Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., Oct. 5, 2020)
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated October 5, 2020, at page S6034, under the heading Coronavirus. A Senator says the Judiciary Committee will meet on October 12 to begin considering Judge Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court, using the hybrid format successfully used in more than 20 prior hearings, and accuses Democrats of admitting they will use every tool to delay. A Senator responds that the House passed the Heroes Act in May and that the majority waited until late September to put a COVID bill on the floor that lacked funds for State and local aid, rental or mortgage assistance and SNAP benefits. The page ends with a tribute marking the 130th birthday of America's 34th President and remarks about Latino contributions.
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 (Cong. Rec., Oct. 5, 2020).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-10-05-crec-2020-10-05-pt1-pgs6034-276f708961/
, SHA-256 8204e978989a891a27262333461955958aba667db9918553bd9f9e23c887002f.Full text
S6034 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 5, 2020
Obviously, the people’s business does Weeks ago, the junior Senator from I have wondered about that as I
not come to a halt in the absence of Hawaii pledged: ‘‘I will look for every passed before it in the past, but in light
votes on the floor. The important work procedural tool that I can [find] to of the experience over the last few
of our committees will go forward as make sure that this does not happen.’’ days, I think in order to fairly follow
each committee sees fit. Chairman Weeks ago, the senior Senator from science-based guidelines and give peo-
GRAHAM has already announced the Ju- Massachusetts: ‘‘We need to use every ple warnings about what they should
diciary Committee will meet as tool. . . . We need to think seriously do to protect their health, we might
planned on October 12 to begin consid- about everything we can do to try to consider a different placard.
ering Judge Barrett’s nomination to slow this down.’’
the Supreme Court. We are full steam The No. 2 Democratic Senator, our Briefly, with respect to the majority
ahead with the fair, thorough, and friend from Illinois, has said: ‘‘we [will] leader’s comments—I would love to be
timely confirmation process that use whatever tools we have available’’ working on a COVID bill. The House
Judge Barrett, the Court, and the Na- to ‘‘slow things down.’’ passed a Democratic preferred COVID
tion deserve. Just yesterday, in the very same bill—the Heroes Act—in May. I under-
The chairman has indicated the com- press conference where the Democratic stand the majority leader and his col-
mittee will use the same hybrid for- leader claimed that his latest call to leagues find things about it they don’t
mat—with some participants appearing delay the hearings were rooted in like.
in person and others appearing over health and safety concerns, he gave the
game away just moments later. In that There is no expectation that they
video—that it has successfully used for would just take up the House Demo-
more than 20 prior hearings this year. same press conference, he admitted,
‘‘We will use every tool in the toolbox cratic bill and pass it, but we waited
Let me say that again. The Judiciary through May and then June and then
Committee alone—just that com- to delay’’—so much about health and
safety concerns. July and then August, until finally, in
mittee—has held more than 20 hybrid
Our Democratic colleagues have ad- mid to late September, the majority
hearings since the start of the pan-
mitted out loud what all these stalling put a bill on the floor that we viewed,
demic. Many of these saw multiple
tactics are about. Senate Democrats frankly, as insufficient.
Senators participating via video con-
have openly admitted they are grasp- It contained no funds for State and
ference. Some of them saw nominees
ing at straws to block the exceedingly local government aid, no funds for
participating by video conference. At
well-qualified nominee from receiving
times, the Democratic members of the rental or mortgage assistance, no funds
a fair and prompt process.
committee have gone literally out of Look, we have months of experience for SNAP benefits or food aid. It would
their way to praise this technology and governing this way while protecting have stricken State laws, such as those
the chairman’s flexibility with this for- health and safety here in the Senate. that had been passed in Virginia to try
mat. This body will not cease to function to provide a workplace safety standard
Across all of our committees, we just because Democrats are afraid they for people returning to work in the
have had 150 hybrid hearings since the may lose a vote. Chairman GRAHAM has days of COVID.
pandemic began. The Senate has used all the options and procedures he needs
this format no fewer than 150 times. We We voted the bill down, as the major-
to supervise a fair, thorough, and hope- ity leader knows, but we did so with
have continued performing our con- fully dignified confirmation hearing
stitutional duties while protecting the expectation that that no vote
next week. That is just what is going would function much like the no vote
health and safety during the pandemic. to happen.
Our Democratic colleagues have in March functioned when we came in
I look forward to seeing Judge on a Sunday and we voted down a par-
largely welcomed this approach, and Barrett’s brilliance and qualifications
they have frequently taken advantage tisan proposal, and a few days later, we
on full display starting 1 week from had a bipartisan proposal—the CARES
of it. So whatever mix proves to be the today.
right decision at this time next week, Act—that has helped millions and mil-
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
it will be completely consistent with lions of Americans, small businesses,
pore. The Senator from Virginia.
the committee’s own precedent and hospitals, families.
f
with the ways committees all across We hope that no vote would lead to
the Senate have adapted and done their CORONAVIRUS the same negotiation that could poten-
work throughout the pandemic. Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, I would tially find a solution for Americans
Our whole society is using these like to add, on behalf of my Demo- who are still looking for relief, but the
tools. Earlier today, the Supreme cratic colleagues, the concerns ex- majority wants to now move to a dif-
Court itself resumed conducting oral pressed for the President and First ferent topic. They want to now speed
arguments via teleconference, as it has Lady, that they recover quickly and through a Supreme Court nomination
done since last spring. The Senate has fully. with an unprecedented speed and, in-
been using these processes for months. Having had coronavirus—likely con- deed, an unprecedented process.
Just yesterday, the ranking member of tracted here when we were working on
the Rules Committee reminded the the CARES Act in March—I understand I understand that the majority leader
country that she actually helped set how tricky this can be and, knowing might categorize the Democrats’ con-
them up. four people who died of coronavirus, cerns about proceeding at a time of
It is nonsense for Senate Democrats how serious it can be. Our prayer is great sickness as a procedural trick,
to turn on a dime and now pretend that this is a mild case, and it passes but I don’t think there is any
these procedures are somehow no quickly. unreasonableness to a Judiciary Com-
longer workable. It is nonsense to sug- I also extend the same concern on be- mittee member’s request that a hear-
gest that the tools that Senate Demo- half of my Democratic colleagues for ing on the single most important ap-
crats have been happily using across the Members of the Senate who have pointment that the Senate might make
all of our committees for months have recently tested positive and hope that should be done in person. If it is done
suddenly gone bad overnight. they either have no symptoms or the in person, it should be done in person
Nobody is taking these disingenuous symptoms pass quickly. in a way that is safe. That is the re-
tactics at face value because the Demo- I couldn’t help but notice, as I came quest the Democrats would have and
crats have told everyone, out loud, into the Senate today on the subway that we continue to believe would be in
about their real intentions. For weeks from the Russell building, that there is accord with the institution’s norms but
ctelli on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE
now, numerous Senate Democrats have an advisory that has been posted for also the best thing for the safety of all
publicly promised they would try every months down at the entrance to the Members.
trick in the book—every trick in the Senate that says that we are trying to
book—every maneuver available, to ob- follow CDC guidelines, but the advisory I yield the floor.
struct and delay a fair confirmation placard says nothing about masks— The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
process. nothing. pore. The majority leader.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:15 Oct 06, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05OC6.006 S05OCPT1
October 5, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6035
LEGISLATIVE SESSION poration. For nearly half a century, his in the fields and in packing plants, har-
---
organization, ESDC, has worked in the vesting, and preparing the food that
Pilsen community of Chicago to pre- keeps us fed. Despite the virus and,
MORNING BUSINESS serve historic buildings, build afford- now, the thick smoke of wildfires blan-
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I able new housing, and help create new keting much of the west coast, they re-
ask unanimous consent that the Sen- commercial and industrial economic main on the job.
ate proceed to legislative session and development opportunities. They are Latinos are working as grocery
be in a period of morning business, part of a long and proud tradition of clerks, teachers, postal employees,
with Senators permitted to speak Hispanic men and women whose work servicemembers, and other ‘‘essential
therein for up to 10 minutes each. has made America’s economy more
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- worker jobs.’’ Many of these heroic es-
prosperous and fairer for all of us. sential workers are immigrants, and
pore. Without objection, it is so or- Many Americans know the names
dered. Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. In many are Dreamers. They continue to
work and serve in their communities
f 1966, these two brave labor leaders
helped organize farm workers in Dela- while their own status remains in
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH limbo.
no, CA, to form the United Farm Work-
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, it has ers of America. Standing together, Latino-owned businesses are one of
been said that the United States is like backed by their union, the farm work- the fastest growing segments of Amer-
a brilliant tapestry woven from a daz- ers were able to strike for higher ica’s economy. Nationwide, nearly 1-in-
zling array of colors and patterns into wages, safer working conditions, and 4 newly created businesses today are
a unique whole. If that is true, then the protections for women farm workers Latino-owned. More than 4 million
contributions of Hispanics are surely from sexual violence. Latino-owned businesses provide jobs
among the largest and most vibrant Far fewer people recognize the name for 2.7 million workers. Together, these
swaths in our rich national tapestry, Guadalupe Marshall. She is also a hero businesses pump over $700 billion into
and Hispanic Heritage Month is a good for workers’ rights. Let me tell you America’s economy. In Illinois, 120,000
time to reflect on those contributions. about her. On Memorial Day 1937, 10 Latino-owned businesses generate $15
This celebration runs each year from unarmed union demonstrators from Re- billion and create jobs for 100,000 work-
mid-September to mid-October. The public Steele were shot down by police ers. These passionate entrepreneurs are
dates were chosen to coincide with the in Chicago. Lupe Marshall, who had the heart and pride of their commu-
dates in which several Latin American immigrated to America from Mexico nities. I see them in communities all
nations—including Costa Rica, El Sal- when she was 10 years old, was one of across Illinois. Let me tell you about
vador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nica- the people attending that strike. She some of them.
ragua, Mexico, and Chile—celebrate was a mother of three and a volunteer
their own independence from colonial In Chicagoland, Latino community
social worker at the Jane Addams Hull and business leaders have created pro-
rule. This national celebration used to House. The ‘‘Memorial Day Massacre’’
be just a week long, but in 1988, Con- grams such as the Food for Hope Pro-
is how many history books label the gram and the Big Shoulders Fund to
gress wisely and unanimously voted to carnage at Republic Steele. Three
expand Hispanic Heritage Week to His- distribute free food to families who are
weeks after the killings, Lupe Marshall hungry because of economic hardships
panic Heritage Month. The legislation travelled to Washington, DC, to testify
was sponsored by Congressman Esteban related to the pandemic.
before the Senate about what she had
Torres and my friend and political witnessed. Pedro Perez owns his own mainte-
mentor, Senator Paul Simon. It was She described placing herself on the nance company, PCY General Services.
signed into law by President Ronald front line when shots rang out and then He and his daughter are part of a team
Reagan, a proud, conservative Repub- turning to see many people lying face that diligently disinfects Esperanza
lican who understood that America’s down on the ground. She ran, but she Health Centers on the Southwest Side
heritage as a nation of immigrants is was clubbed in the head and arrested. of Chicago to make sure that the space
one of our greatest sources of Her courage helped to build support is safe for families and for the medical
strength—economically, politically, among the American people and in professionals who work there. What is
culturally and morally. Congress for laws to help working peo- even more remarkable is that he does
The contributions and influence of ple stand together for fair wages, safe all of this without charge. Why? Pedro
Latinos on our Nation has grown dra- working conditions, and civil rights. says, with a smile, because ‘‘it’s his
matically in the three decades since During this Hispanic Heritage community.’’ Every day, in every com-
the establishment of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are especially aware of the munity in Illinois and every corner of
Month. Today there are more than 60 enormous contributions that Hispanic America, you can find stories like
million Latinos in the U.S. Illinois is Americans continue to make to Amer- theirs.
proud to be home to one of the largest ica’s economy. Sadly, we know that The beauty and richness of the
Latino populations in the country, in- this COVID–19 pandemic is taking a Latino community goes beyond food
cluding many people of Mexican, Puer- disproportionate toll on Black and and traditions. At the heart of the
to Rican, and Guatemalan heritage. Brown Americans. Nationwide, Latinos Latino community is an exceptionally
Latinos and Latinas are leaders in are being hospitalized with COVID–19 resilient spirit that has sustained them
every walk of life, including business, at more than 41⁄2 times the rate of through history and is helping to sus-
the arts, sciences, education, sports, White people. In Illinois and several tain America today through the most
entertainment, and public service. A other States, Latinos have the highest severe health and economic crises most
‘‘wise Latina,’’ Justice Sonia COVID–19 infection rates of any ethnic of us has ever experienced. I am hon-
Sotomayor, now serves on the U.S. Su- group. COVID–19 is also threatening ored to represent so many of these
preme Court. Ellen Ochoa, an engineer the livelihoods of Latinos throughout hard-working families in my State and
and the first Latina astronaut, is now the US. Almost 60 percent of Latino look forward to see how they continue
director of NASA’s Johnson Space Cen- households have experienced job loss or to inspire us to keep building a better
ter. Latinas are literally helping Amer- wage reductions during this pandemic. America for everyone.
ica reach for the stars. At the same time, our Nation is rely-
In my home State of Illinois, Dr. ing heavily on Latinos, both citizens f
Juan Andrade, Jr., is the president of and immigrants, to help steer us safely
the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute, through this pandemic. Latinos are DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
based in Chicago. He and his organiza- working on the frontlines of this pan- MEMORIAL
ctelli on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE
tion are doing critical work to educate demic as doctors, nurses, and home
and motivate Latinos to vote and to healthcare workers. They are also Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, on
fill out the Census, ensuring that working around the clock, behind the Wednesday, October 14, 2020, we cele-
Latinos are seen and their voices scenes, to disinfect our workplaces, brate the 130th birthday of America’s
heard. Alexis Esparza is president of schools, stores, and health centers. 34th President and Supreme Com-
Economic Strategies Development Cor- Latino farm workers continue to work mander of the Allied Expeditionary
VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:35 Oct 06, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05OC6.007 S05OCPT1
File and source
- File
- CREC_crec-2020-10-05_crec-2020-10-05-pt1-pgs6034.pdf
- Size
- 230,382 bytes
- SHA-256
- 8204e978989a891a27262333461955958aba667db9918553bd9f9e23c887002f
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov