Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., Jan. 28, 2021)
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated January 28, 2021, at pages S184 and S185, under the heading Coronavirus. Mr. Durbin describes a call with the Governor of Illinois about vaccine supply, saying the State receives 120,000 first doses a week for about 10 million eligible people, and has a CNN article on the final economic report card of the Trump administration printed in the Record. He outlines President Biden's $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, including $160 billion for testing and supplies, $170 billion for schools and higher education and $1,400 direct payments, and reintroduces legislation on special drawing rights at the International Monetary Fund. He notes that 1.1 million COVID-19 cases and almost 19,000 deaths have occurred in Illinois. Mr. Thune speaks on the nomination of Pete Buttigieg as Transportation head.
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“Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., Jan. 28, 2021).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-01-28-crec-2021-01-28-pt1-pgs184-65fa459e6f/
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S184 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 28, 2021
warning was to the right, who appar- has been promised. That is included in administration will need an all-hands-on-
ently are going to continue in their ef- the Biden proposal. deck approach to get the economy back on
forts to disrupt life in America and en- Unemployment insurance—we still track this year after the pandemic slammed
on the breaks.
danger the lives of fellow Americans are finding record numbers of people Rising infections and renewed restrictions
and law enforcement officers. who are filing for unemployment; $290 on people and businesses put a damper on
We need to stand up as a nation and billion extends the current benefits and hopes for the recovery in the winter months.
say, ‘‘Enough.’’ Whatever your polit- eligibility and a $400 supplement per The first quarter of 2021 ‘‘is likely to be
ical strife, there is no room for extre- week until the end of September. Rent- even weaker with little reason to expect a
mism and violence in the exercise of a al assistance, SNAP benefits, childcare, sudden upswing in activity until Covid re-
constitutional responsibility or right. relief to families, such as the child tax strictions are meaningfully eased,’’ said
I wanted to make that as part of the James Knightley, chief international econo-
credit—the list is lengthy, and I have
mist at ING, even with more help for the un-
RECORD as an opening statement. read through it carefully. employed in place.
f Should we do it? There are some who Biden will need to bring the pandemic
argue: No, we don’t need more stim- under control first to get the recovery on the
CORONAVIRUS
ulus. We have done all we need to do. right path.
Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, now, I have to disagree with that conclu- WHAT’S HOLDING THE ECONOMY BACK?
on another issue, this morning, I went sion. The news this morning that was Economists have been concerned about the
on a radio show in Bloomington-Nor- alluded to by the Democratic leader state of the recovery for a while. Rising in-
mal, IL, WJBC, Scott Miller. The topic suggests that we are not out of the fections in the fall and a renewed increase in
de jour—no surprise—was the vaccines, woods by a long shot when it comes to weekly claims for jobless benefits pointed to
the COVID–19 vaccines, and why so the state of the economy. another rough patch for the economy in the
many people in that part of Central Il- winter.
CNN reported this morning that the On the consumer and spending front, retail
linois can’t get access to vaccinations. Donald Trump final economic report sales logged three straight months without
I listened to the frustration of people card could be very underwhelming. any growth between October and December
who called in to the announcer about [For example,] the U.S. gross domestic as big shopping events like Black Friday and
waiting on the phone for hours, trying product, the broadest measure of economic Christmas failed to provide an adequate
to get through, unable to make an ap- activity, is forecast to have grown at an boost. And the University of Michigan’s sur-
pointment, and I called the Governor of annualized rate of 4% between October and vey-based consumer sentiment index re-
Illinois, JB Pritzker, to ask him what December [of last year]. mained still far below its pre-pandemic level
was happening. He gave me some num- In a normal year, that would be [cause for and declined again after its most recent peak
celebration]—an A+. . . . But 2020 was no in October.
bers in our part of the world, which Millions of Americans remain unemployed
normal year.
probably reflect our country’s status at America is still recovering from the worst because of the crisis, and in December, the
the moment. economic shock in living memory. [Our gross economy shed 140,000 jobs—a major setback
He said that we were receiving 120,000 domestic product] shrank [by] a record 31.4% for the recovery. It was the first net job loss
first doses of COVID–19 vaccine each on an annualized basis in the second quarter. since April.
week—120,000 a week. We have approxi- . . . [I]t came screaming back at a 33.4% The US economy runs on consumer spend-
mately 10 million people eligible to be annualized pace in the third quarter, [but] ing and for as long as Americans don’t spend
vaccinated in Illinois. Those under the that wasn’t . . . enough to make up for the the way they used to—be it because of unem-
damage [that was] already done. ployment, lockdowns or plain caution—it
age of 16 are excluded for reasons deter- will keep the recovery pace slow.
mined by medical professionals, so we I ask unanimous consent that this ar- The rollout of vaccines and ultimate con-
start with 10 million. We anticipate ticle be printed in the RECORD with my trol of the virus is what will truly transport
that at least 50 percent are currently statement. the economy back to its pre-pandemic
hoping to get a vaccine as quickly as a There being no objection, the mate- strength, economists believe. But only about
possible. So we have to get 5 million rial was ordered to be printed in the 23.5 million vaccine doses have been adminis-
people vaccinated in our State with RECORD, as follows: tered in the United States so far.
Meanwhile, those who lost their jobs or
two doses. There are 10 million doses, [From CNN, Jan. 27, 2021]
had their hours or pay reduced because of
and we are receiving 120,000 a week. Is DONALD TRUMP’S FINAL ECONOMIC REPORT the pandemic still require help from the gov-
it any wonder that the new President, CARD COULD BE VERY UNDERWHELMING ernment.
Joe Biden, has spoken up that we need (By Anneken Tappe) Trump signed a second stimulus package
to obtain as quickly as possible new NEW YORK—Economists are grading on a into law in December, which extended var-
sources of COVID–19 vaccine in large curve. That’s not a good thing if you’re ious programs to continue helping the job-
numbers? I support that completely. former President Donald Trump. less. But many economists believe the delay
As part of his request for the Amer- US gross domestic product, the broadest in getting more measures passed hurt the
measure of economic activity, is forecast to pace of the recovery.
ican Rescue Plan, which has come be- have grown at an annualized rate of 4% be- President Biden’s economic agenda in-
fore the U.S. Senate and House of Rep- tween October and December. cludes more stimulus still, but whether his
resentatives, in that request he spells In a normal year, that would be something $1.9 trillion plan will get passed in its origi-
out what he thinks are the priorities in to celebrate—an A+ for Trump’s final eco- nal form remains to be seen.
this country, and I believe he is cor- nomic report card. But 2020 was no normal Mr. DURBIN. The statistics are dev-
rect. year. astating, as well, when it comes to the
We talk about $160 billion to provide America is still recovering from the worst number of people filing for unemploy-
the supplies, emergency response, test- economic shock in living memory. GDP ment—recordbreaking numbers—and
shrank a record 31.4% on an annualized basis
ing, and workforce for our country to in the second quarter. Though it came
those are included in this article as
stop the spread of COVID–19. Could screaming back at a record 33.4% annualized well.
there be any higher priority? pace in the third quarter, that wasn’t nearly So we are counseled by the new
There is $170 billion for schools and enough to make up for the damage already Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, ap-
higher education so they can safely re- done. proved by this body, that we shouldn’t
open and operate. Any parent or grand- So if 33.4% isn’t good enough, 4% sure ain’t take our foot off the accelerator for
parent knows how urgent that need is. gonna cut it, either. It would get the nation fear that this economy will bog down
There is $80 billion for paid leave. It only a small part of the way back to its pre- again. Businesses will find it difficult
pandemic strength—underscoring just how
includes 14 weeks of paid family med- to survive—even open—and their em-
far we still have to go.
ical leave through the end of Sep- It also doesn’t bode well for the recovery in ployees, of course, will be without
tember. Certainly, people need to have 2021. The US economy’s recovery took a hit work. We need to get this economy
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
that option available either because of in the last quarter of 2020 as Covid–19 infec- roaring back, and that means making
their own illness or an illness in the tions spiked and various states reintroduced the investment that President Biden is
family. lockdown measures. asking for.
Direct payments—already $600 has A BAD SIGN FOR 2021 Similarly, we need to get our kids
gone out to many families in direct President Joe Biden inherited an ailing re- back in school. I know most parents
payments. Another $1,400 per person covery and a broken jobs market. The new would feel that is true, grandparents as
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January 28, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S185
well. And the sooner we do it, the bet- literacy.’’ Day laborers can’t find tunity to strengthen America as we
ter, but do it safely—safely for the work. Campaigns to address malaria, help repair a damaged world.
teachers, administrators, and everyone polio, AIDS, and malnutrition have Of course, our first priority is Amer-
involved in that decision. been disrupted. It is estimated that ican families, and this effort would not
It is hard to imagine what we have hundreds of thousands of children in take a single dollar away from buying
been through in the last calendar year, the developing world will die from mal- the vaccines that are necessary to keep
the year 2020. I am glad it is behind us. nutrition. Many who survive will face our Nation safe. But by using these
We will still have many challenges lifetimes of disabilities. special drawing rights, we provide re-
ahead, but it is hard to believe that A study by the International Cham- sources to some of the poorest nations
just 1 year ago this week, in the State ber of Commerce found that the global around the world so that they, too, can
of Illinois, we confirmed our first case cost of unequal global vaccine distribu- start vaccinating their population.
of coronavirus—1 year ago. A patient tion will hit affluent countries almost This world got sick, we believe, be-
had returned from China to suburban as hard as developing countries. cause of one person in China, and it
Chicago and transmitted the virus to The study showed what would happen spread around the world. That is, at
her husband. She was treated success- if wealthy nations were fully vac- least, the theory that has been backed
fully, as was her husband. cinated by the middle of the year but up by evidence so far. So let’s make
But in the 365 days since then that poor countries shut out, a likely sce- certain that, as we address this issue,
transpired, 1.1 million COVID–19 cases nario. we do it on a global basis.
occurred in my State of Illinois—from This week, the World Health Organi- I urge the Senate to support this
one person a year ago, 1.1 million zation noted that only 1 of 29 low-in- measure as a way to not only do the
cases—and almost 19,000 Illinoisans come countries has begun vaccination, right thing for our less fortunate
have died. The story is repeated in and in that particular country of Guin- brothers and sisters around the world
every State and every community. ea, only 55 out of 12 million people have but as a way to help our own pandemic
What started as a worry ended up be- been reached. and economic recovery.
coming a pandemic and one of the The study concluded that the global I yield the floor.
economy could lose more than $9 tril- I suggest the absence of a quorum.
deadliest in American history. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
Last year, I came to the floor to ask lion, with nearly half of those costs ab-
pore. The clerk will call the roll.
unanimous consent for a resolution sorbed by the United States and other The senior assistant legislative clerk
with a simple message, that the United wealthy countries. proceeded to call the roll.
States should work with other nations We are already seeing how illness in Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask
around the world to address the poor nations affects us. U.S. exports unanimous consent that the order for
COVID–19 pandemic. It seemed like a have plunged by nearly 28 percent in the quorum call be rescinded.
commonsense proposition. To think the last 6 months, resulting in lost jobs The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
that one case in Wuhan, China, has led here, lower profits, and lower wages. pore. Without objection, it is so or-
us to where we are today tells us that So that is why I am reintroducing dered.
this is a shrinking world. legislation to direct the U.S. Treasury
f
We need to tackle that deadly com- to use its vote at the International
municable disease because it knows no Monetary Fund to release what are NOMINATION OF PETER PAUL
boundaries. No nation is safe from known as special drawing rights. These MONTGOMERY BUTTIGIEG
COVID–19 if it is raging in any part of are foreign exchange reserve assets Mr. THUNE. Madam President, yes-
the world. Equally, no nation’s econ- maintained by the IMF that can be terday I voted to advance out of com-
omy is immune from the impacts of the used by developing nations during se- mittee President Biden’s nomination of
pandemic raging elsewhere. vere economic downturns, as done dur- Pete Buttigieg as head of the Depart-
I am glad the Senate eventually ing the 2008 global financial crisis. ment of Transportation, and the full
passed the resolution that I introduced, A release of these special drawing Senate will soon vote to confirm him.
affirming the need to join with others rights would not cost American tax- I had a good meeting and discussion
in fighting the pandemic. payers a single dollar, but they would with Mr. Buttigieg last week. We
Now, the first priority is obvious: help developing nations purchase and talked about a number of South Da-
Take care of the American people and distribute COVID vaccines and stem kota transportation priorities.
American families and everyone who the pandemic’s economic impact over- Our Nation is due for another major
lives in our Nation. That is the first seas. infrastructure bill, and I asked Mr.
and highest priority for our elected of- This proposal is supported by a broad Buttigieg to commit to maintaining
ficials at every single level. coalition, including American farm strong investments in rural highway
We are now debating a measure to leaders, business leaders, and trade as- funding and other rural transportation
help the American people gain access sociations, leading economists, faith priorities as part of any infrastructure
to vaccines—the Biden rescue plan— groups, labor unions, and humanitarian legislation. A strong rural transpor-
and the harsh economic impact it has groups. tation infrastructure benefits the en-
had on America. President Biden un- I want to thank my cosponsors in tire national transportation system by
derstands the immediacy of these this effort: Senators SANDERS, CARDIN, connecting major highways and rail-
needs, and I hope that we in Congress REED, MERKLEY, and LEAHY. We are ways to the regions that produce so
do as well. joined in the House by my colleague many of the agricultural and industrial
As we respond to the COVID–19 crisis from Illinois, Congressman CHUY products that we rely on. It is key to
in America, though, we cannot ignore GARCÍA. helping South Dakota farmers and
the need for a global response. This Three-quarters of a century ago, ranchers and farmers and ranchers
isn’t a matter of being charitable. It is much of the world lay in ruins as a re- around the country get their products
in our national interest and a reflec- sult of a global war. The United States to market.
tion of our values to ensure that poorer made an unprecedented commitment I also asked Mr. Buttigieg to work
nations have access to vaccines and to help the nations of the world rise with me to improve Tribal transpor-
tools to manage their impact. from the ashes of World War II and re- tation infrastructure. Right now, pros-
The New York Times columnist Nick build. We did so because it was in keep- perous Tribes in populous areas receive
Kristof chronicled this problem in a ing with our moral beliefs and it served a disproportionate amount of Tribal
powerful piece earlier this month, enti- our political and economic interests. transportation funding, even though
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
tled ‘‘Starving Children Don’t Cry.’’ He The Marshall Plan and other inter- their needs are often less pressing than
noted that while some developing coun- national aid efforts by the United those facing large rural Tribes, like
tries may have avoided high COVID States helped make America the most those in South Dakota. I am com-
death tolls, the pandemic has led, in powerful Nation on Earth, politically mitted to ensuring that rural Tribes
many places, to what he calls and economically. This global crisis, get their fair share of Tribal transpor-
‘‘pandemics of hunger, disease and il- COVID–19, gives us another oppor- tation funding, and I was pleased that
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