Correcting the Enrollment of S. 2330 (Cong. Rec., Sept. 23, 2020)
Summary
This Senate page of the Congressional Record for September 23, 2020 begins with remarks about the COVID–19 response. A Senator says earlier Congresses and Presidents built standby manufacturing plants and created BARDA, and calls for sustained funding for manufacturing plants, the strategic stockpile and State and local public health agencies. Blumenthal asks unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to a concurrent resolution to correct the enrollment of S. 2330, and the resolution was agreed to. The page also includes a tribute to Tommy, a LaRue County judge-executive, and a statement supporting President Donald J. Trump’s decision to nominate a justice.
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“Correcting the Enrollment of S. 2330 (Cong. Rec., Sept. 23, 2020).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-09-23-crec-2020-09-23-pt1-pgs5825-ece10f45a1/
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September 23, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE CORRECTION S5825
member of the Democratic leadership. I think most of us would be glad to we wouldn’t have a problem or an
She is pretty tough when she wants to lose that money if the result was that issue.
be. Because she is, I like working with one or more of those vaccines turned I thanked those four witnesses, Sen-
her, and we have been able to do a lot out to be the one that produces 300 to ator MURRAY, and my Republican and
with our committee. 700 million doses of vaccines that are Democratic colleagues for monitoring
We have 23 members on our com- safe and effective as we move into the this COVID–19. I am glad the hearing
mittee. I thanked them today. I said, new year. was broadly carried for 2 hours on
Senator Ted Kennedy used to say that There is a lesson from all of this, and many television networks.
we have the broadest jurisdiction of that is that the earlier Congresses and I hope it gave the American people
any committee in the Senate. I think Presidents were visionary in this re- some relief and sense that our chances
we have the broadest range of views in spect: They built those standby manu- of going back to school, back to col-
the Senate of any committee. We have facturing plants. They created BARDA. lege, back to childcare, back to work,
some very able advocates of those di- Senator BURR from North Carolina was and out to eat are increasingly good. It
verse points of view, and still, we have one of the leaders of that, for example. is very simple: Wear the mask, wash
a very impressive record from fixing Without that, we wouldn’t have this your hands, stay apart, and keep this
No Child Left Behind to 21st Century explosion of vaccines, treatments, and unprecedented sprint toward vaccines,
Cures, to the opioids bill, to passing tests on the way. We need to do that treatments, and diagnostic tests going.
important bipartisan legislation that is again. I yield the floor.
good for the country Senator Bill Frist, the former major- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
President Obama called the Every ity leader, testified before our com- ator from Connecticut.
Student Succeeds Act a Christmas mir- mittee with some others. He said we go
acle. Senator MCCONNELL said the 21st f
from panic to neglect to panic, and we
Century Cures Act was the most impor- don’t do the hard things we need to do CORRECTING THE ENROLLMENT
tant law of that Congress. after the epidemic is over. OF S. 2330
I thanked Senator MURRAY and all The hardest thing to do is sustained
the Democrats and Republicans on the Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam Presi-
funding. So we need sustained funding dent, as if in legislative session, I ask
committee for creating an environ- for manufacturing plants so they don’t
ment where we can have our dif- unanimous consent that the Senate
go cold while we wait for the next pan- proceed to the immediate consider-
ferences of opinion but still get impor- demic. We need sustained funding for
tant results. ation of S. Con. Res. 46, which was sub-
our stockpile so they are not depleted mitted earlier today.
There was one other thing we dis- by budget problems. We need sustained
cussed that I would like to mention. I The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
funding for the strategic stockpile, and objection, it is so ordered.
see my friend from Connecticut on the we need sustained funding for our
floor. I know he wants to speak, and I The clerk will report the concurrent
State and local public health agencies, resolution by title.
will get out of the way so he can do it.
which are about 50 percent supported The bill clerk read as follows:
But there were actually two things I
by Federal dollars.
wanted to briefly summarize, and then Sustained funding is something we
A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 46) to
I will ask to put my statement into the correct the enrollment of S. 2330.
don’t do very well—that means manda-
RECORD. tory funding that needs advanced ap- There being no objection, the Senate
One was that the New York Times proceeded to consider the resolution.
propriations. We like to do it year by
said on March 1, that the United States Mr. BLUMENTHAL. I further ask
year. But if we don’t do it, you can see
was as well prepared as any country for that the concurrent resolution be
what it costs us: 200,000 lives we lost al-
COVID. To the extent that was true, it agreed to and the motion to reconsider
was because of several Presidents and ready and $3 trillion we have already
spent. So a little sustained funding to be considered made and laid upon the
several Congresses doing such things table with no intervening action or de-
as, in 2012, authorizing three standby prevent the next pandemic would be a
very wise investment, and we ought to bate.
manufacturing plants for vaccines. Of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
Operation Warp Speed, Dr. Slaoui, who do it now while we have our eye on the
ball. objection, it is so ordered.
is their principle adviser, said that The concurrent resolution (S. Con.
they could not be producing four of Jared Diamond, who wrote ‘‘Guns,
Germs, and Steel,’’ pointed out in a re- Res. 46) was agreed to.
those vaccines if those plants had not (The concurrent resolution is printed
been put in place back then. cent article in the Wall Street Journal
that, in his opinion, what is different in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Submitted
In addition, earlier Congresses cre- Resolutions.’’)
ated more authority for the FDA, for about this vaccine is the jet plane—
that people can fly from Wuhan to San The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
example, to do emergency-use author- ator from Rhode Island.
izations, which Dr. Hahn has used Francisco or from San Francisco to
expertly. They have given the NIH Nashville, and pretty soon, suddenly, REMEMBERING JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG
record funding for 5 years in a row and this is spreading all over the world. Mr. REED. Madam President, I rise
new authority. All of this authority Jared Diamond said that the next pan- today to honor the life of Justice Ruth
has been put to work by this adminis- demic could be next year. We hope it is Bader Ginsburg and to express my
tration to do what I would call an un- not, but it could be, and we should be grave concerns at rushing to fill this
precedented sprint toward success on ready for it. Supreme Court vacancy rather than
vaccines, treatments, and tests with- So I wanted to report to the Amer- focus on the pandemic and its health
out cutting corners on efficacy and ican people and to my colleagues in the and economic devastation.
safety. There is a risk, but the risk is Senate that we hear a lot about prob- The passing of Justice Ginsburg is a
to the taxpayers. lems, but I think it is important to monumental loss for our country, but
The reason things are going so fast is know that vaccines are being manufac- she will leave an indelible mark as a
because they are doing everything in tured, that the decisions are going to historic and brilliant jurist, civil rights
parallel. They are manufacturing while be made by scientists about when they trailblazer, and personal hero to count-
abonner on DSK9F5VC42PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE
they are developing the vaccine and are ready to distribute, that the States less people. We can all take inspiration
while they are reviewing whether it is have been asked to get ready, that from her stalwart and lifelong crusade
safe and effective. there are more treatments coming, for equality, shaped by her own strug-
Then, at the end of that process—say, likely, and that there has been an ex- gles facing gender discrimination as a
at the end of this year—if it is effec- plosion of diagnostic tests. So, really, young lawyer, despite her outstanding
tive, we are ready to distribute it. The there should be plenty of diagnostic education and obvious talent.
States have been asked to get ready. If tests for anyone who wants to use them Notably, one of her first and most
it is not safe, if it is not effective, then, before very long in the United States. important rulings as a Supreme Court
we lose the money. The taxpayers lose My theory has been for a long time Justice was when she wrote the major-
the money. that as soon as we had an oversupply, ity opinion that struck down the male-
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S5826 CORRECTION CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 23, 2020
only admissions policy at the Virginia Due to the Trump administration’s tunity to add another anti-healthcare
Military Institute. In this and many mismanagement and Republicans’ in- Justice to the Supreme Court, just
other cases, Justice Ginsburg opened action, much of what these experts pre- days before the Court will begin argu-
the door for generations to come and dicted is already happening, and we ments on the Trump administration’s
heralded a new era of equality so that continue to pass grim milestones sig- lawsuit to repeal the ACA.
those who were traditionally excluded naling that we have failed to contain What is worse is that they are not
and oppressed could truly partake in the virus and to adequately mitigate going to wait until the election to pur-
the American dream. the economic fallout. sue this because they know the Amer-
Congress should honor Justice Gins- More than 200,000 people have now ican people do not agree with them and
burg’s legacy by grieving her loss with died, and the Department of Labor re- they can’t take the chance that they
her family, her friends, and the rest of ports that nearly 30 million people are will lose the election and, along with
the Nation. More importantly, we on unemployment. Despite the over- it, their opportunity to take
should listen to the Justice’s wish that whelming need, Republicans seem healthcare coverage away from mil-
the Court she loved and served so hon- eager to move on and shift all of their lions of Americans.
orably should not be part of the elec- attention to filling a Supreme Court Republicans’ fervor to fill a Supreme
tion season. My sense is Justice Gins- seat in as little time as possible. Court vacancy goes beyond disman-
burg recognized that, while the Court They want to do it in a way that has tling affordable healthcare and denying
has become more political over time, never been done before. While other va- healthcare to those with preexisting
filling her seat a month or so before an cancies have arisen in an election year, conditions. They are counting on a
election would do incredible harm. the history is clear: The Senate has conservative supermajority on the Su-
Some say we need nine Justices. never confirmed a nomination to the preme Court to accomplish many of
They certainly didn’t feel that way Supreme Court this close to a Presi- their extreme conservative goals,
about Justice Scalia’s open seat. Rush- dential election. Yet it is looking more which they know the majority of the
ing here seems unnecessary, shows a like Republicans want to barrel ahead American people do not share.
disregard for history, and shows a lack and deny the American people a chance This will endanger so many of the
of faith in the American people’s to weigh in. rights that Americans have fought for
choice in November, but it appears We have to ask ourselves: Why? One decades to win. It could mean making
they will not be thoughtful and wait. answer is easy: healthcare. My col- our country less democratic by gutting
Instead, it is full steam ahead. leagues on the other side of the aisle, what is left of the Voting Rights Act.
I am angered and saddened that my along with President Trump, had com- It could mean overturning the right of
colleagues on the other side of the aisle plete control of Congress and the White women to make their own reproductive
are choosing to ram through a nominee House for 2 years, and after spending 7 healthcare decisions, in consultation
who they know will not get broad sup- years saying that they would repeal with their doctors, and the rights of
port. While this is no different than the Affordable Care Act, they tried LGBT individuals to live free of dis-
their agenda over the last 4 years, the with all of their might to do just that. crimination. It could include stripping
timing and circumstances could be not What they didn’t anticipate was that away environmental protections, which
more startling or revealing as to their the American people would turn will become all the more important as
true priorities of power and stacking against that effort.
climate change wreaks havoc in our
In 2017, I heard from countless con-
the deck. communities.
My colleagues have been rushing to stituents, writing and emailing me,
How these and many other issues are
calling my office, approaching me at
issue statements pledging their support decided by the Supreme Court for the
the grocery store and around Rhode Is-
for a Supreme Court nominee that next several decades is hanging in the
land, telling me about how the ACA
President Trump has not even nomi- balance. That Republicans want to
had benefited them and their families
nated. However, in the 4 months since speed through their nominee shows not
and urging me to do everything in my
the Heroes Act passed the House, they only their disdain for the will of the
power to stop the Republican effort to
have not been able to muster any ur- American people but, also, their lack of
repeal the law. I was not alone in this.
gency to help the millions affected by confidence that voters support these
I know my colleagues on both sides of
the COVID pandemic. Indeed, my col- policy goals and those who wrongly
the aisle were hearing similar concerns
leagues on the other side of the aisle espouse them.
from their constituents.
keep bidding down the amount of as- President Trump and congressional The only good that may come of this
sistance they want to provide. Republicans did not expect that they is that the American people will gain
Public health experts and economists wouldn’t be able to convince everyone an even clearer understanding of what
alike have been sounding the alarm for in their party to go along with this is at stake. The American public now
weeks about what will happen if Con- scheme. As we all remember, late one has a clear choice, and I have no doubt
gress does not provide further assist- night in July 2017, while voting on the that it will make the right one. They
ance. They warned that, without re- Republican TrumpCare bill, my friend can see and understand what Majority
sources for testing, contact tracing, and my chairman, Senator John Leader MCCONNELL is doing.
and other critical public health inter- McCain, shortly before his death, cou- At the very time the majority leader
ventions, the case counts and deaths rageously stood up and gave their pro- should be joining with us to protect the
will only increase. They warned that, posal a thumbs-down, saying enough health of the American people in the
without rental, unemployment, and was enough. midst of so much suffering and needless
food assistance, evictions would sky- The following year, the American death during this pandemic, they are,
rocket and households with children people swiftly voted many Republicans instead, undertaking a misguided and
will go hungry. They warned that out of office, handing control of the unjustifiable effort to ram through a
States would have to resort to deep House of Representatives to Demo- Supreme Court nomination. While I
budget cuts and layoffs without addi- crats, largely because of healthcare. have little belief that Majority Leader
tional aid. Democrats won by vowing to protect MCCONNELL will change his plans, I
My Republican colleagues dis- the ACA for the American people. would hope that my colleagues would
abonner on DSK9F5VC42PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE
regarded these warnings even as So, now, President Trump and con- take a moment and look at where we
COVID–19 numbers continued to climb gressional Republicans are counting on are. We can debate how we got here,
and even after the pandemic unemploy- the courts to overturn the ACA for but right now the matters before us are
ment assistance and Paycheck Protec- them. They have spent the last 3 years profound. I hope a few in the majority
tion Program expired. They looked for stacking the courts with judicial nomi- decide to reconsider and take a step
excuses not to act, only pausing to nees who they think will rule against back from their maximalist power the-
bring up their so-called skinny bills, the ACA, regardless of the facts or ory and leave this issue to the next ses-
which fell woefully short of providing merits of the case. sion.
the help that is needed for families, With the passing of Justice Ruth Until then, I will do everything I can
businesses, and the States. Bader Ginsburg, they have their oppor- to honor Justice Ginsburg and her
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September 23, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5827
life’s work for what is right and what is local employers’ demands and enter the most sacred—charge. He helped pre-
fair. We will demand justice for the workforce prepared to fill good-paying serve the birthplace of our most fa-
American people to make sure that jobs. mous Kentuckian, Abraham Lincoln.
their voices are heard. His many achievements have brought Tommy took seriously his role in hon-
I yield the floor. national acclaim for both Jay and oring Lincoln, and Kentucky will con-
I suggest the absence of a quorum. KCTCS. U.S. Secretary of Commerce tinue to benefit from his enthusiasm
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Wilbur Ross and Advisor to the Presi- for our Nation’s 16th President.
clerk will call the roll. dent Ivanka Trump appointed him to Along with a group of motivated citi-
The bill clerk proceeded to call the be the voice for community colleges on zens, Tommy helped establish the Lin-
roll. the American Workforce Policy Advi- coln Museum in Hodgenville. In a typ-
Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, sory Board. Jay collaborates with lead- ical year, thousands of tourists will
I ask unanimous consent that the order ers from educational institutions, gov- visit the museum and the nearby Abra-
for the quorum call be rescinded. ernments, and some of the country’s ham Lincoln National Historical Park.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without largest employers to increase prepared- Tommy championed an effort to ex-
objection, it is so ordered. ness in the workforce. Jay is also a pand the National Park by coordi-
f member of the national board for Re- nating a donation to include Lincoln’s
building America’s Middle Class and Boyhood Home on Knob Creek. This
LEGISLATIVE SESSION the Bill and Melinda Gates Founda- year, Kentucky Living Magazine
tion’s National Advisory Group. named the Lincoln Museum as the
I have had the privilege to work di- Commonwealth’s Best Museum, a well-
MORNING BUSINESS deserved distinction for their efforts to
rectly with Jay to serve Kentucky’s
Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, students. I am particularly grateful for safeguard the Great Emancipator’s leg-
I ask unanimous consent that the Sen- his leadership to save Southeast Ken- acy.
ate proceed to legislative session for a tucky Community and Technical Col- In 2000, Congress created the Abra-
period of morning business, with Sen- lege, SKCTC, from losing its ability to ham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
ators permitted to speak for up to 10 offer Federal student aid. Working to prepare national celebrations for the
minutes each. closely with Jay, I inserted a legisla- President’s 200th birthday. Rec-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tive provision to give the school a rea- ommended by Kentucky’s Governor at
objection, it is so ordered. sonable opportunity to make its case the time and appointed by the Presi-
f to the U.S. Department of Education. dent, Tommy was a fine choice to serve
Jay and his team did just that, showing as a commissioner. Hodgenville would
TRIBUTE TO DR. JAY BOX later host the celebration’s National
SKCTC’s many contributions to its
Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, students and community. I am proud Opening Ceremony and lead the coun-
more than 100,000 Kentuckians choose to say the school continues to thrive try in honoring President Lincoln.
every year to pursue a degree or de- Over the years, I have worked with
and help prepare Kentucky students to
velop their skills through the Ken- Tommy to preserve Lincoln’s heritage
excel in the workforce.
tucky Community and Technical Col- in LaRue County and to deliver for the
Jay announced he would begin his
lege System, KCTCS. Composed of 16 community’s bright future. It has also
well-deserved retirement in July. How-
colleges within a short drive of vir- been a privilege to join Tommy’s radio
ever, when the coronavirus crisis
tually every Kentucky household, show to speak directly with local fami-
struck, he once again showed true lead-
KCTCS has helped over 1 million Ken- lies about their priorities and my work
ership. Jay delayed his retirement to
tucky students receive an affordable for Kentucky in the Senate.
continue serving Kentucky’s students Tommy spent half of his life as
and quality education. Today, I would and ensure KCTCS received the steady
like to recognize my friend, Dr. Jay LaRue County’s judge-executive. The
leadership transition it deserves. results of his leadership can be seen
Box, who has served as KCTCS’ second Over the years, Jay has helped edu-
president for the last 5 years and is a across the county in its growth and op-
cate students, encourage industry, and portunity. I would like to encourage
leading architect of its success. As Jay drive growth in nearly every corner of
retires at the end of this month, my my Senate colleagues to join me in
Kentucky. It is a remarkable legacy, thanking Tommy for his service and
home State will send him off with our and I hope he and Gayle are proud of
sincere gratitude. for preserving the memory of one of
their accomplishments. I ask my Sen- our country’s greatest leaders. In
Nearly two decades ago, Jay and his ate colleagues to join me in congratu-
wife Gayle left Texas to join KCTCS. I whatever comes next for Tommy, I
lating Dr. Jay Box on his retirement wish him the best. I look forward to his
am so glad they did. Jay brought with and to wish him many wonderful years continued contributions to our great
him a personal belief in the importance to come. Commonwealth.
of lifelong learning to adapt to a f
changing workforce. That vision has f
served Jay and KCTCS’ students well TRIBUTE TO TOMMY TURNER SUPREME COURT NOMINATIONS
while preparing them for 21st century Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, Mrs. LOEFFLER. Madam President,
careers. when my friend Tommy Turner was Mrs. Kelly Loeffler, of Georgia, rejects
Jay was quickly recognized for his first elected to lead LaRue County in the assertion by Mr. CHUCK SCHUMER,
transformative leadership at Hazard 1985, he was the youngest Kentuckian of New York, that there is no precedent
Community and Technical College. to ever serve as a county judge-execu- for a Supreme Court justice being con-
Tapping into his talent, he was given tive. Now, 35 years later, Tommy re- firmed after July 1 in a Presidential
statewide responsibilities as KCTCS cently announced he would leave office election year.
vice president, chancellor, then finally as our Commonwealth’s longest cur- In fact on three separate occasions, a
its president. In each role, Jay has con- rently serving county leader. Records duly-elected President appointed and
stantly delivered for Kentucky stu- bookend his service, and more accom- the Senate confirmed a Supreme Court
dents. plishments fill the years between. I justice in a Presidential election year:
As president, Jay placed a renewed would like to take a moment to con- John Hessin Clarke: confirmed by the
emphasis on helping students complete gratulate Tommy on his decades of Senate on July 24, 1916; George Shiras,
their degrees with a record number of leadership for LaRue County and to Jr.: confirmed by the Senate on July
graduates and credentials. He also en- thank him for his many contributions 26, 1892; and Melville Fuller: confirmed
ctelli on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE
couraged schools to remove barriers, to to Kentucky. by the Senate on July 20, 1888.
support students pursuing GEDs and Every county judge-executive is re- The Constitution does not limit the
college credit at the same time, and to sponsible for local services such as the President’s nomination powers during
form partnerships with job creators to county’s budget and road maintenance. the fourth year of his term.
close the skills gap. As a result, grad- As LaRue County’s leader, however, I support President Donald J.
uates are gaining the skills to meet Tommy was given an additional—al- Trump’s decision to nominate a justice
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