Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., Aug. 4, 2020)
Summary
This is page S4709 of the Congressional Record, Senate, August 4, 2020, under the heading CORONAVIRUS, with interleaved columns. An opening speaker describes how the northern Maine city of Madawaska had to scrap a road-paving project and keep positions vacant, and urges enacting the SMART Act in the next coronavirus package. Mr. CARPER of Delaware then argues for aid to States and local governments, recalling his time as State treasurer. He says a survey of State Budget Officers shows States have already allocated nearly 75 percent of the CARES Act coronavirus relief funds, and that this is not a red State or blue State problem.
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“Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., Aug. 4, 2020).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-08-04-crec-2020-08-04-pt1-pgs4709-9b31cfd106/
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August 4, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4709
large communities. This is a large So, as we gather here today to figure had no pension fund. We fully amor-
number of positions. Five of these are out how to get out of this mess, his job tized it within about 10 years. We did
public works positions, without which, that day was to try to figure out how all kinds of things, all kinds of budget
how is the plowing going to be done to get out of another mess, and my reforms in order to get us on the right
this winter to keep the roads safe and hope is that our efforts here in the Sen- track.
clear? ate, the House, and the White House Now, I have heard some of my col-
The town has also postponed $1.6 mil- will be as successful as were his. leagues say the States got themselves
lion in capital projects. That has a rip- I am happy to follow today our friend in a mess and they are going to have to
ple effect on the local economy. It from Maine; our colleague from New get out of it. They said they can file for
means the contractor is neither buying Jersey; and you, Mr. President, as the bankruptcy; they are badly managed.
supplies nor hiring employees at this Senator from Louisiana, in actually Let me just say, my State is a AAA
time. pointing to something we can agree on. State. We got a AAA rating when I was
In northern Maine, in the northern People are always saying to me and, I Governor, and we never lost it to this
Maine city of Madawaska, the town know, to my colleagues when we go day.
manager has shared with my office home: Can’t you guys and gals ever Most States are better run fiscally
that the town has had to scrap a $3 mil- agree on anything? than the Federal Government. You
lion road-paving project and will have Well, as it turns out, a number of us only have to look at the way we spend
to keep at least three positions vacant. agree that States and local govern- money around here—not just in the
This is what they are doing already. ments could use some help—some addi- middle of a pandemic. Look at the year
It is only going to get worse for these tional help beyond that which we have before the pandemic, at how much our
towns and cities as revenues continue already provided. That is a good thing. Nation’s deficit and debt increased. But
to plummet. We don’t have to pit blue States even fiscally responsible, well-managed
Senator MENENDEZ made a very im- against red States. We can actually States like Delaware and some other
portant point that I want to reiterate, work together, and in this case we are. States that are represented on this
and that is, the way our bill is struc- Very few of us actually come here floor right here are finding themselves
tured, every city, every town, regard- and start our first elected job being in in a situation that one could not have
less of size, will receive direct assist- the U.S. Senate—some, but not a lot. A imagined just a few months ago. That
ance. Every county will receive direct number of people are former mayors, is especially true when we have an ad-
assistance. They will not be dependent former Governors, former Representa- ministration that is simultaneously
on the largesse of the State. The tives. But every now and then, some- asking State and local governments to
money will go to them to meet these body slips through without ever having shoulder the burden of responding to
essential needs. run for elected office. the coronavirus.
It is common sense to provide the re- I am a former State treasurer. People Leader MCCONNELL and Secretary
lief needed to avoid these widespread call me a recovering Governor, but I Mnuchin say that States don’t need
layoffs and cuts to essential services at am really a recovering State treasurer. more money because they haven’t used
the local level, where they often are I was elected State treasurer when I the coronavirus relief funds that Con-
most often needed. These are the public was 29. When I was elected State treas- gress provided in the CARES Act. Well,
servants who keep our communities urer and took my oath, our State had unfortunately, that is just not true. A
and our citizens safe. They are the pub- the worst credit rating in the country. survey conducted by the National As-
lic servants who keep our communities I was elected in 1976—the same year sociation of State Budget Officers
and our citizens healthy. They are the that a Republican named Pete du Pont shows that States have already allo-
public servants who keep our commu- was elected Governor of our State. He cated nearly 75 percent of these funds
nities and our citizens educated. They turned out to be a terrific Governor at already to fight the pandemic and help
are the ones who are plowing our roads a time when we needed one. He was a struggling families and small busi-
and repairing our bridges. They are the good mentor for me and someone I al- nesses through this crisis.
ones who make our towns, our cities, ways looked up to, and I hope I was a If States across this country see a re-
our neighborhoods livable. good partner to him and Democrats surgence in infection rates, the cost of
Congress must act to provide assist- and Republicans in the legislature to addressing the health and economic
ance to every community. This is a pull our State out of a real mess. crisis is not going down; it is going up.
problem we can solve. Let’s enact the Not only did we have the worst credit At the same time that the cost of ad-
SMART Act as part of the next rating in the country that year—1977, dressing this pandemic has sky-
coronavirus package. actually—we had the worst credit rat- rocketed, businesses are shuttered, and
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. CAS- ing, we had no pension fund, we had no tourism and commerce have come, in
SIDY). The Senator from Delaware. rainy day fund, and we had the lowest many places, to a standstill. That
f start rate of new businesses of any means that hundreds of billions of dol-
State in America. lars in lost revenues for States and
CORONAVIRUS We couldn’t balance our budgets if we local governments have occurred.
Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I am had to. In order to actually have Delaware is certainly not alone. So
going to briefly remove my mask. money to spend, we issued revenue an- let me be very clear. This is not a red
We are about 1 week into baseball ticipation notes. State or a blue State problem; it is a
season. I will lighten this up a little When I got to the State treasurer’s United States problem. It is not a con-
bit. We are 1 week into baseball season. office, I said: What is a revenue antici- sequence of poor management either.
Some of us here are huge baseball fans. pation note? Over the past couple months, weeks,
This is the home of the Nationals— They said: That is the way the State I have had conversations, as my col-
home of the world championship Wash- borrows money until tax monies come leagues know, with dozens of them on
ington Nationals. The best two pitch- in the following April, so that we can both sides of the aisle about what
ers come from the Detroit Tigers, my actually pay payroll and pensions and States and local communities across
favorite team. stuff like that. our country are facing as a result of
For those who might not have been I said: You are kidding. COVID–19. In those conversations with
watching baseball over the weekend, They said: No, we are not. my Democratic and Republican col-
there is a young guy who is a relief That was then; this is now. When leagues, time and again I have heard a
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pitcher for the Tigers. His name is Pete du Pont was our Governor and I familiar refrain: The pandemic has
Tyler Alexander. He was brought in in was treasurer, we had a bipartisan leg- caused State and local government rev-
relief in the second or third inning and islature. The house and senate were enues to plummet in a way that none
struck out nine straight bats. He split between Democrats and Repub- of us have ever experienced or would
struck out the first nine batters he licans. But we created a rainy day fund have or could have foreseen.
faced. I think one other person has and never invaded it. We created and Income tax revenues have fallen and
done that in Major League history. fully amortized our pension fund. We unemployment numbers have reached
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S4710 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 4, 2020
unprecedented levels over the course of These cuts impact all of us and cre- additional relief package, which has
just a few months. Delaying Federal ate a ripple effect across the broader only made matters worse.
tax deadlines—while it was the right economy. That is why economists Now, as negotiations are finally un-
thing to do—has wreaked havoc on the across the political spectrum, includ- derway, we must ensure that the next
ability of States to balance their budg- ing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome relief bill provides significant addi-
ets. Sales tax collections and revenue Powell, agree that State and local tional Federal resources to support
from tourism, gas taxes, and tolls have budget cuts will weigh down our path State and local governments’ efforts to
dried up as the virus has compelled to economic recovery, not just for a save lives, protect the public’s health,
many people to just stay at home. And couple of weeks, not just for a couple of and keep the economy moving.
States highly dependent on oil and gas months, but for years to come. As my colleague from Delaware men-
revenues, as the Presiding Officer’s In fact, based on evidence from the tioned, I am a former Governor. I un-
State is, have been doubly hit by the last recession, one recent economic re- derstand the challenges that State and
pandemic and turmoil in global energy port found that every dollar in cuts local officials are experiencing. In New
markets. cost the overall economy $1.50 to $2. Hampshire, following public health
Unlike the Federal Government, That is one reason the U.S. Chamber of guidance, local and State officials took
State and local governments have to Commerce has called for additional necessary steps to close down portions
balance their budgets. This means that Federal aid for States and for cities. of the economy in order to save lives.
Governors, State legislators, and local The Chamber also recognizes that its They are now feeling the impacts of
officials—mayors, city and county lost revenue will force officials out of revenue shortfalls directly related to
councils—have had no choice but to State and local levels to either miss those actions, all while keeping up
make deep cuts that will inevitably payments or raise taxes in order to their efforts to provide the frontline
hurt the ability of their communities make up the shortfall. services necessary to save lives and
to recover. We know that this is impacting every provide economic relief.
Since the pandemic hit our country, part of our Nation. The longer we wait In a virtual roundtable with mayors
State and local governments alone to get much needed assistance for our and municipal leaders from all across
have lost 1.5 million jobs. State and local governments, the more the Granite State last month, officials
Let me say that again. Since the pan- our communities will suffer and the described to me the dire situation that
demic hit our country, State and local more at risk we put our entire econ- they are up against. Dover Mayor Bob
governments alone have lost 1.5 million omy. Carrier stated: ‘‘The tsunami of lost
jobs. We are here. We are sort of like al- revenue is on its way.’’ Claremont
Those are not private sector jobs. most in overtime. In fact, we are in Mayor Charlene Lovett noted how
Those are not Federal Government overtime when it comes to the supple- budgetary strains are halting infra-
jobs. Those are just State and local, mental unemployment insurance bene- structure projects. With the added bur-
county jobs: teachers, firefighters, po- fits having expired. We don’t have time den of increased expenses and loss of
lice, and more. to wait. Let’s pass long overdue assist- revenue, Claremont risks falling be-
This staggering statistic is bad ance. Let’s pass it so that our home- hind on much needed infrastructure
enough on its own, but what does it towns and our States don’t take an improvements like fixing roads. And a
mean if you aren’t one of the one in even bigger hit that we can’t afford but number of mayors explained their chal-
every eight American workers who is a hit that is avoided. lenges with budgets for the upcoming
employed by a State or local govern- With that, I want to yield to some of school year.
ment? my colleagues who are here to present As educators and parents make deci-
Here is what it means. Cuts to edu- their own perspectives, and we look sions on whether schools will be in per-
cation budgets means larger class sizes. forward to hearing from them. The son, remote, or a hybrid version, local
It means fewer bus drivers. It means first one, right out of the starting officials are facing deep uncertainty
fewer custodians at a time when block, is a former Governor of New about what the operational costs for
schools are struggling to figure out Hampshire—like me, a recovering Gov- schools will be. Situations like these
how they will reopen safely this fall. ernor—and a terrific U.S. Senator, are playing out in cities and towns all
I talked earlier this week to a num- MAGGIE HASSAN. across our country.
ber of our finest school superintendents I am happy to yield the floor to Sen- Without additional funding from the
in Delaware. We talked about—they ator MAGGIE HASSAN. Federal Government, States will be
are struggling—how to open up and re- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- forced to slash education, to slash in-
open schools. As it turns out, they are ator from New Hampshire. frastructure, and to slash public health
going to have to hire more bus drivers Ms. HASSAN. Thank you, Mr. Presi- budgets, which would be devastating,
if schools reopen—more bus drivers be- dent, and thank you to my colleague especially in the midst of a pandemic.
cause kids will be separated. They have from Delaware, not only for the kind It is not just a loss in the services that
to separate kids. You can’t put as introduction but for the very articu- people depend on. Millions of addi-
many kids on the school bus. They are late overview that he just gave of the tional jobs would be lost as well—not
going to have to hire substitute teach- challenge before us and the importance only the jobs of public workers, by the
ers. If somebody gets sick and they are of providing aid in this next relief way, but, for example, the private ven-
unable to come to work, they will have package to State and local govern- dors who often do some of this work.
to hire a substitute teacher and pay for ments. They have been at the forefront Think about construction workers on
them as well. And for nurses, it is the of our Nation’s response to COVID–19. an infrastructure project.
same way. To be there to help admin- They provide people and businesses Moody’s Analytics reported that
ister—whether it is taking people’s with vital support, scouring the world without significant Federal support for
temperatures or administering tests for personal protective equipment, set- State and local governments, 4 million
and that kind of thing, we are going to ting up testing centers, and providing more people—4 million more people—
need more health professionals in our emergency relief for families and busi- could lose their jobs. That loss would
schools rather than fewer. nesses. They also employ millions of be catastrophic. The ripple effect
Cuts to first responder budgets mean essential public employees who are on would be felt throughout our entire
people must wait longer for EMTs and the frontlines of this crisis, including economy. We can’t let that happen.
firefighters to arrive during emergency first responders, teachers, and many Senate Democrats are focused on pro-
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situations. others. viding significant economic relief for
Cuts in transportation budgets mean Unfortunately, as this crisis rages State and local governments through-
canceled or delayed infrastructure— on, State and local communities are out our country because we recognize
transportation infrastructure facing uncertainty, mounting costs, that it is essential for economic recov-
projects—and fewer construction jobs and a devastating loss of revenue. For ery. And, as part of our efforts to sup-
when we are in the middle of the sum- too long, the Senate majority leader, port economic recovery, we must en-
mer construction season. Mr. MCCONNELL, stalled action on an sure that States have the flexibility to
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August 4, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4711
use this funding to backfill revenue The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ready announced $750 million in State
loss due to COVID–19 and preserve jobs. ator from Ohio. budget cuts, including for education
Providing this funding will mitigate Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I thank and Medicaid, and counties and cities
some of the economic damage caused Senator HASSAN for her leadership. She and towns are facing similar impos-
by this pandemic. speaks about State government and sible choices. We know, with there
In addition, as we have heard from local government so well because she being hundreds of thousands of Ohioans
local leaders, from educators, from par- was Governor of New Hampshire. She is out of jobs, if they don’t get the $600 a
ents, it is vital that we provide sepa- one of only two women in American week, it will mean that more of them
rate, dedicated funding for schools. history who has been a Governor and a will go into poverty, that more of them
Senate Democrats have proposed $430 Senator—a senator, a Governor, and will have trouble feeding their fami-
billion to help schools implement pub- then a Senator. Thank you for your on- lies, and that more of them will go into
lic health protocols, address the chal- going leadership. homeless shelters. It will only get
lenges of students who have fallen be- Senator CARPER, thank you for lead- worse if we don’t step in.
hind, and provide quality education to ing this effort. Let’s be clear about what it will
all students, regardless of how the We know Senator MCCONNELL’s office mean if we don’t get more funding. It
schools reopen. is down the hall there. For months, we will mean the layoff of teachers, the
Our approach stands in stark con- have been begging—begging—Senator layoff of firefighters, the layoff of chil-
trast to the inadequate proposal put MCCONNELL, begging President Trump dren’s services workers. It will mean
forward by Senator MCCONNELL, which to do something, to actually let us do less money for schools—and not just to
provides too few resources to schools our jobs. We wanted to legislate. We buy new technology they need for re-
and would actually withhold aid if wanted to do the things that Senator mote learning. School costs have gone
schools don’t fully reopen in person, HASSAN has just talked about. up. They have to make the buses safer
even as the administration has failed I am not really sure how MITCH and the cafeterias safer and the tech-
to provide supplies and a strategy that MCCONNELL has spent his summer. nology for remote learning and the
would support such efforts to reopen. What I do know is that in May, the classrooms safer. It will mean fewer re-
We need our Republican colleagues to House of Representatives passed the sources for schools to expand
work with us and deliver sufficient re- Heroes Act. It helped local govern- broadband and close the digital divide.
lief without any further delay. We need ments. It helped people stay in their It will mean putting critical infra-
to provide State and local govern- homes so they wouldn’t be evicted. It structure projects on hold. It will mean
ments—as well as our schools, our first helped our public school system. It pro- property tax hikes and sales tax in-
responders, our teachers—with strong vided $600 to unemployed workers, and creases.
bipartisan support from the Federal I have talked to mayors and teachers
what is remarkable about that is even
Government. and school board members. I spend a
during this pandemic, we haven’t seen
I know that right now in New Hamp- good chunk of my time, as I know my
the poverty rate go up in this country
shire, even as teachers face uncer- colleagues do, on virtual roundtables
because of the $600 per week that mil-
tainty, they are making lesson plans and conference calls. I talk to mayors
lions of unemployed workers are re-
and trying to figure out how they are and teachers, school board members
ceiving, which they have earned.
going to make sure that their children and firefighters, chambers of com-
The House did that in May. I don’t
engage in their remote learning at merce, county health commissioners,
know what Senator MCCONNELL has
home if their school system doesn’t re- and university and college presidents.
done since—through May, through I was on the phone yesterday with 100
open, while providing services to their
June, through July, now into August, county commissioners in Ohio—most of
students as well.
All across our State, I know that if and, finally, he comes up with some- them Republicans. I had a call orga-
today’s heavy rains caused flooding, thing. We have asked him to extend the nized by the Richland County Chamber
our public workers will be out there unemployment insurance for literally of Commerce—my hometown—with,
around the clock protecting their com- the hundreds of thousands of workers probably, mostly Republicans. Last
munities. I know that our law enforce- in my State, the thousands of workers week, it was the Cincinnati Chamber—
ment, our firefighters will continue to in Nevada, the tens of thousands of probably mostly Republicans—the Ohio
respond to calls whether or not they workers in Louisiana. We have asked college presidents, and Northeast Ohio
have enough personal protective equip- the President and the majority leader parents and educators. There was an-
ment because that is what they do. to extend that unemployment insur- other call with Southwest Ohio parents
They protect, and they serve. They do ance. and educators.
it with dedication, and they do it with But do you know what? In every one of these calls, I heard
commitment. They provide essential It is pretty unbelievable to hear of the fear in people’s voices and the de-
services that keep our communities people on this side of the aisle making mand that we do something—that we
safe and healthy. It has never been as $175,000 a year as U.S. Senators—most don’t just walk away like President
important as it is now. of my colleagues are millionaires—and Trump and MITCH MCCONNELL are
All we are asking is that we come to- they complain that these unemployed doing. They are going to either raise
gether across party lines, with the workers are getting $600 a week. They taxes on Ohioans who are hurting or
White House, and support our State complain that these workers are get- they are going to lay off workers and
and local governments in this time of ting too much money as we earn cut services people rely on.
need so that we can continue to fight $175,000 a year. One issue that comes up over and
this pandemic and so that we can con- Last week, Senator MCCONNELL fi- over is the fear that communities are
tinue to mitigate the economic harm nally came up with a plan that does being set back years in our fight
that is ravaging our country. nothing to extend the $600 a week and against addiction. The addiction crisis
That is what State and local aid will that does nothing to keep people in didn’t go away; it just got layered on
provide to the people of New Hamp- their homes and help them pay the top of this new health and economic
shire and the people of our country. bills. The last thing we should want is catastrophe. If we don’t get State and
That is what this moment—this mo- a tidal wave of evictions so that people local governments additional funding,
ment of the worst healthcare crisis will have to go into crowded homeless they are going to cut addiction serv-
that we have seen in 100 years and the shelters or sleep in their cousins’ base- ices, and they are going to cut mental
ments because they don’t have places
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worst economic crisis since the Great health services. You know that, clear-
Depression—that is what this moment to live. ly, the number of child abuse cases has
demands. The livelihoods of millions of The bill does nothing to help State gone up during this but not the re-
Americans and the lives of millions of and local governments. Their plan has ported cases. We don’t know about
Americans depend on our taking action zero dollars for communities—for them because kids aren’t going to
right now. Clark County, OH, or Clark County, school and church to be able to have
I yield the floor to my colleague from NV. We know how hard their budgets teachers, parents, people in the com-
Ohio. have been hit. Ohio’s Governor has al- munity, and ministers report cases of
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S4712 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 4, 2020
child abuse. Also, the social workers Before this crisis began, Nevada had direct support to cities and localities
who go into the homes have been laid not mismanaged its State’s finances. with populations under 500,000. For a
off. The State had a record-low unemploy- State like Nevada, that means, except
We need to be clear about what ment rate of 3.6 percent, and we had a for Las Vegas, every other city in the
‘‘mass layoffs’’ means. It means, if a rainy day fund for emergencies, but we Silver State would be excluded from di-
county in Ohio cuts the staff for have needed to use hundreds of mil- rect funding from the Federal Govern-
schools, it is not just the individual lions of dollars from that rainy day ment. That is why, in April, Senator
educators who get hurt; obviously, our fund in order to try to address our CORTEZ MASTO and I joined Senator
kids suffer, and the economy suffers. It budget shortfall. Nevada has a tough HEINRICH in introducing the
means a longer recession, a deeper re- road ahead and difficult choices to Coronavirus Community Relief Act—
cession. Yet Senator MCCONNELL says make, but Nevada is not alone. Many legislation that would provide $250 bil-
20 people on his side of the aisle are States across the country are identical. lion in new stabilization funds directly
just going to walk away. They are not They are in similar situations. Red and to cities and counties with populations
even willing to vote for help for blue States are facing this very chal- under 500,000.
schools, for unemployed workers, for lenge due to no fault of their own. Cit- We know State and local leaders are
people about to be foreclosed on or ies and towns are struggling to contain the ones best equipped to respond to
evicted, or for local governments. You the health and fiscal impacts of this their communities’ unique needs, and
know, the stock market is doing OK, pandemic. they are desperate. They desperately
but the stock market is not the econ- During a special session of the Ne- need the resources to do this. Unfortu-
omy. vada State Legislature, lawmakers nately, Leader MCCONNELL has refused
We will not have a real recovery overwhelmingly approved a resolution to allow the Senate to take up the He-
until we invest in the real economy in to ask Congress and the Trump admin- roes Act—legislation passed by the
communities in Ohio and Nevada and istration for funding for State, local, House that provides continued support
Arkansas and across this country. and Tribal governments in order to for State, local, and Tribal govern-
Ohioans shouldn’t have to fend for help offset an expected $1.2 billion ments, including those cities and coun-
themselves in the middle of a once-in- budget shortfall caused by this pan- ties with under 500,000 residents. It rec-
a-generation crisis. That is essentially demic, and they needed the flexibility ognizes that the pandemic continues to
what the Trump-McConnell plan—if to spend it based on local needs. damage our communities and that this
you can even call it a serious plan— Nevada’s Governor, Steve Sisolak, of- recovery will take time.
tells Ohio communities: You are on fered a stern warning, one that applies The Heroes Act would allow States to
your own. You are on your own. to the whole Nation: Without addi- pay for frontline healthcare workers,
We must pass a recovery bill, and it tional Federal support for State and first responders, teachers, and other
must include new, flexible funding. local funding, States will be ‘‘forced to workers, and would continue to provide
Trust the communities. Trump and make impossible decisions regarding those essential services to all of our
MCCONNELL don’t trust local commu- funding critical public health, edu-
residents. The House passed the Heroes
nities. They send a few dollars here and cation, and more.’’
Act over 80 days ago—80 days ago—
there. They attach strings to it be- Without additional State and local
funding from Congress, our State’s while the majority leader’s own pro-
cause they don’t trust local commu-
budget shortfall will make it over- posed legislation, the HEALS Act, does
nities. I trust my local school boards. I
trust my local county commissioners. I whelmingly difficult to provide absolutely nothing to address the crit-
trust my local mayors. We have to get healthcare to everyone who needs it, to ical issue of State and local funding.
Without action, States across the Na-
them help. They know what is best for fund our local school systems, and to
pay our first responders, and it would tion will face consequences that could
their communities. Let them do their
leave countless Nevadans in distress have a devastating impact on countless
jobs.
Senator MCCONNELL and President who rely on public programs. lives. History will judge the way we
Trump, let us do our jobs. The CARES Act established a treated each other during this pan-
I yield the floor to the junior Senator coronavirus relief fund to support demic. Each of us in the U.S. Senate is
from Nevada. States, Tribes, and large local govern- in a position to do something—just
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ments. In Nevada, that funding has something. I implore my colleagues to
ator from Nevada. helped to provide support for Medicare consider the lives of their constituents,
Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I rise providers, which has allowed continued to really pay attention, to really hear
today because our States, cities, and healthcare for our seniors and treat- what is happening in their commu-
Tribes are in trouble, and they des- ment for those high-risk COVID–19 pa- nities and in communities across this
perately need our help. tients. It has provided for enhanced Nation—in town after town, in city
State, local, and Tribal governments testing and contact tracing in our com- after city—and I want them to remem-
are on the frontlines in this fight munities. It has provided for childcare ber that we are all in this together.
against the coronavirus. We have seen programs that are used by essential I yield the floor to the great senior
local leaders in each of our States step workers. It has provided home-deliv- Senator from the State of Nevada,
up during this difficult time to do what ered meals, home healthcare, and sup- CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO.
is necessary to mitigate the spread of port for families and their caregivers. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
this virus, to protect the health and It has provided PPE and critical sup- BOOZMAN). The Senator from Nevada.
well-being of their residents, and to plies, like gloves and masks and sani- Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President,
prevent critical industries and institu- tizers. you can hear the passion not only in
tions from failing. Does any of this sound unnecessary my colleague Senator ROSEN, with
Their goal is the same as ours—to to you? whom I am proud to stand side by side
protect the lives and livelihoods of the This crisis isn’t over, and those needs to represent the great State of Nevada,
people whom they represent. I know are still here. I have spoken to mayors but in all of the Senators on the floor
this to be true in Nevada, where dedi- and county commissioners across Ne- today in their talking about this par-
cated heroes are working tirelessly to vada, and they are worried. They must ticular issue.
combat the COVID–19 pandemic in make it through to the other side of At kitchen tables all over the coun-
every corner of the Silver State. How- this crisis. They want to protect and try, including in Nevada, families are
ever, this proactive and necessary re- sitting down and are pouring over their
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
they want to secure their communities.
sponse has not come without a cost. In They are counting on us. They are budgets. Too many of them are trying
addition to the coronavirus, Nevada counting on Congress to have their to figure out how to stretch those
must also deal with an alarming budg- backs in this effort. Congress must en- budgets with no income, and they are
et shortfall that has been exacerbated sure that support reaches all Ameri- making difficult decisions on which
by a struggling economy that relies on cans in every kind of community. bills need the most urgent attention.
tourism and a massive drop in tax rev- One of the CARES Act relief fund’s Our State and local and Tribal gov-
enue. shortcomings was that it provided no ernments across this country are doing
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August 4, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4713
the same thing. With the economic their pockets and that businesses had is flexible. Make sure we have the op-
downturn caused by the coronavirus access to liquidity so that we could get portunity not just to work through the
pandemic, State and local governments through this crisis together. State, but that the money goes di-
have less revenue at a time when they In Nevada—and we have seen this rectly to some of our local govern-
need those resources to combat the conversation happening across the ments, who I have found—and I don’t
virus and keep Nevadans safe. That is country—schools are opening in just a know, as you all go home, but I have
why, when Congress passed the CARES few short weeks, and many of the lead- found that the money that we did give
Act in March, the Democrats fought so ers in my State at the State and local to them through the CARES Act has
hard for funding for State, local, and level are looking to Washington for been put to good use because—do you
Tribal governments. help. know why—because local and State
We wanted to make sure that State Most States aren’t allowed to borrow governments and Tribal governments
and local governments had enough cash to meet these expenses, and I know our know what their communities need.
on hand to cover the urgent costs of esteemed majority leader has thought Why should we dictate to them if
the pandemic so that they could keep that bankruptcy is an option for them, they want to use that money to help
services running and expand their re- but I can tell you that for me and for people who need rental assistance at
sponses during this crisis. We needed to Nevada, this is not an option. It just this point in time or if they want to
guarantee these governments could cannot happen. use that money to put food on people’s
cover the costs of emergency shelters In the State of Nevada, like most tables because they are not working? I
for COVID patients. We had to make States, they are required by law to bal- mean, isn’t that what this is about—all
sure that frontline responders had ance their budgets. Tribal councils, of us working together to help our fam-
enough personal protective equipment county commissions, and the Nevada ilies across this country, to make sure
on hand for them to do their jobs. We State Legislature are doing what fami- we can all stay safe but still pay those
also wanted local governments to help lies have been asked to do—they are bills and still keep our families safe
people stay in their homes. We allo- coming together to ask themselves how and make sure our businesses are
cated $150 billion from the coronavirus they can pay the most urgent bills in taken care of.
relief fund for State, local, and Tribal that big stack of bills that are coming But I know this: At the end of the
governments in March. That was a due right now. They are working day, in the middle of a crisis, our gov-
compromise. We came together. We around the clock to get Nevadans the ernments at the State, local, and Trib-
worked together to solve that problem. support they need to deliver the serv- al government level are the social safe-
I heard on the floor of the Senate today ices they expect—everything from ty nets. Where do you think our con-
that there is bipartisan support for this fighting wildfires that are happening stituents go when they need that help?
funding as well, but we all knew back right now in Nevada and across the So I think and know that we have an
in March, when we passed the $150 bil- West to rethinking how we address and obligation at the Federal level to con-
lion as part of the CARES Act, that it open our schools safely for our kids and tinue to work with our State and local
was not going to be enough. for our staff, for the teachers and the governments and our Tribal govern-
We weren’t sure, but now we know it administrators. But those repairs that ments to provide them the necessary
is not enough, and we have to do some- are required for our roads and bridges— resources that are needed right now in
thing about it. the work that still needs to be done on the middle of this pandemic because
We are seeing across the country how a daily basis—have to continue. So our economy has been ground to a halt.
local governments and States are deal- governments across this country are So I think it is time for our body to
ing with this pandemic. continuing to juggle those many needs. come together and do what the Amer-
Senator ROSEN just noted that in Ne- On top of all of that, we know we ican people expect of us, which is to
vada, we are in the middle of a special want them to all securely hold 2020 work in a bipartisan way to solve this
session. The Governor had to call a spe- elections. We want to make sure that problem and really look at how we can
cial session of our legislature because our families are connected to school continue the funding that is necessary
we have a budget hole of about $1.2 bil- and work, that there is no homework for our State and local governments.
lion related to COVID–19 pandemic and gap, and that Medicaid benefits to Families not only in Nevada but across
the impact it has had. those in need are available. We need to this country expect that of us now.
What is that impact? It is the impact keep EMTs on the job and help busi- So I would hope the majority leader
we all have asked across this country. nesses comply with safety regulations would be willing to bring to the floor
Listen, we are in the middle of a health during the middle of this pandemic. whatever bill is appropriate to have
crisis. Until we have that vaccine, we With all these demands, States haven’t this discussion. And I will tell you,
have to keep people safe. And the one been able to keep up with those essen- there are three out there right now.
thing that we have asked them across tial bills. There is the Heroes Act, there is the
the country, including in the State of I will tell you this: I have talked to, SMART Act, which has bipartisan sup-
Nevada, in every county, is that if you in my State, like many of us do—we go port, and there is the Coronavirus
shelter in place, if you go home, if you home, or when we are here, we make Community Relief Act. There are three
shut your business and help us stem sure that we are communicating with bills. Let’s bring them to the floor.
the spread of this virus, we will take so many people across our State. Let’s have this discussion, with the
care of you. We will help you put food In Nevada, we have beautifully di- focus on coming together to get the
on the table. We will help you pay your verse communities, and we have urban funding to our State and local govern-
rent, make sure you have a roof over and rural areas. I have talked to the ments and our Tribal communities
your head, pay your utility bills. We leaders of all of our counties, our city that is needed right now.
will put money in your pockets. governments, and our Governor. I yield the floor.
Oh, and by the way, we will make Whether they are Republican or Demo- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
sure that those small businesses have cratic or Independent, there is still one ator from Hawaii.
access to liquidity so that when we can thing in common: They want us to Mr. SCHATZ. Mr. President, we are
come outside and outdoors again safely come together to find a solution to on the precipice of a depression be-
and securely, our economy will spring help and support them during this time cause of politics. Right now, every sin-
back that much quicker. when there is no revenue coming in be- gle State and most counties and most
Unfortunately, when we asked every- cause our economy has been ground to cities are experiencing a budget crisis
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
one across the country to follow that a halt as we address this health crisis. like they haven’t seen in generations.
advice and stay safe, we made a com- They have all asked both me and Tax revenues are down due to high
mitment to them as well—a long-term JACKY ROSEN, Senator ROSEN: Please unemployment, rising healthcare costs,
commitment—that we would continue continue to fight for us and make sure and the drop in consumer spending and
to work together in a bipartisan way to that the money not only is there and emergency relief costs continue to sky-
solve this problem and make sure that available, because we need it to keep rocket, and that means our States, our
people and individuals had money in our constituents safe, but make sure it cities, and our towns have run out of
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S4714 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 4, 2020
money or are quickly running out of sanitation workers, teachers—in the to nearly 33 percent—the sharpest eco-
money. But in the latest proposal, the middle of a situation where the virus is nomic decline in modern American his-
Republicans allocate nothing at all to much worse than it was 3 months ago tory.
State and local government. You heard and the economy is much worse than it
For months, my colleagues and I
that correctly. In midst of the biggest was 3 months ago.
So I reject the premise that this is have been coming to the floor, week
public health crisis in a century, Re-
publicans will not send a single dollar some sort of Democratic ask. Now, I after week, urging the majority to take
in emergency aid to our States, our cit- could go through the list of the Na- up proposals that would provide crit-
ies, and to our counties. tional Conference of Mayors, the Na- ical changes to our healthcare system
Economically, this is just ridicu- tional Governors Association, the Na- and comprehensive relief for our econ-
lously bad. It will cost roughly 4 mil- tional Conference of State Legisla- omy, but what we have gotten is a
lion jobs, and it will have a direct im- tures—all of the organizations that on package that fails to address many of
pact on GDP and on the programs and a bipartisan basis represent govern- the concerns I have heard from Granite
services that we need in order to come ance. They all want State and county Staters.
out on the other side of this pandemic. relief to come into this package. I The bill that was presented to this
Budget shortfalls among State and could go through that, but I just reject Senate by the Republican majority
local governments are approaching half the premise on a human level that we
a trillion already, and for my home doesn’t provide dedicated funding to
have to demand, as though it is some
State of Hawaii, we are confronting help nursing homes and long-term care
sort of progressive wish list—it is not a
over a billion dollars in losses. carbon tax, right? It is not criminal facilities, which are the most vulner-
Unlike the Federal Government, our justice reform. It is not gay rights. able to COVID–19. In fact, in New
State and local governments are oper- This is allowing firefighters to stay Hampshire, 80 percent of our deaths
ating with finite amounts of dollars. employed. This is allowing our public from coronavirus have been to people
They don’t have an unlimited line of hospitals not to lay off people in the in long-term care facilities—the high-
credit. And a majority of States re- middle of a pandemic. This is allowing est percentage in the country.
quire a balanced budget by the end of our school systems not to lay off teach- This package doesn’t include housing
the year. So it is one thing for States ers. assistance and eviction protections. It
and counties and municipalities to jug- This isn’t a Democratic ask, this is inadequately funds testing, and it pres-
gle and survive for a few months by an American ask, and I reject the
sures schools to reopen in order to re-
moving money around, using cash flow premise that the leader of the Senate,
management, paying bills late, relying ceive assistance.
MITCH MCCONNELL, is going to treat
on rainy day or reserve funds, but they this as something that is to be traded Importantly, the bill lacks any sup-
can’t do that forever. By now, many for. We don’t trade for keeping our fire- port for State and local governments
have burned up their reserves, and the fighters employed. We don’t trade for that are struggling to maintain essen-
cupboard is bare, and the bills are due. keeping our nurses employed. We just tial services while they are also on the
The decisions that the Republicans do that because it is the right thing to frontlines battling this pandemic.
are making right now—the official pol- do, and we especially do that in the Every day, mayors and community
icy as it relates to funding local gov- middle of the worst public health crisis leaders tell me about what they are
ernments is to force millions to be laid in a century and the worst economic facing—the massive reduction in local
off in the middle of the worst pandemic situation we have had in almost a cen- tax revenues and increased costs due to
in 100 years. tury.
Refusing to send aid to States and COVID–19 response efforts. These chal-
I reject the idea that Leader SCHU-
local governments isn’t just cruel; it is lenges have left our State and munic-
MER and Leader MCCONNELL and Speak-
bad economic strategy. Moody’s re- er PELOSI and Secretary Mnuchin have ipal governments in dire straits.
leased a report projecting that it could to cut a deal on State and local fund- I would like to read an excerpt from
shave as much as three full percentage ing. Every single Member of the U.S. a letter I received from Mayor Joyce
points from GDP—three full percentage Senate, as soon as this ends up in the Craig, the mayor of Manchester, New
points from GDP. bill, is going to take credit for it. They Hampshire’s largest city. She says:
There are certain things that are not are going to say: Look, I got you
within the U.S. Senate’s control as it Prior to the COVID–19 pandemic, Man-
money. But let the record reflect that chester was thriving. Over the past two
relates to GDP, but this is a choice we the proposal from the Republican con- years, we saw over $250 million in new, pri-
are about to make—to lay off public ference was that States, counties, and vate investments in economic development;
service workers, to actually—I mean, municipalities get zero, and that is not we expanded air service from the Man-
we passed the PPP program, which ba- tenable. chester-Boston Regional Airport; and we
sically subsidizes keeping people em- I yield the floor. were seeing a continual decrease in opioid
ployed. We passed this expanded unem- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- overdoses. But due to the COVID–19 pan-
ployment insurance, which—as Senator ator from New Hampshire. demic, our bright path forward has grown
CORTEZ MASTO pointed out, we Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I foggy, and I am concerned about what lays
mandatorily said: Stay home, and we wanted to join my colleagues on the ahead for my city.
will take care of you. Now the official floor today to support legislation that
public policy of the Republican con- would address the needs that we are Mayor Craig goes on to say that
ference is to lay off firefighters and hearing from State and local govern- since the pandemic began,
nurses and teachers. ments and that would support bipar- Manchester’s revenue is down by over
I know that we get real heated in tisan legislation to address this pan- $3.5 million, including a $1.6 million de-
terms of our rhetoric sometimes on the demic. That is what we have had to crease in property taxes that are col-
Senate floor, and we accuse the other date, and there is no reason why we lected. In total, the State of New
side of things that are maybe shading can’t get there this time. Hampshire expects to experience a
the truth in ways that are unfavorable. As you know so well, last week the budget shortfall of nearly $540 million.
But I just want to point out that that United States crossed a devastating That is about a 20-percent drop in
is the official public policy of the Re- milestone. More than 150,000 Ameri- State revenues.
publicans right now—that States and cans, including 417 Granite Staters,
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
Mr. President, I ask unanimous con-
counties and cities get zero; firehouses have died due to complications from
sent that the letter I quoted from
get zero; public health nurses get zero; COVID–19. Sadly, as we all know, those
Mayor Craig of Manchester be printed
teachers get zero—and that if they had numbers keep increasing. The
in the RECORD.
their way, they would pass a coronavirus pandemic has also wreaked
coronavirus aid package that forces us havoc on our economy. The Commerce There being no objection, the mate-
to lay people off—public health nurses, Department reported on Friday that rial was ordered to be printed in the
public school administrators, public our gross domestic product had shrunk RECORD, as follows:
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August 4, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4715
JULY 27, 2020. ever that municipalities like Manchester re- was able to receive $1.25 billion to help
Senator JEANNE SHAHEEN, ceive federal funds that can be used to pre- reimburse the State for its COVID–19
Washington, DC. vent homelessness and alleviate our housing response. These funds have been used
Senator MAGGIE HASSAN, crisis.
Just as financial assistance was sent di- in New Hampshire to create relief pro-
Washington, DC.
Congressman CHRIS PAPPAS, rectly to individuals and small businesses grams for county and municipal gov-
Washington, DC. impacted by COVID–19, the cities and towns ernments, small businesses, nonprofits
Congresswoman ANNIE KUSTER, managing local responses to this pandemic of all sizes, frontline workers, and for
Washington, DC. should be allocated the necessary resources healthcare providers. But of course, as
DEAR SEN. SHAHEEN, SEN. HASSAN, REP. to properly care for our citizens. we know, that money is running out,
KUSTER & REP. PAPPAS: Thank you for your I appreciate the work that you are all
doing in Washington to fight for the people
and so more needs to be done.
leadership in the midst of this global pan- We need State and local funds to pro-
demic. of New Hampshire. When you are fighting for
As you know, New Hampshire’s cities and the Granite State in Congress, I urge you to vide additional support for families
towns are on the front lines of responding to keep the State’s municipalities in mind. who are experiencing housing insecu-
COVID–19. Day in and day out, we see the di- Sincerely, rity or homelessness, minority- and
rect impact this pandemic is having on our JOYCE CRAIG, women-owned small businesses and in-
residents, businesses, and non-profits. It’s a Mayor, dividuals in recovery or are in need of
time of disruption like we have never experi- City of Manchester. mental health services. New Hampshire
enced before. Mrs. SHAHEEN. Today, I also spoke
has been severely affected by the
None of us know how long this crisis will to the mayor of Nashua, Jim Donchess.
last, but we are thankful for your tireless ef- opioid epidemic, and people who have
The mayor told me that he expects to
forts to advocate for Granite Staters substance use disorders are feeling the
lose 10 percent to 20 percent of the rev-
through the ‘Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and impact of this coronavirus perhaps
enue base in Nashua. That is $7 million
Economic Security (CARES) Act. I am writ- more than their neighbors and other
ing you today to urge you to support and ad-
to $15 million. That means that serv-
people in our State.
vocate for sending additional relief directly ices would be affected and workers
In addition to providing dedicated
to municipalities like the City of Man- would have to be laid off.
In fact, as he told me, if he had to funding for State and local jurisdic-
chester in the ‘Health and Economic Recov- tions, the next relief package should
ery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HE- take all of the savings that he would
ROES) Act. need to achieve from the revenue losses remove bureaucratic restrictions pre-
Prior to the COVID–19 pandemic, Man- from just one agency, it would result in venting these governments from using
chester was thriving. Over the past two laying off half of the entire police de- emergency relief funds as they see fit.
years, we saw over $250 million dollars in
partment in the city or laying off 150 Congress should also provide dedicated
new, private investments in economic devel- funding for counties, cities, and for
opment; we expanded air service from the
to 200 teachers. Obviously, that is not
tenable. municipalities with fewer than 500,000
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport; and we residents. They need access to this
were seeing a continual decrease in opioid I also heard from the mayor of Ber-
overdoses. But due to the COVID–19 pan- lin, Paul Grenier, the mayor of New funding because they are just as much
demic, our bright path forward has grown Hampshire’s northernmost city. He on the frontlines—the rural commu-
foggy, and I am concerned about what lays told me because of the impacts of nities in my State—as the biggest cit-
ahead for my city. COVID–19, the State of New Hampshire ies in this Nation. Communities of all
Just as many small businesses and cor- is also facing revenue shortfalls. As I sizes are facing substantial loss of rev-
porations are struggling, so are our munici- enue due to COVID–19, and they need
said, they are expecting about $540 mil-
palities. In an effort to reduce the financial our help.
burden on our citizens and business, local lion in revenue losses. As he said, if the
Federal Government doesn’t provide Local leaders are calling out for help.
governments have absorbed many costs,
which has resulted in a significant reduction some help to State and local commu- We can’t just sit idly by and let these
in revenue. Since the pandemic began, our nities, his city of Berlin is expected to governments go bankrupt, as the ma-
City’s revenue is down by over $3.5 million to lose not just any potential funding at jority leader suggests.
date, including a $1.6 million decrease in the Federal level but State funds it had This shouldn’t be a partisan issue.
property taxes collected, and a $750,000 in budgeted for because it was antici- We all have a common interest in pre-
parking revenue reduction. Additionally, our pating that it would get State funding serving as much of our economy as pos-
partners, like the New Hampshire Fisher sible so that we are positioned for a
as it usually does. So losing help from
Cats, are asking for financial help from the full and robust recovery once we get
City to ensure they make it through this dif- Congress in any COVID–4 package
would have a double impact on the city this coronavirus behind us. So I would
ficult time.
While Manchester and other New Hamp- of Berlin and other cities and munici- hope that all of my colleagues in the
shire cities and towns have received some ad- palities across New Hampshire. Senate would recognize the urgency of
ditional funding through the CARES Act, we I heard from mayors, town adminis- this situation we are in and that we
are extremely limited in the way that we’re trators, from local leaders, and from will take up and pass legislation that
able to use these funds. We are often unable our Republican Governor Kirsten will provide assistance to State and
to be reimbursed for the expenses that the Noonan. All of them are grappling with local governments and provide the re-
City needs most at this time, like revenue
whether they will be able to fund the lief that Americans are calling for.
losses, property tax relief and affordable
housing. services that they have committed to, The House passed legislation more
We have had to make hard decisions to whether they will have to lay off first than 2 months ago. Too much time has
keep our city afloat. City departments have responders, firefighters, police and been lost, and it is time for Congress to
had to hold 28 vacancies, have put a freeze on teachers if Federal assistance doesn’t act now.
all non-essential spending, and have been arrive soon. I yield the floor.
forced to reduce some City services, like New Hampshire is not alone. We just The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. CAS-
parks and recreation activities and facilities. heard Senator SCHATZ talking about SIDY). The Senator from Rhode Island.
Our city employees have gone above and be- Mr. REED. Mr. President, we are
the impact on Hawaii and Senators
yond to fill these gaps, but without addi-
CORTEZ MASTO and ROSEN talking heartbroken for the more than 155,000
tional funding, our staffing and service re-
ductions will continue to grow. about the impact on Nevada. Everyone Americans we have lost in this pan-
Our citizens are fueling the burden of the who has been to the floor is talking demic. We are grateful for those on the
COVID–19 pandemic. Many have had their about what will happen in their States frontlines—the doctors, nurses, the
hours cut back or have lost their jobs. They if we don’t do something to help. healthcare workers who have served
have lost childcare, and some are on the and sacrificed, and we are committed
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
No State could have anticipated the
verge of losing their homes. At this difficult economic fallout from this pandemic. to finding a better way forward.
time, cities need to be increasing the serv- There is no excuse for how this virus
That is why it is essential that Con-
ices that it offers to our residents, not de-
gress provide Federal support to help has spread here in the United States.
creasing them. Manchester is facing an af-
fordable housing and homelessness crisis State and local governments as they We have the capacity, the expertise,
that has been exasperated by COVID–19. As respond to this crisis. but we have not demonstrated the co-
we inch closer to the moratorium on evic- We have done that before in the bi- ordinated strategy or Presidential
tions being lifted, it is more important than partisan CARES Act. New Hampshire leadership to overcome this pandemic
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S4716 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 4, 2020
and economic disaster. Instead, the As Federal Reserve Chairman Jay With that, I yield the floor in the
President engages in a pattern of de- Powell said last Wednesday, ‘‘The path hopes that we will move quickly to leg-
nial and delay, downplaying the scope of the economy is going to depend to a islation that will satisfy the needs of
of this crisis. very high extent on the course of the our cities and towns of all Americans
This failed approach has led to thou- virus, on the measures that we take to so we can move forward together.
sands of premature deaths, double-digit keep it in check. . . . We can’t say it Thank you.
unemployment, shuttered businesses, enough.’’ The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
and spiking infection rates throughout That is why we need additional and ator from West Virginia.
the country. The economy will not flexible Federal assistance for State f
snap back until we get COVID–19 under and local governments that are fight-
ing this virus on the frontlines while TRIBUTE TO GEORGE KAROS
control and until States and commu-
nities have the resources they need to also trying to keep their local econo- Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I rise
get a handle on this public health mies afloat. I said before the CARES today to honor and thank a very good
emergency. Act passed, we needed $750 billion for friend of mine, Mayor George Karos of
The costs of fighting COVID–19 is ris- State and local governments to do the city of Martinsburg—I said his
ing. State and local budgets are now both. The CARES Act included $150 bil- name wrong, and I don’t want to do
under severe strain while demand for lion, and I have new legislation to pro- that because he is a good friend of
essential public services, including vide $600 billion more. mine—for his great service to the city
medical care, safety, and sanitation, is We should support our State and of Martinsburg and the entire State of
going up and up and up. Moreover, local governments because they sup- West Virginia.
schools need additional resources to re- port our economy and, just as impor- He was always really great to work
open and support students, and the rev- tantly, they protect our constituents with and always gave credit to staff,
enue that is coming in to our States from COVID–19. and he did it with such good humor.
and cities and towns is insufficient. By standing in the way of additional George is the son of Greek immi-
Without more help, they will be Federal funds for State and local gov- grants who did not speak English when
forced to make drastic cuts which, in ernments, Republicans may force these they came to this country. They moved
my State, could mean cutting critical governments to raise taxes on our con- to Martinsburg before he was born.
funding for hospitals and nursing stituents, make additional cuts to crit- George was born in the early 1930s.
homes in a State with one of the oldest ical services, or worst, do both. Let’s George has called Martinsburg his
populations in the country, zeroing out avoid more self-inflicted pain. home his entire life.
Getting a handle on COVID–19 also Growing up, he worked at Patterson’s
the State’s job training program, clos-
means keeping families in their homes Drug Store on Queens Street, where he
ing a prison facility, cutting Medicaid
and avoiding waves of evictions and swept the floors and rode his bike to
eligibility for vulnerable adults, and
foreclosures that would lead to a major deliver prescriptions. Over time, he
reducing childcare reimbursement
spike in homelessness, which would worked his way up in the ranks, taking
rates, impacting working families and
likely mean more infections. over the soda fountain and eventually
childcare providers throughout the At the same time, we should con-
State. worked as an assistant in the phar-
tinue expanded unemployment benefits
With State and local governments macy section of the drugstore.
and provide nutrition assistance so
forced to lay off more workers, the un- George did leave Martinsburg briefly
people in desperate circumstances,
employment crisis worsens, the cus- when he served his country in the U.S.
through no fault of their own, can af-
tomer base for Main Street shrinks, Naval Hospital Corps, where he was
ford to pay their bills and eat. We must
and the economy slides even further stationed at both Bethesda Naval Hos-
provide relief for the hardest hit busi-
away from rebuilding. Indeed, the U.S. pital and Quantico Marine Corps Base
nesses, many of which will continue to
economy shrank at a 32.9-percent in Virginia. He eventually returned to
be shut down for the foreseeable future,
annualized pace between April and including relief to the transportation his home that he loved—Martinsburg—
June. sector. and he returned to Patterson’s Drug
We must break this vicious cycle by Any agreement should also include Store, which he later bought in 1980
passing another emergency relief pack- more help for childcare providers, pub- and operated until his retirement in
age that is right-sized to the challenge. lic schools, and college campuses to 2015. He then began a career as a public
The CARES Act is about $1.7 trillion, safely reopen, and support for libraries servant.
a huge number—difficult to fathom. It to keep our communities connected. George was first elected to the city
wasn’t enough. Not even close. In fact, We must do all of this so that once we council as a councilperson-at-large in
the pricetag was smaller than the 2017 have gotten a better handle on the June of 1974, where he served for 26
Republican tax bill. Those who now coronavirus, we have enough workers years.
claim they can’t afford to help the un- and businesses with which to rebuild Following this, he decided to run for
employed and the communities our economy. mayor of Martinsburg, and he served as
throughout America are the same who We also can’t lose sight of the need the mayor for about 20 years and will
quickly passed that $1.9 trillion tax bill to safeguard our election infrastruc- retire this year at the age of 88.
in 2017, which largely benefited big ture. Our Nation and our economy George and I started our careers to-
businesses and the very wealthy at the can’t take any more uncertainty. Hand gether. I started as his Congresswoman
expense of the average taxpayer who in hand with that is supporting the in the year 2000, and George started as
needs our help now. U.S. Postal Service and its employees, mayor.
If there was a will then to spend so who will play an integral role in deliv- I know I speak for all of those from
much so quickly on an ill-conceived ering mail ballots and are continuing the Martinsburg community when I
and misdirected tax bill, the majority to provide a lifeline to Americans. say that Mayor Karos truly made Mar-
should have no qualms about spending For the past 60 consecutive years, tinsburg a better place to work and
whatever it takes now to beat this Democrats and Republicans have come live.
virus that is attacking our citizens and together to strengthen our national se- I have had the honor and privilege of
our economy. curity by passing the National Defense working closely with Mayor Karos dur-
For starters, we need improved test- Authorization Act. I hope we can carry ing his entire time serving as the
ing and contact tracing, more support this same spirit of courtesy and co- mayor of Martinsburg. We had a field
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
for our hospitals and healthcare pro- operation as we craft the next fiscal re- hearing out in Martinsburg, and I re-
viders, and an effective approach to lief package. Indeed, our national secu- member the mayor being there and
vaccine development and distribution. rity also depends on the critical pillar welcoming us. I see him at many rib-
All while preserving as much of our of a strong and vibrant economy. We bon cuttings and openings. I have been
economy as we can to have a strong need to act sooner rather than later on to his drugstore to be served at the
foundation from which to rebuild and a comprehensive and robust fiscal counter. He is just a wonderful, won-
rebound. package. derful man.
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