Congressional Record, September 9, 2020 — Senate
Summary
This is the Congressional Record, Senate, September 9, 2020, covering pages S5504 and S5505. Mr. Gardner of Colorado speaks on the coronavirus response, reviewing the laws Congress passed in March, including the CARES Act signed March 27. He says more than $10 billion in Paycheck Protection Program loans went to Colorado, with $10.5 billion in loans in the state and 95,000 of them below $150,000, and he urges a second loan for hard-hit businesses and simpler loan forgiveness. He describes visits with Colorado schools, farmers, a Pueblo restaurant owner and vaccine researchers at the University of Colorado, and says the Republican bill would provide $10 billion for the post office and extend enhanced unemployment benefits. The views are his, and he asks that Democrats not obstruct a vote.
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“Congressional Record, September 9, 2020 — Senate.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-09-09-crec-2020-09-09-pt1-pgs5504-3e51cccf2e/
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S5504 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 9, 2020
job the American people elected us to one bill, to help make sure that we find the labor that they needed, who
do. were meeting the needs of the Amer- saw challenges to their prices before
The choice could not be clearer: Re- ican people. coronavirus. They saw challenges be-
publicans on a path forward or Demo- The actions that we take can be fo- cause of coronavirus to their supply
crats with their ongoing partisan ob- cused, at least the way I see it, through chains and what was happening to the
struction. three primary lenses: No. 1, what we markets. The CARES Act provided aid
I appreciate your time and your at- were doing to make sure we are stop- and relief to many in agriculture
tention in this critical time as we ping the spread and flattening the across the State of Colorado, but there
move forward with the bill that the curve of coronavirus; No. 2, making is more work to be done.
American public is asking us to pass, sure that we are helping individuals I met with schools across the State
that we have Republicans supporting, who are in need, who are worried about of Colorado that are trying to open,
that fills the needs and responds di- how they are going to meet their rent that are trying to figure out the best
rectly to the needs of the American payments, how they are going to make way to keep their students safe and
people. At the same time tomorrow, we their mortgage, making sure that they their teachers safe and make sure they
will see if the Democrats continue to are going to be OK. can stay open. Some were doing online
obstruct or work with us on the solu- The third filter, the third lens of ac- learning; some were doing in-person
tion and a path forward for our Nation. tions that we need to takeis to go back learning. All of them were trying to
I yield the floor. to our businesses and making sure they figure it out.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- are able to keep people employed, mak- The CARES Act and other pieces of
ator from Colorado. ing sure they keep their doors open, legislation we passed provided billions
CORONAVIRUS making sure that our economy can of dollars for our educational institu-
Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, over snap back to its full strength and even tions from kindergarten to 12th grade
the past several weeks, I have had the stronger than ever once the health pan- on up through higher education—bil-
opportunity to visit with Colorado demic is over. lions and billions of dollars—but more
families and businesses across the four We passed the Paycheck Protection work needs to be done.
corners of our great State, talking Program and Health Care Enhance- My wife turned to me a couple of
about the challenges that Colorado ment Act on April 24 to provide addi- weeks ago before our three children
faces when it comes to our economy as tional dollars for the Paycheck Protec- started school and said: It is time for
a result of the pandemic, talking about tion Program. We passed legislation spring break to end. Our kids have been
the health challenges that have been that would extend the Paycheck Pro- out since spring break in March. A
created for our State and so many of us tection Program into August, which week ago, they did start, but there are
around the world when it comes to the changed the way some of the payments people and families across the State of
pandemic and the work that needs to are able to be made within that time Colorado who are unsure about wheth-
be done and the work that this Con- and what expenses could be utilized er their classes will continue in person.
gress needs to do to come together to within that timeframe. Maybe they never got that far.
stop the partisanship, to stop the fight- We passed the Great American Out- We have to make sure we are pro-
ing, to stop the arguing, and actually doors Act, which will create thousands viding help with childcare, making
develop real solutions for the people of of jobs across the State of Colorado— sure families have a place where they
this country. 100,000 jobs across this country. can take their kids when they go to
Congress has done that time and We continue to do more work. There work. In a country where more and
time again over the past several is no alpha and omega legislation when more families have both parents in the
months. If you go back to March 6, the it comes to a coronavirus. There is no workplace, it is very difficult to con-
passage of the Coronavirus Prepared- one single package of legislation that tinue that job and to do it effectively
ness and Response Supplemental Act, we can walk away from, spike the foot- when you don’t have childcare. We
that was signed into law that day. That ball and say: Our job is done here. have all this supply problem where we
is the first action that this Chamber We passed one bill, two bills, three don’t have enough places for families
took when it came to coronavirus re- bills, four bills—and we will continue to take their kids and we have a de-
sponse. March 18, a couple of weeks to do more because the American peo- mand challenge where you have people
later, Congress passed the Families ple need it, and the American people who need to take their kids to daycare
First Coronavirus Response Act. That need that support. because their schools aren’t open. The
was signed into law March 18. These I met with a restaurant owner in CARES Act and other legislation we
were unanimous consent bills—many Pueblo, CO, who talked about the re- passed addressed that need. There is
times unanimous consent, but had the strictions they are facing at their res- more work yet to do.
support of every Republican and every taurant. They can have only 50 people I have heard from my colleagues
Democrat. The work we were doing was in their restaurant regardless of social across the aisle that they support the
so evident, and we needed to do it im- distancing. They can have only 50 peo- Paycheck Protection Program and that
mediately. ple in their restaurant. They have a they support funding for businesses so
March 27, as economies were shutting bar in their restaurant, but because that they can keep people employed, so
down, as restaurants were closing, as they are a restaurant, they can have that businesses can hire people and get
hotels were closing, Congress passed only 50 people. The bar down the road them to return to work because we
the CARES Act—the Coronavirus Aid, can have 100 people in it because they made a decision that it is better to
Relief, and Economic Security Act. It are a bar, but the restaurant can have have people on the job at the work-
was signed into law on March 27. This only 50 people because they are a res- place than in the unemployment insur-
is when you started to see some of the taurant, even though they have a bar. ance office. We passed the Paycheck
partisanship that was developing as They are trying to figure out and un- Protection Program. Look at these
that bill’s passage was delayed in the derstand the regulations, the guidance numbers in Colorado. We have a total
Senate. Nonetheless, it passed, deliv- they are under, making sure their cus- loan amount of over $10 billion that
ering trillions of dollars in support for tomers are safe, making sure their em- went to Colorado alone to help make
the American people, support for un- ployees can be paid, making sure they sure that businesses were staying open,
employment benefits—creating new survive this and get through this. that they could keep people on the pay-
categories of help for people who had This is what the Paycheck Protec- roll, that they could survive the orders
seen their jobs eliminated, furloughed, tion Program represents. That is what to shut down that came from mayors
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or hours reduced—support for farmers the help we passed with unemployment and the States and the President. We
and ranchers, support for a vaccine, benefits means. It is to help people get did it out of love for our community to
support for education, mass transit, through this so that we can get back make sure that we could stop the
telemedicine, and beyond—trillions of on our feet as a country. I met with spread, flatten the curve, and get
dollars, almost a year’s worth of appro- farmers in Eastern Colorado who were through this together. As a result, we
priations, a year’s worth of funding in struggling to find help, who couldn’t have an obligation to make sure that
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September 9, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5505
our economy comes back and that we every day and work hard to put food on Mother Pearl in Colorado Springs—a
help those businesses and those indi- our table, but they are struggling right Cajun restaurant—where they said:
viduals through this to make sure our now. Let’s help them. We don’t have to This saved us.
Nation gets back on its feet. The legis- wait. We don’t have to wait another But they are still struggling. They
lation that we passed has done part of week or another month. We can pass it are not up to full capacity yet. Let’s
that. and vote on it tomorrow—$20 billion give them a chance to get a second
If you look back to May 15, you think for our farmers and ranchers. loan through the Paycheck Protection
about an economy that lost 20.5 million We should continue our work on vac- Program so that they can bring their
jobs. The unemployment rate as of May cines. I had the chance to stop at the employees back, keep their employees
15 was 14.7 percent. Today, just a week University of Colorado to visit with Dr. employed and paid, and get their doors
ago, it is 8.4 percent, with more work Tom Campbell to learn about the trial open and through this.
that needs to be done. that is taking place at the University Let’s simplify the loan forgiveness
I have heard from my colleagues on of Colorado School of Medicine on the application process so that people who
the other side of the aisle that there is Anschutz Campus. They are working have $150,000 or less have certainty and
a need to support childcare and a need with the Moderna vaccine there, mak- clarity about what is going to happen
to support education, a need to support ing sure that it goes to those who need to that loan. If you look at Colorado,
our efforts to get a vaccine, a need to it to get the best representative sample the vast majority of the loans that rep-
support efforts to continue research, a of how we can get the vaccine to suc- resent $10.5 billion in Paycheck Protec-
need to support the post office. I have ceed, to work, and get it into our com- tion Program loans—95,000 loans were
heard from our colleagues on the other munity, but we need more help. We below $150,000 in Colorado; 95,000 busi-
side of the aisle that there is a need to need more work. We need more re- nesses could have certainty that their
make sure we have unemployment ben- search and development dollars. Let’s loan is forgiven. Let’s pass that. Let’s
efits that continue for the American vote on $31 billion on activities like pass that tomorrow. That is in the bill.
people. vaccine development and distribution. There are enhanced unemployment
I completely agree that we should Let’s make that happen now—$16 bil- benefits of $300 a week. The State could
make sure the Paycheck Protection lion for testing and related contain- contribute up to $400 a week, lasting
Program continues. We should make ment efforts. through December at the end of this
improvements to the Paycheck Protec- Let’s build up a personal protective year. We can pass that tomorrow. It is
tion Program and make sure we im- equipment stockpile once again. We in the bill.
prove the Paycheck Protection Pro- know we need it. Let’s vote on it. Let’s Ten billion dollars in assistance to
gram so that it benefits more busi- vote on that tomorrow—$16 billion. the post office is in the bill.
nesses so that unrepresented commu- Let’s pass it. Every single point that we have made
nities have better access to the Pay- This $105 billion is more money than here is supported by my colleagues.
check Protection Program, that we get the House of Representatives passed. They want money for education. We
more people involved in unbanked and There is $105 billion for education—for are giving more money to education
underbanked communities—nontradi- K–12 and for higher education. We have than the House of Representatives
tional lenders—so we can get the Pay- heard the need from our teachers. We passed. They want dollars for testing.
check Protection Program out to them have heard the need from our colleges. They want dollars for vaccine and dis-
and save more jobs and get more people Let’s pass that tomorrow in the bill tribution. They want dollars and help
to work. I completely agree. Let’s work that we are going to be voting on to and support for farm assistance. They
together, and let’s pass that. provide that help. We don’t have to de- want dollars for childcare. They want
There are people who aren’t as fortu- bate; we don’t have to delay. We can dollars for the Paycheck Protection
nate. There are people who have lost pass it tomorrow. Program. They want to keep businesses
their jobs. There are people who have The post office—I live in rural Colo- open and people employed and people
seen their hours reduced, and they are rado, and my grandfather was a rural hired. They want to help people and
terrified about how they are going to letter carrier. I remember as a child businesses have more certainty in how
make ends meet, about what they are traveling with him on county roads out their loans are going to be handled.
going to do for their job and their fam- in Yuma County, delivering mail. Let’s They want additional unemployment
ily. The bills don’t stop. They keep provide $10 billion to the Postal Serv- benefits for the American people, and
coming, and they have to be paid. We ice to make sure they have the re- they want help for the post office.
should help them. We should pass un- sources they need because it matters in There is not a single person who has
employment insurance benefits. We rural Colorado. We can pass that to- come to the floor and said: I oppose
should pass unemployment benefits to morrow. money for higher education. They
help the American people. Let’s vote We are going to have a chance to haven’t done that because they agree.
on that. Let’s do that. Let’s make it vote on it tomorrow. Let’s pass it. They agree with us. They agree with
happen. Let’s make it happen. Let’s get it done the testing and the research for the
We should help people who need now. vaccine. They agree with support for
childcare. Let’s make sure we are fund- Everything here that we are voting childcare. They agree that we need to
ing childcare. Let’s pass it tomorrow. on tomorrow—$105 billion to support do it.
Let’s pass it tomorrow to provide bil- students’ safe return to in-person Maybe somebody wants more. We
lions of dollars for childcare services. learning and educational opportunities, passed one, two, three, four, five, six—
We don’t have to wait; we can pass it that is in the bill we are going to be this could be the fifth, sixth, or sev-
now. voting on tomorrow. That $105 billion enth bill, depending on how you count
We should provide additional assist- is more than the House of Representa- the various pieces of legislation that
ance to our farmers and ranchers. tives asked for. have gone toward coronavirus relief.
Thank goodness that we have the abil- There is $16 billion for testing and re- We will do more, and we should do
ity to produce our food in the United lated containment efforts in the bill. more.
States. Imagine what would happen if Let’s vote on that tomorrow. But why on Earth would you vote no
we were reliant for 70 percent of our There is $31 billion in vaccine and de- tomorrow and tell the people of this
food on somebody else, like China. We velopment distribution, $20 billion in country to go pound sand because you
have seen what happens in this country farm assistance, $15 billion to support didn’t get everything you wanted? Why
when we are reliant on China for our childcare services, changes to the Pay- would you tell the people who are on
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medications and for other personal pro- check Protection Program that will unemployment benefits and need it
tective equipment. Imagine if we relied allow for a second loan. now: I am sorry, but I didn’t get a tax
on our food coming from somewhere I met with restauranteurs in Denver deduction for wealthy people in Cali-
else to the same extent. and across Colorado who said that the fornia or New York so you are not get-
We are blessed that we have farmers Paycheck Protection Program is what ting yours. Why would you tell the peo-
and ranchers who wake up each and kept them in business. I met with ple who need the dollars in education
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S5506 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 9, 2020
to support our kids and our teachers: I people. They are saying, even though Tomorrow, I hope the outcome is a
am sorry, but you are not getting we agree, because we didn’t get our surprise, and I hope that we will see
yours because somebody has a nice way, no one gets their help, that no one people come together in a way that we
house in Los Angeles who needs a tax gets the help they need because they saw at the beginning of this debate.
cut. Why would you tell businesses didn’t get their way on everything. There is always more to be done.
that they may not be able to keep their Tomorrow’s vote isn’t a final vote by I ask unanimous consent to have a
doors open because that house in Man- any means, and even if it were, there is letter printed in the RECORD following
hattan is really nice and you want to more work to be done. We will have ad- my remarks that I wrote on April 16,
make sure they keep their big house ditional pieces of legislation that we with my colleague Senator BENNET and
tax deduction? will continue to provide relief for, but Governor Polis, that asks for more to
My colleagues on the other side of tomorrow is the beginning of the de- be done.
the aisle would have you believe that bate. It is the first step in making sure In this letter, we talk about the need
the American people can wait for un- that we have that for the American for State and local funding—a half a
employment benefits, that they can people; yet they are going to say no. billion dollars for State and local fund-
wait for more help for businesses. They They are going to vote no. They are ing. We also talk about other pro-
would have you believe that they don’t afraid to debate. They won’t even bring grams, including additional benefits
need to vote yes on this, even though amendments. for food nutrition. I still support that.
they agree with it. The American peo- The Paycheck Protection Program I am still fighting for that. I still want
ple expect us to do our jobs. The Amer- has saved millions of jobs around the to do those things we listed in this let-
ican people have the chance to see this country. We have a chance to extend it, ter, but I am not going to let that stop
Congress work not in a bipartisan fash- to make it work for more people. Un- me from voting yes tomorrow because
ion tomorrow but in a nonpartisan employment insurance has expired. the American people need it.
fashion—getting back to the very be- Look, we worked over August to make I hope that my colleagues will stop
ginning of the work we did together to sure we had an extension of unemploy- the partisanship, stop the gamesman-
pass legislation to benefit and help the ment insurance and unemployment ship, stop the power hungry approach
American people, who acted out of love benefits for the people of Colorado and to politics. Put it aside for the Amer-
to stop their economies because they this country, as well as payroll tax ican people. Do what is right for the
wanted to stop the spread of the breaks and help with rent. This was American people. Vote yes. I am deliv-
coronavirus. They shut their busi- over the last several weeks. We need to ering this critically important relief to
nesses and their hotels emptied out all act to extend it, and we have a chance our country so that we can stand
because they were complying with ef- to vote on it tomorrow. united, as our country has stood united
forts to socially distance in order to Vote yes, and we can provide that re- for months, and get through this to-
end this pandemic. lief. Vote no, and you are telling the gether.
We have a chance tomorrow to vote American people that politics is more In the weeks before the economy
on a bill that will provide unemploy- important than policy, and that is shut down and we could no longer go to
ment benefits that will help people in wrong. If this body is interested in re- church in person, we were reviewing a
ranch communities—that will provide sults and policy, they will vote yes to passage in the Bible which read that
them with billions of dollars in aid— provide this relief that everybody out of our struggles and tribulations
but they are saying no because they agrees on. comes perseverance, that out of that
didn’t get everything. Their theory Some people find the politics of pan- perseverance is built character, and
seems to be, if I can’t get everything I dering and partisanship way too in- that out of that character comes hope.
want, you don’t get anything, period. triguing, inviting, and alluring. The We can provide that hope tomorrow.
Is that the message the American The American people deserve nothing
American people find it sickening.
people are going to get tomorrow, that less.
Vote yes. Get on this bill. Bring your
it is their way or the highway? You are There being no objection, the mate-
amendments. Have the debate. Let the
not going to get the help that every- rial was ordered to be printed in the
American people know that relief is on
body agrees on because I just didn’t get RECORD, as follows:
the way—or vote no and continue this
everything that I thought I should.
Look, our family business is a farm shameless charade of people who pos- April 16, 2020.
ture about helping the American peo- Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL,
equipment dealership, and I have Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
talked about it many times on this ple but who are simply interested in
Hon. CHARLES SCHUMER,
floor. I have never seen somebody come the electoral outcome.
Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
into that dealership and say, ‘‘My trac- This vote is going to tell us a lot DEAR LEADER MCCONNELL AND LEADER
tor is broken. I would like a Repub- about people tomorrow. This vote is SCHUMER: As you work to extend and build
lican to fix it,’’ or ‘‘My planter needs going to tell us about people who are upon the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Eco-
to be repaired. Can you please find a interested in finding that way to relief nomic Security (CARES) Act, we write to re-
for the American people—the oppor- quest certain modifications and improve-
Democrat to fix it?’’ That is not the ments to the programs that were included in
way people come into the store in our tunity is here—or is it going to simply
be a chance to provide yet one more the law. We kept these requests focused on
economy and do business. the areas under negotiation as we under-
They don’t go into Target or grandstand, yet one more finger-wag-
stand them including small business reforms,
Walmart that way. They don’t go to ging, tongue-wagging opportunity for state and local funding, health care, and food
that restaurant in Pueblo, in Colorado the American people to see how embar- assistance through the Supplemental Nutri-
Springs, or in Denver and ask, ‘‘Could rassing the debate has become? tion Assistance Program (SNAP).
you serve me the Republican meal The people of Colorado are strong, re- Since the CARES Act became law, we have
today, please, made by a Democrat silient, and optimistic. They see opti- spoken with Coloradans across the state
mism in every vale and valley as they about the Paycheck Protection Program
cook?’’ They expect us to get the job (PPP), including small business owners,
done. work to climb that next peak, but they
farmers, and non-profit directors. It is clear
There are some in this Chamber who need partners to help them, and we that we should provide additional funding for
argue that, if we just delay a little bit have a chance tomorrow to vote to pro- the PPP, but we should also modify the pro-
longer, we will put a big, big package vide that help. gram to ensure it is providing support for as
together. Vote tomorrow. Bring Do not be fooled by arguments that many small businesses and non-profits as the
amendments. Have the debate. Don’t this doesn’t do enough. We can do program was originally intended.
hide behind closed doors and argue more, and we will do more, but let’s Through our conversations, we believe the
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that, if we just hold out a little bit start with the unemployment benefits following modifications and additions to the
now. Let’s start with the business help PPP can help fix the very real-on-the-ground
longer, maybe my tax cuts will come issues preventing many small businesses
for that mansion in Beverly Hills or for now to keep people employed. Let’s from participating in the program:
that place in the Hamptons. start with the vaccines and the re- Increase the program appropriations and
That is what they are doing. That is search now. Let’s start with the help the loan amount to 4 times average monthly
what they are doing to the American for education now without delay. payroll (permitting those that already have
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September 9, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5507
loans to increase their loan amount to reach ing through the Public Health and Social ORDER OF PROCEDURE
that level) for firms that have suffered sig- Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF) to sup- Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, I ask
nificant revenue losses as a result of the port hospitals and health care providers in unanimous consent that, notwith-
COVID–19 public health emergency; the next phase of legislation. We must also standing the provisions of rule XXII,
Increase the amount that can be spent on ensure that there is a transparent and evi-
non-payroll expenses for firms that have suf- dence-based process in place to provide relief
the Senate vote on confirmation of the
fered significant revenue losses as a result of to rural hospitals and health clinics, Med- Jarbou, Cullen, and Gujarati nomina-
the COVID–19 public health emergency; icaid providers, including home and commu- tions, in that order, at 11:30 a.m. to-
Expand eligibility as follows: nity-based services providers, children’s hos- morrow and that the cloture motion
Expressly provide that health care enti- pitals, nursing homes, providers treating un- with respect to the motion to concur
ties, such as quasi-governmental Critical Ac- documented patients, and safety net hos- with amendment No. 2652 to the House
cess Hospitals and other rural health care pitals and clinics who provide critical, life- amendment to S. 178 ripen following
providers, are eligible to participate in the saving care to underserved populations and
program;
the disposition of the Gujarati nomina-
were not addressed in the Department of
Include certain nonprofits who should not Health and Human Service’s initial $30 bil-
tion.
have been excluded in the first place, subject lion tranche of funding from the CARES Act.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
to the applicable affiliation rules; Further, state and local governments and objection, it is so ordered.
Expand the exception to the 500-employee tribes are on the front lines of responding to f
limitation for franchises, which is contained the crisis. The CARES Act included $150 bil-
in the Small Business Administration (SBA) lion for these entities from the Coronavirus LEGISLATIVE SESSION
guidance, to include franchised businesses Relief Fund and tens of billions of additional
beyond those listed in the SBA’s franchise support for education and housing needs. In
listing; and addition to direct federal support for edu- MORNING BUSINESS
Expand the affiliation rule exception to in- cation, housing, and public health needs, it Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, I ask
clude more firms that, for all intents and is critical that Congress provide an addi- unanimous consent that the Senate
purposes have fewer than 500 employees, tional $500 billion in flexible fiscal relief to proceed to legislative session for a pe-
such as fitness centers and retail trade es- states and hundreds of billions of additional
tablishments. riod of morning business, with Sen-
support directly to local governments with-
Expressly provide that, following the re- ators permitted to speak therein for up
out population thresholds and with the flexi-
cently-issued SBA guidance regarding dis- bility to fill major revenue shortfalls. We re- to 10 minutes each.
tributions from partnerships and LLCs (up to quest robust funding to ensure further flexi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
$100,000 annualized), existing PPP loans that ble relief in the next legislative response. In objection, it is so ordered.
excluded such payments may increase their fact, any interim agreement between the f
loan amounts accordingly; leaders must include this critical state and
Add the following to list of qualified ex- local funding. REMEMBERING KATHY BROWN
penses: mortgage principal payments in ac- Lastly, we are deeply disturbed by the se- Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise
cordance with previously-established amorti- vere deprivation so many families are experi- today to remember one of Wyoming’s
zation schedules (no pre-payments), inven- encing, manifested in scenes of hours-long
tory expenses in advance of re-opening busi- most accomplished and beloved jour-
lines at food banks across the country. To al-
nesses, and past-due inventory invoices; nalists. On Wednesday, August 12, 2020,
leviate some of the pressure on the hardest-
Expressly provide that businesses can par- hit families, we support increasing overall Kathleen ‘‘Kathy’’ Suzanne Brown
ticipate in both the PPP and EIDL loans, SNAP benefits by 15% and continuing that passed away at the age of 64. In her
provided that funds are not spent on the increase until the public health crisis has nearly 40 years as a reporter at the Gil-
same expenses; ended and the economy has returned to pre- lette News Record, Kathy had a pro-
Set aside PPP funding to support our crisis conditions, along with other reforms found impact on communities across
smallest businesses; as well as minority-, to SNAP to cut red tape and expand access
veteran-, women-owned, and other under- northeast Wyoming.
to nutritional assistance. Kathy spent more than 20 years of
served businesses that may not have an ex- Colorado is representative of America. We
isting business banking relationship; her time at the News Record as a
have remote rural communities and large
Expressly provide that Community Devel- urban areas. We depend on the agriculture
sports reporter. She was notably the
opment Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are industry, but we also have some of the most only female sports reporter in the
authorized lenders under the program; cutting-edge technology companies in the State for most of that time. Kathy was
Authorize the Treasury Department, the world. We are known for our restaurants, ho- known for being an extremely thor-
Federal Reserve, and/or the SBA to purchase tels, and outdoor recreation. Those indus- ough reporter. She went above and be-
program loans for borrowers with 50 or more tries are supported by countless plumbers,
employees from the originating banks two yond to profile a majority of Campbell
electricians, and contractors. And like County’s student athletes, whether or
weeks after origination; and authorize the America, we have our differences, but above
appropriate entity purchase program loans not they were the star player.
all, Coloradans are pragmatic—we do what
for businesses with less than 50 employees When Kathy transitioned to being an
works. The ideas laid out in this letter re-
immediately after origination; and flect what Coloradans have told us is needed education reporter in 2012, I often had
Ensure that small agricultural producers the privilege of speaking with her on
to make these programs work. We should
who employ individuals under the H–2A pro- my regular visits to classrooms around
waste no time in adopting them.
gram can have their payroll expenses count We thank you for your work on behalf of Gillette. Kathy was a true professional,
for loan forgiveness purposes. the American public. We believe that we
In addition to the PPP modifications, the and it was abundantly clear how much
share the common goals of keeping thou- she cared for the students she wrote
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Pro-
sands of small businesses across Colorado about.
gram that was included in the CARES Act
and the nation with the ability to retain as Her dedication to journalistic excel-
has been oversubscribed. The intended goal
many workers as they can, our hospitals and
was to have these loans paired with the PPP
health care providers equipped with what
lence was recognized statewide on mul-
in order to provide businesses a greater tiple occasions. One of the biggest
they need, and state and local governments
amount of liquidity. It has been clear in our highlights of her career came in 2016,
and tribes with the ability to respond during
communications across the state that the when the Wyoming Press Association
this pandemic. Should you require additional
program is oversubscribed and EIDL needs
information on these suggestions, our staffs named her its Veteran Journalist of
significantly more funding and improved ef-
are able to further discuss. As you negotiate the Year. Kathy was also recognized by
ficiency to get the funding more quickly into
the next federal response, we respectfully re- the Campbell County School District,
the economy. The CARES Act required EIDL
quest you include these modifications to the the Energy Classic Committee, the Wy-
advances of up to $10,000 per loan to be deliv-
CARES Act and additional requests in mind.
ered immediately, but the oversubscription
Sincerely,
oming Education Association, and the
has caused the SBA to limit the amount of Wyoming Historical Society for her ex-
CORY GARDNER,
those advances and they have been slow in cellent work.
United States Senator.
arriving. EIDL borrowers simply cannot wait While her passing leaves a huge void
MICHAEL F. BENNET,
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
for weeks for approval on minimal advances. in the Wyoming journalism commu-
United States Senator.
We must make sure the program is fully
funded so it can be useful for businesses.
JARED POLIS, nity, her legacy lives on through her
Governor of Colorado. more than four decades long record of
We must also work to provide health care
providers, both those on the frontlines and Mr. GARDNER. I yield the floor. compelling and insightful stories.
those struggling with lost revenue, the sup- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Bobbi and I send our deepest condo-
port they need. We request additional fund- ator from Colorado. lences to Kathy’s mother, Shirley
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