Congressional Record, Senate — Page S5259, August 6, 2020
Summary
Page S5259 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for August 6, 2020. Remarks on the pandemic call for a national investment in personal protective equipment, a testing strategy and contact tracing, and say the House, 11 weeks ago, passed a bill with resources for testing and tracing. A speaker also asks whether it is acceptable to shut the Senate down when families face eviction because the $600 per week and the eviction moratorium have ended, and describes the effects of homelessness on families. The page ends with nominations for appointment in the United States Air Force, including Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark.
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“Congressional Record, Senate — Page S5259, August 6, 2020.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-08-06-crec-2020-08-06-pt1-pgs5259-dca0c71590/
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August 6, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5259
What do the scientists and family for a long time to come. I don’t we have got all the time in the world—
healthcare experts say? They say a na- know how many of my colleagues have how many people have to die before we
tional investment in personal protec- worked in the area of assisting home- wrap our arms around what is hap-
tive equipment; they say a national in- less families, but when you are desta- pening and have a national strategy on
vestment in a testing strategy to be bilized, when you are tossed out, when testing and on contact tracing and a
able to do massive numbers of tests to you experience homelessness, when you national strategy to make sure we
help identify folks who are carrying are living in your car with your kids or have all of the testing materials and
the virus and spreading the virus but it is a basement this week and it is a the PPE and everything that our doc-
are asymptomatic, as well as those who van the next and who knows what shel- tors and nurses and other professionals
actually have symptoms; and a massive ter will let you in, it destabilizes and need and we are treating this with the
national investment in tracing so that knocks you down for a long time. It seriousness that it deserves?
we can follow up when somebody is makes it hard to get ready to go to a This is a health pandemic. We have
identified as carrying the virus—Who job interview. It makes it hard to to get our arms around this. We have
did they get it from? Who did they present yourself effectively in a job to be able to manage it until we can
have contact with?—so those folks can interview. It puts all kinds of stresses get vaccines. We did come together and
go into quarantine and stop the chain on the family relationship. work together on a bipartisan basis in
of infection from person to person to Is it really OK that we shut the Sen- the beginning. That is what is just so
person. ate down when families are going to be frustrating and disheartening and mad-
The House, 11 weeks ago, passed a evicted because we shut off that $600 dening about this situation we are in
bill that has massive resources for test- per week and the moratorium on evic- now, as we go forward, because it is not
ing and tracing, and for 11 weeks, the tions expired? done.
leadership of this body has said: Not This, colleagues, is not just another I wish it was, for my own family and
needed. Let’s do nothing. Let’s just Thursday. This is a moment of na- everyone else’s. It is not even close to
treat this as just another Thursday. No tional crisis, a pandemic crisis, an eco- being done, and we have a responsi-
concern. nomic crisis, and we need to be in crisis bility to continue to be there and to
Then I hear from folks who are really mode. We need to be here day and have people’s backs to address the pan-
worried about the nutrition for our night. We need to be working on each demic and all of the economic hardship
children—not just the education but of these issues that were addressed 11 that has happened as a result of that.
nutrition. We worked hard to get the weeks ago in the House while this body Now, in the CARES package, it was
EBT program to help out because of sat on its hands. comprehensive. It was great that we
school sites being shut down, but what Sitting on your hands when the peo- were able to come together. One of the
about this coming year? Why aren’t we ple of America need us, that is not ac- things was that the Treasury, the Fed,
helping with nutrition? ceptable in the U.S. Senate. Let’s act was able to basically have the capacity
The House, 11 weeks ago, acted, but boldly. Let’s act decisively. Let’s rec- to have a safety net under the stock
here, it is just another Thursday—no ognize that we must rise to meet this market, under our large businesses:
crisis, no concern when children across national challenge and do so now. Don’t worry. Keep investing. We have
America are going hungry. The bill I yield to my colleague from Michi- got a safety net for you.
that the House passed had resources for gan. But for somebody on unemployment,
State and local government to help ad- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- somebody who is worrying about feed-
dress the hemorrhaging of funds. I ator from Michigan. ing their children tonight, tomorrow,
noted that Oregon predicts, just in its f the next day—somebody who is worried
State government, a loss of $10 billion that the water is going to get shut off
over next three biennium—or this bien- CORONAVIRUS or they are going to lose their shelter
nium and the next two. For them to Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I right in the middle of a pandemic when
sustain their basic programs, they need want to thank both of my friends from we tell people, ‘‘stay home and, by the
help. Oregon. We are Oregon strong on the way, wash your hands frequently,’’ and
I heard today from the president of floor. We have great, powerful, effec- then the water gets turned off or you
one of our public universities—our 4- tive Senators from Oregon, and I want have no shelter and you are on the
year university, Oregon State Univer- to thank Senator MERKLEY for his street or you can’t feed the kids, or the
sity in Corvallis—and they were esti- words, as well as my colleagues and additional money—the $600 that was al-
mating a massive loss of revenue. They friends from Delaware and New Hamp- lowing you to pay those bills—goes
need this bill, which would direct sup- shire and Maryland. away, which is about a 60-percent cut,
port for our 4-year institutions. They We are on the floor today because we in Michigan, for people getting help—
know that the State, if it is going to be know this isn’t just another regular no safety net for you. Unh-unh.
able to sustain its support for the uni- Thursday where you can close up for There are over 31 million people right
versities, so that the money doesn’t the week and go home and do whatever now who are on unemployment insur-
come in the front door and out the is going to be done and then maybe ance, and somehow, people want to
back door, we need to provide help to come back Monday, maybe Tuesday, have us believe that nobody wants to
the State government. I know this maybe Wednesday. We don’t know be- work, that there are over 31 million
isn’t a blue-red issue. I know that blue cause we don’t know what is happening jobs out there and people just don’t
and red Governors are saying the same on negotiations. But, oh, well, there is want to take them; they just don’t
thing. I know blue and red county com- no real sense of urgency anyway, right? want to work.
missioners are asking for the same There is an incredible sense of ur- I can tell you that is not true in
help. gency, and, as we have been saying this Michigan. People in Michigan work.
So I say to my colleagues, it is mor- afternoon, this should not be treated We grow things. We make things. We
ally unacceptable to just say: This is like just another end of the Senate innovate. We build things. People in
another Thursday. All is well. We have week on a Thursday afternoon. We Michigan work and work hard.
waited 11 weeks to act after the House. have the largest health pandemic in a It is not their fault that we have a
What is another week? What does it hundred years. As of today, it is about 100-year health pandemic that has
matter if a family that has been able to 160,000 deaths in this country. You pushed everybody back down and taken
pay its rent or its mortgage or its utili- can’t even wrap your head around that: away the capacity for businesses to be
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
ties or put food on the table because 160,000 people. Yet we are a little over safely open and for people to continue
they got $600 a week extra help in un- 4 percent of the world’s population. We their jobs. People would expect that in
employment, what does it matter if have 25 percent of the deaths. the United States of America all of us
they lose their home? What does it This did not have to happen. This would care about that and that it
matter if they are evicted? should never have happened. It should wouldn’t just be another Thursday
Well, I will tell you this: It matters a never have happened. And to be in a afternoon, closing up shop for the
hell of a lot—a huge impact on that situation where people are acting as if weekend or beyond.
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S5260 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 6, 2020
There is one other thing I want to gether. But they are anxious to do The following named officer for appoint-
stress when we talk about supporting that, and they are anxious to open up ment in the United States Air Force to the
communities right now. The President the economy safely and to open up our grade indicated while assigned to a position
of importance and responsibility under title
said: It is up to the Governors to step schools safely and to know that there
10, U.S.C., section 601:
up. It is up to local communities to is some sense of normalcy that we can
To be lieutenant general
step up to keep people safe. No na- count on again.
tional response is necessary. That is going to take all of us work- Maj. Gen. Sam C. Barrett
It is the Governors, the mayors, the ing together on a bipartisan basis to IN THE SPACE FORCE
county commissioners. They have done get it done. It is going to take a sense The following named officer for appoint-
that. They have done that. They took of urgency, a sense of responsibility for ment in he permanent grade indicated in the
United States Space Force under title 10,
all of their resources to make sure they the role that we play at this moment
U.S.C., section 716:
could do everything humanly possible in time in the history of our country
To be major general
to make sure they could help people be and people’s lives. It is going to take a
safe: Get the PPE, create a way for lot of hard work. It is going to take po- Maj. Gen. Nina M. Armagno
people to get testing, do all of the litical will more than anything else be- The following named officer for ointment
in the permanent grade indicated in the
other things to help people. Now, for cause the other things we can do. We
United States Space Force under title 10,
the Senate and for the President of the have to decide we to want to do them. U.S.C., section 716:
United States to say that we have no I hope very, very soon that Senator
To be major general
responsibility to step up and have their MCCONNELL, our Senate Republican
Maj. Gen. William J. Liquori, Jr.
back and support them is incredibly ir- colleagues, the President and the
White House decide that they want to The following named officer for appoint-
responsible.
ment in the permanent grade indicated in
What I find so interesting—who are work with us to really get things done the United States Space Force under title 10,
we talking about locally? We want the for people all across our country. U.S.C., section 716:
restaurants to open. Yet you have to I yield the floor. To be major general
have a food inspector before you can The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma-
Maj. Gen. Bradley C. Saltzman
open the restaurant. In Michigan, that jority leader.
The following named officer for appoint-
is funded through the county—through f
ment in the permanent grade indicated in
county government. EXECUTIVE SESSION the United States Space Force under title 10,
We are concerned about first respond- U.S.C., section 716:
ers—police and fire and 9–1-1 call cen- To be major general
ters and all of the people who respond EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Maj. Gen. Stephen N. Whiting
to keep us safe. Do you know who the
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I The following named officer for appoint-
largest group is that will be losing
ask unanimous consent that the Sen- ment in the United States Space Force to
their jobs without help for local com- the grade indicated while assigned to a posi-
ate proceed to executive session for the
munities and States? It is the first re- tion of importance and responsibility under
consideration of executive Calendar
sponders and law enforcement. title 10, U.S.C., section 601:
Nos. 820 through 832 and all nomina-
In fact, I had a very prominent police To be lieutenant general
tions placed on the Secretary’s desk in
leader in Michigan tell me that the Maj. Gen. Nina M. Armagno
the Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard;
only people he saw trying to defund the The following named officer for appoint-
that the nominations be confirmed;
police were Donald Trump and MITCH ment in the United States Space Force to
that the motions to reconsider be con-
MCCONNELL because they didn’t and the grade indicated while assigned to a posi-
sidered made and laid upon the table
aren’t—the Senate Republicans aren’t tion of importance and responsibility under
with no intervening action or debate;
willing to step up to support funding title 10, U.S.C., section 601:
that the President be immediately no-
for first responders, as well as the pub- To be lieutenant general
tified of the Senate’s action.
lic health department, as well as the Maj. Gen. William J. Liquori, Jr.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
teachers, as well as everyone else in- The following named officer for appoint-
objection, it is so ordered.
volved. The nominations considered and con- ment in the United States Space Force to
These are not normal times. These the grade indicated while assigned to a posi-
firmed are as follows:
are not normal times in terms of the tion of importance and responsibility under
IN THE MARINE CORPS title 10, U.S.C., section 601:
health risks for families. These are not
The following named officers for appoint- To be lieutenant general
normal times in terms of our economy
ment to the grade indicated in the United
and what is happening—not even to States Marine Corps under title 10, U.S.C., Maj. Gen. Bradley C. Saltzman
count the fact that racial disparities section 624: The following named officer for appoint-
are on full display now in front of us in To be brigadier general ment in the United States Space Force to
every part of our economy and serv- the grade indicated while assigned to a posi-
Col. Jason G. Woodworth tion of importance and responsibility under
ices.
IN THE ARMY title 10, U.S.C., section 601:
This is not a normal time. This
The following named officer for appoint- To be lieutenant general
should not be a normal Thursday after-
ment in the United States Army to the grade Maj. Gen. Stephen N. Whiting
noon in the U.S. Senate. Every single indicated while assigned to a position of im-
one of my Democratic colleagues feels portance and responsibility under title 10, NOMINATIONS PLACED ON THE SECRETARY’S
a sense of urgency and panic about U.S.C., section 601: DESK
what is happening. People need help. To be general IN THE AIR FORCE
There are incredible hardships, and Lt. Gen. James H. Dickinson PN1790 AIR FORCE nominations (74) begin-
they deserve that help. ning VINCENT W. ABRUZZESE, and ending
IN THE AIR FORCE
The U.S. House of Representatives MONICA SARAI ZAPATER, which nomina-
The following named officer for appoint- tions were received by the Senate and ap-
passed help over 21⁄2 months ago. Sen- ment in the United States Air Force to the peared in the Congressional Record of May 4,
ator MCCONNELL at the time said that grade indicated while assigned to a position 2020.
he felt no sense of urgency. In fact, he of importance and responsibility under title PN1832 AIR FORCE nomination of Peter B.
suggested that States and cities go 10, U.S.C., section 601: French, which was received by the Senate
bankrupt. That is one way to do it: Lay To be general and appeared in the Congressional Record of
off all the police officers, firefighters, May 11, 2020.
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
Lt. Gen. Glen D. VanHerck
food inspectors, teachers. PN2140 AIR FORCE nomination of Laura
The following named officer for appoint-
People in our country—and I know A. King, which was received by the Senate
ment in the United States Air Force to the
and appeared in the Congressional Record of
people in Michigan—feel an incredible grade indicated while assigned to a position
July 28, 2020.
sense of urgency to both manage and of importance and responsibility under title PN2141 AIR FORCE nomination of Ismael
get beyond this healthcare pandemic, 10, U.S.C., section 601: H. Soto Rivas, which was received by the
which is not going to be easy. It is To be lieutenant general Senate and appeared in the Congressional
going to take all of us working to- Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark Record of July 28, 2020.
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