Congressional Record, Senate, May 20, 2020 (S2513) — United States Senate
Summary
Page S2513 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for May 20, 2020, in interleaved columns. A passage on Dr. Monahan says he has kept an uncommonly low profile and never issued a public statement on whether Congress should reconvene, though he shared warnings with House leaders. Under the reservation of leader time, a speaker says Republicans are not negotiating on the next phase of emergency relief and are holding sham hearings instead of drafting help for the unemployed, which is that speaker's view. A tribute recounts a man who commuted to Fairfield University while working at a supermarket.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, May 20, 2020 (S2513) — United States Senate.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-05-20-crec-2020-05-20-pt1-pgs2513-4-08f81b337a/
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May 20, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2513
in White House news conferences and as wit- water or electricity in Lissycasey. The first does for this institution and for his
nesses at marquee hearings—Dr. Monahan in his family to attend college, he worked country.
has maintained an uncommonly low profile. full-time at a supermarket while commuting
He never issued a public statement offering in a yellow Volkswagen Beetle to Fairfield f
his opinion on whether Congress should re- University, a Jesuit college—an education, RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME
convene, although he shared his warnings he would tell graduates in 2011, that meant,
with House leaders and privately told senior ‘‘you are called to be ‘men and women for The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
Republican officials that his office did not others.’ ’’ the previous order, the leadership time
have the capacity to screen all 100 senators He studied biology and chemistry, and is reserved.
for the coronavirus when they returned to after graduating, joined the Navy through f
work. When Alex M. Azar II, the health sec- its Health Professions Scholarship Program,
retary, said he would send 1,000 tests to Cap- enticed in part by the offer of free tuition CONCLUSION OF MORNING
itol Hill to accommodate them, Ms. Pelosi and a living allowance in exchange for a BUSINESS
and Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of commitment to three years of service. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning
Kentucky and the majority leader, turned ‘‘Brian was always the smartest kid in the
class,’’ said Dr. William Dahut, a medical business is closed.
down the offer, wary of the optics of receiv-
ing special treatment at a time when testing oncologist who spent time with him in both f
was scarce—and prompting President Trump medical school and the Navy. ‘‘If there was a
publication or data, Brian knew that data
EXECUTIVE SESSION
to suggest on Twitter that ‘‘maybe you need
a new Doctor over there.’’ and knew that well.’’
Dr. Monahan, who declined to be inter- In 1989, as a resident in the cardiology
ward in what was then the National Naval EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
viewed, has been a calm and professional
voice of reason during the pandemic, accord- Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., he treated The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
ing to interviews with more than two dozen a 39-year-old woman for potentially fatal the previous order, the Senate will pro-
lawmakers, Capitol officials and medical cardiac arrhythmias. The patient had taken ceed to executive session to resume
professionals who know him. They say he the popular antihistamine Seldane, and his
contribution to research on that medicine—
consideration of the following nomina-
has taken a personal interest in his influen- tion, which the clerk will report.
tial clientele, which also includes the nine and its connection to the arrhythmias—later
helped lead to its removal from the market. The senior assistant legislative clerk
Supreme Court justices, even as he fields po-
Dr. Monahan rose through the ranks of the read the nomination of Anna M.
litically charged questions about reopening,
Navy, becoming a professor of medicine and Manasco, of Alabama, to be United
testing and precautionary measures.
pathology at the Uniformed Services Univer- States District Judge for the Northern
Operating out of a nondescript clinic
sity of the Health Sciences in Maryland, as District of Alabama.
tucked away in the heart of the Capitol, Dr.
well as participating in a number of national
Monahan and a small staff have been exceed- Mr. MCCONNELL. I suggest the ab-
organizations related to cancer, oncology
ingly busy since the pandemic took hold,
and hematology. sence of a quorum.
consulting with lawmakers who have con- While serving as the Chairman of the De- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
tracted Covid–19 or exposed to someone in- partment of Medicine at the university, he clerk will call the roll.
fected with it, doling out health rec- received a call for a meeting in which offi- The senior assistant legislative clerk
ommendations in detailed memos ahead of cials with congressional leadership asked proceeded to call the roll.
votes, and producing a series of videos re- him to become the attending physician on Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask
leased on an internal website to educate law- Capitol Hill when his predecessor retired.
makers and their staff on how to protect unanimous consent that the order for
He has since become a fixture on Capitol
themselves. Hill, participating in congressional trips and
the quorum call be rescinded.
Dr. Monahan has filmed and produced the functions and releasing health assessments The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
videos by himself in his office, often seated for presidential and vice-presidential con- objection, it is so ordered.
next to an elaborate bouquet of white flow- tenders, including Senators Bernie Sanders, CORONAVIRUS
ers and a tiny plastic model of a pangolin, the Vermont independent, and Tim Kaine, Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, we
the scaly mammal that may have been an Democrat of Virginia. (Mr. Kaine also asked are going to complete 3 weeks of Sen-
intermediary carrier of the virus. him for ‘‘a tuneup’’ before hiking the Vir-
In the videos, he typically walks through ate activity, called together by Sen-
ginia section of the Appalachian Trail.)
the most recent recommendations offered by In 2016, it was Dr. Monahan’s assessment of ator MCCONNELL at a time when the
the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- Justice Antonin Scalia’s health at the time House of Representatives, under the
tion and demonstrates medical equipment, of his death—including sleep apnea, coronary guidance of Dr. Monahan, who was just
such as a thermometer and a variety of artery disease, obesity and diabetes—that in- praised—and I join in that praise—was
masks (including one made by his wife, using fluenced the decision to decline an autopsy not in session when the Senate came to
a black shopping bag and a sewing machine). of the justice, The Associated Press reported session.
‘‘He has a big job—two houses of Congress, at the time.
two parties to deal with—but he’s not polit- I said at the time that it was our re-
‘‘He was the one who advised me to go to
ical in any way,’’ Ms. Pelosi said. ‘‘He treats the hospital,’’ said Representative Ben sponsibility to be here. That is why we
us all with respect, and we respect his judg- McAdams, Democrat of Utah and one of the ran for office. Important things need to
ment in return.’’ first lawmakers to contract the virus, said of be decided, and we need to be part of it
Dr. Monahan in 2009 became the seventh Dr. Monahan. ‘‘He was clear: ‘I strongly rec- for the good of the Nation.
man to serve as attending physician, taking ommend you go to the hospital—this is seri- We are about to complete 3 straight
up a position that has always been held by a ous.’ ’’ weeks without one measure on the
Navy doctor. The House first approved a The congressman has spoken with the doc-
floor of the Senate relating to the na-
Navy officer to work out of the Democratic tor at least a dozen times since, he said in an
cloakroom in 1928 after one lawmaker died interview on Thursday—but had yet to meet tional public health emergency—not
and two collapsed, with several hours pass- Dr. Monahan in person. one. There have been hearings in some
ing before a doctor could arrive in each case. An avid photographer, Dr. Monahan’s committees, yes, but activity on the
Two years later, the Senate extended that photos are present in offices around the Cap- floor of the Senate, no. No bill was
doctor’s jurisdiction to include its own mem- itol—and he has been known to offer advice brought to the floor.
bers, leading to the establishment of the Of- on how to best capture a scenic landmark or In fact, there was an attempt yester-
fice of the Attending Physician. vista on trips overseas. day to bring a resolution that said the
The office provides care to lawmakers for a He checks in with his powerful patients
frequently, including long after they have re- United States should be involved in the
fee, as well as offering some services and
emergency care to staff and tourists. The covered. global international effort to find a
first physician, Dr. George W. Calver, who ‘‘I’ve been around for a long period of time, vaccine. It was objected to on the Re-
began his work just before the start of the and he just takes more of a personal interest publican side. The reason the Senator
Great Depression, displayed placards in than anyone else I’ve ever known in that po- objected to it—the chairman of the
cloakrooms and elevators across the Capitol sition,’’ said Senator James M. Inhofe, Re- Senate Foreign Relations Committee—
with his nine ‘‘Commandments of Health,’’ publican of Oklahoma and chairman of the
is that he wants to take up the meas-
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including ‘‘Accept Inevitables (don’t worry)’’ Senate Armed Services Committee, who has
been on Capitol Hill for more than three dec- ure in his committee at some later
and ‘‘Relax Completely.’’
Dr. Monahan was born in Connecticut, the ades. ‘‘He just seems to be genuinely inter- date. I encourage that Senator to do it
son of Irish immigrants who came to the ested in me—and he’s that way with every- quickly.
United States in the 1950s. His mother grew body.’’ I think there is a sense of urgency
up in Kilkee, while his father grew up in a Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, across America in terms of this na-
house with a thatched roof without running we thank the good doctor for all he tional health emergency that we face.
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S2514 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 20, 2020
Yet there is not a sense of urgency on did not consider or even discuss, to my Who among us believes that small
the Republican side of the aisle, de- knowledge, in the Senate this week, businesses will be in a position to re-
spite the fact that for 3 weeks we have the HEROES Act, called for more than cover and get back to business as usual
not considered one measure on the $100 billion more in relief to hospitals. by June? I pray that is the case, but I
floor related to this COVID–19 virus, How important is that? know better in my home State and I
which is unexplainable and indefen- I know how important it is in Illi- will bet you in the State of Kentucky
sible. nois; I can tell you flat-out. As a as well.
Senator MCCONNELL, of Kentucky, downstater, when you take a look at How about unemployment? We came
has told us that he doesn’t sense the the rural and smalltown hospitals in through in the CARES Act and did
urgency for us to take up the measure my State, they are struggling. something dramatic and unprece-
passed last week by the House of Rep- One hospital administrator told me dented. We said that we were going to
resentatives. This was a bipartisan that she had scheduled four elective give an extra payment, a Federal pay-
measure that was brought to the floor surgeries last Monday, a week ago, and ment, to those who were unemployed
of the House of Representatives, which only one patient showed up. The other so that they could weather this storm
attempted to move us forward from the three called in and said they were too as their families try to adjust to no
original CARES Act, the $3 trillion of frightened to go to the hospital and breadwinner in the house—$600 a week
cumulative spending that we have fo- run the risk of being exposed to the on top of whatever the State benefit of
cused on the economy and the public COVID virus. I cannot imagine there is unemployment might be. For some
health challenge facing our Nation. not the same situation going on in families, it was just enough to get by.
Is there any urgency to it? Well, I Kentucky. Understand, though, that benefit—
sense that urgency every time I pick Isn’t there a sense of urgency in Ken- that unemployment benefit of $600
up the phone or read the newspaper in tucky, as in Illinois, for us to move and from the Federal Government each
my State of Illinois. I am on con- move quickly to help these hospitals week—is going to end at the end of
ference call after conference call with before they furlough more people and July. That is not that far way. We are
groups across our State that are con- ultimately face closure—a disaster in talking about 10 weeks at the most. Do
cerned about economic issues, as well any community that we want to ur- we honestly believe the unemployment
as public health issues. There is truly a gently avoid? crisis, with 36 million unemployed
State and local governments are
sense of urgency where I live. I cannot Americans, will be behind us by the
struggling now to pay teachers, first
believe that Senator MCCONNELL end of July? I wish that were the case,
responders, and healthcare workers as
doesn’t sense it in his own State of but we know better. In my State of Illi-
they face record revenue losses and in-
Kentucky. nois, I know better.
creased costs of fighting the virus. The
Kentucky hospitals and healthcare We are hoping to start reopening the
measure that passed the House of Rep-
providers have received $900 million in economy in a safe, responsible, careful
resentatives last week had almost $1
CARES Act funding. I don’t question way and to give these small businesses
trillion to help these State and local
whether they were deserving or needed a fighting chance to open their doors
governments—not just in Illinois but
it; we received funds, as well, in the again and survive, but it is going to be
in every State, including the Common-
State of Illinois. But the Kentucky a struggle, and many of them won’t
wealth of Kentucky.
Hospital Association tells us that the In States around the country, red and make it.
hospitals in Kentucky are expected to Earlier this month, 69,000 people filed
blue—the Center for Budget and Policy
lose $1.3 billion in March and April Priorities estimates that States will new unemployment claims in Ken-
alone. lose $650 billion in revenues by next tucky—a 4,000-percent increase from
You know, we are next door to Ken- summer. By the end of the year, Ken- last year. Do those families who are
tucky, and my hospitals in downstate tucky is expected to lose between 10 now unemployed feel that this re-
southern Illinois, right next to Ken- and 17 percent of its annual revenues. sponse, this Federal assistance in un-
tucky, have told me the same thing. Without help from the Federal Govern- employment benefits, is urgent? Well,
They are losing money right and left. ment, Kentucky’s Governor announced you bet it is. How many of those in Illi-
Do they think this is an urgent prob- that Kentucky’s ‘‘recession will be nois or Kentucky believe they won’t
lem in Illinois? You bet they do, and I longer or unemployment will be great- need this help after the end of July this
will bet the hospitals in Kentucky do er.’’ year? July—the same month the $600-
as well. Congress appropriated $150 billion in per-week unemployment benefits ex-
This is what the vice president of the funding for State and local govern- pire—the unemployment rate in Ken-
Kentucky Hospital Association, Carl ments in the original CARES Act, but tucky has been projected to be 16.3 per-
Herde, said: ‘‘Since there is no clear that funding is not enough to make up cent—the 10th highest in the Nation.
path to recoup these losses, the hos- for the enormous losses that are being Yet the Republican leader says there is
pitals are left with no choice but to faced by State and local governments no sense of urgency in moving on this
look at their own operations to cut as across the United States. These Gov- measure that was considered by the
much cost as they possibly can.’’ ernors, these mayors, these leaders House of Representatives and passed
The University of Kentucky is pro- have a sense of urgency in making up last week.
jecting a $160 million loss for its this revenue. They face the reality of The IRS has sent out almost 2 mil-
healthcare system. It has furloughed cutbacks in police, firefighters, first lion economic impact payments to that
1,500 employees. Jenny Stuart Health responders, paramedics, nurses, doc- State of Kentucky, worth more than $3
in Hopkinsville, KY, has furloughed 248 tors, and teachers. billion, helping families put food on
staff members. Appalachian Regional The HEROES Act which passed the the table and pay their rent and their
Health in Lexington will furlough 500 House of Representatives last week and mortgage.
employees. St. Claire Health in More- which has not been considered this When you take a look at that eco-
head is furloughing 300. Pikeville Med- week in the Senate included $875 bil- nomic impact payment, understand
ical Center has furloughed 200. lion in fiscal relief for State and local- that the measure that passed the
Is there a sense of urgency in these ities to help cover the shortfall to House, which we did not bring to the
communities, when many of these hos- make sure communities can continue floor this week in the U.S. Senate,
pitals are the largest employers in to pay frontline essential workers. calls for $1,200 more for each adult and
town and hundreds of people are being Understand the deadlines that were $1,200 for each child. Do families need
furloughed because of the COVID virus, built into the CARES Act. The first it in Illinois? You bet they do.
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because of the fact that they cannot re- deadline is June 8. That is the date by Even though it was originally pro-
sume ordinary hospital operations with which small businesses that borrowed posed by President Trump, politics had
this shadow of infection hanging over money under the payroll protection nothing to do with the support that it
them? part of that act need to have spent the received from both political parties—
The bill that passed the House of money in order to have the loan for- the support that this measure that just
Representatives last week, which we given—June 8. passed the House should receive from
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May 20, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2515
both parties here in the Senate as well. ROES Act that passed the House of that tracks all the lawsuits filed in
There is a sense of urgency when it Representatives. America based on COVID–19. Senator
comes to these cash payments to peo- Three weeks have ended here on the MCCONNELL has cited this tracking.
ple who are struggling to make ends floor of the Senate, and, but for a few That tracker updated its numbers as of
meet. The bill that passed the House speeches on this floor, if you read the yesterday. It reported that out of 1.5
includes a second round of these crit- record of legislative activity, you million confirmed COVID–19 cases and
ical payments and makes sure that we would wonder if the leaders in the Sen- 90,000 deaths, there have been 2—2—
extend the unemployment benefits be- ate even realize we are facing a pan- COVID–19 medical malpractice cases
yond the end of July. demic. We have spent our time on nom- filed in the United States in over 1,000
According to the Kentucky Center ination after nomination. We have complaints that have been filed and 26
for Economic Policy, tens of thousands spent our time in hearings on friends cases alleging workplace exposure to
of Kentuckians have lost their health and those who pass political muster COVID–19. The Senator from Kentucky
insurance as a result of this pandemic. who want lifetime appointments to the has called this a tidal wave of lawsuits,
What a moment in life to lose your Federal court. But somehow we have a windfall for trial lawyers—2 cases of
health insurance—in the midst of a managed to miss the biggest story in medical malpractice and 26 cases for
pandemic, with people facing hos- America—the pandemic. workplace exposure?
pitalizations, treatment in and out of I would say to Senator MCCONNELL The other cases that mention
the hospital and in some cases ICUs, to and the Republican leadership: We have COVID–19 relate to prisoners in prisons
think that you would be without wasted an opportunity—a 3-week op- and jails, who are questioning whether
health insurance? portunity—to move forward, and we their rights are being violated because
The measure that passed the House have particularly wasted this week of the health circumstances in the pris-
of Representatives last week, which when we could have taken up the meas- ons. There are lawsuits against insur-
was not brought to the floor by the Re- ure that passed the House of Rep- ance companies as to whether the pol-
publicans this week in the Senate, in- resentatives last week. icy covers a business that has suffered
cludes a provision to ensure that peo- Are we prepared to negotiate a com- losses because of the COVID virus.
ple who have lost their health insur- promise? Of course we are. We have There have been lawsuits as well be-
ance as a result of becoming unem- done that every time we have brought tween businesses as to responsibility
ployed can remain on their employer up a measure related to the pandemic. for it. But this notion of a tidal wave of
healthcare plan without paying any It should be bipartisan in the end. But lawsuits being filed—2 medical mal-
premiums. In other words, we want to to say it is ‘‘dead on arrival’’ and there practice cases across the United States
make sure that people have health in- is no sense of urgency among the Re- of America and 26 workplace exposure
surance rather than lose it. Was that publicans in the Senate to take up this cases.
brought up this week for debate and measure is to ignore the obvious. Keep in mind that if you do get sick
consideration in the Senate? No. No, it Whether it is $1,200 payments to Amer- and you want to file a lawsuit, a good
wasn’t. Is it a matter of urgency if you ican citizens who are struggling to get lawyer will advise you: Be careful.
are facing the loss of health insurance by, whether it is an increased period of Proving where you were infected is not
in the middle of this coronavirus epi- time for qualification to receive unem- an easy thing. And they also look at
demic? Of course it is. ployment insurance, whether it is the standard of conduct of the business
The Paycheck Protection Program loans to small businesses so they can or individual who could be the defend-
still has funding left in it to provide survive, these are the urgent needs of ant. Did they act reasonably?
some loans, but businesses have to We had a hearing in the Senate Judi-
America.
spend the money within 8 weeks of re- When we have hospitals furloughing ciary Committee last week on liability
ceiving the loan or it won’t be forgiven. employees in Illinois, in Kentucky, and during the COVID–19 pandemic. I have
Many small business owners across the around the Nation, we run the risk of quoted this before, but it is worth re-
United States are facing a June 8 dead- losing these great hospitals that are peating. One of the witnesses called by
line, struggling to spend the money due needed for the future. the Republicans was a very good man,
to the fact that they still haven’t been Is it urgent that we take up this mat- very thoughtful. His name is Kevin
able to open their doors. ter? Of course it is. Yet this week we Smartt, and he is the chief executive
The HEROES Act, which passed the have done nothing, zero, when it comes officer and president of Kwik Chek
House of Representatives and was not to this measure. Foods in Bonham, TX. He went through
brought up for consideration in the We are going to leave now for the Me- a litany of things that he had done in
Senate this week, which it could have morial Day week, which means it will his workplace to make it safer, not just
been, would extend the deadline an ad- be about 2 weeks before we return. I for his employees but also for the cus-
ditional 16 weeks, providing small busi- can just about guarantee that the tomers who came in. It was impressive.
nesses 24 weeks to spend the money sense of urgency across America will be If the statements he made to us were
they were loaned by the SBA, and it palpable at that time. The question is accurate—and I believe they were—he
would authorize the Paycheck Protec- whether there will be a sense of ur- is doing his part to try to make his
tion Program through the end of the gency felt by the Republican leader workplace safer.
year to ensure that we can continue to from the State of Kentucky. Here is what he said:
help small businesses through this dif- The other day, my friend and col- This was a challenge because the guidance
provided by the CDC, the Occupational Safe-
ficult time. league from Texas, Senator CORNYN,
ty and Health Administration, as well as
Is there a sense of urgency in small came to the floor, as he has before, to state and local governments, often conflicted
businesses in my State to extend this discuss the issue of liability and immu- with one another in addition to being vague
period that you can spend the money nity as part of the conversation on the and difficult to follow. Yet, despite many un-
as a small business and have your loan next measure of relief and rescue for certainties, including the constantly fluc-
forgiven? Of course there is a sense of our economy. tuating public health guidelines, we began to
urgency in Illinois, in North Carolina, For weeks, Senator MCCONNELL and adjust to the pandemic.
in Georgia, and in Kentucky—across Senator CORNYN have said that unless The point I am making—and I see our
the United States. Why the Senate Re- Congress gives broad legal immunity to Democratic leader on the floor; I am
publican leader does not feel a sense of corporations, they would block emer- going to wrap it up quickly—the point
urgency on this measure, which ulti- gency aid to help States and local gov- I am making is this: We should estab-
mately ends on June 30, is beyond me. ernments avoid massive layoffs of po- lish reasonable standards through the
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I have heard from farmers across my licemen, firefighters, and teachers. The Centers for Disease Control and OSHA
State who are struggling to survive, logic behind this position is hard to so that conscientious businesses can in
asking for help. I have heard from the fathom. good faith know what needs to be done
Census Bureau about the need to push There has been no flood of COVID–19 to protect their employees and their
back its response deadline to October lawsuits. There is a website maintained customers. When they follow those
31—measures also included in the HE- by the law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth guidelines, I believe they have absolved
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S2516 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 20, 2020
themselves of liability. They certainly the other side have said that more re- the family of the President’s political
have a valid defense to any claims of lief just isn’t necessary. rival. Senate Republicans aren’t debat-
wrongdoing. But this notion that The Republican leader rejected legis- ing measures to increase testing. They
comes before us on the floor from the lation from the House of Representa- are turning Senate committee rooms
Republican side goes to an extreme— tives before the bill was even drafted— into the studio of ‘‘FOX & Friends.’’
asking for government immunity from a knee-jerk partisan response at a time Senate Republicans are not just ignor-
the conduct of businesses in the midst when we should be working together to ing the coronavirus. They are prac-
of this pandemic without holding them help our suffering constituents. For the tically sprinting toward a partisan
to any standards. We are still waiting life of me, I don’t know why it has been election, making this Chamber part of
for an explanation. Why would we so difficult to get our friends on the a reelection campaign—not what it was
allow the workplace to be more dan- other side to focus on the ongoing na- ever intended to be by the Founding
gerous for employees? Why would we tional crisis, and it appears that the Fathers or anyone else, until this fever
allow the business place to be more lack of focus, the lack of urgency, and to bow down to President Trump’s wild
dangerous for customers? the lack of compassion from the Re- conspiracy theories that has overtaken
If the owner is willing to live up to publican majority are about to get just about every Senate Republican.
reasonable standards established based even worse. Here is what Chairman GRAHAM said
on science and health, in my mind, Today, in the Homeland Security about his ‘‘investigation’’ yesterday.
that is a good defense, and that is the Committee, the Republican chairman Here is what he said:
way it should be. To do otherwise is to has convened a hearing that slanders I want to get all the information out there.
give a green light to businesses that the family of the President’s political I want to do it before the election.
don’t follow standards, endangering opponent. Believe it or not, this power- Well, there is a Republican intention
their workers, their employees. It ful Senate committee, with broad ju- right there—‘‘do it before the elec-
means more people are going to get in- risdiction over so many aspects of the tion.’’
fected and sick in America—the last government’s response to the ongoing Leader MCCONNELL says that Repub-
thing we need. pandemic, is prioritizing yet another licans have not felt the urgency yet to
I yield the floor. attempt to smear Vice President act on the coronavirus, but it sure
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER Biden. The committee could be holding sounds like there is some urgency to
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The a hearing today with the FEMA Ad- get these phony investigations going
Democratic leader is recognized. ministrator to discuss disaster assist- before November. A fever is raging in
CORONAVIRUS ance. But, no, the highest priority of the conspiracy caucus. They are wor-
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, Senate Republicans lies in promoting ried about the outcome of the election.
first I want to thank my friend and col- conspiracy theories that have already They are worried that President
league, the senior Senator from the been discredited on numerous occa- Trump—they know—has done a very
State of Illinois. He is always on the sions—conspiracy theories, which, by poor job in dealing with this crisis. So
money, pushing this country to do the way, are known to be part of Rus- they turn to wild conspiracy theories
what its better angels recommend, and sian disinformation campaigns. Our and turn the Senate, which should be
I hope America listens to his floor Republican majority is using Russian debating and discussing coronavirus re-
speech today and every day because propaganda to try to damage a polit- lief, into sort of a partisan sham Cham-
what he is doing would make America ical opponent. Is that a disgrace? Is ber. It is disgraceful.
a better, stronger, more unified, more that a disgrace? Now, Leader MCCONNELL gave a
humane, and more compassionate The Republican chairman is pressing lengthy speech on the floor of the Sen-
place. forward, without Members even receiv- ate yesterday giving cover to many of
As the COVID–19 pandemic continues ing a briefing from the intelligence the President’s crackpot theories about
to inflict our country, businesses are community. Even more shameful, the what transpired in 2016. I will just say
suffering, families are struggling to company my colleague from Wisconsin this: Leader MCCONNELL reportedly wa-
pay the rent, millions of Americans are wants to subpoena is cooperating with tered down a bipartisan warning about
filing for unemployment every single the committee in providing documents. Russian interference in the fall of 2016.
week, and tens of thousands of Ameri- It appears this subpoena is just for He stalled for years on election secu-
cans are dying. show—a way to create the false impres- rity funding, and still, to this day, is
Every aspect of American society has sion of wrongdoing. It is like in a Third blocking election security funding. If
been changed by this crisis—except, World dictatorship, a show trial with Leader MCCONNELL wants to look back
perhaps, the Republican Senate. Here no basis in fact, with no due process, at the history of Russian interference
it is business as usual. and with no reality. in the 2016 election, he should look in
Leader MCCONNELL has spent 3 weeks Not to be outdone, the Republican the mirror. He might not like the way
of the Senate’s time largely on nomi- chairman of the Judiciary Committee his own role is viewed.
nations, only one of whom is directly has asked members of his committee to The American people should be just
related to COVID–19. There is not one consider subpoenas related to yet an- furious with Washington Republicans,
bill on the floor of the Senate having other conspiracy theory pushed by and so many are—more and more every
to do with COVID in the entire month President Trump—a theory that at- day. Americans are waiting in modern-
of May. The leader has put none on the tempts to rewrite the history of Rus- day breadlines, jammed into municipal
floor. sian interference in the 2016 election to buildings, and cars snaked around
Democrats have had to relentlessly match the fiction in President Trump’s parking lots and city blocks. It is so
pressure our colleagues to hold even head. It seems Republicans want to sad to look at these pictures. Doctors
the most routine and needed oversight dive into the deepest muck of right- and nurses and other caregivers have
hearings on the coronavirus. wing conspiracy to invent scapegoats been working nonstop to save Amer-
Coronavirus is raging, and people are for the President to use in his reelec- ican lives, often without the proper
upset about how the administration is tion campaign. equipment. Millions of American work-
implementing it. We don’t have hear- The conspiracy caucus is back. It ers are sitting at home, having lost
ings until we push, push, push for reared its ugly head in December and their jobs, through no fault of their
them, and then they happen few, far has been on a simmer ever since. Now own, dreading the day the next rent
between, and too late. it is boiling over once again, shame- payment comes due. Here in Wash-
It would be one thing if the Repub- fully, in the middle of a public health ington, Senate Republicans feel no ur-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
lican majority were doing this other crisis and an economic disaster that re- gency to help these Americans. They
business while negotiating with Demo- quire all of us to focus on the problems are too busy touting conspiracy theo-
crats on the next phase of emergency at hand. ries and electioneering for the Presi-
relief, but Republicans are not negoti- Senate Republicans aren’t drafting dent.
ating about the next phase of emer- legislation to help the unemployed. Speaking of the President, he was
gency relief. Many of my colleagues on They are holding sham hearings about here yesterday on the Capitol to have
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