Congressional Record, Senate, May 18, 2022: Small Business COVID Relief Act of 2022
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated May 18, 2022, at page S2569. It opens with the end of a speech urging closer coordination between the United States, Japan and the Quad on technology competition with China and an Indo-Pacific economic framework. Mr. Cardin then reviews S. 4008, the Small Business COVID Relief Act of 2022, which he says Mr. Schumer has set up for action the next day, as a bipartisan product to help the restaurant industry. He says $28 billion was provided for restaurants and that the new bill finds about $5 billion of offsets, requires the SBA to bring in all applications before allocating money, and bars restaurants from double dipping on Paycheck Protection Program funds. The remarks are the speakers' own.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, May 18, 2022: Small Business COVID Relief Act of 2022.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2022-05-18-crec-2022-05-18-pt1-pgs2569-9739842c6e/
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May 18, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2569
With each passing year, the tech- SMALL BUSINESS COVID RELIEF ACT OF 2022 League Baseball, professional leagues.
nology competition with China is only Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, I We provide money for music venues.
intensifying. It is, therefore, impera- take this time to review with my col- We provide money for border busi-
tive that the U.S.-Japan alliance and leagues S. 4008, the Small Business nesses. We provide money for the bus
the Quad increase coordination and in- COVID Relief Act of 2022—legislation industry. We were able to do all that,
novation in response to technological that Senator SCHUMER has set up for and we are still less money than the
competition. action tomorrow. original bill that was filed last sum-
The fifth opportunity is in economic I want to start by saying that this mer.
leadership in the Indo-Pacific. When bill—and the underlining bill that it We did a couple more things in order
President Biden visits the region, I ex- deals with, the Restaurant Revitaliza- to make sure this was done in a very
pect him to speak more about the Indo- tion Fund—was a bipartisan product in fiscally conservative way. We were able
Pacific economic framework. It is clear which Democrats and Republicans to find some offsets. There were no off-
that many of our allies and partners in worked together to help an industry sets in those other bills. We found
the Indo-Pacific are eager to see more that was in desperate need, the res- about $5 billion of offsets that we put
U.S. economic leadership. taurant industry. It provided relief for in this bill.
As a next step, the United States their revenue losses, and we were proud We did something else that was not
should take the Indo-Pacific Economic that we were able to get that passed. in the original act. We required the
Framework’s data provisions and turn The challenge was that after it was SBA to bring in all the applications be-
them into a stand-alone, sector-specific enacted, we provided $28 billion for the fore they allocate any money. Now, we
free-trade agreement. restaurants under the Restaurant Revi- had them already in the restaurants.
The executive branch should look talization Fund. In reality, that was These are ones that qualified before.
closely at the U.S.-Japan Digital Trade not enough money to cover the de- But in the other areas they will receive
Agreement of 2019 as a good starting mand, and we found that where close to all the applications, and before they
point. This is the most comprehensive 100,000 restaurants were able to qualify issue any checks, they have to make
and high-standards agreement address- and receive funds under that program, sure they have adequate resources. If
ing digital trade barriers. 170,000 were shut down through no fault they don’t, there is a pro rata reduc-
I was proud to help then-U.S. Trade of their own. tion so there is no further need for us
So we went to work, Democrats and to be concerned about replenishing the
Representative Bob Lighthizer nego-
Republicans, in an effort to rectify funds.
tiate this and other bilateral agree-
that inequity and help an industry that
ments with Japan. Our efforts brought All those are improvements that
was in desperate need.
about a more fair and reciprocal trad- were made on the original bipartisan
We filed legislation in August of last
ing relationship between our two na- legislation that was filed that is more
year. And I am proud that it was bipar-
tions, helping not only our economies considerate of the needs, less costly,
tisan, joined by many of my Demo-
but also our workers. and more efficient.
cratic colleagues and Republican col-
The Biden administration has rightly Now, we have other protections that
leagues. I want to single out Senator
maintained the Trump administra- are built into this legislation. A res-
ROGER WICKER, who has been the real
tion’s tariffs on China as important le- taurant cannot double dip. They have
champion on making sure that we
verage to uphold fair and reciprocal to subtract the moneys that they re-
worked in a bipartisan manner. We
trade. This is a critical tool in our ar- ceived under the Paycheck Protection
were joined on the Republican side by
senal, and I hope the current adminis- Program, either first or second round
Senator MURKOWSKI, Senator ERNST,
tration continues to use it. of funds, from what they would other-
Senator CASSIDY, Senator HYDE-SMITH,
There certainly are other areas Senator COLLINS, and Senator BLUNT. wise be qualified to receive. They have
where the administration must hold And others have joined us during the to have a revenue loss that they can
the line against China. The administra- process. document. So there are protections in
tion could do more to hold communist But I want to take you back a little the bill.
China accountable for unleashing the bit before we filed that bill in August But I want to go to what is the major
COVID–19 pandemic upon the world. It of last year. There was legislation filed issue why we really need to make sure
also needs to press Beijing to stop the that would replenish the funds at $60 we get this done. Because of the way
deadly flow of Chinese-origin fentanyl billion because we thought $60 billion that this was administered, partly as a
and fentanyl precursors from flowing was going to be needed in order to com- result of a court action, you had two
across our southern border and killing plete the funding. I think Senator restaurants side by side, identical in
more than 100,000 Americans a year SINEMA led the effort in filing that leg- their needs, filing their applications on
through overdoses. islation. the same day. One was funded; one was
And we also know what is at stake The difference between the bill that not. The restaurant that was not fund-
when it comes to China’s growing mili- was filed for $60 billion and the bill ed, if it is still in business today, it is
tary threats against Taiwan. The last that we are going to be considering to- very likely that that restaurant owner
administration set a high standard on morrow is the bill tomorrow is $48 bil- is taking out loans in order to stay in
countering China, and I hope the cur- lion less. We were able to reduce the business and is still trying to be com-
rent administration builds on that suc- amount of dollars that were needed in petitive to that restaurant that is next
cess. order to carry this out. Some res- door.
I believe there is strong bipartisan taurants have closed. We have tight- It is very possible that restaurant is
consensus in Congress when it comes to ened up the rules. having trouble getting help, as all res-
the Indo-Pacific and when it comes to And we can not only do that for $12 taurants are having trouble getting
the rising opportunities that we see be- billion less than it was initially help, but cannot compete in salary
fore us to further strengthen the U.S.- thought was going to be possible when with that restaurant that got the help
Japan alliance and the Quad. So I urge we had bipartisan support last summer, and now has to compete and try to get
President Biden to seize these growing but we are now able to expand it to workers, even though they didn’t get
opportunities that I have outlined other related industries—all of which the same financial assistance. So it is a
when he travels to the Indo-Pacific. As have had bipartisan legislation in this matter of basic fairness.
the only former American Ambassador body—to provide relief. These are in- I want to go one step further. We in
serving in this body and as a member dustries that were shut down as a re- the Congress tried to prioritize those
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
of the Senate Foreign Relations Com- sult of COVID–19. They had tremendous restaurants in underserved commu-
mittee, I stand ready to work with him revenue losses and incurred tremen- nities and traditionally underserved
as he does. dous debt in order to stay in business. small business owners. We set up a pri-
I yield the floor. So we provided in this bill—for the ority line for them to be able to get
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. same $48 billion, we include help for their help under the Restaurant Revi-
SMITH). The Senator from Maryland. our gyms. We include help for Minor talization Fund. The court blocked
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S2570 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 18, 2022
that line, and we now have small busi- gets difficult for us to work together; Joe Biden—we are in this dangerous
ness owners who are literally discrimi- but if we can’t work together on a situation to begin with. What is mad-
nated against because they were vet- small business bill that was developed dening about Russia’s invasion of
erans or in underserved communities. by bipartisan Members—Democrats Ukraine is that it was utterly prevent-
So as a matter of fairness, we really and Republicans—that is consistent able. This did not have to happen, and
need to get this done. The need is with what we have been doing in help- it was caused by two specific mistakes
there. We all know how restaurants are ing small businesses generally, and we by Biden and his administration. The
operating at less than full capacity now have an opportunity to bring it to first mistake was Biden’s catastrophic
today. They are still hurting as a re- the floor for a debate—it will be open surrender and withdrawal in Afghani-
sult of COVID–19. This is going back to amendment. Those who say: Well, stan. The second mistake was Biden’s
and helping them in regard to their gee, are there other ways we can make weakness and appeasement on display
first year of losses—something we this more affordable? Well, come for- and his capitulation to Putin on the
should have done a long time ago but ward. Nord Stream 2 Pipeline.
something that is desperately needed We have been working on this for a Putin didn’t just wake up yesterday
to get done. So I just really wanted to year—close to a year. And, yes, that is and decide he wanted to invade
explain that to our colleagues, why we why we have gotten good suggestions Ukraine. In 2014, Putin previously in-
need to get this done. We finally have from Democrats and Republicans in vaded Ukraine, but he stopped short of
an opportunity. order to try to make this work. But if invading the entirety of the country.
Now, what are we going to be doing? you don’t allow us to debate the bill on Why is that? The reason is simple: Rus-
We are going to be working on the mo- the floor of the U.S. Senate, I really sia’s principal source of revenue is oil
tion to proceed. Now, this is not un- don’t understand that. If you profess and gas, which is transported via pipe-
precedented. Let me remind my col- that you want to see this place work lines that go directly through Ukraine.
leagues that the original bill that fund- and there is not a philosophical prob- Putin knew that when the Nord Stream
ed the restaurant fund was emergency lem here of helping small businesses, 2 Pipeline was complete, he could in-
funding. So it patterned itself after the why can’t we move forward? vade Ukraine and not have to worry
relief we gave to the general small I don’t even know why we need a clo- about potentially destroying Ukrainian
business community under the Pay- ture motion. We should be able to pass energy infrastructure because he would
check Protection Program, which was a motion to proceed on this bill and have in place an alternative pipeline to
also emergency funding. have a debate and go to amendments. get his gas to market.
The original bill, under the Paycheck Last spring, President Biden for-
And Senator WICKER and I have made
Protection Program, was also under- mally waived the sanctions that Con-
it clear that we will act as traffic cops;
estimated by hundreds of billions of gress had put in place on Nord Stream
we will try to figure out the best way
dollars. And we came back—Democrats 2, sanctions that I authored, bipartisan
to consider this bill in order to make it
and Republicans—in a bipartisan way sanctions that passed this body twice
work for all.
and replenished that fund literally and that President Trump signed into
Madam President, small businesses
overnight—hundreds of billions of dol- law twice. Last summer, President
have a special way of filling our cities
lars—as emergency funding without Biden surrendered to Putin, lifted the
and towns that make them irreplace-
sanctions, allowed Putin to build the
offsets. able when they are gone. I think we all
And now we are trying to finish what pipeline, and announced a deal with
recognize that. They drive our local
we started in regards to the res- Germany to allow the pipeline to be
economies. They give our neighborhood
taurants. It should be—no question completed. When he announced that
character. They make us proud of
about it—emergency funding; but we deal, that capitulation, the govern-
where we come from and where we live.
are, again, trying to be as careful as ments of both Ukraine and Poland put
If we allow them to disappear through
possible, so we have even found some out a joint statement saying: Mr.
inaction, they will leave holes in our President, if you do this, Vladimir
offsets in order to make this easier for community that we cannot easily fill. Putin will invade Ukraine.
our economy. If we cannot pass one last round of In August, Biden surrendered in Af-
There are some who say they worry aid, it will mean certain restaurant ghanistan. In September, Nord Stream
about what impact it is going to have owners who have pending loans are 2 was physically completed, and then
on our economy. I think keeping small going to close their doors forever. Putin began building up his forces on
businesses open is pretty important for Those holes will exist in our commu- Ukraine’s border. Even then, our
our economy. But we can tell you the nity, and we will not be able to fill Ukrainian allies pleaded with us: Sanc-
Restaurant Association has informed them. tion Nord Stream 2 now so that Putin
us that a large part of these funds are I ask my colleagues—all of us under- will know he can’t turn it on later. The
going to be used to pay off debt that stand the importance of small business. President, the Prime Minister, Par-
small business restaurants had to take We understand they are the growth en- liament, and civil society of Ukraine
out in order to stay afloat. So we are gines in our community and innovation all said so again and again and again.
going to keep restaurants open. And engines in our community. We made a I authored a new set of sanctions
they are going to be able to pay off commitment to help them through mandating immediate sanctions, which
their debt, and they are going to be COVID–19, and we have honored a large the Ukrainian Government formally
able to add to our community. That is part of that commitment. This is the called on the Senate to take it up and
what is at stake here, and that is why last chapter to complete that commit- pass it. The Biden administration
we are so protective of making sure we ment, and I hope my colleagues will fought tooth and nail against those
try to get this done. join us in allowing us to have this de- sanctions in January. I remember
Now, this is a motion to proceed. I bate on the floor and support the help standing right here and saying: Mr.
have listened to debate on this floor for our small businesses that are in President, if you do this, we will see
about how we have to have the Senate desperate need. Russian tanks rolling toward the
work. This is a bipartisan bill dealing I yield the floor. streets of Kyiv.
with small business on a motion to pro- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Sadly, 44 Democrats voted with
ceed that will allow us to have the de- ator from Texas. President Biden against sanctions on
bate on the floor of the U.S. Senate. I UKRAINE Russia, against sanctions on Putin; and
don’t understand any of my colleagues Mr. CRUZ. Madam President, I rise the appeasement from the White House
believing that this is appropriate to fil- today to lay out exactly why I intend and 44 Democrats led, within days, to
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
ibuster and not give us the 60 votes we to vote for the aid package to provide the invasion of Ukraine.
need on a motion to proceed. There are our Ukrainian allies with the weapons That being said now, the difficult
a lot of my colleagues who are always and support they need to fight Vladi- question is what should we do now that
talking about reforming the rules in mir Putin’s invasion. this war is unfolding and, specifically,
this place. OK. I understand, when we First, it is important to understand whether it is in America’s vital na-
are getting to an emotional issue, it why—thanks in large part to President tional security interests for Ukraine to
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