Postal Service and Housing Assistance — Congressional Record, Senate, August 11, 2020
Summary
This is pages S5387 and S5388 of the Congressional Record, Senate, August 11, 2020, headed Postal Service and Housing Assistance, with interleaved columns. Mr. Schumer criticizes the Senate Republican majority over the breakdown of relief talks and quotes Mr. Johnson saying the breakdown is good news. He also says tripling what it costs to vote by mail would be outrageous and criticizes Postmaster General DeJoy, saying Democrats will fight the policy. Ms. Cortez Masto then speaks about housing, saying Nevada has the highest unemployment rate in the country at 25 percent. She says housing is healthcare and that millions of people are on the brink of eviction. An earlier speaker adds that a proposal does not even guarantee a moratorium on evictions.
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“Postal Service and Housing Assistance — Congressional Record, Senate, August 11, 2020.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-08-11-crec-2020-08-11-pt1-pgs5387-2-04ce02416e/
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August 11, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5387
even guarantee a moratorium on evic- getting COVID and some more people voting. He ought to be ashamed of him-
tions. It merely instructs Federal agen- dying, and, now, after all that, the Re- self to even consider this, tripling—tri-
cies to ‘‘review’’ or ‘‘consider’’ one and publican leader says his delay ‘‘allowed pling what it costs to vote by mail at
does nothing to help renters actually us to learn the coronavirus didn’t mys- a time when more people will vote by
afford the rent. teriously disappear.’’ mail than ever before. If anyone had
Here in Congress, the Senate Repub- So while President Trump and his any thought that this Postmaster Gen-
lican majority delayed for 4 long aides have certainly been an impedi- eral was on the level, it is now dis-
months, failed to come up with a pro- ment—an awful impediment to an pensed.
posal that had the support of their own agreement, the Republican Senate is To triple the cost of voting by mail
caucus, and then gave up and left it for equally culpable, and the American would be an outrageous and insidious
someone else to figure it out. That is people know it. They know that Demo- policy that would make it even harder
why MCCONNELL is not in the room. crats have their back, healthwise and and more expensive for States, already
Facing the greatest domestic crisis in economically. Republicans, so many of struggling with depleted budgets from
the 21st century, where Americans are them, are saying: Don’t do a thing. COVID–19, to conduct our elections
hurting healthwise and economically, Don’t do a thing. They are glad the ne- safely. Democrats will fight this policy
the Senate Republican majority ran gotiations have broken down. We are with every tool at our disposal. If our
down the clock, tossed up an air ball, not. Republican colleagues care about a free
and then subbed themselves out of the f and fair election this November, they
game. should as well.
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE
Even now, as Leader MCCONNELL I yield the floor.
claims that Democrats are blocking re- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, one The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The
lief, there are 20 Members of the Re- final matter, millions of Americans Senator from Nevada.
publican caucus, according to their rely on the U.S. Postal Service to de- Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President,
own leader, who will not vote for any- liver their mail reliably and on time. I so appreciate the comments of the
thing—no more relief. A group of Re- For decades, the hard-working people minority leader.
publican Senators came to the floor of the Postal Service have been doing f
last week to warn America about the just that. During this pandemic, USPS
has been providing these critical serv- HOUSING
national debt, not the health crisis, not
the economic crisis, not the looming ices day in and day out, up until the Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President,
housing crisis but the national debt. It new Postmaster General, Mr. DeJoy, a oftentimes, when I am home and I am
is something that concerned those top Republican donor and Trump ally talking to constituents in Nevada, they
same Members very little when adding with no experience in the Postal Serv- look at Washington as a bubble. They
nearly $2 trillion to the debt in order ice, was installed at the helm. don’t really think that things happen
to give big corporations a giant tax cut Administering a national election is here unless they see it on the news or
in 2017. difficult in normal times. In the time they have no trust in us really coming
Listen to this one: The Senator from of COVID, it will undoubtedly be an together to work on behalf of our con-
Wisconsin, Mr. JOHNSON, said yester- even greater challenge. We need to in- stituents.
day: stitute policies and devote resources to I think it is time we focus on what
From my standpoint, the breakdown in
make sure every American can both needs to be done in the best interest of
talks is very good news. I hope the talks re- safely and confidently vote in person our country than focusing on political
main broke down. and by mail. By the way, even just as gain or gamesmanship.
Let me repeat that. Senator JOHNSON important, we need to make sure The reason why I say that is, I don’t
said: Americans get their medicines on time, know about the President pro tempore,
that the elderly and those with pre- but I know every single Senator comes
From my standpoint—
existing conditions who are staying in from a State, and they care about their
Reflecting the views of many Repub- their homes and not going out are able constituents. They get emails from
lican Senators— to get their necessities by mail. Your their constituents and letters from
the breakdown in talks is very good news. I pills are a week late—I know what that their constituents. When we go home,
hope the talks remain broke down. is like. It has happened to me. Fortu- we claim to be in a recess, but it is not
Why did he say that? Because he nately, I don’t have medicines that my really a recess. We are home working.
doesn’t want to spend one more nickel. life depends on. It causes you huge anx- We are talking to our constituents and
Despite the huge health crisis, the iety about your health. This Post- businesses and the individuals who are
huge economic crisis, people losing master is cutting overtime, cutting there. And if we are really listening to
their jobs, small businesses closing, we employees, when, at a time of COVID, our constituents, particularly at a
shouldn’t spend a nickel. This is not we need more help, not less. But elec- time like now, when this pandemic has
both sides. This is one side only. tions should certainly concern Ameri- created the worst health crisis we have
When President Trump called cans as well. seen not just in this country but
COVID–19 a hoax and told the country The current issues of the post office around the world and has contributed
to go take bleach and other quack should alarm every American. The new to an economic crisis, then we are
medicines, some of my friends here Postmaster General has instituted hearing from our constituents that
made disappointed noises. But when policies that have contributed to inex- they are struggling right now.
the President said the virus would just cusable delays in mail delivery. But The reason they are struggling is be-
disappear, it seems the Republican now, topping the cake, the Postal Serv- cause we have asked them to stay at
Senate bought it. ice has informed some States that they home and shelter in place to stem the
After we came together to pass the may need to pay a first-class rate to spread of this virus. We have said: Lis-
CARES Act, Republican Senators deliver ballots rather than the normal ten, we don’t have a vaccine. We are
pushed all their chips to the middle to rate, nearly tripling the cost. At a time working on it, but we don’t have it
bet with President Trump that the when people will have to vote by mail right away. We need to ramp up our
virus was going to miraculously dis- in record numbers because they can’t tests so we can make sure you can get
appear. The Republican leader said: I or will not go vote in person, the Post- it, and quickly, to determine whether
am going to put the Senate on ‘‘pause’’ master General is saying we should tri- you have this virus or the antibodies so
and see what happens. Last week, he ple the rate of costs to vote by mail? we can then quarantine you and shelter
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actually defended that position, saying What a despicable derogation of democ- you. But until we even get to that
that his delay ‘‘allowed us to learn the racy. point, we have asked everybody to stay
coronavirus didn’t mysteriously dis- What is his rationale? It is a small home. And they have done it.
appear.’’ Millions more people out of amount of money. Ballots are a small I know in my State of Nevada, we
work, hundreds of thousands of small percentage of the mail that is deliv- have the highest unemployment rate in
businesses closing, many more people ered. It is to discourage people from this country right now—25 percent.
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S5388 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 11, 2020
Businesses have shuttered. People have cause we have asked them to stay out a safe place to stay, a roof over
stayed home to help us stem the spread home. their head.
of this virus. What we told them I have said this before on the floor of Housing is the key to any sense of
months ago is that, if you do this, we the Senate. I will say it again. In the stability in our chaotic world right
will be there. Our Federal Government middle of a pandemic, housing is now. It is time to end the political
will be there to work with you. We will healthcare. Security in your own home games. Americans expect it. They need
help you. We will make sure you have is healthcare. Yet we have millions of a roof over their head. That is why it is
money in your pocket so you can afford people across the country on the brink so vital we pass legislation, not just to
healthcare, so you can pay your bills, of eviction. help Nevadans but people all over the
so you can pay your rent, you can pay In mid-July, a quarter of adults re- country pay their rent and utility bills
for your food, so you do not have to ported that they were housing inse- when they cannot safely go to work be-
have any economic insecurity. We cure. That is one in four. In more than cause of this health pandemic.
made that commitment to them. We half of the States in America, eviction We already have legislation that is
promised them. bans have expired. That means, across out there. We know it. The House,
I have to say that we still have to the Nation, more and more families months ago, passed the Heroes Act,
follow that obligation. They are doing will have to pack up everything that which addresses this issue. Our col-
their part, so why aren’t we doing they can carry in the space of hours. leagues have introduced legislation—
ours? There could be 40 million evictions Senator BROWN’s Emergency Rental
At the end of the day, the President nationwide by the end of the year, and Assistance and Rental Market Sta-
pro tempore and I both know, and all of what we have seen amongst the data bilization Act is out there—that can do
our colleagues know, that there is that comes in to all of our offices is the job. We can talk about how we
more economic insecurity in this coun- that families of color are likely to be bring this bill forward that helps so
try right now than we have ever seen the hardest hit. In my home State of many families.
before because of this pandemic: food Nevada, experts believe that nearly It is not just rental stabilization but
insecurity, housing insecurity, job in- half a million people are at risk of to help families keep a roof over their
security, education insecurity. There is eviction—perhaps as many as 300,000 of head. Remember, there are a lot of
a homework gap. We know it. It is hap- them in Nevada by September. Among small businesses that are landlords.
pening. So now it is time for us to stop renters, up to 47 percent face that risk. There are many businesses that are
the posturing, stop the political games- Staving off Nevada evictions could landlords who are shouldering the
manship and really do what we com- cost Nevada $850 billion in rental as- missed opportunities, and they are
mitted when we swore an oath to this sistance over the next year. That is struggling. Landlords have bills to pay
office when we were sworn in, that we just one State. But do you know what? as well. They have mortgages; they
were going to do right by people across The States, the local governments, ev- have taxes; they have insurance, staff—
this country, looking out for their in- eryone has been impacted by this pan- let alone their families whom they
terests—not our interests but the best demic, and they are rightly looking to have to take care of. Without assist-
interests of this country. Congress to address it. They are des- ance, many of them will go bankrupt
So I come to the floor today to really perate for us to pass meaningful legis- or can be forced to sell their properties.
ask my colleagues: Let’s try and do lation to get them money to pay their
So let’s focus on the essentials, the
what is right for the best interests of bills, to enact protections that let
basic need for things like shelter. Let’s
this country, now more than ever. them stay in their homes and apart-
I know you get them. I get letters. I keep people safe and off the streets.
ments.
have letters from constituents right Let’s pass Senator BROWN’s rental as-
We need to help them now. We can’t
now—I can’t tell you—and I have been sistance bill. Senator REED has a hous-
turn our backs. We cannot turn our
inundated with them. ing assistance fund bill to help home-
backs on Americans now, more than
A constituent from Nevada wrote: owners avoid foreclosure. Senator
ever. They need our help. And we need
I urge you to extend the federal eviction MENENDEZ has a housing counseling
the administration, we need leader-
moratorium and include at least $100 billion bill. There are so many others. They
ship—Republican leadership—coming
in funding for emergency rental assistance in are in front of us.
to the negotiating table to get real re-
the next . . . relief [package]. [This] assist-
lief passed, not hollow political ges- We have an opportunity to do the
ance will enable households, including those right thing here. The Senate just needs
who have lost jobs or who already were tures.
We need a package that will include to do its part by making sure those
struggling to pay rent before the pandemic, homes are safe and stable, by passing
to remain stably housed and avoid the dev- housing and rental assistance, prevent
astating and long-lasting harms of eviction. an epidemic of homelessness, and sta- legislation that is going to have a posi-
bilize the housing markets because, if tive impact on so many Americans
That is from a constituent. I didn’t across this country.
write that. They sent it to my office. we don’t, the consequences are going to
haunt families and our economy for I thank the Presiding Officer for lis-
In this letter, this constituent from
years. tening. I thank my colleagues for at
Nevada goes on to say:
Now, I know this. Take it from me. least having the ability and the will to
It is important to be kind and compas-
sionate. Especially during this time. We In Nevada, we saw 200,000 families lose try to do something through the legis-
have the opportunity to learn and to do bet- their homes because of the 2008 housing lation that was introduced, but now
ter always. No one should be forced out of crisis. That foreclosure crisis hit Ne- more needs to be done. We can’t just
their home during a global pandemic. vada so hard, and it has been a long, introduce legislation. Now is the time
Those are similar to other letters I long road back for so many Nevadans. to do our jobs as Senators: to come to
receive. I know you receive them. I I am determined not to ever see that the floor of the Senate, bring legisla-
know our colleagues receive them. happen again and to bring relief. If I tion to the floor, and debate it. Let the
That is why, today, it is important for am in a position—as we all are here in American public actually see us work
us to focus on so much that is hap- Congress—to bring that relief, why and do our jobs that we promised them
pening, including that economic secu- aren’t we in a room negotiating it? we would be doing.
rity. Right now I want to focus on one Why are we not talking regularly? We It is OK to debate legislation. It is
piece of it that we need to address that did it with the CARES Act imme- OK to compromise and come forth with
should be part of a global piece, which diately. We saw the need, and we did good government and good policy that
is this idea that, right now, millions of something about it. is going to lift all of us up. That is
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Americans are concerned about being Nevadans are already struggling to what the Senate should be doing, and
evicted from their homes. find work, to afford food, and to stay that is what I look forward to from my
In the middle of a pandemic, when healthy during this pandemic; plus, colleagues.
people need a safe place to call home, they are helping their children learn as I yield the floor.
they are concerned that they don’t schools start to reopen. They cannot The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
have the money to pay their rent be- effectively do that—none of it—with- HOEVEN). The Senator from Iowa.
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August 11, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5389
IOWA accompanying papers, reports, and doc- a rule entitled ‘‘Implementation of the Na-
uments, and were referred as indicated: tional Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, yes- 2018’’ ((WC Docket No. 18–335) (FCC 20–100))
terday many parts of my home State of EC–5269. A communication from the Sec-
received in the Office of the President of the
Iowa were hit by extreme winds and se- retary, Division of Investment Management,
Senate on August 6, 2020; to the Committee
Securities and Exchange Commission, trans-
vere storms—90-mile-an-hour winds, mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
probably along the path along Inter- entitled ‘‘Supplement to Commission Guid- f
state 80 from the Missouri River to the ance Regarding Proxy Voting Responsibil- PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS
Mississippi River. Trees are uprooted, ities of Investment Advisors’’ (Rel. No. IA–
roadways are obstructed, crops are se- 5547) received in the Office of the President The following petition or memorial
verely damaged, grain bins are busted, of the Senate on August 6, 2020; to the Com- was laid before the Senate and was re-
outbuildings lost, some homes hurt, mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- ferred or ordered to lie on the table as
and over 400,000 households lost power. fairs. indicated:
EC–5270. A communication from the Sec-
Just like any other natural disaster retary, Division of Trading and Markets, Se-
POM–232. A joint resolution adopted by the
Iowa has experienced, I know that Legislature of the State of Nevada urging
curities and Exchange Commission, trans-
Iowans are going to band together and the United States Congress and the Presi-
mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
dent of the United States to provide flexible
support each other as we recover from entitled ‘‘Covered Broker-Dealer Provisions
funding for state, local, and tribal govern-
this storm. Senator ERNST and I stand under Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
ments to account for anticipated public
ready to help with any Federal assist- Reform and Consumer Protection Act’’
budget shortfalls as a result of the COVID–19
ance Iowa may need, and I hope that (RIN3064–AE39) received in the Office of the
pandemic; to the Committee on Finance.
President of the Senate on August 6, 2020; to
you will not hesitate to contact our re- ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 1
the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
spective offices—both in Washington, Urban Affairs. Whereas, The rapid spread of the novel
DC, and in Iowa—if you need us. EC–5271. A communication from the Sec- coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as
For sure, if Governor Reynolds de- retary, Division of Corporate Finance, Secu- COVID–19, was declared a pandemic by the
clares this as a disaster area, Senator rities and Exchange Commission, transmit- World Health Organization on March 11, 2020,
ERNST and I will be quick to advise the ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- and a national emergency by President Don-
President to follow the recommenda- titled ‘‘Exemptions from the Proxy Rules for ald J. Trump on March 13, 2020; and
tions and requests of Governor Rey- Proxy Voting Advice’’ (Rel. No. 34–89372) re- Whereas, State, local and tribal govern-
ceived in the Office of the President of the ments have been on the front lines of the re-
nolds. sponse to the COVID–19 pandemic, taking de-
Senate on August 6, 2020; to the Committee
I yield the floor. on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. cisive and dramatic actions, including order-
I suggest the absence of a quorum. EC–5272. A communication from the Chief ing the closure of nonessential businesses
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Counsel, Federal Emergency Management and issuing stay-at-home orders, in an effort
clerk will call the roll. Agency, Department of Homeland Security, to comply with guidance from the Centers
The bill clerk proceeded to call the transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of for Disease Control and Prevention of the
roll. a rule entitled ‘‘Suspension of Community United States Department of Health and
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Eligibility’’ (Docket No. FEMA–2020–0005) re- Human Services and protect the health and
ceived in the Office of the President of the welfare of their citizens; and
ask unanimous consent that the order Whereas, As the result of these momentous
Senate on August 6, 2020; to the Committee
for the quorum call be rescinded. on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. actions to combat the COVID–19 pandemic,
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without EC–5273. A communication from the Chief state, local and tribal governments, many of
objection, it is so ordered. Counsel, Federal Emergency Management which were flourishing economically before
f Agency, Department of Homeland Security, the outbreak of COVID–19, now face eco-
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of nomic and fiscal crises of unprecedented pro-
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT a rule entitled ‘‘Suspension of Community portions; and
A message from the President of the Eligibility’’ (Docket No. FEMA–2020–0005) re- Whereas, The Honorable Steve Sisolak,
ceived in the Office of the President of the Governor of the State of Nevada, rapidly
United States was communicated to
Senate on August 6, 2020; to the Committee took action to combat the COVID–19 pan-
the Senate by Ms. Roberts, one of his on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. demic in the State of Nevada, issuing a se-
secretaries. EC–5274. A communication from the Chief ries of Emergency Directives which, among
f Counsel, Federal Emergency Management other things, directed Nevadans to stay at
Agency, Department of Homeland Security, home and provided for the closure of schools,
EXECUTIVE MESSAGE REFERRED transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of casinos and gaming establishments and non-
As in executive session the Presiding a rule entitled ‘‘Suspension of Community essential businesses; and
Officer laid before the Senate a mes- Eligibility’’ (Docket No. FEMA–2020–0005) re- Whereas, The unemployment rate in the
sage from the President of the United ceived in the Office of the President of the State of Nevada, which stood at a histori-
Senate on August 6, 2020; to the Committee cally low 3.6 percent in February 2020, in-
States submitting a nomination which on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. creased in just two months to 30.1 percent in
was referred to the Committee on the EC–5275. A communication from the Chief April 2020, which is the highest level ever re-
Judiciary. Counsel, Federal Emergency Management ported by a state in modern history; and
(The message received today is print- Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Whereas, The State of Nevada’s General
ed at the end of the Senate pro- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of Fund now faces an estimated shortfall of ap-
ceedings.) a rule entitled ‘‘Suspension of Community proximately $1.2 billion in Fiscal Year 2020–
Eligibility’’ (Docket No. FEMA–2020–0005) re- 2021; and
f
ceived in the Office of the President of the Whereas, The State of Nevada and local
MEASURES PLACED ON THE Senate on August 6, 2020; to the Committee and tribal governments in this State will be
CALENDAR on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. forced, just as other state, local and tribal
EC–5276. A communication from the Chief governments in similar positions will be
The following bill was read the first Counsel, Federal Emergency Management forced, to implement deep cuts in services
and second times by unanimous con- Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and programs, many of which affect persons
sent, and placed on the calendar: transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of most impacted by the COVID–19 pandemic,
H.R. 2500. An act to authorize appropria- a rule entitled ‘‘Final Rule; National Flood unless federal relief is granted; now, there-
tions for fiscal year 2020 for military activi- Insurance Program: Conforming Changes to fore, be it
ties of the Department of Defense, for mili- Reflect the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the
tary construction, and for defense activities Reform Act of 2012 (BW–12) and the Home- State of Nevada, Jointly, That the members of
of the Department of Energy, to prescribe owners Flood Insurance Affordability Act of the 31st Special Session of the Nevada Legis-
military personnel strengths for such fiscal 2014 (HFIAA), and Additional Clarifications lature hereby urge President Donald J.
year, and for other purposes. for Plain Language’’ (RIN1660–AA95) received Trump and the Congress of the United States
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in the Office of the President of the Senate of America to provide further flexible fund-
f on August 6, 2020; to the Committee on ing for state, local and tribal governments to
EXECUTIVE AND OTHER Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. assist with anticipated public budget short-
COMMUNICATIONS EC–5277. A communication from the Dep- falls as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic;
uty Division Chief, Wireline Competition Bu- and be it further
The following communications were reau, Federal Communications Commission, Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the As-
laid before the Senate, together with transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of sembly prepare and transmit a copy of this
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