Congressional Record, Senate, S6304 (October 20, 2020)
Summary
This Senate page of the Congressional Record for October 20, 2020 carries floor remarks on a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program. A Senator says the program was refilled with more money in April and tweaked in June, each time without objection from any Republican or any Democrat. The Senator criticizes Leader McConnell and the Republican majority for putting the Senate on pause for more than 5 months and calls the vote the Republican majority will try to force a stunt. Later remarks say the American people should know what is at stake in the nomination of Judge Barrett to the Supreme Court.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, S6304 (October 20, 2020).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-10-19-crec-2020-10-19-pt2-pgs6304-2-be15c84319/
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S6304 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 20, 2020
The program proved so popular that it ty’s platform—for example, the Presi- But Leader MCCONNELL and the Re-
quickly committed all its funding. So, dent won’t simply hand out endless publican majority have failed to grasp
in April, we refilled it with more sums of cash to chronically mis- the gravity of this situation from the
money. That was unanimous in the managed State and city governments beginning. They put the Senate on
Senate as well. Then, in June, we out of proportion to COVID needs— pause for more than 5 months, while
tweaked the program on the fly to help Speaker PELOSI has seen to it that cases went up and the death toll
small businesses even more. Once working families have gotten nothing mounted. When the time came for
again, it was unanimous—no objection rather than something. them to pull together in August, they
from any Republican or any Democrat So, look, every Senator in this body couldn’t even get Republican Senators
here in the Senate. This program has knows this is not how people act if to agree on one. Eight months into this
had the most bipartisan pedigree pos- they actually want an outcome. Amer- long and brutal crisis, the Republican
sible, and those bipartisan beginnings ican families, working families, have leader is filled with stunts and playing
have led to a major policy success waited months and months for Speaker the smallest of small ball, when so
story. PELOSI to end her ‘‘Marie Antoinette’’ many are hurting.
For millions of Americans from coast act and let Congress find common Today, the Republican majority will
to coast, the PPP has made all the dif- ground. There is no reason this second try to force a stunt—not even a real
ference in the world. It has kept pay- round of the Paycheck Protection Pro- vote on a bill—but it leaves almost the
checks coming into their mailboxes gram should wait another single day. entire country out of the picture. They
and bank accounts where there other- So we are going to vote on this legisla- are holding the vote over a backdrop of
wise would have been pink slips. Every tion today—one clear vote on one clear a dire increase in cases. The majority
State, every town, every city knows program that all in this Chamber say of States are seeing spikes right now.
the difference it has made. they want to pass. Half of all States have had their high-
So where are we today? Well, I will let you in on a secret. est single day ever in total cases in the
That historic first draw of the PPP There is something Senators do when last month.
has wound down; the program has we want something to pass. Here is Experts say we have hard months
closed to new applications; many firms what we do when we want something to ahead of us. It is possible the worst is
have run through their funds, but, pass: We vote for it. It is no counter- yet to come—a second wave. We must
clearly, our economic recovery remains argument to complain that the PPP act now to provide relief to the whole
a work in progress. For many workers, legislation does not also contain 100 country, and our Republican leader and
business has not come roaring back to other things. The entire point is to the Republican Senate are up to a
normal, and it won’t until the health agree where we can and make law stunt and not even negotiating or put-
situation allows it. while we keep arguing over all the rest.
Fortunately, Senator RUBIO and Sen- ting a bill on the floor, and the Amer-
If my Democratic colleagues oppose
ator COLLINS have stepped up again. ican people know it. They know who is
the job-saving PPP, they should come
Our colleagues have legislation that to blame. They blame President Trump
to the floor and say why they oppose it.
will refund and reopen the PPP. It will and the Republican majority. We know
Otherwise, this afternoon should bring
establish a whole second round for the that.
another unanimous vote.
hardest hit small businesses that need I suggest the absence of a quorum. We know, when it comes to COVID,
help the most, and thanks to the ef- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The that the blame correctly falls on the
forts of several colleagues, the legisla- clerk will call the roll. shoulders of Leader MCCONNELL and all
tion will also streamline the program The senior assistant legislative clerk his Republican Senators, who are
and strengthen oversight. proceeded to call the roll. afraid to do anything, who are divided.
I would submit that, even for a Con- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask Anytime Mr. Mnuchin gets on the
gress this divided, even in the year unanimous consent that the order for phone with them, they say: Don’t do
2020, reopening the PPP really ought to the quorum call be rescinded. anything. We are too divided.
be a no-brainer. There is bipartisan The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Everyone knows that.
agreement that American workers still objection, it is so ordered. We must provide real relief. That is
need help, and there is already bipar- RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER what Democrats want to do. But in the
tisan infrastructure in place to provide The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Republican proposal today, there is no
that help, but there is a problem. The Democratic leader is recognized. funding—zero funding—for testing or
PPP has been taken hostage. Just like CORONAVIRUS tracing, the best way to stop this
the funding for safe schools, more fund- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, COVID menace.
ing for testing, more funding for vac- COVID–19 has changed just about every And in the Republican bill tomorrow,
cines, more funding for Federal unem- aspect of American life—every aspect. the funding for testing and the plan for
ployment benefits, and commonsense The bottom line is very simple: The testing is so completely inadequate
legal protections that charities and way Americans work, the way we send that it is laughable, especially given
university presidents have been plead- our kids to school, and the way we run the recent spike in cases.
ing for, the PPP has been taken hos- our businesses have all changed. In the Republican proposal today,
tage by Speaker PELOSI and Leader COVID has derailed the economy. there is nothing for American families,
SCHUMER. Millions of Americans have missed schools, daycare, or food assistance.
The Democratic leaders have spent the rent, missed the mortgage, applied They are left behind—all of them.
months holding out for a long, far-left for unemployment, been forced to skip Renters, homeowners, folks struggling
wish list of non-COVID-related prior- meals. American poverty is beginning to keep a roof over their heads—they
ities and obstructing any additional to increase more dramatically. More are left behind. Americans who have
aid until they get it. All or nothing— than 8 million have gotten sick. More lost their job through no fault of their
that has been their position. Either than 220,000 have died. own and need unemployment insur-
Democrats get every unrelated policy The response here in Congress to a ance—they are left behind in these Re-
they want or American families get pandemic that affects our country in a publican proposals.
nothing. So, for months, they have way we haven’t seen in decades should State and local governments that are
blocked bipartisan aid at every single be to comprehensively provide relief. being forced to slash critical public
turn. The Democratic leader even tried Our mission is not to pick out one or service in the middle of a recession—
last night to adjourn the Senate so we two industries and say ‘‘maybe later’’ they, too, are all left behind.
could do nothing at all for 3 weeks— to the rest. We can’t privilege a small Even on the issue of small business,
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nothing at all for 3 weeks. That is how issue here or there and ask everyone the issue on which this bill is focused,
urgent he thinks it is to help working else to wait. Our mission is to deliver it lacks specific funding for res-
people. He wanted to go home for 3 big for a country and a people who are taurants, for independent theaters and
weeks. suffering direly. Our mission is to meet venues, for local newspapers, TV, radio
Because President Trump will not the needs of the country and leave no stations, critical-need hospitals, mi-
just cave to the entire Democratic Par- one—and leave no one—behind. nority-owned businesses, and all of our
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October 20, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6305
nonprofits. In each of those areas in This bill passed the House over 3 Court—nothing less than their funda-
which the Republican bill is deficient, months ago, and since then, Democrats mental rights as Americans. So, frank-
so many are left behind. have modified the bill to move closer ly, it was an insult to the intelligence
We have bipartisan support for pro- to our Republican counterparts. Still, of the American people for Judge Bar-
grams that are not even being consid- Leader MCCONNELL refuses to even rett to spend the entire Judiciary Com-
ered here today. And why is that? Why bring it up for a vote in the Senate. So mittee hearing dodging every single
is MCCONNELL doing stunts? The truth today Democrats will move to have the question of substance, including ques-
is, because the leader can’t pass any- Senate take a vote on the Heroes Act, tions as to whether voter intimidation
thing on the floor, he is resorting to a a comprehensive bill that does so is illegal or whether the President
series of political stunts. That is all. much, that doesn’t leave all the people could unilaterally delay the election—
Everyone knows it. behind that this proposal does. We will to not be able to answer whether the
The Republican leader himself admit- see where every Republican Senator President could unilaterally delay the
ted that as many as 20 Republican Sen- stands on real COVID relief—not a election? Whoa.
ators don’t want to vote for ‘‘a dime stunt, a fake that leaves people out. Just think about what it means for a
more’’—‘‘a dime more,’’ his quote—of Unlike the partisan, emaciated Re- sitting judge to refuse to answer a
relief for the American people—so out publican COVID relief bill, the Heroes question about voter intimidation—
of touch, so callous, so cruel. Act will not leave large portions of the voting, the wellspring of our democ-
So what we have here is a series of country behind. It will not include poi- racy—because she thinks it is too con-
show stunt votes designed to fail be- son pills like sweeping corporate im- troversial. Think about what it means
cause the Republicans want them to munity provisions that Leader MCCON- for a sitting judge to refuse to answer
fail. It is not going to get the job done NELL has insisted on in every version of a question about the peaceful transfer
for the American people. They can’t
Republican legislation. It will deliver of power—the bedrock of our democ-
even put a real bill on the floor. The
actual relief to American workers, racy—because it might upset her pa-
only bills that they can pass are filled
American families, American States tron, President Trump. It is absurd. No
with poison pills that they know no
and localities and Tribes. It provides one is buying it.
Democrat will support in the House or
assistance for food, rent, and housing; Every election season, Republicans
Senate.
That was the only way they could get real funding for testing and tracing; promise to nominate judges who will
them to vote even for this meager unemployment insurance and aid to tear down our healthcare and roll back
amount in tomorrow’s bill—by telling small businesses of all kinds, not just a the clock on women’s rights. The far
the big corporations: No liability for few. right promises to deliver judges who
This morning, a poll conducted by will dismantle the environmental regu-
you if you egregiously hurt a worker
who has COVID; by telling wealthy the New York Times and Siena Re- lations that keep our air and water
parents: You can pay for private school search showed that 72 percent of Amer- clean and protect our planet from run-
education with a complete tax break— icans, including a clear majority of away global warming. President Trump
free, free, but public schools get left Independents and Republicans, support has made the same promises out loud
out, middle class people get left out, another $2 trillion stimulus package. many times. But as soon as someone is
poor people get left out. Wealthy peo- In other words, 72 percent support the nominated to be a Justice, all of a sud-
ple who send their kids to private Democratic plan to provide COVID re- den that person becomes a legal vacu-
schools—that is it—while they refuse lief. Even President Trump has told um, a cipher, totally devoid of ideas,
to give money to the public schools our Republican Senate colleagues to views, or opinions, even on the ques-
that need the money. ‘‘go big or go home.’’ tions of basic legal, uncontroversial
If Leader MCCONNELL were serious, If my Republican colleagues were lis- fact.
you know what he would be doing. He tening to the American people, they The truth is, Judge Barrett does
would be negotiating. He wouldn’t be would not be playing these partisan have, unfortunately, hard-right views
saying: I can’t negotiate; my caucus is games around small-bore, stunt-driven and opinions on these issues. Her views
divided. He would be leading instead of COVID bills. They would be working are so far away from the American peo-
following the 20 hard-right, cruel, cal- with Democrats on something that ab- ple that none of them could pass in this
lous thoughts of those who don’t want solutely meets people’s needs. Instead, Senate—even though it is controlled by
to spend any money because their the Republican leader is wasting the Republicans—and certainly not in the
wealthy paymasters don’t want to pay American people’s time on a vote he House.
taxes: Let people suffer. I don’t want to knows will fail, and he doesn’t even She has harshly criticized decisions
pay taxes. Let people suffer. I don’t seem to mind. to uphold the Affordable Care Act. She
want government to do anything— NOMINATION OF AMY CONEY BARRETT has been closely affiliated with organi-
when we all know the only real hope Mr. President, on SCOTUS, yester- zations that advocate for the elimi-
here is for a strong, active, and bold day, on a 4-to-4 split ruling, the Su- nation of a woman’s right to choose.
government-led program. The private preme Court declined to hear a case She has drafted judicial opinions on
sector can’t fight COVID alone. The that could have prevented the State of the issue of gun safety that put her far
private sector can’t get us out of this Pennsylvania from counting all the to the right of even Justice Scalia.
deep recession alone. We know that, votes in the November election. It was That is why, in the hearings last
but not the hard-right Republicans. an important decision for democracy week, the president for the Lawyers’
They are stuck in their narrow ideolog- but also a reminder of what is truly at Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
ical prison. stake in a Supreme Court vacancy left said: ‘‘Judge Barrett’s views are far
So instead of stunts, Senators will by Justice Ginsburg. One more vote outside the mainstream.’’ That is why
actually have a chance today to vote provided by a hard-right, Trump-nomi- yesterday the plaintiffs in the deci-
on a real comprehensive bill to address nated Justice could be the difference sions that resulted in marriage equal-
the current state of the country. For between voting rights and voting sup- ity—Obergefell and Hodges—said they
months, Democrats have been pushing pression. oppose Judge Barrett for the Supreme
for the Heroes Act, a second install- Over the past several years, closely Court because she will endanger those
ment of the kind of comprehensive divided decisions of the Supreme Court hard-won rights.
COVID relief we passed in the first bill have meant the difference between So the idea that Judge Barrett is
that brought so much to people, helped having the ability to marry the person some sort of neutral arbiter who will
them stay in their homes, brought pan- you love or not; the ability to have only interpret the law as it is written
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demic unemployment insurance, helped your right to vote protected or not; the is just not believable. She will make
our hospitals, helped our local govern- ability to make personal choices about hugely impactful decisions that will
ments, helped do some testing—testing your own healthcare or not. alter the fabric of American society,
money, by the way, and tracing money, The American people should know starting with what will be one of her
which the Trump administration exactly what is at stake in the nomina- very first cases—a lawsuit pushed by
hasn’t even distributed to the States. tion of Judge Barrett to the Supreme President Trump and Republicans to
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