Congressional Record, Senate, August 13, 2020, Page S5404
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated August 13, 2020, at page S5404. A Senator says Republicans want second runs at the best parts of the bipartisan CARES Act while adding new steps, accuses the Speaker and the Democratic leader of insisting on an unrealistic far-left proposal, and says even House Democrats call the Heroes Act a political wish list. The Senate then holds morning business, and under the heading Coronavirus Mr. Kaine says another day has passed with no compromise while Americans struggle to pay rent and feed their children. The page ends with a quoted worker describing fears of staying home with a child.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, August 13, 2020, Page S5404.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-08-13-crec-2020-08-13-pt1-pgs5404-3-5ed289702a/
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S5404 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 13, 2020
Nation actually needs. We want to take money for testing, and rehiring incen- lies’ livelihoods are at stake. American
second runs at the best and most suc- tives until Malibu, CA, gets Federal lives are at stake. Democrats must
cessful parts of the bipartisan CARES money to keep buying more electric rerun their political calculations and
Act while adding in bold new steps for cars, which they wrote to the Congress finally—finally—let Congress act.
this new phase of our Nation’s battle. demanding. f
But as I said right from the outset, Families aren’t saying this. Outside
Republicans had no illusion that our RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME
of Speaker PELOSI and Leader SCHU-
initial marker would become law. That MER, even Washington Democrats The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
isn’t how divided government operates. aren’t saying this. pore. Under the previous order, the
There was never any question that bi- While the press tries its hardest to leadership time is reserved.
partisan compromise would be needed praise Speaker PELOSI for ‘‘playing f
to get an outcome. So I expected that, hardball,’’ her own House Democrats MORNING BUSINESS
just like in March, the Democratic are rebelling. They say they are ‘‘frus-
ranking members would sit down with trated’’ and ‘‘angry’’ that relief is The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
our chairmen, bring some of their own being held up over what they them- pore. Under the previous order, the
selves acknowledge is a ‘‘political wish Senate will be in a period of morning
serious ideas to the table, and work to-
business, with Senators permitted to
gether to build a bipartisan bill. That list.’’
‘‘[T]he HEROES Act went too far,’’ is speak therein for up to 10 minutes
is what happened back then. But, in-
another quote. each.
stead, the country got something else The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
entirely. These are Democrats talking about
pore. The Senator from Virginia.
Instead of working with our serious the Heroes Act.
framework, the Speaker of the House Even the Speaker’s own members are f
and the Senate Democratic leader not buying their political spin. They CORONAVIRUS
spent weeks insisting on a com- want what Republicans want, what the Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, here we
pletely—completely—unrealistic, far- administration wants, what America’s go again. Another day has passed.
left proposal that even their own families everywhere want. We need to Nothing has happened—no incremental
Democratic Members mocked as a go- get an outcome. progress, no compromise. To some it
nowhere messaging stunt the instant it The Secretary of the Treasury and might just be one day, but for too
was first released. the White House chief of staff have many Americans, another day fighting
Instead of letting their committees given ground. They have put new issues for your health or how you will pay
and their Members discuss substantive on the table that Democrats wanted. your rent or how you will feed your
issues across the aisle, they said no- They have worked to find com- kids is a brutal and terrifying thing.
body could negotiate but them. And in- monality. But the Democrats are bare- What is one more day to an average
stead of staying focused on the real ly even pretending to negotiate—barely American? It might be a day closer to
needs of our Nation, these two Demo- even pretending. The Speaker’s latest the rent being due without having
cratic leaders have held the talks hos- spin is that it is some heroic sacrifice money to pay it. It might be another
tage for weeks now—weeks—over to lower her demands from a made-up day with insufficient unemployment
nonCOVID-related ideological items, $3.5 trillion marker that was never benefits while bills pile up. It might be
which the political left has wanted going to become law to an equally another day closer to possibly needing
since well before this virus hit our made-up $2.5 trillion marker. She calls SNAP assistance or help from a food
shores. this meeting in the middle. bank.
You know what I am talking about. That is not negotiating; that is One more day could mean con-
By now, the whole country knows what throwing spaghetti at the wall to see strained testing supplies don’t pick up
I am talking about: the absurd issues what sticks. People who have serious as many cases of COVID–19, so the car-
the Democrats have turned into stick- policy proposals that are fitted to ac- riers can isolate and protect others.
ing points; the bizarre, parochial left- tual needs cannot breezily knock off a One day today means for one of my
wing favors that Democrats have put trillion here and add a trillion there. staffers—it was move-in day for his
ahead of the help that working families Heck, by the Speaker’s logic, they oldest daughter at college, but because
need right now, like the massive tax should have just opened with their en- she couldn’t get her test result back
cuts for the highest earners in the blu- tire $93 trillion Green New Deal. Then quickly enough, that experience, which
est States—an idea that even sup- they could have blamed the President is an exciting one for a young person,
posedly progressive economists have for not meeting them halfway at the could not happen.
said is ‘‘not a good idea’’; the trillion- cut-rate bargain sum of $45 trillion. These are not simple legislative days
dollar slush fund for State and local Come on. In point of fact, the Speak- while we follow a negotiation strategy.
governments that have only spent 25 er and the leader have not conceded These are days when Americans are
percent—25 percent—of the billions anything at all. They haven’t budged struggling and suffering, and we are
that we sent them back in March, to- on their absurd demands. They just not responding.
tally out of proportion to any estimate moved the expiration date a few weeks Democrats are here. We are ready to
of urgent pandemic shortfalls; the so- on the exact same crazy wish list, so compromise any day. In fact, we have
cialist insistence on the Federal Gov- the pricetag comes down without mov- already offered to meet the White
ernment paying people more not to ing an inch on the merits. House halfway on the size of the relief
work—not to work—than essential They have refused Republicans’ offer effort. Our meet-in-the-middle offer
workers earn when they are on the job. to pass everything that we can agree was rebuffed Friday, and it was re-
Go to any kitchen table in America, on. The administration has said: Let’s jected by the White House again yes-
outside of a few skyscraper penthouses, pass things we can agree on right now. terday.
and put these bizarre demands up The Republicans don’t think that a I have heard the majority leader
against the trillion dollars of real, disputed issue should hold up the most today and on other days characterize
practical relief that Republicans want- urgent aid for working families, but the Heroes Act in his remarks as a
ed to get out the door weeks ago. No the answer so far from the Democratic Democratic wish list. So what I would
family in Middle America is saying: leadership is no. The partisan games like to do is walk through the Demo-
Thank goodness. Thank goodness the continue, so the Nation’s pain con- cratic and Republican proposals side by
Democrats are blocking cash payments tinues as well. side. At every step I hope listeners will
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
to me, money for my kids’ schools, and Laid-off workers and kids and par- ask themselves: Which of these agendas
money for vaccines until Manhattan ents and doctors and nurses are waiting is oriented to helping Americans
millionaires get a tax cut. for help. Our people are waiting for through hard times?
No working people are saying: Thank help. Republicans have been at the The Democratic proposal includes
goodness the Democrats are blocking table for weeks. We just need serious- this: continuing expanded unemploy-
the next small business rescue plan, ness on the other side. American fami- ment benefits for the duration of this
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August 13, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5405
crisis; cash assistance for struggling families? Nothing. Rental assistance? the prospects of eventually finding a new
families to avoid eviction and fore- Nothing. Mortgage assistance? Noth- job, as healthcare facilities are also suffering
closure rather than just delaying bills ing. Aid to the States and localities a large reduction of daily patients. I ask this
from the bottom of my heart. Please provide
and piling up debt; sufficient funding where Americans live and work? Noth-
funding for our daycare and preschool facili-
and flexibility for State and local gov- ing. Funding to ensure the integrity of ties, so they can be here for us through and
ernments so that we don’t have a sec- the upcoming elections? Nothing. after the pandemic, so parents in Virginia
ond wave of job loss when those gov- So I would ask anyone, which of will be able to continue work now or return
ernments are forced to cut their budg- these proposals seems more likely to to work when it is safe to do so.
ets, and so they don’t have to cut vital help Americans who are experiencing It is not about politics. It is not
programs and lay off first responders hard times? If anyone is in doubt—and about credit. It is about coming
during a global health pandemic; suffi- I don’t think any are—about what through for Americans when they need
cient childcare funding both to help kinds of hard times people are in, yes- it. It is the case that, yesterday, Demo-
working families and to allow terday I shared some stories from Vir- cratic leaders reached out again to the
childcare providers to reopen so that ginians who have shared them with me, White House and repeated what they
we can get back to work; providing K– just as they are sharing them with all had offered last Friday. Let’s meet in
12 schools with the funding they need Senators. Here are a few more of the the middle. Let’s meet halfway be-
regardless of how they choose to re- constituents who have reached out to tween the Republican proposals laid
open so that they can effectively edu- me. out in the HEALS Act and the Presi-
cate students; ensuring every Amer- The owner of a small business with 18 dent’s Executive orders and the Demo-
ican can have access to free treatment employees in Northern Virginia wrote cratic proposal passed by a sizeable
for coronavirus; helping families keep me: ‘‘My business is struggling, my em- majority in the House nearly 3 months
food on the table by giving an increase ployees are suffering, and we need fur- ago.
in the SNAP benefit plus additional ther assistance.’’ He went on to de- That is what Americans want—nego-
funding for nutrition programs; con- scribe how his business was completely tiate, compromise, meet in the middle,
tinuing support for America’s small shut down in the crisis. Even now that and find common ground, just as we did
businesses; protection for the integrity they are open, they will be operating at in the CARES Act. The White House
of our elections during a period of un- less than half their normal revenue for response was, no dice. They refused the
certainty and fear. Those are the pro- the foreseeable future. Their PPP and Democratic proposal to meet halfway.
posals that are contained in the Heroes EIDL loan funds—they were glad to get They said that is not going to happen.
Act. them—have run out, and they need We need to get serious. Days con-
The Republican proposals, combining Congress to act to prevent the business tinue to tick by as families face hard
both the HEALS Act—the Senate GOP from shuttering and those 18 jobs from decisions. Democrats are here, and we
proposal—and President Trump’s Exec- disappearing permanently. are ready. The White House must stop
utive orders, include this: $1.75 billion A woman from Henrico County, its ‘‘no compromise’’ position to meet
to keep the FBI headquarters in DC so which is right outside of Richmond, the needs of American families. Let’s
as to prevent potential hotel competi- wrote: buckle down, make a deal, and get this
tion for the Trump International As I watch the news, it gets harder and done. The American people can’t afford
Hotel; expanded corporate tax writeoffs harder. We desperately need help. . . . My to wait any longer.
for business lunches—another top pri- son had COVID, he is still struggling with With that, I yield the floor.
ority for the White House; sharp cuts health issues and cannot work. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
to unemployment benefits for workers A woman in Springfield, here in Fair- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
who are suffering and out of work; fax County, has been waiting for infor- pore. The clerk will call the roll.
broad immunity for large corporations mation that she needs mailed to her so The legislative clerk proceeded to
even if they are not taking any actions she can get access to unemployment call the roll.
to protect their workers; the effective benefits, but the delays in the Postal Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask
elimination of State rules, including a Service have left her without the bene- unanimous consent that the order for
rule in Virginia designed to facilitate fits she earned and is entitled to. She is the quorum call be rescinded.
the safe reopening of businesses and a single mother of five and said: ‘‘At The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. ROB-
the economy; undermining important this point, I am struggling to feed my ERTS). Without objection, it is so or-
protections and enforcement of long- family.’’ dered.
standing civil rights and disability A woman from Dumfries in Prince f
laws; punishing public schools that William County said:
choose to follow public health guidance RECESS SUBJECT TO THE CALL OF
I’m asking for help with the aid for the un-
but still want to provide their students employed workers like myself that Covid has
THE CHAIR
with an education by reopening vir- affected. We are a family of 4 and I have lost Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask
tually; pushing a tax credit program my unemployment that we depended on for unanimous consent that the Senate
that would make donations to private groceries. My husband’s salary covers the stand in recess subject to the call of
school scholarships already deductible bills but I worked for groceries and any ex- the Chair.
tras. As of now I may be able to get $190 a There being no objection, the Senate,
as charitable contributions—that week from the state if they reevaluate my
would make those now preferred over claim. Please, I’m asking for bipartisan sup-
at 1:53 p.m., recessed subject to the call
any other charitable contribution, port on an unemployment package that will of the Chair and reassembled at 2:43
likely draining money away from other help families like mine to make it through p.m., when called to order by the Act-
charities and hurting government fund- this pandemic. ing President pro tempore.
ing, as well; and finally, stopping pay- Finally, a woman from Alexandria— The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
roll tax contributions into the Social just across the Potomac—wrote: pore. The majority leader.
Security trust fund, creating huge un- I would like to request consideration for
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, for
certainty for employers and employees more emergency funding for daycare and pre- the information of all Senators, after
but also threatening to undermine the school facilities. My 14 month old little girl the Senate adjourns today, we will
fiscal future of Social Security retire- attends daycare 5 days per week. Her have our regular pro forma meetings
ment benefits. daycare is wonderful, but it’s at risk of clos- through the end of the State work pe-
These are elements of the Republican ing in the very near future because it only riod.
HEALS Act and President Trump’s Ex- has 1/3 of the minimum number of enrollees If the Speaker of the House and the
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
that it needs to be able to afford to stay minority leader of the Senate decide to
ecutive orders.
open. I’m an essential worker in healthcare,
Equally important is what is not in finally let another rescue package
specifically in pediatric care, and my hus-
any of the Republican proposals—ei- band is an essential Department of Defense move forward for workers and for fami-
ther that offered in the Senate or im- employee. If I have to stay home with my lies, it would take bipartisan consent
plemented by the President’s Executive daughter, I can’t take care of the children of to meet for legislative business sooner
orders. Food aid for hungry kids and others, and I’m honestly very worried about than scheduled. As has been the case,
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