tion of how and when we chose to close they don’t exist, and even when the
political opponents. He telegraphed to our economy and our school systems Trump administration tries to do
the country that this wasn’t something down, but they didn’t do that. something meaningful, they screw it
we needed to be prepared for because it They could have joined with other up.
was just going to go away, despite all countries to jointly produce a vaccine. Take, for instance, the much-her-
the experts telling him differently. In fact, there was an entity set up at alded plan to reopen America. Now,
On 12 different occasions, he praised the beginning of the Trump adminis- that was a good idea, a serious set of
the Chinese response and said that tration specifically for that purpose, guidelines for States to use to judge
President Xi was doing an excellent job the Coalition for Epidemic Prepared- when the right time is to reopen. I may
responding to the crisis. He praised, ness Innovations. They could have have quibbles with certain elements of
specifically, their transparency. At a made an investment in that inter- that plan, but I thought they were gen-
moment when the international com- national organization after having re- erally on the right track, giving States
munity was trying to get into China to fused to join early on during the Presi- some specific guidelines so that we can
find out what they knew so that we dent’s term, but they didn’t do that. have some consistency across the coun-
could start developing vaccines and They could have increased aid for de- try as to when States decide to reopen
treatments, the chief apologist in those veloping nations or refugee camps. schools and businesses.
early days for the Chinese response was They could have gone on the inter- The administration stuck with that
our own President. national offensive, like President plan for about a week, and now Presi-
Arguably, the most significant action Obama did during the Ebola epidemic, dent Trump is calling on States to re-
that the Trump administration under- and made sure that we were helping open, regardless of whether any of the
took—really, the only action that the every country beat the virus because, benchmarks have been met in his own
President mentions to this day, when plan. Now he is talking about
as we know, due to the failure of the
pressed for tangible things that he has healthcare workers and cafeteria work-
travel restrictions, if you don’t stop it
done—was the set of travel restric- ers as warriors, apparently preparing
everywhere, you really are not stop-
tions. But public health experts told them for a summer during which his
ping it anywhere, but they didn’t do
the President that the restrictions experts tell him there will be 3,000
that.
wouldn’t work, especially since they coronavirus deaths a day because of
They could have made sure that ev-
were filled with loopholes. We now these early reopenings. If that is true,
erybody in this country had insurance.
know that 400,000 people ended up get- the President’s so-called coronavirus
The Trump administration could have
ting into the United States from the warriors would be dying at a daily
stopped pushing junk plans. They could
countries that were subject to the re- total 10 times that of the warriors who
have, at least temporarily, put on hold
strictions list. The travel ban was feck- fought in World War II.
the lawsuit to try to end the Affordable
less. It was a failure. And after that, Not all of this was avoidable. China,
Care Act and the 20 million who are in-
the administration effectively gave up. where the virus started, bears serious
sured through it, but they didn’t do
They gave up. responsibility for the global spread, but
What could they have done? As the that.
the epidemic did not have to become
travel ban started to prove ineffective They could have worked to create a
the crisis of the magnitude we have
at stopping the virus and cases started national commitment to make sure
witnessed today.
to mount, what could they have done? that every student has the ability to A normal President would have been
Well, they could have decided to lead a distance learn and has internet access, able to take steps early on and
national effort to make sure we have or they could have proposed a plan to throughout that could have controlled
the supplies necessary to fight the ramp up special education funding to the spread. Our President effectively
virus. Members of Congress told the ad- make sure they are protecting kids chose to stand aside and leave 50 States
ministration early on that we needed with disabilities during this crisis. and thousands of cities and hospitals to
to appropriate dollars to make sure They didn’t do that. manage the response instead. They
that we had things like masks and Finally, they could have proposed were left largely helpless, without sig-
gowns and ventilators. They could have any of the various programs that Con- nificant Federal support, competing
created a national effort to ramp up gress developed and passed: the PPP against each other for scarce resources,
domestic production of personal pro- program, the State stabilization fund, and now our country is in desperate
tective equipment. They didn’t do that. the hospital relief fund, the national straits. So, once again, it is up to Con-
The administration could have come testing program fund. None of these gress to lead.
up with a national testing plan. They were initiatives from President Trump. I agree with my friend from Colorado
could have done an early assessment of Early on, as negotiations were begin- that there has been remarkable bipar-
how many tests were going to be need- ning on these relief packages, the tisan support in this body in order to
ed and taken control of the supply President’s only idea was a payroll tax fill the vacuum that has been created
chain necessary to make those diag- cut. Frankly, it is still the President’s by the refusal of our President to lead,
nostic machines and the cartridges only idea. and so we will have to do it again. Let
that go inside them. They didn’t do The President didn’t need to leave all me leave my colleagues with a few sug-
that. of the legislative leadership to Con- gestions as to the path that we should
They could have begun the work of gress. He and his team could have laid take going forward to build upon those
building a national public health work- out detailed new programs to combat suggestions proffered by my colleague
force. Every expert told the adminis- the virus or to save the economy and from Colorado.
tration that it wasn’t just the ma- pressed Congress to pass them, but First and foremost, we have to admit
chines and the equipment, that we they didn’t even do that. what is true. The States and the cities
were going to need public health work- I am not saying there aren’t meet- are in charge of the response. The
ers to do the testing, to then trace the ings. I am not saying there aren’t press Trump administration is not. I have
spread of the disease, and to help sup- conferences. But my State, one of the heard my colleagues talk about aid to
port quarantines. They could have hardest hit in the Nation, has had to States or municipalities that are fight-
started to put together a plan to build effectively fend for itself. ing the virus as a bailout. That is non-
that workforce at a national level or at When I talk to State leaders, or hos- sense. It is more accurate to talk about
least a plan to help States build that pital executives, or food pantry direc- what the States and cities are doing as
workforce. But they didn’t do that. tors, none of them talk to me about all a bailout of the Federal Government.
They could have, early on, worked of the help they are getting from the When the Trump administration re-
with States to create uniformed stand- Trump administration. They talk fused to run a national response, it was
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May 6, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2263
the States, like mine, and cities, like fallacy from the beginning to think think it will probably change some of
those in my State, that stepped up to that we can just shut our borders and the ways we work here and some of the
lead the response. All we are asking is protect ourselves. That is not how vi- ways we act with our constituents here
that we share in the cost of the States’ ruses work. In an interconnected econ- in the future.
and cities’ efforts to save lives. omy today, there is no practical way to I spoke with those in the medical
Second, our schools are going to be completely shut down your borders field about the ongoing challenges to
overwhelmed with need when they re- from individuals or products that move our frontline healthcare workers, the
open. I am one of the few parents of across international boundaries. progress toward developing a vaccine,
school-aged children, children who go We have offers right now to engage antibody tests, and the like.
to public school. My kids are lucky with our partners internationally on I have talked with the Texas Farm
enough that they don’t have special ways that could end up helping to save Bureau, our farmers and ranchers, our
learning needs, and they have two par- lives in the United States. I mentioned grocery store workers, and our food
ents who are able to telework from the Trump administration’s refusal to bank employees about the need to
home and support their distance learn- join CEPI, which is the international make sure that all Texans can access
ing. But there are millions of kids who body working on a vaccine. Why? Why
have learning disabilities, who have the food they need, especially during a
is Europe and Canada and Australia time like this.
needs totally unmet during this time and Japan and Saudi Arabia and India
who are going to show back up at I have talked with mayors, county
all working jointly on a vaccine, and judges, and other leaders in our com-
school way behind and in crisis. We we are on the outside? It doesn’t mean
need to appropriate money right now, munities about the work they are
that we would have to stop doing our doing.
especially for special education, so
own congressionally funded work to de- I was listening to our friend and col-
that school districts across the country
velop a vaccine, but why not also join league from Connecticut who believes
can start to do planning now, this
the international effort so that we are that the response needs to be coming
spring and this summer, so that there
not on the outside if they develop that out of Washington and that we all need
are supports around those kids when
they show back up. Every kid is going vaccine? An easy thing we can do in to simply fall in line according to the
to have to catch up. But especially for this next bill is make sure we are both dictates of the national government.
kids with serious learning disabilities, working on a vaccine domestically but Well, it raises interesting questions
they are going to need extra help. And also working internationally. about the Constitutional Convention
When this crisis is over and life has
States that are going to have expended and the agreement to have a Federal
returned to relative normal, there will
all of the money available to them to system, not a national system. We
fight the virus and that have cratering be a grave, serious accounting of how
have sovereign States that have their
revenues because of the shutdown of badly the Trump administration failed
own sphere of responsibility. Our cities
the economy are not going to be able this Nation that it was sworn to pro-
and counties are best able, in my view,
to fund those special education needs tect. I am grateful for my colleagues
to respond to local conditions.
themselves. It is going to have to be us. stepping up time and again in a bipar-
Rather than a command and control
It is going to have to be us. So why tisan way to try to fill the gap created
response, what we have had in Texas
wait until the fall? Let’s make a down- by the failure to lead by the executive
and I dare say in most other places has
payment on that assistance for kids branch. Hopefully, when we do that ac-
been a collaborative approach. Work-
with disabilities and do it now. counting, it will allow us to learn les-
ing with the national government to
Food banks in Connecticut are run- sons. For now, this Congress has to sol-
provide the resources and some of the
ning dry. They are running dry. We dier on and do our best to muster a
guidance is very important. But our
need more support in the next bill for Federal response that, if not for our ac-
Governors, who control the National
nutrition assistance. We have to start tions, would be practically non-
Guard, which has come out to help do
thinking creatively about how to make existent.
I yield the floor. testing, help stock food banks, and
sure that everybody has access to food. help build temporary hospital facili-
Right now, if you are on a SNAP ben- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
ator from Texas. ties, and our mayors and county judges
efit, you have to go to a grocery store. and local officials have really done an
Well, those aren’t safe places for every- Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, like
other Senators, around this time of the outstanding job. I am very proud of the
body on SNAP benefits. Some of the work they have done. We haven’t just
corner bodegas have closed down. So year, I am used to being with folks
from home who are traveling to Wash- taken orders on high from the Federal
the only place that might be open is a Government; we worked together, hand
long way away. So restaurants can be a ington, DC. Between spring break trips
and industry fly-ins, spring is normally in glove, with the Federal Government.
lifeline right now. Traditionally, we
a very busy season here at the Capitol. Of course, I talked to countless small
don’t allow you to use your SNAP ben-
I always look forward to seeing both business owners across our big cities
efits in restaurants, but I think we
new and familiar faces and spending and small towns and everywhere in be-
should temporarily allow for that in
time with my constituents and talking tween about the financial strain caused
the next package we pass. And guess
about the challenges they are facing by the pandemic, and it is significant,
what. That would be a win for people
who are on assistance who need more and the changes they would like to see to say the least. Many, of course, were
food options. It would also be a win for coming out of Congress. forced to close their doors or dramati-
restaurants that are looking for cus- Yet, as we all know, this is not a typ- cally scale back their operations, and
tomers. ical springtime in Washington. Nor- many have had to make hard decisions
Fourth, we have to build that public mally busy sidewalks and hallways are to stay afloat.
health workforce. Again, States will largely empty, as our constituents I was just emailing with a friend of
not be able to afford it themselves. hunker down at home while we con- mine in Dallas who has ownership in a
Every medical expert tells us that it is tinue working to get them the help company that just declared chapter 11
not just testing. It is tracing the con- they need. Just as Texans have adopted bankruptcy. Our small businesses are
tacts that that individual had. It is new routines to meet social distancing the heart and soul of our communities.
quarantining those they had contact requirements, so have I, as have all of They are our favorite locally owned
with. And that can’t be done just with us. restaurants; the florists we call upon
an act. There have to be workers who I know I am not alone among my col- on anniversaries, birthdays, and other
help do that tracing, who help support leagues when I say that over the last holidays; the drycleaners, the barber-
the quarantine. We have to build that few weeks, I have logged some serious shops, the gyms, the pharmacies—all
workforce. Again, there is just no con- hours on phone calls and video con- the places we have been going for
ceivable way that States can pay that ferences with folks across Texas. Actu- years. They feel like an extended part
by themselves. ally, I have been a little bit surprised of our family. They are part of what
Then, lastly, we need to get back at how efficient it is in terms of reach- make our communities unique, and
into the game internationally. It was a ing large numbers of people, and I they are a huge driver of our economy.
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S2264 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2020
In Texas and across the country, check Protection Program a ‘‘life the Finance Committee. This legisla-
small businesses employ nearly 50 per- saver.’’ tion will clarify that small businesses
cent of the local workforce. For many For patients at a clinic in Tyler, can still deduct expenses that were
of these workers, the closures and can- TX—another PPP loan recipient—these paid for with a forgiven paycheck pro-
cellations brought on by the loans could be a literal life saver. Be- tection loan from their taxes. Without
coronavirus have put their livelihoods thesda Health Clinic provides this clarification, small businesses will
in jeopardy, with many losing some or healthcare services to low-income and be up the creek without a paddle when
all of their income and many, their uninsured Texans in the Tyler area. they file their taxes next year.
jobs entirely. The clinic doesn’t receive State or Fed- This program was created to reduce
As the Senate was working on our eral funding, and one-third of their the financial barriers our small busi-
third response package back in March, budget comes from the Hangers of Hope nesses are trying to overcome, not to
we knew that without a serious invest- thrift stores they operate, which were add more. This bipartisan bill has al-
ment in our small businesses, the re- forced to close. The clinic had to fur- ready received support of the American
sult would be catastrophic. That is why lough their employees in order to sur- Institute of CPAs—certified public ac-
we created the Paycheck Protection vive the financial squeeze but was able countants—and is critical to ensuring
Program through the CARES Act to to take advantage of the Paycheck America’s small businesses receive the
provide cash flow assistance for our Protection Program. Krysti McWha is full benefits intended by Congress in
small businesses. As we know, those the chief financial and operations offi- the Paycheck Protection Program.
low-interest loans can be used to cover cer, and she said this has erased a lot As we continue to provide relief for
everything from payroll, to supply of worry for the clinic and allowed the America’s workers and small busi-
chain disruptions, to rent or mortgage. furloughed employees to return to nesses, it is critical that this fix be in-
And if the employers are able—I under- work. It has also enabled them to con- cluded. Texas small businesses saw the
line the word ‘‘able’’—if they are able tinue to serve the public during a time Paycheck Protection Program as a
to keep their employees on the payroll of heightened healthcare concerns. lifeline during this incredibly chal-
until June, then much of those loans The Paycheck Protection Program lenging time. Let’s not make them re-
can be turned into grants. has been vital to Texas small busi- gret grabbing ahold of it.
During my calls and video con- nesses and I dare say to the Nation’s The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
ferences with chambers of commerce small businesses. I am glad Congress, ator from Virginia.
and small business owners throughout working together as we should during a Mr. KAINE. Madam President, I ask
Texas, I have been able to talk about time of national emergency, was able permission to speak for up to the full
the benefits of these loans and how to to provide this lifeline and replenish 10 minutes.
access them. Small Business Adminis- these funds when they ran dry. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
tration staff have joined me on dozens That is not to say, though, that this objection, it is so ordered.
of these calls to answer technical ques- program has been implemented with- Mr. KAINE. I rise to discuss the next
tions about the loan program and other out a hitch. When you do something steps the Senate should take in dealing
types of assistance offered by the SBA, this big and this fast, there are bound with the COVID–19 global pandemic.
which has been really valuable and ap- to be some hiccups. We expected there I applaud the bipartisan result Con-
preciated by everyone. would be these small holes and gaps in gress has shown in passing four impor-
Small businesses in my State have what was needed, and over the last few tant pieces of legislation to provide
jumped at the opportunity to take ad- weeks, those have become pretty clear. trillions of dollars of aid to Americans
vantage of the PPP loans and start One of those issues is the tax deduct- in the midst of this catastrophe.
talking with their banks and gathering ible expenses for the businesses that My heart goes out to people who are
up paperwork and going through the take advantage of these loans. Busi- suffering. When we were last here vot-
formal application process. nesses are normally able to deduct ing sort of near midnight on March 25
As we know now, it became quickly wages and other business expenses or early in the morning on March 26,
obvious how popular the PPP program from their taxable income, but the no- 675 Americans had then died of
was and that it would exceed the fund- tice issued by the IRS said small busi- coronavirus. Now, more than 72,000
ing levels after 2 weeks. That indicates nesses cannot deduct these expenses, have. In the few weeks we have been
the kind of demand and the kind of which is exactly the opposite of what away, the number of deaths has in-
need and that our response was actu- we intended to do. Just to give an idea creased by more than 70,000. Millions
ally hitting the target. But after 2 of how harmful this could be, if a small have been diagnosed. Those numbers
weeks, the first $350 billion was ex- business’s payroll during the 8-week are rising every day.
hausted and depleted. From that first period covered by a loan were $100,000, The crisis has been the most severe
$350 billion, 135,000 small businesses in that amount could not be deducted as a economic shock our Nation has experi-
Texas received loans—more than any business expense when they file their enced in decades, even more severe
other State. That program brought ap- taxes. than the economic collapse of 2008–2009.
proximately $28.5 billion to Texas Our goal with this legislation was to Madam President, just a personal
small businesses and protected thou- help—not hurt—to help small busi- privilege. I know four people who have
sands of jobs. nesses remain solvent and keep their died of coronavirus.
Well, we know, after a little bit of employees on the payroll so they can Jeanette Galliano, my brother
jockeying back and forth with the recover from this pandemic as soon as Steve’s mother-in-law, died in a senior
House, Congress finally replenished the possible and be ready for what I hope is facility in New Orleans in the last few
Paycheck Protection Program with an a v-shaped bounceback in our economy weeks.
additional $320 billion, and that money once we defeat this virus. We certainly Lois Shaver. Lois is the mother of
is flying out the door as we speak. didn’t intend to make next year’s tax one of our closest friends, the god-
You don’t have to look far to see why season a nightmare or to add to the mother of our middle son. Lois died in
this program is so popular. burdens of these small businesses. Yet, a nursing home in Fairfax County in
Valerie Gonzalez-Handly owns Deli- based on the IRS’s guidance, that is Northern Virginia in the last few
cious Tamales in my hometown of San the path we are headed down. weeks.
Antonio. Like other restaurants across We have to right this wrong. Yester- Gerald Glenn was a minister, a
the country, her business struggled as day, I introduced the bipartisan Small bishop, and pillar of the Richmond
the stay-at-home orders were put in Business Expense Protection Act with faith community. He was somebody I
place. Delicious Tamales closed for 2 the chairman and ranking member of appointed to boards when I was Gov-
weeks last month but was able to re- the Finance Committee, Senator ernor. Senator WARNER did the same.
open because of the $232,000 loan they GRASSLEY and Senator WYDEN, along Bishop Glenn passed away of
received through the Paycheck Protec- with Senator RUBIO, who chairs the coronavirus right after Easter.
tion Program. All 38 employees re- Small Business Committee, and Sen- Dolson Anderson was a longtime
turned to work. Valerie called the Pay- ator CARPER, who serves, as I do, on friend. His wife Linda was one of my
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May 6, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2265
agency heads when I was Governor. As We did not hesitate to act in pro- hard to know with certainty, the rev-
Dolson was providing care for Linda viding more resources to two key pil- enue drops are sizeable.
after knee surgery, he contracted lars—small businesses and our health In Virginia, the town of Abingdon is
coronavirus, and after 16 days on a ven- system—and that tells me what our predicting a revenue loss of about 15
tilator, he died. next step should be. We should show percent; Fredericksburg, more than 10
There are two other names. My next the same willingness to direct more re- percent; Blacksburg, nearly 18 percent.
door neighbor, Dean DeForest. My wife sources to individuals and families, as The list goes on and on. The Common-
Anne and I have lived next to Dean and well as State and local governments. wealth of Virginia is predicting rev-
Mary Ruth for 28 years. Dean died after Individuals and families are hurting. enue losses of $2 to $3 billion over the
2 weeks, after a long battle with lung Thirty million Americans have filed next 2 fiscal years.
cancer, not coronavirus. But what for unemployment. People have lost If cities, towns, counties, and States
coronavirus meant for Dean and so jobs. Some have businesses that may lose revenue, what are their options?
many like him was he couldn’t have never reopen, and they have seen other Since most government costs are per-
family with him in the normal way. He unplanned expenses for healthcare or sonnel, here is what they will be forced
couldn’t have a funeral or a memorial childcare, as local schools have closed. to cut—teachers, police officers, fire-
service or family gathered to grieve in Rent and mortgage payments, car pay- fighters, EMTs. That is already hap-
the normal way because of people’s ments, utility bills, food and medi- pening in Virginia and all over the
worry about infection. cine—these expenses continue, and the country.
Then there is Lorna Breen. Lorna pressure on working Americans is in- Staunton is proposing furlough days
was a Charlottesville native who was tense. for all city employees, including first
working as an emergency room physi- When we passed the CARES Act in responders. Prince William County has
cian in New York Presbyterian and was March, I was struck by the fact that removed 31 police, fire, and sheriff posi-
so stressed out by what she saw. She the PPP program for small businesses tions from their budget. Abingdon is
developed coronavirus. She went back was $350 billion, but the total direct laying off 13 full-time and 64 part-time
to the hospital to work as soon as she payments for families was only $295 bil- employees.
Every State, city, county, and town
could, and it was too much for her. She lion—about 85 percent of the business
in this country is making the same de-
went home to be with her family in grant program.
Given that we just added another $370 cisions right now, and it shouldn’t be
Charlottesville, and about 10 days ago,
this way. We provided funds to busi-
she died by suicide after facing the tre- billion in aid for small businesses, I
nesses to backstop revenue losses so
mendous burden of being a first re- think we should add an equal amount
they could avoid layoffs. We provided
sponder. for individuals and families. Whether
funds to hospitals to backstop revenue
I want to mention all of them. All of this is a second round of direct pay-
losses so they could avoid layoffs. We
us—everyone in this Chamber, every- ments or a combination of direct pay-
need to allow our State and local gov-
one who works here—have direct per- ments and other supports—childcare,
ernments to backstop revenue losses so
sonal connections. The suffering is rent and mortgage assistance—we
they can avoid layoffs.
massive, and it is likely to continue. should show the public that we value It is never a good time to lay off
Because it is, Congress should do more. the needs of families and individuals as teachers, firefighters, police, sheriffs,
The American public expects us to, and much as we value small businesses. EMTs—never. But I can tell you that
we shouldn’t let them down. And the second thing we should do is the worst time to do it is a national
What should be our next priorities? to provide more assistance and flexi- health emergency. The overwhelming
One way to look at the legislation we bility to State and local governments. majority of our first responders work
already passed is that Congress has The CARES Act provided $150 billion in for State and local governments. Why
provided aid to five basic pillars: aid to block grant funding to States and lo- would we want to lay them off?
individuals and families; grants to calities, but this $150 billion was lim- President Trump has said he doesn’t
small businesses and nonprofit organi- ited for use to only deal with unantici- want to bail out States and local gov-
zations; loans to medium and large size pated costs connected with COVID–19. ernments, and he has criticized them.
businesses; aid to local and State gov- Here is an odd thing. The funds for He didn’t name-call businesses that
ernments; and aid to hospitals, businesses were specifically designed to wanted help. He didn’t say: We will not
healthcare providers, and the help them deal with revenue losses so bail you out. Instead, he wanted to ex-
healthcare system. that they could remain in operation tend the helping hand. His attacks on
The three bills we passed in March and avoid layoffs. The hospital and State and local governments are par-
made major investments in each of healthcare provider funding was de- ticularly insulting since the American
these five pillars. By April, we realized signed to help deal with revenue losses public is much more satisfied with how
that the depth of the crisis was so experienced as we postponed elective their State and local leaders are han-
great, we needed to do more. While we surgeries and clinical visits. The funds dling this crisis than how the adminis-
realized that our action was going to were designed to avoid layoffs. The aid tration is.
be partial rather than comprehensive, to individuals was designed to help Senator MCCONNELL advanced the
we did step up to do more to provide families cope with lost wages and lost idea that States and local governments
support for two of those five pillars— salary. should consider bankruptcy. He didn’t
small businesses, hospitals and But the CARES bill would not allow say that about businesses that wanted
healthcare providers. State or local governments to use aid. Promoting bankruptcy, which
After providing $350 billion in forgiv- funds to backstop lost revenue, and would mean layoffs and broken prom-
able loans for small businesses under that is having serious consequences. ises to pensioners, is heartless.
the CARES Act, we added another $370 I was a mayor and a Governor. I America needs its teachers and its
billion in April for small businesses know that 46 States have a fiscal year first responders. This isn’t a Democrat
through additional loans, through the that starts on July 1, and that means or Republican thing. There are as
PPP program, SBA’s EIDL grant-loan that most States and local govern- many Republican Governors as there
program, and a new set-aside directing ments are working on their budgets are Democrats. There are as many cit-
resources to small businesses through right now. They have to project income ies and counties managed with Repub-
smaller financial institutions. and expenses for the next year and lican leadership as there are Demo-
And, recognizing that this is fun- write their budgets accordingly. crats.
damentally a public health emergency, So what are State and local govern- The CARES Act had $150 billion for
we also added $100 billion in new health ments seeing? Massive declines in tax general State and local government re-
funds—$75 billion for healthcare pro- revenue. Sales taxes are declining. lief, but we have now done over $1.2
viders and $25 billion to enable the Meals taxes, lodging taxes, income trillion in relief for businesses. I am
United States to finally support devel- taxes—all are declining. Jurisdictions glad we are helping our businesses get
opment of a competent and comprehen- are trying to figure out the extent of through this, but don’t the commu-
sive testing program. the likely decline, and though it is nities where we live and work, send our
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S2266 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2020
kids to school, pray and play deserve NAYS—7 will put up the hashtag here so that if
help to get through this crisis too? Blumenthal Markey Wyden anyone wants to check in, they can do
Does anyone really believe that we will Duckworth Merkley so.
Hirono Warren Many of these healthcare workers are
be better off as a nation in fighting
this emergency if teachers, fire- NOT VOTING—9 young immigrants who came to the
fighters, police, sheriffs, and EMTs are Brown Moran Schatz United States as children. They are
laid off all over this country? Burr Murray Stabenow known as Dreamers. They are Amer-
Leahy Sanders Whitehouse
So I will close in just saying to my ican in every way except for their legal
colleagues: We stepped up big to refill The nomination was confirmed. immigration status. They were brought
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under here at an early age by parents who
the tank for small businesses and hos-
the previous order, the motion to re- didn’t give them a vote on the decision,
pitals. It is now time to step up for
consider is considered made and laid grew up in the United States, went to
State and local governments and indi-
upon the table, and the President will our schools, sometimes all the way
viduals and families.
be immediately notified of the Senate’s through college and professional
I yield the floor. action. school, want to make a life in this
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. The Senator from Illinois. country, have no criminal record, and
PERDUE). Under the previous order, all DACA are just looking for a chance.
postcloture time is expired. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I spent 5 It was 9 years ago when I joined Re-
The question is, Will the Senate ad- weeks in my home in Springfield, IL, publican Senator Dick Lugar on a bi-
vise and consent to the Evanina nomi- following orders—good ones—to sug- partisan basis asking President Obama
nation? gest that I had to get out of circulation to use his executive authority to pro-
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I ask for and so should everyone else. It was an tect these Dreamers from deportation.
the yeas and nays. interesting moment. My wife and I He responded and created the Deferred
think it may have been the longest Action for Childhood Arrivals, or
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a DACA.
stretch we had ever spent under the
sufficient second? DACA provides temporary protection
same roof together. We got along,
There is a sufficient second. which is good, and I got to field the from deportation for Dreamers if they
The clerk will call the roll. neighborhood a little more than I usu- register with the government, pay a
The senior assistant legislative clerk ally do as I travel back and forth al- substantial fee, and go through a
called the roll. most every week. criminal background check. More than
I got to know the people a little 800,000 Dreamers came forward and re-
Mr. THUNE. The following Senators ceived President Obama’s DACA pro-
are necessarily absent: the Senator more, waving from a distance. I looked
around and noticed that almost every tection.
from North Carolina (Mr. BURR) and DACA unleashed the full potential
the Senator from Kansas (Mr. MORAN). lawn had a sign on it saying: ‘‘We love
healthcare workers.’’ Many people had for these Dreamers that they never
Further, if present and voting, the dreamed they would have, and they
signs in their windows to back that up
Senator from Kansas (Mr. MORAN) started contributing to America as sol-
too, and we should. These doctors,
would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ diers and teachers and small business
these nurses, and these people who
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the owners.
work in nursing homes caring for the
Senator from Ohio (Mr. BROWN), the More than 200,000 DACA recipients
elderly and making certain they are in
Senator from Vermont (Mr. LEAHY), are now categorized as ‘‘essential crit-
a good, safe environment are impor- ical infrastructure workers’’—‘‘essen-
the Senator from Washington (Mrs. tant, and they are risking their lives
MURRAY), the Senator from Vermont tial critical infrastructure workers.’’
for the people whom we love. We thank Who came up with that name? It is the
(Mr. SANDERS), the Senator from Ha- them over and over. But there is one
waii (Mr. SCHATZ), the Senator from definition of President Trump’s own
part of that group that I would like to Department of Homeland Security. One
Michigan (Ms. STABENOW), and the Sen- highlight for just a few moments on
ator from Rhode Island (Mr. WHITE- out of four of these DACA protectees
the floor of the Senate. I want to spend are essential critical infrastructure
HOUSE) are necessarily absent. a few minutes talking about one spe- workers, and among these essential
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there cial group of healthcare workers—im- workers are 41,700 DACA recipients in
any other Senators in the Chamber de- migrants. the healthcare industry. They include
siring to vote? One in six healthcare and social serv- doctors, intensive care nurses, para-
The result was announced—yeas 84, ice workers—3.1 million out of 18.7 mil- medics, and respiratory therapists.
nays 7, as follows: lion—are immigrants. When they come But on September 5, 2017, President
on television and give us a breakdown Trump repealed DACA. Because of that
[Rollcall Vote No. 83 Ex.]
of what is going on in emergency action by the President, hundreds of
YEAS—84 rooms and the likelihood of our success thousands of Dreamers face losing
Alexander Fischer Perdue in communities in dealing with this their jobs, but, more importantly, they
Baldwin Gardner Peters coronavirus, you must notice so many
Barrasso Gillibrand Portman face being deported, many to countries
Bennet Graham Reed times and think that they may be new- they barely remember, if they remem-
Blackburn Grassley Risch comers to the United States. Many of ber at all.
Blunt Harris Roberts them are. The courts stepped in and blocked
Booker Hassan Romney
Boozman Hawley Rosen
These immigrants are playing a crit- the President from enforcing this
Braun Heinrich Rounds ical role in the battle against this pan- DACA decision, but he took on the ap-
Cantwell Hoeven Rubio demic. Yet the President of the United peal of that decision, and now it is in
Capito Hyde-Smith Sasse States and many around him continue
Cardin Inhofe Schumer
the Supreme Court, just across the
Carper Johnson Scott (FL) to disparage immigrants, falsely claim- street.
Casey Jones Scott (SC) ing that they are just a drain on soci- I was proud to lead 172 current and
Cassidy Kaine Shaheen ety, that all they are doing is taking former Members of Congress on a bi-
Collins Kennedy Shelby
Coons King Sinema
our jobs away and we really wouldn’t partisan brief asking the Supreme
Cornyn Klobuchar Smith miss them if they were gone. So I came Court to rule against President
Cortez Masto Lankford Sullivan to the floor today to tell a story about Trump’s repeal of DACA. These young
Cotton Lee Tester one of them, an immigrant health hero. DACA recipients are being protected
Cramer Loeffler Thune
Crapo Manchin Tillis I will be joined by some of my col- while the case is being considered by
Cruz McConnell Toomey leagues who have similar stories to the Supreme Court, but a decision
Daines McSally Udall tell. could come down any day—could come
Durbin Menendez Van Hollen We are inviting people to share their down any day—that basically makes
Enzi Murkowski Warner
Ernst Murphy Wicker own stories on social media using the these young people subject to deporta-
Feinstein Paul Young hashtag ‘‘immigranthealthheroes.’’ I tion and takes away any legal right
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