Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., Dec. 7, 2020)

Summary

Senate section of the Congressional Record for Monday, December 7, 2020, opens with the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Senate resumes the nomination of Stephen Sidney Schwartz to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims. Under the heading Coronavirus, Leahy says it has been 321 days since the first COVID–19 case was reported in the United States and 256 days since the Senate passed the CARES Act. Leahy cites the Bureau of Labor Statistics rate of 6.7 percent for unemployment in November. McConnell later speaks under the same heading about the Senate's remaining business, Operation Warp Speed and areas of bipartisan consensus.

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“Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., Dec. 7, 2020).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-12-07-crec-2020-12-07-pt1-pgs7225-8-f2b01a03d6/, SHA-256 533ab90a905f7203a8bfe7f949de7b04047a00e9ec44526b74c188006bd9e02d.

Full text

Congressional Record
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116 th CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
United States
of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE

Vol. 166 WASHINGTON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020 No. 206

Senate
The Senate met at 3 p.m. and was Iowa for over 100 years. Over the week- ceed to executive session to resume
called to order by the President pro end, the Iowa State football team com- consideration of the following nomina-
tempore (Mr. GRASSLEY). pleted their regular season play. The tion, which the clerk will report.
f Cyclones are having a noteworthy sea- The legislative clerk read the nomi-
son. They secured the first place rank nation of Stephen Sidney Schwartz, of
PRAYER in the Big 12 Conference’s regular sea- Virginia, to be a Judge of the United
The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- son after winning five consecutive con- States Court of Federal Claims for a
fered the following prayer: ference games and eight overall con- term of fifteen years.
Let us pray. ference wins this season. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
Great Redeemer, guide our law- The good news doesn’t stop there for ator from Vermont.
makers along the best path to fulfill the Iowa State football program. The CORONAVIRUS
Your purposes on Earth. May they sub- Cyclones finished first place in league Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, speaking
mit to Your wisdom and providential play, for the first time since 1912, when both as a Senator from Vermont and as
leading, believing that You will supply they won the Missouri Valley Con- vice chairman of the Senate Appropria-
all of their needs. Remind them that ference. This has earned the Cyclones tions Committee, I am speaking with
Your unfailing love accompanies those their well-deserved spot in the Big 12 concern about what has been hap-
who put their trust in You. title game on December 19, the first pening in the Senate.
Lord, give our Senators an attitude ever Big 12 championship appearance in It has been 321 days since the first
of reverential awe that will keep them Iowa State University’s history. COVID–19 case was reported in the
from evil and inspire them to rejoice I want to applaud the Cyclones for United States—321 days. It has been 282
and be glad as they strive to live lives their historic season. So many fans, in- days since the first COVID–19 death
of purity and obedience. cluding me, will be rooting them on for was reported in the United States.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics re-
And, Lord, as we remember Pearl the Big 12 championship game.
I suggest the absence of a quorum. ports that the unemployment rate in
Harbor on this December 7, thank You
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The November was 6.7 percent, nearly dou-
for Your loving and prevailing provi-
clerk will call the roll. ble the rate in November of last year.
dence. May we show our gratitude by
The legislative clerk proceeded to Hundreds of thousands of small busi-
facing the future without fear.
call the roll. nesses across the country have closed
We pray in Your majestic Name. permanently, all due to COVID.
Amen. Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask
unanimous consent that the order for As of today, there are more than
f 14,800,000 reported cases of COVID–19 in
the quorum call be rescinded.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without the United States. To put that in per-
objection, it is so ordered. spective, that is 1 million more than
The President pro tempore led the just a week ago. More than 282,000
Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: f
Americans have died, and it has been
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME 256 days since the Senate passed the
United States of America, and to the Repub- CARES Act—256 days since the Senate
lic for which it stands, one nation under God, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
the previous order, the leadership time acted in a comprehensive, meaningful
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
is reserved. way to address the real and mounting
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. concerns and needs of our constituents.
HAWLEY). The Senator from Iowa. f
My State of Vermont is like every-
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask CONCLUSION OF MORNING where else. Healthcare workers, care-
unanimous consent to speak for 1 BUSINESS givers, business owners, employees,
minute in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning teachers, and students are all in need
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without business is closed. of support during these difficult and
objection, it is so ordered. uncertain times.
f
f We have families wrestling with
EXECUTIVE SESSION heightened food insecurity. People for
RECOGNIZING IOWA STATE the first time in their lives cannot feed
UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL their children and they cannot feed
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I EXECUTIVE CALENDAR themselves. They have the threat of
want to visit with my colleagues about The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under eviction from their homes hanging over
something that hasn’t happened in the previous order, the Senate will pro- them.

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∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

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S7226 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 7, 2020
We have States that are strapped by into the classroom, even if it is an area and our schools to open that day. I
budget shortfalls and are forced to lay where it was not safe to accommodate don’t know how many times, at home,
off thousands of employees, people who those children. on a snowy night, I wake at 4:30 in the
have worked so hard for the people of It failed to deliver on relief to State morning as I hear the snowplows going
their State. and local governments, which are con- by on the road, and I know I can get to
It has been 205 days since the House tinuing to try to provide essential serv- my office a couple of hours later—and
first passed the Heroes Act, and it has ices to their communities, as our gov- we have had nearly a foot of snow.
been 65 days since they stepped forward ernment is in Vermont. It included My staff spoke with one Vermont
to offer a substantial compromise on nothing for Low Income Home Energy mother—not unusual. She is raising a
the Heroes Act and passed it again. Assistance, or LIHEAP. And it was son with autism. With school systems
And where does it sit? It sits on my snowing in our State and in a lot of strained to their limits, special edu-
friend the Republican leader’s desk. It other northern States this weekend. It cation services have been sharply re-
is collecting dust. It is the largest and had no funding for mental health serv- duced. That is going to have a lasting
most significant bill in the McConnell ices. Can you imagine what is going impact on these students, both educa-
legislative graveyard. on—no funding for mental health serv- tionally and socially.
Why aren’t we voting? Look what ice? There is no funding for nutrition For those who are facing challenges
happens. We can’t even bring ourselves assistance. There wasn’t a dime for like addiction, depression, or mental
to actually vote on something to help NIH research. And it didn’t have a health issues—and that can be any one
Americans, to help the people of our plan—a vigorous plan—or an invest- of our States—or who were simply
own States. They are being thrown out ment in vaccination production and down on their luck before COVID hit
of their houses, their apartments, and distribution. earlier this year, access to vital re-
out of their jobs, and we come in for a It is one thing to say we have these sources like counseling or intervention
few days and then get on an airplane supercold things on an airplane. Won- has been made more complicated by
and fly back home, and the taxpayers derful. When are you going to be able COVID restrictions, often with tragic
pay for it, taxpayers paying our sala- to bring it to our factories, our schools, results.
ries and all and nothing happens. our hospitals, and our senior citizens I heard of one Vermonter who passed
Now, like millions of Americans, I and actually vaccinate them? away alone in a motel room in Rutland
am encouraged by the news of recent So what was the legislation brought
in October. Battling mental health
weeks that pharmaceutical companies up here? It created a shield for cor-
issues, he had become homeless just as
are making significant progress on vac- porate misconduct. And what it said is
COVID struck earlier this year. And
cine development. I am encouraged that my friends, the Republicans, are
due to the risks of the virus, family
that some of these vaccines may be more keen to shield corporate cronies
and friends were unable to take him
available as early as later this month. than to work on behalf of the American
into their homes. This isn’t just a
Let’s not forget why we were able to people. That is a sham. It is a shame,
story. It is a man’s life. And there are
develop vaccines so quickly. It is be- especially when you find that at least
so many more people out there facing
cause of longstanding Federal invest- in one of those corporations that want
the same struggles.
ment in cutting-edge research at the a shield, the managers were betting on
We are seeing images of car lines at
National Institutes of Health—research who would get COVID first.
In my home State of Vermont, our food banks stretching for miles, as an
that has been backed by so many of us
Governor and our State legislature, our unprecedented wave of food insecurity
in both parties for years in this body.
mayors, and our town leaders across is washing over our country. In my
NIH funded research in genetic and
State have taken bold moves to slow State alone, one in every four
genomic sequencing and enabled the
the spread of COVID. Our Governor is Vermonters are now food insecure. Be-
research of COVID–19 that led to the
Republican, and I am a Democrat. I fore this pandemic, it was already an
vaccine. This is the power of Federal
praise him for what he did. I talked unacceptable 1 in 10.
dollars when it is targeted to solve a
national—a national—problem. We with him again today about the steps We are asking children to learn with-
need more of that today. he has taken—difficult steps, hard out providing the necessary resources
The development of several promised steps, but steps to keep Vermonters their teachers need. We are asking fam-
vaccines is great news, but if you don’t safe. And these moves taken in my ilies to pay rent without their jobs and
have a comprehensive plan in place and State of Vermont resulted in lower in- for people to deal with their chronic
resources implemented, how can we be stances of the virus than anywhere else illnesses while our hospitals are still
sure the vaccination is safe, effective, in the country. But as the Governor stretched to capacity. All of this is
widely available, and free? said and what I have said and every- while an unacceptable amount of peo-
Can anybody stand up and say that body else has said, they have come ple are unsure how they will put food
every part of their State will have vac- with a cost. We have kept people safe, on the table through the end of the
cination? No, the money is not there but not without a cost. Unemployment week in the wealthiest Nation on
yet, and we haven’t done anything on remains. Small businesses continue to Earth. That is unconscionable.
that. It is a complete abdication of our struggle, if they are even able to stay I must say that the leadership across
responsibility as elected Representa- in existence. That says nothing of the the aisle has got to bring up these bills.
tives that we have simply failed to act. personal hardship families are facing Stop stalling. You know, they say we
Now, I know that my friends across across our small State. only need a targeted approach, and
the aisle will probably rush to the One elderly woman called my office. they point to the stock market as
floor, and they will blame Democrats She expressed frustration with the proof. These people who are out of jobs
for stalling on their inadequate, face- President. She told may staff that she aren’t looking at the stock market.
saving proposal that they went through has only been able to visit her husband, These people who can’t feed their chil-
the motions to bring before the elec- who is in a medical rehab facility, a dren aren’t looking at the stock mar-
tions. Remember what it was. It was a couple of times during this pandemic ket. For these people whose rent has
give-away to insurance companies, and due to COVID restrictions. That is not come due and they can’t pay it, to
they didn’t even have the courage to an anecdote. That is a personal trag- them that is nonsense.
allow amendments for people to actu- edy. The economy is not going to recover
ally have to vote up or down. It is easi- In Vermont, the State and local gov- until we have vanquished the virus. It
er to make a face-saving gesture know- ernments are worrying about how to is that simple. It is that basic. And

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ing it would not go anywhere. clear the roads this winter if COVID people are suffering now. That is the
Sure, it made some investments in hits the plow crews. Snow removal cost of inaction—inaction on real, com-
small businesses. It provided some em- isn’t a luxury in Vermont in the win- prehensive, COVID relief legislation.
ployment relief, albeit at a signifi- ter. It is a necessity. We sometimes Now with our backs against the wall
cantly reduced level. But it also tied have 7, 8, 9, 10 inches of snow over- with a funding deadline looming, we
educational relief to forcing kids back night. But we expect our businesses are racing to accomplish what should

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December 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7227
have been done months ago: annual ap- ment funding, as I have said for weeks, In fact, the framework for a small,
propriations bills to keep our govern- it is my hope that our committees’ targeted relief package that I put for-
ment running. We were ready on this work will bear fruit and a full-year ward last week—something Democrats
side of the aisle to vote on those back funding package will come to the floor quickly attacked—would have resolved
in June and have a couple of amend- in both Chambers. all three of those subjects. The tar-
ments up or down. Republicans, in the I anticipate that the Senate will take geted Republican framework extends
majority, if they didn’t like a Demo- up a 1-week extension this week so the unemployment insurance programs
cratic amendment, they could vote it government does not close on Decem- that will otherwise expire; it creates an
down. We could have done it back then. ber 11 and work can continue through entire second round of the Paycheck
Now the deadline is this week, months the end of next week. Protection Program for the hardest hit
later. We have to pass these bills before The Nation needs our Democratic small businesses; and it lays ground-
Congress adjourns this year so there is colleagues to resist the temptation to work to distribute the vaccines that
no disruption in our government, in play brinksmanship with long-settled appear to be on the horizon. Check,
our services during this difficult time policy issues or push poison-pill riders check, and check.
in our country. It will only exacerbate that they know would tank the proc- The Democratic whip is right to rec-
the growing problems facing many ess. ognize these three subjects as espe-
Americans today. But our annual ap- We also expect to receive and pass a cially urgent because they are espe-
propriations bills are no substitute for conference report on the annual De- cially urgent. That is why Republicans
the significant investment we need to fense authorization. And we need to have been trying over and over to get
continue confirming nominees to va- them passed. That is why Republicans
confront this national and inter-
cancies in the judiciary and the execu- have been saying for months that
national emergency. We need a com-
tive branch. Speaker PELOSI and the Democratic
prehensive COVID relief bill. We Senators are no strangers to the
It is time to get serious. Instead of leader should let Congress get out-
end-of-year drama, but this time the
flying off every weekend back home, comes in all of the places where we al-
stakes are far higher. We are up
stay here. Vote these things up or ready agree rather than holding every-
against another, even steeper surge in
down. Bring up amendments on both thing hostage over their most con-
COVID–19 than we saw back in the
sides of the aisle. Have an agreement troversial, partisan demands.
spring. Workers and small businesses
on the amendments and vote them up But month after month after month,
are once again struggling to make ends
or down, because time is wasted. it has been the Democratic leaders who
meet as States and localities step up
How many hours have we spent rac- have said that no relief whatsoever can
precautions.
ing to confirm nomination after nomi- And while the latest news on the vac- pass, no consensus items can become
nation at the expense of everything cine trials suggest that victory over law unless multiple controversial areas
else, including dealing with the emer- the virus may soon be within reach, where we don’t agree are resolved to
gency of this pandemic, while COVID our work in that area is far from com- the Democrats’ liking.
cases soar and more and more people plete. As one recent article put it, That is why the Democratic leader
succumb to this virus? How much more ‘‘State [and] local officials plead for had every single Senate Democratic
time will the Senate waste while Amer- vaccine distribution funds.’’ vote to filibuster a targeted COVID–19
ican families and communities suffer? Our Nation’s historic sprint to vic- relief package back in September and
It is time for us to do our job. We are tory through vaccines seems poised to again in October. That bill would have
elected for 6-year terms. Let’s stay succeed in record time, but the critical taken care of small businesses, unem-
here for 6 days during the week, if need last step—hundreds of millions of doses ployment insurance, and vaccine dis-
be. Let’s get it done. The American out to the American people—is still in tribution months ago. Senate Demo-
people are suffering enough. We front of us. Congress cannot stay on crats blocked it.
shouldn’t be adding to that strain by the sidelines. I think, if the Senate Democratic
playing politics with these essential Yesterday, our colleague from Illi- leader would allow it, the three things
priorities. nois, the Democratic whip, gave an that the Democratic whip mentioned
I am hearing from Vermonters every interview in which he named three ex- just yesterday—small business aid, re-
day, worried about unemployment ben- amples of highly urgent matters that upping unemployment aid, and setting
efits, their children’s education, their need to be addressed for our Nation up vaccine distribution—would pass
health or for that of their loved ones, right now. This is the Democratic whip the Senate in a landslide.
about food security, about keeping of the U.S. Senate. A targeted compromise on the most
their homes and paying their bills. Here are the three things Senator urgent items would pass by a massive
The Senate, when it has been at its DURBIN mentioned as flashing red, ur- bipartisan margin. We could easily put
best, has been the conscience of the Na- gent priorities: ‘‘The millions of people together a whole slew of commonsense
tion. It is long past time that we start- who are going to . . . lose their unem- policies—including those three and
ed acting like the conscience of the Na- ployment insurance the day after other things, like legal protections
tion. It has been 256 days since the Sen- Christmas’’; ‘‘the businesses that are that universities and the American
ate took meaningful action on this trying to decide . . . whether or not Council on Education have been plead-
COVID epidemic. We shouldn’t wait a they can continue’’; and ‘‘the [vaccine] ing for—bring it to the floor, and pass
day longer. Let’s set everything else logistics . . . to make sure that this it.
aside. Let’s have votes on these pro- vaccine is on the road and vaccinating Everyone knows why this hasn’t hap-
grams. Let’s vote up or down. This people across America as quickly as pened. There is one reason the Speaker
Senator is ready to do that. possible.’’ of the House and the Democratic leader
I see the distinguished leader on the Those are the three things he men- have spent months tying the most bi-
floor. tioned. Those are the three urgent partisan, most commonsense policies
I yield the floor. issues he named as examples: extending to their most controversial requests
RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER unemployment insurance, helping and saying that the country can’t get
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. small businesses, and funding vaccine the former unless they get the latter.
ERNST). The majority leader is recog- distribution. Their strategy has been all or nothing,
nized. Well, I do not question the sincerity so struggling Americans have, of
CORONAVIRUS of our colleague, who I believe is en- course, gotten nothing.
Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, gaged in these discussions in good Well, we are down to the wire. The

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we have reached the time of year when faith. But these comments illustrate light at the end of the tunnel is in
the Senate has more important out- perfectly a point that Republicans have sight. Operation Warp Speed seems
standing business than we have days to been making for weeks. These three ur- poised to deliver vaccines on a historic,
complete it. Delivering for the Amer- gent issues are issues where there is al- almost miraculous timetable. We have
ican people will take focus, dexterity, most total bipartisan consensus, no seen some hopeful signs of engagement
and genuine bipartisanship. On govern- real disagreement whatsoever. from our Democratic colleagues, but

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