Congressional Record, Senate — Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolution (June 11, 2020)
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate, June 11, 2020, at S2934 and S2935. The page lists added cosponsors of S. Res. 613, a resolution calling for justice for George Floyd, and of amendments to H.R. 1957. Under Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolution, Mr. Thune introduces S. 3938, a bill to extend Federal guidance concerning the use of certain alcohol-based hand sanitizer during the coronavirus public health emergency, and Mrs. Feinstein introduces S. 3946, a bill to require certain helicopters to be equipped with safety technologies. Mr. Kaine's S. 3949 concerns kindergarten through grade 12 educational expenses paid from a 529 account.
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“Congressional Record, Senate — Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolution (June 11, 2020).”
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S2934 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 11, 2020
SCOTT) and the Senator from South Da- S. 3938. A bill to extend Federal guid- culture has taken a huge hit from the
kota (Mr. THUNE) were added as co- ance concerning the use of certain al- coronavirus. The pandemic has caused
sponsors of S. Res. 613, a resolution cohol-based hand sanitizer during the significant market volatility, sending
calling for justice for George Floyd and coronavirus public health emergency, many commodity futures prices plum-
opposing calls to defund the police. and for other purposes; to the Com- meting.
AMENDMENT NO. 1601 mittee on Health, Education, Labor, Increased consumer demand for beef
At the request of Ms. CORTEZ MASTO, and Pensions. led to significant increases in boxed
the name of the Senator from Nevada Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask beef prices, while cattle prices plum-
(Ms. ROSEN) was added as a cosponsor unanimous consent that the text of the meted, which led to significant gaps
of amendment No. 1601 intended to be bill be printed in the RECORD. between cattle producer and packer
proposed to H.R. 1957, a bill to amend There being no objection, the text of profit margins. To make the situation
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to the bill was ordered to be printed in worse, temporary closures and reduced
modernize and improve the Internal the RECORD, as follows: processing capacity at U.S.
S. 3938 meatpacking plants as a result of the
Revenue Service, and for other pur-
virus further diminished demand for
poses. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives of the United States of America in livestock and depressed prices. This
AMENDMENT NO. 1602
Congress assembled, has aggravated an already difficult sit-
At the request of Ms. CORTEZ MASTO, uation for farmers and ranchers.
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
the name of the Senator from Nevada Unlike the majority of the economy,
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Hand Sani-
(Ms. ROSEN) was added as a cosponsor which was thriving before the
tizer Guidance Extension Act of 2020’’.
of amendment No. 1602 intended to be SEC. 2. FEDERAL GUIDANCE ON HAND SANI- coronavirus pandemic, the agricultural
proposed to H.R. 1957, a bill to amend TIZER. economy has been struggling for a
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to (a) EXTENSION OF FEDERAL GUIDANCE.—The while. Low prices, extended trade dis-
modernize and improve the Internal Food and Drug Administration guidance en- putes, and natural disasters have
Revenue Service, and for other pur- titled ‘‘Guidance for Industry: Temporary meant a tough few years for farmers
poses. Policy for Preparation of Certain Alcohol-
and ranchers even before the
AMENDMENT NO. 1619
Based Hand Sanitizer Products During the
Public Health Emergency (COVID–19)’’, ini- coronavirus hit. Now things are even
At the request of Ms. MURKOWSKI, the tially released on March 23, 2020, and updated more challenging.
names of the Senator from Wisconsin on April 15, 2020, and on June 1, 2020, shall re- Agriculture is the lifeblood of my
(Mr. JOHNSON) and the Senator from main in effect until the date that is 2 years State of South Dakota. So supporting
Utah (Mr. ROMNEY) were added as co- after the date of enactment of this Act. farmers and ranchers during the crisis
sponsors of amendment No. 1619 in- (b) EFFECT OF EXTENSION.—During the 2- has been one of my top priorities. I
tended to be proposed to H.R. 1957, a year period described in subsection (a), the fought to get agriculture relief money
bill to amend the Internal Revenue Food and Drug Administration shall permit included in the Coronavirus Aid Relief
the production, sale, and use of hand sani- and Economic Security Act, or the
Code of 1986 to modernize and improve
tizer, consistent with the guidance described
the Internal Revenue Service, and for in subsection (a), provided that such hand
CARES Act, which was signed into law
other purposes. sanitizer is manufactured using only the fol- in late March. The final bill included
AMENDMENT NO. 1620 lowing ingredients in the preparation of the $14 billion to replenish the Commodity
At the request of Mrs. FEINSTEIN, the product: Credit Corporation to allow the De-
names of the Senator from New Jersey (1)(A) Subject to subsection (c), alcohol partment of Agriculture to provide in-
(Mr. MENENDEZ), the Senator from Or- (ethanol) that is not less than 94.9 percent come and price support for farmers and
ethanol by volume; or ranchers, plus an additional $9.5 billion
egon (Mr. MERKLEY), the Senator from
(B) United States Pharmacopeia grade iso- in emergency support for agricultural
Vermont (Mr. SANDERS) and the Sen- propyl alcohol.
ator from Rhode Island (Mr. WHITE- producers affected by the pandemic.
(2) United States Pharmacopeia grade or
HOUSE) were added as cosponsors of Days after the bill passed, I led a bi-
Food Chemical Codex grade glycerin (glyc-
amendment No. 1620 intended to be pro- erol).
partisan group of Senators and Rep-
posed to H.R. 1957, a bill to amend the (3) Hydrogen peroxide. resentatives in a letter to Secretary of
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to mod- (4) Sterile water meeting United States Agriculture Sonny Perdue urging him
ernize and improve the Internal Rev- Pharmacopeia specifications for purified to use a portion of the funds to provide
enue Service, and for other purposes. water. support for hard-hit cattle producers.
(c) ETHANOL PRODUCED IN CERTAIN FACILI- In mid-April, the Department of Agri-
AMENDMENT NO. 1624 TIES.—Ethanol produced in facilities nor- culture responded to that letter and
At the request of Ms. STABENOW, the mally producing fuel or technical ethanol other petitions by announcing that it
names of the Senator from Nevada (Ms. may be used as described in subsection
would issue $16 billion in direct pay-
ROSEN) and the Senator from Vermont (b)(1)(A) only if such ethanol—
(1) meets United States Pharmacopeia or ments to agriculture producers af-
(Mr. SANDERS) were added as cospon- fected by the virus. Signups for this
sors of amendment No. 1624 intended to Food Chemical Codex grade requirements;
(2) has been screened for any other poten- funding began at the end of May, and,
be proposed to H.R. 1957, a bill to tially harmful impurities not specified in the as of June 8, South Dakota agriculture
amend the Internal Revenue Code of United States Pharmacopeia or Food Chem- producers had received approximately
1986 to modernize and improve the In- ical Codex requirements; or $80 million.
ternal Revenue Service, and for other (3) has otherwise been approved for use by Over the past 2 months, I kept in
purposes. the Food and Drug Administration. constant contact with the Department
AMENDMENT NO. 1625 (d) AUTOMATIC EXTENSION.—The effective
of Agriculture and others to amplify
period of the guidance described in sub-
At the request of Mr. WHITEHOUSE, producers’ concerns and to urge swift
section (a) shall automatically be extended
the name of the Senator from Con- for 1 additional year if the Secretary of relief. I have also been focused on de-
necticut (Mr. BLUMENTHAL) was added Health and Human Services determines that veloping additional legislation to help
as a cosponsor of amendment No. 1625 a public health emergency exists at the time farmers and ranchers weather this cri-
intended to be proposed to H.R. 1957, a that the 2-year period described in sub- sis.
bill to amend the Internal Revenue section (a) expires. Last week, I introduced legislation to
Code of 1986 to modernize and improve (e) EXEMPTION.—If the Commissioner of allow emergency haying and grazing on
the Internal Revenue Service, and for Food and Drugs determines that a public Conservation Reserve Program acres
health emergency requires that the require- for the duration of this crisis. Under
other purposes.
ment for the use of denatured alcohol be re-
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f duced, or requires a waiver of any other re-
current law, ag producers can hay or
quirement with respect to hand sanitizer graze their CRP acres during weather-
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED related disasters without a reduction
under the guidance, the Commissioner of
BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION in their CRP payments. My legislation
Food and Drugs may waive or reduce such
By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Mr. requirement, as applicable. would extend that provision to cover
BRAUN, Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, like most pandemics, including the COVID–19
ROUNDS, and Ms. ERNST): other sectors of our economy, agri- pandemic.
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June 11, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2935
Thanks to low prices and a reduction sanitizer policy for at least 2 years. ness and warning system among other
in capacity of meatpacking plants as a This will give ethanol producers that safety technology. This technology
result of the pandemic, farmers and have made investments or changes in provides pilots real-time, in-flight
ranchers are having to hold on to their operations to meet the need for hand warning signals and an image of sur-
livestock for longer than expected. sanitizer a longer time to recoup their rounding terrain.
This bill would help ensure they have investment costs. Since 2006, the National Transpor-
adequate forage for their animals. I recognize that there is ongoing de- tation Safety Board has recommended
Earlier this week, I introduced an- liberation with the FDA about dena- to the Federal Aviation Administra-
other bill, the Paycheck Protection for turants and other accepted chemical tion (FAA) that all new and existing
Producers Act, which would help more limits for hand sanitizer ethanol, and helicopters capable of carrying six or
farmers and ranchers benefit from the my bill would not hinder those discus- more passengers be equipped with ter-
Paycheck Protection Program. The sions. My bill would simply provide rain awareness and warning system
coronavirus relief legislation that we ethanol producers with a baseline of technology. However, FAA has only re-
passed in late March established the certainty while still allowing the FDA quired these warning systems for air
Paycheck Protection Program, which to make case-by-case approvals and to ambulances.
provides forgivable loans to small busi- waive or reduce other requirements as The lack of a terrain awareness and
nesses to help them keep their employ- necessary to meet the public health warning system left the pilot vulner-
ees on their payroll during this crisis. emergency. able, without an adequate under-
Self-employed Americans, which de- Now, the amount of ethanol required standing of his surroundings. This
scribes many farmers and ranchers, are for hand sanitizer is just a drop in the technology has become standard on
eligible for these loans, but, in prac- bucket for our ethanol producers, and I new helicopters from Airbus, Bell,
tice, the program’s guidelines have ex- am committed to finding additional Leonardo, and Sikorsky since Decem-
cluded a lot of agricultural producers. ways to bring this clean American- ber 2018.
Low commodity prices and a chal- grown fuel to market. Every little bit This bill also requires crash-resistant
lenging planting season meant that helps, and this legislation will at least flight data and voice recorders. Other-
many farmers and ranchers had a nega- give a small measure of certainty to wise known as black boxes, this tech-
tive income in 2019. And right now, the producers while helping to meet the nology is important for when accidents
program’s guidelines excludes farmers nationwide demand for hand sanitizer. do happen and mistakes are made. It
and ranchers without employees with a The coronavirus crisis has high- would allow agencies like the NTSB to
negative net income for last year. My lighted just how much we rely on our have a better understanding of the in-
legislation would allow more farmers Nation’s agriculture producers. I am cident and provide more information to
to access the Paycheck Protection Pro- grateful every day for their work, and the FAA to prevent future accidents.
gram by allowing them to use their advocating for them will continue to be It is clear that additional steps are
2019 gross income instead of their 2019 one of my top priorities. I am com- needed to ensure that helicopters can
net income when applying for a loan. I mitted to helping our farmers and fly safely, both for the sake of pas-
am hoping to get both of these bills ranchers through the challenges they sengers and those on the ground. Our
through Congress in the near future. are facing and seeing our Nation’s agri- bill offers a commonsense approach to
In addition to direct relief, another cultural economy thrive. preventing further accidents like this
thing that we can do to support our Na- one. It would simply direct the FAA to
tion’s agriculture producers is to sup- By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, implement the National Transpor-
port the ethanol industry. Ethanol and Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, tation Safety Board’s recommenda-
biodiesel producers buy up a significant Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. MARKEY, tions to require terrain awareness and
amount of American corn and soybean and Ms. HARRIS): warning systems and flight data and
oil, but decreased demand for fuel as a S. 3946. A bill to require certain heli- voice recorders on all helicopters car-
result of coronavirus has significantly copters to be equipped with safety rying six or more passengers.
diminished this crucial market for our technologies, and for other purposes; to I appreciate the hard work of the Na-
farmers, and that is why, in addition to the Committee on Commerce, Science, tional Transportation Safety Board in
direct relief measures for farmers and and Transportation. developing these important rec-
ranchers, I have also focused on what Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I ommendations, and it is long past time
we can do to support the ethanol indus- rise today to introduce the ‘‘Helicopter that the FAA heed its call.
try. Safety Act.’’ My thoughts continue to be with the
American ethanol has stepped up to On January 26, 2020, a helicopter car- victims and their loved ones impacted
help during the coronavirus crisis by rying nine Californians flew into foggy by this heartbreaking accident. Our
providing ethanol or alcohol for hand weather, ultimately crashing minutes bill would help prevent future tragedies
sanitizer. Thanks to the FDA’s tem- later. Los Angeles and the world soon like the one that occurred this past
porary policy for preparation of certain learned that among the crash victims January and it is critical that Congress
alcohol-based hand sanitizer products were basketball legend Kobe Bryant pass it swiftly to ensure that such loss
during the public health emergency, and his daughter Gianna. of life was not in vain.
qualifying ethanol can be used as an al- And in the time since, we have Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the
cohol content in hand sanitizer. learned the names and stories of John, floor.
I imagine there are few Americans Alyssa, and Keri Altobelli; Sarah and
who haven’t significantly stepped up Payton Chester; Christina Mauser; and By Mr. KAINE:
their purchase of hand sanitizer during Ara Zobayan. These were spirited S. 3947. A bill to amend the provi-
the current crisis. In addition to meas- friends and family members connected sions relating to the higher education
ures like social distancing and mask by their love of sport, traveling to a emergency relief fund to clarify the
wearing and frequent hand washing, it weekend basketball tournament. flexibility provided to institutions and
is key to preventing the spread of the The sudden and shocking nature of for students under the fund, and for
virus. When water and soap are not im- the accident touched many, and I have other purposes; to the Committee on
mediately available, hand sanitizer can been moved by the public remem- Health, Education, Labor, and Pen-
step in as a substitute. We need a brances in Los Angeles and elsewhere sions.
steady supply of hand sanitizer to help in honor of the victims. Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, on March
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curtail virus transmission. But this tragedy is one that could 27 Congress passed the Coronavirus
To help us meet this need and sup- have been averted. While the National Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
port our Nation’s ethanol producers, Transportation Safety Board is still in- (CARES) Act in response to the ongo-
today I am introducing the Hand Sani- vestigating the incident, a preliminary ing public health and economic crisis
tizer Guidance Extension Act of 2020. report indicates the helicopter was fly- resulting from the COVID–19 pandemic.
Put simply, my bill will extend the ing through thick clouds and fog, yet The CARES Act included a Higher Edu-
FDA’s temporary ethanol-based hand was not equipped with a terrain aware- cation Emergency Relief Fund, which
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S2936 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 11, 2020
provided nearly $14 billion in funding lion Americans their jobs. We are also move forward, and that one day, we
to ensure institutions of higher edu- now dealing with a crisis of racial divi- will emerge from these challenges
cation could make the transition to sion and anger over the killing of stronger than before.
distance learning, provide students George Floyd on Memorial Day. I yield the floor.
with essential supports and resources, As our Nation reels from the difficul- f
and cover the enormous costs they’ve ties of the past few months, it’s time to
incurred during this time. Unfortu- focus on what we can do to recover. SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
nately, the Administration has not fol- One challenge that we’ve faced this
lowed Congress’ intent to provide these year is the closures of schools all
colleges and universities with the in- across the Country. Suddenly, because SENATE RESOLUTION 614—HON-
creased flexibility they need to meet of the coronavirus pandemic, over 76 ORING THE MEMORY OF THE
the needs of their students. million American students of all ages VICTIMS OF THE HEINOUS AT-
This is why I’m introducing the were faced with finishing the school TACK AT THE PULSE NIGHTCLUB
Coronavirus Relief Flexibility for Stu- year at home—including over five mil- ON JUNE 12, 2016
dents and Institutions Act, which lion students in my home State of Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself
would fix several implementation Texas—away from many of the re- and Mr. RUBIO) submitted the following
issues with the higher education funds sources that school provides. resolution; which was considered and
in the CARES Act by providing institu- To say that has been a staggering agreed to:
tions of higher education and students shift for many students and families is S. RES. 614
with the flexibility Congress intended. an understatement. That is why today, Whereas, on June 12, 2016, a gunman in-
This bill would make an additional 7.5 I’m introducing a bill to temporarily spired by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
million students eligible for emergency expand 529 accounts so that parents of targeted the Pulse nightclub in Orlando,
financial aid by expanding eligibility children who are now learning from Florida, where he killed 49 innocent victims
beyond just those who have filled out a home as a result of the coronavirus and wounded dozens more in a despicable at-
FAFSA and are eligible under Title IV pandemic can cover educational ex- tack;
of the Higher Education Act. Addition- penses such as tuition, books and other Whereas the attack at the Pulse nightclub
instructional materials, online edu- was an attack on the LGBTQ community,
ally, it would allow institutions of the Hispanic community, the City of Or-
higher education to use CARES Act cational materials, tutoring, standard- lando, the State of Florida, and the United
funds to cover revenue losses incurred ized test fees, and educational thera- States;
as a result of COVID–19, rather than pies for students with disabilities. Whereas the Orlando community continues
limiting the funding to the U.S. De- This bill, the Helping Parents Edu- to mourn the tragic loss of life, but has dem-
partment of Education’s narrow inter- cate Children During the Coronavirus onstrated remarkable strength, unity, and
pretation that funds can only be used Pandemic Act, is a version of a bill I resilience in the aftermath of the horrendous
for new expenses associated with the introduced last year, the Student Em- event;
powerment Act, which would allow 100 Whereas June 12 is designated as ‘‘Pulse
transition of instruction to distance
Remembrance Day’’ in the State of Florida
learning. It would also ensure that col- percent of American students to use 529
to honor the victims and survivors of the
leges hardest hit by COVID–19 are re- accounts to help pay for K–12 edu- senseless attack;
ceiving the support they need by re- cation. The Helping Parents Educate Whereas the people of the United States
quiring an application to demonstrate Children During the Coronavirus Pan- continue to pray for those affected by the
such needs, rather than providing all demic Act has the benefits of the Stu- tragedy; and
colleges with $500,000 in taxpayer funds dent Empowerment Act, but is tailored Whereas June 12, 2020, marks 4 years since
regardless of size. to navigate the educational challenges the lives of the 49 innocent victims were
In this difficult time, colleges des- the coronavirus pandemic poses to stu- tragically cut short by the senseless act of
terrorism: Now, therefore, be it
perately need the flexibility to best dents nationwide.
Resolved, That the Senate—
serve their students. This bill will help These bills would extend 529 accounts (1) commemorates the 49 victims killed in
ensure that Secretary DeVos and the to cover educational expenses of all the attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando,
U.S. Department of Education follow sorts, allowing public school families Florida, on June 12, 2016, and offers heartfelt
Congress’ intent to stabilize our insti- (who do not pay tuition) to participate. condolences to the families, loved ones, and
tutions of higher education that are Around 90 percent of America’s stu- friends of the victims;
hurting from COVID–19 and provide dents attend public school, so this (2) honors the dozens of survivors of the at-
emergency financial aid for the stu- change would help many Americans af- tack and pledges continued resolve to stand
ford all the associated costs of an edu- against terrorism and hate; and
dents who need it, not just those that (3) expresses gratitude to the brave law en-
who have met bureaucratic require- cation. forcement and emergency medical personnel
ments. I hope the Senate passes this These bills would also make 529 ac- who responded to the attack.
bill quickly to ensure that institutions counts more accessible to low-income
and middle-income families, public f
have the flexibility and supports they
need to continue providing high qual- school families, families who send their SENATE RESOLUTION 615—RECOG-
ity and equitable access to education children to religious schools, and NIZING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY
for all students as we continue to homeschool families who need help OF THE OUTBREAK OF THE KO-
weather this pandemic. paying for their child’s K–12 education. REAN WAR AND THE TRANS-
We’ve come a long way in making a FORMATION OF THE UNITED
By Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Mr. quality education attainable for Amer- STATES-SOUTH KOREA ALLI-
LEE, Mr. SCOTT of South Caro- ican students, but we have more to do. ANCE INTO A MUTUALLY BENE-
lina, and Mr. SCOTT of Florida): That is why I’m working to help par- FICIAL, GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP
S. 3949. A bill to amend the Internal ents, guardians, and students across
Revenue Code of 1986 to permit kinder- the country access the tools they need Mr. GARDNER (for himself and Mr.
garten through grade 12 educational to continue school at home as long as MARKEY) submitted the following reso-
expenses to be paid from a 529 account we have a public health emergency be- lution; which was referred to the Com-
during the Coronavirus Emergency Pe- cause of the coronavirus pandemic. mittee on Foreign Relations:
riod; to the Committee on Finance. In closing, I want to thank the edu- S. RES. 615
Mr. CRUZ. Mr. President, I rise at a cators and parents who over the past Whereas June 25, 2020, marks the 70th anni-
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time of crisis. For several months now, three months have made education a versary of the outbreak of the Korean War,
our Nation been dealing with two si- priority for millions of American stu- when the armed forces of the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) at-
multaneous crises—a global health dents. Your hard work and dedication
tacked the Republic of Korea (South Korea)
pandemic that has claimed the lives of to ensuring your students continue to on June 25, 1950;
over 115,000 Americans and over 400,000 learn despite the challenges of a global Whereas the United Nations Security
people across the globe—and an eco- pandemic is a good example for us all Council adopted Resolution 83 on June 27,
nomic crisis that has cost over 40 mil- that we must keep going, we must 1950, recommending ‘‘Members of the United
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