Congressional Record, Senate — Page S4960, August 5, 2020
Summary
Page S4960 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for August 5, 2020. It prints amendment text on an expansion of the exclusion for gain from certain small business stock under section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code. Another amendment makes findings on the Postal Service, including that it delivers mail not fewer than 6 days per week, that it has been charged since 1970 with operating as a self-sustaining entity, and that the Government Accountability Office reports a loss of approximately $78,000,000,000 from fiscal year 2007 through 2019. A veterans section establishes a clinical provider treatment toolkit and addresses hyperbaric oxygen therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder.
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“Congressional Record, Senate — Page S4960, August 5, 2020.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-08-05-crec-2020-08-05-pt1-pgs4960-2-81273351fe/
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S4960 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 5, 2020
(i) in clause (i)(I), by striking ‘‘20 years’’ posed by Mr. MCCONNELL to the bill S. States, especially those in remote and rural
and inserting ‘‘40 years’’, and 178, to condemn gross human rights areas of the country, delivering business cor-
(ii) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘January 1, violations of ethnic Turkic Muslims in respondence, educational, cultural and sci-
2027’’ and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2029’’, entific information, critical prescriptions
Xinjiang, and calling for an end to ar-
(B) in subparagraph (B)— and medications, household items, and com-
(i) in clause (i)— bitrary detention, torture, and harass- mercial goods with affordable, reliable serv-
(I) in subclause (II), by striking ‘‘January ment of these communities inside and ice not fewer than 6 days per week.
1, 2028’’ and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2030’’, and outside China; which was ordered to lie (3) The Postal Service helps small busi-
(II) in subclause (III), by striking ‘‘January on the table; as follows: nesses stay connected with their customers
1, 2027’’ and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2029’’, and At the appropriate place, insert the fol- no matter where they are located or where
(ii) in clause (ii)— lowing: their customers live.
(I) in the heading, by striking ‘‘2027’’ and in- SEC. lll. EXPANSION OF EXCLUSION FOR GAIN (4) Since 1970, the Postal Service has been
serting ‘‘2029’’, and FROM CERTAIN SMALL BUSINESS charged with operating as a self-sustaining
(II) by striking ‘‘January 1, 2027’’ and in- STOCK. entity and its operations are funded from
serting ‘‘January 1, 2029’’, and (a) APPLICATION TO CORPORATIONS.—Sec- postage paid for mail and shipping and not
(C) in subparagraph (E)(i), by striking tion 1202(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of primarily by taxpayer funds.
‘‘January 1, 2027’’ and inserting ‘‘January 1, 1986 is amended by striking ‘‘In the case of a (5) The Government Accountability Office
2029’’, taxpayer other than corporation, gross in- reports that the Postal Service has lost ap-
(2) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ‘‘Janu- come’’ and inserting ‘‘Gross income’’. proximately $78,000,000,000 from fiscal year
ary 1, 2027’’ and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2029’’, (b) INCREASE IN EXCLUSION LIMITATION.— 2007 through 2019 due primarily to declining
and (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1202(b)(1)(A) of mail volumes and rising costs.
(3) in paragraph (6)— the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended (6) Package delivery volumes have more
(A) in subparagraph (A)— by striking ‘‘$10,000,000’’ and inserting than doubled since 2010, but the Postal Serv-
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘January 1, ‘‘$20,000,000’’. ice faces competition in this area.
2023’’ and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2025’’, (2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section (7) The Postal Service is not on a sustain-
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘after Decem- 1202(b)(3)(A) of such Code is amended by able path and needs reform to be viable over
ber 31, 2022, and before January 1, 2024’’ and striking ‘‘substituting ‘$5,000,000’ for the long term.
inserting ‘‘after December 31, 2024, and be- ‘$10,000,000’ ’’ and inserting ‘‘substituting (8) Reforms must be focused on the long
fore January 1, 2026’’, ‘$10,000,000’ for ‘$20,000,000’ ’’. term solvency of the Postal Service while
(iii) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘after De- (c) INCREASE IN QUALIFIED BUSINESS ASSET
ensuring the greatest benefit to the public
cember 31, 2023, and before January 1, 2025’’ LIMITATIONS.—Section 1202(d)(1) of the Inter-
and 630,000 employees of the Postal Service.
and inserting ‘‘after December 31, 2025, and nal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by
(9) By law, the authority for operation and
before January 1, 2027’’, striking ‘‘$50,000,000’’ each place it appears in
strategic direction of the Postal Service, an
(iv) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘after De- subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting
independent establishment of the executive
cember 31, 2024, and before January 1, 2026’’ ‘‘$100,000,000’’.
(d) EXPANSION OF PERMISSIBLE TRADES OR branch, is delegated to the Board of Gov-
and inserting ‘‘after December 31, 2026, and ernors of the Postal Service, including the
before January 1, 2028’’, and BUSINESSES.—Section 1202(e)(3) of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— Postmaster General.
(v) in clause (v), by striking ‘‘after Decem-
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) (10) On May 6, 2020, the Board of Governors
ber 31, 2025, and before January 1, 2027’’ and
through (E) as clauses (i) through (v), respec- of the Postal Service selected Louis DeJoy
inserting ‘‘after December 31, 2027, and be-
tively and by moving such clauses 2 ems to as the 75th Postmaster General of the United
fore January 1, 2029’’,
the right, and States.
(B) in subparagraph (B)—
(2) by striking ‘‘means any trade or busi- (11) The new Postmaster General should be
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘January 1,
ness other than—’’ and inserting ‘‘means— given the opportunity to review the oper-
2024’’ and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2026’’,
‘‘(A) in the case of stock acquired after the ations and finances of the Postal Service
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘after Decem-
date of the enactment of the Coronavirus Re- and, in coordination with the rest of the
ber 31, 2023, and before January 1, 2025’’ and
lief Fair Unemployment Compensation Act Board of Governors of the Postal Service,
inserting ‘‘after December 31, 2025, and be-
fore January 1, 2027’’, of 2020, any trade or business, and propose a plan to ensure its long term viabil-
(iii) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘after De- ‘‘(B) in the case of stock acquired on or be- ity.
cember 31, 2024, and before January 1, 2026’’ fore such date, any trade or business other (12) At the same time, the COVID–19 pan-
and inserting ‘‘after December 31, 2026, and than—’’. demic has significantly contributed to the
before January 1, 2028’’, (e) EFFECTIVE DATE.— decline in market dominant mail volumes
(iv) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘after De- (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in and revenues while increasing costs, putting
cember 31, 2025, and before January 1, 2027’’ paragraph (2), the amendments made by this additional stress on the financial situation
and inserting ‘‘after December 31, 2027, and section shall apply to stock acquired after of the Postal Service.
before January 1, 2029’’, and the date of the enactment of this Act. (13) Now more than ever, affordable mail
(v) in clause (v), by striking ‘‘after Decem- (2) INCREASE IN EXCLUSION LIMITATION.—The and package delivery provided by the Postal
ber 31, 2026, and before January 1, 2028’’ and amendments made by subsection (b) shall Service is a lifeline for people in the United
inserting ‘‘after December 31, 2028, and be- apply to dispositions of stock after the date States, especially for seniors and others liv-
fore January 1, 2030’’, and of the enactment of this Act. ing in remote and rural areas.
(C) in subparagraph (C)— (14) The critical services the Postal Service
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘January 1, SA 2593. Ms. COLLINS (for herself, provides will play a fundamental part of the
2023’’ and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2025’’, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. DAINES, and Mr. economic recovery of the United States.
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘after Decem- MORAN) submitted an amendment in- (15) Congress should provide immediate
ber 31, 2022, and before January 1, 2024’’ and tended to be proposed to amendment emergency appropriations to cover financial
inserting ‘‘after December 31, 2024, and be- SA 2499 proposed by Mr. MCCONNELL to losses to the Postal Service caused by the
fore January 1, 2026’’, COVID–19 pandemic in order to keep the
the bill S. 178, to condemn gross human
(iii) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘after De- Postal Service operating without interrup-
rights violations of ethnic Turkic Mus- tions in service and to give the new Post-
cember 31, 2023, and before January 1, 2025’’
and inserting ‘‘after December 31, 2025, and
lims in Xinjiang, and calling for an end master General and the Board of Governors
before January 1, 2027’’, to arbitrary detention, torture, and of the Postal Service time to formulate and
(iv) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘after De- harassment of these communities in- propose to Congress a plan to ensure the long
cember 31, 2024, and before January 1, 2026’’ side and outside China; which was or- term viability of the Postal Service.
and inserting ‘‘after December 31, 2026, and dered to lie on the table; as follows: (16) In addition, although Congress recog-
before January 1, 2028’’, and At the appropriate place, insert the fol- nized the critical role the Postal Service
(v) in clause (v), by striking ‘‘after Decem- lowing: plays by providing $10,000,000,000 in bor-
ber 31, 2025, and before January 1, 2027’’ and rowing authority in the CARES Act (Public
SEC. lllll. POSTAL SERVICE EMERGENCY AS-
inserting ‘‘after December 31, 2027, and be- SISTANCE. Law 116–136; 134 Stat. 281) to address oper-
fore January 1, 2029’’. (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the fol- ating losses caused by the COVID–19 pan-
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments lowing: demic, clarification is required with respect
made by this section shall apply to property (1) By law, the Postal Service operates as to the terms and conditions imposed by the
placed in service after the date of enactment ‘‘a basic and fundamental service provided to Secretary of the Treasury on any such bor-
of this Act. the people by the Government of the United rowing.
States’’ and must serve rural, suburban, and (b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
SA 2592. Mr. SCOTT of Florida sub- urban areas throughout the United States. (1) COVID–19.—The term ‘‘COVID–19’’
mitted an amendment intended to be (2) The Postal Service is a lifeline for busi- means the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–
proposed to amendment SA 2499 pro- nesses and consumers across the United 19).
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August 5, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4961
(2) POSTAL SERVICE.—The term ‘‘Postal latory Commission the plan required under Sec. 303. Update of clinical practice guide-
Service’’ means the United States Postal this subsection, including recommendations lines for assessment and man-
Service. for congressional action. agement of patients at risk for
(c) EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE (3) CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE.—Prior to sub- suicide.
POSTAL SERVICE TO COVER COVID–19 INDUCED mission of the plan required under paragraph Sec. 304. Establishment by Department of
LOSSES.— (2) and not later than 180 days after the date Veterans Affairs and Depart-
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established in the of enactment of this Act, the Postal Service ment of Defense of clinical
Treasury of the United States a fund to be shall provide a briefing on the status of the practice guidelines for the
known as the Postal Service COVID–19 plan to the Committee on Homeland Secu- treatment of serious mental ill-
Emergency Fund. rity and Governmental Affairs of the Senate ness.
(2) APPROPRIATIONS.—There is appro- and the Committee on Oversight and Reform Sec. 305. Precision medicine initiative of De-
priated, out of any money in the Treasury of the House of Representatives. partment of Veterans Affairs to
not otherwise appropriated, to the Postal identify and validate brain and
Service COVID–19 Emergency Fund, SA 2594. Mr. MORAN (for himself and mental health biomarkers.
$25,000,000,000, to remain available until Sep- Mr. TESTER) proposed an amendment Sec. 306. Statistical analyses and data eval-
tember 30, 2022, pursuant to this subsection: to the bill S. 785, to improve mental uation by Department of Vet-
Provided, That such amount is designated by erans Affairs.
Congress as being for an emergency require- health care provided by the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs, and for other TITLE IV—OVERSIGHT OF MENTAL
ment pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of
purposes; as follows: HEALTH CARE AND RELATED SERVICES
the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)(i)). Strike all after the enacting clause and in- Sec. 401. Study on effectiveness of suicide
(3) CERTIFICATION.—The Postal Service sert the following: prevention and mental health
shall certify in its quarterly and audited an- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
outreach programs of Depart-
nual reports to the Postal Regulatory Com- (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as ment of Veterans Affairs.
mission under section 3654 of title 39, United Sec. 402. Oversight of mental health and sui-
the ‘‘Commander John Scott Hannon Vet-
States Code, and in conformity with the re- cide prevention media outreach
erans Mental Health Care Improvement Act
quirements of section 13 or 15(d) of the Secu- conducted by Department of
of 2019’’.
rities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m, (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- Veterans Affairs.
78o(d)), any expenditures necessary to cover tents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 403. Comptroller General management
lost revenue or operational expenses result- review of mental health and
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. suicide prevention services of
ing from the COVID–19 pandemic. The Postal TITLE I—IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSITION
Service shall provide copies of these certified Department of Veterans Af-
OF INDIVIDUALS TO SERVICES FROM fairs.
filings to the Senate Committee on Home- DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
land Security and Governmental Affairs, and Sec. 404. Comptroller General report on ef-
the House Committee on Oversight and Re- Sec. 101. Strategic plan on expansion of forts of Department of Veterans
form within 15 days of any filing with the health care coverage for vet- Affairs to integrate mental
Postal Regulatory Commission. erans transitioning from serv- health care into primary care
(4) TRANSFER.—Within 15 days of any filing ice in the Armed Forces. clinics.
Sec. 102. Review of records of former mem- Sec. 405. Joint mental health programs by
with the Postal Regulatory Commission, as
bers of the Armed Forces who Department of Veterans Affairs
referenced in paragraph (3), the Secretary of
die by suicide within one year and Department of Defense.
the Treasury shall transfer from the Postal
of separation from the Armed TITLE V—IMPROVEMENT OF MENTAL
Service COVID–19 Emergency Fund to the
Forces. HEALTH MEDICAL WORKFORCE
Postal Service Fund such amounts, up to
Sec. 103. Report on REACH VET program of
$25,000,000,000 certified as expenditures nec- Sec. 501. Staffing improvement plan for
Department of Veterans Af-
essary to cover lost revenue or operational mental health providers of De-
fairs.
expenses resulting from the COVID–19 pan- Sec. 104. Report on care for former members partment of Veterans Affairs.
demic, pursuant to paragraph (3). This trans- of the Armed Forces with other Sec. 502. Establishment of Department of
fer authority is in addition to any other than honorable discharge. Veterans Affairs Readjustment
transfer authority provided in this section. Counseling Service Scholarship
TITLE II—SUICIDE PREVENTION
Any amounts transferred to the Postal Serv- Program.
ice Fund under this subsection may be used Sec. 201. Financial assistance to certain en- Sec. 503. Comptroller General report on Re-
for such purposes as the Postal Service con- tities to provide or coordinate adjustment Counseling Service
siders appropriate, pursuant to this sub- the provision of suicide preven- of Department of Veterans Af-
section. tion services for eligible indi- fairs.
(5) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT.—The Postal viduals and their families. Sec. 504. Expansion of reporting require-
Service, during the COVID–19 pandemic, Sec. 202. Analysis on feasibility and advis- ments on Readjustment Coun-
shall prioritize the purchase of, and make ability of the Department of seling Service of Department of
available to all employees and facilities of Veterans Affairs providing cer- Veterans Affairs.
the Postal Service, personal protective tain complementary and inte- Sec. 505. Briefing on alternative work sched-
equipment, including gloves, masks, and grative health services. ules for employees of Veterans
sanitizers, and shall conduct additional Sec. 203. Pilot program to provide veterans Health Administration.
cleaning and sanitizing of Postal Service fa- access to complementary and Sec. 506. Suicide prevention coordinators.
cilities and delivery vehicles. integrative health programs Sec. 507. Report on efforts by Department of
(d) CLARIFICATION OF POSTAL SERVICE BOR- through animal therapy, Veterans Affairs to implement
ROWING AUTHORITY.—Section 6001(b)(2) of the agritherapy, sports and recre- safety planning in emergency
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Secu- ation therapy, art therapy, and departments.
rity Act (Public Law 116–136) is amended to posttraumatic growth pro-
TITLE VI—IMPROVEMENT OF CARE AND
read as follows: grams.
Sec. 204. Department of Veterans Affairs SERVICES FOR WOMEN VETERANS
‘‘(2) the Secretary of the Treasury shall
study of all-cause mortality of Sec. 601. Expansion of capabilities of Women
lend up to the amount described in para-
veterans, including by suicide, Veterans Call Center to include
graph (1) at the request of the Postal Service
and review of staffing levels of text messaging.
subject to the terms and conditions of the
mental health professionals. Sec. 602. Requirement for Department of
note purchase agreement between the Postal
Sec. 205. Comptroller General report on Veterans Affairs internet
Service and the Federal Financing Bank in
management by Department of website to provide information
effect on September 29, 2018.’’.
(e) POSTAL SERVICE REFORM PLAN.— Veterans Affairs of veterans at on services available to women
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Postmaster General high risk for suicide. veterans.
shall, in coordination with the rest of the TITLE III—PROGRAMS, STUDIES, AND TITLE VII—OTHER MATTERS
Board of Governors of the Postal Service, de- GUIDELINES ON MENTAL HEALTH Sec. 701. Expanded telehealth from Depart-
velop a plan to ensure the long-term sol- Sec. 301. Study on connection between living ment of Veterans Affairs.
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
vency of the Postal Service. at high altitude and suicide Sec. 702. Partnerships with non-Federal
(2) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—No later than risk factors among veterans. Government entities to provide
270 days after the date of enactment of this Sec. 302. Establishment by Department of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to
Act, the Postal Service shall submit to the Veterans Affairs and Depart- veterans and studies on the use
Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- ment of Defense of a clinical of such therapy for treatment
ernmental Affairs of the Senate, the Com- provider treatment toolkit and of post-traumatic stress dis-
mittee on Oversight and Reform of the House accompanying training mate- order and traumatic brain in-
of Representatives, and the Postal Regu- rials for comorbidities. jury.
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