Congressional Record, July 29, 2020 — Senate
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated July 29, 2020, beginning at page S4593, in a long document. It lists Senators added as cosponsors of bills including S. 3814 on a loan program for businesses affected by COVID-19, S. 4174 on emergency appropriations related to the COVID-19 crisis, S. 4181 on a stabilization fund to accelerate recovery from coronavirus, S. 4252 on funding for State unemployment compensation programs, S. 4283 and S. 4338 on suspending increased line speeds at meat and poultry establishments, and S. Res. 509. The page also lists committee meetings authorized for Wednesday, July 29, 2020, and ends with bill text on small hub airports and an estimate of the value of masks.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Congressional Record, July 29, 2020 — Senate.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-07-29-crec-2020-07-29-pt1-pgs4593-a908705970/
, SHA-256 3b4a5a1297fc81e13ea45efca742286c00999f4a8011c49f0f80a9aa8cb4d407.Full text
July 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4593
(Mr. BENNET) was added as a cosponsor (Mr. REED) was added as a cosponsor of land (Mr. WHITEHOUSE) and the Senator
of S. 3737, a bill to improve the public S. 4172, a bill to provide emergency from Maryland (Mr. CARDIN) were
health workforce loan repayment pro- funding for child welfare services pro- added as cosponsors of S. 4252, a bill to
gram. vided under parts B and E of title IV of provide funding for States to improve
S. 3814 the Social Security Act, and for other their unemployment compensation
At the request of Mr. BENNET, the purposes. programs, and for other purposes.
name of the Senator from Pennsyl- S. 4174 S. 4283
vania (Mr. CASEY) was added as a co- At the request of Ms. COLLINS, the At the request of Mr. WYDEN, the
sponsor of S. 3814, a bill to establish a names of the Senator from Kansas (Mr. name of the Senator from Rhode Island
loan program for businesses affected by MORAN) and the Senator from Maine (Mr. WHITEHOUSE) was added as a co-
COVID–19 and to extend the loan for- (Mr. KING) were added as cosponsors of sponsor of S. 4283, a bill to provide
giveness period for paycheck protec- S. 4174, a bill to provide emergency ap- funding for States to improve their un-
tion program loans made to the hard- propriations to the United States Post- employment insurance technology sys-
est hit businesses, and for other pur- al Service to cover losses related to the tems, and for other purposes.
poses. COVID–19 crisis and to direct the Board S. 4338
S. 4034 of Governors of the United States Post- At the request of Mr. BOOKER, the
At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the al Service to develop a plan for ensur- name of the Senator from Washington
names of the Senator from Rhode Is- ing the long term solvency of the Post- (Mrs. MURRAY) was added as a cospon-
land (Mr. WHITEHOUSE), the Senator al Service. sor of S. 4338, a bill to direct the Sec-
from Mississippi (Mr. WICKER), the Sen- S. 4181 retary of Agriculture to temporarily
ator from Delaware (Mr. COONS) and At the request of Mr. REED, the name suspend increased line speeds at meat
the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. of the Senator from New Hampshire and poultry establishments, and for
TILLIS) were added as cosponsors of S. (Mrs. SHAHEEN) was added as a cospon- other purposes.
4034, a bill to expand eligibility for and sor of S. 4181, a bill to establish a Li- S. RES. 509
provide judicial review for the Elderly brary Stabilization Fund to respond to
Home Detention Pilot Program, pro- At the request of Mr. TOOMEY, the
and accelerate the recovery from name of the Senator from Mississippi
vide for compassionate release based coronavirus.
on COVID–19 vulnerability, shorten the (Mr. WICKER) was added as a cosponsor
S. 4198 of S. Res. 509, a resolution calling upon
waiting period for judicial review dur-
At the request of Mr. SCOTT of Flor- the United Nations Security Council to
ing the COVID–19 pandemic, and make
ida, the name of the Senator from Iowa adopt a resolution on Iran that extends
other technical corrections.
(Ms. ERNST) was added as a cosponsor the dates by which Annex B restric-
S. 4042
of S. 4198, a bill to require health plans tions under Resolution 2231 are cur-
At the request of Mr. MERKLEY, the
to provide coverage for COVID–19 serol- rently set to expire.
name of the Senator from Delaware
ogy testing. S. RES. 652
(Mr. COONS) was added as a cosponsor
S. 4202
of S. 4042, a bill to protect agricultural At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the
workers from the impacts of the At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr.
coronavirus pandemic, and for other name of the Senator from Nevada (Ms. MERKLEY) was added as a cosponsor of
purposes. ROSEN) was added as a cosponsor of S. S. Res. 652, a resolution expressing the
S. 4075
4202, a bill to amend the Food and Nu- sense of the Senate regarding pre-
At the request of Mrs. CAPITO, the trition Act of 2008 to expand online conditions for the readmission of the
name of the Senator from Montana benefit redemption options under the Russian Federation into a reconsti-
(Mr. TESTER) was added as a cosponsor supplemental nutrition assistance pro- tuted Group of Eight or participation
of S. 4075, a bill to amend the Public gram, and for other purposes. in the Group of Seven.
S. 4226
Works and Economic Development Act S. RES. 658
of 1965 to provide for the release of cer- At the request of Mr. PETERS, the At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the
tain Federal interests in connection names of the Senator from Ohio (Mr. name of the Senator from Vermont
with certain grants under that Act, and PORTMAN), the Senator from Maine (Mr. LEAHY) was added as a cosponsor
for other purposes. (Mr. KING) and the Senator from Ne- of S. Res. 658, a resolution calling for a
S. 4098 braska (Mr. SASSE) were added as co- free, fair, and transparent presidential
At the request of Mr. MENENDEZ, the sponsors of S. 4226, a bill to require the election in Belarus taking place on Au-
names of the Senator from Maryland Secretary of Homeland Security to gust 9, 2020, including the unimpeded
(Mr. CARDIN) and the Senator from Ha- conduct an assessment of the feasi- participation of all presidential can-
waii (Mr. SCHATZ) were added as co- bility and advisability of establishing a didates.
sponsors of S. 4098, a bill to provide fund for the response to, and recovery
f
funding for the Neighborhood Reinvest- from, a cyber state of distress, and for
ment Corporation Act, and for other other purposes. STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED
purposes. S. 4227 BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
S. 4129 At the request of Ms. ROSEN, the By Mr. KAINE (for himself, Mr.
At the request of Mr. WICKER, the name of the Senator from Minnesota YOUNG, Mr. REED, and Mr. CAS-
name of the Senator from New Hamp- (Ms. SMITH) was added as a cosponsor SIDY):
shire (Mrs. SHAHEEN) was added as a co- of S. 4227, a bill to improve access to S. 4349. A bill to address behavioral
sponsor of S. 4129, a bill to amend the economic injury disaster loans and health and well-being among health
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to rein- emergency advances under the CARES care professionals; to the Committee
state advance refunding bonds. Act, and for other purposes. on Health, Education, Labor, and Pen-
S. 4143 S. 4231 sions.
At the request of Mr. SCHUMER, the At the request of Mr. ALEXANDER, the Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, Lorna
name of the Senator from Nevada (Ms. names of the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Breen was a talented and dynamic phy-
CORTEZ MASTO) was added as a cospon- SULLIVAN) and the Senator from Flor- sician who served as the medical direc-
sor of S. 4143, a bill to extend the un- ida (Mr. RUBIO) were added as cospon- tor of the emergency department at
employment insurance provisions of sors of S. 4231, a bill to strengthen and New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital.
the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Eco- sustain on-shore manufacturing capac- Lorna was from Charlottesville, VA,
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
nomic Security (CARES) Act for the ity and State stockpiles, and to im- and very devoted to her family there.
duration of the economic recovery, and prove the Strategic National Stock- She attended Cornell University and
for other purposes. pile. then the Medical College of Virginia.
S. 4172 S. 4252 She was deeply religious, an avid skier,
At the request of Mr. BROWN, the At the request of Mr. WYDEN, the a volunteer with senior citizens, a salsa
name of the Senator from Rhode Island names of the Senator from Rhode Is- dancer, and a musician.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:10 Jul 30, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JY6.042 S29JYPT1
S4594 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 29, 2020
Mostly, Lorna Breen was a beloved, less number of incredibly sick patients. She ican Medical Association showed that
compassionate, and demanding doctor. and her colleagues worked 24/7 during the nearly 40 percent of surveyed physi-
A colleague said of her: ‘‘She had some- peak in New York with limited personal pro- cians are wary about seeking mental
tective equipment, insufficient supplies, not
thing that was a little bit different and enough beds, not enough help. Many of her
health counseling, while another 12
that was this optimism that her per- colleagues were out on medical furlough. She percent indicate that they would only
sistent effort will save lives.’’ told me patients were dying in the waiting do so in secret.
Dr. Breen suffered from something rooms and hallways. . . . There was so much Dr. Breen’s family is devastated by
very common among health profes- suffering, so much death. her passing, but they are honoring her
sionals—the deep stress of dealing with During the peak of the crisis in New by advocating for the cause of a more
patients day in and day out—helping York City, nearly a quarter of all pa- humane profession, one in which men-
them, worrying about them, cele- tients admitted to the Allen for tal health challenges are acknowl-
brating with them, praying for them, COVID–19 would die. Dr. Breen mes- edged, mental health resources are
and mourning for them. saged her Bible study group: ‘‘I’m available, and the healer accessing
Healthcare professionals routinely drowning right now—may be AWOL for those services is encouraged.
experience high levels of stress. As a while.’’ She kept right on working. I am proud today to introduce the Dr.
many as 45 to 55 percent of this critical By mid-April, Dr. Breen reached out Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Pro-
workforce suffers from burnout. Physi- for help to deal with the stress she was tection Act, together with my col-
cians have the highest rate of death by feeling by talking to colleagues and leagues, Senators YOUNG, REED, and
suicide of any profession in this coun- family. She admitted that she had CASSIDY. The act aims to reduce and
try, with a suicide rate more than thought about hurting herself. She told prevent suicide, burnout, and other
twice that of the general population. one friend: mental and behavioral health condi-
That was the case before COVID–19. I couldn’t help anyone. I couldn’t do any- tions among healthcare professionals.
In November 2019, Dr. Breen and thing. I just wanted to help people and I In particular, the act would establish
three colleagues published a short arti- couldn’t do anything. grants for training healthcare profes-
cle in the American Journal of Emer- Dr. Breen was admitted to a psy- sionals, students, and residents with
gency Medicine titled: ‘‘Clinician burn- chiatric hospital for 11 days and went strategies to improve their mental
out and its association with team- home when she was discharged to be well-being and job satisfaction; iden-
based care in the Emergency Depart- with her family in Charlottesville to tify and disseminate evidence-based
ment.’’ The article that she coauthored recover, and on April 26, Dr. Breen died best practices for combating burnout
begins this way: by suicide, leaving no note. and suicide; establish a national edu-
Recent work has noted the alarming preva- Dr. Breen was a victim of
lence of clinician burnout among providers,
cation and awareness campaign tar-
coronavirus, even though her death is geting healthcare professionals to en-
particularly among acute care physicians.
not counted among the 151,000 people courage them to seek support and
Burnout is characterized by emotional ex-
haustion, physical fatigue, and cognitive who have succumbed to the virus. But treatment for mental and behavioral
weariness, which may lead to feelings of de- she was also a victim of another condi- health concerns; create grants for em-
personalization and reduced accomplish- tion that is a preventable condition ployee education, peer support pro-
ment. that affects our healthcare profes- gramming, and mental and behavioral
The article went on to describe how sionals. We place enormous demands health treatment with a priority for
staffing models—in this case, the use of upon our healers. Our society, includ- providers in COVID–19 hotspots; and
fixed working teams—could mitigate ing the medical profession itself, does initiate a comprehensive study on
the effects of stress on staff and also not do enough to recognize the real healthcare professional mental health
improve patient outcomes. Within just cost that the work inflicts upon the needs, including the impact of COVID–
a few months of the publication of this mental health of our caregivers. Per- 19 on our providers, that can produce
article, healthcare professionals like haps even our use of the term ‘‘hero,’’ recommendations for all levels of gov-
Dr. Breen, already dealing with high meant as the highest praise, subtly ernment and the medical professions
stress levels, faced a new foe: communicates an expectation that our themselves.
coronavirus. healers must be strong superheroes, We introduced this bill mindful of
Dr. Breen’s hospital was overrun by placed high on a pedestal by society, the many priorities that are currently
the virus in March and April, as were thereby making it even more difficult being discussed while we negotiate our
others in New York, as are others in for a caregiver to admit vulnerability continuing response to the Nation’s
this country. By late March, the Allen, and simply ask for help. coronavirus challenge. It is our hope
a small community hospital serving a Loice Swisher, an emergency room that this bill might make it into the
low-income population in Northern physician in Philadelphia, puts it this next COVID–19 bill as a tribute to
Manhattan, was blitzed with an emer- way: Lorna Breen and so many like her.
gency department clogged with nearly We don’t want to be seen as a weak link. How should we honor the work and
three times its normal number of pa- We don’t want to be seen as incompetent or sacrifice of a Lorna Breen? How do we
tients. Dr. Breen shared the sense of place an extra burden on our colleagues. It’s
almost like you’re being kicked off the is-
honor those healthcare frontline work-
anxiety now understood by the whole land—you don’t belong any more—if you ers whom we call heroes every day?
country: ‘‘People I work with are so admit to [needing help]. How do we recognize the tremendous
confused by all the mixed messages and It is still common practice in this work they are doing and also the tre-
constantly changing instructions.’’ country for State medical boards and mendous burden that they carry? Let’s
And then Dr. Breen got the virus her- hospitals to ask doctors seeking licens- pass this bill and show that we care
self, coming down with fever and ex- ing and credentialing whether they about our healers and are committed
haustion on March 18 and quarantining have ever been treated for depression to providing them the resources and
in her New York City apartment as she or other mental illness. This heightens the culture they need to keep healing.
tried to recover. While she was trying the barriers to asking for help when we ---
to recover, she was texting her col- By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
should be making it easier to do so. S. 4352. A bill to provide for the water
leagues to see if they were OK. She was Lorna’s sister Jennifer attests to this:
trying to help them find supplies that quality restoration of the Tijuana
And when [Lorna] became so overworked
they could buy to use at the hospital. River and the New River, and for other
and despondent that she was unable to move,
Finally, she returned to work on do you know what she was worried about? purposes; to the Committee on Envi-
April 1, and the situation in her emer- Her job. She was worried that she would lose ronment and Public Works.
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
gency room, her hospital, her city, was her medical license, or be ostracized by her Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I
even grimmer. Her sister, Jennifer colleagues because she was suffering burnout rise today to introduce the ‘‘Border
Breen Feist, described what Lorna due to her work on the front lines of the Water Quality Restoration and Protec-
faced. Covid19 crisis. She was afraid to get help. tion Act of 2020.’’
When [Lorna] returned to the hospital, she Lorna’s worries were not unusual. A For over two decades, cleaning up the
was confronted by an overwhelming, relent- 2019 survey of physicians by the Amer- Tijuana River Valley has been one of
VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:10 Jul 30, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G29JY6.042 S29JYPT1
July 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4595
my top priorities for Southern Cali- WHAT THE BILL DOES S. 4361. A bill to automatically ex-
fornia. The wastewater, trash and sedi- The Border Water Quality Restora- tend and adjust enhanced unemploy-
ment that continues to flow into San tion and Protection Act includes some ment assistance for the duration of the
Diego and Imperial Counties is a dan- key reforms to advance concrete solu- COVID–19 emergency and economic cri-
ger to public health and our economy tions. sis, and for other purposes; to the Com-
and it must be addressed. One of the problems is that no one mittee on Finance.
This legislation is a key piece of ad- agency is in charge of this problem. A Mr. REED. Mr. President, the unem-
dressing this decades-long issue. whole range of agencies—EPA, Inter- ployment crisis we are facing due to
WHAT THE PROBLEM IS national Boundary and Water Commis- the pandemic has devastated the lives
Polluted water from the Tijuana and sion, State Department, Department of of tens of millions of Americans—many
New Rivers flows north across the bor- Homeland Security, Customs and Bor- of whom may not see their jobs come
der into the United States causing un- der Protection, Defense Department— back for the foreseeable future. The ex-
sanitary water conditions, pollution all have jurisdiction or interest in this panded unemployment insurance we
and beach closures across Southern international issue. passed in the CARES Act—especially
What we need is one agency in the coverage for gig workers and the
California. It also jeopardizes military
charge, taking input from the others so self-employed and the $600 weekly
training exercises for Navy Seals in
decisions can be made. This approach is
Camp Pendleton. boost—have enabled workers to keep a
similar to other large, regional envi-
Three-quarters of the 1,700-square- roof over their heads, feed their chil-
ronmental challenges like the Great
mile Tijuana River watershed lies in dren, and pay for health insurance.
Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, Everglades and If these benefits expire or are dras-
Mexico. However, the watershed, along
Chesapeake Bay. Here in California, we
with all its pollutants, drains into San tically reduced, it could cause an evic-
have also seen great success with this
Diego County and the Tijuana River tion and hunger crisis. It could also
model of interagency coordination at
Valley. tank consumer spending while increas-
Lake Tahoe.
IMPACTS OF THE WATER POLLUTION Here’s how the bill would work: ing business closings that will lead to
In addition to jeopardizing human The EPA would be officially named even more unemployment. Addition-
health and safety, two of the most the agency with overall control of this ally, it could further exacerbate this
drastic effects from this cross-border effort. public health and economic crisis by
water pollution are harm to wildlife The EPA, along with its federal, forcing more Americans into desperate
and damage to the tourism industry, state and local partners, would be di- situations, instead of ensuring that
integral to Southern Californian com- rected to identify a list of priority people can return to the workforce
munities. projects. It also would be authorized to when it is safe.
Pollution from Mexico harms sen- accept and distribute funds to build, And yet knowing this, the Repub-
sitive areas that provide critical habi- operate and maintain those projects. lican have proposed to slash weekly
tat for more than 300 species of birds as Would permanently authorize the benefits to $200 a week for the next two
well as marine animals like leopard Border Water Infrastructure Program months, after which benefits would be
sharks and bottlenose dolphins, includ- to manage storm water runoff and limited to no more than 70% of pre-
ing: Tijuana River’s National Estua- water reuse projects. vious wages. This plan, which would
rine Research Reserve, the River State and local authorities would cut the average worker’s unemploy-
Mouth State Marine Conservation Area also be authorized to contribute fund- ment benefits by roughly 43%, would
and River Valley Regional Park Pre- ing to federal projects, which is cur- take states months to get up and run-
serve. rently not allowed. ning. This would further delay benefits
The beaches in the region are vital to The International Boundary and at a time when some workers are still
San Diego’s tourism economy. Beaches Water Commission would be authorized waiting for assistance.
in the communities of Coronado and to mitigate storm water from Mexico Instead of this half-baked, ineffi-
Imperial Beach have been closed for and the pollution that comes with it cient, and disingenuous proposal, we
more than 200 days this year alone due and is required to construct, operate must work together on a bipartisan
and maintain projects on the priority basis to enact targeted, effective, and
to pollution.
Health and safety of residents and list developed by the agencies within smart measures that will offer fami-
workers are also at risk. In recent the U.S. that improve water quality. lies, businesses, and the economy the
CONCLUSION needed stability to get us through this
years, local Border Patrol union offi-
cials reported that 80 officers suffered We need a new and comprehensive ap- crisis. That is why I am introducing
from contamination, rashes, infections, proach to this issue that has plagued the Worker Relief and Security Act,
chemical burns and lung irritation due border communities for too long. This along with Senator BENNET and Con-
to toxic cross-border flows. bill creates a formal process to con- gressman BEYER. Our legislation,
The harmful effects of pollution in sider effective, long-term solutions and which reflects input from top econo-
the Tijuana River Valley on our resi- additional wastewater infrastructure mists, would take politics out of the
dents, businesses, economy and envi- to mitigate cross-border pollution and equation, basing continued enhanced
ronment are simply unacceptable. I hope the Senate can move on this bill unemployment insurance benefits on
CURRENT STATUS
quickly. ‘‘automatic stabilizers’’ that are tied
I want to thank California Environ-
In February 2020, the Government to the public health emergency and
mental Protection Agency, California
Accountability Office issued a com- economic conditions. Specifically, this
Natural Resources Agency, San Diego
prehensive report, ‘‘International legislation would automatically extend
and Imperial counties, cities of Impe-
Boundary Water Commission: Opportu- the $600 weekly boost and additional
rial Beach and Coronado, Mayor of
nities Exist to Address Water Quality benefit weeks, on top of regular state
Chula Vista, Mary Casillas Salas,
Problems.’’ My office worked closely Mayor of San Diego, Kevin Faulconer, unemployment, through the duration
with the GAO to utilize their findings and the Port of San Diego for sup- of the public health crisis. Once we
to craft meaningful change through porting this legislation. These commu- begin to enter the recovery phase, this
this legislation. nities, and others, have been nega- legislation would continue providing
Simultaneously, we were able to se- tively impacted by this issue for far supplemental weekly compensation
cure $300 million in the U.S.-Mexico- too long. and additional benefit weeks until na-
Canada trade agreement to address pol- It’s past time that we finally solve tional and state total unemployment
lution in the Tijuana River Valley Wa- this problem to safeguard local health rates get closer to pre-crisis levels.
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
tershed. and economic growth. Time is of the essence, so I urge our
With significant funding and detailed Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the colleagues to join us in pressing for im-
findings by the GAO investigation, we Floor. mediate action on this legislation. We
developed this legislation in concert --- must extend and enhance unemploy-
with federal, state and local agency By Mr. REED (for himself and ment insurance benefits, tying them to
input. Mr. BENNET): economic and health conditions—as
VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:10 Jul 30, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JY6.079 S29JYPT1
S4596 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 29, 2020
well as expand work sharing as I have decrease mortality relating to the virus that 2020, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on
discussed previously—to help keep causes COVID–19; and nominations.
families, businesses, and states solvent Whereas a study published in BMJ found
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
that mask-wearing by both infected individ-
through this crisis. The Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
uals and the contacts of those individuals to
Mr. President, I yield back. be 79 percent effective in reducing COVID–19 is authorized to meet during the ses-
f transmission: Now, therefore, be it sion of the Senate on Wednesday, July
Resolved, That the Senate— 29, 2020, at 2 p.m., to conduct a hearing.
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS (1) recognizes the importance of mask- SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE
wearing in limiting the transmission of the
--- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (referred to in this The Select Committee on Intel-
SENATE RESOLUTION 663—SUP- resolution as ‘‘COVID–19’’); ligence is authorized to meet during
PORTING MASK-WEARING AS AN (2) recognizes that medical-grade masks the session of the Senate on Wednes-
IMPORTANT MEASURE TO LIMIT should be reserved for use in health care set- day, July 29, 2020, at 2 p.m., to conduct
tings and among vulnerable populations a closed hearing.
THE SPREAD OF THE
throughout the COVID–19 pandemic;
CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 f
(3) recognizes that mask-wearing should be
(COVID–19) coupled with other measures recommended FRIENDLY AIRPORTS FOR
Mr. TOOMEY (for himself and Mr. by the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- MOTHERS IMPROVEMENT ACT
BENNET) submitted the following reso- vention and State and local public health
agencies, including frequent handwashing Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I ask
lution; which was referred to the Com-
and physical distancing, to further reduce unanimous consent that the Senate
mittee on Health, Education, Labor, the risk of COVID–19 transmission; and proceed to the immediate consider-
and Pensions: (4) encourages the people of the United ation of Calendar No. 479, S. 2638.
S. RES. 663 States to wear masks in indoor public places, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control in accordance with the guidelines estab-
clerk will report the bill by title.
and Prevention believes that the spread of lished by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, at times when physical The senior assistant legislative clerk
the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (referred to in
distancing is not allowable to protect read as follows:
this preamble as ‘‘COVID–19’’) occurs pri-
marily through respiratory droplets; against unknown transmission of COVID–19. A bill (S. 2638) to amend title 49, United
Whereas research shows that shedding of f State Code, to require small hub airports to
the virus that causes COVID–19 can occur 2 construct areas for nursing mothers, and for
to 3 days before the onset of symptoms; AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO other purposes.
Whereas research conducted long before MEET There being no objection, the Senate
the COVID–19 pandemic has shown the util- Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I have proceeded to consider the bill, which
ity of wearing masks in providing protection 8 requests for committees to meet dur- had been reported from the Committee
against the transmission of respiratory in-
ing today’s session of the Senate. They on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
fections;
Whereas various types of cloth masks, in- have the approval of the Majority and tation.
cluding masks made of cotton, gauze, and Minority leaders. Mr. PORTMAN. I further ask unani-
other fabrics, reduced infection rates among Pursuant to Rule XXVI, paragraph mous consent that the bill be read a
health care workers and others during the 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Sen- third time and passed and that the mo-
Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 and the Man- ate, the following committees are au- tion to reconsider be considered made
churian plague of 1920 through 1921, and were thorized to meet during today’s session and laid upon the table with no inter-
used by health care workers and others to of the Senate: vening action or debate.
protect against tuberculosis in the 1930s and
COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
1940s;
Whereas a study published on July 9, 2008, AFFAIRS objection, it is so ordered.
that tested the efficacy of homemade face The Committee on Banking, Housing, The bill (S. 2638) was ordered to be
masks in reducing respiratory infections and Urban Affairs is authorized to engrossed for a third reading, was read
among the general population concluded meet during the session of the Senate the third time, and passed, as follows:
that any type of general-use mask is likely on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at 10 a.m., S. 2638
to decrease viral exposure and infection risk to conduct a hearing. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
on a population level;
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND resentatives of the United States of America in
Whereas a study published on May 22, 2013,
TRANSPORTATION Congress assembled,
that attempted to test the protective value
The Committee on Commerce, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
of homemade masks compared to commer-
cial masks in an influenza pandemic con- Science, and Transportation is author- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Friendly
cluded that homemade masks would be bet- ized to meet during the session of the Airports for Mothers Improvement Act’’.
ter than no facial protection at all; Senate on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at SEC. 2. MOTHERS’ ROOMS.
Whereas, on April 3, 2020, the Centers for 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on nomi- Section 47107(w) of title 49, United States
Disease Control and Prevention rec- Code, is amended—
nations.
ommended that the people of the United (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘In fiscal
States wear nonmedical, cloth masks in pub- COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC year 2021’’ and all that follows through ‘‘the
lic places; WORKS Secretary of Transportation’’ and inserting
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control The Committee on Environment and ‘‘The Secretary of Transportation’’;
and Prevention has found that cloth face Public Works is authorized to meet (2) in paragraph (1)(B) by striking ‘‘one
coverings fashioned from household items during the session of the Senate on men’s and one women’s’’ and inserting ‘‘at
can substantially reduce the dispersion of ex- Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at 10 a.m., to least one men’s and at least one women’s’’;
haled droplets and provide acceptable (3) by striking paragraph (2)(A) and insert-
conduct a hearing.
breathability; ing the following:
Whereas a survey conducted by the Centers COMMITTEE ON FINANCE ‘‘(A) AIRPORT SIZE.—
for Disease Control and Prevention from The Committee on Finance is author- ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The requirements in
May 11 through May 13, 2020, found that 76 ized to meet during the session of the paragraph (1) shall only apply to applica-
percent of adults support mask-wearing out- Senate on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at tions submitted by the airport sponsor of—
side of the home; 10:15 a.m., to conduct a hearing. ‘‘(I) a medium or large hub airport in fiscal
Whereas a study published by the Centers year 2021 and each fiscal year thereafter; and
COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
for Disease Control and Prevention on July ‘‘(II) an applicable small hub airport in fis-
17, 2020, found no secondary cases of COVID– The Committee on Indian Affairs is cal year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter.
19 in 139 mask-wearing clients of 2 sympto- authorized to meet during the session ‘‘(ii) APPLICABLE SMALL HUB AIRPORT DE-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
matic mask-wearing hair stylists with con- of the Senate on Wednesday, July 29, FINED.—In clause (i)(II), the term ‘applicable
firmed cases of COVID–19; 2020, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing. small hub airport’ means an airport des-
Whereas the benefit of each additional ignated as a small hub airport during—
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
cloth mask worn by members of the public ‘‘(I) the 3-year period consisting of 2020,
has been estimated to be between $3,000 and The Committee on the Judiciary is 2021, and 2022; or
$6,000 due to the ability of masks to slow authorized to meet during the session ‘‘(II) any consecutive 3-year period begin-
COVID–19 transmission and, as a result, to of the Senate on Wednesday, July 29, ning after 2020.’’;
VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:10 Jul 30, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29JY6.075 S29JYPT1
File and source
- File
- CREC_crec-2020-07-29_crec-2020-07-29-pt1-pgs4593.pdf
- Size
- 277,059 bytes
- SHA-256
- 3b4a5a1297fc81e13ea45efca742286c00999f4a8011c49f0f80a9aa8cb4d407
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov