Congressional Record, Senate — March 16, 2021 (S1538–S1539)
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate, pages S1538 and S1539, March 16, 2021. Remarks supporting Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services describe Attorney General Becerra's 12 terms and work on the Affordable Care Act. Under the heading Nomination of Isabella Casillas Guzman, Cardin supports Guzman to serve as Administrator of the Small Business Administration. Cardin says the SBA has approved more than 7.5 million PPP loans worth more than $687 billion and more than 3.7 million EIDL loans worth more than $200 billion. The American Rescue Plan appropriated an additional $50 billion in economic relief for small businesses, including $15 billion to targeted EIDL advance grants and $7.25 billion to PPP.
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“Congressional Record, Senate — March 16, 2021 (S1538–S1539).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-03-16-crec-2021-03-16-pt1-pgs1538-0734efc8e1/
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S1538 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 16, 2021
Attorney General Becerra’s 12 terms eral Becerra told me and other mem- and, thankfully, the American people
in the U.S. House of Representatives bers of the Senate Committee on Com- can now see the light at the end of the
gave him a solid foundation in knowing merce, Science, and Transportation tunnel. Already, more than 20 percent
how to set agendas and achieve results, that ‘‘every consumer should be able to of all Americans have received at least
which we saw deployed in his work as a own and control his or her data’’ and one COVID–19 vaccine dose, with an av-
key leader on the Committee on Ways that ‘‘if we decide that we don’t want erage of more than 2.39 million addi-
and Means, ranking member of the anyone to use [our data], it’s our tional doses being administered each
Subcommittee on Social Security, and choosing.’’ His testimony was reas- day. We can see the light at the end of
chair of the House Democratic Caucus. suring, and I look forward to working the tunnel, but we are not there yet.
He helped to expand the Children’s with him to ensure consumers can have The COVID–19 pandemic has deci-
Health Insurance Program, modernize peace of mind when it comes to the se- mated American small businesses, and
and strengthen Medicare, and helped curity of their personal health data. the worst effects have been felt by the
pass the Affordable Care Act. His com- Given the pandemic’ s spotlight on most vulnerable small businesses, espe-
mitment to the letter and spirit of this the vulnerability of our Nation’s sen- cially those in Black, Latino, Native,
law is something he carried into his iors, I am eager to work with the Biden and rural communities, so the SBA
role as California Attorney General, administration to improve the safety must continue to be a lifeline in the
fighting to maintain his State’s ability and well-being of older Americans. coming months. That is why it is im-
to bring millions of previously unin- When my 92-year-old dad, living in a portant that we confirm Ms. Guzman’s
sured residents under the ACA’s um- memory care facility, was diagnosed nomination, so she can provide the per-
brella. with COVID–19 last year, I was only manent, steady leadership the SBA
Last November, he led the defense of able to visit him through a window. He needs right now.
the Affordable Care Act in the U.S. Su- recognized me, but he just didn’t un- When we passed the CARES Act, Con-
preme Court on behalf of 20 States and derstand why we couldn’t be in the gress tasked the SBA with one of the
the District of Columbia. His tweet same room together. Tens of thousands most important aspects of our COVID–
after the oral arguments concisely of families have been through these 19 relief effort. We knew we had to sup-
sums up the national importance of his wrenching situations over the past port our small businesses because the
effort: ‘‘The ACA saves lives. It is the year and want to see the Federal Gov- public health restrictions on public
law of the land.’’ He brings a strong ernment doing more. Attorney General gatherings, which have saved thou-
commitment to using the law and regu- Becerra recently moved to make the sands of lives and kept our commu-
latory tools to make access to health California Department of Justice Med- nities safe, have been especially chal-
care and other vital services equi- icaid Fraud Control Unit a full-fledged lenging for small businesses. We had to
table—the very thing that makes our division, underscoring his commitment help small businesses so that, when we
nation strong. to protecting seniors and people with get out of this pandemic, when our
I look forward to working with him disabilities. I know his leadership will economy returns, our small businesses
on ensuring that everyone has access place the needs of seniors front and will emerge in a position to help our
to quality and affordable healthcare, center. economy recover and continue to grow.
and I know he will be a partner in the Attorney General Becerra has the ex- The CARES Act included $377 billion
fight against the coronavirus and our pertise and experience and the enforce- in funds for small businesses and cre-
goal of getting all eligible Americans ment and regulatory savvy to handle ated the Paycheck Protection Pro-
vaccinated, even in hard-to-reach the job of protecting public health, gram, the EIDL advance program, and
areas. strengthening our hospitals and health the small business debt relief program
Last week, President Biden signed care system, making sure people have to help small businesses that had tradi-
into law the American Rescue Plan access to quality, affordable health tional SBA loans, like the 7(a) and 504.
Act, which included major funding to care, and supporting our health care In April, we passed legislation to re-
address the Nation’s worsening mental workers. And as the first Latino to plenish the PPP, EIDL, and the EIDL
health and addiction crisis. This is a lead the Department of Health and advance grant program with $370 bil-
high priority of mine and an issue with Human Services, he will bring a per- lion in additional funds. Then, in De-
which Attorney General Becerra has sonal understanding of the immediate cember, we passed the bipartisan Eco-
firsthand experience. He started his ca- need for equitable access to care. nomic Aid Act to provide another $325
reer as a legal aid attorney in Massa- With that, I ask my colleagues to billion to support small businesses,
chusetts, supporting clients contending support the nomination: Xavier allow for second round PPP loans, and
with mental health issues. I am eager Becerra as Secretary of Health and create the Shuttered Venue Operators
to work with him on this issue. Human Services. Thank you. Grant Program. In total last year, Con-
Addressing the skyrocketing costs of I yield the floor. gress appropriated more than $1 tril-
prescription drugs is another area I suggest the absence of a quorum. lion to the SBA for COVID–19 relief
where Attorney General Becerra has The PRESIDING OFFICER. The programs.
shown key leadership. He and I share a clerk will call the roll. Since the passage of the CARES Act,
belief that fairer competition means The bill clerk proceeded to call the the SBA has approved more than 7.5
increased access to affordable prescrip- roll. million PPP loans worth more than
tion drugs and better public health. As Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I ask $687 billion and more than 3.7 million
California Attorney General, he inves- unanimous consent that the order for EIDL loans worth more than $200 bil-
tigated and brought enforcement ac- the quorum call be rescinded. lion. These loans and grants have saved
tions against drug manufacturers’ anti- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without millions of jobs and prevented millions
competitive business practices to help objection, it is so ordered. of small businesses from closing their
reduce drug prices and ensure that peo- Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I ask doors.
ple have access to the drugs they need. unanimous consent that I be permitted I want to thank the SBA personnel
In March 2020, he led a bipartisan group to finish my remarks before we vote. who have worked long hours, including
of 46 State attorneys general who suc- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without nights and weekends, to implement
cessfully advocated before the U.S. Su- objection, it is so ordered. these critical programs.
preme Court to uphold the rights of NOMINATION OF ISABELLA CASILLAS GUZMAN SBA still has a lot of work left to do.
States to regulate and address the ris- Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise to As I mentioned, the December bill cre-
ing cost of prescription drugs. voice my strong support for Isabella ated the Shuttered Venue Operators
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
The United States must do more to Guzman’s nomination to serve as Ad- Grant Program, which we expect the
ensure that new technologies have ap- ministrator of the Small Business Ad- SBA to open in the coming weeks.
propriate privacy and security protec- ministration. SBA also has to open a new $28.6 bil-
tions for health data. At a September Our Nation passed the 1-year mark of lion grant program for restaurants and
2020 hearing on the need for Federal COVID–19’s being declared a national bars, which was created by the historic
data privacy legislation, Attorney Gen- emergency last Saturday, March 13, American Rescue Plan.
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March 16, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1539
The plan appropriated an additional Business Association, the Small Busi- Sanders Sullivan Warnock
Schatz Tester Warren
$50 billion in economic relief for small ness Majority, the National Federation Schumer Thune Whitehouse
businesses, including $15 billion to tar- of Independent Businesses, and many Shaheen Tillis Wicker
geted EIDL advance grants, an addi- other small business advocacy groups. Sinema Toomey Wyden
tional $7.25 billion to PPP, and $1.25 Smith Van Hollen
SBA needs an Administrator who can Stabenow Warner
Young
billion for shuttered venue grants. hit the ground running, and I am con-
The plan also required SBA to launch fident Mrs. Guzman is exactly the right NAYS—18
a Community Navigator Pilot Pro- person for the job. Blackburn Daines Rubio
gram, which is designed to help small Boozman Hagerty Sasse
I urge my colleagues who have spo- Braun Hawley Scott (FL)
businesses in underserved and under- ken with small business owners who Cotton Kennedy Scott (SC)
banked communities access the still need support from the SBA—and I Crapo Lee Shelby
COVID–19 relief resources available to am sure everyone has—to join me and Cruz Risch Tuberville
them. These programs will be key to vote to confirm Mrs. Guzman as the NOT VOTING—2
our economic recovery. SBA Administrator. Hirono Lummis
That brings me to Mrs. Guzman’s I yield the floor.
nomination. Mrs. Guzman has decades The PRESIDING OFFICER. The yeas
CLOTURE MOTION are 80, the nays are 18.
of experience working with, sup-
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. The motion is agreed to.
porting, and founding small businesses,
LUJÁN). Pursuant to rule XXII, the The Senator from Delaware.
which have prepared her to lead the
Chair lays before the Senate the pend- Mr. COONS. I ask unanimous consent
SBA during this moment.
ing cloture motion, which the clerk that all postcloture time on the
Most recently, Mrs. Guzman was the
will state. Guzman nomination be considered ex-
State of California’s director of the Of-
The bill clerk read as follows: pired at 2:30 p.m. today.
fice of Small Business Advocate, where
she oversaw implementation of the CLOTURE MOTION The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
State’s COVID–19 Relief Grant Pro- We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- objection, it is so ordered.
gram. ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Mr. COONS. I yield the floor.
Mrs. Guzman also helped lead SBA Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby f
move to bring to a close debate on the nomi-
during the Obama administration, nation of Executive Calendar No. 26, Isabella RECESS
serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff Casillas Guzman, of California, to be Admin-
and Senior Advisor for 3 years, from The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
istrator of the Small Business Administra-
2014 through 2017. the previous order, the Senate stands
tion.
During her nomination hearing last Charles E. Schumer, Benjamin L. Cardin, in recess until 2:15 p.m.
month, Mrs. Guzman demonstrated her Richard Blumenthal, Christopher A. Thereupon, the Senate, at 12:37 p.m.,
commitment to ensuring that SBA’s Coons, Patty Murray, Chris Van Hol- recessed until 2:15 p.m. and reassem-
relief programs, as well as its tradi- len, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jeff Merkley, bled when called to order by the Pre-
Brian Schatz, Cory A. Booker, Amy siding Officer (Ms. SINEMA).
tional loan programs, are implemented
Klobuchar, Sherrod Brown, Angus S. f
equitably and that they help small King, Jr., Kirsten E. Gillibrand, Tim
businesses in Black, Latino, Native, Kaine, Tammy Baldwin, Ron Wyden. EXECUTIVE CALENDAR—Continued
rural, and other underserved commu-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
nities overcome the historic barriers
imous consent, the mandatory quorum ator from Nevada.
they face.
call has been waived. NOMINATION OF ISABELLA CASILLAS GUZMAN
She is committed to ensuring the
The question is, Is it the sense of the Ms. ROSEN. Madam President, I
Agency has the right systems, tech-
Senate that debate on the nomination stand here today in support of Isabel
nology, and operating procedures in
of Isabella Casillas Guzman, of Cali- Guzman’s nomination to serve as SBA
place to advance the mission and reach
fornia, to be Administrator of the Administrator.
all of our small businesses.
And she is committed to ‘‘ensure Small Business Administration, shall This pandemic has been challenging
funds get into the hands of small busi- be brought to a close? for our communities, and it has been
nesses who have been hurt the most by The yeas and nays are mandatory especially devastating for our small
the pandemic and the economic crisis under the rule. businesses. We urgently need a leader
through no fault of their own.’’ The clerk will call the roll. who is experienced and prepared for the
As we learned during the pandemic, The bill clerk called the roll. work ahead, someone who will hit the
SBA has a key role to play in our Na- Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the ground running to revive and restore
tion’s effort to fight systems of in- Senator from Hawaii (Ms. HIRONO) is our small businesses and bring back
equality that prevent many entre- necessarily absent. jobs, and Isabel Guzman is exactly the
preneurs in underserved and under- Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is right person for this task.
banked communities from starting and necessarily absent: the Senator from Having previously served in the U.S.
growing successful businesses. Wyoming (Ms. LUMMIS). Small Business Administration, Mrs.
Mrs. Guzman will be an advocate for The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 80, Guzman knows the Agency well. She
small businesses in these communities nays 18, as follows: understands the struggles that small
within the administration, and she will [Rollcall Vote No. 120 Ex.] businesses and workers face, not just
be a strong partner to us in Congress as YEAS—80 during this pandemic but also their
we build better capacity to support Baldwin Durbin Luján day-to-day needs. She will use the
small businesses through the coming Barrasso Ernst Manchin Agency’s tools to support small busi-
economic recovery. Bennet Feinstein Markey nesses, and she will fight fiercely on
Blumenthal Fischer Marshall
Mrs. Guzman’s commitment to eq- Blunt Gillibrand McConnell
their behalf.
uity and her deep knowledge of the Booker Graham Menendez Ninety-nine percent of Nevada busi-
needs of small businesses and the best Brown Grassley Merkley nesses are small businesses. This is a
Burr Hassan Moran diverse community that embodies the
policies to help them are why she re- Cantwell Heinrich Murkowski
ceived bipartisan praise during her Capito Hickenlooper Murphy entrepreneurial spirit of our State, and
nomination hearing and was advanced Cardin Hoeven Murray over the last year they have faced ob-
by the committee by a bipartisan vote. Carper Hyde-Smith Ossoff stacle after obstacle. Thousands of Ne-
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
Casey Inhofe Padilla
Mrs. Guzman has earned broad sup- Cassidy Johnson Paul
vada business owners have called my
port from the small business commu- Collins Kaine Peters office for help.
nity. Her nomination has been en- Coons Kelly Portman These small business owners are—
dorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Com- Cornyn King Reed well, they are people. They are people
Cortez Masto Klobuchar Romney
merce, U.S. Hispanic Chamber, the U.S. Cramer Lankford Rosen who have poured their hard-earned
Black Chamber, the National Small Duckworth Leahy Rounds money into starting businesses. They
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