Senate on Coronavirus and Biden Administration Nominees — Congressional Record, December 1, 2020
Summary
This is page S7119 of the Congressional Record, Senate, December 1, 2020, continuing onto S7120. A senator whose name is not printed in the opening of the page says the time has come for Congress to pass a bipartisan COVID relief bill and says Senate committees should prepare to hold hearings on President-Elect Biden's nominees in January, immediately after the Georgia elections. Under Coronavirus, Mr. Thune states that Moderna filed for an emergency use authorization from the FDA for its COVID vaccine and that it is entirely possible the FDA will have authorized two COVID vaccines by the end of December. Mr. Thune also says Democrats and Republicans agree on more money for schools, testing and vaccines and on another round of Paycheck Protection Program relief. Mr. Durbin begins remarks asking how bad the COVID–19 pandemic is.
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“Senate on Coronavirus and Biden Administration Nominees — Congressional Record, December 1, 2020.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-12-01-crec-2020-12-01-pt1-pgs7119-2-de3cba7bb5/
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December 1, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7119
any point during this awful pandemic. of State, Tony Blinken, and his in- tor, and despite his career as a partisan
The economic fallout of the pandemic tended Director of National Intel- warrior.
spreads and spreads. November saw the ligence, Avril Haines, who is the first But a few critical tweets about sub-
largest single 2-week jump in unem- woman to be nominated to serve in stantive policy positions have caused
ployment benefit applications since that position. Like most Americans are Senate Republicans to label Ms.
early April, and enhanced job benefits doing these days, our ‘‘meeting’’ will Tanden’s nomination ‘‘radioactive.’’
are only a few weeks from expiration. take place over a video chat, and I am Spare us the hyperbole. Ms. Tanden, we
The time has come for Congress to looking forward to asking both Mr. all know, is an eminently qualified
pass a bipartisan COVID relief bill that Blinken and Ms. Haines about their nominee who would be the first woman
meets the needs of our workers, our views on a range of issues concerning of color to ever run the Office of Man-
families, our schools, and our busi- American diplomacy, foreign policy, agement and Budget.
nesses. The Republican leader of this and national security, and how to re- As Biden continues to name his
Chamber knows very well that the only pair some of the damage to America’s team, I am sure we will hear some
way to pass legislation in the Senate is reputation and relationships abroad more of these overblown complaints
with a measure of bipartisanship. But done by the past administration. from Republican Senators, but after
time and time again, the Republican Now, after what all we went through the caliber of nominees that this Re-
leader’s idea of action on COVID has over the past 4 years, I would expect publican majority confirmed over the
been to bring partisan legislation to that almost all of President-Elect past 4 years, it will be impossible—im-
the floor and then demand everyone ac- Biden’s nominees would be widely ac- possible—to take them seriously.
cept it. ceptable to the Senate. After all, Sen- The Senate committees should pre-
Every single iteration has included ate Republicans confirmed several pare to hold hearings on President-
poison pills designed to ensure that the Trump nominees who lacked the nec- Elect Biden’s nominees in January, im-
bill is bad—not consensus proposals. essary qualifications, who were mired mediately after the Georgia elections.
That is not what these poison pills are in ethics scandals, and who made out- Let me say that again. The Senate
at all, and he knows darn well the rageous and inflammatory comments committees should prepare to hold
Democrats don’t agree to them. Well, in the past. hearings on President-Elect Biden’s
that is no way to do business around Republican Senators often argued nominees in January, immediately
here. that a President deserves broad def- after the Georgia elections.
The leader’s view seems to be that erence when it comes to their Cabinet That is customary for a new Presi-
the only things that should be consid- and official appointments and blew dent. The Senate holds several hear-
ered in the next COVID relief bill are past controversies that would in al- ings in January so that key Cabinet of-
items that Republicans approve of, most any other time be disqualifying. ficials can be confirmed on January 20
even if the needs of the country go way President-Elect Biden’s nominees, of and shortly thereafter. That is what
beyond what is on their narrow list. So course, are in a different universe. the Senate did for President Trump
I would plead again to the Republican Well, we are already starting to see and President Obama. That is what the
leader and to my colleagues on the the switch start to flip now that Presi- Senate must do for President-Elect
other side, we need to come together. dent-Elect Biden is the one naming the Biden as well.
Both sides—both sides—must be willing names. To take just one example, Sen- I yield the floor.
to compromise. ate Republicans reacted to the historic The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma-
While the Republicans in this Cham- nomination of Neera Tanden to run the jority whip.
ber enjoy a majority, they must grap- Office of Management and Budget by CORONAVIRUS
ple with the fact that Democrats hold calling her ‘‘radioactive,’’ a ‘‘nutjob,’’ Mr. THUNE. Madam President, yes-
a majority in the House. We cannot and expressing alarm over some crit- terday drugmaker Moderna filed for an
make a law without Democrats in the ical tweets in the past. emergency use authorization from the
House, and, frankly, Democratic votes After spending 4 years pretending FDA for its COVID vaccine. The FDA’s
in the Senate because there are a good they didn’t see the latest insane tweet Vaccine Advisory Committee is sched-
number of Republicans who won’t vote from President Trump, Senate Repub- uled to discuss Pfizer’s COVID vaccine
for any proposal. licans seem to have found a newfound next week and is expected to review
So we need a true bipartisan bill, not interest in the Twitter feeds of Biden’s Moderna’s shortly thereafter.
another round of partisan Republican Cabinet selections. That means that it is entirely pos-
proposals put forward by the leader and With respect to the Office of Manage- sible that by the end of December the
then he makes take-it-or-leave-it de- ment and Budget specifically, Senate FDA will have authorized not one but
mands, and that is it. We need to come Republicans lined up to confirm the two COVID vaccines that have so far
together and come to agreement that previous OMB Director, Russell shown more than 90 percent effective-
will not satisfy any one of us com- Vought, after he was at the heart of ness in preventing the disease. This is
pletely but gets the job done. I hope the scandal that led to President very hopeful news, and it is a tribute to
that as we get closer to the end of the Trump’s impeachment: withholding se- the innovative power of the private
year, partisan posturing on the Repub- curity aid to an ally at war, Ukraine. sector and the efforts of Congress and
lican side will give way to some gen- If Senate Republicans are worried the Trump administration to expedite
uine compromises. about someone with a partisan back- the development of COVID vaccines.
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION NOMINEES ground in OMB, perhaps they shouldn’t The light at the end of the tunnel
Madam President, now, on another have voted to confirm Russell Vought, looks like it is on the way. At the same
matter. President-Elect Biden con- who used to work not just at the Herit- time, it is essential that we not mini-
tinues to roll out an impressive slate of age Foundation but for its partisan ad- mize what is happening with COVID
candidates he intends to nominate to vocacy arm. If Senate Republicans are right now. Cases are surging and are
his Cabinet and other key administra- concerned about someone who made likely to surge further, and doctors and
tive positions. They provide an incred- controversial comments running OMB, hospitals are struggling.
ibly stark contrast to the caliber of the perhaps they shouldn’t have confirmed It is essential that we maintain key
nominees the Senate considered over Russell Vought, who once said: ‘‘Mus- safety measures until those vaccines
the past 4 years. Not only are Presi- lims do not simply have a deficient arrive. Now, more than ever, we need
dent-Elect Biden’s nominees exception- theology. They do not know God be- to keep wearing masks, wash our
ally qualified and familiar with the in- cause they have rejected Jesus Christ hands, and maintain social distance.
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
stitutions to which they are nomi- his Son, and they stand condemned.’’ The more responsibly we act, the more
nated, but they have a broad range of That was the previous OMB Director we can protect vulnerable members of
backgrounds and experiences. They ac- condemning an entire religion. The Re- the population and keep our doctors
tually look like America. publican majority confirmed him de- and hospitals from being overrun. Act-
Today, I will be meeting with Presi- spite these inflammatory comments, ing responsibly can also help avert fur-
dent-Elect Biden’s intended Secretary despite his conduct as interim Direc- ther economic shutdowns, which would
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S7120 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 1, 2020
be a devastating blow to a lot of strug- ago, but Democrats spent the fall de- pital so the patient could receive the
gling businesses. laying additional COVID relief by in- care that they needed. Think of that:
I know that it has been a long, hard sisting on bloated legislation filled not an available space in the city of St.
year and that everyone is tired of the with unrelated and unreasonable de- Louis.
additional safety measures we have had mands. It has been impossible to nego- Last month a dear friend of mine,
to take, but the beginning of the end is tiate with Democrats for the simple feeling ill, who lived in Illinois, went
in sight, and we need to hold on for a reason that Democrats have made it over to the St. Louis area and went to
few months longer and keep doing ev- clear that compromise is not an option. one of the most outstanding hospitals
erything we can to prevent further ‘‘It is our way or the highway,’’ Demo- in the city. She was told she couldn’t
virus spread. crats have said. It is either a multitril- be admitted because there was no room
At the same time, it is important lion-dollar bill or nothing at all. for her. She went to the second most
that State and local governments use Democrats have to know that they reputable hospital in the city with the
their authority responsibly and think don’t have a chance of getting their same report. Finally, with the third
carefully about the impact of the bill through both houses of Congress try, she was admitted to another hos-
health and safety measures that they and to the President’s desk, so the rea- pital. Three days later she passed
are putting in place. It is also essential sonable thing for them to do, if they away. In a desperate situation, she was
that elected officials ensure that they really want to help Americans, would turned away from two major hospitals
are respecting our constitutional be to work with Republicans to pass a because they didn’t have room.
rights—notably, the right of assembly bill that delivers at least some of what So we can argue long and hard about
and the free exercise of religion—when they want. Republicans and Democrats the danger of this COVID–19, whether it
imposing coronavirus restrictions. agree on a number of things, from more is something to take seriously or not—
I was pleased to see the Supreme money for schools, testing, and vac- and there are still those who insist it is
Court uphold this principle in its re- cines to another round of Paycheck not—but we can’t escape the reality
cent decision suspending draconian Protection Program relief for the hard- that 131⁄2 million Americans have al-
New York measures targeting houses of ready been infected with the COVID
est hit small businesses.
worship. New York City is not the only We should be able to arrive at com- virus and over 267,000 American lives
place where churches have faced dis- promise legislation that both sides can have been lost.
proportionately strict restrictions. agree to, and we should pass that com- My heart goes out to those families
Earlier this year in Washington, DC, promise legislation before the end of and their loved ones, some of whom
for example, the mayor celebrated were my friends—and one very close
the year. I was encouraged to hear that
mass protests that vastly exceeded rec- friend—who have lost their lives. And
a few Democrats are looking to develop
ommendations for gathering size, even for all of those who are fighting
bipartisan coronavirus legislation, and
as she maintained strict restrictions on COVID–19 today, including Members of
I hope we will be able to convince the
houses of worship. Congress, I wish them well, Godspeed.
I was pleased to join an amicus brief Speaker and the Democratic leader
here in the Senate that working with Get well and come back and join us in
to the DC district court in support of
Republicans—really working with a positive way.
Capitol Hill Baptist Church’s lawsuit
them—and not pretending to negotiate As the number of infected Americans
against the DC government asking that
while refusing to actually compromise continues to rise, it is vital that we
the church’s constitutional right to
is the right thing to do for the Amer- continue to take safety precautions:
free exercise of its faith be respected in
ican people. social distancing, wearing masks, and
the same way as the protesters’ rights
It has been a rough year for the coun- staying home as much as possible.
to freedom of speech.
Throughout this pandemic we have, try. Let’s close it out by working to- I am worried about the health and
unfortunately, seen a significant de- gether to deliver the additional relief safety of our country, but I am also
gree of hypocrisy from many on the that Americans need to weather the worried about the millions of Ameri-
left who have called for or imposed rest of this pandemic. cans who find themselves in dire
strict restrictions on activities that I yield the floor. straits as the economic impact of this
they deem nonessential while cele- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- pandemic lingers. I think of some of
brating activities that they approved ator from Illinois. the restaurants in Chicago and in my
of but that posed a significant risk of Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, how own hometown that I visited with my
coronavirus transmission. bad is the COVID–19 pandemic? I am wife from time to time. They are gone.
The First Amendment cannot be ap- sure we each look at it in personal and They are not going to return.
plied selectively, and when imposing family terms. Sadly, every day, decisions are being
coronavirus restrictions, lawmakers We have just gone through a Thanks- made by businesses just like those that
need to exercise the greatest respect giving like no other, for my family and they just can’t continue to lose money.
for our first freedom—the free exercise for many others who decided that safe- It clearly is a call to action for Con-
of religion—and ensure that churches ty was more important than being gress to do something.
are not subjected to disproportionately physically in the same room with the Some choose to focus on the status of
severe measures. family members we love. So we turned the stock market indexes and monthly
More than that, politicians should do to FaceTime, Zoom, and every other job reports as proof that the economy
everything that they can to ensure contrivance we could find to maintain has recovered. In fact, I met with a
that religious worship is supported as a connection with children, grand- group of Senators from the other side
far as possible during the pandemic. children, and other people we love. of the aisle who said it is the dominant
Worship is an essential activity, and it But the situation is dire. The infec- opinion of the majority of Republican
should be accorded the same respect tion and death rate in my home State Senators that we don’t need a stim-
and deference that governments have has been heartbreaking in terms of the ulus; that we have recovered; we are on
accorded to liquor stores, bike shops, number of people who have had their our way. I don’t see it that way at all.
and nail salons. lives changed, and some have had their I think we clearly need to bring life
In the next couple of weeks, Congress lives ended because of it. into this economy that reaches fami-
will be passing key legislation, includ- I can use one example of how bad it lies, neighborhoods, communities, and
ing a bill to fund the government. I am is. It won’t mean much to those who towns.
hoping that we will be able to add a are listening. The city of St. Louis is a The Wall Street Journal and the Dow
COVID relief bill to that list. While the large metropolitan area—millions of Jones average are interesting to read,
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
money Congress has already invested people. I grew up nearby on the Illinois but for most Americans, it is not part
in COVID relief has gone a long way to- side of the river. One day last week the of their regular life experience; it is
ward meeting the country’s needs, St. Louis hospitals were unable to take just a question about whether or not
there is more that we need to do. a COVID–19 patient, and, as a result, they can keep their family-owned busi-
Republicans put forward an addi- that patient was transported almost ness open or whether or not that store
tional targeted relief package months 100 miles away to Quincy, IL, to a hos- or that restaurant they always valued
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December 1, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7121
as part of their community is gone for- Just a few weeks ago, nearly 12 mil- the day, you have something to show
ever. lion Americans indicated they would be for your efforts.
We know the stock market or a sin- unable to pay their rent or mortgage in The reason I didn’t participate in the
gle jobs report are not reliable meas- December. Where will they go? Housing press conference this morning is be-
ures of the economy’s overall health. assistance that helps keep families in cause at the very end, an issue came
The fact is, too many Americans are their homes during this public health up, which I believe is really so impor-
still living life on the brink. Look at crisis, as we move into winter months, tant, that has to be resolved and re-
the long lines of people in their cars has to be a top priority. solved fairly, and that is the issue of
waiting for food, spending hours of For those who are saying that we are immunity from liability. Many of us
their day trying to get a donation of out of the woods, we don’t need a stim- believe that businesses—most busi-
food. Some of them are embarrassed by ulus, look at those numbers on the Dow nesses—are doing everything they can
the experience, though they should not Jones index—I ask you to tell that to think of to keep their employees and
be. It reflects the reality of what life is 20 million Americans receiving unem- their customers as safe as possible, and
like for many people who just a short ployment today or the countless small I salute them for it. But many of them
time ago were volunteers at that same businesses that are facing closure. as well believe that we need to have
food bank or contributed to it. They There is still a lot of hurt out there, standards that they can live up to, so if
are waiting anxiously for relief and and we need to get more relief out to they are ever challenged by an em-
wondering if Congress even knows it. those who need it. News of the COVID ployee, by a customer, or even in court,
We set a record of 88,000 Americans vaccine development is promising, but they can turn to a standard of care and
hospitalized last Tuesday, a week ago. we are many months from building up point that they did everything they
One-quarter of our hospitals are report- the immunity that we need. In the could be expected to do at that mo-
ing critical shortages of doctors and meantime, we must confront the virus ment in time.
nurses who have been fatigued with with investments in testing, tracing, I believe that is a good defense and
months on the frontlines. I can’t help and healthcare. always has been to any accusations of
but be personally moved by these doc- I want to, at this point, say a word wrongdoing. But there are some who
tors and nurses who stand before us about an effort that was announced believe that there should be a different
and talk about what it is like to be in this morning that I have been part of standard, an unreasonable standard—
that emergency room day after day for several weeks. There is a bipartisan one that I think goes too far in pro-
after day. These are rock-solid profes- group of Senators in Congress who viding immunity from liability, not
sionals who have given their life to the have been talking about the very issues just for good businesses but also for
medical profession. How many times that I raised in this speech. I can’t tell those that are not. And there are some.
have we watched them break down in you how many hours they put into it. We need to have the courts available
tears as they tell us what they are We have a group of eight Senators— for those who have been treated badly.
going through? You talk about the four Democrats and four Republicans I think of the meat processing plants
emotional stress that we face, the de- on this side of the Rotunda and a simi- and some of the activities that were in-
pression we face having to stay home lar group on the other side of House volved in the earliest stages, where the
and away from our friends and family. Members—who have been trying to find employees didn’t receive the basic pro-
Think about what they face every sin- a bipartisan path out of this current tection they needed. They came down
gle day, plus the danger to their own situation. I want to salute them. On with the COVID virus, and many had
personal health and the danger to their the Democratic side, I want to thank serious consequences in their lives. I
families that is part of this. It really MARK WARNER of Virginia, JOE believe they deserve a day in court.
begs for us to take this much more se- MANCHIN of West Virginia, and JEANNE I want to make sure that we pass this
riously here on the floor of the U.S. SHAHEEN of New Hampshire. It has COVID–19 bill, as the group has
Senate. been my honor to sit at tables on Zoom brought together or something like it,
In the weeks leading up to Thanks- calls hour after hour after hour as we for $908 billion. We shouldn’t be de-
giving, 1 in 8 Americans—126 million— hash through some of the difficult layed or diverted from this effort by a
didn’t have enough to eat. Millions of choices that need to be made. On the debate over immunity from liability. It
Americans are claiming some form of Republican side, I want to thank SUSAN is an important issue, but some 38
unemployment insurance. If we do COLLINS, LISA MURKOWSKI, BILL CAS- States have already adapted their laws
nothing—if we do nothing—in the Sen- SIDY, and MITT ROMNEY. They have put relating to COVID–19 liability. The
ate, other than to act on the Executive as much time as I have, and many others can certainly do it, if they wish,
Calendar, which the Republican leader times more, in this effort to bring us to if they think they need it. That has re-
referred to this morning, the day after a point where we can offer a solution. sulted in some things which are worth
Christmas, 12 million Americans will They announced this morning that reporting.
be cut off entirely from unemployment they have come to a conclusion that We are told that there is a tsunami of
assistance—12 million. If we don’t do the spending part of this is going to be COVID–19 lawsuits that are being
something, those families will be in a manageable—doable—on a bipartisan brought against individuals and busi-
desperate situation. basis, and it should be called on the nesses. It turns out that nothing could
If Congress fails to act, that day is floor for passage. I will tell you that be further from the truth. There is a
going to be an ominous, dark day in the $908 billion package they put to- law firm known as Hunton Andrews
our history. The issues facing our gether is not what I wanted. I believe Kurth that monitors all lawsuits that
State and local governments, which are there should be dramatically larger are filed in the United States every
at the forefront of combating this cri- amounts put into this effort. But there day. They have sought out how many
sis, continue to be a priority. Their are some on the other side of the aisle lawsuits relate to COVID–19 and the
budgets are being hammered by shrink- who believe that little or nothing is coronavirus. Last week’s report is this:
ing revenues, and without additional needed. They have tried to find a mid- Out of the some 121⁄2 to 13 million
aid, many will have no choice but to ei- dle ground, and I believe they have Americans who have been infected with
ther cut important services that many with the $908 billion. The way it is allo- the COVID virus, only 6,273 lawsuits
rely upon or raise taxes on families al- cated across the board in a draft frame- have been brought in the entire Nation
ready hard-hit. work hits the major elements that we in the year 2020 that mention the term
We must take action to protect our need to act on before we go home for COVID–19 or coronavirus. Well, you
State and local government workers, Christmas in this month of December. think: Boy, that is a lot of lawsuits to
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
the firefighters, the teachers, the first I am not happy with a lot of these fig- be filed against doctors and nurses and
responders. In the coming weeks, as ures, but that is what it is all about in hospitals. Let me tell you, out of the
many as 30 million Americans are fac- this world of the U.S. Congress: You total number, 6,000 lawsuits, only 10—
ing the risk of eviction without addi- come together willing to sit down and 10—nationwide have been filed for mal-
tional help. Merry Christmas. You have listen to the other side and, if nec- practice claims, medical malpractice
been evicted. essary, compromise, so at the end of claims—10 lawsuits.
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S7122 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 1, 2020
To argue that we ought to close the more. We can come to a conclusion, NOT VOTING—8
doors of the court to people who are and we must. Harris Loeffler Schatz
seeking relief, when so few lawsuits For the U.S. Senate to finish this Hawley McSally Whitehouse
Inhofe Sanders
have been filed, makes no sense at all. month without dealing with this very
How many personal injury suits? How basic COVID–19 relief package is fun- The nomination was confirmed.
many people have sued some person or damentally wrong. It is the highest pri- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
entity or business saying, ‘‘On your ority for families and businesses across the previous order, the motion to re-
premises, I contracted this COVID–19’’? America, and we owe them nothing consider is considered made and laid
Well, out of 13 million who have been less. upon the table, and the President will
infected, you would think the number I yield the floor. be immediately notified of the Senate’s
would be enormous. Twenty-two—that The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- action.
is the number—twenty-two personal in- ator from Mississippi. The majority leader.
jury lawsuits have been filed. One hun- Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I ask Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President,
dred and ten of these additional law- unanimous consent for the vote on the I ask unanimous consent that the man-
suits have been filed by employees for McNeel nomination to begin now. datory quorum call be waived.
workplace situations. Out of all these The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
lawsuits in the United States of Amer- objection, it is so ordered. objection, it is so ordered.
ica for malpractice, personal injury, Under the previous order, all f
and workplace complaints, there are postcloture time has expired.
142 lawsuits nationwide. Why would we The question is, will the Senate ad- CLOTURE MOTION
hold up the $908 billion economic relief vise and consent to the McNeel nomi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant
over this phenomena? Do you want to nation? to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the
know where most of the lawsuits are Mr. ROUNDS. I ask for the yeas and Senate the pending cloture motion,
being filed? Most of the lawsuits are nays. which the clerk will state.
being filed between businesses, as well The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a The legislative clerk read as follows:
as businesses versus their insurance sufficient second? CLOTURE MOTION
companies, and prisoners who are peti- There appears to be a sufficient sec- We, the undersigned Senators, in accord-
tioning the court for release from what ond. ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the
they consider to be dangerous cir- The clerk will call the roll. Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby
cumstances. Those are the lawsuits The legislative clerk called the roll. move to bring to a close debate on the nomi-
that make up the bulk of the cases Mr. THUNE. The following Senators nation of J. Philip Calabrese, of Ohio, to be
that have been filed so far. are necessarily absent: the Senator United States District Judge for the North-
There is no tsunami of lawsuits. The from Missouri (Mr. HAWLEY), the Sen-
ern District of Ohio.
States are handling this matter respon- Mitch McConnell, James E. Risch, Joni
ator from Oklahoma (Mr. INHOFE), the Ernst, Marsha Blackburn, Mike Crapo,
sibly and effectively, and there is no Senator from Georgia (Mrs. LOEFFLER), James Lankford, Thom Tillis, Roy
indication that our tort system in this and the Senator from Arizona (Ms. Blunt, Roger F. Wicker, Pat Roberts,
country needs to be dramatically MCSALLY). John Cornyn, John Hoeven, Jerry
changed. That is why I really withheld Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Moran, Lamar Alexander, Mike Braun,
my attendance this morning at this Senator from California (Ms. HARRIS), David Perdue.
press conference. The group has not the Senator from Vermont (Mr. SAND- The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan-
agreed on the basic issue of liability, ERS), the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. imous consent, the mandatory quorum
but there were statements being made SCHATZ), and the Senator from Rhode call has been waived.
that I could not agree with that I Island (Mr. WHITEHOUSE) are nec- The question is, Is it the sense of the
didn’t want to suggest that I did, and essarily absent. Senate that debate on the nomination
that is why I didn’t attend. I am still The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. COL- of J. Philip Calabrese, of Ohio, to be
ready to work on it. I want to work on LINS). Are there any other Senators in United States District Judge for the
it and find a bipartisan way to protect the Chamber desiring to vote? Northern District of Ohio, shall be
the rights of individuals who have been brought to a close?
The result was announced—yeas 53,
wronged for their day in court, not to The yeas and nays are mandatory
nays 39, as follows:
extinguish or take away any rights under the rule.
[Rollcall Vote No. 241 Ex.]
from any people, to acknowledge that The clerk will call the roll.
States have made decisions on COVID– YEAS—53
Alexander Ernst Portman
The bill clerk called the roll.
19 and are moving forward and are Mr. THUNE. The following Senators
Barrasso Fischer Risch
doing a very fine job, as those numbers Blackburn Gardner are necessarily absent: the Senator
Roberts
indicate. Blunt Graham Romney from Oklahoma (Mr. INHOFE), the Sen-
Let us not make the best the enemy Boozman Grassley Rounds
Braun Hoeven ator from Georgia (Mrs. LOEFFLER),
of the good. For those Republicans who Rubio
Burr Hyde-Smith Sasse
and the Senator from Arizona (Ms.
believe that the Cornyn bill on liabil- Capito Johnson Scott (FL) MCSALLY).
ity is an essential part of this package, Cardin Jones
Scott (SC) Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the
do not deny unemployment insurance Cassidy Kennedy
Shelby
Collins Lankford Senator from California (Ms. HARRIS),
and help to small businesses across Sinema
Cornyn Lee the Senator from Vermont (Mr. SAND-
America because we need to fight out Cotton Manchin Sullivan
Thune ERS), the Senator from Hawaii (Mr.
this battle. If the Democrats had in- Cramer McConnell
Crapo Moran Tillis SCHATZ), and the Senator from Rhode
sisted that we would have no COVID–19
Cruz Murkowski Toomey Island (Mr. WHITEHOUSE) are nec-
bill unless we had minimum-wage leg- Wicker
Daines Paul essarily absent.
islation or family leave related to eco- Enzi Perdue Young
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
nomic circumstances, you would say:
NAYS—39 CRUZ). Are there any other Senators in
Why don’t you save that debate for an-
Baldwin Gillibrand Peters the Chamber desiring to vote or change
other day? We don’t need it at this mo- Bennet Hassan Reed their vote?
ment. We do need it as a nation but not Blumenthal Heinrich Rosen The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 58,
at this moment. At this moment, we Booker Hirono Schumer
Brown Kaine Shaheen nays 35, as follows:
need to pass emergency assistance to
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
Cantwell King Smith [Rollcall Vote No. 242 Ex.]
the families and businesses across Carper Klobuchar Stabenow
America. Casey Leahy Tester
YEAS—58
I salute my friends who are part of Coons Markey Udall Alexander Braun Cassidy
Cortez Masto Menendez Van Hollen Barrasso Brown Collins
this effort, this bipartisan effort. I am
Duckworth Merkley Warner Blackburn Burr Cornyn
glad that I spent the time that I did, Durbin Murphy Warren Blunt Capito Cotton
and I am still ready to work some Feinstein Murray Wyden Boozman Carper Cramer
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