Congressional Record, Senate, June 3, 2020, Page S2690 — Paycheck Protection Program
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated June 3, 2020, at page S2690, under Paycheck Protection Program. Mr. McConnell says the CARES Act set up the program to protect workers from layoffs and credits Senators Rubio and Collins. Mr. Schumer says the needed improvements will now pass the Senate as they passed the House, 417 to 1, extending the 8-week period to 24 weeks and giving borrowers 5 years rather than 2 to repay, and thanks Senators Johnson, Cardin and Shaheen. The page closes with a tribute to Pia Corona on her 25th anniversary teaching at the center, and the text of a letter signed by Mr. Lee and Mr. Rubio on commitment levels under the program.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, June 3, 2020, Page S2690 — Paycheck Protection Program.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-06-03-crec-2020-06-03-pt1-pgs2690-2-6014d093c2/
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S2690 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 3, 2020
am afraid the tumult will continue. It I know they have identified further This bill moves it up to 40. Our Re-
is my fervent hope that this Nation technical fixes in addition to the issues publican friends had resisted that. I am
finds a way to peace soon. we are addressing today, and I hope glad now they have seen the light.
I yield the floor. and anticipate the full Congress will You will have the loan—if you go to
I suggest the absence of a quorum. look at addressing those as well in the convert your loans and get them for-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The future. given, it will be 5 years that you have
clerk will call the roll. I also want to thank Senator DAINES, to pay back, not 2. Lots of small busi-
The legislative clerk proceeded to Senator TILLIS, and Senator GARDNER nesses said they couldn’t dare be able
call the roll. for their hard work on these modifica- to pay them back in 2. These are
Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous among the most important changes in
tions.
consent that the order for the quorum
The Senate delivered for workers and the bill, as well as some others.
call be rescinded.
small businesses when we first passed I am glad our Republican friends
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
the CARES Act. We delivered again have relented and passed the bill here
CRAMER). Without objection, it is so or-
when we added more money to this as we are about to close session for this
dered.
popular program back in April, and we week. It passed the House. We Demo-
f crats have been pushing to get it done.
are delivering again today.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM The PRESIDING OFFICER. The For the last 3 days, there were some
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, Democratic leader. problems on the other side, and I am
back in March, as the coronavirus pan- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, this is glad they have been worked out. I want
demic began to grip our country, the a very good day because very much to thank Senator JOHNSON. He had
Senate’s historic CARES Act set up the needed improvements to the PPP pro- problems, but we talked on the phone
Paycheck Protection Program to help gram will now pass the Senate as they repeatedly and worked those problems
protect American workers from layoffs passed the House, 417 to 1. The PPP out with the help of Senator CARDIN.
during the crisis. program is desperately needed by small And this is an improvement that is
Thanks especially to its chief archi- business, and it was not in the original much needed and comes at the last
tects, Senator RUBIO and Senator COL- proposal of our Republican friends or of minute but not too late. So many busi-
LINS, the PPP has literally saved tens the President. We worked very hard nesses—8 weeks—will expire so soon,
of millions of American jobs. Our col- and pushed hard to get this done, and I and now it is extended to 24 weeks.
leagues’ bold policy has meant the want to salute Senators CARDIN and So I am glad this bill passes. I am
mailboxes of working families in all 50 SHAHEEN for their efforts. glad we can do it by unanimous con-
States have continued to bring people The program was not at all perfect. sent. We Democrats are fully in sup-
their regular paychecks instead of pink When it first rolled out, too many of port of this, every Democrat. We have
slips. the big shots got money and not no problems moving it forward. I know
Through the end of May, this re- enough of the small businesses—the it will help a lot of small businesses.
markable program has delivered more mom and pops, the butcher, baker, and I yield the floor.
than half a trillion dollars to keep candlestick maker. And nonprofits The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma-
American workers on payroll all across were not entitled. I pushed very hard jority leader.
our country. to get nonprofits, including church-re- f
One recent survey found that more lated nonprofits, religious-related non-
than three-quarters—three-quarters— PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM
profits, in the bill. They can now ben- FLEXIBILITY ACT OF 2020
of all small business owners have ap- efit from the bill just like the small
plied for a PPP loan and more than 90 Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I
businesses can.
percent of those applicants have re- ask unanimous consent that the Sen-
We Democrats said, there has to be
ceived one. ate proceed to the immediate consider-
some money set aside—not just to give
The Senate has always committed to ation of H.R. 7010, which was received
more money in COVID 3.5—to the ex-
standing behind this popular program. from the House.
isting businesses that had connections
Back in April when it ran low on funds, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
with bankers but to the smaller busi-
we worked together to add more re- clerk will report the bill by title.
nesses, and $125 billion was set aside.
sources, and today we are passing an- The senior assistant legislative clerk
That was a very good thing. Now it has
other piece of legislation that makes a read as follows:
changed from a program that has gone
few targeted changes to the program. A bill (H.R. 7010) to amend the Small Busi-
To help workers and small businesses mainly to those that had good connec-
ness Act and the CARES Act to modify cer-
through these lengthy shutdowns that tions to bankers that were well con- tain provisions related to the forgiveness of
are just now beginning to ease, we are nected to many smaller businesses as loans under the paycheck protection pro-
increasing the loan forgiveness period well. gram, to allow recipients of loan forgiveness
from 8 weeks to 6 months. In the second round, States that real- under the paycheck protection program to
Since keeping workers on payroll ob- ly needed the help got a greater per- defer payroll taxes, and for other purposes.
viously requires small businesses to centage of the help, like my State of There being no objection, the Senate
stay afloat in the first place, we are ex- New York. So this program has been proceeded to consider the bill.
panding firms’ ability to use these one that Democrats have been, ini- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I
funds to meet obligations like their tially, very positive about and helped appreciate the good faith efforts of
rent, their mortgage, or their utility propose and write but constantly Senator JOHNSON to make sure the
bills, but we maintain the overall re- worked on improving to make it bet- terms of the program and its legisla-
quirement to avoid layoffs to keep the ter, better, and better. That improve- tive intent are properly understood. In
strong protection for workers in place. ment continues today. The House addition, I commend his leadership in
And we are providing payroll tax defer- Democrats put together a bill that looking at the program overall, and
ral for the small businesses involved. would deal with the kinds of problems making suggestions about reforms
This is a bipartisan bill that passed we continue to see. should Congress determine that addi-
the House overwhelmingly. I am proud Eight weeks is running out soon. Yet tional money is needed in the future
the Senate is sending it on to the small businesses may not get all the for the program. The program was de-
President’s desk to become law. money—may not be able to use the signed intentionally to get money into
I want to thank Senator COLLINS and money when the program runs out, and the hands of small businesses quickly
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
Senator RUBIO once more for their extending it to 24 weeks is vital. In as government took the extraordinary
leadership in authoring this historic many States, like mine in New York, and unprecedented step of shutting
program in the first place. They have only 25 percent of the money could go down the economy because of the pan-
kept right on with their essential lead- to OTPS expenses, other than per- demic. However, should we need to re-
ership, carefully monitoring the policy sonnel expenses. That wasn’t enough. A plenish the fund, he is absolutely cor-
as it has taken effect. lot of businesses didn’t want to apply. rect that we should ensure that money
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June 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2691
flows to small businesses and enter- United States Senator. umental accomplishment that has al-
prises that truly need it. I look forward DEAN PHILLIPS, lowed her the opportunity to have a
to working with him and our col- Member of Congress. lasting impact on countless young
RON JOHNSON,
leagues on reforms to the program United States Senator.
lives.
should Congress make the decision to BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, A number of children of my staff
extend it. United States Senator. were fortunate to have Ms. Pia as a
Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- CHIP ROY, teacher and cannot say enough wonder-
sent that the letter I send to the desk Member of Congress.
ful things about her, so much so that
be printed in the RECORD. Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous they still keep in touch and bring their
There being no objection, the mate- consent that the bill be considered read children by to visit years after leaving
rial was ordered to be printed in the a third time. the center. Elle, Oliver and Leo, just
RECORD, as follows: The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there three of many examples, still recognize
CONGRESSIONAL INTENT FOR H.R. 7010 objection? Ms. Pia as an impactful figure in their
We, the undersigned Members of Congress, Without objection, it is so ordered. early lives and in their education.
would like to clarify the congressional in- The bill was ordered to a third read- Pia, a stalwart New York Yankees
tent for H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection ing and was read the third time.
Program Flexibility Act of 2020. The Pay- fan, started at the Senate Employees
Mr. MCCONNELL. I know of no fur- Childcare Center in May 1995, always
check Protection Program (PPP) was au- ther debate on the bill.
thorized by Congress under the CARES Act working in the pre-kindergarten class
as a short-term solution to help businesses
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there to help children prepare for the big
make ends meet and continue to pay their further debate? jump to elementary school kinder-
employees during the initial shocks of the The bill having been read the third garten. Over the last two and half dec-
COVID–19 pandemic. Under the CARES Act, time, the question is, Shall the bill ades, she taught more than 400 chil-
authorized funds for the program are set to pass? dren, including many siblings.
expire on June 30, 2020, allowing for no new The bill (H.R. 7010) was passed.
loans to be issued after this date. Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous Ms. Pia has a unique understanding
H.R. 7010 amends the CARES Act to pro-
consent that the motion to reconsider of how each child learns differently and
vide businesses with greater flexibility for loving ability to meet those individual
their use of PPP loans. Section 3(a) of H.R. be considered made and laid upon the
table. needs at such a tender and formative
7010 changes the definition of the ‘‘covered age. Not surprisingly, she is described
period’’ defined by section 1102(a) of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
CARES Act to be from February 15, 2020 to objection, it is so ordered. by her colleagues as a walking encyclo-
December 31, 2020 instead of from February pedia of knowledge on child develop-
f ment, and her classroom lessons and
15, 2020 to June 30, 2020, as under current law.
We wish to clarify the congressional intent ORDER OF BUSINESS caring style reflect these incredible
of this extension of the covered period to De- talents.
cember 31, 2020, and our expectations about Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I
ask unanimous consent that notwith- One of her special field trips was a
how the amended program will operate.
The CARES Act requires that PPP loans standing the provisions of rule XXII, walk over to the late Senator John
may only be spent on allowable uses during the cloture motion with respect to the Glenn’s office when her students were
the covered period. In addition to the uses Pack nomination ripen at 11:40 a.m. to- studying space. A picture of this outing
otherwise allowed by section 7(a) of the morrow, with 20 minutes of debate still hangs at the center.
Small Business Act, the CARES Act author- under the control of Senator MENENDEZ Pia also helped organize a visit to
izes as allowable uses ‘‘payroll costs; costs
prior to the vote; I further ask that if this very Senate floor for her class.
related to the continuation of group health
care benefits during periods of paid sick, cloture is invoked on the Pack nomina- They listened patiently as the Sec-
medical, or family leave, and insurance pre- tion, the postcloture time expire at 1:30 retary of the Senate gave her own pre-
miums; employee salaries, commissions, or p.m. tomorrow; finally, if confirmed, K version of School House Rock. It
similar compensations; payments of interest the motion to reconsider be considered was, without a doubt, the most well-be-
on any mortgage obligation (which shall not made and laid upon the table and the haved gathering that the Senate floor
include any prepayment of or payment of President be immediately notified of has seen in years.
principal on a mortgage obligation); rent (in- the Senate’s action.
cluding rent under a lease agreement); utili- Pia makes such an impression on
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without children that many of her former stu-
ties; and interest on any other debt obliga-
tions that were incurred before the covered objection, it is so ordered. dents still reach out to her, including
period.’’ The intention of the extension of f one recent college graduate who want-
the covered period in H.R. 7010 is to allow ed to say thank you all these years
borrowers who received PPP loans before TRIBUTE TO PIA CORONA
later. I know children of some of my
June 30, 2020 to continue to make expendi- Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, there staff have returned to the center to
tures for allowable uses until December 31, are so many critical jobs that go on
2020. The extension of the covered period read to Ms. Pia’s students during
does not authorize the Small Business Ad-
around the Capitol that may not al- storytime.
ministration (SBA) to issue any new PPP ways get the spotlight or appreciation
As we struggle with the coronavirus
loans after June 30, 2020, as this date remains they deserve.
pandemic, we have all been reminded
fixed by section 1102(b) of the CARES Act. Today, I would like to mention one
once again of the critical importance
The extension of the covered period defined such amazing person, Pia Corona, or as
in section 1102(a) of the CARES Act should
of our teachers and schools. Ms. Pia’s
she is affectionately known, Ms. Pia.
not be construed so as to permit the SBA to students certainly knew that was the
You see, Pia is a teacher at the Sen-
continue accepting applications for loans case from their time in her class.
ate Employees Childcare Center, a car-
after June 30, 2020. Our intent and under- We all remember a teacher or two
standing of the law is that, consistent with
ing, nurturing, and deeply special com-
ponent of the Senate community. who made a lasting impact on our lives
the CARES Act as amended by H.R. 7010,
when the authorization of funds to guarantee Six years ago, on the 30th anniver- growing up—challenging us, inspiring
new PPP loans expires on June 30, 2020, the sary of the center, then-Senator Tom us, nurturing us. Ms. Pia will surely be
SBA and participating lenders will stop ac- Harkin described the teachers and ad- one that many remember as just such a
cepting and approving applications for PPP ministrators at the center as, ‘‘some of special teacher.
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
loans, regardless of whether the commitment the unsung heroes of the Senate.’’ I congratulate Pia Corona on her no-
level enacted by the Paycheck Protection
I couldn’t agree more, and it is a table anniversary and deeply meaning-
Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
has been reached.
privilege to pay special tribute today ful contribution to the Senate commu-
MIKE LEE, to one of those unsung heroes. nity. Our country and our world need
United States Senator. This month marks Pia’s 25 year anni- good news and kindness right now.
MARCO RUBIO, versary teaching at the center, a mon- Simply put, that is Ms. Pia.
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