Senate Floor on the Coronavirus Aid Package, August 12, 2020 — Congressional Record
Summary
Page S5393 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for August 12, 2020, headed Senate Floor on the Coronavirus Aid Package, in interleaved columns. A speaker reads constituent letters, including one from Allison in Henrico, who says she has exhausted her savings and has rent and bills due, and one from Rhys in Mechanicsville, who says his wife cannot work because of COVID-19 and school closures. The speaker urges the Senate to stay in session until relief passes, which is the speaker's view. Ms. Cortez Masto then says she disagrees with a colleague from Virginia and argues a comprehensive package is needed.
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“Senate Floor on the Coronavirus Aid Package, August 12, 2020 — Congressional Record.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-08-12-crec-2020-08-12-pt1-pgs5393-57b6917393/
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August 12, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5393
greater way to celebrate a centennial such that the aid provided thus far is From Allison in Henrico:
than for one of our colleagues who is a running out while Americans’ hard- I have now exhausted my savings account
woman to have a chance to break a ships continue. That is why it is essen- and have rent due, groceries to buy and bills
glass ceiling that still has existed, tial that we not give up and that we to pay. I am now desperate for immediate
whereby no woman in this country has stay here as long as it takes to come help.
ever been a Vice President or Presi- through for the American people. From Rhys in Mechanicsville:
dent. I have heard some in Congress and, I have three children, one with significant
We are so good at so much in this indeed, some in this body say about special needs. My wife cannot work now due
country. In fact, we are so good at more Federal aid for the coronavirus to covid-19 and the school closures. I am be-
response say: I just don’t see the need hind on numerous bills, including mortgage,
many things with regard to women in utility, and other bills.
this country, but we are sort of unique- for it. Indeed, the majority leader has
candidly acknowledged that approxi- From Dominique in Fairfax:
ly bad in electing women to higher of-
mately 20 Members of the Republican My rent is now 3 months behind as well as
fice. In Congress right now, 24 percent my other bills and I am receiving letters
of Congress is women, and that ranks caucus will not vote for more aid. Well,
[threatening] evictions and services being
us 76th in the world in terms of our I want to make the case first that turned off.
percentage of women in a national leg- there is need for it, and the need is un-
Unfortunately, these examples are
islative body. We are tied with Afghan- deniable because the circumstances
now not aberrations, but they are com-
istan, but we trail Iraq and Mexico and that people are living in are dire.
Last Friday, we found out that the mon. We all know people—we all know
many other nations. people—who are at risk of losing their
So regardless of how it all works out unemployment rate in July was 10.2
percent, which is a number that is home or being hungry or losing
between now and November, and re- healthcare or their savings being de-
gardless of our own political affili- higher than at any point during the
2008, 2009 recession. The President pleted because of the absence of work.
ations, this is a good day, I believe, for So we have to make sure that people
the country and a good day for the called these ‘‘Great Jobs Numbers!’’
are not removed from their homes in
Senate when 1 of the 100 is recognized But I don’t see anything great about 1
the middle of a health crisis. We need
in such a way and introduced to the in 10 Americans who are in the work-
to make sure they can continue to pay
American public with an opportunity force not being able to find work.
More than 30 million Americans are bills until the health crisis is suffi-
to serve at a significant level. ciently addressed and the economy gets
collecting unemployment benefits, and
f last week their benefit checks were cut back to where it was.
Schools and colleges across the coun-
CORONAVIRUS by more than 50 percent. In Virginia,
try are trying to reopen right now. It
Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, returning just as an example, unemployed work-
doesn’t matter if it is in person, online,
to the latest coronavirus emergency ers are now receiving a maximum—a
or a hybrid model, we want them to re-
aid package—currently, the package maximum—of $378 a week. That is not
open safely right now, and this is the
doesn’t exist. There have been no bi- enough to pay rent, let alone rent, gro-
time to provide schools with the re-
partisan negotiations on it since last ceries, childcare, electric bills, and
sources they need to deliver quality in-
Friday. That is disappointing to all of many other costs that families face
struction, not punish them for fol-
us who are here, ready and willing to every day.
Because they lost their jobs and lowing public health guidance and
negotiate and vote for a strong bipar- data.
other income, millions of Americans
tisan relief package. Working families are struggling to
The House of Representatives passed are now at risk of eviction or fore-
find childcare options. This is critical
its strong package back on May 15, now closure. The $600 Federal unemploy-
to reopening the economy. Childcare
ment benefit and Federal eviction mor-
nearly 3 months ago. Today is August providers themselves are struggling.
atorium were holding this off for many,
12. There was some hope that maybe Virginia, according to national sur-
but with those relief measures expir-
COVID–19 cases were ticking down- veys, is at risk of losing 45 percent of
ing, families are unable to continue
ward. At the end of May, there was its licensed childcare capacity; that is,
paying their August or September
some hope that maybe the economic 130,000 childcare slots in Virginia with-
bills.
devastation was reducing, but COVID One estimate is that 12 million evic- out the additional support they would
cases did not tick down over the sum- tions will be filed by October, and 12 need to help them stay viable. If we
mer as some had hoped. In fact, they million is essentially the combined lose childcare capacity, that will have
have ticked up in many parts of the population of about 6 or 7 States. There a significant consequence in terms of
country, and the Senate has not taken could be that many evictions filed by the ability of people to go back to work
any votes on the House bill or indeed October. Just in Virginia there was a so that the economy can start to grow
on any bill. That is disappointing. State-imposed eviction moratorium again.
More than that, it is disappointing that lapsed for 5 weeks, and just in On the nutrition front, we are facing
for millions of Americans who are in those 5 weeks, nearly 10,000 evictions an unprecedented rise in food insecu-
the midst of hard times right now. were filed, potentially forcing people rity as thousands of Virginians and
They are worried about their own out of their homes. millions of Americans have newly en-
health or the health of their loved Three in ten Virginia renters sur- rolled in the SNAP program. The
ones. They are worried about whether veyed a couple weeks ago said that Brookings Institute estimates that
they will receive unemployment bene- they were uncertain how they could nearly 14 million children are living in
fits or how they will make rent or pay August rent, and it was more than food-insecure households—14 million
mortgage or how their children will get half of all African-American renters children. That is nearly six times the
an education. We know in this body we surveyed who said that was the case. number of children who were food inse-
can transcend politics as usual to ad- Housing instability is difficult at any cure just as recently as 2018, and nearly
dress the coronavirus because we did so point in time, but imagine losing your three times as many who were food in-
in March by passing the CARES Act, housing during a pandemic. What are secure at the peak of the great reces-
even as Members of the body, including people supposed to do during a pan- sion in 2008 and 2009.
me, were getting coronavirus as we demic? The advice is, if you can stay I bet all of my colleagues have expe-
were having those negotiations. Even home and don’t go out and don’t be rienced this because we are all out in
as staffers were getting it, even as Sen- with others, that will help keep your our States talking to folks. Food banks
ate spouses were getting it, we stayed family safe. But how can you quar- have been slammed with demand they
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
at the table and found a bipartisan bill antine at home if you are in danger of have never witnessed before, and it has
that helped us deal with the challenge losing your home? been harder for food banks to get gro-
for a few critical months. Like the majority leader, who quoted cery access because grocery store
But we are here debating this again from constituents in Kentucky, I am shelves have also been ravaged because
because the magnitude of the crisis is hearing from Virginia constituents people are going to grocery stores
not a crisis of a few months. No, it is every day. while restaurants are closed.
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S5394 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 12, 2020
What do food banks do with increas- has been talked about, that has been in Like many things the President does,
ing demand and fewer donations from the front of the line as if the worry though, an analysis of the Executive
grocery stores? The Capital Area Food about lawsuits is the biggest concern orders demonstrates there is little sub-
Bank purchased 100 semitruck loads of that the American people have right stance there. The President proposed a
food in April, which is triple what the now. No one in Virginia, when they tell deferred payroll tax collection. That
food bank purchased in all of 2019. Just me about their concerns, is putting doesn’t actually give Americans more
in 1 month, they tripled their pur- worries about lawsuits up at the top of money; it just gives them a larger tax
chases compared to 2019. The Blue the list. We are talking about food, bill next year. Because it is a deferral,
Ridge Area Food Bank, which serves hunger, healthcare, and housing. the President cannot lift the obligation
the western part of Virginia, saw the The liability shield proposal in the off either the employers or the employ-
number of new families seeking food GOP goes even further than protecting ees. It is also very confusing to em-
assistance quadruple from last year, against liability; it wipes out States’ ployers to suggest: OK, you should
just as of May. abilities to pass safety regulations. defer, but it is likely to start back up
Americans are in a dire state. Their Virginia became the first State in the again. That is very, very hard for em-
basic needs are at stake. We Democrats country to do an emergency temporary ployers, especially small employers, to
want to address that hardship. We did standard to provide guidance to public figure out.
address that hardship in the Heroes places and employers about safety We all know that the payroll tax is
Act, which we passed in mid-May. We standards that they could use on the the main pillar of Social Security, as
want to keep people from losing their job. It is good to get advice about safe- every generation pays into the system
jobs, being evicted, and going hungry. ty standards because most businesses while they are working so they can
I know there are many Republicans don’t have an NIH or CDC or a health enjoy retirement with dignity in their
who share these same goals, but the department, so advice about standards senior years. President Trump has said
proposals that have been on the table that should be followed in workplaces that this isn’t just a deferral, but if he
in this body are simply inadequate. is a great idea. Virginia became the has his way and is reelected, he is
There are areas that we agree on. Aid first State in the country to do that. going to permanently cancel the tax.
to small business is important. The Republican liability shield would That would undermine retirement se-
Broadband is important because as peo- not only give people liability protec- curity for all future generations.
ple telecommute or get telehealth or tions, but it would take away the abil- The Executive order with respect to
get educational content online, they ity of the States to do what Virginia housing did actually nothing. It just
have to have access to broadband. Test- did to try to create lifesaving protec- ordered agencies to look into delaying
ing is important. Childcare is impor- tions for workers and customers. That evictions and foreclosures, but no as-
tant to open the economy. These are is unacceptable—unacceptable. sistance and no dollars for those facing
Democrats offered to meet halfway.
important priorities I believe we can eviction or for those facing fore-
We knew when the Heroes Act passed—
come together on, but the Republican closures. Look into ‘‘can you delay
I mean, we have been around the block
plan that the Senate GOP introduced them.’’
a few times. It wasn’t as if Senate Re- Governors are already saying that
in this body, which the majority leader
publicans were just going to say: That the Executive order dealing with unem-
again acknowledges that at least 20
is a good idea. We will just vote for it.
Members of the caucus will not sup- ployment aid is unworkable. It would
That is not the way things work. The
port, has large cuts to unemployment be very difficult for them to recon-
Senate Republicans would have their
aid, no State and local government aid proposal just as the House Democrats figure their UI systems to do what the
to prevent layoffs of first responders have their proposal. The two proposals President has asked them to do and
and vital programs and services. have dramatically different pricetags. asked them to help pay for in the Exec-
The majority leader characterized The Senate proposal, together with the utive order. Even if States could figure
State and local government agencies as White House, came in the neighborhood out how to launch a completely new
a ‘‘slush fund.’’ I was a mayor. I was a of $1 trillion and the House proposal system, the benefits would run out in 5
Governor. I know what is happening to came in the neighborhood of $3 trillion. weeks.
State and local budgets, and when the There is nothing magic about these On the surface, the Executive order
revenues to State and local govern- numbers, but it is important to under- with respect to student loan relief
ments decline, there is about one place stand that willingness to compromise looks like an extension, but if you dig
they can go, and the one place they can is something Americans expect of us into it, that is not what it is. The order
go is furloughs, waivers, salary cuts, right now. Democrats said: OK, you still leaves out 8 million Federal stu-
and cutting personnel. have a package that is worth $1 tril- dent loan borrowers, and it doesn’t
The overwhelming majority of first lion, and we have a package that is even mention whether borrowers’ cred-
responders in this country work for worth $3 trillion. Let’s split the dif- it ratings and credit scores will be pro-
State and local governments. It is ference. We will have to decide how to tected if they take advantage of what
never a good time to cut police, fire, compose the $2 trillion package, but is offered to them under the EO.
EMT, ambulance, healthcare workers— let’s split the difference. The White What about the millions of students
never a good time—but the worst time House refused. The White House got an who are struggling to financially find a
to do it is in the midst of a global offer to meet halfway and said: That is way to go back to college, or the
health pandemic. It is not a slush fund; not what we are going to do. We insist schools that are trying to find a way to
it is a necessity that the communities on the skinny version. still make sure students get an edu-
where people live and work have basic The skinny version is inadequate to cation when they reopen, or the work-
services to get through this challenge. meet the challenge of the moment. ing families that are struggling to find
The Republican proposal has inad- This is the worst economic contraction childcare? School boards and super-
equate education aid, no aid for the in the 145 years that we have had meas- intendents around the country have
eviction tsunami that is facing us to ured quarterly economic growth in this come with a proposal saying that to
provide rent or mortgage assistance, no country. This is the worst pandemic open schools safely would cost about
nutrition aid in the SNAP program or that the United States has dealt with $175 billion, and that is what Demo-
otherwise to help the 14 million kids since the Spanish flu of 1917 and 1918. A crats have put on the table. That is not
who, today, are living in food-insecure narrow bill isn’t enough. addressed at all in the Executive or-
households. If you don’t like the Democratic bill ders, even as we stand at the threshold
The Republican proposal did include because you think the pricetag is too of schools reopening.
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
a comprehensive liability shield to pre- big, how about meeting us halfway? In sum, the President’s Executive or-
vent anyone from suing if their em- That is the way negotiations so often ders address virtually none of the hard-
ployer’s negligence causes a virus out- happen. After the White House rejected ships, solve virtually none of the hard-
break. I thought it was interesting that the notion of meeting halfway, the ships, and lift virtually none of the
so often on the other side of the aisle President issued Executive orders that burdens that Americans are suffering
in this body, when this prospective bill he claims break through the logjam. through right now. We are having hard
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August 12, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5395
times. We are having hard times, and it more. Now is the time, really, for us to necessary. Right now, I would love to
is our duty to try to address that hard- come together to do what the Senate talk to you about what I am seeing in
ship. traditionally does best, and that is my home State when it comes to our
Democrats are willing to com- working on the best interests of the seniors and those who are in need right
promise. When we say, ‘‘Hey, we have a people across this country who are now with funding to help nursing
plan but we will meet you halfway in struggling right now. homes.
your plan,’’ and the White House says, Compromise is not a bad word. It is Let me just start with letters be-
‘‘No,’’ you know, what are we supposed time for us to get in a room and really cause I think this is how it starts with
to do? What are we supposed to do? A do the job that the American public ex- all of us—calls into our offices and let-
skinny version isn’t sufficient for the pects us to do, and that is looking out ters coming from our constituents.
magnitude of the crisis. for their best interests at a time when There are two calls that I received. One
The Senate Republican proposal has we have a healthcare pandemic. Now, of them was from a daughter who
some elements that we support, but it keep in mind that this is a once-in-a- called in for her father, who is in a VA
leaves so many others unaddressed lifetime pandemic—once in a lifetime. nursing home in Boulder City, NV, and
that it is not adequate. The Republican So that requires us to come together because he isn’t showing symptoms, he
White House has rejected compromise. and really focus on how we help Ameri- isn’t getting tested. With so many
President Trump’s Executive orders cans across this country who are strug- cases there, how is this possible? Where
are partly illegal, partly unworkable, gling right now. They shouldn’t be pe- are the tests? This is a daughter who is
and completely insufficient. It doesn’t nalized. concerned for her father, knowing that
have to be this way because there are We have asked them to stay home if we just get people tested, there is
many areas on which we can find and shelter in place because we are try- that comfort in knowing whether or
agreement. ing to address how we do the research not you have this virus and whether
I know many in this body are hearing that is necessary for a vaccine. Hope- you should be quarantined or how we
from their home States’ Governors, fully, one day, we will have that vac- protect you, particularly those in nurs-
mayors, local governments, colleges cine. We need to ramp up the testing ing homes.
and universities, school boards and that is needed so everybody can feel Then, another call I received was
housing authorities, food banks, hos- safe and comfortable knowing whether from a mother. She is also a certified
pitals, and the chambers of commerce. they have this virus or not or the anti- nursing assistant at a nursing home,
You are hearing the same thing that I body, but we are not there yet because and she is telling me that many there
am hearing from Virginians. more work needs to be done, particu- quit because they don’t have the proper
So, as I conclude, it doesn’t have to larly by this Congress. PPE. They want to work, but they
be this way. We can put together a The American public has heard us, don’t want to expose themselves. So
good bipartisan deal, but it can’t be a and they are sheltering in place, they what are we doing right now to address
‘‘White House my way or the high- are staying home, and they have shut- all of these needs?
And, listen, there is so much. It is
way.’’ It has to be a willingness to tered their businesses. Now, more than
overwhelming. I know it. That is why
meet and find compromise between a ever, this country needs the Senate to
we were sent here for the hard deci-
Democratic proposal and a proposal act.
The House has done its job 2 months sions, not the easy ones, to make sure
that is acceptable to at least some on
ago. They worked a comprehensive we are all working in the best interests
the GOP side and the White House. of the people in our States. I know you
Any large compromise in a divided package, and I say ‘‘comprehensive’’
all feel the same way.
government is bound to be imperfect. I because we can’t just pick and choose
I have to tell you this. There are
am reminded of a quote from FDR dur- winners and losers here. This isn’t
thousands of Nevadans that know the
ing the Depression years. You never what this is about. This is about mak- anxiety that comes because there is a
really had to use quotes from the De- ing sure we are bringing relief and spouse, a parent, or a grandparent in a
pression because the magnitude of the helping those across this country. Ev- nursing home, and they are unable to
Depression was different than what I erybody is impacted. We have promised visit with them or hug their loved ones
have experienced during most of my them: If you do what we say and we for fear of giving COVID–19. You have
life, but now quotes from the Depres- help stem the spread of this virus, we seen it. You have heard it, and I have
sion, I think, bear some revisiting. are going to have your backs, and we heard it. Too many loved ones have
Here is what FDR said as the adminis- are going to take care of you. lost their loved ones because of this
tration and Congress, at the time, were I will say that we have failed at that. virus, and they were not able to be
doing everything they could to figure This administration has failed. We there.
out a way to help out needy Ameri- have failed at that promise. I know Do you know who was there with
cans: ‘‘Better the occasional faults of a when we all go to our offices or we go them in the nursing home? Those in-
government that lives in a spirit of home to our States, we are hearing credible heroes on the frontlines, who
charity than the consistent omissions from our constituents. We get emails, are sacrificing their own health to be
of a government frozen in the ice of its we get calls, and we get letters. I know with them, for those who passed away
own indifference.’’ you all feel the same as I do, and we because of COVID–19. There are so
By now, everybody knows somebody read them and we listen to them. I many factors that raise a coronavirus
who has gotten COVID–19 or somebody don’t know of one State in this country risk for nursing home residents. The
who has gotten sick or even died or right now where somebody is not suf- majority of the residents, as we all
somebody who has lost a job or some- fering from this pandemic who needs know, are seniors. Many have under-
body who is worried about rent or food. our help. lying conditions. They live in closed
We all know those people, and many of I know that is why I am here, be- quarters, and they share common
us have experienced this in our own cause we all took the oath. We said we spaces. And we also know this: Resi-
families. Are we going to help or are we are going to be here to work in the best dents and staff of these facilities
going to be frozen in the ice of our own interests of our States and this country shouldn’t be an afterthought. They are
indifference? Let’s surprise the Senate. and to make sure that those individ- a core part of our communities and our
Let’s work together and get this done. uals across this country who pay our healthcare system. They are the elders,
With that, I yield the floor. salaries—those taxpayers—expect us to and they are the keepers of our stories.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. do our jobs and work. And that is what We have to do more to protect them.
BOOZMAN). The Senator from Nevada. I am asking for right now. We need to protect the workers in
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
f You know, I have been to the floor of these homes, too, many of whom be-
the Senate this week to talk about the long to communities of color and who
CORONAVIRUS struggles that I see in my State. We all are struggling to provide care to a pop-
Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, get letters, and I do want to focus ulation with unique needs.
you know, as I sit and listen to my col- today on one. There are so many, and The reason why I bring this up is be-
league from Virginia, I can’t agree that is why a comprehensive package is cause there is legislation out there to
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