Coronavirus and Aid to States — Congressional Record, Senate, September 17, 2020
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated September 17, 2020, beginning at page S5696, with the heading Coronavirus and Aid to States for part of the page. A Senator says snap back sanctions on Iran begin on Monday and welcomes an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo that includes designating Hezbollah as a foreign terrorist organization and recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Under the heading Coronavirus, Mr. King speaks about the pandemic. Near the end, remarks cite the Helsinki Final Act and human rights, and Mr. Alexander asks unanimous consent to use two items during his remarks.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Coronavirus and Aid to States — Congressional Record, Senate, September 17, 2020.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-09-17-crec-2020-09-17-pt1-pgs5696-9ef61941e8/
, SHA-256 39b91be136b94ee213ca613207e75e6b358c174c9beae0d66178bbc8c3dcc1e5.Full text
S5696 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 17, 2020
Iran has actively stated they are going deal between Serbia and Kosovo that While we are focused on COVID,
to continue to pursue their nuclear am- leaves Serbia to actually officially rec- rightfully so for our own health, while
bitions. They have actively stated they ognize Kosovo. Again, that may not we focus on our economy, rightfully so,
are going to pursue weapons deals. seem like a big deal to many other peo- and while we focus on the issues of ra-
They have actively stated they want to ple, but to Oklahomans—many of cial inequality, rightfully so, we can-
continue to break the arms embargo. whom have served in our 45th and who not lose track of the issues we also
Some of our allies have stood silent, have served there in Kosovo, helping to need to be engaged in around the
but Iran has discussed purchasing protect and stabilize that country and world. It is important that America
weapons of all types from all places. provide security there in that region— continue to be a leader in diplomacy
We used to be united—regardless it is very significant to us to be able to and a leader in bringing religious lib-
whether it was nuclear or not—that see peace breaking out between Serbia erty and freedom and opportunity for
Iran should not continue to accelerate and Kosovo. all people.
that. As the largest exporter of ter- I am pleased that, while many people Whether you are in Hong Kong, as we
rorism in the world, we should confront in the world don’t even pay attention discussed before, or whether you are in
what Iran is trying to do—continue to to what is happening in Serbia and Abu Dhabi, all people deserve the rec-
provide heavy arms. Kosovo, the Trump administration has, ognition of their humanity and respect
As of Monday, the United States will and their diplomatic team has been and an opportunity to be able to live
move into a different mode with Iran. very engaged in negotiating that and their lives with freedom. Let’s con-
As of midnight Sunday night, snap bringing to them some stability. tinue to stand for the values that de-
back sanctions begin on Iran on Mon- Interestingly enough, in the negotia- fine us and define us together.
day. And that is a different moment for tions both Serbia and Kosovo also I yield the floor.
us as a nation, to say we have stated as agreed to designate Hezbollah as a for- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
a country, now through multiple Presi- eign terrorist organization and to rec- ator from Maine.
dencies, that we will not allow Iran to ognize Jerusalem as the capital of
f
be a nuclear power or to continue to Israel and to be able to move their em-
bassies to Jerusalem, which is another CORONAVIRUS
arm itself in such a way to do its
affirmation of what is happening in the Mr. KING. Mr. President, I am sure
neighbors harm.
When snap back sanctions occur on Middle East in the string of what is on- you and I and all the Members of this
Monday, all of our allies should be going. body remember that night in late
One last comment that many people March. It was late at night. I remem-
aware that the United States is stead-
may have missed, we all grieve for ber standing in the back of the Cham-
fast in that commitment. We would
what is happening in Lebanon. That ex- ber to see one of the truly historic
ask you to join us in that as well. periment in multiracial, multifaith,
Over the past few months, thousands votes. It was a unanimous vote of the
and cooperative government has been a U.S. Senate to pass the CARES Act. It
of troops have come back home from
struggle, but they have been a strong- was an amazing achievement to see the
the Middle East—from Syria, from
hold for religious tolerance in Lebanon. Senate and the Congress come together
Iraq, from Afghanistan. By the end of Watching the hundreds of people who
this year, we will have 4,500 troops still in that way with the White House, with
were killed and thousands who were in- the President, to help meet the needs
in Afghanistan; that is from a high just jured in the explosion at their docks in
a few years ago of 100,000 boots on the of the American people.
Beirut was painful for the entire world. When we passed that bill back in
ground. The United States has stepped up as
Ongoing negotiations for peace con- March, September seemed a long way
being the top donor to humanitarian
tinue between Afghan leadership and away. We thought we had provided
aid to Lebanon during this time period,
the Taliban. Those are problems that enough aid for small businesses. It
and we are engaging in multiple ways.
have existed for decades and in some At the end of the day, if we are going turns out we didn’t. We thought we had
areas, generations. to help Lebanon be stable, we have to provided enough aid for people, unfor-
While I don’t believe Afghanistan help that experiment in democracy tunately, who have fallen into unem-
will suddenly break out and be a bas- there in the Middle East to be able to ployment through no fault of their own
tion of peace for the world, we do have thrive with transparency. but the fault of this dreaded COVID,
a responsibility to help them where we I partnered with Senator MURPHY but we didn’t provide enough.
can but also an obligation to protect and several other colleagues to help set We hoped that we had provided
our sons and daughters. Our blood and our Nation’s priority to help Lebanon enough for first responders, for schools,
our treasures spilled in Afghanistan for rebuild, including to utilize the U.S. for healthcare professionals, for test-
decades. We shouldn’t lose the invest- International Development Finance ing, and for all the things that were
ment of that blood and treasure. But it Corporation, called the DFC, to help necessary to get us out of this terrible
is good to see so many people coming them in their infrastructure projects; pandemic. It turns out that wasn’t the
home. to push out China, which is trying to case. Here we are in September facing
In Europe, a free-trade agreement is work their way into the Middle East a renewed version of this virus that is
actively being negotiated with the UK. and dominate there; to allow the peo- now spreading in parts of the country
We are pleased to be able to partner ple of Lebanon to decide their own fu- that weren’t affected back in March.
with such a special-relationship coun- ture; to leverage leadership in the I want to address, No. 1, that we
try like the United Kingdom. We have International Monetary Fund to pre- must do something. We have to respond
had a long-lasting friendship with them vent multilateral bailouts that don’t to the needs of the American people
since we settled a little conflict in 1776 allow for real reforms in their banking just as we did in March. I don’t under-
and another dustup in 1812. That spe- system; and to push out corruption and stand why this time it seems to be a
cial relationship with the UK should push out Hezbollah. partisan issue; why this time we can’t
continue on with a very good trade There are things we can do that are have the same spirit that we had then
agreement. not of a partisan nature on which Sen- of negotiation, of give and take, of
I am pleased that the administration ator MURPHY and I cooperate together compromise to reach a bill that all re-
continues to push forward in the area to be able to help push for Lebanon. It alize now was a really significant ac-
of trade—an area that it is amazing to is important that they continue to be a complishment.
For some reason, now it just seems
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
me how many people didn’t even notice stable force in the region. This is a real
was the powder keg of Europe that just time of testing for them as a country. to be much harder. I understand the
recently was resolved. I am proud the administration has concern about the debt and the deficit.
For generations, the area around Ser- pushed our diplomats in Lebanon to be I used to be a Governor. I know about
bia, Kosovo have been a hotbed area for able to find ways where we can prac- balancing budgets. States have to bal-
conflict. tically help now and long term for real ance their budgets, but now is not the
In the past few weeks, the Trump ad- reforms for them. There is a lot going time. If we don’t take further action to
ministration has negotiated a peace on around the world. shore up the economy and protect the
VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:44 Sep 18, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17SE6.029 S17SEPT1
September 17, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5697
people who are being impacted by this, native in the midst of a recession, and This blue State-red State stuff bothers
the fiscal cost in the long run will be neither of which makes any sense for me.
worse. The revival of the economy will the American people. They have either I don’t know how many emergency
take longer. The cost to the Treasury to cut or raise taxes. Those aren’t good appropriations for natural disasters,
will be greater than what we are pro- options. wildfires, floods, and hurricanes I have
posing to spend now. By the way, I can only speak for the voted for. It never occurred to me to
I believe and I hope that we are mov- Maine budget. I don’t know how other ask what color the State was. It never
ing slowly toward some kind of agree- State budgets work. But in Maine occurred to me. We are a community.
ment that will allow us to provide the about one-third of our budget—between This is one country. I don’t ask how
support to the American people and the 25 percent and 35 percent of our State Florida voted if there is a hurricane
American economy that will make budget—goes back to our communities. that strikes that State or Georgia or
such a difference in how we are able to It goes to the capital city of Augusta, Alabama, which is being hit right now.
cope with this terrible disease over the makes a U-turn, and goes back into the If they need help, we should provide it.
next several months—at least through towns and cities across Maine, mostly But what we are seeing now is a slow-
the end of the year. That is really the in the form of general-purpose aid to motion fiscal hurricane that is hitting
mission that is before us. education, also in the form of revenue many, if not all, of the States of the
The Democrats made a proposal back sharing, and in other kinds of grants United States. We should come to-
in May. They passed the Heroes Act of and contracts. gether and help them. As for this busi-
over $3 trillion. They have moved. The When we talk about the State, it ness about that, well, we don’t want to
Speaker and the minority leader here sounds like we are talking about these bail out somebody’s pension program,
have moved $1 trillion. They made a big, impersonal entities, but we are look, this is an easy calculation. The
counteroffer a few weeks ago of about really talking about towns—small Treasury Department is capable of
$2 trillion. The White House appar- towns—and school districts. That is making the calculation. What were
ently, over the last couple of days, has where a lot of this impact is going to your revenues last year? What were
said we are now talking about some- fall. your projections before COVID? What
thing at $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion as a It is a double-edged sword that cuts is the difference? That is what we are
solution. The parties are moving, and I both ways. It is hurting people—the talking about.
hope today that they will continue to people who are being laid off, the peo- Make no mistake, we are talking
discuss and that the table will have ple who are going to have to be laid off, about real, concrete, on-the-ground
people sitting at it trying to find a so- whether they are in a town or city, a losses of jobs and losses of the services
lution. I think there is hope that we county or the State. That hurts the that those jobs provide. Whether they
can do that. economy. Those are people who are are public health workers, first re-
I deeply hope that we can come to an buying things in the stores, going to sponders, firefighters, or police—yes,
agreement. Schools across the country restaurants, and going to grocery police—they are who are being im-
are seeing, unbelievably, additional ex- stores. They are going to places to buy pacted here, and it is we as citizens
penditures in all areas to try to get clothes, and if they can’t do that, then, who are the customers of those services
back to normal, to try to get back into the entire economy is pulled down. who need the protection and who need
the classroom. If they are going to do If we don’t help the States and the the services they provide. They are
that, they need more buses. They are cities and towns in this situation, the who are being hurt.
going to need more teachers. They are estimates are that it is going to hit
I hope that we can come to an agree-
going to need more people. They are GDP by 2 to 3 percent. That is huge.
ment and that we can get over this
going to need more cleaning materials. That is a huge economic loss that is
nonsense that this is somehow a blue
They are going to need all kinds of ad- going to translate into a fiscal loss for
State-red State thing and that we are
ditional expenditures they weren’t an- us and a tragic loss for the American
bailing out States that were not pru-
ticipating. people.
dent. I am tired of hearing that. We are
Small businesses are continuing to The estimate in Maine is a $1.4 bil-
talking about people’s lives here. We
teeter. I hear awful stories about small lion shortfall of our State budget over
are talking about the protection of
businesses that between now and the the next 3 years—a half-billion dollars
public services. We are talking about
end of the year are in danger of closing in this fiscal year that we are in right
teaching our kids. We are talking
their doors forever. That would be a now.
Towns and cities across Maine are al- about people who are providing the
tragedy for our country.
We are continuing to see people lose ready starting to furlough first re- basic protections that we all take for
their jobs. We are continuing to see sponders. Who is it that works for the granted in our daily lives.
people on unemployment. We are con- towns? Who is it that works for the cit- Really, I have two simple messages:
tinuing to see people who can’t put ies? Police and fire are the biggest One, let’s make a deal. Two, that deal
food on the table because the aid that components. They are not hiring peo- should include support for those people
we provided in the CARES Act in ple. I think we need to face the fact and institutions in our States, in our
March ran out at the end of July. that those who are opposing aid to our cities, and in our smallest towns so
I am urging, No. 1, discussions. That cities and towns are the people who are that they will have the wherewithal to
is pretty obvious. I hope that the rep- defunding the police. That is who is be able to help us all get through this
resentatives of the two parties and rep- defunding the police because their thing together. That is what this is all
resentatives of the White House can budgets are going to be cut if they about, and those are the people on the
come together and reach an agreement. don’t get some assistance from this ground who are helping us get through
Part of this agreement has to contain body and this government. this together.
within it support for States, towns, and Let’s be real. Let’s talk about facts. We can do this. We proved in March
cities. They are suffering, too, and they Let’s talk about the real impact of our that we could do it. I think we must
are providing the very services that the lack of attention to this issue. This is and can and will do it again.
people need in this pandemic. a personal tragedy for these families, I yield the floor.
States can’t borrow money the way and it is one more blow to the econ- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
we can. They have to balance their omy. ator from Utah.
budget on a year-to-year basis. If they By the way, this is not a blue State (The remarks of Mr. LEE pertaining
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
are being clobbered by the effects of issue. Here are some States whose to the introduction of S. 4608 are print-
this disease, not only in expenditures budgets have been hit by more than 10 ed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘State-
but in loss of revenues, they only have percent by the loss of revenues caused ments on Introduced Bills and Joint
two choices. I have been there. They by the COVID: Alaska, which is not Resolutions.’’)
only have two choices. One is drastic much of a blue State; Indiana; Kansas; Mr. LEE. I yield the floor.
cuts, and the other is raising taxes, Kentucky; Montana; Oklahoma; and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
neither of which is an acceptable alter- Iowa. Those States are hurting, too. ator from Maryland.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:44 Sep 18, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17SE6.031 S17SEPT1
S5698 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 17, 2020
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF tool for social control. Maduro has ada embraced not only democratic
DEMOCRACY completely ignored the Venezuelan principles and human rights of good
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I people’s call to return to democracy governance but also the principle that
rise to commemorate the International and is using the current global pan- we have a right to challenge the com-
Day of Democracy. Since 2007, Sep- demic as an opportunity to consolidate pliance with those commitments in
tember 15 has offered an opportunity his own power. any other member state. It is not
each year to reflect on the democratic In addition to addressing quasi-dicta- interfering in their internal matters; it
values that we cherish and to recom- torships in the Western Hemisphere, we is holding them to the commitments
mit ourselves to promoting them must maintain pressure on the so- they made in the Helsinki Final Act.
called ‘‘last dictator’’ of Europe, Democracy is fragile. It must be con-
around the world.
Belarusian President Aleksandr stantly tended to and protected to sur-
The democratic project is especially
Lukashenko. While Lukashenko’s near vive and flourish. Therefore, while we
important at this moment. Although
three-decade rule has been full of cor- have a responsibility to monitor the
some communities are experiencing
rupt power grabs and crackdowns and status of democracy in other parts of
greater rights and freedoms than ever the world, we have a parallel duty to
before, there is also an alarming trend dissent, his behavior surrounding the
recent Presidential election dem- safeguard and tend to our democracy
of democratic backsliding in many cor- here at home. I cannot remember a
ners of the globe. onstrates a new level of lawlessness.
Lukashenko refused to certify opposing more dangerous time for American de-
Countries that were becoming in- mocracy since the Civil War.
creasingly open and egalitarian are candidates and then imprisoned them.
He claimed victory through clearly To protect our democracy, we must
moving back toward authoritarianism protect the ability of every individual
under unlawful, oppressive leaders. fraudulent election results. He re-
stricted the free flow of information by to exercise her or his right to vote. In
Meanwhile, countries that were al- the middle of a pandemic, that means
ready unfree are suffering even more shutting down the internet and tar-
expanding the ability to vote by mail
disturbing civil and human rights geting journalists. And he oversaw the
so that we do not force people to
abuses. brutal repression of protesters, includ-
choose between participating in our de-
If we turn a blind eye to these devel- ing many instances of Belarusian secu-
mocracy or protecting their health.
opments, it will embolden bad actors to rity forces repeatedly torturing de- We need to make sure that State and
continue undermining freedom, peace, tained civilians. Lukashenko knows local election boards get the resources
and equality. The United States must that the Belarusian people are ready they need to cover the costs of mail-in
lead all democracy-loving people in for a new democratic chapter that does voting, and we need to defend the
calling out subversions of democratic not include him. Instead of stepping strength, integrity, and impartiality of
rights wherever they exist and holding aside to serve the interests of his coun- the U.S. Postal Service.
those responsible to account. try, he has abandoned the rule of law Our President also openly invites for-
One country that requires our urgent in order to protect his own power. eign powers to interfere in our elec-
attention is China. The Government of It is no surprise that Lukashenko has tion, and his encouragement has been
China has not adhered to democratic appealed to Vladimir Putin to endorse effective. The same external factors
norms for a long time, but we should this tyrannical approach. President that we know influenced the elections
never allow that failure to normalize Putin is, after all, a veteran when it in 2016 are once again actively planning
ongoing human rights abuses such as comes to destabilizing democracies. He to interfere in the upcoming election.
the vicious opposition to the Uighurs. has done so not only in his own coun- Regardless of party affiliation, we
International nongovernmental orga- try of Russia, where he overcomes dis- should all be able to unite in pursuit of
nizations have documented China’s sent by changing the constitution to a healthy, functioning democracy.
mass surveillance, arbitrary detention, secure his rule and poisoning political That requires us to take action against
torture, and political indoctrination of opponents, but also in other parts of the foreign actors seeking to spread
these communities for no reason other the world. That includes his contin- misinformation and divide Americans
than their religious and cultural dif- uous attempts to undermine our de- for their own benefit.
ferences. mocracy here in the United States. When we fail to protect democracy in
We must do everything possible to President Trump has completely the United States, it has consequences
fight for the freedom and equality of failed to hold Vladimir Putin account- all over the world. After he was con-
the Uighurs to help end this atrocity. able for abusing his own people’s fronted about his recent brutal crack-
We also need to stand up for the human rights and attacking the United down on protesters, journalists, and op-
rights of the people of Hong Kong. Bei- States. Even worse, President Trump position members, Belarus President
jing’s attempt to circumvent Hong appears to have taken a page out of Lukashenko said that the United
Kong’s independent legal system with a Putin’s book, suggesting that if he States ‘‘should sort out their own af-
far-reaching, oppressive national secu- were not reelected this November, he fairs’’ before attempting to interfere in
rity law is dangerous and in complete may not accept the results of that elec- Belarus. His statements made clear
disregard of the one-country, two-sys- tion. It is a sad commentary on the that President Trump and his adminis-
tem principle. I am likewise disturbed state of our domestic affairs that we tration and supporters’ undemocratic
that the Hong Kong government have to take such a ludicrous state- behavior is eroding our credibility on
inexplicably postponed the September ment seriously. We know that global the global stage as a voice for human
regional elections for another year. democracy is in trouble when the lead- rights. Let today, International Day
The people of Hong Kong deserve to see er of the United States is copying un- for Democracy, be a reminder for us to
their democratic aspirations realized democratic heads of state instead of stand up in defense of democracy,
and protected. I am pleased that there condemning them. whether we are talking about China,
is bipartisan, strong support in the These are but a few snapshots of Venezuela, Belarus, or here in our own
U.S. Senate and in the House for the what is happening in many countries backyard. The world is counting on us.
around the world. If there is anything I suggest the absence of a quorum.
people of Hong Kong, and I joined with The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
Senator RUBIO in introducing legisla- that I have learned in my many years
BRAUN). The clerk will call the roll.
tion to make that clear. of public service, it is that we can The legislative clerk proceeded to
China is certainly not the only place never take democracy—and all the call the roll.
where democratic rights are threat- freedoms, rights, and opportunities it
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I
ened. We need to look closer to home, entails—for granted. My work in the ask unanimous consent that the order
as well, to countries like Venezuela. In House and the Senate on the Helsinki for the quorum call be rescinded.
Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro’s illegal re- Commission really embodies that com- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
gime has produced one of the worst hu- mitment to stand up for human rights. objection, it is so ordered.
manitarian crises by plundering the The Helsinki Final Act made it clear Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I
country’s resources for personal gain that all States in Europe, the former ask unanimous consent that I be al-
and using the distribution of food as a Soviet Union, United States, and Can- lowed to use, during my remarks, two
VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:44 Sep 18, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17SE6.034 S17SEPT1
File and source
- File
- CREC_crec-2020-09-17_crec-2020-09-17-pt1-pgs5696.pdf
- Size
- 222,553 bytes
- SHA-256
- 39b91be136b94ee213ca613207e75e6b358c174c9beae0d66178bbc8c3dcc1e5
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov