Congressional Record — Senate, July 28, 2020

Summary

This is page S4526 of the Congressional Record, Senate, July 28, 2020, covering morning business under the heading CORONAVIRUS. Mr. BARRASSO describes the Senate Republican framework bill for the next coronavirus relief legislation, saying it includes over $100 billion for schools to open safely, liability protection, another round of PPP loans, and a targeted second round of direct payments. He says it ends the $600 weekly benefit bonus and contrasts it with NANCY PELOSI's $3 trillion-and-growing Heroes Act. Mr. PERDUE then speaks for the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, saying Georgia ranks 39th in active physicians per capita and calling for it in the next relief package.

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S4526 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 28, 2020
LEGISLATIVE SESSION since the spring lockdowns. Still, some nately, we don’t often see bipartisan-
believe that the worst of the virus may ship put into action. However, as we
--- be yet to come. have faced an unprecedented crisis re-
MORNING BUSINESS The Senate has put together a com- cently, I believe we have seen the Sen-
Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I monsense plan to aid the recovery. ate prove that it can, in fact, get it
ask unanimous consent that the Sen- This week, Senate Republicans intro- done. People can come together, and
ate proceed to legislative session for a duced a framework bill for the next real, bipartisan solutions can actually
period of morning business, with Sen- coronavirus relief legislation. It is the happen in this body.
ators permitted to speak therein for up capstone to our pandemic rescue oper- It is actually encouraging to me—and
to 10 minutes each. ation. Our plan focuses on getting peo- it is simply a function of what I have
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ple back to work and kids back to known since I was a kid—that Ameri-
objection, it is so ordered. school and doing it safely, as well as, of cans deal with a crisis better than any-
f course, defeating the disease. The Sen- one else. In many ways, we put things
ate proposal provides even more re- aside, and we get together for what is
CORONAVIRUS
sources for testing and healthcare. good for the people back home.
Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I This means more for hospitals, more Since the COVID–19 crisis began, we
come to the floor today as the Senate for treatment, and more for vaccines. have passed three phases of relief pack-
works on the next phase of pandemic Our package includes over $100 bil- ages to help our country weather this
relief and recovery legislation. The lion for schools to open safely, plus COVID–19 storm. In these three phases,
country is united in combating the funding for childcare. The Senate plan we ramped up testing in support of our
coronavirus. provides liability protection. We shield healthcare workers, we helped Ameri-
The Senate’s top priority is pro- the medical community, K–12 schools, cans who are struggling financially,
tecting the American people, and we colleges, universities, and small busi- and we created the Paycheck Protec-
are working together to save lives. nesses from frivolous lawsuits. Our tion Program, which has saved millions
America is fighting a war—a war plan includes another round of PPP of jobs and many businesses. Today, as
against a deadly disease. There is no loans, helping the hardest hit small we debate a fourth COVID–19 relief
retreating, no giving up the American businesses. We also send a targeted sec- package, it is absolutely critical that
fighting spirit. We will finish the fight. ond round of direct payments to indi- we continue to find common ground
The key to victory is to control the viduals. The Senate package extends and bipartisan solutions to bring our
virus spread until we have a vaccine. A unemployment benefits in a way that country together again.
successful vaccine is vital to beat the encourages, not discourages, work. We
virus and to return to normal life. The The Healthcare Workforce Resilience
cannot continue to pay people more to Act is a real, bipartisan solution to a
race for a COVID–19 vaccine is as im- stay home than they would make at
portant as putting a man on the Moon. serious problem our country faces
work. So we end the $600 weekly ben- today in our healthcare delivery sys-
We have made incredible progress. Vac- efit bonus. That is in contrast to
cine development is well ahead of tem. This bill is first and foremost a
NANCY PELOSI’s $3 trillion-and-growing healthcare bill that will help our hos-
schedule. The administration’s public- bill, her so-called Heroes Act. Her
private partnership, Operation Warp pitals deal with this COVID–19 crisis. It
package actually makes it easier for is absolutely critical that we include it
Speed, has started phase 2 and phase 3 the economy to stay closed and much
vaccine trials much sooner than ex- in the next COVID–19 relief package.
harder for the economy to reopen fully. Today in America, many commu-
pected. These are human trials. If all The Senate is focused on healthcare,
goes well, we hope to have a vaccine nities are facing severe shortages of
on kids, and on jobs. Democrats, it doctors and nurses. Particularly, hos-
ready by the end of this year. seems, have other priorities—endless
Senate Republicans will make sure pitals and clinics in rural areas and
bonus checks for staying home, bloated communities of color are badly under-
Americans have a safe, effective vac- bailouts for mismanaged cities and
cine as soon as possible. It will be the staffed and are struggling to fill cru-
States, and runaway spending unre- cial positions.
most accessible vaccine in the history lated to the challenge before us.
of the United States. Meanwhile, we My home State of Georgia has been
Pre-pandemic, we had a booming
should all do our part to slow the especially impacted by this particular
economy. We had record job growth,
spread, and we know what that means. crisis. While Georgia is the 8th largest
and we had record low unemployment.
That means socially distancing, using State by population, it ranks 39th in
We are working to restore Americans’
good hygiene, and wearing a mask. the number of active physicians per
confidence. A solid majority of Ameri-
This is the time for all of us to come capita—39th. Over half of Georgia’s 159
cans now say they see their finances as
together. But instead of fighting the counties have been designated as pri-
stable.
virus, Democrats are waging a never- mary care health professional shortage
I urge my Senate Democratic col-
ending bidding war for more govern- areas. The Georgia Department of Pub-
leagues to come to the table. It is time
ment spending. People want and people lic Health has stated that Georgia’s
to find common ground and to finish
need and people deserve real leader- nursing shortage is a full-blown crisis.
the fight.
ship. They expect us to slow the spread This is also true in most other States,
Together, Madam President, we will
of the virus and to protect the vulner- actually. They have warned that Geor-
make sure that America wins the war.
able. I yield the floor. gia is not able to recruit the nurses or
We have made tremendous progress I suggest the absence of a quorum. doctors our hospitals need. But we can
on testing. We have tested over 50 mil- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The change that.
lion people already, and we are close to clerk will call the roll. The COVID–19 crisis did not start
conducting 1 million tests—1 million The bill clerk proceeded to call the this shortage of healthcare workers, by
tests—every day. We also have better roll. the way, but it has exacerbated it dra-
treatments for the disease, and we are Mr. PERDUE. Madam President, I matically.
taking care of our most vulnerable citi- ask unanimous consent that the order Since the beginning of this crisis, I
zens—seniors and people with chronic for the quorum call be rescinded. have held conference calls with thou-
medical conditions. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without sands of constituents across Georgia
At the same time, the economy is objection, it is so ordered. over the last 41⁄2 months. I have heard
bouncing back. We had record job f directly from healthcare workers who

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growth in May, as well as in June. That have explained the dire situation they
is because the Senate responded quick- HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE are facing. Nurses and doctors are
ly to the health and economic crisis. RESILIENCE ACT working longer hours. Retirees are
The Senate’s historic CARES Act res- Mr. PERDUE. Madam President, the being asked to come back to work.
cue package has helped this country word ‘‘bipartisanship’’ gets tossed Many healthcare workers have con-
weather the storm. We have come far around a lot in this town. Unfortu- tracted the virus themselves. In fact,

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July 28, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4527
one study found that healthcare work- this area. This bill reflects what the and 19 Democrats, and the window is
ers account for nearly one in five American people want. It provides open for those who want to join us in
COVID–19 cases. what our healthcare system needs. It this bipartisan effort. They will not re-
In many areas, hospitals have simply has bipartisan support. gret it.
not had enough staff to handle the Actually, in 2005, Congress passed a Our bill is a temporary stopgap meas-
COVID–19 patient increase. Albany, similar bill. That bill recaptured un- ure, but it is designed to strengthen
GA, was one of the first hardest hit used visas and helped address a nursing our healthcare workforce and improve
areas in the country, right there in shortage that existed at the time healthcare access for Americans in the
South Georgia. At one point, nurses across the country. It passed with over- midst of this crisis. Consider this re-
and doctors from all over the country whelming and nearly unanimous sup- ality when it comes to fighting the
had to be flown in just to take care of port. The coronavirus has put our COVID–19 virus: In the United States, 1
all those who fell ill in Albany. In country in a similar position today. in 6 healthcare and social workers, 3.1
many cases, patients had to be ex- There is no time to wait. The deeper million—1 in 6—of the 18.7 million are
ported to other hospitals in the State. our nurse and doctor shortage gets, the immigrants. Yet our broken immigra-
As this virus continues to spread, more Americans we are needlessly put- tion laws prevent many of these immi-
many hospitals are in danger of being ting at risk. grants from contributing more fully to
overwhelmed as we see this recent President John F. Kennedy once said: the battle against this pandemic.
surge of COVID–19 cases, particularly ‘‘In a time of domestic crisis, men of Under current law, there are not
in our younger people. goodwill and generosity should be able enough immigrant visas, which we also
Healthcare workers have been true to unite regardless of party or poli- call green cards, available each year.
heroes—there is no question about tics.’’ I don’t think that comment has As a result, immigrants are stuck in
that. Right now, we have an oppor- been any more timely than it is today crippling backlogs for many, many
tunity to give them the support they in the midst of this crisis. years. The green card backlog, which I
desperately need. The Healthcare We are indeed in a time of crisis. We have debated with Senator LEE on the
Workforce Resilience Act is a bipar- have already shown that we can unite floor many times—but this green card
tisan solution that gives our hospitals and find meaningful solutions. It is backlog includes thousands of medical
the support they need to get through time to do it again. Let’s get this bill doctors currently working in our coun-
this crisis. Our bill simply recaptures across the finish line and support our try on temporary visas. This backlog
unused green cards to give highly healthcare workers and save lives in puts them and their families at the
skilled, foreign-born nurses and doctors America. risk of losing their immigration status
the opportunity to work in our country Madam President, I yield the floor to and being deported. It hinders their
and help solve this crisis. It will recap- my colleague from Illinois, Senator ability to fight against COVID–19 be-
ture approximately 25,000 unused visas DURBIN, the lead Democratic cosponsor cause these doctors face many restric-
for nurses and 15,000 unused visas for on the Healthcare Workforce Resil- tions due to their temporary status.
ience Act, and I want to thank him for For example, many of these doctors
doctors. This bill would cut redtape
his tireless efforts in this regard and cannot take shifts at hospitals in
and give our hospitals critical support
COVID–19 hotspots where they are des-
quickly as America continues to re- his strong leadership to help the young
perately needed. The Healthcare Work-
open our economy. It will ease the men and women on the frontlines of
force Resilience Act, which we bring to
pressure on healthcare providers and our healthcare delivery system.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the floor, would reallocate 25,000 un-
help save American lives.
ator from Illinois. used immigrant visas for nurses and
I want to emphasize that this bill
Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, let 15,000 unused immigrant visas for doc-
will not increase current legal immi-
me thank my colleague, the senior tors. These are visas Congress has pre-
gration limits, displace American
Senator from the State of Georgia, for viously authorized but were never used.
workers, or negatively impact It is important to note that our bill
healthcare worker wages. joining me in this bipartisan effort. We
requires employers to attest that im-
I have always been a supporter of a now have some 36 sponsors and cospon-
migrants overseas who receive these
merit-based immigration system, and sors of this legislation.
visas do not displace the employment
many people on the other side of the Immigration can be a divisive issue,
of any American workers. We want to
aisle are as well. We all continue to but this is an immigration measure
ensure that the beneficiaries of this
work in that direction. We believe that that is not divisive. It has unified us on
bill complement, not replace, the
a merit-based immigration system can a bipartisan basis, as it should. We are
American healthcare workforce.
strengthen our economy and protect talking about the Healthcare Work- I am going to tell you the story of
American jobs at the same time. This force Resilience Act. We are talking one of these doctors who is practicing
is a policy that President Trump and about men and women who, as we in downstate Illinois in the Quad Cities
the majority of Congress have long speak on the floor of the Senate in the area in Moline. I can tell you, as a
supported—on both sides of the aisle, safety of this Chamber, are literally downstater myself, there are many
actually. The Healthcare Workforce risking their lives as healthcare profes- areas of downstate that are rural,
Resilience Act is fully aligned with sionals across the United States to deal small town, and cannot bring in the
these merit-based policies. with this pandemic, which we fight specialists who are needed. That is why
These immigrant nurses and doctors every single day. these doctors become so important
have already been hired and approved Last week, we sent a bipartisan let- when they step in and provide their
to work in our country. Many of them ter urging congressional leaders to services. Let me tell you about this
live here already. The only thing pre- make this bill part of any COVID–19 re- doctor.
venting them from saving lives is bu- lief legislation. Currently pending be- His name is Dr. Bhanu Vakkalanka.
reaucratic redtape and the backlog it fore the Senate is a negotiation with He sent me a letter and told me his
creates. These folks are highly skilled, the White House, the House, the Sen- story, and he asked me to help work to
well qualified, and extremely moti- ate—Democrats and Republicans—to pass this piece of legislation. Dr.
vated to be on the frontlines in the make sure that we continue to move Vakkalanka and his wife, Dr. Sasi
fight against COVID–19. They are all forward to fight this pandemic and to Royyuru—excuse me for mispro-
ready to go in the areas that need the restore the vibrancy of our own econ- nouncing—Royyuru—are both physi-
most help. omy. The letter we sent was cosigned cians. They met in medical school in
This bill is truly bipartisan. I am by Senators LEAHY, YOUNG, and COONS, India, and they came to the United

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very proud to say that today. It has 36 as well as Representatives SCHNEIDER, States 15 years ago in 2005—15 years
cosponsors from both parties. I give the COLE, FINKENAUER, and BACON, who ago. At the time, their children—a
lead sponsor on the Democratic side, were the lead sponsors of the House young girl and boy—were 5 and 3 years
my friend from Illinois, Senator DUR- version of the same bill. We are now up old.
BIN, a lot of credit for that. He has long to, I understand, 37. They said 36 ear- Before they came to the United
been a champion for this sort of help in lier. I am told we have 18 Republicans States, they had trained and worked

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S4528 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 28, 2020
for 10 years in England. Both achieved think that their children, after all professed belief that all men and
great professional success, but they these years, would be deported from women are created equal and endowed
were drawn to move to the United the United States? It is a very real with the same inalienable rights.
States. They were drawn to our free- risk. Later today, John Lewis will make
dom, our equality, and the opportunity Dr. Vakkalanka told me: his last departure from the U.S. Cap-
that really is our trademark in the Our children waited for 15 years or longer itol. He is going home after a long and
world. along with us for their turn. They laughed noble life of service, a life that has
This is what Dr. Vakkalanka told me with us and cried with us for all these years. helped us to live up to our ideals. How
about his family’s move to the United It is not fair to kick them out of the line for often did we hear John Lewis say:
no fault of theirs. They have nowhere else to
States, and I want to quote his words: go. This country is their only home! When young people tell me that noth-
It was not an easy transition. We had to ing has changed, I tell them to come
start all over again as residents. It was chal-
Dr. Vakkalanka and Dr. Royyuru’s
walk in my shoes.
lenging to take care of two young children in family story makes clear why Congress He was so right. America is different
the middle of our long working hours and needs to include the Healthcare Work- and America is better because of the
paltry salaries with no one to fall back on. force Resilience Act in the next enormous sacrifice and courage of men
. . . But we had not come this far to give up coronavirus relief legislation. Under
like John Lewis, Reverend C.T. Vivian,
on our dreams easily. our bill, these two good doctors from
who passed away, as well, last week;
Dr. Vakkalanka now works as a med- India, and thousands of others like
Joseph Lowery; Mamie Till; Martin Lu-
ical oncologist for the UnityPoint them, would finally receive their green
ther King; Coretta Scott King; Rosa
Health System in Moline, in my home cards. They and their families would
Parks; Daisy Bates; Julian Bond; Bay-
State of Illinois, a well-respected insti- get the permanent immigration status
ard Rustin; Elijah Cummings; and, of
tution. Dr. Royyuru is a family physi- they deserve and be able to use their
course, my friend and the current
cian in Bloomington, IL. There is a skills to serve on the frontlines of the
House Democratic Whip, JAMES CLY-
long drive between the two, Moline and pandemic wherever they are needed
BURN, and so many other leaders of our
Bloomington. Here is what Dr. most.
Let’s face it. This pandemic is test- modern civil rights movement—just
Vakkalanka told me about his life in too many to name.
America: ing us as a nation, testing us as to
whether we will have the endurance We are a more perfect union today
Despite the initial hardship, we fell in love because so many ordinary men and
with the United States soon after we came and the determination to get through
this pandemic but equally testing us as women and children whose names are
here. People were welcoming and generous.
We were made to feel like we were part of to whether we care for one another. mostly forgotten by history risked
this society from day one and we felt that Certainly, we care for our families. We their lives for dignity and democracy
this is where we belonged. We felt blessed, spend a lot of time with them. We in little towns like Selma and Bir-
happy and proud to be able to live here, raise worry about not being able to be next mingham, AL, and Chicago’s Mar-
our children and call it our home. quette Park neighborhood.
to our children or grandchildren be-
Let me tell you, he tells me how for- cause of fear of infection, and it is a Thank goodness we are better, but
tunate he was. I believe we are the for- real test. But it is also a test of our the work of true justice and equality is
tunate ones—fortunate to have two ex- values of who we are. far from over. We know that. A month
ceptional physicians and their children This man, after giving 15 years to the before he died, John Lewis spoke out
as residents of my home State. United States, practicing medicine in about how he was moved to see so
Unfortunately, Dr. Vakkalanka and areas where he is desperately needed, is many people from different back-
Dr. Royyuru, his wife, are two of thou- simply asking for a chance to become a grounds marching together for racial
sands of doctors who are stuck in a bu- legal, permanent resident of the United justice and healing. Most Americans
reaucratic backlog called the green States. It is not too much to ask. For today are appalled—almost incred-
card backlog. They have lived in the all he has given us, and his wife as ulous—that only decades ago young
United States for 15 years. Their green well, we owe it to him and his family people like John Lewis and Diane Nash
card petitions were approved nearly a to give them the peace of mind that were accosted by angry mobs simply
decade ago. Yet, even today, after more they have a future in the United for having the audacity—the audac-
than 10 years, they are not lawful resi- States. They have proved that they are ity—to sit at a Whites-only lunch
dents. Why? Because the backlog of deserving. counter or ride on a segregated bus.
people seeking these green cards— I hope, even in these divided political We reject racism as individuals, but
these immigration visas—is so large. times, we can come together in Con- many of us are only beginning to un-
In the midst of the COVID–19 pan- gress to quickly aid these immigrant derstand the existence of the corrosive
demic, the temporary immigration sta- health heroes. consequences of the system of racial
tus of this family puts them at real I commend my colleague from Geor- injustice. This national reckoning on
risk. Why? If, God forbid, they would gia. I thank him. He had to step away race in which we are now engaged is
contract COVID–19 and become dis- from the floor at this moment, but I helping us to see more clearly how old,
abled or die, their family will instantly thank him for joining me in this bipar- discredited ideas about race, which
lose their immigration status and be tisan effort. have been rejected by most, still linger
forced to leave the United States. For Let’s get this done. Let do the right in the minds of many individuals, re-
15 years they have waited, and for 10 thing for this doctor, for his family, gardless of the laws that have been
years they have been on the actual and for so many others. passed.
queue, the waiting list for green cards, RACISM I believe that most Americans be-
and if one of them takes ill and cannot Mr. President, the great writer, lieve very deeply in fairness. It is one
work, they could all be deported. James Baldwin, told us: of our defining values as a people. I
Now their children, who were 5 and 3 Not everything that is faced can be also believe Maya Angelou was right
when they arrived in the United changed. But nothing can be changed until it when she said:
States, are 20 years old and 18 years is faced. Do the best you can until you know better.
old. This is significant. They grew up The national discussion on race and Then when you know better, do better.
in this country, but they are at risk of racism in the wake of the death of How can we do better to reduce sys-
aging out in this bureaucratic system. George Floyd in Minneapolis has really temic racial injustice and heal the
If they reach the age of 21, these two opened the eyes of many Americans wounds and divisions that false notions
children, who have lived here virtually and people around the world. Many of racial superiority have caused in our

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all of their teenage and adolescent people are seeing more clearly—some Nation and our fellow citizens? As
life—if they reach the age of 21 and perhaps for the first time in their John Lewis told us often, achieving
have not been able to apply for a green lives—the extent to which injustice has great, genuine equality is the work of a
card, they are subject to deportation. embedded itself in parts of America. lifetime. Let me suggest briefly a few
Can you imagine how devastating it We see how some of our laws and in- ways that this Senate can begin that
would be for this doctor and his wife to stitutions don’t match our stated and work.

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July 28, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4529
First—and this is so easy and obvi- the United States of America, we see so sponsor, called the Housing is Infra-
ous—let the Senate debate and vote on many Black women dying in childbirth structure Act. It would invest $100 bil-
the Justice in Policing Act. The Presi- and so many babies dying as well. It is lion to repair our current stock of pub-
dent can send unidentified Federal unnecessary. It is time for us to focus lic housing and to build new units of
agents to as many cities as he likes, the great resources, health resources, safe, affordable public housing.
but the calls for justice in our streets of America on this issue. I could just walk you through a map
will not end until we make a clear In America, a woman of color is three of the State of Illinois and the public
stand against policing tactics that to four times more likely than a White housing I have visited and witnessed
killed George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, woman to die as a result of pregnancy. that is in desperate need of repair. It is
Tamir Rice, Laquan McDonald, and too Why? The answers are very obvious. We time, you think, to call the landlord
many other men, women, and children need better, more focused, more under- and say: What are you going to do
of color in America. standing medical care. I am sad to say about this housing unit that you own
Our Republican colleagues acknowl- that in Illinois, the situation—the that is falling down? Except, it turns
edged the need for policing reforms numbers—are that bad, if not even out, we are the landlords. The Federal
when they brought up the bill that in- worse. Government owns this property. The
cluded certain changes, but the bill did The United States is 1 of only 13 na- Federal Government has the responsi-
not proceed, and it should. This Senate tions in the world in which the mater- bility to fix it.
can—and must—do better. This belief nal mortality rate is worse than it was Last week, President Trump moved
is shared by an overwhelming majority 25 years ago. In the United States of to repeal an Obama-era rule meant to
of civil rights organizations in our Na- America, we are 1 of only 13 nations in ban discriminatory housing and zoning
tion. which the maternal death rate is worse laws and policies. It is not pricing from
The Justice in Policing Act is spon- today than what it was 25 years ago. this President, but it is wrong. We need
sored by Senators KAMALA HARRIS and How in the world can we explain that? to move forward and not backward.
CORY BOOKER. It has passed the House I have introduced a bill called the The housing infrastructure needs to
of Representatives, and I am proud to MOMMA Act. My companion in this ef- move in the right direction.
be a cosponsor. fort is my Congresswoman from Chi- Finally, once again, in the name of
The House, in passing its version cago, ROBIN KELLY. Let’s get that de- John Lewis, I believe that the right to
with a bipartisan vote, gave us an op- bated, I say to Senator MCCONNELL. It vote was ‘‘almost sacred,’’ in his words,
portunity, I say to Senator MCCON- will not take long. I bet it passes eas- and I share that feeling, but that right
NELL, to debate the Justice in Policing ily. We owe it to many across America is now threatened by a series of mis-
Act, which passed the House, and here to show the initiative and to bring it to guided decisions in recent years by the
in the Senate we should. the floor. Supreme Court and other courts.
Second, let this Senate debate the Fourth, because our friends across The House passed a bill last year to
Economic Justice Act that has been of- the aisle could not agree among them- restore the Voting Rights Act to its
fered by Senator SCHUMER. selves on what would be in the next original intent. That bill is being re-
Third, Martin Luther King called ra- coronavirus relief bill, critical protec- introduced in the Senate this week by
cial disparities in healthcare one of the tions included in the CARES Act have Senator LEAHY and in the House by
most shocking of all racial injustices. now or will soon expire without re- Congressman CLYBURN. The difference?
It was more than 50 years ago when he placement. They are naming it in honor of Con-
said. Yet the disparities persist to this These protections include payments gressman John Lewis.
day and may be worse in many ways. for the jobless for tens of millions of John Lewis did not risk his life in
This pandemic has laid them bare for Americans who have lost their jobs in Selma and so many other places so peo-
us to see. Black and Brown Americans this pandemic—it wasn’t because they ple would praise him in speeches or
are three times more likely to become were lazy; it was bad luck—as well as name things after him. He did not risk
infected with coronavirus than White the Federal moratorium on evictions his life for the right to have a bridge
Americans and twice as likely to die for families who have had difficulty named after him—although it is a fit-
from COVID–19. paying their rent because of economic ting tribute. He risked his life over and
The Affordable Care Act has done devastation brought on by COVID–19. over again to protect the right of every
more to reduce racial disparities in Unless we extend this moratorium, as American to vote.
healthcare than almost any act since many as 28 million could lose their Americans’ faith in our electoral sys-
the creation of Medicaid. It is hard to homes in the next 3 months. I can’t tem—the cornerstone of our democ-
believe that there are many on the imagine the devastation that would racy—continues to be under attack by
other side still trying to kill the Af- bring to a family—losing your home entities that wish us ill.
fordable Care Act in the midst of a pan- and perhaps having no place to turn. For those who gathered in the Ro-
demic that has already taken the lives For the sake of those families and for tunda yesterday to honor his memory
of 145,000 Americans. Many more have our ability to fight this virus, we must and to stand in silent respect for all
been sickened, and it is still burning extend the moratorium on evictions the work of his life, I say to my fellow
out of control in large parts of our Na- and help families who are struggling to Senators who were there: Let us pass
tion. Think about what it would be if pay rent. the Voting Rights Advancement Act in
we had no Affordable Care Act and dou- Senator WARREN introduced a bill the name of Congressman John Lewis.
bled the number of uninsured people in that I have cosponsored to extend this Let us make it clear that his life was
this country. How could that bring us critical moratorium through March. It worth this and so much more.
any consolation or confidence that we is called the Protecting Renters from When you know better, you do better.
can continue to fight this battle? Evictions and Fees Act. Our eyes have been opened, and now it
For the sake of African Americans, I am proud to cosponsor a bill with is time for us to act.
Latinx Americans, and all Americans Senator BROWN that provides $100 bil- It is my honor to serve in this Sen-
who rely on the affordable coverage lion in emergency rental assistance to ate, but I am sorry to say that when it
and patient protections, it is time to help families and individuals pay their comes to production of important,
put an end to this endless assault on rent. Let’s keep these families in a meaningful legislation, this institution
the Affordable Care Act. safe, quality living environment. has fallen far behind.
I hope my colleagues—especially my The crisis of affordable housing We seldom take up bills of great im-
colleagues who speak passionately didn’t start with this pandemic. The portance and magnitude. We just

Dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
about protecting mothers and babies— shortage of safe, affordable public passed the Defense authorization bill—
will join me in passing a bill I have in- housing has been building for decades, a very important piece of legislation,
troduced to reduce the shocking high and it disproportionately harms Afri- which I believe has passed for 59
rate of maternal and infant mortality can-American families. straight years in Congress, and I am
among African-American women and Senator HARRIS of California has in- glad it passed again, but now you see
their babies. It is inexplicable that in troduced a bill, which I am proud to co- an empty floor and an empty Chamber

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S4530 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 28, 2020
where we are not taking up the issues His death is a loss, but his dauntless from around the country came to hard-
that we should. courage and deep conviction have hit New York City to help. They
There is one person who controls the carved out for him a permanent place formed an essential part of the city’s
agenda and the schedule of this Cham- in American history. When we tell sto- medical response, and they undoubt-
ber, and that is the Republican major- ries of those who have made America edly saved lives. They are deserving of
ity leader, Senator MITCH MCCONNELL greater, John Lewis’s name will always New York’s profound gratitude—and
of Kentucky. Let’s not waste this op- be among them. apparently of something else: tax bills.
portunity to make America a better f That is right. In May, New York Gov-
place. Let’s do things that make a dif- ernor Andrew Cuomo announced that
ference. CORONAVIRUS
New York would be levying income tax
America is counting on us in the Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, yester- on any money these medical profes-
midst of this massive health crisis with day, Senate Republicans introduced sionals made while they were there.
COVID–19—perhaps the worst health the next phase of our coronavirus relief Now, individuals can generally re-
crisis our Nation has faced in over 100 effort, the Health, Economic Assist- ceive a tax credit in their home State
years. With the state of our economy ance, Liability Protection, and Schools for income tax paid to another State,
and so many—tens of millions of people Act, or the HEALS Act. thus avoiding double taxation of their
out of work, shouldn’t we be acting to- This bill has been carefully targeted income, but since New York has one of
gether on a bipartisan basis, as we did to address the most pressing issues fac- the highest income taxes in the coun-
in March of this year, to pass legisla- ing our Nation right now: getting kids try, a lot of these medical professionals
tion? back to school, getting workers back will be facing a higher than normal tax
The reports we have is that the other to work, and ensuring that we have the bill on any money they earn in New
side of the aisle is in disarray. I might healthcare resources necessary to de- York. The situation is even worse for
remind Senator MCCONNELL that the feat the virus. residents of States without an income
best legislation that passes here is bi- The HEALS Act will provide eco- tax, like my home State of South Da-
partisan. And this measure, COVID re- nomic incentives to help businesses re- kota. Medical professionals from those
lief, moving forward, should be bipar- tain workers. It will give additional States will simply have to absorb the
tisan as well. For it to be bipartisan, support to hard-hit small businesses. It full cost of this unexpected bill.
we need people of both parties to sit will provide checks to American fami- The healthcare workers who traveled
down together and negotiate. That has lies to help them weather the economic to New York are not alone in facing a
to continue, along with the participa- challenges that they are facing. It will complicated tax situation. For Ameri-
tion of the White House, in order to give schools more than $100 billion to cans who regularly spend limited time
achieve these goals. help them safely reopen so kids and working in different States throughout
First and foremost, we need to re- college students aren’t missing out on the year, the situation can be even
store unemployment assistance to the the academic, social, and emotional worse. A traveling nurse, for example,
millions of families who will see it end benefits of in-person learning. or a corporate trainer might work in
in just a few days. I cannot imagine It will direct funds to diagnosis, vac- not just one but several additional
having lost your job, worried about cines, and treatments. It will ensure States during a given year, and navi-
whether there is another one waiting that medical professionals, small busi- gating the resulting income tax situa-
or whether one will be available, and nesses, and school districts doing their tion can be incredibly complicated.
then having to worry about whether best to protect Americans don’t face Some States, like New York, aggres-
you can make that rent payment, the frivolous lawsuits from predatory trial sively tax individuals they deem to
mortgage payment, the utility bills, lawyers. have earned income within their bor-
food, health insurance—the basics—and It will provide incentives for manu- ders, even if the income in question is
to be told that Congress just let unem- facturing personal protective equip- just the salary they earned from their
ployment assistance expire, which hap- ment in the United States to help en- employer while attending a 2-day
pens in just 3 days. What are these sure that we never again face the kinds training conference in the State. Other
families going to do? of shortages we have seen with the States allow nonresidents to work for
I sincerely hope that every Member coronavirus. And more. longer periods—as long as 60 days in
of the Senate will reach out to one of Now it is time for Democrats to come some cases—before they require an in-
these unemployed families and listen to the negotiating table so that we can dividual to file an income tax return.
quietly to their stories. I have seen arrive at a bipartisan bill and get this Navigating different States’ require-
them as they come to the food pan- relief into the hands of Americans. I ments can be a real burden for both
tries. I have seen them come and ask was disappointed to hear of the Demo- employees and employers and can dis-
for help, which they never dreamed cratic leader’s partisan screeds yester- courage interstate commerce. It is par-
they would have to do. It must be day and today on the Senate floor, al- ticularly challenging for small busi-
heartbreaking to go through that expe- though I did appreciate his ability to— nesses, which frequently lack the in-
rience. Let’s stand by them now. They with a straight face, I might add—si- house tax staff and tracking capabili-
need us now more than ever. multaneously characterize Republican ties of larger organizations.
I yield the floor. relief efforts as insufficient while tout- This situation cries out for a solu-
I suggest the absence of a quorum. ing a House bill that mentions the tion. For the past four Congresses, I
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. word ‘‘cannabis’’ more often than the have introduced legislation—the Mo-
BOOZMAN). The clerk will call the roll. word ‘‘job’’ and actually contains less bile Workforce State Income Tax Sim-
The senior assistant legislative clerk money for schools than the Republican plification Act—to create a uniform
proceeded to call the roll. bill. standard for mobile workers. Under my
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask No one is going to get everything bill, if you spent 30 days or fewer work-
unanimous consent that the order for they want with this bill, and Demo- ing in a different State, you would be
the quorum call be rescinded. crats are not going to be able to imple- taxed as normal by your home State. If
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ment their socialist wish list, but if we you spent more than 30 days working
objection, it is so ordered. work together, we can get real relief in a different State, you would be sub-
f into the hands of Americans. I hope the ject to that other State’s income tax in
Democrats will join us. addition to the income tax in your
REMEMBERING JOHN LEWIS home State. Having a universal rule
f

Dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, yester- like this would make life a lot easier
day, I was privileged to be able to pay REMOTE AND MOBILE WORKER for workers and for employers.
my respects to Representative John RELIEF ACT In June I introduced an updated
Lewis as he lay in state in the Capitol Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, during version of my mobile workforce bill—
Rotunda—a fitting place for an Amer- New York’s toughest moments during the Remote and Mobile Worker Relief
ican hero. the pandemic, medical professionals Act, which I am pleased to announce

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