Congressional Record — Senate, October 20, 2020
Summary
Senate pages of the Congressional Record for October 20, 2020, starting at S6308. A senator ends remarks on a Supreme Court nomination and turns to coronavirus relief, stating that Senate Democrats filibustered a relief bill in September. Ms. COLLINS then speaks for an amendment introduced with Senator RUBIO to extend and strengthen the Paycheck Protection Program, which would make available $258 billion for new PPP forgivable loans. The remarks describe second loans for small employers whose revenues declined by 35 percent or more, a one-page forgiveness form for borrowers of no more than $150,000, and $50 million in audit funding for the SBA. A National Restaurant Association letter dated October 20, 2020 backing the amendment is printed in the Record. The closing page has a senator's remarks on unemployment aid and rental assistance for Michigan families.
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S6308 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 20, 2020
All of the experienced, dedicated, and some Democrats will join us to get ad- none of us could have envisioned that
knowledgeable sitting judges, legal scholars, ditional relief to the American people. the pandemic would be so persistent,
and lawyers who have worked with or The Democrat leadership may be that here in October it would still be
against Judge Barrett had high praise for her
holding coronavirus relief hostage, but forcing shutdowns and mitigation
intellect and ability to communicate clearly
and effectively. . . . Given the breadth, di- rank-and-file Democrats don’t have to. measures that many months later.
versity, and strength of the positive feed- They don’t have to have their all-or- Yet, the cruel fact is that the virus is
back we received from judges and lawyers of nothing wish list. They can come to a still spreading, and many of the steps
all political persuasions and from so many reasonable compromise and give much taken to fight it, while necessary to
parts of the profession, the Standing Com- needed resources to the American peo- protect public health, threaten cata-
mittee would have been hard-pressed to ple. Instead, what they are saying is strophic damage to many small busi-
come to any conclusion other than that zero relief—no relief—is better than nesses and their employees who have
Judge Barrett has demonstrated professional been sustained by the PPP loan funds,
compromising with Republicans. Un-
competence that is exceptional.
fortunately, that is an unfortunate po- but they are still unable to return to
We are fortunate to have a nominee sition for them to be in and a very un- normal operations.
like Judge Barrett, and I look forward fortunate position for the American According to the NFIB, our Nation’s
to confirming her to the Supreme people. largest advocacy group for small busi-
Court in the very near future. I yield the floor. ness, 84 percent of its small business
CORONAVIRUS I suggest the absence of a quorum. members exhausted their PPP loan
Madam President, in addition to con- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The funds by mid-August. Many fear that
sidering Judge Barrett’s nomination clerk will call the roll. they will have to lay off their employ-
this week, the Senate will once again The senior assistant legislative clerk ees—the last thing they want to do—or
be taking up coronavirus relief legisla- proceeded to call the roll. even cease operations altogether if
tion. Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I more support is not forthcoming soon.
We tried this in September, of course, ask unanimous consent that the order In a key letter in support of our
but Senate Democrats filibustered our for the quorum call be rescinded. amendment circulated today, the NFIB
relief bill. But we are going to try The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without also said that its most recent survey
again because we believe there are pri- objection, it is so ordered. shows that 49 percent of its members
orities that need to be met—priorities Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I anticipate needing some sort of addi-
that everyone should be able to agree rise this afternoon in support of the tional financial support in the next 12
on. They are things like helping the amendment that Senator RUBIO and I months.
hardest hit small businesses, getting have introduced to extend and Let me give you an example. I re-
schools the resources they need to safe- strengthen the Paycheck Protection cently learned of a T-shirt printing
ly reopen and safely operate, and pro- Program. It would allow our Nation’s shop in Maine that received a PPP
viding additional healthcare resources hardest hit small businesses to get a loan. It provided a lifeline to get this
to fight the virus. second forgivable PPP loan that they business through the past several
Democrats, of course, have spent a so desperately need. Our amendment months, but with many youth sports
lot of time talking about how we need would make available $258 billion for leagues and school activities still sus-
to pass additional coronavirus relief, new PPP forgivable loans. pended, this business and its employees
but despite being given every oppor- Madam President, as I know you are need more help to sustain them until
tunity to come forward with a realistic aware from your experience in West springtime, when they hope to once
compromise bill, they have continued Virginia, the Paycheck Protection Pro- again be printing T-shirts for little
to insist on bloated legislation that gram has been hugely successful. In the league teams and other sporting
would not only spend taxpayer dollars State of Maine, three out of four of our events.
on noncoronavirus-related measures small businesses have received forgiv- The impact of the pandemic has been
but would not have a chance of becom- able loans totaling $2.9 billion. To put critically acute for our hotels, our res-
ing law. that in context, that is equal to ap- taurants, our B&Bs, and our seasonal
It is very difficult for me to under- proximately half of the entire State businesses that rely on a strong sum-
stand Democrats’ thinking—that is, if budget. Most important of all, those mer to pay their bills throughout the
they really want to get more COVID loans have helped to sustain the jobs of year. A State like mine, which is so de-
relief to Americans and don’t just want more than 250,000 Mainers. pendent on tourism, has been particu-
to use this as a political issue. Nationwide, the PPP has been a crit- larly hard-hit since many of our tour-
I realize that Democrats would like ical lifeline for more than 5 million ism-based businesses lost the first part
to pass exactly the bill they want, but small employers, helping to sustain up- of the summer.
their liberal wish list simply wouldn’t ward of 50 million American jobs. A recent survey by the American
make it through Congress. Democrats As the Washington Post wrote in Hotel and Lodging Association showed
could, however, get something through June following a dramatically better that, if we do not act and act soon to
Congress. than expected jobs report: ‘‘Give some provide additional assistance, 74 per-
Republicans have made it clear from credit to the government relief efforts, cent of our Nation’s hotels will be
the beginning that we are willing to especially the Paycheck Protection forced to lay off more workers, and
compromise with Democrats if they Program, for bringing back jobs.’’ two-thirds could even be forced to close
will just come to the table with a rea- This program has provided one-time their doors entirely.
sonable offer, but Democrats have so loans sufficient to support 8 weeks of The same is true in my State of
far decided that they would rather see payroll plus a limited amount to help Maine. An article published last month
Americans get no relief—zero relief— cover certain overhead expenses, which in the Bangor Daily News reports that
than compromise with Republicans. were completely forgivable as long as the State could stand to lose two-
That is really difficult to understand, borrowers retained and paid their em- thirds of hotels and direct lodging jobs
unless, as I said, Democrats aren’t real- ployees. Our purpose was to help small if Congress doesn’t approve more aid
ly interested in getting more COVID businesses save jobs and pay their soon.
relief to Americans. workers, keeping that all-important Our restaurants are also struggling.
The Democrats’ position makes a lot employer-employee relationship intact While tourists finally started to return
more sense if they are just trying to so that, when businesses could reopen to Maine in August, this summer sea-
exploit this crisis for political gain. and Americans could go back to work, son has understandably been one of the
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But Republicans are going to try it could happen quickly when the pan- slowest on record for my State. With
again this week. The bill that we are demic subsided. the warm weather gone and outdoor
bringing up would address some of the When Chairman RUBIO and I, to- dining no longer feasible, many of our
Nation’s most important coronavirus gether with Senators BEN CARDIN and restaurants can accommodate only
priorities—priorities, I would add, that JEANNE SHAHEEN, put the PPP together about half as many customers as they
are bipartisan priorities. I hope that at the onset of the national emergency, used to be able to accommodate and
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October 20, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6309
still comply with the CDC guidelines. ity food supply needed to operate be- program to secure the jobs of small
They fear that they may not be able to cause they have fallen behind in their businesses and also to ensure that
make it through the winter without bills. these small businesses stay afloat. We
further help. Fourth, we extend PPP to small want to make sure that small busi-
A few days ago, I received an email 501(c)(6) organizations that are not lob- nesses, which employed the majority of
from a couple who owns an award-win- bying organizations and that have 150 people in this country, are able to keep
ning restaurant in Portland, ME. This or fewer employees, such as local their employees employed.
couple told me that they would have chambers of commerce, economic de- We can continue to work to find com-
closed without the PPP loan but that velopment organizations, and tourism mon ground—and I am involved in
they haven’t taken a paycheck since offices. They are doing a great job rep- those efforts—on other policies to help
March and simply cannot make it resenting their members through this support the health and safety of Ameri-
through the winter without a second crisis. cans and the safe, responsible opening
round. Fifth, we would allow forgivable loan of our communities. We need more re-
They put it as follows: funds to be spent through December 31 sources for tests and vaccine develop-
[We] love that PPP enabled us to keep in and clarify that borrowers can apply ment; for aid to municipalities and
contact with our staff, even when they were for loan forgiveness at the time of their
not able to work in the beginning [due to the
schools; for assistance to our
choosing after 8 weeks from the loan lobstermen, our fishermen, our farm-
State restrictions]. Furthermore, it helped origination.
us to be able to hire them back so that we ers, our loggers, and to our aviation
Sixth, we greatly simplify the loan and motor coach industries. We need
could reopen immediately. [But] at this
point, we are staying open only to support forgiveness process for smaller bor- more assistance for childcare and for
our employees. The new PPP would give us rowers. Those who make a good-faith the U.S. Postal Service.
the needed funds to limp through winter, effort to comply with the program’s re-
while still keeping our staff employed and quirements would be able to use a one- Now is the time to move forward on
our customers safe. page, simplified loan forgiveness form this bill, on this proposal, to extend
I am sure that many other Members if they borrowed no more than $150,000. and strengthen the PPP before we lose
of the Senate are seeing the same in We also make the loan forgiveness more small businesses, before their em-
their States, and that is why it is so process less complex for borrowers of ployees are forced out of their jobs. So
important that we renew once again loans between $150,000 and $2 million. let’s act today. It is past time to put
this very successful program. Seventh, we provide the SBA with $50 aside partisan bickering to provide this
As you know, we went through the million in additional audit funding to much needed relief for the American
first $359 billion in just 13 days. That is ensure that it has the resources nec- people.
what the demand was like. Then we essary to protect the program against I urge all of our colleagues to join us
passed additional legislation to replen- fraud. Regrettably, there are always in support of this important action to
ish the program with $320 billion, but going to be those who attempt to ex- renew and strengthen the PPP
we only extended the date to August 8 ploit a program, and that is why we program.
for applicants for the program. We need want to beef up the audit capacity. There being no objection, the mate-
to reopen it up to those who didn’t Finally, our amendment includes a rial was ordered to be printed in the
apply the first time and now find them- series of set-asides to ensure that RECORD, as follows:
selves in need and to allow the hardest smaller borrowers and underserved
NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION,
hit businesses to receive a second PPP communities get the help they need. October 20, 2020.
loan. These set-asides include money for bor- Hon. MARCO RUBIO,
We also need to do this to help our rowers with 10 or fewer employees; $10 U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
nonprofits that are also struggling to billion for community financial insti- Hon. SUSAN COLLINS,
survive, and that is why we simply tutions, such as small community U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
must put aside any partisan politics. banks and credit unions; and $10 mil- DEAR SENATOR COLLINS AND SENATOR
This program was the product of bipar- lion for the Minority Business Develop- RUBIO: The National Restaurant Association
tisan negotiations that went on day ment Agency. In addition, the amend- writes to you in support of the recently-filed
after day, night after night, and we ment directs the SBA to issue guidance amendment, ‘‘Continuing the Paycheck Pro-
tection Program,’’ scheduled for a vote
came together. addressing barriers to accessing capital
today.
Let me describe the key points in for minority, underserved, veteran, and
this proposal. First, the amendment women-owned businesses. As you know all too well, the restaurant
industry has been uniquely hard-hit by the
would allow those small employers The Paycheck Protection Program is
COVID–19 pandemic. Our industry has lost
that have seen their revenues decline the result of a bipartisan commitment more jobs and more revenue than any other.
by 35 percent or more in the first, sec- to support our small businesses, our Over the past 7 months, nearly one in six res-
ond, or third quarter of this year com- nonprofits, and their employees during taurants (representing roughly 100,000 estab-
pared to the same quarter last year to this pandemic. It has been a tremen- lishments) have closed, and more than 2 mil-
receive an additional Paycheck Protec- dous success, but many small busi- lion restaurant employees are still without a
tion Program loan. nesses and nonprofits simply require job today as a result of furloughs and clo-
Second, because we want to target more help now in order to survive, sures. The restaurant industry is on track to
this additional assistance to the busi- lose a staggering $240 billion in revenue by
given the length and persistence of this
the end of this year.
nesses that need it most, we generally pandemic.
limit eligibility to entities that have This amendment provides that help. Since March, the National Restaurant As-
sociation has called for a comprehensive,
300 or fewer employees, rather than 500. It is supported by the National Federa- restaurant-specific response from Congress
Third, we expand the list of forgiv- tion of Independent Business, the Na- to assist the nation’s second-largest private-
able PPP expenses in some very com- tional Restaurant Association, the sector employer. We continue to call for this,
monsense ways. We allow forgiveness American Hotel and Lodging Associa- but a comprehensive agreement seems un-
for the supplier costs and investments tion, the International Franchise Asso- likely before the elections, and restaurants
in facility modifications and personal ciation, and HospitalityMaine. are in danger of being left behind.
protective equipment for the business Madam President, I ask unanimous If Congress cannot approve comprehensive
to operate safely for its employees and consent to have printed in the RECORD support this year, a second round of funding
its customers. Examples would be the letters of support for our amend- for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
those plexiglass guards—the shields we ment at the conclusion of my remarks. will at least provide transitional support for
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are seeing everywhere—masks for em- Madam President, I urge our col- restaurants as we approach the winter
months. We appreciate your leadership in de-
ployees, of course, and patio insula- leagues to support this amendment, to
veloping the PPP, in providing more flexi-
tions and related outdoor furnishings. do so now, even if you disagree on bility in its use, and for your calls to ensure
This is especially important to res- other issues that may be taken up. that Congress does not leave Washington
taurants facing dining restrictions and Surely, we can come together and ex- without providing something for the short-
those struggling to get the high-qual- tend this bipartisan, highly successful term survival of restaurants.
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S6310 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 20, 2020
On behalf of our membership, our state res- businesses. NFIB urges Congress to set aside our workforce is devastating. The economic
taurant association partners, and our work- disagreements on other policies and pass leg- impact to our industry is equally as dra-
force, we urge the Congress to at a minimum islation to help small business owners imme- matic, estimated to be nine times greater
pass a second round of PPP for implementa- diately. than the September 11th terrorist attacks.
tion this year. NFIB strongly supports the Continuing the According to Oxford Economics. the industry
Sincerely, Paycheck Protection Program Act amend- is expected to lose more than fifty percent of
SEAN KENNEDY, ment and a vote to advance the legislation its total revenue in 2020.
Executive Vice President, Public Affairs. will be considered an NFIB Key Vote for the In a recent survey of hotel employers.
116th Congress. AHLA found that 74% of hoteliers reported
NFIB, Sincerely, they would be forced into further layoffs
October 20, 2020. KEVIN KUHLMAN, without additional government support, such
DEAR SENATOR: On behalf of NFIB, the na- Vice President, Federal Government a second PPP draw. Nearly half of hotel own-
tion’s leading small business advocacy orga- Relations, NFIB. ers reported that they are in danger of fore-
nization. I write in strong support of the closure due to the pandemic. The hotel in-
Continuing the Paycheck Protection Pro- HOSPITALITY MAINE. dustry desperately needs additional relief to
gram Act offered by Senators Marco Rubio Senator SUSAN COLLINS, survive this crisis.
and Susan Collins. This amendment would Washington, DC. On behalf of the more than 33,000 small
provide necessary and targeted financial as- DEAR SENATOR COLLINS: I am writing this business hotels and the millions of associates
sistance to small businesses for the purposes letter in support of another round of PPP. they employ, I urge you to support this leg-
of keeping workers employed and keeping My understanding is that there are those islation and to allow the many thousands of
their doors open during the ongoing public that feel funding restaurants through the hotel owners across the country access to
health crisis. A vote to advance the Con- RESTAURANTS Act should be the only hos- this program. Without immediate relief from
tinuing the Paycheck Protection Program pitality funding provided in a Federal stim- Congress, hotel businesses and the jobs they
Act amendment will be considered an NFIB ulus bill. As an association that represents provide will be lost permanently. Thank you
Key Vote for the 116th Congress. both small lodging and restaurant businesses for your consideration of this critical mat-
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in the State of Maine, I can assure you that ter.
has been a vital financial assistance tool to both have been hit equally as hard. In the Sincerely,
over 5 million small businesses, helping State of Maine, one could argue that with BRIAN CRAWFORD,
these businesses maintain employees and as- the very stringent reopening guidelines and Executive Vice President, Government Affairs.
sisting with expenses such as rent, utilities, embargoes on certain states to come here, Ms. COLLINS. I yield the floor.
and mortgage interest. Unfortunately. the that our small lodging properties may have I suggest the absence of a quorum.
negative economic consequences of COVID– been hit harder. In a state where the average The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
19 on small businesses have lasted longer size lodging business is 14 rooms, we are not
than Congress anticipated when the clerk will call the roll.
talking big business. We are speaking of The senior assistant legislative clerk
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Secu- mom and pop inns and bed and breakfasts
rity (CARES) Act was enacted in late March. proceeded to call the roll.
that will have a difficult time surviving the
The amendment provides more than $250 winter.
Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I
billion in funds to allow for second PPP We are not opposed to the RESTAURANTS ask unanimous consent that the order
loans for small businesses if they dem- Act, quite the contrary, we support it whole- for the quorum call be rescinded.
onstrate 35% quarterly revenue loss this heartedly, along with a reasonable form of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
year: NFIB supports allowing a small busi- assistance to the many other business sec- objection, it is so ordered.
ness to receive a second PPP loan. The op- tors both inside and outside of the hospi- Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President,
portunity for second PPP loans would sig- tality space. In Maine there are first, I would like to commend my col-
nificantly help small businesses who con- windjammers, attractions, museums, music
tinue to be negatively impacted by economic league, the Senator from Maine, for her
venues and yes small inns and hotels that absolute, unquestioned leadership in
disruptions of COVID–19. could also use some help. Let’s make sure we
Additionally. the amendment expands the this issue of paycheck protection. She
don’t leave them behind.
definition of PPP expenses to include certain
Sincerely,
knows, in Maine, as I do in Wyoming,
operational expenditures, property damage the importance of small businesses to
GREG DUGAL,
costs, certain supplier costs, and worker pro- our communities, to our Main Streets,
Director of Government Affairs.
tection expenditures, as well as allows small to the vitality of our economies, and
business borrowers to select a flexible cov-
AMERICAN HOTEL & LODGING she has led the fight from the begin-
ered period to utilize their PPP loan funds.
ASSOCIATION, ning of coronavirus to make sure our
NFIB supports expanding eligible expenses
October 20, 2020. businesses would remain viable; that
to help small businesses cover essential re-
Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL,
opening and operational expenses and pro- they would have opportunities to keep
Majority Leader, U.S. Senate,
viding flexibility regarding timing of PPP people on the payroll; that they can
Washington, DC.
expenditures. continue to contribute to their commu-
The amendment also simplifies the PPP Hon. CHUCK SCHUMER,
loan forgiveness process, allowing small Democratic Leader, U.S. Senate, nities.
businesses who received a loan of $150,000 or Washington, DC. She was the one who brought up this
less to attest to a good faith effort to comply DEAR LEADER MCCONNELL AND LEADER idea in the first place, shepherded it all
with PPP loan requirements and obtain for- SCHUMER: On behalf of the American Hotel & the way through Congress as part of
giveness. NFIB supports providing a more ef- Lodging Association (AHLA), the sole na- the CARES Act, and continues in that
ficient way to demonstrate compliance and tional association representing all segments
leadership role today.
receive forgiveness as the vast majority of of the U.S. lodging industry, including iconic
I come here today on the floor to
small business owners have exhausted their global brands, hotel owners and franchisees,
lodging real estate investment trusts first commend my colleague from
PPP funds and are preparing to apply for for- Maine and also to talk about the ongo-
giveness. (REITs), hotel management companies, inde-
Economic conditions are putting signifi- pendent properties, bed and breakfasts, state ing fight against coronavirus and the
cant stress on the financial health of many hotel associations, and industry suppliers, I plan forward, guided by data and doc-
small business owners struggling to balance write in strong support of the Continuing the tors, to put the disease behind us and
lower sales with fixed expenses, and longer- Paycheck Protection Program Act (S. 4773) let all of these small businesses that
term sustainability. More than one-in-five introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R– the Senator from Maine has been work-
(21%) small business owners report that they ME) and Marco Rubio (R–FL). This impor-
ing to allow to continue to strive and
will have to close their doors if current eco- tant legislation would enable hotels and
other small businesses access to a second to thrive.
nomic conditions do not improve over the
next six months. With the realization that draw of the historic and bipartisan Paycheck Those in the fight against the virus—
lower than average sales are likely for Protection Program, giving them a financial and I talk to you as a doctor now—con-
months to come, many small business own- lifeline to keep their employees on the pay- tinue to hold our respect and our admi-
ers urgently need additional financial assist- roll and doors open. ration. They are doing remarkable
ance. According to NFIB’s most recent sur- The hotel industry continues to be deci- work in community hospitals and clin-
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vey, 49% of small business owners who re- mated by the COVID–19 pandemic. According ics all around the country. And across
ceived PPP loan and/or an Economic Injury to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the
the country, as a result of the PPP pro-
Disaster Loan (EIDL) anticipate needing ad- leisure and hospitality space has lost 4.1 mil-
lion jobs since February and the accommoda- gram, our Main Streets are getting a
ditional financial support in the next 12
months. tions sector has an unemployment rate of little busier; our economy is gaining
There is bipartisan agreement to provide a 34.5% compared to the national average of strength; kids are going back to school;
targeted second round of PPP loans to small 8.4%. The human toll on our employees and and even some football is being played.
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October 20, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6311
Most importantly, we are learning coming election. I mean, I sincerely many, many, many more examples. At
more about this disease and how we hope that Americans aren’t being used last count, somewhere around 400 bills
can successfully treat COVID–19. What to score political points or to damage have come over to us from the House of
doctors and clinicians and researchers political opponents. Surely, that can’t Representatives—many bipartisan—
and scientists have been able to accom- be the reason. It would be unthinkable. that have not been considered by the
plish in such a relatively short period The Speaker and Senator SCHUMER U.S. Senate.
of time is nothing short of remarkable. need to set aside all of their political Then, of course, the Republican lead-
These men and women are fighting a demands and focus on the people in ership changes the rules when it suits
battle every day in the labs and the need. They need to set aside the waste- itself in order to do what it wants to
hospitals around the world; they are ful spending that is unrelated to this do, particularly with judicial confirma-
racing against time; and they are sav- battle in order to save lives and set tions. We are seeing that right now in
ing lives. They are our heroes today at aside their opposition to more money the attempt to fill Justice Ginsburg’s
work all across our Nation. for a lifesaving vaccine. Now is the vacancy. They are changing the rules.
An effective vaccine will allow every- time to make an agreement that would The rules that apply to the Democrats
one to get back to work and to school. actually benefit Americans today. don’t apply to the Republicans. They
It will also be the protection our most There is an urgency. We need to act, do whatever they want to do. That is
vulnerable Americans desperately and we should act now. not what we should be doing. Now we
need: our seniors, patients with pre- To paraphrase Winston Churchill, see the Republican leadership circum-
existing conditions, anyone confined to this virus can do its worst, but we will venting and abusing the rules of the
a nursing home. do our best. U.S. Senate as it relates to our respon-
Congress has already directed $10 bil- We are doing our best. We are doing sibility with COVID–19.
lion for vaccine development. I, for our best to get through this together, Everyone knows, including the Re-
one, and other Members of the Repub- to get a safe and effective vaccine, and publican leader, that we are not going
lican conference believe that we should to get our economy and lives back on to enact the bill that is currently be-
be doing more. A month ago, the Sen- track. It is time to pass targeted relief. fore the Senate without the amend-
ate tried to begin debate on our plan to This is the path forward for America. ments being offered by the majority
finish the fight against coronavirus. I yield the floor. leader. Why are we taking up these
The bill we brought to the floor of the I suggest the absence of a quorum.
issues? There is one simple answer: po-
Senate would get people back to work The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs.
litical cover votes. That is the only
safely, would get kids back to school BLACKBURN). The clerk will call the
reason for it, but there is a con-
safely, and would put the disease be- roll.
sequence to this. It makes it more dif-
hind us. Instead, Democrats, on this The senior assistant legislative clerk
ficult for us to get relief to those who
very floor—on this very floor—blocked proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, I ask need it. Whether it be small businesses
the focused, targeted bill. or whether it be our schools or whether
Now, this week, Democrats once unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded. it be our State and local governments
again are blocking another vote on re-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without or whether it be those who are unem-
lief for coronavirus—relief that is need-
objection, it is so ordered. ployed or whether it be American fami-
ed all around the country; relief that I
Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, once lies, it makes it more difficult because,
hear about in Wyoming and, Madam
again, the Republican leadership is cir- as we are taking up these issues, Sec-
President, you do in West Virginia; re-
cumventing and abusing the rules of retary Mnuchin, on behalf of the
lief that our constituents talked to us
the U.S. Senate. In this Congress, this Trump administration, and Speaker
about as we travel our States.
has happened over and over and over PELOSI are negotiating, from which we
So why are the Democrats blocking
again—denying debate on the Senate hope there will be a comprehensive
this legislation? Well, it must be some-
floor, where we have the opportunity package to deal with COVID–19.
thing significant to make them block
giving aid to the American people when to offer amendments and have a de- I must tell you that Secretary
the people need it most urgently. Well, bate, which the Senate is very famous Mnuchin has a very difficult challenge.
maybe this is why: Maybe the Repub- historically for engaging in. I can give First, he has to represent the President
lican bill doesn’t include millions of you numerous examples. of the United States, who changes his
dollars in tax breaks for rich people in There is Justice in Policing. After all mind every few minutes on whether he
New York and California. The Demo- of the problems that we have seen wants a package or doesn’t want a
cratic House-passed bill includes those around our country, there has been no package, which makes it very difficult
things. Now, the Republican bill opportunity on the floor of the Senate for Secretary Mnuchin to negotiate
doesn’t give taxpayer money to people to consider legislation, to offer amend- with Speaker PELOSI. Then he has to
who are in the country illegally, but ments, and have debate. deal with the Republicans in the U.S.
the Democratic House-passed bill does As for the environmental challenges Senate. We will be voting tomorrow, I
do that. that our Nation and world face, there understand, on a proposal from the Re-
The Republican bill doesn’t bail out has been no debate on the floor of the publicans that will be less than one-
States that were mismanaged way be- U.S. Senate. third of the amount of money that
fore anyone had ever heard of the As for gun safety, we have heard President Trump has authorized in ne-
coronavirus. Well, the Democratic from students and communities of all gotiations, pulling us further apart and
House-passed bill does that as well. of the tragedies that have occurred making it more difficult for us to reach
The Republican bill doesn’t include during this Congress, but there has an agreement to help the people of this
money for marijuana banking, but the been no debate on the floor of the U.S. country.
House-passed bill does all of these Senate, where we would have an oppor- Since mid-May and again several
things. tunity to offer amendments and have a months ago, the House did its work. It
It is hard to believe these are the rea- full debate. sent over to us a comprehensive bill to
sons the Democrats are preventing As for immigration reform, it is deal with the next phase of COVID–19.
coronavirus relief from reaching the something that has been talked about There have been no efforts—none what-
President’s desk, but just look at the a great deal, but there has been no real soever—by the Republican leader to
differences in the priorities. action taken on the floor of the U.S. bring that legislation to the floor of
The Democrats are refusing money Senate during this Congress. the U.S. Senate so that we can have an
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for Americans until Congress funds With election reform, once again, open and full debate with amendments
their laundry list of unrelated liberal there has been no debate on the floor of as to what to do. That bill has been
items for their favored liberal special the U.S. Senate and no opportunity to here since mid-May, and we can’t find
interest groups. Now, I hope the real offer amendments. the time to have that type of debate.
reason this coronavirus relief bill is We are not doing what the American So what is Leader MCCONNELL sug-
being blocked isn’t because of an up- people expect us to do, and I can name gesting? You will have to follow this
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S6312 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 20, 2020
because I know, if it were not so seri- COVID–19. We need more help, not less ticipate fully in our economy. But
ous, the public would find it somewhat help, so we need a second round. until they are confident they can do
amusing. I am frustrated in regard to the pro- that safely, the economy will not re-
First, he wants to withdraw the visions affecting small business. I say bound the way it needs to. So small
amendment that was championed by that because Senator RUBIO, the Re- businesses need a comprehensive ap-
the Republicans that deals with pre- publican chair of the Committee on proach.
existing conditions. I must tell you Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Food services are still doing very
that we all on our side of the aisle said and I, as ranking Democrat of that poorly, and now we are entering into
that this was just another political committee, were proud to work to- the cold months, when it is more dif-
cover vote. Now Leader MCCONNELL is gether and put the interest of our ficult to eat outdoors. It means res-
making that prediction very clear by country first and develop the tools that taurants are going to need more help,
withdrawing it and offering it again were included in the CARES Act, which not less.
later as an effort to block the Demo- included, yes, the Paycheck Protection The hospitality industry is still very
crats from being able to offer a clean Program, the PPP. It also included much impacted by COVID–19. We know
vote on an amendment. We are going to EIDL loans and grants. that there are no large gatherings or
make it a clean vote anyway, but that It also included loan forgiveness in events. The travel and tourism indus-
is his motivation. He is withdrawing an effort to help small businesses. It try has taken a hit. I saw that during
the amendment that deals with pre- was truly a bipartisan working effort. COVID–19, during the summer months,
existing conditions so that it will no We were, I think, the first of the dif- down on the beaches when the normal
longer be a part of the bill. ferent provisions that were included in crowds were not there. We will see it
Then he is going to offer an amend- the CARES Act that were basically again this winter in the western part of
ment to the underlying message, S. 178, worked out in a bipartisan manner. our State, as we see fewer people are
which is legislation that deals with But that is not the process the major- traveling to Deep Creek Lake.
sanctions against China. You heard me ity leader is following today. The pro- We all recognize that we need to give
right. This is a message on legislation posal he is making is not a bipartisan attention to these types of conditions
that deals with sanctions against proposal that has been worked on by to get consumers back, that this econ-
China. It already includes the under- omy is OK, to help small business.
Senator RUBIO and me. We haven’t
Now, the House has acted not once
lying amendment that Leader MCCON- come together. We could easily resolve
but twice, and Senator MCCONNELL in-
NELL is offering—the amendment that our differences; I have no doubt about stead brings up a bill one-third the
we are voting on in a few minutes. it. If we get the parameters on how offer the President—less than one-third
Then he is going to file a motion to much money we have, and give us a few of the offer the President has already
table, which means he will want to kill minutes to negotiate, we will come to put on the table and probably about a
the amendment. Then he is going to an agreement, as we have done in the quarter—less than a quarter of what
vote against his own motion. I hope past. I have every confidence in the the Democrats have passed in their
you all can follow that. world that we will do it. But this proc- most recent bill.
Here is the irony or hypocrisy of all ess doesn’t further that aim—a process So Senator MCCONNELL is going to
of this: If the motion to table carries, that cannot lead to help for our small first file an amendment that would
the provisions that are in the amend- businesses. provide a second round of the Paycheck
ment are still in the underlying bill. In Let’s talk about what our small busi- Protection Program. I agree we should
other words, it has no effect whatso- nesses need. have a second round of the Paycheck
ever because it is already in the bill. So First, they need comprehensive help. Protection Program. We need a second
this is a vote for one purpose only—to Similar to what we did in the CARES round—that is nothing new. We have
give political cover. The American peo- Act, they need a second major influx of had hearings in our committee where
ple understand that, and they under- help. They need help for State and Secretary Mnuchin acknowledged that,
stand that this is strictly about deal- local government. Why? Because the the Democrats acknowledged it, and
ing with a partisan, political type of stability of the services provided by the Republicans acknowledged it.
trickery, and we should have no part of State and local government is criti- I filed legislation in June with Sen-
that. cally important for the climate in ator SHAHEEN on a second round of
Let’s talk about the process that we which small businesses need to operate PPP—in June. It is now October, and
have used. There will be no chance in to get back to some degree of nor- we haven’t brought that bill to the
this legislation of helping businesses malcy. floor so we could reconcile differences
with the passage of a comprehensive They need help for our schools be- if we were going to bring it up on its
bill under the approach taken by the cause our schools need to reopen as own, if it is not going to be part of a
Republican leader. Now, there is a fully as they can safely, whether it is comprehensive package. But what
model we could follow. It has worked virtual or in classroom or hybrid, and Leader MCCONNELL is saying is we are
before, and it can work again. Look at they don’t have the resources to do it. going to bring it up on our own, but it
the CARES Act. We had partisan dif- Our economy will not get back on doesn’t take into consideration the les-
ferences, and we bridged those partisan track unless parents are confident sons we learned from the Paycheck
differences. We worked together and about the educational opportunities of Protection Program, the first round.
put the American people’s interests their children and can fully participate What did we learn? We learned that
first. As a result, we passed the CARES in our economy knowing their children underbanked, underserved commu-
Act with a proud 97-to-0 vote in the are safe. Small businesses need that nities were not treated fairly; that
U.S. Senate and provided desperately type of support. they didn’t have the relationship with
needed help in dealing with the COVID– They need help for the people who the banks that allow them to get the
19 pandemic itself, in dealing with the are unemployed. That $600 a week went money in a timely way, get as large of
health professionals and the public directly to helping small businesses by a loan as the more established small
health people, and for testing and for providing customers that use small businesses were able to get; that the
vaccine development. We provided businesses. lenders were more likely to do business
money for State and local govern- We have 12 million Americans who with those who had existing relations,
ments, and we provided money for busi- are uninsured today. We didn’t antici- with the larger loans; and that we
nesses and taxpayers. We also dealt pate that in March when we passed the needed to empower the mission lenders
with unemployment insurance. We did CARES Act, that we would still have who go into underserved communities
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all of that. those numbers. and we needed to concentrate on the
When we passed that bill in March, We need a comprehensive approach, smaller and the smallest of the small
we thought this pandemic would be be- and, yes, we need to get COVID–19 businesses. If you look at what is being
hind us by now and that we wouldn’t under control. We need confidence brought forward today, the legislation
still be in the first wave and be increas- among Americans that it is OK to go does not adequately provide for the un-
ing the numbers of people infected with out and shop and use services and par- derserved community.
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October 20, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6313
We also learned from the first round prehensive approach. It has been com- the ranking member, the Senator from
of help in the CARES Act about the promised. We could open it to amend- Maryland you just heard from. We
importance of the Economic Injury ment. We could debate it and pass it worked on it—I think it was 6 or 7
Disaster Loan Program, the EIDL Pro- and provide comprehensive relief. It in- days. And it wasn’t a perfect program.
gram. Now, you see, the EIDL Program cludes all of the small business provi- Like anything new, this big, that fast,
provides loans, and those loans are sions that I mentioned earlier. They it had some hiccups, and we worked in
critically important because that is are included in the House-passed bill. a bipartisan way with the administra-
working capital. That is not just pay- They passed a couple weeks ago. tion to implement it.
roll; it is working capital. Small busi- If Leader MCCONNELL is just deter- I will say this without any reserva-
nesses need long-term, low-interest mined to bring a small business bill to tion: It was by far the single most ef-
EIDL loans that are able to be paid the floor, then I have filed such legisla- fective piece of that CARES package,
over a long period of time and to get a tion today with many of my col- and there isn’t a day that goes by when
break in the first year or two where leagues—a bill that works with issues I am back in Florida or, frankly, any-
they don’t even have to make pay- of concern to small businesses, which is where in the country that I don’t hear
ments. very much bipartisan. It includes not about it. I don’t know anyone who
They needed the EIDL loans, but we only the second round of PPP but also hasn’t. One of the most common
also created an EIDL grant program. includes important help for the under- themes when we go places is a small
Now, I must tell you something. Many banked communities and mission lend- business owner who says PPP was a
small businesses—particularly the ers. It provides real help for the small- lifesaver, and then they ask: Is there
smaller of the small businesses—are re- er of the small businesses. It increases more on the way, because we are still
luctant to take out any more loans. the EIDL Program—similar to the struggling?
They don’t know how they are going to Rosen-Cornyn bill but also adds a new That it is a lifesaver is without ques-
pay them off. They need grants. They opportunity for grants under the EIDL tion. I mean, I look at Florida. Over
need grants. We provided originally $10 Program. It strengthens programs in 430,000 of these PPP loans—which, real-
billion and then another $10 billion. We areas for the hospitality industry, for ly, in most cases are going to end up
provided $20 billion, but that is gone. our local newspapers, for our non- being grants—were made. That is $32
We need to replenish that money for profits. It provides help in many of the billion of relief into our economy. The
the grant program. The amendment small business existing programs, such ranking member’s home State—87,000. I
the leader is bringing up doesn’t pro- as the loan forgiveness program. The looked at some other States just quick-
vide any help for that grant program. cost of small business loans are re- ly on the way over here. Iowa, 61,000. In
In addition, we need to think more duced. Microloans are improved. North Carolina, 129,000 of these were
strategically about grants under the We could bring up that legislation, made. Michigan, 128,000. Arizona,
EIDL Program, and there is a way of and then we have a bill that really 85,000. In Colorado, 109,000 of these were
doing that. I will come back to that in deals with small business that can be made. Montana, 23,000. The State of
a minute. It is not in the leader’s debated, amended. We can have amend- Maine, where Senator COLLINS was a
amendment. ments and vote on it. But at least we key part of all this, 28,000. Georgia,
We need to do something about the have a comprehensive bill that has a neighboring Florida, 174,000. I could go
arbitrary cap that the administration chance of being enacted. Why do I say on and on.
placed on the EIDL loans. They placed it has a chance of being enacted? Be- Another thing we should be really
a $150,000 cap. The law says $2 million. cause the House has already acted on proud about as far as PPP is that two-
They compromised the effectiveness of this. It is included in their package. We thirds of the loans—the grants—were
this. don’t have to try to conference this. under $50,000, which tells you about the
Now, here is the good news. We have Look, we should have passed this size of these businesses. In fact, 70 per-
bipartisan support for these changes. months ago, but we all know elections cent—70 percent—of these were made
Senator ROSEN and Senator CORNYN are coming up in 2 weeks. We have to to businesses that had 10 employees or
have filed legislation that would allow act if we are going to act. Here is a bill fewer. By far, it was the most effective
us to move forward with the EIDL Pro- we can act on now and get done be- thing we did.
gram, but it is not in the amendment cause we know the House has already You can look at the jobs figures. I
being offered by the majority leader. voted on a similar package. have this chart up here just to show it.
There are so many other programs in We know small businesses need help. PPP and small business employment—
the small business field that are impor- They are in desperate need of help. Our you look at the precipitous dropoff in
tant. There is the loan forgiveness pro- economy needs help. Americans need March, and then once PPP began to get
gram—Senator COONS worked on that— the Senate to stop playing procedural disbursed, you see those numbers, and
that forgives loans for 6 months under political games and to be serious about as the disbursal goes up, the chart goes
the 504 and the 7(a) programs. We can taking up legislation that can deal up.
reduce the cost of small business loans. with their needs. Now, are they perfect? No. Will we
We can approve microloans. I could I am ready at any time to sit down want it back up here? Of course. Are
mention so many other areas where we with my Republican colleagues and there businesses that didn’t make it?
could provide help. work out such legislation, but the way Sadly, yes. But there are people work-
We know we have specific industries the majority leader is going about this ing right now. There are small busi-
that need special attention, such as the is just wrong, and it should not be sup- nesses that were going to be wiped off
restaurant industry, such as local ported by any of us. the face of this country’s economy that
newspapers, such as nonprofits that I yield the floor. are open to this day because of what we
weren’t covered under the first PPP The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- were able to do. But it expired, mean-
program. Those are not covered under ator from Florida. ing that you could only get it once.
Leader MCCONNELL’s amendment. Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, I don’t There was a date where it cut off. The
Here is the tragedy: There is no op- know of any topic that is more sup- ranking member wisely moved and we
portunity under this process for us to ported around here than the helping of all agreed and we were able to extend it
correct errors in Senator MCCONNELL’s small businesses. I think the biggest by another month to help people apply,
amendment. No chance to amend. evidence of that is that I would venture but now you can’t go back.
Never had a chance to amend. Never to guess almost every Member of this So what do you do? You are a busi-
went through the committee. And, by body has at some point gone back ness or restaurant, for example, and
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the way, is on a bill unrelated to this home and bragged about what we were you used PPP once and have expended
relief and has no chance of passage. able to achieve together in a bipartisan that money over 24 weeks, and now you
That is not what we should be doing. way. are in the same boat or potentially in
We have other options. We could bring And to remind everybody, this pro- the same place you were back in March
the revised House Heroes bill to the gram has never existed before. It was and April. The money is gone, the cus-
floor of the U.S. Senate. It is a com- put together in a bipartisan way with tomers aren’t back yet, and you are
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S6314 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 20, 2020
about to close and people are about to in the meantime, that would be great, tain places, they spent less money on
get laid off. So we need to do a second but this must happen. There is no way drycleaning. Now a place that had
round. of explaining to people: Hold on a sec- eight employees now has six, and of the
There are a lot of other things we can ond. Everybody agrees that we need to six, four are only part time. They will
do for small business—I agree with do more just to extend PPP. have an opportunity, if they get PPP,
that wholeheartedly—but this is one Well, why haven’t you done it? to keep that workforce employed full
that I think we have to do because Then you have to explain: Well, be- time, and it would matter to those
there is tremendous agreement. The cause there were nine other things we families.
reason it is not happening is because, wanted to do for small business, but be- We can do this. Doing this doesn’t
No. 1, some people think of it as lever- cause we couldn’t agree on those, we mean we don’t do anything else. Those
age. Everyone likes PPP, so let’s hold didn’t do the one we agreed on; or, other issues still have to be addressed.
out on it. Let’s not do it until it is part there was a bunch of things non-small- But let’s at least do this. It isn’t every-
of a broader package of things unre- business related that we wanted to get thing, but it is a lot, and it is some-
lated to small business because it is so done, and because those didn’t happen, thing, and it will matter, and there is
popular. It is the carrot that will bring we are holding up the whole thing. no reason not to do it. It will in no way
everybody toward supporting the People don’t understand it. That keep us from doing the other things
broader deal. doesn’t make sense in the real world to that need to be done.
That may have made sense back in anybody. Again, just because we are not going
May or June, but not now, not in Octo- The bottom line is this: We have a to do everything in one shot should not
ber, not since we have long since ex- basic formula here that, if we put aside mean that we don’t do something. We
pended the moneys that these compa- those considerations, could get support have a chance to do something, and it
nies received, and now they are facing and could pass pretty quickly. The is meaningful, and it is a model that
the same situation they were back in other issues are still going to be there, we know works, and it is a model we
March and early April. Now we have to and we should do them, too, but we have all supported in the past, and it is
do what we can. shouldn’t hold this up in order to do one that I hope that in the next few
I don’t think we can fall—unfortu- that. minutes some people will change their
nately, we have, but it is not very That is what we are going to have a minds on and support now because to
smart to fall into this habit of saying chance to do here in a few minutes. If not do something is inexplicable. It
that if we can’t do everything, we we don’t, if we don’t, then we will have would make no sense.
shouldn’t do anything. That is just to explain—all of us—to people why it There are real people in the real
across the board. There are a lot of is that this is being held up. If you tell world who are just trying to hold on
other areas that we need to provide them it is because people want lever- and can’t figure out why it is we are
COVID relief in—I agree with that—but age for more stuff, they are not going here and we can’t do something to help
we are not going to do it in 6 days. We to understand that. It is very simple. them at their hour of greatest need.
should have done it a long time ago. It For anyone watching now or for any- I yield the floor.
didn’t come to that. But this is one one who watches this later, it is a sim- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
piece I think we can all agree on. Even ple concept. We have before us right ator from Michigan.
if they are small businesses—and I only now the ability to help—to the tune of Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, I
caught the tail end of what he was say- close to $250 billion—millions of small rise today to speak on behalf of people
ing. The ranking member points to a business workers across this country and small businesses in Michigan that
lot of other things we could do to help and their employers, to keep them on are being left behind on this Repub-
small business. I agree with that. payroll, to stay open for a few more lican bill. As my friend from Florida
There are things beyond PPP that months while we get through this pan- has said, we can do something. The
would help them. The fundamental demic. We have a chance to do it Senate Democratic leader is going to
challenge we have here is that we have through a model that we know works, be offering us an opportunity to vote
a limited amount of time to get this a model that was recently used. We on something comprehensive that has
thing done, and I appreciate the idea just re-up that for a second round to a been passed by the House that doesn’t
that the House already passed it. But targeted number of small businesses, leave small businesses, families,
the thing is, that is not something that under a certain number of employees, healthcare providers, and the need for
is going to become law. That is the re- facing certain revenue constraints. We testing and tracing behind.
ality. Just like there are things we even open it up to some additional not- When I think about who is being left
want on this side that are not going to for-profits. We have a chance to do behind in this bill, I think of the single
become law, because to pass a law right that. We have all these other things mom of two boys who is seeing her
now in Washington requires passage in that we should do as well, and we hours cut, and her paycheck has
a Senate with a Republican majority, should do those, too, but we shouldn’t shrunk, and she is left behind by what
but there are not 60 Republicans, so we wait for those things to do this thing, we are being asked to vote on right
need Democratic votes. We need this to help right now. now. There is no need for that. She
body to pass it, and we need a Demo- This is not theoretical. Right now, at doesn’t know how she is going to keep
cratically controlled House to pass it this very moment, there are thousands the lights on. The weather is getting
and a Republican President to sign it. upon thousands of small businesses cold.
That is just basic math in terms of that are holding on, on a week-by-week The 83-year-old retiree who is strug-
what it takes. That is just the basic basis. Whether or not they can survive gling to afford food and who goes to
outline of what it takes to turn what- isn’t up to them. It is up to whether bed hungry night after night is being
ever it is we are talking about here the local government allows them to left behind on what we are being asked
into a law to actually help people. open and at what capacity. It is up to to vote on. That doesn’t have to hap-
If you want to help people, we have whether their customers have the fi- pen. We have an alternative that has
to figure out something that at least 60 nancial wherewithal to go back and passed the House that we can vote on
people in the Senate and a majority in visit or spend. and get this done today.
the House will agree on and that the The businesses we are talking about The owner of a small restaurant is
President will sign. The one thing I are restaurants, absolutely; live being left behind. He has been able to
know for sure that could get that, if we venues, absolutely; and all those other stay open by offering takeout, but he is
just had a straight up-or-down vote on places that have been hurt in hospi- just barely—just barely—holding on,
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it, is the notion of extending a second tality, without a doubt. But other busi- wanting specific help that is available
round of PPP assistance to a targeted nesses are being hurt too. I know a dry- through legislation introduced in the
number of small businesses. That is it. cleaner in South Florida who is being Senate, that is bipartisan, that is not
Now, is that everything I want to do? hurt. You might ask, why? They are al- in this bill. He is being left behind.
No. I want us to do more. By the way, lowed to open. Well, because when peo- We are talking about the families
if we can figure something more to do ple stopped working and going to cer- who thought 2020 would be the year
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October 20, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6315
they would finally get ahead, and then This legislation also leaves our chil- taurants, gyms, entertainment venues,
COVID hit, and now they are at risk of dren behind. The Republican bills have craft jewelry, theaters that have been
being evicted and losing their homes not provided adequate funding to re- revitalizing Michigan downtowns. One
that brought their children stability open our schools safely, and millions of of the things I love is that not just in
for the first time. parents, including my own daughter big cities but in small towns across
There are the Michigan families who and her family and my own son and his Michigan, you will go downtown, and
have lost loved ones—more than 7,000 family, are juggling, trying to make there is now a craft brewery, and then
grandmas and grandpas and moms and sure that kids can work online, trying they have rebuilt and revitalized a his-
dads, sons and daughters, brothers and to make sure they are getting the edu- toric theater, and they are rebuilding
sisters, cousins, neighbors, and friends. cation they need. It is hard. the downtown. They have been hit so
People in Michigan aren’t talking The money that has been provided in hard by what has happened with
about a stimulus bill; they want a sur- the bill, unfortunately, in the under- COVID–19. They deserve specific help
vival package because it is survival for lying bill—there is some, but it comes that they are not getting in this legis-
them right now. Instead, Republicans with strings attached. Schools must lation.
have introduced a bill that leaves our physically reopen in order to receive All small businesses are not getting
urgent health care needs, our families, their fair share of funding. So if your the help—the kind of help—that they
and far too many businesses behind. school district has decided that COVID need. We don’t want to leave any small
This Republican proposal leaves be- cases have gone up and it is not safe for business behind, including our minor-
hind the most important thing we need the children to go back to school—they ity-owned small businesses in under-
to do right now to get the pandemic are still paying the teachers, they are served communities and nonprofits. We
under control. President Trump has operating remotely, and they have all fought successfully, as Democrats, to
said that we will wake up one day and the costs of operating remotely, but if add $30 billion in dedicated funding for
COVID–19 will have miraculously gone they are not physically there, as Presi- those who are underbanked or receiv-
away. Oh, wouldn’t that be great. But dent Trump insists on, physically there ing their financial support in other
we are tired of waiting and getting up regardless of the health risk, they nontraditional ways. That is not in
every day and being faced with the would not get the help they need for here either.
threat of COVID–19. our children to be educated—quite a So we need an approach for this pan-
If we want people to send their kids change for a political party that likes demic and the economic catastrophe it
to school, reopen their businesses, get to talk about local control. has unleashed across the country. We
back to work, be able to go shopping at But there is one exception. If your need an approach that is serious and is
their small businesses, to be able to eat child is going to a private school, you bold—neither of which is what we are
at their restaurants, then we need to get a great big tax credit if you send about to vote on with this PPP vote—
make sure things are safe. Right now, your child to a private school rather for testing and healthcare, for keeping
it is not safe. than a public school, like the vast ma- our children safe so they can get back
COVID–19 cases and hospitalizations jority of children in our country. to school, for our families and all of
and deaths are spiking all across the Brecken is a 5-year-old kindergarten our businesses.
country. The White House is still re- student in the De Tour area public We know that so many have been hit
sisting a national testing strategy, as schools in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. in ways that are different than others,
if it is some kind of giveaway to Demo- so we need to address all of our small
She has access to high-speed internet
crats instead of public health 101. businesses. This is no time to leave any
in only one way, and that is if her par-
Meanwhile, millions of people have of them behind, and the Republican ini-
ents disconnect every other electronic
lost their jobs, which means they have tiative in front of us does just that.
device in their house while she is doing
also lost their health insurance, which People deserve better.
her studies. And the connection isn’t I yield the floor.
he doesn’t want to address, and our great. Brecken and other students in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
healthcare system is under strain. Our rural areas deserve the same internet ator from Rhode Island.
hospitals and our nursing homes are connectivity that their city friends CLIMATE CHANGE
still struggling to get enough personal enjoy, but the Republicans leave them Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Madam Presi-
protective equipment for their employ- behind. dent, I do want to say that we are here
ees, for families who want to visit, and Democrats have proposed a $4 billion at a time when the Republican Party is
for patients. Our healthcare profes- E-rate funding increase to ensure chil- jamming yet another nominee through
sionals are exhausted, stressed, and at dren are able to go to school remotely. bizarre procedural practices onto the
severe risk of burnout. Healthcare We don’t want Brecken or any child Supreme Court.
needs are left behind in this bill, and so left behind in this COVID–19 crisis. We have examined in the Judiciary
are the needs of our families. We can’t talk about schools without Committee some of the ways in which
Right now, the unemployment rate talking about healthy food and nutri- the funding for that operation flows
in Michigan is 8.5 percent—higher than tion. They go hand in hand. The aver- from big anonymous donors who use
the national average. Since March 15, age person getting help right now— the Federalist Society as a conduit to
2.3 million Michigan residents have re- food assistance—receives $127 a month, buy a seat at the table where our Su-
lied on unemployment. The extra $600 a which is $1.40 per meal. About 40 per- preme Court Justices are selected, and
week provided in the CARES Act was a cent of our families who are getting then, with contributions as big as $17
lifeline for these Michigan families, even that have gotten absolutely no in- million, pays for campaign ads for the
and it needs to be extended so they can creased help whatsoever. And we know nominee who has been selected and
have a roof over their heads and pay in the food lines, people who have do- then sends an entire flotilla of front
their bills and survive. A survey last nated to the food banks all their lives groups in an orchestrated chorus to go
month by the U.S. Census Bureau are now sitting in their car for hours and argue together before the Supreme
found that 25 percent of Michigan resi- sometimes, waiting to go through the Court as if they were different.
dents thought they would be evicted or food line themselves. Our families need What I want to say today is that we
lose their home to foreclosure in the help. Our families are hungry. We can have been looking at this captured
next 2 months. fix that if we pass the bill that the court problem for a while, and we are
We need to act now—now. We have an House sent to us. releasing this ‘‘What’s at Stake’’ re-
opportunity. The Senate Democratic Finally, this legislation isn’t just port on what it means for climate and
leader will give us the opportunity to about leaving critical healthcare needs the environment because who is behind
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
vote on that bill and act now. Without and testing needs behind, leaving our the scheme to capture the court are
additional unemployment aid and rent- children and leaving our families be- primarily the big polluters who want
al assistance, where will these families hind. It leaves far too many businesses protection from courts that will be
go in January when the CDC eviction behind. Over the past few months, I friendly to their interests.
moratorium expires and they are have met with so many Michigan busi- I will speak more about this and
months behind in rent? ness owners, mostly over Zoom—res- about why they are willing to spend
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