Congressional Record, Senate — Page S5233, August 6, 2020
Summary
Page S5233 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for August 6, 2020. A speaker from Illinois describes strains on healthcare workers during the pandemic, mentions Governor Pritzker calling providers out of retirement, and describes a bill with Rubio that would provide loan repayment for clinicians serving in a reserve capacity, with Representative Schakowsky as House partner. Under the heading Belarus, a speaker addresses Lukashenko and describes a resolution with Rubio, Cardin and others calling for the release of those jailed during the Belarus election period. Another speaker calls for action on Sarah's Law, named for Sarah Root of Council Bluffs.
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“Congressional Record, Senate — Page S5233, August 6, 2020.”
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August 6, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5233
three times what a nurse is usually healthcare, and our bill would enhance most basic demographic freedoms on
paid at the same place—and that was our emergency preparedness by pro- the European continent. Clearly,
before the coronavirus rampage across viding loan repayment for clinicians Lukashenko knows he cannot win a
our Nation. who serve in a reserve capacity—simi- fair election, so he turns to the usual
This pandemic has magnified these lar to our National Guard—who could autocrats’ playbook—harassing and
shortages in our system. In my State be deployed from the private practice jailing opposition, rigging and discred-
of Illinois, Governor Pritzker had to to serve in disaster locations. iting the electoral process, and
call providers out of retirement from Representative SCHAKOWSKY—JAN unleashing brutality on anyone who re-
other States to deliver surge care while SCHAKOWSKY of Chicago—is our partner sisted.
fourth-year medical students at the in the House. We are pleased to have I am here to say to Mr. Lukashenko,
University of Illinois at Chicago were the support of the American Medical no one in the West is fooled. That is
graduated early so that they could go Association, the Association of Amer- why I am pleased to have introduced a
to work. ican Medical Colleges, the National As- resolution with Senators Rubio,
Over the past 6 months, America’s sociation of Community Health Cen- Cardin, and others that calls for the re-
healthcare workers have faced incred- ters, and many more. lease of those disgracefully jailed dur-
ible strains on the frontlines in our Senator RUBIO and I are working to ing the Belarus election period. It calls
fight against the coronavirus. Hun- include this policy in the next for basic international election norms
dreds of healthcare workers have, trag- coronavirus relief package. We urge to be adhered to, including the allow-
ically, died from COVID–19, tens of our colleagues to support it. ing of international and local election
thousands have been infected, and BELARUS observers and for the peaceful exercise
countless more endured trauma and Madam President, the other day, the of basic democratic rights.
burnout from intense patient care. Chicago Tribune ran a story with this I want to thank my colleagues who
The crisis has also compounded moving headline: joined me on this measure. I believe
alarming health disparities for Black Her husband jailed, her kids sent away, a
this matter has been passed by live
and Latinx Americans, who are three 37-year-old ex-teacher is running for presi- consent. I thank my colleagues for giv-
times more likely to get sick and die dent. She’s trying to beat ‘‘Europe’s last dic- ing me the opportunity to let them
from COVID–19 than White patients. A tator.’’ know about this violation of demo-
lack of minority physicians and health The story went on to explain the cou- cratic values in Belarus.
professionals of color contributes to rageous effort of Sviatlana I yield the floor.
this unconscionable inequity. In 2018, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
Tsikhanouskaya to run for the election
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
only 4 percent of incoming medical stu- on August 9 in Belarus for President,
clerk will call the roll.
dents in Illinois were Black men. A re- where the country’s strongman, Alex- The senior assistant legislative clerk
cent study found that there are fewer ander Lukashenko, regularly runs proceeded to call the roll.
Black male medical students today sham elections and usually caps them Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I
than there were in 1978. That is 42 off by jailing anyone who has the te- ask unanimous consent that the order
years ago. merity, or nerve, to run against him. for the quorum call be rescinded.
The simple economics of American In fact, he jailed Sviatlana’s husband— The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
medical education pose a barrier to our a popular online commentator—a few objection, it is so ordered.
health workforce needs. We take our months ago. He disqualified or jailed HEALS ACT
most promising students, put them other candidates and harassed and de- Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President,
through years of rigorous education tained protesters and journalists, in- every day we can see that this public
and training, license them after a cluding those from Radio Free Europe. health crisis is also an economic crisis.
backbreaking residency on one condi- I am not surprised by what I read in During the shutdowns, some employers
tion: They have to be prepared to as- the Tribune. You see, 10 years ago, I shuttered completely, and others were
sume a student debt of, on average, went to Belarus, just after the equally forced to lay off workers. Tens of mil-
more than $200,000 to be a doctor in appalling December 2010 Presidential lions of jobs were saved thanks to the
America. election in which the same dictator, Paycheck Protection Program and
The burden of paying off these loans Lukashenko, jailed the opposition can- other CARES Act provisions, but mil-
steers some of our best and brightest didates. When I arrived there just after lions of other Americans lost their jobs
minds into higher paying specialties the election, I had a meeting I will and remain unemployed.
and communities, leaving many areas never forget. It was with the family While job numbers have improved
with gaps and vulnerable to the chal- members of many of these jailed can- since the more dire days of March and
lenges we are facing today. didates. They were deeply concerned April, there are still many Americans
To address these health workforce for the safety of their loved ones who facing unemployment. Talks are con-
challenges and medical disparities and had been rounded up by Lukashenko’s tinuing to determine how best to mod-
to bolster surge capacity for future KGB—and, yes, he still calls his secret ify and extend a Federal supplement to
emergencies, I have partnered with police the KGB. State unemployment insurance pro-
Senator MARCO RUBIO of Florida. To- They spoke movingly—these mem- grams, but those talks are going miser-
gether, we have introduced Strength- bers of the family—about their admira- ably slowly.
ening America’s Health Care Readiness tion for their loved ones who had These State programs and the extra
Act, immediately restoring our pipe- risked so much just to run in an elec- Federal aid have been important safety
line of doctors, nurses, and other pro- tion and lose against Lukashenko. nets for folks who have lost their in-
viders. How do we do it? We provide They spoke of the fear of what would come, but they are only a piece of what
scholarships and loan repayment fund- happen at the hands of Lukashenko’s we can and should do and what a bill
ing through the National Health Serv- henchmen. before the U.S. Senate lays out. It is
ice Corps and Nurse Corps to those who I later told their stories on the floor called the HEALS Act, put forth by our
commit to serve in needy areas. of the Senate. Shortly thereafter, the leader.
In 27 States, more than 70 percent of Senate passed a resolution that I intro- As the leader said yesterday, we
inpatient hospital beds are full. One of duced with Senators McCain, Lieber- know that these programs shouldn’t
the major issues with this capacity man, and others that said that the an- pay someone more to stay home than
strain is the lack of providers to actu- nounced result of this election in essential workers are making by work-
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
ally staff these health units. Our bill Belarus was neither credible nor sus- ing hard. We also know that most peo-
would help to surge tens of thousands tainable since they jailed the political ple would prefer to have a reliable job
of clinicians into these communities. candidates who opposed Lukashenko. and avoid layoff entirely. That is why
To narrow disparities that I mentioned Eventually, all of them were released, Republicans, as part of the HEALS
earlier, our legislation would empha- but it took time. Act, have put forward several addi-
size recruitment from populations his- Here we go again—witnessing the tional proposals to help already unem-
torically underrepresented in same brutality and deprivation for the ployed Americans and prevent others
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S5234 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 6, 2020
from getting laid off in the first place. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Senate to join 26 of their colleagues
That is why these talks ought to speed SCOTT of Florida). The clerk will call and pass my bill, S. 285, Sarah’s Law.
up, so we can get some of these other the roll. Sarah’s Law is simple. It requires
things in place as well as the unem- The senior assistant legislative clerk that ICE take custody of a person who
ployment issues that we are talking proceeded to call the roll. is in the country illegally if they are
about. Ms. SMITH. Mr. President, I ask charged with a crime that seriously in-
We extend and significantly expand unanimous consent that the order for jures another person. It also mandates
the employee retention tax credit that the quorum call be rescinded. a better victim notification system
was included in the CARES Act so that The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without that lets victims and their families
employers can keep more people on the objection, it is so ordered. know what happened to their loved
payroll instead of laying them off. It (The remarks of Ms. SMITH per- ones.
supports businesses that hire more taining to the introduction of S. 4466 Sarah’s Law is about as common-
workers as the economy continues to are printed in today’s RECORD under sense a reform as there is. It recognizes
improve. ‘‘Statements on Introduced Bills and the simple fact that all criminals
We expand the work opportunity tax Joint Resolutions.’’) should be held accountable for their ac-
credit to support employers who are Ms. SMITH. I yield the floor. tions and not simply be allowed to slip
helping those currently receiving un- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- back into the shadows. If Sarah’s Law
employment insurance find a new, safe, ator from Iowa. is passed, people who are in this coun-
and steady job. Bringing in new em- UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—S. 285 try illegally who murder another per-
ployees and expanding the workforce Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, if you are son would be prioritized for deporta-
can be complicated, especially in times a person just watching politics back tion if released. Who could be opposed
of a pandemic. Both employers and em- home, you probably see a common to this?
ployees want to maintain safe working theme: talking. No matter the topic, Here is a bit of good news. President
environments. It is important for em- people in DC like to talk but not much Trump implemented parts of Sarah’s
ployers to have the resources to keep gets done. Law through an Executive order in
their workplaces clean and their em- There is one topic that is especially 2017, including directing the Secretary
ployees protected. Republicans then guilty of this, and that is immigration. of Homeland Security to prioritize the
proposed a new tax credit for these ex- Democrat or Republican, conservative removal of violent criminals. Despite
penses, like additional cleaning ex- or liberal, we know our immigration provisions of Sarah’s Law being put
penses, personal protective gear, and system is broken. That is an easy into place by President Trump’s order,
even office reconfigurations that keep statement to make, but nothing ever it is critical that the Senate codify
employees and customers safe. changes, and we need to start getting these enforcement priorities so they
The HEALS Act also provides for an- things done. cannot be removed by future adminis-
other round of economic impact pay- In Iowa, we learned this in a very trations.
ments. An average family of four would tragic way. On January 31, 2016, the This may seem crazy to those watch-
receive $3,400 to help cover expenses. same day as her college graduation, ing at home, but criminal aliens
These payments will help any family or Sarah Root was killed by an illegal im- charged with homicide were allowed to
any individual who has had to deal migrant named Eswin Mejia. He was escape detention in previous adminis-
with layoffs and are in addition to any drag racing with a blood alcohol level trations. No family should ever have to
unemployment benefits they may re- more than three times the legal limit. endure such a tragedy, especially one
ceive. Despite repeated requests by local that could have been prevented.
These tax provisions serve as a com- law enforcement, Immigrations and I recognize that the immigration de-
plement to the unemployment insur- Customs Enforcement failed to detain bate has become a political football,
ance program that is being negotiated Mejia because of a nonsensical policy but justice for victims and their fami-
right now, with no evidence of that allows ICE to use discretion when lies is not a game. This bill isn’t about
progress. There ought to be progress. determining whether to detain a crimi- the southern border or the wall or visa
These programs do set up an extra nal alien charged with a violent of- numbers or the larger immigration de-
layer of protection for workers and fense. He posted bond; he was released; bate at all. This bill is about changing
those already out of work. and he disappeared. Still, more than 4 the system for the better and ensuring
Together, these proposals provide a years later, he remains a fugitive, de- that families have the promise of jus-
responsible approach to help employers nying Sarah’s loved ones any sense of tice. I intend to fulfill that promise to
reopen businesses so that employees justice for closure. Sarah’s loving parents, Michelle Root
can safely and effectively return to As a mother, I cannot fathom the and Scott Root—the promise that I
work to continue fueling the Nation’s grief her family and friends continue to will do everything I can to ensure that
economic recovery. feel after such a devastating loss. not one more parent has to go through
Why can’t we get these important Sarah had her whole future ahead of what the Roots have faced—the loss of
issues resolved for the American peo- her, but her opportunity to make her both their daughter and the promise of
ple, particularly for the American peo- mark on the world was tragically cut justice.
ple who are hurting? And they are short. Yet even in death, she touched I yield the floor to my colleague from
hurting because we were faced with a the lives of others, saving six different Iowa, Senator GRASSLEY.
virus pandemic. As a result of the virus individuals through organ donation. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
pandemic, the government, for the first Sadly, what happened to Sarah is not ator from Iowa.
time in 240 years, shut down the econ- an isolated incident. We have seen this Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I am
omy of the United States, and then im- story play out time and again in the here to join my colleague from Iowa,
mediately, in the middle of March, more than 4 years since Sarah’s kill- Senator ERNST, in this effort.
after that happened, we made a point ing—innocent lives taken by criminals We ought to get this unanimous con-
of passing the CARES Act to open up who enter the United States illegally sent request accomplished, and we
the economy, to give people confidence through a porous border, but nothing ought to get this bill passed because it
that what the government did that was ever changes. is unjustified that we don’t get the co-
bad for the economy and for people and Although nothing can bring Sarah operation that it takes to keep a per-
back to her family, we can ensure that son who has committed a felony from
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
hurting people, unemployed—that we
were going to take a lead in getting ICE never makes the same mistake the jurisdiction of the courts of the
them back. And we are still in this sit- again. United States.
uation. We shouldn’t be debating as Today, I rise to call upon my Senate I joined Senator ERNST in reintro-
long as we are to get these issues taken colleagues to end this senseless mad- ducing Sarah’s Law on January 31 of
care of. ness, to do something and stop another last year, and that was the third anni-
I yield the floor. tragedy like this from happening with versary of Sarah Root’s death. Sarah
I suggest the absence of a quorum. a simple and clean fix. I am asking the was from Council Bluffs, IA, and as my
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