S2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 building blocks of the proposal we will ing creative ways to stand united, even The PRESIDING OFFICER. The pass today. if they have to stand 6 feet apart. clerk will call the roll. But Republicans knew the Nation We will win this fight because of peo- The senior assistant legislative clerk had no time—no time—for conven- ple like Amy Jean Tyler, a stay-at- proceeded to call the roll. tional political gamesmanship, so the home mom in Oldham County, KY, who Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask instant we released our first draft, I is leading a drive to sew cotton masks unanimous consent that the order for created a series of bipartisan working for a local children’s hospital. the quorum call be rescinded. groups. I asked Republicans and Demo- We will win this fight because of peo- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without crats to work together around the ple like Pastor Grant Hasty in Stearns, objection, it is so ordered. clock—literally, around the clock—to KY, who is gathering volunteers to dis- f make the bill even better. tribute more than 550 home-cooked By Sunday, we had an updated pro- meals. RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME posal that was even stronger and con- We will win this fight because of peo- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under tained even more ideas, literally, from ple like Peg Hays, who runs a distillery the previous order, the leadership time both sides—both sides. Republicans and in Christian County, KY, and is tempo- is reserved. Democrats have worked together to rarily converting her bourbon-making dramatically strengthen and rework facilities to churn out hand sanitizer. f unemployment insurance during this We will win this fight because na- CONCLUSION OF MORNING crisis. We have worked together to tional companies are switching produc- BUSINESS make sure lower income families could tion lines to make medical supplies be- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning receive the full cash assistance, and on cause our largest high-tech companies business is closed. and on. are partnering with the government to I will leave it to others to compare throw supercomputing power right into f the bipartisan Sunday bill to the final the race for vaccines. LEGISLATIVE SESSION version we will pass today and deter- We will win this fight because of fam- mine whether the last few changes ilies, neighbors, and church commu- really required or merited 3 days of nities that cannot even worship to- MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS delay—3 days of delay—in the face of gether in person and because of small TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019—Motion this worsening crisis. But that Wash- businesses, big businesses, public to Proceed—Resumed ington drama does not matter any- health Ph.D.s, and local entrepreneurs. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under more. The Senate is going to stand to- It has been 18 years since every the previous order, the Senate will re- gether, act together, and pass this his- American was united in amazement sume consideration of the motion to toric relief package today. and prayer as firefighters and first re- proceed to H.R. 748, which the clerk Struggling Americans are going to go sponders rushed into burning buildings will report. to their mailboxes and find four-figure on September 11, 2001. The senior assistant legislative clerk checks to help with their bills. Why? In the coming days and weeks, our read as follows: Because the Senate stepped up. Nation is going to meet new heroes. Many American families who have Many may be police, firefighters, and A bill (H.R. 748) to amend the Internal Rev- poured everything into a restaurant or EMTs once again. Many others will be enue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health cov- a shop or a small manufacturer are truckdrivers, grocery store clerks, and erage. going to keep making payroll and keep pharmacists, who literally keep our The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- their businesses alive because this Sen- supply chains running; utility workers ator from Illinois. ate stepped up. and delivery drivers, who leave their Hundreds of thousands of workers in homes so everyone else can remain in CORONAVIRUS key sectors who might well have been theirs; teachers, who somehow manage Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, America laid off through no fault of their own to keep educating their students over has never seen anything like this be- will, instead, get to keep their job and the internet while looking after their fore. To think that half of the people continue their career because this Sen- own kids at the very same time. And, who live in the United States are under ate stepped up. most of all, we are going to meet a some order to either stay home or at And, for the healthcare heroes who whole lot of American heroes who wear least avoid contact with others is un- leave their own sleeping children and scrubs and masks and gloves—heroes heard of. This is an enemy—this drive to the hospital for an all-night who rush toward the sick and wash virus—the likes of which we have never shift, who spend hour after hour heal- their hands until they bleed and work faced. ing the sick, comforting strangers, and around the clock to heal our friends As strong and determined as our Na- literally battling this disease, there and our families. tion is when it comes to these chal- will be more masks in their supply When our Nation comes through this lenges, this is unique, and it calls for closet, more funding for their hos- and takes flight again on the other unique leadership. There are a lot of pitals, and, soon, more new treatments side, it will be because American he- critics of the U.S. Congress—for good to administer to their patients because roes won this fight. All the Senate can reason—but I think what we have dem- this Senate stepped up. do is to give them the resources to do onstrated in the last several weeks So, today, the Senate will act to help it, and that is exactly what we are since we have addressed this the people of this country weather this going to do today. coronavirus is that there is a capacity storm. Nobody thinks legislation can f for common sense, bipartisan work, end this. We cannot outlaw the virus. and a timeliness that is essential. No economic policy could fully end ORDER OF BUSINESS The first two measures were passed the hardship so long as the public Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I in record time—one for $8 billion, health requires that we put so much of ask unanimous consent that notwith- which opened the door for more med- our Nation’s commerce on ice. This is standing the provision of rule XXII, the ical resources; the second, for $100 bil- not even a stimulus package. It is cloture motion with respect to the mo- lion, which tried to guarantee to people emergency relief—emergency relief. tion to proceed to H.R. 748 occur at a they would never have to pay to be That is what this is. time to be determined by the majority tested for coronavirus, that there No, this fight is not going to be won leader in consultation with the Demo- would be adequate food supplies during or lost in Washington. It is the Amer- cratic leader during today’s session. this calamitous time, that we would ican people who will beat this virus. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there have resources sent to the States for Americans will keep making sacrifices objection? Medicaid reimbursement at new levels, to slow down the spread. Americans Without objection, it is so ordered. that we would also engage people with will keep pitching in and looking after Mr. MCCONNELL. I suggest the ab- family leave, as necessary, so that they each other. Americans will keep find- sence of a quorum. could stay out of the workplace if they

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.002 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2023 felt badly, and that we would also have ease even further in the United States. have come forward and asked: Are you an idea that we would come together as It says to those who are anxiously ex- going to help us? We are spending a lot a nation to move unemployment insur- panding their resources, expanding the of money because of this COVID–19. ance with dispatch. That passed, again, number of beds, bringing in retired This bill does it. It was not an easy in a timely way with a bipartisan vote. medical personnel—as the Governor task. We had to convince the other side And, then, we came to the third chal- from Illinois, J.B. Pritzker, is doing— that it was money well spent, and I am lenge—a challenge the likes of which I that we hear them and are providing happy to report that, on a bipartisan have never seen in my time in Con- them the resources to go to work to basis, we reached that agreement. As it gress, and I don’t imagine anyone else fight this challenge we face at every should, some $150 million will be going has. We decided in a span of about 7 corner of the United States. to these State and local governments. days to come up with a package of au- The second thing that we set out to Those are things that I believe will thorizations and appropriations, which do when the bill was presented on Sun- move us down the path toward resolv- is larger than the annual Federal budg- day was to expand the opportunity for ing this challenge in America and et for domestic discretionary spending unemployment insurance. Some have doing it in the proper way—always in America. In 7 days we did what usu- criticized us on the floor and said: keeping in mind that the welfare of ally takes 12 months or longer, but we Don’t get into structural changes. workers and their families is of para- knew we had to because the need is Well, you couldn’t expand unemploy- mount concern. that great and America was watching ment insurance without getting into a First is the investment on the med- and wondering if we could rise to that structural change because the system, ical side to stop the onslaught. Second challenge. which affects only a small percentage is the support for families and workers There were some bumps in the road, of Americans, is not adequate in most across America. and it is no surprise. An undertaking of cases to keep a family together. If you There are some items that are still that magnitude with this kind of pres- lose your job and try to live on that being debated on the floor here. You sure to get the job done quickly and unemployment check, it is hard to do. heard it in the early statements by the properly is bound to create differences People lose their homes over that and majority leader, and they relate to the of opinion, and it did. their cars. They can’t pay their utility benefits to be given to businesses in There were moments of anxiety on bills. order to keep them moving forward. We all understand the aviation indus- the floor of the Senate. Those who have So what we have done has been de- try is at the heart of the American followed C–SPAN have watched many scribed as putting unemployment bene- fits on steroids. The amount of money economy—an engine to move it, in one speeches that reflected the emotional that is going to be sent to families who respect, and a reflection of its activity levels that were reached in this Cham- were furloughed, laid off, or unem- in another respect. That aviation in- ber, but the emotions in this Chamber ployed is dramatically bigger than it dustry is flat on its back. Some 80 to 90 were not that different than the emo- would have been if we hadn’t restruc- percent of the passenger load has dis- tions in most homes across America as tured unemployment compensation. At appeared. Hundreds of thousands of em- people worry about whether this illness the same time, the President and the ployees in the airline industry have will touch their families and, if so, will White House suggested direct cash pay- come to us and asked for help. We are they be able to conquer it. ments. We never argued against those prepared to do that, and it is part of That emotion on the Senate floor led but said it is just a down payment. It is the package that will come before us. us to further negotiations in an effort just a single check. We believe unem- The administration also asked for re- to try to make a bill presented to us on ployment insurance is going to be a sources to be loaned to other busi- Sunday better 3 days later. guarantee of payments in months to nesses that need a helping hand. I am And that brings us to this moment. come. not opposed to that. Some are, but I History will judge, as the Senator from Since Sunday, we expanded the pe- am not. Yet I do believe that account- Kentucky noted earlier, as to whether riod of additional unemployment com- ability and transparency are essential. there is an improvement that has been pensation from 3 months to 4 months. Since Sunday, we have dramatically made to this bill over the last 72 hours. There is a big price on that, of course, changed this package so that there will I will stand up and tell you I would tes- but we think it is reasonable to give be transparency and accountability on tify definitely—definitely. Just con- people peace of mind that for 4 months a timely basis as decisions are made by sider the first priority. We have to they will be able to keep their families this administration to allocate these make sure that hospitals and clinics together as we work our way through taxpayer funds to help these compa- and healthcare providers at every level these medical challenges and, God will- nies. Some of us learned a bitter lesson in America are prepared to rise to this ing, see our economy back on its feet. in the past when benefits were given to challenge. And we know this is a chal- I hope that happens. I hope it is even corporations, and they were misused lenge the likes of which we have never sooner, but we are prepared for 4 for stock buybacks and dividends and seen. months. profiteering at a time of great national When the Governor of New York sug- The third thing we set out to do is need. We don’t want to repeat that gests that the hospitals of that great one that is near and dear to me in my story. We want to make certain that State expand their capacity by 50 per- State and, I will bet, in most other the taxpayer dollars being invested in cent as quickly as possible to take the States. We set out to compensate the these corporations are really designed incoming patients from this COVID–19 States and some localities, counties, to get them back on their feet and the virus—and be prepared, he said, to ex- and cities that are spending substan- economy moving forward for the ben- pand it by 100 percent—we appreciate tial sums of money because of the efit of everyone who lives in this coun- the magnitude of the challenge. COVID–19 threats they are facing. try. Accountability and transparency On the Democratic side, our leader Let’s face it. For the most part, our are essential, and I believe this new Senator SCHUMER has called it a Mar- Governors have been on the frontline of agreement—some 3 days after the shall Plan for hospitals and healthcare. defense over the last several weeks original one was proposed—is an im- I don’t think that is an exaggeration. when it has come to America’s provement. The bill that was presented to us on healthcare. They have done excep- Credit should be given to both sides Sunday envisioned some $75 billion for tional things, and they have been for many of the things that I just men- that purpose, and many of us felt that called on to spend money in ways they tioned, because Democrats and Repub- was not adequate, as large as that never dreamed of. For example, unem- licans have had to agree for this to number may be. ployment benefits, which involve State make the final package. Yet we believe Today, we will bring a bill to the payments in many respects, have what we will vote on this afternoon— floor that will increase that allocation mushroomed and skyrocketed—some- and I believe we will enjoy strong bi- for healthcare from the $75 billion in times 10 times the number they were partisan support on the floor of the the bill just 3 days ago to $130 billion. just last year at the same time. Senate—will be a dramatic improve- Is it enough? Probably not, unless God My Governor and others—mayors and ment over the last 72 hours. I give cred- spares us from the spread of this dis- the leaders of county government— it to both sides. We believe some of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.004 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2024 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 these ideas were essential, and that is the Senate, and her staff and want to save lives, to cure the sick, and to pre- why we voted as we did on the floor. engage in a conversation. What we vent disease. Yet to reach this agreement and bring know is that this is historic, and it For all of those men and women who it forward, it took both sides. really is a dramatic change from what are working in this profession, I will I salute my colleagues, starting, of we have done in the past, but I don’t tell you that this will be their finest course, with the Democratic leader, think it is unrealistic. I think it re- hour. We are hearing about heroes all Senator SCHUMER. He has put in some flects the reality of where we are today over the country, and that is going to hours. I can’t tell you how many times with the public health crisis. It may re- continue as long as this crisis is in ef- I stepped into his office, and Michelle, flect the reality of tomorrow, which fect because that is what we are asking his assistant, told me he was in with could be some different national emer- them to do every day—to save lives, Secretary Mnuchin. They spent days gency or, God forbid, some terrorist ac- heal the sick, and prevent disease. together—going until 12 midnight and tivity that keeps us away from this We see that with our public health starting fresh early in the morning—to Capitol Building when we still have officers who are out there, trying to try to reach an agreement, which I be- work to do. prevent disease. We see it in commu- lieve we finally have done—finally. I thank Senator PORTMAN; Senator nities. Day and night, we see people There are just a few little items left, KLOBUCHAR, who has really been one of trying to heal the sick and to save but I don’t think they will hold us up. the leaders in this effort; and Senator lives in the hospitals. What they are So, to Senator SCHUMER and his staff, SCHATZ, who I know is a cosponsor. We asking from us are for resources, and to all of my colleagues, and to the are now up to close to 20 cosponsors, on that is now going to be provided in the ranking members who pitched in with a bipartisan basis, to move forward in bill that we are going to pass today their committees of jurisdiction to try this change in the Senate rules. I hope that will hopefully soon be on the to come up with good ideas and to sell we can have conference calls during the President’s desk. them in a bipartisan agreement, that time that we are physically away from We are also surging dollars to indi- was an exceptional amount of work. the Capitol and move this idea forward. viduals, to families, to businesses, and I give special credit, too, to the The House is considering the same to distressed parts of our economy—di- staff—to my own and to those of the thing as well. rect money: $1,200 per individual, $500 others—who have come to work in this Now is the time to do it. It is time to per child—take a look at that—and $350 dangerous moment. We are being told bring this great body—the U.S. Sen- billion in bridge loans and grants to to stay home, to telework from home ate—into the 21st century when it small and medium-sized businesses. when you have to and when you can. In comes to executing our constitutional We are providing unemployment in- some cases, you can’t. Those who have responsibility without endangering surance to workers—people who were shown up at the Capitol, including the anyone, especially Members and their working and were ready to go to work staff who is here today on the floor, staffs and families. the next day but were not able to be- have come at risk, and we know that— I yield the floor. cause of the medical crisis affecting us. at risk to their own health and the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- So this will be to make sure that work- health of their family members and ator from Wyoming. ers who are not able to work right now others whom they love, as we do. So I Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, for are made whole. thank them for this. families, for healthcare workers, for We held the line against so many of I understand that we may be gone for small businesses, and for people who the ideological issues that the Demo- several weeks, and I think that it is ap- are waking up today all across the crats and specifically the Speaker of propriate. But for a national emer- country who are asking ‘‘What is the House tried to put into this legisla- gency that would call us back—and we next?’’ I believe that today we can re- tion. We made it clear that lives were will come back if that is necessary—I think we should take some time away port there is good news. at stake. Those are debates for another The resolve and determination of this from one another and away from the day. The crisis is upon us, and the res- Senate, working in a bipartisan way Capitol to really mind to our own cue work needs to be done. and working with the White House, has I believe time was wasted. We should health and the well-being of our own families and work back home as best delivered a rescue plan—a rescue plan have passed this last Sunday. Time was we can, by teleconferencing and in for the American people and for Amer- wasted, and it was time the American other ways, to let people know what we ican healthcare workers. people didn’t have, but we are working We are going to pass new authorities, have done with this new legislation. on this action plan today. I hope that during this period of new resources, and new programs today Pass the Senate bill today to sta- time, I can engage my colleagues in to deal with two crises that we as a na- bilize American jobs and to surge thinking about another issue. I and tion are facing. One is the medical cri- healthcare resources to the frontlines. Senator PORTMAN, the Republican from sis, the coronavirus, and the other is The House cannot delay. The House Ohio, have introduced legislation that the economic crisis that is as a direct needs to get this passed today and sent at this moment in history calls for at result of the medical crisis we are fac- to the President of the United States least an inquiry into remote voting or ing. for his signature today. America some different approach to voting that This Senate is providing an over- should not wake up tomorrow and have doesn’t require our physical presence whelming and massive healthcare and to watch and wait and worry to see if on the floor in times of national emer- economic response package. We are the House is going to pass this bill. The gency. It just makes sense. doing both. We have to do both at the House needs to act today. The Amer- The fact is, our meetings of the Sen- same time, as it is a rescue operation ican people need that reassurance ate almost every single day have vio- for the resources that our healthcare today. lated the CDC guidelines that tell us providers need and the resources that Everyone—families, young people— not to gather in a group of 10 or more. our economy needs. The healthcare re- has committed to slowing the spread Yet we come to the floor because we sources are going to be surging for for the remainder of the 15-day window. have to—because this is life and death communities all around the country— There is about a week longer to go. when it comes to this legislation we every one of the 50 States is affected— And people are doing it all around the are considering—and because we know with there being over $100 billion for country. People are going to continue what our jobs are. We can find a better our hospitals and the heroes who are to ramp up the manufacturing of med- way to do this in the 21st century by taking care of coronavirus patients. ical equipment—masks, ventilators, using the technology that is available As the Presiding Officer knows, I am respirators, tests—to save lives. People in so many different ways in order to a physician and have practiced medi- are going to keep cutting redtape and have verifiable, accurate, honest vot- cine for a long time in Wyoming. Peo- pressing on scientific and medical ing for those who cannot or should not ple go into medicine so they can do a breakthroughs for treatments and vac- physically be present on the floor. number of things, but when people go cines. I have spoken to Elizabeth into medicine, what we expect of our Going forward—and I see the minor- MacDonough, the Parliamentarian of healthcare providers is for them to ity leader on the floor—we need to take

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.005 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2025 a long, hard look at our supply chain. sources to come to Washington, DC, While we think of the processes we China has been exposed. We cannot and to lobby for aid and support, are have been through before on TARP and allow ourselves ever again to be in any counting on us to create a program the processes we have been through be- way dependent on China for medicines, that small businesses can get both fore on other lending, our colleagues for materials, or for minerals. grants and loans. So the $360 billion in here on this side of the aisle made sure My focus, along with what I know to this program I hope SBA will help dis- that there were better requirements for be the President’s focus, is to bring patch with urgency to those businesses oversight, inspector generals’ account- America back stronger than ever be- that have complied and have done their ing of the resources, and to make sure fore. We are a strong and resilient na- best to keep their employees while also that we knew exactly where these dol- tion. We will get through this. Our shutting down their business. lars were being spent. country’s healthcare infrastructure We also know that the unemploy- I know Treasury will have its hands and our economic resolve are today ment benefits in this package, which full, but because of Democrats, we will being tested. We will defeat the virus, will be for an additional 4 months, will have more transparency in exactly how and we will be back stronger than ever. be a boost for people who are unem- those dollars go out the door. I yield the floor. ployed, and the expansion of that defi- So I want to thank Leader SCHUMER The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- nition to cover those who are part of a and his staff for working so diligently ator from Washington. gig economy who may not have been on this package. It has been a very hec- Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I covered in the past is important to give tic couple of days. come to the floor to thank my col- people the safety net to make it And I would say a special thanks to leagues for all of their hard work on through this process. the Commerce Committee staff, to this legislation and to urge my col- I wish we would have come to terms David Strickland, Melissa Porter, leagues to move forward today because on even allowing for COBRA enhance- David Martin, Ronce Almond, who lit- the State of Washington desperately ments, particularly for the aerospace erally have been camped out for—prob- needs this help. sector. I will be filing a bill today to ably since last Saturday, working and When I think about this package that make sure that as we continue to move perfecting the language in these sec- has been crafted literally since Satur- through this crisis, we think about tions related to aviation. day starting at about 10 o’clock and those who are going to have a shift— As I said, there is more work to do, when I think about the people who had are laid off, as we have seen in recent and we all know there is more work to run to collaborate—yes, there were days in Everett, WA—so that they, too, do. I know I want to continue the fight many challenges to that collabora- could have healthcare beyond just 1 for the aviation supply chain, to make tion—I also think about the people who month of a COBRA health plan. It is so sure that when we come out of this cri- are on the frontlines in the State of important in fighting this disease that sis after an economic downturn around Washington who have paid such a we not only take care of unemploy- the globe, the United States is well po- heavy price—from the factory worker ment benefits, but we also make sure sitioned to return the supply chain we just lost in Everett, WA, to the people in unemployment have access to workforce to building one of America’s COVID–19 disease; to the grocer at the healthcare. We can’t be in the midst of best products—airplanes. One of Amer- Leschi Market, who was just trying to a pandemic and not give people afford- ica’s greatest—actually, America’s sin- help deliver groceries to a needing pub- able access to healthcare. gle largest export is airplanes. But to I also thank my colleagues for other lic; to the pathologist at the Univer- do that, we are going to have to get provisions of this package that are sity of Washington who was a leader in through this crisis and protect what we helping in giving individual taxpayers this field but who also lost his life. think needs to be continued healthcare relief in the sense of a rebate check. Real sacrifice and real, crushing blows access for those laid-off workers. Not only will individuals get a rebate have been dealt snce December. So let’s get these dollars to the front- check of $1,200, but families will get a But today we are responding with line, to our hospitals, to our States, for rebate check of $2,400 that should help more help for our States. We are giving better equipment, for more supplies. those who have been hit hardest by them more money for hospitals, more Let’s support them in doing what they this disease in these days in which we money for the frontline with protective do best, helping to fight this disease are sheltering in place in the State of gear, more money for testing, and more and seeing this through to the other Washington. money to support them as they con- There are so many more things we side of America’s challenge. I yield the floor. tinue the effort to try to stop this dis- need to do, and while I support the ele- ease. ments of supporting the aviation indus- RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER It is so important that we give State try in this package, I wish we would The PRESIDING OFFICER. The and local governments and Tribes the have gotten more requirements on the Democratic leader is recognized. resources they need to be on the airline industries for the grant section Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I want frontlines in fighting this disease, and of this bill. I personally believe that in to thank the Senator from Washington I thank our Governor, Governor Inslee, the future in a healthier airline indus- for her hard and diligent work. No for leading that charge every single try, they should pay money back to the one—no one—fought harder for the day in trying to focus our response on Federal Government. State of Washington, which, like my this disease. We certainly should be protecting the State of New York, is in such crisis, Because we were the site of the first workforce during this time period, and than the two Senators from Wash- COVID–19 case, we have been at this that is what is most important—to ington, and I thank Senator CANTWELL since January 21, and the sadness we make sure that an airline doesn’t take for her great work up and down the have all felt over the Kirkland nursing money from the Federal Government line. Whether it was the government, home, where we lost so many patients, or go into bankruptcy and shortchange the companies, the people of Wash- we hope will be a lesson for the rest of the workers and the workforce, as has ington State, she was there. the Nation to pay attention to the seri- been done in previous packages for Now, I say to the American people: ousness of this virus. them. Help is on the way—big help, quick We are also here today, though—be- I fully support, though, the loan help. I say to the American people: Be- sides giving that frontline support to guarantee program and the loan guar- cause Democrats insisted on making States, to cities, to counties, and to antees that are so important and so this bill better, we can now call it a our healthcare delivery system—to say qualified in this package to have very bill that puts workers first, not cor- that we want to try to lessen the eco- specific requirements to them. porations; that has a Marshall plan for nomic impacts of a shelter-in-place or I also want to thank my colleagues hospitals; and that has accountability, social distancing. from the Banking Committee who transparency, and watchdogs over Our businesses, small businesses, worked hard on provisions in this legis- much of the lending that is in this bill. have been hit hard. Our restaurants, lation to make sure there was more Now, in 6 days of shuttle diplomacy our other businesses that have shut transparency in the process for who got and here, in these mostly now-empty down, that don’t have the same re- access to the loans in this package. corridors, we have shaped a bipartisan

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.006 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2026 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 agreement on the largest rescue pack- whatever it needs to fight back. The For the nearly 2 million airline em- age in American history, which was grants in that fund will be available to ployees, Democrats have also secured sealed last night a few minutes after 1 everyone who is fighting coronavirus— direct payroll payments to keep you on in the morning, when Leader MCCON- hospitals, nursing homes, community the job. Your collective bargaining NELL and I came to the floor to an- health centers, and all types of Med- rights will be protected, and airlines nounce we had an agreement. icaid providers and safety net pro- will not be allowed to spend any grant It was not a moment of celebration viders. money on stock buybacks or CEO but, rather, one of necessity. Facing an It includes funding for personal pro- bonus pay for the life of the grant plus unprecedented crisis, it was the duty of tective equipment, testing supplies, a 1 year. the Senate to produce bipartisan legis- surge in our healthcare workforce, ad- Democrats also secured tough new lation to send an immediate infusion of ditional Medicare funding, research requirements on Federal grants and resources to our public health systems, into coronavirus treatments and more. loans to any industry: no stock State and local governments, small The funding will literally act as a life- buybacks for the length of any loan business and American workers. line as the number of COVID–19 cases provided by the Treasury, plus 1 addi- As I said, from the start, Democrats continues to climb. tional year; restrictions on any in- had two main goals: a Marshall Plan So as I said, a Marshall Plan for the creases to executive compensation; a for public health workers and hospitals American medical system is now un- requirement to protect collective bar- on the frontline and putting workers derway. gaining agreements; Democrats se- first, not corporations. Second, workers first. Millions of cured a prohibition on any Trump Or- Had we not asked for the Republican workers, through no fault of their own, ganization business or any business Party to recognize us by not going for- are losing paychecks, with no way to controlled by any other government ward on these first two votes, this bill cover their daily expenses and monthly leaders from receiving a loan from this would have been much worse. Our ac- bills. Coming to their rescue is a pro- bill. tions made it much better—not every- gram Democrats devised to boost un- We compelled the creation of Treas- thing we wanted but much, much bet- employment insurance. We call it un- ury Department Special Inspector Gen- ter, and we are proud as a caucus and employment insurance on steroids. eral to provide oversight of Treasury united as a caucus at the job we have The agreement increases the max- loans and investments, an account- imum unemployment benefit by $600 done to improve this legislation be- ability committee to protect taxpayer per week and ensures that laid-off cause, after all, this legislation will be dollars, and a congressional oversight workers, on average, will receive their with us not for days and not for weeks, Commission as well. full pay for 4 months. There will be much needed trans- not even for months, but probably for These benefits will be much easier to parency in these requirements as well. years. To improve this legislation was access and will be expanded to include The Treasury Secretary must, by law, worth taking an extra day or two, im- part-time, self-employed, freelancers, make public quickly the names and proving it after the Republican leader and gig economy workers. just put it down without consulting us And the new program has a second— terms of loans or other assistance to and tried to say take it or leave it. the first job of this program: Get corporate borrowers. I believe it was Like all compromises, this bill is far money into the pockets of people who Justice Brandeis, who said: Sunlight is from perfect, but we believe the legis- are losing their jobs through no fault the great disinfectant. If any of these lation has improved sufficiently to of their own, and it will come quickly loans look untoward, if any of these warrant its quick consideration and and generously. But it has a second loans don’t look right, or if any of passage. Because many Democrats and purpose. It will also allow companies to these loans are going where they Republicans were willing to do the seri- furlough workers so that they can stay shouldn’t be going, the Congress and ous and hard work, the bill is much on as employees, so when, God willing, government will know quickly, and better than when we started, and start- this crisis abates, they can quickly re- that will put pressure on the Treasury ing yesterday morning, we all came to- sume work with their employer and Secretary not to do them and certainly gether to get this bill done. We worked businesses can reassemble. not to repeat them. in a bipartisan way, as this body should When this crisis is over, we don’t Fourth, resources for State, local, have worked and should work, and here want every worker who is losing their and Tribal governments that are car- we are. job to scatter to the winds, and so rying the weight of their overburdened Once the language is ready, Demo- many good businesses, through no fault health networks on their budgets is crats are ready to speed up the consid- of their own, will fall apart. By keeping there. This came down to the wire. My eration of the bill as much as possible. them on furlough, paying them, the Republican friends didn’t want to do it, We believe the legislation has been im- businesses can reassemble quickly. but I am glad they acceded to our wish- proved sufficiently to warrant its quick This proposal, unemployment insur- es here because local governments are consideration and passage. I expect the ance on steroids, will be the greatest hurting. They are spending more Senate can get the job done in the new expansion of unemployed benefits in money than they have ever spent and few hours. decades—a social safety net wide at the same time their tax revenues Now, the American people watching enough to catch the millions of Amer- have declined. So we must help our should know what is in this bill, which ican workers who became unemployed local governments, and we will in this has undergone many revisions over the virtually overnight, woven with fiber legislation. It will be distributed be- past 48 hours. strong enough to hold them through tween both the local governments, Many of the programs and funding the worst of this crisis. county governments, and the State. In authorities that are being finalized as As I said, we are going to pass unem- the end, State and local governments we speak will go to them directly, the ployment insurance on steroids. will now get $150 billion, with $8 billion American people, and could make the Third, oversight, transparency, and set aside for Tribal governments. The difference in the next few months be- accountability of all loans made to cor- relief is desperately needed because tween putting food on the table and porations. The Republican bill initially State revenues have dried up almost going hungry, between surviving this put the focus on rescuing industry and overnight, leaving them with unten- period of unemployment and financial did not do enough to protect the hun- able choices about how to allocate ruin. dreds upon hundreds of thousands of their healthcare and other resources. So let me briefly run through the workers those industries employ. But Fifth, urgent help for small busi- major components of the bill. First, as as a result of our negotiations, Demo- nesses. My dad was a small business- I mentioned, a Marshall Plan for the crats have secured crucial worker pro- man, an exterminator. He used to pace American medical system is now un- tections throughout the bill as condi- the floor Sunday nights at 2 a.m. be- derway. This agreement will inject $150 tions to rescuing large companies, in- cause he didn’t want to go to work. I billion into our hospitals and health cluding incentives for businesses to know small businesspeople suffer under system, headlined by a new $100 billion keep workers on the payroll during the normal times, let alone these difficult fund to provide our health system with crisis. times. This bill offers $350 billion in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.008 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2027 loan forgiveness grants to small busi- ter because of your long hours and hard community, and our family. That time nesses to keep their existing workforce work. The floor staff who kept this has now expired as of this morning. and to help pay for things like rent, Chamber open and running at all I certainly regret the fact that I mortgages, and utilities. It provides $10 hours, we thank you. missed a vote that passed 90 to 8 to billion in emergency grants to provide Secretary Mnuchin, Eric Ueland, complete phase 2 of our help to address immediate relief for small business op- MARK MEADOWS, and their staffs, who COVID–19. I wish I had been here be- erating costs. have spent more time in my office than cause the vote would have been 91 to 8. Of course, there are many things be- they care to admit, thank you. Throughout that time I was in quar- sides in this bill. Those were the five To my staff, I am blessed with the antine, I had an opportunity to visit things we pushed for. Small business greatest staff a Senator could have. with thousands and thousands of Colo- was much in the bill that Leader They are so dedicated to the public radans through telephone townhalls in MCCONNELL put forward. All the rest, good. They are so dedicated to this every congressional district to hear we as Democrats have pushed hard for country. You should have seen them from individuals who have lost their and gotten in the bill. working. Gerry Petrella and Meghan jobs, to hear from business owners who Now there are other things too: sup- Taira have a little baby at home. Both were terrified about what happens port for American families, including of them have important roles in my next, to hear from parents who are at childcare, education, senior care, hous- staff. They met here. They got mar- home with their kids who are out of ing and more. One thing of particular ried. They are still here. They worked school, not knowing if they go back at importance to my State is public tran- day in and day out—but so was every- all to school; how to figure out how sit. The MTA is drowning after such a body else—so was everybody else. I Zoom works, how to figure out how steep and sudden loss of ridership. want to thank my staff. If the Amer- Skype works, how to figure out how Democrats asked for and now have se- ican people saw the work you did, they technology works to teach their kids cured a $25 billion life preserver to would be so proud. So thank you from at home. keep those public transit systems the bottom of my heart. Throughout this process I adopted a afloat as well. It is not just big cities. Our colleagues and our staffs have three-pronged approach to what we The bus systems in rural areas will de- committed themselves in this way be- must do as a country to get through pend on this as well. cause they understand the sacrifices the crisis at hand. No. 1, we have to ad- The bottom line is this. This bipar- being made by the American people in dress the immediate health epidemic: tisan agreement will provide more re- homes and hospitals across this great what we are doing to, as the experts sources to our public health system Nation: the working families who are say, ‘‘flatten the curve’’ to stop the and protect American workers of all at home missing paychecks, playing spread; to provide the resources, the stripes. teacher and provider and caregiver all tests, the protective equipment that we Now, as I have said before, this bill is at once; the thousands of Americans need through our States to make sure far from perfect. Many flaws remain, who are volunteering to help under- that they can fight this invisible virus; some serious; but by no stretch of the staffed medical facilities; the small what we can be doing to give them the imagination is this the bill Democrats business owners who are watching the tools and the skills they need for the would have written had we been in the labor of their lives evaporating in an heroic efforts of our frontline majority. If Democrats held the pen, instant but are still paying their work- healthcare providers—the doctors, we would have designed the assistance ers as much as they can manage; the nurses, clerical staff, janitors, classi- to troubled industries in a completely nurses and doctors and healthcare fied workers—all of the people who different way. We would have added workers who know better than anyone have been so heroic to provide even more support for Medicaid, hos- the risk of contracting this disease by healthcare to our people. That is phase pitals, community health centers, treating infected patients, who go to 1, making sure we stop this epidemic nursing homes, and new patient protec- work every day working longer shifts and address the needs of the American tions to ensure that everyone with to do God’s work anyway. To them and people. coronavirus can access and afford to all Americans, I say this: Help is on Prong 2 of this three-pronged ap- treatment. We would have increased the way. Big help, quick help. food assistance. We would have in- We are going to take up this bill and proach is about making sure that we cluded more relief for student bor- pass it to care for those who are now provide individuals with immediate as- rowers and prohibitions on evictions caring for us and help carry millions of sistance: people who are terrified about and foreclosures on Americans for the Americans through these dark times. what happens to their job, how they duration of the crisis. We have gotten This is certainly not the end of our are going to make ends meet, what many of those but not all on evictions work here in Congress but rather the they are going to do to put food on the and foreclosures. We would have put end of the beginning. The crisis con- table, how they are going to pay their workers first in every single part of the tinues to deepen. There will be difficult rent, how they are going to pay their bill. days ahead and the worst may be yet to mortgage, will they have a restaurant That is what we tried to do here as come and we certainly may have to to go back to. That is prong 2 of this much as possible, but Senate Demo- come back and do further legislation, approach. crats are not in the majority. We knew but we know right now help is on the Prong 3, of course, is to get our busi- this bill had to pass muster with the way, and we will not stop working nesses up and running again to make Republican administration, and a fail- until we see our Nation through this sure that when this health epidemic is ure to reach an agreement in this time time of extraordinary challenge. over—this health emergency is over, of deepening, serious, painful national I yield the floor. we can make sure we have an economy crisis was simply not an option. We The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- that snaps back and runs strong. We have before us an imperfect bill but a ator from Colorado. will do that because we as a country necessary one. Despite its flaws, it is Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, it is will rise together. We will do it united. far better than where we started, and it great to be back on the floor of the We will do it because we in this coun- is time to pass it. U.S. Senate. It is a heavy obligation try know how to overcome great chal- Now, before I yield the floor. There that we have before us. lenges. are some people I have to recognize: On March 17, I was contacted by the We are taking these measures to the Republican chairs and the Demo- Tri-County Health Department to no- quarantine and self-isolate not because cratic ranking members and their tify me that on March 11 I had been in we are fearful of the virus, not because staffs who have worked diligently on a meeting with a Coloradan who later we are afraid of what will happen if we this legislation; Senators Leahy, tested positive for COVID–19, and at don’t, but we are doing it out of love Cardin, Shaheen, Warren, Reed, Peters, the advice of the Tri-County Health for each other. We are doing it out of and Wyden, and so many more I could Department and the attending physi- love for our neighbors, community, our name—the whole caucus and their en- cian in the Capitol, I entered self-quar- parents, our grandparents, and our tire staffs—thank you. This bill is bet- antine to protect my colleagues, our children.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.009 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2028 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 We take the guidance of health ex- Phase 3 addresses all three prongs of them the ability to know it is going to perts and public policy experts seri- my approach and addresses the health be OK, to know that the small business ously because we want to share that emergency. It addresses assistance to loans that are being made available love with people to stop the spread so individuals, and it addresses the ability will help that restaurant stay in busi- that we can avoid the surge that can of our economy and businesses to snap ness. overwhelm our healthcare systems be- back when we address this health You know, I talked to Eve in Aurora, cause we know, under the best case sce- emergency. It needs to pass now. It and she didn’t know how she was going narios—the best case scenarios—we are should have passed days ago. to survive because, yes, she converted looking at a situation that can utilize I don’t think the American people her whole business to takeout, but she 95 percent of every hospital bed in this give a hoot whether this idea was a Re- didn’t know how successful that would country for the next year. We do this publican idea or a Democratic idea. I be. out of love for each other and for our can tell you that on my tele-townhalls To Roberta in Pueblo, who had the community and to protect one another. I did and in my conversations I have same questions about how her res- In Colorado right now, we have had with American people around the taurant was going to survive, this roughly 1,000-plus confirmed COVID–19 State of Colorado, they haven’t once small business loan will be able to help patients. We have lost 12, perhaps more said to me ‘‘Well, we hope the Repub- people pay payroll, to bring those back by the time I am giving this speech lican-only version passes’’ or ‘‘We hope onto payroll whom they may have let today, in Colorado. These lives, those the Democratic-only version passes.’’ go because they didn’t know how they who have tested positive, their loved That is not what they are saying. They were going to make ends meet, to pay ones are all in my prayers today. are saying ‘‘Do your doggone job be- them, to pay their utilities, to pay The Governor of Colorado obviously cause we are scared about what hap- their rent, to pay their mortgages, and is issuing the emergency declarations. pens next.’’ to have that loan forgiven to keep this I spoke with the Governor a few min- So pass the relief that we need to get economy in a place where it will be vi- utes ago to talk about how we can con- them back on their feet, to make sure brant again because that is what we do tinue to provide the resources that Col- they know they are going to be able to in this country. We don’t look back; we orado needs. Over 2 million people have food on the table and to pay rent. look forward. And in Colorado, we look across the Denver metro area are now I can’t imagine what somebody who for up at that great Rocky Mountain hori- in some kind of a shelter-in-place 50 years built a small business must be zon, and we don’t look down. We look order, ordered to stay at home. going through every hour we delay, up, and we see the next horizon, and we Our Nation is uneasy, our future is wondering if that 50-year dream is strive for that optimistic next day. uncertain, and the level of anxiety that going to stand and survive. That is what we do in Colorado, and I our country faces is the highest I have Shame on the people around here know this country does the same. ever seen it, but we don’t need to have who said ‘‘You know what, let’s have 1 You know, I talked to a 70-year-old uneasiness about our future because we more day of delay, 1 more hour of Coloradan in Weld County, CO, who, on will rise together; we will come to- delay’’ because a Republican could get a tele-townhall—you could hear it in gether as a nation to overcome this. their way or a Democrat could get her voice. She didn’t know what she We know that our future, the future their way. When I was at home, not was supposed to do because she was of this Nation, will be prosperous once did I hear anybody say ‘‘Could older than the experts say should be again; that our economy will be thriv- you stall a little bit more for partisan out and not following guidance, but, ing again; that our communities will purposes?’’ she said: I can’t find the disinfectants be able to celebrate what we have over- The American people are rising above and the cleaners that I need. How do I come because that is what we do in the fray. They are meeting this chal- find that? So we were able to find her this great Nation. We rise. We rise to- lenge in the spirit that I hear in every relief. gether. We stand together. conversation I have. They are donating The grocery stores have stepped up, Coloradans have stepped up in every blood. They are sharing that love I and they have provided special hours way possible. In a uniquely Colorado talked about with their neighbors and for people. They are delivering to peo- way, you have hemp businesses that their communities. They are figuring ple like the woman I spoke to. They are now producing cotton swabs for out new ways to be together even when are providing information to their medical needs; you have whiskey dis- we are supposed to stand apart. That is communities. They have clerks, they tilleries that are producing hand sani- what the American people are doing. have cashiers, and they have people tizers for hospitals and for home And we are bickering about phase 3. stocking the shelves who are on the healthcare; we have protective equip- We will have phase 4 and phase 5, but frontlines of this fight as well, keeping ment that is being donated by the Den- do you know what we have done? In- our communities safe. So to all of ver Broncos and by the marijuana in- stead of patting ourselves on the back, them, I say thank you for the work you dustry and by so many other businesses do you know what we have done? We are doing each and every day. across the State of Colorado which are have managed to get back, I hope, to It is important to recognize in this stepping up in ways that make all of us the starting line. We didn’t run country that we have seen great chal- proud. They are checking on their through the tape. We haven’t finished lenges. I remember my grandmother, neighbors. They are checking on their the job. We have made it, I hope, to a who passed away this past year, talk- friends. They are making sure that el- place where we can now know we are ing about her experiences in the Great derly people in their church whom they back at the line and we can run to- Depression. This country has been have met are OK, making sure that we gether to fix what will be tremendous through the Great Depression. We have check in with our loved ones and those needs and to address the tremendous been through the great recession. We around us. needs of this country and to answer the will make it through the great infec- We have been able to get successful anxiety every single one of our con- tion. That is what we do as a country. tests up and running in different places stituents has. That is what Congress That is who we are as a people. across Colorado, helping different orga- should do. That is what Congress must The Senate will approve this bill nizations and different healthcare fa- do. I am glad and I will be proud to today, and the House must approve it cilities find new ways to process this vote for this bill today because we have without delay—no excuses; no delay; overwhelming burden. to get this job done, and there is more pass the doggone bill now. The Amer- As this place has passed phase 1, work to do. ican people have expected this for a which gave millions of dollars to the We have to make sure people under- long time. It shouldn’t have taken this State of Colorado and so many States stand that the recovery benefits they long. Do your job. Do our job. Get this around the country, and as we passed are going to be receiving will help an- done. phase 2, which prepared additional swer that anxiety, to hopefully give We will act out of love for our com- testing and nutrition programs and them hope, and that the new categories munities. We will act out of compas- other ways to meet this challenge, we of unemployment insurance that have sion, and we will rise to the spirit that now turn to phase 3. been created under this will also give has made this country great.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.010 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2029 I have heard so many of my col- priority—our very first priority—is to healthcare workers have the protective leagues come together and talk about deal with the public health challenge. gear that they need and our patients wartime footing, or they have talked This is including what is happening in have the medical facilities and the res- about how we have mobilized in a way my State of Maryland and what is hap- pirators that they need. that maybe the people have never seen pening in every State in our Nation. We have also plussed up the work in their lifetimes. It has reminded me, I am pleased that in our State it is being done to deal with the develop- though, of what Thomas Paine wrote in ‘‘Team Maryland.’’ Our congressional ment of a vaccine. I am pleased that ‘‘The Crisis’’ during our Revolution, delegation is working very closely with NIH is getting the monies they need in which, actually, George Washington Governor Hogan and his cabinet, and order to do the work. We know that we read to his troops. Here is what Thom- we are working closely with our county are not going to have a vaccine in time as Paine said: executives and our mayors and our pri- this year, but we want to make sure I call not upon a few but upon all; not on vate sector to do everything we can to that we get it as soon as possible and this state or that state, but on every state; protect the public health of the people that it is on a fast track. These funds up and help us; lay your shoulders to the of our State. will help us develop that vaccine for wheel; better have too much force than too We have done what we can locally to the future needs of controlling this little, when so great an object is at stake. make sure that testing is available so type of a virus. Let it be told to the future world, that in we understand the dimensions of this But, in the meantime, we are also the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and problem, and the Governor has taken putting resources into therapeutic the country, alarmed at one common danger, extraordinary steps in order to in- drugs—drugs that could help people came forth to meet and repulse it. crease our medical capacity in the who are sick today. Those drugs are We were taught in Sunday school likelihood that we are going to see a not yet available, but we want to make that our struggles lead to persever- significantly increased number of those sure we do everything we can to make ance, that perseverance leads to char- people who have the coronavirus. them available as soon as possible. acter, and that character gives us hope. Yes, we need to stay at home unless FEMA, or the Federal Emergency We will get through this, America. We there is an urgent reason for us to be Management Agency, has been bumped will start with this bill. We have a lot outside. I am frequently asked by my up substantially in this bill and for more work to do, but to my colleagues: friends why don’t we do as much as we good reason. That brings me to the Do our jobs. Get it done. No excuses. can in the U.S. Senate remotely. I point that is a major improvement I yield the floor. think we should, including voting. So that has been brought to this legisla- I suggest the absence of a quorum. we need to distance ourselves and mini- tion to help our State and local govern- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The mize social contact in order to prevent ments. They are the frontlines of pro- clerk will call the roll. the spike of this disease, which would viding these public health needs, and The legislative clerk proceeded to test our medical capacity to handle it. we need to provide them the resources call the roll. So I was pleased that the third sup- they need. So FEMA needs to be prop- Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, I ask plemental—the agreement that has erly appropriated. We have the money unanimous consent that the order for been reached that we will vote on, in here to help FEMA, but we also need the quorum call be rescinded. hopefully, today—does have a surge in direct help for our local governments The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. our medical capacity, a Marshall Plan, to deal with this problem. We see that LOEFFLER). Without objection, it is so to deal with our healthcare needs. our State and local public health offi- ordered. I could go through a lot of the spe- cers are getting extra money for better Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, the cifics. I think some have already been reporting, so that we know exactly people in this Nation are hurting. We gone through, but I particularly appre- what the status is in each of our com- know that. They are very concerned ciate the fact that we have $100 billion munities. All of that is important for about their own health. They are wor- for our hospitals and healthcare facili- our Marshall Plan to control this dis- ried that they may be carrying the ties, including clinics, in this bill. I am ease and to get it under control. virus and may take it home to their el- pleased that there is a 20-percent in- But I wanted to take this time to derly parent, who could come down crease in hospital reimbursement talk about a matter that I was working with the virus. They are worried about rates. on for small business, and I mention how long this social distancing and I thank Senator GRASSLEY and Sen- that, recognizing that we have to get commuting from home and staying at ator WYDEN for including in that provi- our economy back on track. The best home are going to be required in order sion a unique clause for the Maryland way to get our economy back on track to control the spread of the virus. They hospitals so that they can be qualified is to get this virus controlled, enable are worried about their economic cir- for this. As I think some of you know, people to be able to get out, to work, to cumstances, whether they are going to Maryland has an all-payer rate struc- buy, and to participate in our econ- get a paycheck. ture, and we had to make sure that omy. That is the best thing we can do. I am pleased that, today, we have an these provisions would apply in Mary- But this package also recognizes that agreement with our leaders to move land. I thank them for their attention unless we help businesses and workers forward on the third stimulus package to that detail. today, we are not going to be prepared to deal with this crisis of COVID–19. There is also money in here for our for our economy when we are able to I, first, want to express my apprecia- hospitals to be ready for preparedness, rebound. tion to our leadership. I have been in which I think is extremely important. So my role as the senior Democrat on daily, almost hourly communication And there is a separate line appropria- the Small Business Committee, work- with Senator SCHUMER, and I know how tion for our community health centers ing with Senator RUBIO, the chairman hard he has worked to make sure that and our federally qualified health clin- of that committee, was to make sure this package really deals with the med- ics. That is critically important there. that we had a robust provision to pre- ical emergency we have and deals with They are being stressed as the needs serve the growth engine and innovation the workers, to make sure they are are increasing and as the cost of treat- engine of our economy, and that is protected and they are protected in ment is increasing. small businesses. There is more job whatever we do; that it provides the We need to replenish the national growth for small companies, and there help for State and local governments; stockpile. We know the concerns for is more innovation for small compa- that it provides the much needed at- protective gear. We know that. We nies. We need to preserve the ability of tention to these particular issues; and know that ventilators and respirators small companies to get through this that we have accountability for any of are in short supply. We have to make time. the monies that are going particularly sure that we have adequate replace- Quite frankly, they don’t have the to our largest companies in this coun- ment of what has been taken out of our same deep pockets that large compa- try. national stockpile and available now to nies have. They don’t have the same So I want to express my apprecia- deal with the surge that is coming availability of credit that large compa- tion. I am very pleased that our first under any scenario, so that our nies have. They don’t have the same

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.011 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2030 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 banking arrangements that large com- we do. We want to get the message out It works very well with the other panies have. They don’t have the flexi- that this is going to be immediate help provisions that are in other parts of bility that large companies have. So we to help America’s small businesses. this bill, such as the unemployment in- have to provide special attention to One program provides $350 billion of surance benefits. Yes, if you furlough small businesses, and this package does relief to small companies under 500 em- workers, you can collect unemploy- that in a very, very robust way. ployees—$350 billion. It is triggered by ment benefits at basically full salary I already mentioned Senator RUBIO. I going to your financial institution and for the next 4 months, so that is also thank him for his leadership. The two getting what is known as a 7(a) loan. available to small businesses. But we of us were working together well before But let me caution you, it is going to want you to also know that you can this week, and that is why we were be forgiven if you follow the rules here. keep your employees employed—there, probably further along in helping small You go to a bank or a financial insti- ready for the business to rebound—as businesses than the other parts of this tution; you do a 7(a) loan; it is 100 per- we hope it will shortly. package dealing with the various eco- cent guaranteed by the Federal Gov- So that is just one program. We have nomic areas. ernment, so the bank has no risk factor other programs available. We have a Senator SHAHEEN was a valuable here. There are no payments due for a new program which is labeled as a Member of our team. I have worked year. So, even getting into this loan, grant, a $10 billion grant program for with Senator SHAHEEN on small busi- there is no obligation for cash outlays emergency cash availability for small ness issues for a long time. She was a on behalf of the borrower. The fees businesses. key player in putting together the have been waived, so this is a cost-free There are many small businesses package that we have to present to our opportunity to get the cash you need that have a hard time going to a bank colleagues here in the U.S. Senate. to keep your small business open. That and getting a commercial loan. There I also want to acknowledge Senator is the purpose of this new program are many small businesses that need COLLINS. under the Small Business Administra- cash today; they can’t wait for that It was the four of us who were meet- tion. process to work its way through to get ing regularly and communicating regu- The amount of the loan: You take that check from the Small Business larly and who recommended this pack- your average payroll before the Administration through one of their fi- age that we will shortly be voting on as coronavirus was here—you take your nancial institutions. It is going to take it relates to small business. monthly average payroll and multiply a little bit longer for them to be able Also, if I could, I would like to ac- it by 2.5. Basically, what you are get- to get that done. knowledge members of my own staff ting is 2 months of payroll for your So we have emergency disaster relief who have worked literally 24/7. I have workers plus an extra—it comes out to loans in the first supplemental. We talked to them at various times during an extra 25 percent of your payroll be- made it clear that small businesses the night and day. It has been very cause it is 2 months of that. qualify for emergency disaster relief Now, what are the eligible expenses? stressful for all of us, but our staffs get loans if they have been adversely im- What can you use this for? Well, you no rest whatsoever. pacted by the coronavirus. These are can use the 2 months of payroll for So to Sean Moore and the entire staff direct loans coming out of the Small payroll. Pay your workers. Keep them on the Democratic side of the Small employed. It saves you the cost of re- Business Administration. These are not Business Committee, thank you on be- hiring if you had to furlough or lay off loans that are from financial institu- half of America’s small businesses and workers. You can keep them employed. tions. workers and on behalf of our country. We have included that in the first You can use the extra funds to cover And to Ron Storhaug on my staff, supplemental. We now allow you to the expenses that you have on their who has been working on a lot of these healthcare or related expenses. make that application, and with that provisions in regard to the tax issues You can use the extra 25 percent for application, if you need to get cash im- and in regard to a lot of these issues, I rents or mortgage payments or utility mediately, the SBA can write you a thank him for all of his work. bills. So it gives you cash to conduct check for up to $10,000. And we want And to Lauren Jee, who is our health your business for the next 2 months. It that done within 3 days. We want that person, who has not only helped us put gives you the ability to keep afloat so money out in days, not weeks. We hear together this small business package, that you are ready to rebound when the that all the time from small busi- but she has been available to help economy rebounds. nesses: We need help now. Maryland health providers and patients Who is eligible? As I said, companies I was pleased to work on this pro- to try to get through where we are under 500, but we went beyond the tra- gram. I filed legislation on it. This is a today. All of that is reflected in the ditional 7(a) eligibilities. For the first need that is out there today and will be bill we will be voting on later. time under 7(a)s, we are also allowing available to small business owners. I know on the Republican side, there nonprofits to be able to get into this Now, we have a third program. Those has been dedicated staff who have done program so that they will also be able are two programs where you can get equal work to ensure that we have a to stay afloat because we know the im- this, basically, 2-month help from the bill that we can present today. portant work that nonprofits do for our Federal Government to pay your pay- Let me go over, if I might, some of community. They are also eligible. roll and related expenses. You can get the provisions we have in here for And we gave some relaxation to the a $10,000 immediate cash advancement small businesses. We have three new 500 rule for locations—for restaurants on that through applying for a disaster programs—three new programs—to or hotels that have multiple locations. relief loan and showing a need at this help small businesses in our commu- This is a program that is aimed at stage. nity. They will have different titles, keeping businesses open and ready— Then, there is a third program. There but every one of them provides grant small businesses—for when we get are many small businesses today that help to small businesses. I want to re- through this coronavirus. Then this have existing loans under the Small peat that. You might hear this is a amount of money that you borrowed is Business Administration. These are loan. No, these are going to be funds totally forgiven—totally forgiven—if 7(a) loans or 504 loans. The 7(a) is the that go to small businesses that do not you maintain your workforce to the traditional loan. The 504 are the larger have to be repaid. These are grant precoronavirus level or bring back your loans. monies. Why? Because a small business workforce to the precoronavirus level What this bill does is provide $17 bil- owner can’t incur more debt today during the stated period of time of this lion of relief so that those who have when they have no idea how they are bill. these existing loans do not need to going to be able to survive in the fu- So, if you keep your workforce or make any payments on those loans. ture. We have to provide immediate bring back your workforce, the govern- They are forgiven for the next 6 help—immediate help. It has to be sub- ment is going to help you maintain months. stantial, and it has to be in a way that your ability and make sure your work- I particularly want to acknowledge they know that they are not encum- ers get paid and their benefits are Senator COONS’ work on this. This is a bering their future. And that is what maintained. bill that we have been working on, and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.013 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2031 it is only reasonable—we are asking businesses operating—paying their It was a dignified transfer in Tulsa, others to relieve debt. Let us do it for workers—so that they don’t have to re- OK, early this morning. There were a our small businesses under the 7(a) and invent their employees after this crisis lot of people who wanted to be there 504 programs. is over, so that they can keep qualified but, because of COVID–19, could not. A So there are a lot of provisions here people employed, they get the pay- lot of other folks were. that help our small businesses. I want checks, and our economy is ready to Technical Sergeant Marshal Roberts to tell you that, in addition to those get back into shape. was killed in Iraq Wednesday, March three I just mentioned, I am pleased Now, there are many other provisions 11, when his unit was engaged by direct that we do have contract protection in in this bill, including the cash pay- enemy fire while they were sleeping. this bill. Let me explain what that ments under the IRS—$1,200 per tax- He was 17 miles north of Baghdad. means. If you are a business and have a payer—that will help in this regard. He was deployed by the 219th Engi- contract with the Federal Govern- When you put this all together, this is neering Installation Squadron, the sub- ment—this applies to all businesses, a robust package to hold our economy ordinate unit of the 138th, out of Tulsa, not just small businesses, but small so that it can perform at a level that it OK. He was in the process of building businesses are particularly impacted is ready to take off again without the communications infrastructure as part by it—but you can’t perform that gov- dire consequences of people not having of the fight against ISIS. The operation ernment contract because you can’t income in order to pay their bills. that Roberts served in, Operation In- get access to the facility because it is Through these small business provi- herent Resolve, has been a vital part of shuttered as a result of the sions, small business owners can keep protecting our Nation and bringing sta- coronavirus, this bill allows the Fed- their businesses intact. Through unem- bility to the region. eral Government to make sure you ployment insurance, those who are laid Roberts enlisted in the Oklahoma Air have adequate funds available to pay off or furloughed can get their salaries. National Guard in May of 2014. He was your workers so that those individuals Through the IRS checks, people will killed in action as the first Oklahoma who should have been working at the have some cash. Through some of these Air National Guardsman who has died but the 20th Oklahoma National Federal facility will get paid during other programs, we are providing re- Guardsman who has died since Sep- this period of time. lief, like delaying the time of paying We have also provided money for the the employer share of the FICA taxes. tember 11, 2001. The perpetual comment that I heard Women’s Business Centers and the Mi- You put that all together, there is a from the folks to whom I spoke about nority Business Development Agencies lot of help out here to keep our econ- Tech Sergeant Roberts was that he was that are there in our community. Why? omy going during this crisis, with par- one of the good guys; he was always Because we have got to get the mes- ticular focus on the workers and on known for having a smile on his face; small business. sage out to small businesses about he was selfless; and he served others all these new tools, how they can access The last point I should point out, the self-employed, the gig economy, are the way to the end. banks to get these 7(a) loans that are The night of the attack, there was a fully covered under the small business forgiven—that are actually grants, how truck launcher that fired off 30 provisions. They are fully covered they can apply to the Small Business Katyusha rockets at their camp as under the UI provisions. We are trying Administration for disaster relief loans folks were sleeping. Eighteen of those to make sure that we preserve our and get a cash advancement and how rockets landed inside the camp facil- they can get relief from their current economy; that we preserve workers and ity. 7(a) and 504 loans. their families and their abilities to pay As the noise happened around them, So we give money to these entre- their bills. Sergeant Roberts told his fellow air- preneur service groups so that they can I think, when you take a look at this men to get up, get going, and get their help women businesses and minority whole package, the challenge will be to body armor on. As he stepped away to businesses get access. get the information out to our con- go warn other people to do the same, We have also put a clear intent that stituents, to these businesses, to these the rocket came. But he saved the lives we expect the financial institutions to workers, so they know what is in this of some of the people standing right make loans to all size small businesses package so that they can act now be- there whom he had told to get their in all communities so that all commu- cause, quite frankly, people are des- body armor on. nities can benefit from this legislation. perate, companies are desperate. He was posthumously promoted to We have increased the size of Express When malls are closed, as they are in technical sergeant. loans under this. And I just want to Maryland, and you are operating a He was born January 29, 1992, in compliment the work of other working small business in that mall and have Tulsa, OK. Marshal’s parents, Sally groups, particularly on the tax provi- no business at all, you don’t know how and Randy, raised him in Owasso, OK, sions. I was very pleased to work with you are going to make your next pay- where he graduated from Owasso High Senator WYDEN. The two of us worked roll, you have to make decisions today. School. on what is known as a retention credit, That is why it is important that we He has a beautiful daughter, Paityn, which allows companies that have fur- vote on this bill today, we get it to the who has been the love of his life. On loughed workers to bring those work- President as soon as possible, get the November 15, 2018, Marshall was mar- ers back and get a credit up to 50 per- information out to the small busi- ried to Krissy Harris. She was also in cent of that wage, up to $10,000, as a nesses and to the workers and to all the 138th. They met and started dating, tax credit in order to bring back those businesses that we are here to help both being part of the Air National workers. keep them open, to keep the paychecks Guard. Well, for some small businesses, that flowing, to keep our economy moving; Their deep love for God, their deep may be a better option than what I that we are in this together. We are love for their country, and their obvi- have outlined before in regard to the going to get through this period of ous love for each other was a signifi- 21⁄2 months of aid based upon payroll. time. Our economy is going to come cant part of the 138th. Everyone who You have a choice. If you can do bet- back. knew them, knew what they were like ter under the retention credit—it is a We want you to know to take advan- and were glad to be called their friends. new credit—use that credit; if not, use tage of these tools so we can minimize He was a brother, he was a son, he the other. Small businesses are given the adverse impact of the coronavirus. was a father, and he was a husband. more flexibility. With that, I yield the floor. Our State and our Nation grieves him Thank you, Senator WYDEN, for help- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- today coming home. ing us. I also want to acknowledge Sen- ator from Oklahoma is recognized. A fun story about him and Krissy, ator WARNER, who was very instru- HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES though, is that they met and started mental in getting that provision adopt- TECHNICAL SERGEANT MARSHAL ROBERTS dating, as I mentioned, while they were ed. Mr. LANKFORD. Madam President, both serving in the 138th. She had been So you see that there are a whole this morning, Technical Sergeant Mar- in the 138th for 15 years. So she had ac- range of tools in here to keep small shal Roberts of Oklahoma came home. tually been there longer. They dated

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.014 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2032 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 for 4 years before they got married in It has a grant program for larger What has been interesting, though, is 2018. They had been married just less businesses that is designed to say: If in the speeches that I have heard on than 2 years. you are a very large company, you are the floor today from my colleagues and They were both avid football fans, not going to get a grant; you are going from many individuals in releases I but there was a major problem. Krissy to get a loan in this process. At the have seen, folks have mentioned their is a Kansas City Chiefs fan, and Mar- moment you get a loan and, if you prayer. They have mentioned: With shal was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. don’t have capital and you don’t have God’s help, we are going to get through That is a problem—definitely. But he access to it right now because of all this. They have mentioned the struggle fixed that by proposing to Krissy at the that is going on, you could get that. we are going through as a nation and Steelers-Chiefs game. This also has a feature built in where how we are praying for each other. I have to tell you that for the family, individuals will receive a check for It keeps reminding me of something. for the folks who stood there today in $1,200. Every adult does. That is built It is a very old psalm of ascent, Psalm Tulsa as he came home, they found a in to get immediate economic support 121. When the Jews would come into way to love each other and found a way to all those folks across the country. Jerusalem for the different feasts, they to serve each other. And to the very All of those features were already in would sing these psalms of ascent as end, they are still sacrificing for the the bill through Sunday night. There they came off the eastern hills and have been some tweaks that some folks country. Because of the COVID–19 that would start rising up toward Jeru- have brought up that some of our is happening right now, they have cho- salem. The song they would sing, I Democratic colleagues wanted to en- sen not to have a public memorial serv- think, is pertinent for our time right gage in. Many of those changes have ice—in a close time for the family—and now. Psalm 121 reads: they are delaying that time until it is been heard and been added, and to some we have said: Absolutely not, it is I lift up my eyes to the mountains. safer for all of the family and for all of Where does my help come from? the community to be able to partici- not connected to COVID–19 at all. There are things that some of our Remember that the mountains here pate. Literally, their family continues are the capital city Jerusalem. It is the the grief and the weight—one more sac- Democratic colleagues wanted to make sure got in. Through all the negotia- seat of government for them and the rifice for their country and for their tions, some of these things were center of worship. But it is the seat of community. changed. For instance, they wanted to government for them. Today, all of Oklahoma is using a They would sing: hashtag to share messages with the make sure that energy companies I lift up my eyes to the mountains. family—a simple hashtag: ‘‘#TSGT couldn’t get any support. So they fought hard to make sure there is no Where does my help come from? Marshal Roberts’’; that is, hashtag My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Technical Sergeant Marshal Roberts, if additional money for the President buying additional oil to put in the stra- Heaven and Earth. you want all of the abbreviations on He will not let your foot slip. tegic petroleum reserve at this lowest it—to share a message of support and He who watches over you will not slumber. price now. So it will actually cost us love for the family. Indeed, he who watches over Israel will nei- Our Nation is grateful, and we grieve more money in the future. But it was ther slumber nor sleep. with you for the loss today. Thank you their intention to say that we don’t The Lord watches over you. to him and to his family for wearing want oil companies to get any support The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the the cloth of our country and for doing in this downturn. They also wanted to make sure there moon by night. everything our Nation asked of him to was great transparency because they The Lord will keep you from harm. the very end. Our Nation lives in free- didn’t trust the Trump administration. He will watch over your life. dom because of folks like Marshal Rob- The Lord will watch over your coming and So they built in an inspector general erts, and we will continue to stand going both now and forevermore. and additional people to watch the with Krissy and Paityn and with their Treasury through the process. They It is interesting to me that the peo- family. put in a neat little feature they de- ple would come in marching into Jeru- With that, I yield. salem, the seat of government, singing The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. manded, which was that no son or daughter or family member or any in- the song: PERDUE). The Senator from Oklahoma. dividual that works with the Presi- I lift up my eyes to the mountains. CORONAVIRUS dency, Vice Presidency, or the Con- [But] where does my help come from? Mr. LANKFORD. Mr. President, we gress could get any of—not the grant My help comes from the Lord. are in the process of passing a very programs—the loan programs. In fact, Of all the things that are going on in large economic package to help sta- the language they demanded was inter- Washington, DC, right now, you will bilize our economy through the middle esting: No son-in-law could get that. I hear people repeating over and over: of all that is happening with COVID–19 wonder: Who could that be targeted to- Our hope is not in government; our globally and in the United States. The ward? A particular son-in-law that hope is not in how much money we can heart of the package we are passing might be there. spend. today is almost identical to what we Literally, a lot of this fight we have We understand full well, when we lift brought Sunday night, which was a bi- had over the last 3 days is because they up our eyes to the mountain—to this partisan proposal, which ranking mem- were demanding that there was no way hill. We understand full well where our bers and chairmen of all the major the President or any of his family help comes from, and it is not from all committees had worked together to get could get any kind of loan or benefit the folks in this room. Our help comes done. The key elements of it are still from this program at all. We spent 3 from the Lord, and we are grateful that there. It has unemployment insurance days—3 days of delay—because they He neither slumbers nor sleeps. for Americans, including a $600 plus-up had some additional demands for some With that, I yield the floor. to go through the process. There is sup- things they wanted to do, significantly The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- port for small businesses that will pay targeted to a lot of the President and ator from Arkansas. the payroll. We don’t want individuals his family. I understand they don’t like Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, the to end up on unemployment insurance. the President. I get that. We want to deadly coronavirus that emerged from It is better if they stay connected to do everything we can to protect the China late last year has now spread their same company. It has a unique workers. That is why we had all of across the globe. The Chinese Com- new proposal that is built in to say a these programs in place already and munist Party deceived the world, even small business can go to any bank rap- why we had done a lot of bipartisan their own people, and unleashed the idly to get a loan there, which will con- work to get it done. It is done now. worst pandemic in a century on us all. vert into a grant if they maintain their Let’s get it going. Now it falls to us to defeat it. current employee numbers. That keeps Our encouragement is to have the Here at home, a strange and unset- people connected to their business and House finish this up as quickly as pos- tling hush has fallen over much of the keeps people assured of a job at the end sible and to get the support to the country, as businesses close and mil- of all this when it finishes out. American people. lions of Americans brace for what is to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.016 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2033 come. In New York, Seattle, New Orle- dren, live alone, or work outside the gradually get back to work. For that ans, and elsewhere, preparation for the home. They can’t wall themselves off to happen, we will need to scale up our virus has ended. The virus has arrived from the world nor should we wall ability to rapidly test for the virus, as in force. The urgent battle to suppress them in. they have in South Korea, so that we it has begun. Moreover, tens of millions of younger have a sense of where the virus is and In emergency rooms and ICUs, coura- Americans have preexisting conditions where we must keep it contained. geous doctors and nurses are already that put them at an elevated risk for Already, America’s public labora- locked in a battle to save the lives of this virus. Are we to quarantine all of tories and companies are rising to the their patients. Protective gear is in them too? Even younger and healthier challenge by processing tens of thou- short supply, but their regard for safe- Americans are not safe from this pan- sands of tests, but our ability to test ty and even family come second to demic. The China virus attacks the must grow even faster, and it is. We their duty. The days ahead will be a lungs of the young and the old alike. Of will need masks, too—billions of them. close-run thing in those cities, as they the cases we know, the virus appears to We will also need local personnel who struggle to keep their hospitals open send about one in seven younger people are trained and prepared to do wide- and functioning. But make no mistake. to the hospital. It is true that survival spread contact tracing for those who The China virus will spare none of us— rates for younger patients are better, test positive. We will have to develop from the high-rises of the big cities to but even their recoveries depend on procedures for the strict quarantines of the hills of the Ozarks. there being a functioning healthcare those who test positive or for those Soon, the Senate will finally pass system. who have been exposed to the virus— desperately needed emergency legisla- If we give up on our efforts to control with zero tolerance for breaking quar- tion for our Nation, including a mas- this virus now, our medical system will antine and endangering our fellow citi- sive infusion of funds to our healthcare be overwhelmed—hospitals will col- zens. system. But this legislation isn’t about lapse; care will be rationed; doctors Once these elements are in place and stimulus. It is about survival. will face the terrible choice of whom to the first wave of this virus has passed, With this legislation behind us, save and whom to let perish—and not then we will be prepared to reopen our Americans are beginning to ask: What just for patients of this virus but for cities and communities while remain- is next? Yes, the virus is testing us al- every American who needs intensive ing vigilant about new outbreaks. ready, and it has already touched most care, whether it be from a heart attack These preparations will ensure we are of us by closing our churches, shut- or a stroke or a car wreck or anything ready to sustain our way of life until tering our businesses, and threatening else. our scientists can create what we so the jobs and retirement savings of mil- Besides, if left unchecked, this dead- desperately need—therapeutic drugs lions of Americans and, of course, ly virus will continue to wreck our and, ultimately, a vaccine. A vaccine threatening our lives. It is only natural economy as surely as it has already. It may take a year or more before it is that so many are wondering anxiously was not President Trump who shut available, but these other intermediate precautions must go into effect much, when and how this unprecedented crisis down businesses, after all, and it really much faster. will end. And when it ends, will their wasn’t even the Governors and mayors, America must, indeed, reopen. When though they issued the orders. Govern- jobs still there be? How will they put we do, these decisions must be based on ment-enforced closures were largely food on their table? How will they pay local conditions, not an arbitrary na- rearguard actions by communities that the bills? tionwide timeline. Our Governors and Americans want to know the plans so had already ground to a halt due to the mayors understand their local condi- they can do their part. More fundamen- virus or that would have soon come to tions. They can make gradual, rolling, tally, they want to know that there is a wrenching stop in the teeth of the calibrated decisions in a way that is re- a plan. Upended routines combined pandemic. sponsible when the tools to effectively Who among us would take our kids to with worry about the future naturally fight this virus are ready and available. breed frustration. We are citizens, after a restaurant tomorrow if we opened What I have outlined may seem like all, not passive carriers of a deadly back up? Our economy isn’t seized up a daunting and even impossible chal- pathogen. because of government dictates but, lenge, but our Nation has overcome far This frustration has given rise to a rather, because our people are under- greater challenges before. Already, new and growing argument that Ameri- standably fearful of the dangerous America is rising to take on the China cans can’t wait any longer, that we virus. So an immediate reopening with- virus. The giant of American industry ought to open back up and take our out having the resources in place to is awakening and retooling our fac- chances with this virus. After all, we fight the virus isn’t an option. Our hos- tories to join this fight just as we did can’t stay inside forever. We can’t, as pitals would be overwhelmed, and our during World War II. Never bet against the saying goes, let the cure be worse brave doctors and nurses would suc- America’s workers and American inge- than the disease. The urgency to stave cumb to the illness. Our businesses nuity. All across this country, Ameri- off economic collapse is, of course, un- would keep their doors closed or would cans are springing into action. We derstandable. It is also tempting to quickly close their doors again as know the vital role our doctors and think that we face a simple choice be- workers and customers would stay nurses will play in the coming months tween shutting down to fight the virus away. alongside our first responders, our fac- and opening up to save the economy, The supposed choice between saving tory workers, our farmers, our grocers, but the choice is not so simple. the economy and fighting the virus and on down the list. Some thoughtful observers note that turns out not to be much of a choice at Ask yourself now how you can help. the seasonal flu and automobile acci- all. We can’t yet stop the strong meas- Can you keep your distance from those dents kill more Americans annually ures that are in place because we have who are most at risk, realizing that the than has this virus. That is true as far no better option in the short run, but China virus preys on our most earnest as it goes, but we are just at the begin- neither can we continue them forever, desires for society and companionship? ning of this pandemic. I have to add for the American people can only hold Can you offer your charity to a friend that the Javits Center in New York out for so long. So we must come up in need? Can you pick up groceries for City has never been converted into a with a better plan and fast. That plan your elderly neighbor? Can you keep field hospital for the flu or car wrecks. starts with this big pause as we protect your workers on payroll and benefits Granting that, some say, perhaps we ourselves and each other. We simply for just a little longer until our legisla- can reopen in a few days since our el- don’t have the resources today to fight tion kicks in? Can you postpone your derly are most at risk from this virus. any other way, but it will not end with tenant’s rent for a month? Can you Quarantine them. Keep them safe, the this approach. pray for the deliverance of our Nation argument goes, while the rest of us get We must use the precious days and and the world? back to work. Yet there are 72 million weeks ahead to lay the groundwork for These are just a few of the things we Americans who are over the age of 60 in a new strategy to fight the virus—a must do as a country to make reopen- this country. Many of them raise chil- strategy that will allow all of us to ing possible and life bearable in the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.018 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2034 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 months ahead. We are all in this to- They can pick up the phone, place their crisis, we in the Senate would pass it gether, so we will need to have each orders, and have everything they need expeditiously. As the saying goes, you other’s best interests at heart. delivered to their front doors within a can’t let the perfect be the enemy of Many years of comfort and ease have, few hours—all without having to leave the good. perhaps, conditioned us to ask only home. We acted quickly to get both bills to what we are free to do, not what we are We have also seen other organiza- the President’s desk because the cir- called to do. Yet the old disciplines of tions working to adapt to these chal- cumstances demanded it. Sadly, over peril and privation threaten to return, lenging circumstances. The Boys & the last few days, our colleagues on the and we will need old notions of duty to Girls Club of Greater Houston has other side of the aisle have been obliv- maintain order in the face of them. The partnered with the Houston Food Bank ious to the sense of urgency that every darkest days of this coronavirus are, in to open a drive-through pantry. Fami- other American seems to understand. all likelihood, still ahead of us. Let us lies can get a whole week’s worth of After the original, intense, bipartisan face up to them bravely. Let us ac- healthy meals without ever having to negotiations, we were finalizing a third knowledge the troubles ahead, and let step out of their cars. relief bill, which included, by defini- us devote our whole energy to winning Of course, it is not just the busi- tion, ideas from both Republicans and this battle quickly so that the normal nesses and organizations that are help- Democrats. We were optimistic that we life of our Nation can resume. ing out. People are helping other peo- would be able to take up and pass the I yield the floor. ple. People are donating blood to al- bill on Sunday or at least get it started The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- leviate the critical shortages that hos- and pass the bill on Monday, but, clear- ator from Texas. pitals are facing. All of us, if we can, ly, that didn’t happen. Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, during should consider donating blood. People Our Democratic colleagues blocked times of disaster, crisis, or hardship, I are leaving notes in neighbors’ mail- us from even debating the bill, not never fail to be inspired by the gen- boxes, offering to run errands and pick once but twice. The minority leader erosity of Americans, including the up supplies. On social media, school- said the bill, which his Members had folks in my home State of Texas. I teachers who are at home are offering helped write, wasn’t good enough. He think about how we came together in to help parents with their children’s spent the next 3 days trying to change the wake of Hurricane Harvey to lead math, science, or other subjects they the bill to include provisions that he search and rescue operations, clear de- may be struggling to teach their kids thought were more important prior- bris, and rebuild communities and while the kids are at home and not at ities during a national emergency— lives. We saw strangers forming human school. things like tax credits for solar panels chains to rescue a driver who was There are neighbors helping neigh- and tighter emission standards for air- trapped in a car; restaurants offering bors, friends helping strangers, and lines, proposals that have absolutely free meals to first responders; and a Texans helping Texans. That is one nothing to do with this crisis. Houston legend, known affectionately thing I love about this great country. After a few incredulous days, Amer- as Mattress Mack, opening his fur- Our communities always jump into ac- ica woke up to the news today that our niture stores for those who needed tion to help in any way they can. They Democratic colleagues are finally shelter. do what it takes to survive a crisis and ready to stop this posturing and this One volunteer said: I have met more to keep one another safe and healthy obstruction and get this job done. of my neighbors in the last 24 hours until we emerge on the other side. After blocking this bill twice and than I have in the last 20 years. It is time for the Senate to do its holding up this emergency lifeline, While these heartwarming stories of part. There has been no event in my here is what the minority leader claims Texans’ lending a hand to one another lifetime that has had this big of an im- as a victory: He says that Democrats are a source of comfort even during the pact on the physical and economic expanded unemployment insurance to toughest of times, right now, when ex- health of our country. Every day, we help laid-off workers and those who are tending a physical hand is one of the learn about more new cases, rising un- self-employed. But as we all know, that worst things you can do because it vio- employment, and unprecedented mar- was already part of the bill that had lates social distancing rules, there are ket volatility. We have a responsibility been negotiated between Democrats still plenty of neighbors who are help- to act and to act quickly in response to and Republicans. ing their neighbors. Folks in Texas, these dueling crises. Then the minority leader said that like around the country, are staying Already we were able to work and Americans will get direct aid, but we home to keep themselves and their send two bills to the President’s desk have been talking about that for neighbors safe, and we are seeing new for signature. The first sent vital sup- weeks. That was part of the bill that and creative means of supporting one port to healthcare professionals and Democrats blocked twice. another. first responders, who are doing every- Let’s be clear about this. Here we For example, a number of distilleries thing they can to treat patients and are, Members of the U.S. Congress, get- across the State have switched their prepare for more cases. ting a paycheck, and they have the te- productions from making vodka or We also provided initial funding for merity to block, two times, emergency whiskey to making hand sanitizer. development of a vaccine, clinical aid to people who have no income at all With demand surging and hand sani- trials, and more diagnostic tests. through no fault of their own? It is out- tizer in short supply, more and more The second bill we passed focused rageous. hospitals are struggling to keep it in more on the small businesses and the Then the minority leader said that stock, and these distilleries are step- individual workers who are impacted he secured unprecedented aid for Amer- ping up to fill the void. economically. It included changes in ica’s hospitals, but as it turns out, that Jonathan Likarish is the head dis- unemployment insurance so that those was part of the bill Democrats blocked tiller and cofounder of the Ironroot Re- who find themselves out of a job can twice. It was the subject of bipartisan public Distillery in Denison, TX. He promptly take advantage of these bene- negotiations and, we thought, con- said they received a call from the fits, and it made paid sick and family sensus. Texoma Medical Center and was asked leave available for workers impacted Well, the bill that Democrats blocked if he could help. Of course, he said yes. by the virus. That is what we did in twice was a bipartisan bill to begin Businesses like his aren’t alone. these first two bills. with. Democrats and Republicans Beloved Texas grocery chain H-E-B Were they perfect? Well, no. The sec- worked together and agreed to each of has taken steps to make shopping easi- ond bill, in particular, fell short in a these points before the first votes were er for seniors who are the most at risk number of areas. It was largely nego- cast. The minority leader’s Members if they contract the coronavirus. H-E-B tiated by Secretary of the Treasury had spent countless hours negotiating has partnered with Favor Delivery to Mnuchin and Speaker PELOSI, but we with Republicans—that is how you get take grocery delivery—a service many decided that, in the interest of the things done—but then he singlehand- Americans already utilize—and has greater good and the country and the edly tries to take credit for the work made it more accessible to seniors. people who were hurting during this that they have done.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.019 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2035 For days Democrats needlessly cause of a lack of demand and the cost China. From there, it spread rapidly, blocked a bill that would have bol- cutting that airlines are going through and it has had devastating con- stered our fight to defeat this virus and with the concerns about people shel- sequences. The economy is crumbling. protected our economy in the process. I tering in place, maintaining social dis- We are working desperately to shore it am absolutely angry that they chose to tance and good hygiene to stop the up. Innocent people have been in the waste so much valuable time when spread of this virus, Speaker PELOSI hospital or sick. there are so many different people in has created a terrible problem for her- I talked to one Tennessean this need. But I am also relieved that they self. But, more importantly, she has morning who said: I am happy to re- finally agreed to quit playing their par- created even more of a problem for the port my husband is coming back tisan games so that we could vote on rest of the country because we need to around. He has been suffering for the this legislation today. get this passed out of the Senate today last many days with COVID–19. This bill sends desperately needed and out of the House and to the Presi- We have the world’s healthcare pro- funding to hospitals that are strug- dent as soon as possible. fessionals, and what are they doing? gling to manage an influx of patients The American people are depending They are working to the point of ex- and helps fight the shortage of masks on us to respond responsibly in a bipar- haustion. and other personal protective equip- tisan way during an emergency like What we have is Beijing’s reckless ment—one of the priorities my Gov- this, and we cannot let them down. Communist dogma, and they are trying ernor had mentioned to me. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- to blame everybody else. It provides the direct financial assist- ator from Tennessee. Today we are going to move forward ance that was already in the two bills Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, with the rescue package. This is the that our Democratic colleagues you know, I have to say that last night phase 3 package. It is the fourth blocked. A family of four will receive was an unusually late night here in tranche of money. I am including in up to $3,400 under this legislation, Washington, and we were all impatient that the President’s emergency dec- which will go a long way in throwing and our staffs were impatient. The laration, which put about $50 billion that lifeline to them and cover their press was impatient. toward fighting this. As we do this and rent, groceries, electric bills, and other As we talked to people across the as we find our way forward on address- expenses until they can make other ar- State, what we realized was they long ing this, what we have to do is realize rangements, like apply for unemploy- have been running out of patience, and that our relationship with China is ment insurance under our beefed-up I talked about that some on this floor. going to need to change and change for provisions. But for every factory worker and hour- the better. There is no denying that This legislation will also provide re- ly worker and small business owner the way they have conducted them- lief for small businesses that are strug- and songwriter and gig worker—they selves has put that relationship on dan- gling to stay afloat. Many of these have all been telling me that they are gerous ground. businesses have had to shut down be- running out of time, and they have Today, I invite my colleagues to sup- cause they have been ordered by the really just been very anxious about port the bicameral S. Res. 553 and ac- government to do so, and now they what was going to come out of this knowledge that Beijing intentionally need some help to make sure that the Chamber. spread misinformation to downplay the jobs they currently provide will still be I know that in the days and weeks severity of COVID–19 and baselessly de- available when we get to the other side ahead, as we work through getting re- nied the risk of person-to-person trans- of this crisis, and particularly we need lief to communities and individuals mission of the disease. They refused to to make sure that the employees they and small business owners and large cooperate with international health depend on and will depend on in the fu- companies, there is going to be a lot of authorities, including the CDC. During ture will still be there when they re- blame that is going to be thrown the early days of the outbreak, they open their doors. around. There is going to be some who censored doctors and journalists. We With both the physical and economic are going to blame politicians. There all remember what happened with the health of our country in crisis, this are others who are going to blame the late Dr. Li when he tried to give us the bold legislation is our best path for- way the economy is structured. There warnings. On top of everything else, ward. I appreciate the work that has are others still who are going to blame they maliciously ignored the health been done by so many around the clock the healthcare system. But I will tell and safety of ethnic minorities. for the better part of the past week to you, I think there is a necessity to This is the easy part. The facts are get this bill finally to the floor, and I have a discussion about why we do there. All we have to do is acknowledge look forward to supporting it so that have this current crisis, and it is be- the facts that are there and use this as my constituents—the 29 million people cause of the leadership of the Chinese a beginning, because this resolution is, who call Texas home—will get help as Government, the People’s Republic of as I said, bicameral and bipartisan in soon as possible. China, that leadership in Beijing. the House. We have no reason to not As we prepare to pass this legislation We have gone around and around push it forward and send the message and send it to the House, I urge them with activists and media on the point, that we realize what happened to cause to act quickly. But you may recall it and I shouldn’t have to point out that a global pandemic. was Speaker PELOSI who flew back into when I say China is to blame for the After we acknowledge Beijing’s gross town after a weeklong recess, dropped spread of the novel coronavirus that we malfeasance, we are going to adjust the an 1,100-page bill, and made all these call COVID–19, we do not mean the Chi- way we think about China in the con- outrageous new demands, clearing out nese people as a whole. Yet we have text of the economy, our national de- their partisan or ideological out-box or some who do not want to say that is fense, technology, human rights, and wish list. where it came from. I think we should pharmaceutical manufacturing. Well, incredibly, now that there has stop that, and we should move forward When you think about it—the fact been an agreement here in the Senate with decisions based on fact and with that Beijing intentionally downplayed with the administration, Speaker decisions that are based on data. the deadly nature of COVID–19—it PELOSI hasn’t even called the House We need to begin to collect those should come as no surprise. For dec- back into session. As a matter of fact, facts and data as they pertain to this ades, China has made it a business. It they gaveled in session and out of ses- disease. That is how we get to the has been their business to search out sion today, and they won’t be back in antivirals. That is how we get to hav- our vulnerabilities, exploit those vul- session until tomorrow. ing a vaccine. That is how we look at nerabilities, and then what do they try Speaker PELOSI has a huge challenge. lessons learned so that we don’t go to do? They try to use that as leverage Unless she can get unanimous consent through this again, so we plan to tack- against us. It is time for us to say: No to pass a $2 trillion bill through the le some of the unexpected occurrences more. House, she may well have to call back that will come our way. Another component I have talked into session the entire House of Rep- As we talk about facts, we do know about this week on the floor is our resentatives. With restricted flights be- that COVID–19 originated in Wuhan, pharmaceutical supply chain.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.022 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2036 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 On February 27, 2020, the FDA an- This may seem like something that owner I talked to had 2 percent occu- nounced the shortage of a drug used to is too large or too risky an under- pancy in the week before. treat victims of COVID–19. Imagine taking, but we have already paid dear- So, we have come together. This past that. There was a drug shortage. They ly for our reliance on Chinese drug weekend, we worked through it. I think attributed the shortage to difficulties manufacturers, and it is not going to that is the first time since I have been obtaining the active ingredient in this stop, because that vulnerability is le- here that on a legislative matter we pharmaceutical. The active ingredients veraged in the hands of madmen in Bei- have done that. We had Democrats and are called APIs. They couldn’t get it jing who seek nothing but power and Republicans at the grassroots level from the site in China that manufac- will go to any lengths to acquire that working to deliver what I think is a tured it because that site had been af- power. They don’t care whom they good package. It focuses on, No. 1, who fected by COVID–19. So here we are. We hurt. That is clear with this global needs it the most—workers who have need this component to go into a phar- pandemic. They don’t care if it is inno- been displaced and small business own- maceutical, and we cannot get it be- cent people who are sick or maybe even ers. It also has stuff in it for the broad- cause the factory that produces it has lose their lives. And they defy us—they er part of the economy. Urgency is the been affected by COVID–19. defy us—when we try to stop them. It key. We are working through, right This is not the first time this has is time that we rise to the challenge now, some short-term corrections, and happened. In 2016, we saw a shortage of and that we return the supply chain. I hope that doesn’t thwart the process. an important antibiotic when the sole I yield the floor. We should have had this across the source of its production—the only I suggest the absence of a quorum. finish line Sunday evening to where it place on the globe that produced this The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. COT- could have been delivered on Monday antibiotic—was in China. That factory TON). The clerk will call the roll. morning, and we wouldn’t still have was shut down. We couldn’t get it. The senior assistant legislative clerk the Nation on high alert about what we Our vulnerability is not limited to proceeded to call the roll. are going to do here. And it can only one drug or even just a handful of Mr. BRAUN. Mr. President, I ask come from here in this case. drugs. In 2007 and 2008, 246 people died unanimous consent that the order for I am going to segue into—we need to after taking a contaminated blood the quorum call be rescinded. get that done today, and I am going to thinner that came directly from a fac- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without be for it. Each State, each Senator, and tory in China. They died—246 people— objection, it is so ordered. each Representative is going to have to just like that. Routine inspections Mr. BRAUN. Mr. President, I have deliver to the small business owners, didn’t catch the contaminant, and the been here a little over a year. I keep the individuals who have been dis- drugs flowed right into our medicine mentioning that often because what a placed by this. I have a team back in cabinets. year it has been. In that stretch, there Indiana that is taking on a big spec- In 2010, regulators have also found se- has not been a period of time when I trum of casework. I invite you, when rious problems with batches of thyroid think there has been so much urgency this legislation gets across the finish medication, muscle relaxers, and anti- for us as a Senate and for the other line, to make sure you reach out to our biotics. This week I got an email from Chamber to do our job to deliver for office. a Tennesseean, and he said: I saw what the American people. Many of our cases, regrettably, have you said on the floor, and I want to let We are in the midst of a crisis. In been along the lines of helping folks you know, I take a heart medication, building a business over 37, 38 years, interface with the VA. Sadly, I wish and it was just recalled because it con- you constantly have hurdles to jump. there were fewer of them, but we have tained a carcinogen, and it was made in You never really know the clear out- had really good luck. We interfaced China. come. You try to have a great strategy when a cruise ship had Hoosiers strand- Think about this. These are the phar- with good implementation and good ed, and we were able to follow up on maceuticals we take to return our- tactics that will be your salvation the process to make sure they came selves to health and wellness and to through thick or thin. back. We are currently dealing with manage chronic conditions. Here we When it comes to the coronavirus, it cases where people are stranded over- have example after example of things is not as though we haven’t had other seas. Whatever it is, come to our Sen- that are contaminated and are not recent issues but nothing quite like ate office. We have a great team, and what they are intended to be. These are this. It started in another country. It they have helped out a lot of Hoosiers basic, common medications. has gone across the world, and it now already. In 2018, the FDA recalled several looks like that vector in our country— I want to end on a positive note. I blood pressure medications made in we may be dealing with it on a broader think this has the country down be- China that were contaminated with scale. cause everything you see is in the con- cancer-causing toxins. Now, I would I am a guy who believes in free enter- text of negativity. I like the fact that, imagine there are a few people who prise. I don’t like it when government aspirationally, many are already talk- come to work every day in this build- has to step in, but I don’t know what ing about what we are going to do when ing, who take a blood pressure medica- we would have done otherwise in this we come out of it, and through prayers tion. What if you had been taking one case. Until we tamp the disease down, and through all the stuff Americans for a period of time, and it contained until we get that curve flattened, no and Hoosiers have done, I think we are the cancer-causing toxins? one is going to be at ease. We have in- going to see that curve start to flatten. Americans deserve better than this vested 3, 4 weeks of actual guidelines. I like the approach we have taken to from their pharmaceutical supply We knew it was coming way before put the emphasis on the disease, be- chain. If we allow this to continue, we that. I am hopeful that we have been cause, until those numbers go down, no are going to do so at our own peril. I doing a lot of the right things even be- one is going to be at ease. So, as we encourage my colleagues to support fore we were required to do them. We look to the future—Monday was that the bipartisan Securing America’s can’t relent on that course. first threshold, 15 days—we need to re- Medicine Cabinet, or SAM-C Act. Sen- On the other hand, never in my cess, take all the information we have ator MENENDEZ has worked on this leg- wildest dreams would I have imagined gained and gathered, and make the islation with me, and I am grateful to an economy could be affected as it has. right decisions going forward. I trust him for his support. I get stories from my home State of In- our Governors and our local govern- The Presiding Officer is working on diana all the time, and not only from ments across the country to do the legislation that would address some of the places like hotels, restaurants, same thing. these issues. Bring this pharmaceutical bars, and airlines. I think our senior We will come out ahead. We are going manufacturing back into the United Senator, who actually either went to flatten the curve and make sure States of America. We need to end Chi- home or came out here, might have that we are taking care of the most im- nese control over our health and been the only person on the plane. portant thing first, and I think that is wellness in this pharmaceutical supply That is a graphic example of how this going to be here, hopefully, sooner chain. is impacting commerce. The hotel rather than later. And then we also

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.023 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2037 need to be aspirational about what is here in the last hour, but I think we That recovery will take some time, going to really get this country back will get those done and hopefully get but at the same time, as America al- to business as usual, and that is when this vote going tonight. ways responds to these sorts of things, we can have Main Street going back to As we deal with these two crises, it is I believe we can respond very quickly if the way it was a month or two ago so my suggestion that we look at how we we get the transition phase correct, that we can recapture the best econ- address dealing with this crisis in three and that is what I want to talk about omy we have probably ever had in his- phases. One is we are in the middle of today. tory. the first phase right now, and I would As we look at the medical crisis, I know Hoosiers will do their job. characterize it as mobilization, where though, we understand now, through a They will be aspirational, and Ameri- we are identifying the severity of the lot of data outside of the United cans across the country will do the disease; we are identifying who is the States—and I will caveat this by say- same. most vulnerable; we are identifying ing that each country’s experience is I yield the floor. what we need to do to deal with it; and just a little bit different. I would also I suggest the absence of a quorum. we are mobilizing behind it. comment that there is a lot of noise in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The We have seen a dramatic increase in the data that I see around the world clerk will call the roll. the number of tests, thanks to Vice right now. The medical community is The legislative clerk proceeded to President PENCE. We still have short- doing a great job of trying to aggregate call the roll. ages of testing kits, swabs, and re- this data to see how it applies to our Mr. PERDUE. Mr. President, I ask agents, and even testing machines. But needs here at home. unanimous consent that the order for we have things, like in my State, I give our doctors and nurses and the quorum call be rescinded. where one of our major hospitals, caregivers the highest thank-you I can The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Emory University Hospital, has their for what they are doing here and all objection, it is so ordered. own testing. They can do it in a num- over the world, for that matter. But Mr. PERDUE. Mr. President, we are ber of hours versus days, and they are the experience in Italy might not be on the cusp of a historic bill today—a making that available to other hos- the same as it is here. The experience bipartisan bill—that we took a dif- pitals in the State. This is all hands on in South Korea might not be the same ferent approach on, thanks to Repub- deck. And they will probably lose as it is here. So we have to look at lican leadership. We asked the leaders money doing that, but they are willing those and be very careful that we don’t of each of the committees, both Demo- to do that. try to extrapolate either the severity We have an apparel company in Geor- crats and Republicans, to focus on or lack of severity as being applicable gia that has now shut down their busi- their portion of the needs behind this here. ness in apparel. They have good orders, COVID–19 crisis. Before I get to the bill, what we do profitable orders. They are putting Before I get into my remarks today, know, though, is that just this week, those aside to make masks to try to though, I want to remind my col- the World Health Organization pub- help fill the need there and those short- leagues here today that we have spon- lished an update to their numbers. sored a resolution recognizing and ages. But the mobilization phase is where They are characterizing this disease thanking all the people in America who we are today. Based on the experiences this way—and every country has a lit- are stepping up and, as others have of other countries, we are identifying tle bit different infection rate and a said, putting their own health and what we might expect here. We have little different mortality rate. I believe their families’ health at risk to make hot spots in our country, just like in the United States, because we sure that their neighbors and friends other countries have had. We saw what haven’t tested as broadly as some of and patients and business partners are happened in Wuhan and Hubei Province the other countries have—like South taken care of. I am talking about sup- in China. I have been there. It is a very Korea—we don’t know what the denom- ply chain people, healthcare workers, old population—older population. They inator is yet, so we really don’t know transportation workers, ag industry— were late getting to the identification, what the mortality rate is, or the in- all the people in the country who are treatment, and isolation, and we see fection rate, for that matter. keeping the essential needs of our pop- the repercussions of that. But what we But just to put this into perspective, ulation going. can learn from them is that they are this is from the World Health Organiza- While restaurants are closed, they ahead of us in the cycle. However they tion: About 80 percent of the people in- have takeout services, even here in dealt with that in the early days, we fected with this COVID–19 virus will Washington, DC. That is not an easy see now how they have dealt with that probably have a mild—that is the way thing to do for those folks. It is a loss. crisis and what is happening with the they characterize it—experience with They are losing money right now. numbers, and we can learn from that. I this disease. Fifteen percent will be se- I want to make sure that we recog- will talk about that in a second. rious enough to go to a hospital, and nize, in the midst of this crisis, how The second phase, though, is transi- then of that, 5 percent will be critical Americans are responding. Americans tion. This is one that I am not sure we patients, typically generally toward always respond to crisis in a better are in it yet, but we are about to go the more vulnerable patients—the el- way than anybody else in the history of into it partly because of this package; derly, people with respiratory pre- the world, in my opinion. Sometimes that is, to make sure that we protect existing diseases or who have poten- we are not always the quickest to rec- the parts of the economy that we can tially immune deficiencies. ognize that we are in a crisis, but, so that when we do start to come out of As we deal with that medical crisis— right now, we are responding to this this, just like every other country and we poured a lot of resources toward one right here before us. ahead of us in the cycle has done and is that in the first two phases of help, in As a matter of fact, I believe we have doing right now, we will have our busi- addition to what the President did with two crises today. One is obviously the nesses in a position to reconnect with his $50 billion allocation earlier—in medical crisis—the healthcare crisis the employees they have worked so this bill, almost $2 trillion of aid, as we that we now are characterizing as the hard to develop. see it, goes toward businesses and com- COVID–19 virus. We know how it origi- Of course, the third phase is full-on munities and States to make sure that nated, and we know now what other recovery; that is, to do the things to we can weather this storm. countries that were ahead of us in the get the economy back on its strong Let’s be very clear about this. This is cycle are learning from that. But be- footing and to make sure we address not about companies. This is about em- cause of that, we have a connecting the shortages that we found in our cur- ployees. This is about the people who economic crisis that we are trying to rent preparation for this. For example, work for employers, either in their own deal with in this piece of legislation we didn’t have a strategic stockpile of business or in somebody else’s busi- today. some of the essential medical supplies ness. This is all about employees. It is I hope we can get this done tonight. we needed for the identification, test- merely a financial bridge to get I don’t see any reason why we can’t. We ing, and treatment of this particular through this period of time, to get into have a deal. There are some questions virus. that recovery phase that I was trying

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.025 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2038 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 to describe here a little earlier. It is There may be some growing pains in this is the big thing. We have limited about the employer-employee relation- the early days, but the liquidity is data in the United States. Other coun- ship and to make sure we keep that re- going to be there to weather this tries have a lot of data. I believe that lationship intact. storm, to bridge this crisis. if we aggregate that data and create a In the last 3 years, we created 7.5 I want to look at what is next. I will Manhattan Project-type effort to go to- million new jobs. Prior to this talk about this transition phase and ward vaccines and treatments, we can coronavirus crisis, we had an economy maybe even the recovery phase for a absolutely be ready for flu season next that was just booming. It created 7.5 second. year if, in fact, this particular COVID– million new jobs. We had 7.5 million The first thing we have to do is we 19 virus has a seasonality. We don’t job openings, as a matter of fact, and have to really learn from other coun- know that yet. only 5 million people looking for work. tries that are ahead of us in the cycle. In conclusion, there is no question So we had a situation where we had the For example, it took about 6 to 8 weeks that this is a moment of challenge in economy moving in the right direction, for China, even with their mistakes, to America. I will say this: President and then this hits. We want to make go from zero to their maximum num- Trump, for all his distractors, early on sure we don’t lose any of those jobs, ber. We know the disease has a life stepped up and was a strong leader. I and for that reason, we focused on the cycle. If somebody is infected with it, said this several years ago—he re- employer-employee relationship. if they survive, they come on the back minded me of Winston Churchill: iras- Yes, we plussed up unemployment side. So far, there are over 70,000 people cible but effective in getting results. benefits for the States so that they are who have had the disease in China and That is what we had early on. not overwhelmed, but we made sure the are healthy now. Right now, we need a steady hand to employer had the liquidity to keep We know from anecdotal evidence on make sure we don’t kill the economy these people employed. In that vein, we the ground that about 80 percent of the while we kill this disease. And my only did not want to have a liquidity crisis, employed workers in China are begin- point is that in this transition period— which we could very well have right ning to go back to work in almost 90 and nobody has all the answers yet—we now because of shutting down these percent of the factories. This is outside need to start asking the question of businesses. We didn’t want that liquid- of Wuhan and Hubei Province. They are what we can do in this transition pe- ity crisis to turn into an insolvency going back to work. riod to find a balance between pro- crisis. We can deal with a liquidity In South Korea, the learning there is tecting life and protecting the econ- issue. It is very difficult to come back testing, testing, testing, but more than omy long term so that when people get and deal with companies that have that, they also track contacts. There well, they will have a job to go back to gone insolvent and are now in bank- are 50 million people in South Korea. and will have an economy that can ruptcy proceedings. That is a very long We have 330 million. It is a little dif- help the world prepare for the next and difficult process. It is difficult to ferent here. But in certain cities and pandemic that we are talking about come back from. We do not want to do States, they can certainly look at here. The American people have the best that. And that was the primary pur- doing that. spirit, I believe, in the history of the pose of most of the facets of this bill— So we have to learn from countries world when it comes to dealing with some $2 trillion. like South Korea, Japan, Singapore, I will say this about that. There are Hong Kong, Australia, and even China this crisis. I have talked about a couple two major components to do that. One because they are ahead of us in this of examples in my State. The airlines right now are another is a small business contingency. A lit- cycle. one. I know that Delta is one of the tle over 50 percent of the people who In the first few weeks of this cycle, primary airline carriers we have in the work in America work for companies we should be going from zero to what- country. They are keeping some flights ever our maximum number is. But it is that have 500 employees or fewer. That on. I know I have a reservation on a the number of active cases that is the is a new learning for me. That has commercial flight later this week, and most important, not the number of changed dramatically. But it is the en- I asked my assistant: Are you sure I total cases. gine—this is not new news—this is the can get a seat on that plane? engine of new job growth in the last 3 The mortality rate is yet to be deter- She said: Yes. There are only five years. We know that. mined because we don’t really know people who have booked seats on that Well, we have $350 billion directly the denominator. But I believe, if we plane. targeted toward those small busi- can test more—and according to Vice So it shows that people are trying to nesses, which could then, by the way, President PENCE, the acceleration do their part here—neighbors, people go to their existing local banker and curve for that is underway right now, going to their grocery stores for their get this contingency, a government- and we will have the ability to do that. neighbors, taking care of picking up backed loan guarantee. Contact tracking is another, and the mail, doing anything they can to In addition to that, there is $454 bil- then isolation is another one we have protect the people who are at risk. In lion directed at other businesses, plus to think about, unfortunately. We have small communities, we know how to do another $58 billion toward strategically hot spots. With the Ebola crisis in Afri- that. In major cities, it is difficult, but important industries, like our airline ca, what we learned from the medical it is even possible there. industry and so forth. Again, most of community was that if they could put I will conclude with this: There is a this money is in the form of loan guar- a full court press on the areas of flar- day coming—and it is not that far off— antees to provide liquidity to keep the ing, where they had the disease flare that we will be behind the top end of employees employed with their em- up, and isolate it so they didn’t have this curve in America. We will have ployers. It is no more difficult than people traveling outside of those lost some lives. That is unfortunate. that. areas—isolation by geography and de- We all regret that. But what we have But there is one other thing that is mography are unfortunately called for to do now is to make sure we prepare not being discussed, and I want to if we are going to do everything we ourselves for this transition phase, highlight this, and that is, $454 billion have to do to control this disease in that while we are still dealing with is historic. That is a lot of money. But the timeframe that we should. people who are getting the disease, the it has the ability—through the Treas- The third thing I will highlight brief- disease is on the wane, and the econ- ury, they can actually lever that up in ly is that I believe right now this omy needs to be brought back so that terms of the way the money goes out shows that we were behind in terms of we can make sure that we can prepare to banks. It can be levered up to $3 or our preparation for a pandemic like this country for the next round that we $4 trillion. So what we are talking this—there is no question about it—in may or may not see in the future. about here is the potential of up to $5 the country and the world. We can With that, I yield the floor. trillion of liquidity into our economy. point fingers and blame. That is not The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- This is historic, and it should be my purpose today. What I want to say ator from Florida. enough to shock the system to say: OK, about this is that in America, if we can Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I received there is going to be liquidity here. bring the world’s resources of data— a call a few hours ago from someone I

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.026 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2039 have known for a long time, a gen- has to make a promise—we are not overnight. Think about it. One minute tleman who I would say is in his early- going to war—all the while under- you are a student demanding that we to mid-nineties. He wanted me to stop standing that what is happening in Eu- stay out of war, and the next you are saying that what we are facing is an rope would eventually reach us, and he volunteering for service. One minute unprecedented challenge. I was taken was preparing for war. you are a housewife, you are a retiree, aback. I mean, none of us have ever Why he made that promise was pret- and the next minute you are back at lived through anything like this or ty fundamental. Going to war was not work or at work for the first time in confronted a situation that is as pain- popular in this country. Millions of your life at a factory making muni- ful or so traumatic. He challenged me Americans, particularly those—at the tions or something else needed for the to do something that I had actually time, you couldn’t really travel war effort. done a few years ago, but as it shows, abroad—who had no connections to Eu- Schoolkids, children were put to even a few years erodes memory about rope, looked at World War I as a Euro- work on farms because so many people things that happened long in the past. pean war and looked at the Second had left farming to move and fulfill the He challenged me to say: You know, World War as just another trick to get industrial jobs because the men who everybody is comparing this to—the America sucked back into a war that would have otherwise filled those jobs last time we had something like this, it had to do with Europeans and not with were now wearing a uniform and dying required the Nation to react like we them. by the hundreds every day and then by did in World War II. So it caused me to Prominent voices—chief among the thousands, all over the world. go back and look a little bit at the them, Charles Lindbergh—traveled the We rationed food. There was food ra- years before that great and bloody con- country blasting the President as a tioning. You could only eat so much. A flict. warmonger in the strongest possible family only got so much. Gasoline was It is interesting. In the years leading terms. There was actually a student rationed. I think it was 3 gallons a up to 1941, President Roosevelt had an antiwar movement. Now, not as many week, if I am not mistaken. Clothes effort to pack the Supreme Court. It people went to college at that time as were rationed. was incredibly controversial and ended did in the 1960s, but it was really a pre- The government stepped in and said: up falling apart in 1937. It ended up cursor to that very movement. Why? You can’t build kitchen appliances—no falling apart actually because members Because these young people in college refrigerators, no ovens, no vacuum of his own party turned against him, were the ones who were going to be cleaners—none of it. We need all of our and it actually weakened him in the sent to war if there was one, and they industrial capacity to fight and win a tail end of the second deal. wanted no part of it. war. President Roosevelt was so upset Then, in the blink of an eye, at 7:48 People on the coasts—and you still about what members of his own party a.m., on the December 7, 1941, the Japa- see old pictures of this to this day—off had done to him that in 1938, he did nese attacked the U.S. Naval Base at Miami Beach, off New York, had to Pearl Harbor. They sunk four of our something unprecedented at the time. turn their lights off at night and close battleships. We lost almost 200 air- He got involved in Democratic pri- the shades of their windows because planes, and 2,300 Americans perished on maries and tried to defeat—take out— there were German U-boats just off our that very day. Even to the end of the members of his own party who had op- east coast. war, it remained the third bloodiest posed him. Not only did he lose badly People were asked to make tremen- day of that very bloody conflict. dous sacrifices—not for 3 months, not in that effort—I think he won only 1 of America was not ready for war. They for 6 weeks, but for over 3 years and those seats that he went after—as a re- had started a draft by a one-vote mar- longer. The sacrifice that was ulti- sult of what he did, his party lost 6 gin. They were able to vote it into mately, perhaps, the greatest of all was seats in the Senate and 71 seats in the place. They had begun some basic rear- that they sent their sons and fathers House. Ultimately, in this very Cham- mament, but we had lost a significant off to die in defense of this country and ber, a Republican, Robert Taft, was percentage of our Pacific fleet. able to put together a coalition with Frankly, to this day, there are legiti- of our freedoms. conservative Democrats and basically mate questions not about whether the I do not mean to diminish the chal- block President Roosevelt’s agenda Roosevelt administration knew in ad- lenges that are being asked of us now. leading in to 1940. vance that this was happening and al- There aren’t 5 minutes that go by that Then, in 1940, Roosevelt did some- lowed the attack to happen—no, those I don’t get a call, a text, or an email thing else that was unprecedented and are conspiracy theories—but that they from a small business that, just 2 highly controversial. He announced, al- should have known. This was a massive weeks ago, was having its best year though it was legal, that he was run- intelligence failure. In fact, up to 30 ever, talking about hiring new people, ning for a third term. He was, at that minutes before that attack, the Am- and now they are bankrupt. They are point, defying a long precedent that bassador to Japan was here negotiating done. They are finished, and they may had been set by the Nation’s first with the United States over an oil em- never reopen again. President. bargo. From a young couple I talked about Then, to make matters even more in- America, by the way, was not a soci- earlier today in the video that I made, teresting, his own Vice President, who ety of peace. This was a nation deeply 2 weeks ago, they were recently mar- had turned on him on the Court issue, divided, a segregated nation that dis- ried and planning to start a family. he had to kick off the ballot. In fact, he criminated against citizens of color. Both had good careers. The next told them: If you nominate him as Vice There were very serious labor disputes minute, they were both out of a job, President, I will refuse the nomination. going on throughout the country. not sure if the place they were working Ultimately, he was reelected on a Many still wore the scars of a deep and will ever exist again, not knowing promise. Ultimately, he was reelected painful economic depression. where to go. by a pretty big margin, but he had to Yet, in the blink of an eye, this Na- One minute you are the father in a make a promise: I will keep this coun- tion was confronted with an enemy and family or the mother in a family who try out of war. had no choice but to put aside all that has never had a day in your life where This sets the stage going into No- had happened to that point—every- you were not employed by someone, vember and December 1940. The Presi- thing, all the problems it had with the and the next you are being told: Go to dent had spent the last 3 years battling President, all the problems they had a website. Call this number. You need his own party. He had seen his own with each other. Even those Americans to go get unemployment. They don’t agenda slowed and stifled and then had who had been discriminated against know how to do it. They have never to kick off his own Vice President. were willing to do that, which is a tre- done it. After getting involved in primaries mendous testament to the contribution So I do not mean to diminish the sac- against his own party, he loses a large they made to the effort to win that rifices that our people are already number of seats in the House and in conflict. making. I simply mean to put it in per- the Senate and has a coalition form In the blink of an eye, literally every spective and also to give a little bit of against him to block him. And then aspect of American life was changed clarity as to what will be required of us

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.027 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2040 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 to win this war because, in the end, our But it takes me back to the point I Or there is the reverse. If he would enemy is not a nation-state. It doesn’t made originally: What is our job in have said: Boy, this is a good oppor- wear a uniform. But it has invaded our this? tunity to use the war powers the Presi- Nation in a way that has required us to Well, let me say that we—when I say dent has to steamroll my political op- do things we have not been asked to do, ‘‘we,’’ those of us in government at ponents and put in place whatever I or anything close to it, since late 1941. every level—are asking of our people to want and run them over. So what are the lessons to be taken do some very difficult things. We are Imagine if we were saying that we by that era in our history, by the call asking high school seniors, including need to build a lot of ships, but I am I got today saying: Stop saying this is one who lives in my home, to be the not going to vote to build it unless you unprecedented. first in I don’t know how many genera- are building it in my State. The lesson to be taken is, No. 1, in tions that will not have a prom, will I don’t want to go any deeper into moments like this, government action not have a senior trip, will not have a that because I don’t mean to say that matters. It is important that we have a graduation. Now, I know all those some of the issues that people raise functioning government that can ad- things may seem trivial and may pale around here are not legitimate issues. dress problems in the space in which in comparison to World War II, but for They are, but sometimes the legit- government must act. That is what is a 17-year-old, these are rites of passage, imacy of the issue—the importance of being asked of us here today. and there are many high school seniors the issue—has to be weighed on a scale What is being asked of us is not to in this country who will not get that against the gravity of the moment. pass a perfect bill or to pass legislation this year. I would say to you: If we were dealing that will cure the virus or to pass a law We are going to ask small businesses with permanent policy in the normal that has everything we have ever want- and have asked them already: You need course of business or even in a moment ed. What is being asked of us is this: to close your doors. You can’t open. of a cyclical economic downturn, we Can you function as a government? Can You can’t work. You can’t make would have some weeks to make some you do the most basic things that a so- money. You can’t allow customers to of these decisions. We have already ciety needs from its elected leaders at come in. taken too long. a moment of true crisis? Can you do We have asked people not to go to People got laid off today. People will that? work. In fact, we have told them not to be laid off tonight—and tomorrow and So far, for 3 days, the answer, sadly, leave their homes. Over half this coun- the day after and for days to come— has been no. I hope the answer at the try is on an order: Don’t leave your even if we pass this bill. Imagine if we end of this day will be different. house unless you are going to the doc- don’t. The second thing it teaches us is that tor, the pharmacy, the gas station, or What we are facing is the toughest you cannot confront a challenge such the grocery store. thing this generation has ever faced. as this with just government. That war We are asking nurses and doctors to There is no doubt about it. There is no was not just won because of political confront a virus that can infect them doubt about it. Perhaps with the excep- leaders or our Armed Forces. It was a and their families and kill them and tion of the gentleman that called me whole-of-society effort. Every day, their families, just like anybody else— this morning, it will be the toughest Americans were being asked to do to do so, on double shifts, oftentimes thing we ever face in our lives. World things they had never done before, in without the gear and the equipment to War II was worse. This virus is terrible, places they had never been—not just to protect them. but it will not last as long or kill as make sacrifices from what they We are asking truckdrivers to drive many people as that war did, but it will couldn’t have but sacrifices in what all night—also vulnerable to the virus, kill far too many people and last far they were asked to do affirmatively. also worried about all the other things too long. It will last longer and kill It will require the same of us now. I all of us are worried about—to drive all more if we don’t take action now. That want to tell you, there are people al- night because tomorrow those shelves requires everyone to finally wake up ready doing that, as we speak. The ex- need to be stocked with all the things and realize this virus does not care amples are too long to mention, but all that people are buying because they over this country there are people who are afraid it is going to run out. whom you voted for in the last elec- are doing extraordinary things—step- How can we ask that of our society if, tion. It doesn’t care what you write on Twitter or what snarky remarks you ping up, doing more than they have for 31⁄2 days, we can’t even vote on a ever done—because they have to. They law, we can’t even walk to the front of come up with in your commentator know they must. this place and lift our finger up or moment on cable news. It doesn’t care I have no doubt that if our govern- down and say yes or no? We can’t even about any of that stuff. It doesn’t care ment leaders do their job and are will- do that—spending the taxpayers’ whom you plan to vote for in the next ing to do their part and provide people money, on behalf of the taxpayers, in a election. It will infect you. It will kill transparent, clear, truthful guidelines moment of critical crisis? you. It will kill people you love. It will about what we face and what lies ahead I don’t mean to be negative, because, kill members of your family. It will and what is expected of them, they frankly, I hope that today is the day disrupt your community and your may not be happy and people may not we will get this solved, but there are economy. It doesn’t care about any of be excited about it, but they will do it. still other people who have to weigh in this other stuff. I know they will do it. They are al- here—in the House, outside commenta- It really is important for us to real- ready doing it. tors, people still emailing and texting: ize—not just for this bill but moving The third lesson is the awesome Can we change this? Can we change forward—that there is no such thing as power of our country when a diverse that? an outcome here that is good for half of population of go-getters—the most cre- I just don’t know how we can ask us and bad for the other half. There is ative people to have ever walked the people to do all these things we need to no possible political victory here— Earth—put aside their differences to ask them to do and, in return, tell none. There is no outcome here in confront a threat they face in common. them, by the way, we are going to take which half of us are going to be able to Again, that is not possible, you can’t our sweet time to do our part. And our go back and say: Boy, we really looked ask that of a society, you can’t ask part is the easiest one. good, and we made those guys look people to put aside their differences, to You can just imagine this. Extrapo- really bad, and people are going to re- put aside the trivial, to put aside the late what we are facing now and take it ward us for it. They are not. things they don’t agree on and to focus back to 1941. Imagine if, back then, I promise you, when someone has lost on the one thing that threatens us all— people would have been saying: Boy, their job and does not know where they you can’t ask them to do that if you this is a great chance. This is a good are going to go, is stuck in their home are not willing to do it yourself. And it opportunity to get back at FDR. This and their life has been turned upside appears—at least, up to this moment— is a great opportunity now. He is in down, and a member of their family is that we have failed to do it. I hope war. Let’s roll back the New Deal. in intensive care, and they wind up at today is a difference in that regard. We Let’s really stick it to him for what he a hospital that has been overwhelmed shall see. did 6 years ago with our Court thing. and can’t care for them, the last thing

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.028 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2041 on their mind is going to be partisan hours and risking their own health to negotiating table, we worked toward politics or preexisting differences. save lives. They are performing a na- that goal. As a result, American work- If you don’t believe it, we are about tional service. ers will receive 4 months more of un- to find that out, unfortunately. There The numbers of infected individuals employment insurance instead of just is no outcome here which half of us are and the rapidly rising death toll are 3. happy and the other half are upset. staggering. If we do not follow public Because so many Americans are now It is a cliche. We use it all the time. health experts’ advice, the tolls could out of work, we need an expanded un- I can’t think of a better example than be truly horrifying. employment insurance plan. This plan this one: We are truly all in this to- In New Mexico, we have over 100 di- extends unemployment to the self-em- gether. The carnage, the damage that agnosed cases, and today the first ployed for the first time. It increases this will do to our country is extraor- death in our State was reported. A sen- the maximum benefit by $600 per week. dinary. It will know no geographic ior citizen from Eddy County in the Many workers will receive their full bounds, no political affiliation, no de- southeastern part of our State passed pay under this expansion. mographic differences. This is a virus away on Sunday. Just to give an idea of the magnitude that can infect the heir to the Crown in All New Mexicans are facing new of this problem in my home State of Britain just as easily as it can a 92- challenges—a threat to our health, a New Mexico, during the week of March year-old retiree in a Florida nursing threat to our economy. My top priority 9, we had fewer than 800 claims for un- home. is easing this hardship and making employment. This last week we had I hope the gravity of the moment fi- sure New Mexicans have what they 11,000, and now we are receiving 7,000 nally sinks in and that we take the need to stay healthy and to stay eco- every day. necessary actions quickly. If there is nomically afloat. Also, because Democrats stood firm, something in this bill you really don’t With that in mind, I rise today to tell our healthcare system will see an infu- like—I don’t mean to diminish it—if we New Mexicans: Relief is on the way: re- sion of $55 billion more into the Mar- can fix it, we should. But at this point, lief to American workers who have shall Plan for healthcare. The total I am going to tell you that there is been put out of work and to small busi- public healthcare investment in this nothing wrong in this bill. There is nesses that are making impossible de- bill is now $150 billion dollars. We will nothing in this bill that will damage cisions because of the coronavirus pan- establish a $150 billion relief fund for our country more than our inability to demic; relief to our hospitals and front- State, local, and Tribal governments to act. No matter how bad you think line healthcare workers facing an over- help cover costs of fighting this virus. some provision in this bill may be—and whelmed healthcare system in the New Mexico is eligible for up to $1.25 I say this to both sides—there is noth- coming weeks and months; and relief billion from this fund. ing in this bill that will damage us to State and local governments that And we will bring accountability and more than doing nothing. By far, the are doing their best to take care of transparency to the relief for industry most damaging thing that can happen their residents and maintain essential and large corporations. This relief bill is not any provision of this legislation. services—State and local governments puts in transparency and independent It is our inability to act and to send a are desperately in need of assistance oversight and also makes sure that message to the American people that only the Federal Government can pro- elected politicians, including the Presi- their leaders can’t function, that their vide; and Tribal governments to whom dent, are not the beneficiaries of this government doesn’t work—not just on we owe trust and treaty obligations to fund. a day-to-day basis but in a moment of provide healthcare, education, and We face a national crisis of monu- crisis. community assistance, particularly in mental proportions, and I am heart- I hope that whatever differences may times of need. ened that Republicans and Democrats still exist at this moment—and I am After days of furious negotiations, I in this body joined together over the trying to be fair because I know a lot am pleased and relieved that Demo- last several days to face this crisis to- of people have finally seen the full text crats and Republicans were able to gether as a nation. This is what we do of it in the last few hours—and if you reach agreement on what will be the as Americans, and I have hoped that as have caught something that can be largest Federal relief effort in our his- we continue to face down this crisis in fixed, it should be fixed. But I plead— tory. The times demand a response of the coming weeks and months, we will I don’t know what other word to use— this magnitude. continue to do so in a united fashion. that we don’t leave here tonight with- The stay-at-home orders—which, As vice chair of the Senate Indian Af- out having passed this bill because I make no mistake, are necessary to stop fairs Committee, I have been particu- honestly don’t know how this Nation the virus—threaten the livelihoods of larly focused on making sure that In- and our people can afford one more day millions of working families who live dian Country is not left out and ensur- of this. paycheck to paycheck. ing that Tribes, which are on the I yield the floor. Millions of small businesses are in frontlines of this public health and eco- I suggest the absence of a quorum. dire need of help. They power our econ- nomic crisis, have the resources they The PRESIDING OFFICER. The omy but simply can’t survive during need and deserve. clerk will call the roll. the kind of economic downturn we now Together, with my Democratic col- The bill clerk proceeded to call the face. leagues, I fought for and secured an $8 roll. The Federal Government has the billion set-aside for Tribal govern- Mr. UDALL. Madam President, I ask power to make sure that people can ments and their enterprises. This Trib- unanimous consent that the order for take the public health measures that al Relief Fund will provide the 574 fed- the quorum call be rescinded. are necessary, while also staying afloat erally recognized Indian Tribes with The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. financially. flexible resources—resources they need BLACKBURN). Without objection, it is so We here in the Senate need to make during the COVID–19 response, and I ordered. absolutely sure that everyone—not just am glad we found bipartisan agreement Mr. UDALL. Madam President, today those at the top—that everyone is on this. New Mexico and the Nation face a pan- taken care of and can weather this cri- We also secured over $2 billion in demic, the likes of which we have not sis. emergency funding for Tribal needs, seen in over 100 years, and today the I am strongly supportive of the small and this includes over $1 billion for the Senate must act to pass the largest re- business relief in this bill, which in- Indian Health Service that will be used lief package for the American people in cludes loans of up to $10 million that for everything from expanding medical our history. can be forgiven and turned into grants services to purchasing equipment, to First, I would like to extend my if employees are kept on the payroll. promoting public health education, to thoughts and prayers to everyone who This relief will go through the Small expanding telehealth services, and in- is personally affected by this Business Administration and be avail- creasing disease surveillance, over $700 coronavirus pandemic. I thank the able to any business or nonprofit under million that will go to the Bureau of healthcare workers for working long 500 employees. With Democrats at the Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.030 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2042 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 Education, and the HUD Office of Na- Because of the frontline healthcare know that none of us got every single tive American Programs. These funds workers—the doctors, nurses, and tech- thing we want, just as I am sure my will assist Tribal governments as they nicians and all those who support that Republican friends did not get every make their way through this crisis and work, hospital janitors, cafeteria work- single thing they want. And is any bill support their members—support BIE ers, and so many others—this public perfect, especially something of this schools and Tribal colleges and univer- health crisis will see an end. Thank unprecedented magnitude? Of course sities so that students continue with you to everyone who is risking their not. But we are at a point where re- their education and provide housing for own safety to help others. Thanks to ality has to overcome rhetoric. We those most in need who are impacted all the Senate staff who are here on the have to stand up and be the conscience by this terrible virus. floor and the people who work here. of the Nation, as we have been in the These are key victories, but we are In the days, weeks, and months past and we can be today. It is time for not done. We must uphold our trust ahead, we must continue to closely Senators to come together and vote. I and treaty responsibilities to all Amer- monitor all aspects of the impact of know that on our side, under the lead- ican Indians and Alaska Natives. coronavirus on our Nation’s health and ership of Senator SCHUMER and others, So Congress must do more to respond economy and continue to decisively we are ready to do that. to the unique COVID–19-related public and aggressively respond to the needs I am the dean of the Senate. I have health and economic crises in Indian of the American people. I am confident been here the longest. I am not going Country. Tribes are some of the most that, in working together as one Na- to get everything I want, neither is the vulnerable populations with the least tion and one people, we will meet and Presiding Officer, and neither is any- robust healthcare systems. We have a beat this crisis and come out on the one here. But America will get a lot very scary outbreak on the Navajo Na- other end stronger. more than it has now. tion, and I am sure that we need to To conclude, we must pass this bill Let’s do this for America. Vote on it. weigh in and help there. without delay. This is a good com- As Americans, we should say that it is For our next response package—and, promise, and we must act now. reality time, not rhetoric time. Reality believe me, we are going to have to I suggest the absence of a quorum. trumps rhetoric any day. Let’s go monitor this closely and in all likeli- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ahead and vote. hood will be back here again—we must clerk will call the roll. I commend those Senators in the Re- make sure Indian Country has equal The senior assistant legislative clerk publican Party and those Senators in access to Federal coronavirus re- proceeded to call the roll. the Democratic Party who have sources. Senator HEINRICH and I fought Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I ask worked so closely with each other. I hard for New Mexico priorities. We are unanimous consent that the order for know we have in Appropriations. It is working hard on issues that have to do the quorum call be rescinded. time to say: OK. Let’s vote. with our National Labs, one of our The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without With that, I suggest the absence of a very, very top employers—in fact, objection, it is so ordered. quorum. probably the biggest. Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, the The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. New Mexico’s creative economy can’t Senators have been working very hard CRAMER). The clerk will call the roll. be left behind. Sitting as the lead Dem- The senior assistant legislative clerk to respond to the crisis that is facing ocrat on the Appropriations Sub- proceeded to call the roll. our whole Nation. Each one of our committee that funds the national en- Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask States is unique, but we also are here dowments, I pushed for an additional unanimous consent that the order for $75 million for both the National En- for all of America. All of America is the quorum call be rescinded. dowment for the Arts and the National suffering. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without I know my staff in Vermont, my staff Endowment for the Humanities. These objection, it is so ordered. down here, the appropriators, and the funds will support local artists and art TRIBUTE TO NORMAN BORLAUG programs through this tough economic Appropriations staff have been working Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I time. When arts and cultural venues every day and every night till midnight know we have a very important piece are shuttered and artists and all others or later. Nobody has had any time off. of legislation before us to turn this are out of work, there is no doubt that I am proud to work with them, even economy around and help in our battle these are exceedingly difficult times, though we have set up the capability to against the virus. While we are waiting but together we can get through this. telework, as I would hope all would do, to vote on that, I have come to the I would like to remind everyone to so we can work remotely. floor for a couple of points that I would follow the public health measures rec- Earlier this week, we were faced with like to make. ommended by the experts. Staying at the prospect of a bill that was very The first one is to honor a famous home is the best thing we can do to one-sided. Republicans and Democrats Iowan. This month is Iowa History slow the spread of this virus and ensure had not done what we do best, sitting Month, so I have come to the floor to our healthcare systems are not over- down and reaching a bipartisan agree- speak about one of Iowa’s favorite run. These measures are a firebreak ment. We were given almost a take-it- sons, Dr. Norman Borlaug, whose birth- that cuts off the fuel for this virus and or-leave-it bill. I applaud Senator day is today. prevents a catastrophe that overruns SCHUMER who said we should come He is considered the father of the our hospitals. Social distance, washing back together. Let’s not pass a bill Green Revolution. Raised on a farm your hands for 20 seconds—we all have that leaves out so much of America near Cresco, IA, Borlaug is credited an important part to play in con- and so many of the people we rep- with saving more lives than anyone in taining COVID–19, keeping ourselves resent. Let us come together, Repub- history with his breakthroughs in and our neighbors and our commu- licans and Democrats, and find a way. agronomy. It took him several years to nities safe. Now, late last night—actually it was accomplish what a lot of scientists do The State of New Mexico is under a close to this morning—agreement was now in a laboratory in regard to fight- stay-at-home order. I commend Gov- reached, in principle, on such a bill. ing diseases in plants. He did this in ernor Lujan Grisham for the quick and The appropriators do only part of it, Mexico and India. decisive action that she has taken. She but Senator SHELBY and I tried to work His work helped to overcome mal- is focusing on this like a laser beam. I together to have something the vast nutrition and famine across the world, know these measures are difficult and majority of the Appropriations Com- saving over 1 billion lives in the proc- a hardship for many, but we will only mittee, Republicans and Democrats, ess. be able to revive our economy once this would agree on, and we did that, and His achievements won him the Nobel public health crisis is abated. If we just that is what we have before us. Peace Prize—not only that famous let the virus run its course, we could Both parties have worked so hard to prize but also the Presidential Medal of lose over 1 million people. Some esti- put together something we can all Freedom and the Congressional Gold mates are 2 million—1 to 2 million peo- agree on. We should be able to vote. I Medal. I think there are only five or six ple. That would be totally unaccept- agree with the discussions that Sen- people who fall into the category of able and devastating. ator SCHUMER had this morning. We all winning all three of those prizes.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.031 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2043 His achievements also prompted the taken phone calls for whatever reason have heard from nurses and doctors, I State of Iowa to honor him with one of from the folks from Delaware, they know the level of alarm and concern Iowa’s two statues in Statuary Hall have all asked: When will the Senate has steadily risen in recent days. here in the U.S. Capitol. act? So, folks, tonight, as I stand here on CORONAVIRUS We have faced a challenge over the the floor of the Senate, I am mindful Mr. President, on another subject, last couple of days between our moving that our Nation is suffering; that there some pundits, and even Members of swiftly and our moving wisely in put- are people all over the world but par- this body, have suggested that it is in- ting together a package of this size. ticularly here in the United States, in appropriate to criticize the Chinese With no hearings, no committee pro- the States that we represent, who are Communist Party for its mishandling ceedings, and no detailed legislative anxious, who are unemployed, who are of the coronavirus that originated in process, it means that there will be uncertain, in some cases now, too Wuhan, China, because it distracts rough edges, and it means there will be many who are infected, who are hos- from bashing the President. We went mistakes in this bill. Is it perfect? No. pitalized. from mainstream media outlets rou- In fact, some of its pieces, as we will It has come home to this Chamber, as tinely referring to the virus by its ori- discover as it unfolds, are far from it. one of our colleagues has tested posi- tive and one of our dear colleague’s gin to this being totally politically in- But across the country, just as in this Chamber, there is that sense of husband, her spouse, is hospitalized. correct. We know Members of the House and There is an excellent timetable pub- anxiousness, of anxiety, of when will it the Senate, of our staff, and our imme- lished by Axios that lays out the Chi- happen. diate community have been touched by nese coverup that prevented early ac- Just a few weeks ago, the vast major- ity of our country was reading about this dread disease. tion to contain the virus. The Chinese And we are now at a critical moment pro-democracy activist, Wei Jingsheng, coronavirus—about COVID–19—as something happening in distant coun- in our modern history—simultaneously warned that General Secretary Xi is a public health crisis and an economic ordering people back to work pre- tries on far shores. They read about sort of concerns about its alarming and crisis. maturely, risking another massive out- I have heard too many people say it rapid growth in Asia and then Europe. break of what he called Wuhan pneu- is unprecedented. It is not unprece- Things started changing as the sto- monia. dented. The United States and our Na- ries got more dire and more grave, as Telling the truth about the Com- tion have made it through tougher public health officials began to predict munist Party’s misdeeds does not pre- times than this. To say that the Great a global pandemic, as the World Health clude talking about how we can im- Depression and the Second World War, Organization announced it is a global prove our own response. We can learn the Civil War, and the Revolution, the pandemic, as scientific leaders began from free countries like South Korea, hard work of labor organizing, and the to say that the United States would in- which has been able to contain a wide- desperate work of throwing off the evitably be touched by it, as our col- spread outbreak, and Taiwan and shackles of segregation and of Jim Japan, which appear to have been able leagues from the Pacific Northwest Crow—to say that those weren’t tough to prevent widespread outbreaks. told us about how their communities and difficult struggles misses the sig- So this is not the time for political were being affected, as extended con- nificance of our history and the things correctness or political point-scoring tacts and friends and acquaintances on we have overcome. to get in the way of telling the truth or social media and then on the press But for most of us, for most of our working together in a clear-eyed way shared how they are or members of families, for most of our communities, to address the challenges at hand. their community had become infected. this wave, this pandemic, this virus, I yield the floor. As it began to move across our coun- and the combined health and economic I suggest the absence of a quorum. try, it began to impact a remarkable disaster that is upon us may be the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The range of institutions, from baseball to greatest test we have faced. clerk will call the roll. Broadway, the closures of all sorts of So how have we answered thousands The senior assistant legislative clerk treasured American institutions— of businesses already closed, millions proceeded to call the roll. every major sports league, every major of people already unemployed, and a Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I ask public gathering. nation fearful of a pandemic swamping unanimous consent that the order for And as now State after State has the resources of our hospitals and our the quorum call be rescinded. issued edicts, as city and county alike health system? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without all over our country have asked people Let me just speak briefly in broad objection, it is so ordered. to close their restaurants and their strokes to what is in this bill, which we Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I came to bars, their small businesses, as hotels have, finally, ultimately, hammered this building, this Capitol, about 12 have no occupants, as airplanes fly out after days of disagreement and in hours ago today and, first thing this with no passengers, it has become advance of our getting the final official morning, recorded a video to share on haunting, eerie—the sense of an immi- text. social media with the folks back home, nent disaster. In the broadest strokes, the help that who have been eagerly asking: What is Just before coming over here I read will be delivered to the American peo- up? What is happening? What is next? an article in the New York Times ple by this bill starts with individual My message has been simple. about how in my region, in the mid-At- assistance—something the President After days of disagreement—of tus- lantic, it has hit. In the borough of has championed and the Democrats sling and of fighting and of crafting— Queens, in the city of New York, in a have supported. We have had different we have a deal, and I am ready to vote. public hospital known as Elmhurst, versions of it, but we have roughly Let’s move forward. Twelve hours yesterday, 13 patients died, and in a agreed on $1,200 to every adult citizen later, I stand in a largely empty Cham- riveting account, the nurses and the making below $75,000, and it phases out ber and have an odd sense of fore- doctors describe a catastrophic situa- to those making below $100,000. With boding, as I have all day and as have tion. $500 per child, your average family many of my colleagues, wondering: Public health officials, trained might well see $3,000 to $4,000. These What is taking so long? What is the health aids stretched to their limits, checks will come out in weeks, deliv- delay? What are the remaining issues? tested as they hadn’t been before, ered directly, for those with direct de- I am hopeful, prayerfully, that we will struggling to get personal protective posit through the IRS, or by check to resolve what is left, move to this equipment, to have enough ventilators, those harder to find who haven’t filed Chamber, take up the text, vote it out, to have enough ICU units—and I will recently but are eligible. send it to the House, send it to the tell you, as, over the last couple of This is a remarkable, direct support President, and send $2 trillion in sup- days, I have talked with the heads of to help millions of Americans have port to our Nation. each of our major hospitals, folks who cash in their family checkbook to get Let me tell you, as I have waited run skilled nursing facilities, non- through the unexpected hardship of today and yesterday and as I have profits, community health centers, as I these next few months.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.035 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2044 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 There is more than $100 billion in As I have heard from restaurant own- back to insist on this provision in the this bill to support our health workers ers, from hotel owners, from those who next bill. on the frontline and the hospitals that work in bars and restaurants and ho- But as I have said to many colleagues make our public health possible—pos- tels in my community, those are the in the last few days, we cannot all get sible. folks who have been hit the first and everything we hope for and want and You heard that story about Elmhurst the hardest by the closures. This provi- believe to be important in this bill. We Hospital. In my own home State, there sion will allow those small businesses must put down the tools of partisan- are hospitals rural and urban, large to reopen quickly and robustly when ship and personal interest and sec- and small, that without this support we get on the other side of this pan- tional concerns; we must put down will struggle to make it through this demic. some of the things we most hope for; period. And I look forward to working with we must put down the tools with which The heroes of this period are the my colleagues, with the SBA Adminis- we so often fight each other; and we folks who are working—the folks who trator, with the SBA lenders in my must come together and take up the are cleaning offices, trains, hospital State and around the country to make implements of national purpose, of rooms, often without enough protec- sure it is done well and that it is done compromise, of consensus, and deliver tive equipment, often without quickly. these resources to a nation anxious, healthcare themselves, often without I wrote the bill that added $17 billion concerned, and at times even angry at adequate pay; the folks who labor at more so that 320,000 current small busi- all of us in the Senate for what they night here in this Capitol in our offices nesses, which are current SBA see as too long a delay. to make sure they are clean and safe loanholders, get 6 months of relief, So with that, let me just say to my from this virus we can’t see; the folks moves them off the agenda of the SBA colleagues, it is time for us to take up who work in public hospitals, work staff and the SBA lenders to clear the this bill, rough-hewn as it is, pass it long hours. They are orderlies, they are decks for them to administer this $350 through this Chamber, send it to the nurses. They are the paramedics and billion. House. I urge my colleagues in the the ambulance drivers who deliver the And I supported Senator CARDIN in House to pass it promptly, send to it sick, and they are the surgeons and the his initiative to add $10 billion for the President’s desk for signature, and doctors who direct their care. small, rapid grants to the most se- then let us all get to the hard work of And one of the things I am proudest verely impacted businesses and non- making sure we do the best we can for of that is in this now that was not in profits. the people we represent with this his- this several days ago is $150 billion to This section of the overall bill, where toric stimulus package, this remark- States and counties and cities. Senators RUBIO and COLLINS, CARDIN able coronavirus relief package that is In the 10 years I spent in county gov- and SHAHEEN negotiated most of it, going to deliver $2 trillion of assistance ernment, I came to deeply respect the struck me as the most bipartisan and and support to communities all over men and women who help keep our most productive. our country. county government afloat and our There is so much more in this bill I I yield the floor. communities stronger, safer, and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- could speak to—the ways in which the healthy. This direct support to the ator from Nevada. resources of the Federal Reserve are States and the counties on the Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, going to be deployed to help medium frontlines of this pandemic will help I rise today to let all Nevadans know businesses and small businesses; the them get through. the important steps Congress is taking There is a $500 billion fund—the sub- ways in which the private sector in my to respond to the pandemic we are fac- ject of much discussion and debate— home State has stepped up to partner ing right now. that, as initially written and proposed, and to deliver critically needed re- The novel coronavirus represents a would help sustain some of our iconic sources, whether it is refurbishing ven- global challenge to the health and eco- industries like the airlines, but with tilators or donating surplus PPE from nomic security of Nevada and the almost no transparency, in terms of the construction sector that they don’t United States. the terms of the loans or the grants need today, or it is the university that My thoughts today are with those in that would be given, and almost no re- has closed its research labs but makes Nevada who are ill or suffering with strictions on how the companies to re- its resources available to our hospital. the virus, and with the families of the ceive them might use them, for what There are some remarkable efforts in six Nevadans who have died because of purposes. partnership going on in my community this disease. Broadly speaking, after days of fight- and around the country. But at the end I also want to thank the brave men ing, we have come to agreements that of the day, we have a critical question: and women on the frontlines of this I support and embrace—restrictions on Is this bill perfect? No. crisis—the first responders and buybacks and dividends and executive Could we improve it by more time healthcare workers who are battling to compensation, guarantees against lay- here arguing with each other, offering save lives, putting their own health offs and against the destruction of col- more minutes, debating further? Yes. and the health of their families at risk. lective bargaining agreements, and, Is there something I badly wanted I know there is a lot of fear and con- broadly speaking, transparency and ac- that did not get in this final bill? Abso- fusion in our communities right now. countability. lutely. Please know this, though: I am work- One of the things I am most proud of We have had nine major States delay ing closely with Governor Sisolak and is that there will be now an account- their elections, delay their Presi- the Nevada delegation to ensure that ability board, a pandemic response ac- dential primaries because of this pan- our State gets the resources it needs to countability committee—both an in- demic, and I urged that a bill written stem the spread of the coronavirus, to spector general, a special inspector by my colleagues Senator KLOBUCHAR treat those who need medical atten- general, and $80 million in this bill for and Senator WYDEN, that I joined, be tion, and address the needs of strug- the operation of that accountability added in text to require every State to gling families and businesses. committee. have a plan to vote by mail during this I also know that we are Nevada Let me move, since I see I have a pandemic. If our troops could vote from strong. I have seen over and over again number of colleagues who have joined the frontlines in the Civil War and Sec- that when things get difficult, Nevad- me on the floor, to just a few other ond World War, by gosh, we should ans come together. When a gunman at- points, if I could. have a plan to vote even if this pan- tacked the Route 91 Harvest Festival There is $350 billion in this bill for demic continues. in Las Vegas, I saw how Nevadans from the Small Business Administration to I was disappointed that text is ulti- all over the State worked heroically to disburse to small businesses and to mately not going to be in this bill. help victims and support families. nonprofits all over our country, with Four hundred million dollars will be in Nevadans are uniting now too. I am an incentive structure to change it to help those States that want to vote proud to say that across the Silver from a loan to a grant to those who by mail, to expand and strengthen vote State, people are doing their part to re- would retain or rehire their workforce. by mail, and I will be back. I will be duce the impact of COVID–19.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.037 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2045 Our Governor, Steve Sisolak, has 450,000 jobs across the State. So I have and understanding of what we are all shown tremendous leadership in work- been focused on standing up for our going through. But let’s not lose sight ing to slow the spread of the gaming, tourism, and hospitality work- of the beauty of our everyday lives, coronavirus. As Governor Sisolak has ers. I also wanted to make sure that that familiar rhythm we are all eager pointed out, if ‘‘Home Means Nevada,’’ when we offered relief to big compa- to restore. In Nevada and across the we need everyone who can to ‘‘stay nies, there was oversight, trans- country, we will be back at our work- home for Nevada.’’ parency, accountability, and worker places again, solving our everyday Our nurses, doctors, and other health protections in place. This bill does problems. Our children will be back at officials are working tirelessly to care that. school learning for themselves how to for the sick and to increase our capac- I am grateful to the many small busi- make the world a better place. Yes, we ity to deal with the cases in the future. nesses in my State that have taken the will begin the long task of grieving First responders, local health authori- hard but necessary action and closed those we have lost, but we will also be ties, sanitation workers, and retail their doors or reduced their services at celebrating marriages again and mark- workers are on the job around the this critical time. This bill supports ing births with a newfound joy. clock to make sure essential services them as well by providing forgivable We will get through this together, are available to Nevadans. Our gaming, loans and grants so they can open their and I promise everyone in the Silver entertainment, and hospitality indus- doors again as soon as it is safe for State that I will be fighting in the Sen- try leaders took unprecedented steps to them to do so. ate to make sure we rebound from this stop the spread of infection, including Most of all, I wanted to make sure we stronger than before so that Nevadans by closing their doors. supported Nevada’s workers and their can get back to work. So many Nevadans are contributing families, the hard-working people our I yield the floor. by working from home when they can, industries employ. That is why I The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- caring for school-aged children, volun- worked with my colleagues to ensure ator from South Carolina. Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I want teering to help make masks or buy gro- key protections for Nevadans and all to compliment my colleagues Senators ceries for elderly neighbors, and avoid- Americans were included in this relief RICK SCOTT, TIM SCOTT, and Senator ing social interactions that could package. We fought to expand unem- ployment assistance so it includes SASSE. spread the virus. Today, when we were getting briefed Everyone—every single Nevadan and part-time, self-employed, and seasonal about the bill, something hit me like a each and every American—has a role to and gig economy workers, who make up a key part of our workforce in the ton of bricks. And there are a lot of play in this crisis. We need everyone to good things in here. There is money for do their part by following the advice of Silver State. Whether you are a dishwasher at a healthcare providers, nurses, doctors, the experts and taking practical, com- and hospitals. There are so many good monsense steps such as washing hands hotel on the Strip or a hair stylist in Carson City, you will be eligible for up things. and practicing social distancing. The country is under siege. I was one My colleagues and I in Congress have to 4 months of unemployment benefits. Yes, we locked down direct payments of the first Republicans to join my done our part as well. The Senate has Democratic colleagues. I think I talked come together in a remarkable and bi- of $1,200 for each adult and $500 for each child, up to a certain income to Senator DURBIN. partisan fashion to act on three bills to We need to do something more on un- address key healthcare priorities and level, so our hard-working families would have money in their pockets to employment insurance because the to protect workers and industry from recover from this pandemic. We suc- Collins-Rubio construct, I think, will the economic impacts of the public cessfully pushed to shore up our hos- help, but some people are going to fall health crisis. through the cracks. Earlier in March, we set aside $8.3 pitals and our healthcare infrastruc- ture, to get them more money for pro- Never in my wildest dreams, Senator billion to support hospitals, commu- tective gear, supplies, and tests so they DURBIN, did I believe that what we have nity health centers, public health of- can provide patients the best possible done is to pay people more not to work fices, medical suppliers, and research- care, while at the same time protecting than to work. Under this bill, the $600 ers across the country. themselves. payment on top of State benefits actu- Next, we passed the bipartisan Fami- We made sure that we also included ally allows people to have their income lies First Coronavirus Response Act to our local, State, and Tribal commu- almost doubled in certain cir- provide free coronavirus testing, ex- nities. We set aside $150 billion for our cumstances. I want to help people. I pand food assistance, and mandate paid governments that are bearing the want to make sure that if you lose sick and family leave for workers. brunt of the costs for their local your job, we cover your wages. But I am proud to have fought alongside healthcare systems. under this bill, you get $23.15 an hour my colleagues in the Nevada congres- That is why I support this legisla- based on a 40-hour workweek not to sional delegation, including my friend tion, and that is why we have to pass work. and colleague Senator JACKY ROSEN, to this tonight. If you are trying to hire somebody in pass today’s third relief bill. We must I would be remiss if I did not say South Carolina the next 4 months, you pass this today. It is quite simply the thank you to the incredible staff who have got to compete with that wage. If greatest single investment in our econ- worked so hard these past few days, 24/ you are working in a restaurant—prob- omy and healthcare system in modern 7, to put this relief package together in ably not now—but if you are working American history, and we need it. a bipartisan way—Leader SCHUMER’s anywhere for $15 an hour, somebody is In 2007, our State was hit hard by the staff and Leader SCHUMER, the negoti- making $23 an hour, and you are work- recession. Through tremendous effort, ating team, the Senators whom I get to ing. It is just not fair. It is going to we came through it, but our economic work with every single day, their hard- hurt the Rubio-Collins construct. recovery was slow. This time, we want working staffs, and my staff as well, For restaurants that are out of busi- to make sure that our economy springs who worked late nights to make sure ness, we want them to be able to bor- back quickly after this crisis has that we were fighting on behalf of Ne- row money to pay the payroll to keep passed and that workers have good jobs vadans. people connected to their employer. to return to when it does. That is why I know this is a difficult time for ev- Now, what do you do when you make we need to pass these far-reaching eryone, but we are going to get through $23 an hour being on unemployment? measures to provide immediate relief this just as we persevered before. We How do you keep that waitress or bar- to individuals, families, and businesses will do it by rallying around one an- tender at $15 or $17? You made it a suffering from the economic impact of other, as Nevadans always do. There nightmare for small businesses. They this pandemic. will be moments of challenge ahead, are being pitted against their own em- Nevada has an economy that is and each of us has a responsibility to ployees. unique in the Nation. Our hospitality answer these questions. So to Senator DURBIN and everybody industry generates nearly $68 billion Let’s listen to the experts, let’s take else, the reason we are doing this is be- annually and supports more than care of one another, and let’s be kind cause they tell me it takes 6 to 8

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.039 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2046 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 months for unemployment commis- trum, I have run businesses, small and simultaneously, affirming the ongoing sions at the State level to figure this large, and had great success. That is dignity of work and the necessity of out. exactly how I know these things. This work as our country battles through What are we asking you to do? To get is not conjecture; these are facts. this virus and ultimately rebuilds our unemployment, you have to tell us There are many good things in this economy. where you work and how much you bill, and there are many provisions Nobody here is arguing about wheth- make. And what we want to do is fill in that I wholeheartedly disagree with, er we should help workers. Everybody the difference between the State unem- but the worst thing we can do right on both sides of the aisle tonight wants ployment benefit and your actual now is to create a disincentive to work. to help workers. This is a debate about wages and stop there. We don’t do that We can get our economy up and run- whether we are going to let a poorly under this bill. There are people get- ning again, we can recover from this, drafted bill knock this Nation still ting paid more not to work than they but it will take a lot longer if we don’t harder in the coming months by unin- were in the workforce. It is going to be amend this bill to eliminate these per- tentionally increasing unemployment. hard to not incentivize people to leave verse incentives. That is what this debate is about. their jobs. You can be unemployed at The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Right now, as the coronavirus is $23 an hour in South Carolina. That is ator from South Carolina. threatening our economy, we know a lot more than people make. Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. Mr. who the real heroes are. The real he- So I am urging my colleagues, we President, let me be abundantly clear. roes are not politicians. There are a lot need to fix this now. No matter how I plan to support this legislation to- of people who have been working all well-intentioned, you are going to night, but I do want to fix it first. night, five or six nights in a row, but make the next 4 months impossible for Our amendment is a very simple the heroes who are going to beat this small businesses to hire. I can promise amendment. First, it is our responsi- virus and rebuild America are not poli- you this: If you pay somebody $23 an bility to every extent possible to take ticians. hour not to work, they are probably care of the American people. I want to The heroes are the men and women going to find a way to get there rather provide 100 percent of the salary while who are stocking shelves, the men and than staying in the workforce, where I an American is laid off because of women who are picking up trash, the am sure they would rather be. We have COVID–19—100 percent of the salary of men and women who are driving trucks created a perverse incentive not to help someone laid off because of COVID–19. and delivering takeout, many of them the unemployed person but to destroy My goal is to do it the right way. The converting restaurants, which used to the ability to stay employed. right way is that you get your income be sit-down, into takeout restaurants With that, I would just say to my as if you are still working because you and putting food on the table for a lot colleagues, thank you for trying to have been laid off because of COVID–19. of their neighbors. The Americans who bring common sense back to this body. It is not a raise for not working. It is are keeping the pharmacies open—they I am very much for this bill that does not 200 percent of your income while on are the heroes. The daycare workers help a lot of people. But we have cre- unemployment. The goal is simply to who are doing stuff to watch other ER ated a Pandora’s box for our economy, keep you whole while you are unem- doctors’ kids—those are the heroes. and I wish we could fix it tonight, and ployed because of COVID–19. The heroes are the Americans across if we don’t, we need to keep trying and I cannot stress enough, as a former all 50 States, across every town and vil- trying and trying. employer, and, frankly, as a former lage and suburb and city, who are With that, I will yield to my col- employee, the relationship between the doing the work, the ordinary jobs but, leagues. employer and the employee is critical. now, under extraordinarily painful and The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Our Nation is built on the dignity of difficult circumstances. They are the GARDNER). The Senator from Florida. work. heroes, the scrappers, and the doers. Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, What this bill does, without fixing it, We should be celebrating them, affirm- under this bill as it is written now, the is simply say: You can earn more ing them, and helping them, once we government will pay many Americans money by being on unemployment than get through this crisis, to get back to more to be on government assistance you can while working. That isn’t an work. than they would make if they were incentive. That is perverse. We cannot This bill has lots and lots of good working at their regular jobs. have intended to encourage people not stuff in it. I intend to support it, as I support expanding the unemploy- to work and make more money than to well, but there are pieces of this bill ment insurance program. It is the best go back to work and receive their nor- that are broken and that we can fix to- and quickest way to get money to peo- mal pay. night. If we don’t fix them tonight, it ple who need it most. But we should With that, I yield the floor. is going to exacerbate our problems, not create a system where unemploy- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- and we will be coming back here in a ment insurance benefits are higher ator from Nebraska. month or 2 months, trying to fix these than their salary. We cannot pay peo- Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, as Sen- problems. ple more to not work than to work. ator TIM SCOTT just said and as RICK These are the Americans who are This is common sense. Most people will SCOTT and LINDSEY GRAHAM just said, going to get us through. They are the choose the bigger check, and I don’t this amendment is really, really sim- people who are going to keep our sup- blame them at all. ple. All we are trying to say is that we ply chains alive, and those supply No person who understands anything should help everyone who needs to be chains are the lifeline for lots of Amer- about business, economics, or human helped without accidentally creating a icans right now. nature would create such a perverse disincentive to work. That is not good Here is what is wrong with the bill. and ridiculous system. This bill creates for anybody in the country or the As it is currently drafted, it threatens an incentive for people to be unem- country as a whole. to cripple the supply chain for many ployed for the next 4 months—fact. We are in the middle of two unprece- different categories of workers—some Without workers, our economy cannot dented crises right now. We have a pub- in health sectors and some in food prep reopen—fact. If our economy remains lic health crisis, and we have an eco- and food delivery. This bill, as cur- essentially closed for 4 more months, nomic crisis into which we are just en- rently drafted, creates a perverse in- we will be in a very deep recession— tering. We don’t know how long the centive for men and women who are fact. valley of this recession is going to be, sidelined to then not leave the side- You may ask, how do I know all this? but I want to be sure that every Amer- lines to come back to work. This bill I grew up poor, in public housing. My ican who is watching tonight under- creates a perverse incentive for many mom worked three jobs. My parents stands exactly what this debate has employers who should be wanting to were constantly struggling to find been about this afternoon. try to maintain the employer-em- work. I know what it is like to skip This debate is how you can be both ployee relationship—it creates a per- Christmas and see the family car repos- pro-worker and pro-recovery, to be verse incentive for them to sever that sessed. On the other end of the spec- kind and charitable, and actually also, employer-employee relationship.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.040 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2047 Many other pieces of this bill tried to ber of people who have lost their jobs— and say that I feel bad about that. I tackle this problem in a really con- laid off, furloughed, fired—is growing don’t feel bad about that at all. When structive way. The $350 billion for the in a fashion we have never seen before. less than half of the people in America Small Business Administration—it is I have seen it reported in my State. I have $400 in their savings, the notion trying to build bridge loan programs am sure each of you have seen the that we might end up giving people an- that help employers and employees be same. other $1,000 or $2,000 at the end of 4 connected and remain connected But let’s get down to the bottom months, to me, is not something we through this downturn. The unemploy- line. I ask my colleagues just to bear ought to be ashamed of or run away ment insurance piece of this should not with me for a minute. What you were from. That is a real possibility, and it work at cross purposes to what the bill describing is what we initially set out may happen. is about in the overall argument. to do. And then we met with the rep- I will support that just as I supported Nobody has a problem with the gen- resentatives of the U.S. Department of the Trump administration’s cash pay- erous unemployment benefits that are Labor. I was on one of the task forces ment to that same family. They are in this bill. Nobody has a problem with for the Senate Finance Committee, and going through some tough times, and the generous unemployment insurance I sat there as a representative from the they have for a long, long time. How benefits that are in this bill. They U.S. Department of Labor came in and many of us have given speeches on this should be generous amid the national said: Senators, you don’t understand 50 floor about income inequality in Amer- crisis we are in. But we don’t want this different States’ computer systems ica, and some of the hardest working piece of the bill to create an incentive when it comes to unemployment bene- people are still unable to make it, pay- for folks to stop working and to have fits. We can tell you point-blank that check to paycheck, week to week? their employers push them away when only 6 or 8 States out of the 50 could So let’s give them a helping hand and the employer and employee should be possibly do what you want to achieve. not apologize for it for a minute. We trying to rally around and together to They tell us it will take them are standing with these workers and help us build through this crisis. months to reprogram their computers their families, and I think you want to So we want to do something really to make the simple calculation—what as well. But the way you want to cal- simple. We want to fix what is broken appears to be a simple calculation— culate it, we are told, cannot be done. here by saying that unemployment in- that says that you never get paid more It cannot be done in a fashion that surance benefits should be capped at in unemployment than you were mak- brings relief to these families when 100 percent of the pay you had before ing on the job. That was the reality. they need it right now. you were unemployed. This isn’t just We didn’t make that up. This wasn’t a Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. Will about people who have already been Democratic, dreamed-up idea. This was the Senator yield? made unemployed. This is about people the Trump administration’s Depart- Mr. DURBIN. I will in just a minute. who are going to be made unemployed ment of Labor telling us that when I am happy to yield as soon as I finish. in the coming weeks. they looked at the State departments I want to make this point as clearly All this amendment says—which we of labor, they couldn’t achieve what as I can. I believe that this is not a are voting on in a few minutes—is that you want to achieve with your amend- windfall. Let’s assume that instead of we should cap the unemployment bene- ment. $600 a week, your calculation makes it fits at 100 percent of the wages you In other words, if you go forward and $450 a week. So $150 times 16 weeks— were just receiving while working. It you are successful—I don’t believe you that is 4 months. How much is that should not be something the U.S. Con- will be—but if you were successful, going to come out to? $2,400? Is that gress does to create an incentive where what we would end up with is, frankly, going to mean that someone now be- you will get paid more by not working a deadlock: no increases in unemploy- comes lazy and won’t go back to work? than you get by working. That is pro- ment insurance benefits. I don’t think so. I think a lot of people recovery legislation that tries to keep Now, let me tell you, beyond this ad- will use that money and need that our supply chains humming and tries ministrative problem, which was not money and are given a helping hand to help us—325 million Americans— our creation—it was identified by the and will put it right back in the econ- come together to beat this thing. Trump administration—there are two omy. That is what this is about—that We should vote for workers. We or three things I want to say as a bot- these families can keep their homes, should vote for recovery, and we should tom line. pay their utility bills, put food on the vote to beat this thing and come out First, we are determined to make table, and put the money back into the stronger on the other side. sure that the workers come out at economy. That is part of what we are I yield the floor. least whole, if not better, through this trying to achieve here. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- terrible experience they are going If we err on the side of giving a hard- ator from Illinois. through. Now, this notion that the working family an extra $1,000 or $2,000 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I would workers would come out better is not because of our approach, so be it. No like to address this issue because I unique to the Democratic side of the apologies. We didn’t design this sys- think it is important that we explain aisle. The cash payment proposed by tem. We were told we had to work where we are today and why we the Trump administration—$1,200 per within the design of the system. We reached this point. adult, $500 per child—for some, will be tried to do it. We think the $600 a week I can recall when Senator GRAHAM a benefit, may even be a small but im- is a reasonable way to do it, and I will crossed the aisle a week or so ago, per- portant windfall that comes their way. yield for a question. haps, and started talking about unem- So be it. That working families across Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. I ployment insurance and his goals for America would end up with this cash thank the Senator. The $600 a week, I unemployment insurance. It sounded payment from the Trump administra- think, if I do the math quickly, times consistent with the language and con- tion—I don’t object to it at all. 16, is about $9,600. Add on top of that versation I heard on our own side of But the Democrats have said that is the additional $1,200 per person, or the aisle, our own caucus, to use the one and done. That is an airdrop of $2,400 per family, and $500 per kid is an unemployment insurance system as a cash to people. What about the next important number that we should—I way to make sure that people were able week and the next month? That is why think you have hit on the point that to really weather the storm when it we brought up the unemployment in- we should all be willing to agree upon came to the public health crisis we surance. Now, the $600 figure we came that the systems of unemployment face. up with was an attempt to make sure throughout our country, perhaps, are The number of people who are filing that everyone is whole at the end of working on antiquated equipment that for unemployment has gone up dra- the day. I will concede your point that may need to be updated so that we can, matically. There were 2 million new some workers—some—may end up com- in fact, keep people whole during their unemployment claims filed last week, ing out ahead because of this calcula- unemployment. I would love for us to compared to 218,000 nationwide in pre- tion of $600 a week. They may come out work in a bipartisan fashion to try to vious weeks. So we know that the num- ahead. I am not going to stand here figure out, through the Department of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.042 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2048 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 Labor, how to fix the problem so that come down here and have a disagree- nois explaining his position. It seems those folks who deserve the benefits ment, as much as it is to illuminate a to me that from where he started, he get all that they deserve but that we very important part of the process should actually be supporting the actually have a system that is nimble that, if we can get it fixed throughout amendment, and then we should figure enough to actually meet the needs, our country as we tackle these issues out what we need to do to push on the State by State, without exceeding the in the future, more folks on both sides Department of Labor to actually mod- need so that when we are in a position of the aisle will have greater con- ernize their systems. again, if we are looking at phase 4 or fidence in giving these resources to the But I just want to say in public phase 5, we are not again having a con- States so that our people can be whole. something that has been negotiated for versation about systems that are so an- That is all I wanted to say. the last 8 or 9 hours—and we haven’t tiquated or perhaps even obsolete that Mr. DURBIN. There is no disagree- been able to get conversation partners, we are doing something that was not ment. I say to my friend from South really, on that side of the aisle—which intended. Carolina, there is no disagreement, but is that you are absolutely right that I am not suggesting we can get that the U.S. Department of Labor says we the Department of Labor says that done tonight. I am not even suggesting cannot do that at this moment. And at there are massive system problems in we can get that done over the next few this moment, when people are hurting the States. So given that we are enter- months. I am, however, concluding so badly, when they have lost their ing a recession at this moment, we are that we should work to get it done. jobs, been furloughed, laid off, and they going to have lots and lots of needy Mr. DURBIN. I don’t disagree with are worried about paying their bills, Americans, and the calls on the State departments for unemployment insur- my friend from South Carolina at all. I the Trump administration says we are ance benefits are substantial right agree with you completely. We are in going to send them a cash payment. now. So I would just say, taking you in the midst of a national emergency. We say—and I hope it is a bipartisan good faith that you would like to up- Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. Abso- statement: We are with you too. It grade these systems so that we could lutely. isn’t going to end with that one cash do this thing, which doesn’t acciden- Mr. DURBIN. That is not my an- payment. We are going to stick with tally stimulate unemployment by nouncement. That is the announce- you and make sure your unemploy- disincentivizing work, I have been try- ment of President Trump. I believe it. ment insurance benefits are going to ing all afternoon to get people on that When you look at all the people now keep you and your family together. side of the aisle to say: Hey, maybe we filing for unemployment, when you And if, by chance, you come out a little can’t get this solved by day one of the look at the hardships they are facing, bit ahead in this process with the cash new unemployment insurance benefits, the lifestyles they have had to live to payment or with the calculation of this but by week 8 or 9, maybe we should try to comply with shelter-in-place and formula, so be it. So be it. have been able to get to a place where all the rules that are going on out At this moment in history, facing the Department of Labor had the re- there, the number of people filing these this national emergency, we would sources to help these departments of unemployment insurance claims, they rather err on the side of your being unemployment insurance deal with tell us the reality of the situation. able to pay your bills and keep your this. The notion, as you said, $9,600 times family together. Future needs, we can So I will follow up with you offline three—three times 4 months basically discuss and we can debate. We can see because I would like to work with you comes out to about $30,000 a year, what we can do with the State systems. on trying to upgrade these systems. roughly. That is what the $600 is cal- But for the time being, there are no I have one more thing to say, but if culated to mean on an annual basis. apologies. you want to get in a word, please, go So, on a 4-month basis, if we end up From where I am standing, $600 a ahead. giving people an extra $1,000 or $2,000, week is exactly what Democrats are Mr. DURBIN. I would, in the nature it is not inconsistent with what the committed to—I hope Republicans are of a question through the Chair, which Trump administration says they want as well—because our belief is that this I believe is the appropriate procedure. to do with their cash payment. In the is the moment when we need to stand Mr. SASSE. The Presiding Officer is meantime, if we are going to move for- with these workers. very liberal on these things. He is very ward—and I hope this crisis comes to I might say that I support RUBIO and easy. an end quickly—if we are going to CARDIN in their efforts to help small Mr. DURBIN. Well, this is actually move forward into a new phase—phase businesses. I think that is the right turning out to be a debate on the floor 4, phase 5, whatever it is—let’s work thing to do. It was bipartisan from the of the Senate. It is almost historic. together to try to upgrade these sys- start and really without much con- But I would just say this. We dis- tems, to make them work the way we troversy. Have we asked any of those agree on one basic premise. I don’t be- lieve giving people $1,200 for each want them to work. businesses to produce net worth state- adult, as the President suggested, or But in the meantime, wouldn’t we ments before they receive those bene- out of our approach, if they ended up want to err on the side of standing with fits? No, we are not doing that. We un- with a net gain of $2,000, that we have working families and their employees? derstand this is an extraordinary mo- now turned them into lazy people who Wouldn’t we want to do that in this ment. And we may do something dif- will not go back to work, and that they first effort? I think it is the reasonable ferent if we are thinking about a long- will just wait for the next government and thoughtful way to do it. term policy, but for the immediate check. Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. I am term, let us do the right thing. Let us These aren’t the people I know, and happy to answer that question, if the err on the side of helping working fam- they aren’t the people you know. By gentleman will yield. ilies who are out of work. and large, these are hard-working peo- Mr. DURBIN. I would be happy to That is why I would oppose this ple who, with an additional $1,000, may yield for a question from my friend amendment if it is going to be offered finally be able to buy that refrigerator, from South Carolina. by the Senator from Nebraska. I came may finally be able to get that car Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. Thank to the floor to explain how we reached fixed, and may finally be able to get you, sir. this point, and I hope that others will some dental work done. I would say that, on both sides of the consider my point of view. Mr. SASSE. I would reclaim my time aisle, would you not agree that we are Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. Thank pretty soon. both trying to get to the place where you. Mr. DURBIN. So I don’t think paying we are, in fact, keeping the average Mr. DURBIN. Thank you. them a little extra here is going to person, especially the working-class I yield the floor. change their lifestyle and attitude to- people, whole as we ponder and discuss The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ward hard work. this amendment? Would you agree? ator from Nebraska. Mr. SASSE. We were agreeing for a Mr. DURBIN. Of course. Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, I would while, but I think it is pretty impor- Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. My say very briefly that I appreciate the tant here to underscore that your math final thought is that my goal isn’t to comments from the Senator from Illi- isn’t real.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.044 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2049 The reality is that in lots and lots bill right now is that we are going to they will never go back to work, those and lots of States in the country, substantially disincentivize work, and people. I don’t believe that. where people are earning $12 or $13 or it is going to hurt workers. It is going In this world of social media and $14 or $15 an hour right now, the unem- to hurt small businesses. such, we have been contacted by nurses ployment option they are going to be Let me give you a concrete example. who say: So you think we are going to offered is going to be more like $24 or In Texas right now, the maximum un- quit our jobs so that we can take ad- $25 an hour. employment insurance is $521 a week. vantage of the unemployment benefits? We are not talking about $1,000 over After this bill passes, that will rise No, we go to our jobs, and we do what the course of these months. We are from $521 a week to $1,121 a week. That we have to do, and the amount of talking about cases where people might is nearly just over $58,000 a year. That money is secondary. have an annualized wage right now of means that, in the State of Texas, we Mr. CRUZ. If I could reclaim my $30,000 and be looking at an unemploy- are going to be paying people, offering time? ment benefit of $1,000 a week, which is them, basically, 28 bucks an hour not Mr. DURBIN. I will be happy to, and $50,000 annualized. So your math isn’t to work. I thank the Senator from Texas. But I real. Now, listen, every one of us recog- would just say this: Yes, in this re- The reality is, it isn’t $600 total. It is nizes that people are hurting. The spect, I agree with you. $600 on top of what the unemployment problem is the incentive. We are cre- Take a look at the State systems of benefits already were in that State. So ating an incentive that will hurt small paying unemployment benefits. We are there are lots of people who are strug- businesses. told by the U.S. Department of Labor gling to work hard and to love their If you have a waiter or a waitress that many of them are way behind the neighbor. We have a lot of health aides who has lost their job for a few weeks, modern technology and cannot meet what you have stated as your goal in Nebraska who make 16 bucks an they are on unemployment, and they are making $25, $26, $28 an hour, sud- here. hour. That is a $32,000-a-year job. Their If we want to work toward that goal denly, the prospect of going back to work is important. That is a vocation. of improving those State systems, as People need them. that job and seeing the money they are Senator SCOTT said earlier, I will join There are sick people from COVID–19 making going down substantially you in that effort. But let’s not apolo- and other diseases right now in Ne- doesn’t seem too attractive. And, sud- gize for, perhaps, sending them an braska who need the benefit of those denly, the restaurant owner who is try- extra $1,000. health aides, and you just told them in ing to make the small business work One last point, we are asking these this bill—we just told them in this can’t attract those workers back. That people to stay home. We were asking bill—yeah, your work is a little bit im- is bad for everyone. Incentives matter. them to help us defeat this virus by not portant, but look at this. You could We want people to work. working and to stay with their fami- make substantially more money if you So I would ask the Senator from Illi- lies. So one of the incentives here, if didn’t do the hard thing of trying to nois: You said the problem with imple- there is a good unemployment benefit figure out what do we do with our kids menting this principle—that we coming in, is that they can keep their today when school is closing, and I shouldn’t pay people more not to work families together while they obey this don’t know how to do daycare, and my than they make working—was adminis- directive, at least, from government, sister agreed to help take care of my trative, that the Department of Labor State and Federal. kids, but do I really put the burden on and the States couldn’t do it. Would Mr. CRUZ. These quarantines are her when I don’t actually have to go to the Senator agree with this amend- going to end. The period of staying at work to get this same money? In fact, ment, and would the Democratic Party home is going to end. But under the I can get substantially more money by agree with this amendment if it simply policy favored by the Democratic Sen- going on the unemployment insurance had language inserted ‘‘to the best ex- ators, there is going to be an incentive program. tent practicable’’? that is going to end up with more peo- That is a disincentive to work that I So acknowledging that it may not be ple being unemployed. don’t think you believe in, I know I practicable, would you agree with the Let’s say you are a restaurant. And if don’t believe in, and I know nobody in principle that in implementing this, you keep your employees on, maybe my State believes in. the States and the Department of through a small business loan, you can It is not a Republican versus a Demo- Labor should try to make sure we are pay them, say, 10 bucks or 11 bucks or cratic issue. This is an American issue. not paying people more not to work 15 bucks an hour, whatever you are We believe in workers, and we believe than they would make if they were paying. But if you let them go, they in work, and we don’t believe govern- working? can go on unemployment and make a ment should come in and say: It is Mr. DURBIN. Is that a question di- whole lot more money. You don’t think much better off to be a nonworker than rected to me through the Chair? there are going to be a lot of small a worker. You can make a lot more Mr. CRUZ. I will yield to the Senator business owners who have their em- money being a nonworker than a work- from Illinois. ployees saying: Wait a second, I can er. Mr. DURBIN. All right. Let me just make more money? We are not talking about people who say at the outset that we are talking That is a bad incentive. We want to suffered layoffs last week. We are talk- about people who did not voluntarily create incentives. I agree that people ing about creating a system here which leave their jobs. These people did not want to work, but government can will incentivize more unemployment voluntarily leave their jobs. They were mess that up if we make it more profit- next week. That is a mistake by this terminated. They were laid off. They able. Congress, and we could and we should were furloughed. These are not people Look, the checks we are sending, the be doing better than that tonight. who were gaming a system. These are $1,200 a person, don’t create an incen- I know the Senator from Texas has people who are victims of the system tive. It is not $1,200 if you do x conduct. been trying to get in. that is hurt by this national emer- We want incentives that bring people I yield the floor. gency. back to work so that these small busi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Secondly, if we are erring on the side nesses that are closing their doors ator from Texas. of giving struggling, hard-working fam- every day don’t stay closed—so that Mr. CRUZ. Mr. President, this bill is ilies an additional $1,000 a month— they open up again, and that they have going to pass overwhelmingly. It may $1,000 a month—for goodness’ sake, I opportunity again. pass unanimously tonight, but I think am not going to apologize for a mo- It is a perverse incentive to pay peo- this amendment would make it sub- ment. ple more not to work than to work. stantially better. I expect we will see a These people are living paycheck to Yes, we should help them, but we party-line vote on this amendment, paycheck, in many respects, if they are shouldn’t trap them. That is what this and I think that is unfortunate because making $15 an hour. That is $30,000 a policy does. the consequence of the system—the un- year. And for us to say: Well, they are Mr. DURBIN. Will the Senator yield employment insurance system—in this going to end up with 1,000 bucks; now for a question?

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.046 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2050 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 Mr. CRUZ. Of course. workers—to pay them more not to Over time, we straightened out our Mr. DURBIN. Senator, I am sure you work than they would make if they finances, elected a guy named Pete du are acutely aware that this is a 4- were working. Pont as our Governor. I was treasurer month program. We are not offering Mr. DURBIN. If I may just comment for a while, and we had a Democratic people this benefit indefinitely. I hope and say this. I don’t think President and a Republican legislature—split. We we don’t have to renew it, but to say Trump’s cash payment or an additional learned how to work together. It is that I am going to change my lifestyle $1,000 a month, or whatever it is, under something we call ‘‘the Delaware way.’’ and give up returning to the place the unemployment benefit is going to Later on, I got to be Governor, suc- where I have worked forever, where I make a worker lazy and government ceeded not Pete du Pont but Mike Cas- was just laid off because they closed dependent. These are not the people I tle, who was his successor. I was very the restaurant because of a 4-month know. These are people who get up and active in the National Governors Asso- program, I don’t think so. work hard every darn day, and if they ciation. They even let me be chairman I think people are more loyal to the get an extra helping hand out of this, for a while. I was the lead Democratic workplace if they are treated fairly. so be it. Governor on welfare reform when I was And if we end up giving them an addi- We are trying to deal with a health a member of the National Governors tional $1,000 a month, at the end of the crisis and help these families get Association. day, I think it is the right thing to do. through it. That is where we started on I was raised in a coal mining town in Mr. CRUZ. The incentives matter. We this side of the aisle. West Virginia. Parents—not much don’t want to delay a recovery from We may talk about something in the money, deep faith, hard work. My dad this crisis by 4 months. Hopefully, we future and approach it a little dif- used to say to my sister and me: I don’t stop this global pandemic, and we stop ferently, but I don’t think it makes care if you have to work three jobs to it soon. You don’t know how soon that them lazy to receive the President’s pay your bills, work three jobs. will be. I don’t know. cash payment or to receive an extra That is really the way I was raised, One of the benefits of this bill is that payment from this unemployment ben- and I suspect that most of us here were we are flooding more resources—and we efit. raised that way—a strong work ethic. Mr. CRUZ. So, with respect, the Sen- should be—into testing, into preventive When I was involved as the lead ator from Illinois is suggesting this is gear, and into ventilators. There is a Democratic Governor on welfare re- somehow some negative moral judg- lot we need to do to stop this pan- form, I used to say people ought to be ment that it makes them lazy. It is ex- demic, but when it ends—and it will better off working than they are on actly the contrary. I am saying people end, and we will get through this—we welfare. Bill Clinton said that often. I behave according to rational incen- want people to go back to work—not 4 really believe that. tives. months from now. We want them to go Look, our girls are 11 and 8 at home. The thing that was wrong with wel- back to work as soon as they are able We have incentives all the time: posi- fare—our welfare system—was that to go back to work, and that is what tive incentives and negative incen- people were actually better off staying our economy needs to be strong. tives. Incentives work. home than they were working. So kind I would note, again, that I posed a We don’t want to create a system of the same principle we are talking question to the Senator from Illinois: where someone, being perfectly ration- about here. Would he take a modification that ac- al and reasonable, says: Well, gosh, I Every State has its own unemploy- knowledges the administrative prob- can make a lot more money for my ment insurance fund. We have one in lems but said that this is the principle family staying home than I can going Delaware. They have one in Nebraska, we should follow—that you shouldn’t to work. If I go to work, my family one in Texas, one in Illinois. They are be paid more not to work than you are makes less money. That is not a ques- different, and different benefits are cal- paid to work. And the Senator from Il- tion of being lazy. That is a question of culated in different States. linois didn’t answer that. the government is putting me in a posi- I just got off the phone, colleagues, Mr. DURBIN. Will the Senator yield tion where, if I want to care for my with a fellow named Cerron Cade, who for a question? kids, I can do a better job of that by used to be a member of my team when Mr. CRUZ. Absolutely. staying home. That is really foolish, I was early in my time in the Senate. Mr. DURBIN. Does the Senator sup- and that, unfortunately, is the position He is now secretary of labor. port the Trump administration’s cash right now of what I expect to be the I said, Cerron—Mr. Secretary—what payment to these families, which Democratic Senators who will vote no do we pay people in Delaware on unem- comes to them whether they work or on this. ployment insurance? What is the re- not? That is a bad policy for workers. It is placement rate? He said it is some- Mr. CRUZ. I do. I am going to vote a bad policy for small businesses. It is where between 25 and 50 percent of for it, but it doesn’t create an incen- a bad policy for the economy. We what people were earning. But he said tive. This is where too many in the should support jobs, not paying people there is a $400 cap per month—excuse Democratic Party don’t understand the not to work. Give them a safety net, me—per week. There is a $400 cap per incentives of trapping people out of yes. Give them relief, yes. But don’t week on the benefits that we will pay work. create incentives that make the prob- anybody, regardless of what they were Incentives are future looking. In lem worse, and that is what this Demo- making—$400 a week. sending these checks right now, if you cratic policy will do. If you think about it, $400 a week for make $75,000 or less, you are going to I yield the floor. 4 weeks is like $1,600 a month. Add to get a check in the mail in the next cou- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- that the $600 benefit, and we are talk- ple of weeks. That is helping relief, but ator from Delaware spoke first and is ing about $2,200 per month. it doesn’t create an incentive for con- recognized. If somebody is working full time— duct tomorrow. What I don’t want is Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, replying Mr. SASSE. Six hundred per week. for people to be sitting there making a to my colleagues, I think the Senators Mr. CARPER. Excuse me. There you choice—making a very rational choice. from Nebraska and South Carolina go. But if you add the numbers, I am Look, if you are sitting there and know that I have great affection and not sure we end up with $24 per hour in saying, Well, gosh, I can make a lot respect for them—and I have from the Delaware. more money staying at home with my day they got here. Mr. SASSE. Twenty-six. kids and not working than if I go back I used to be a State treasurer. I was Mr. CARPER. It might be the case, to the job, that is not an irrational de- elected at the tender age of 29. Dela- but I would have to see those numbers. cision if you are making 28 bucks an ware had the worst credit rating in the My secretary of labor said he thought hour to stay home. We are causing that country. We were dead last and that the number that we were looking problem if we are incentivizing people couldn’t balance our budgets to save at here was something like $13 an hour not to work, and that is not, ulti- our souls, and we had pretty much no in Delaware, when you add it all in, as mately, in their interest or in the money in the unemployment insurance opposed to 24. So we will go back to do economy’s interest. This is hurting fund. our math.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.047 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2051 Mr. SASSE. Will the Senator yield? What I was doing was going to have a the health and the safety of Mr. CARPER. Happy to yield. cup of coffee with the Senators I didn’t Michiganders and people all across this Mr. SASSE. I don’t think that any of know well, and I asked if I could maybe Nation. There is no doubt we are facing us think that a math debate is the have a cup of coffee with him. He said: an unprecedented public health emer- most productive way to spend our time We will do better than that. Come to gency and an economic crisis at the in the Senate, but just so we are all my hideaway, and we will have lunch same time. talking on the same song sheet: $400 a together. I said: That is great. Families in my State of Michigan— week, add $600, is $1,000 a week. Divided I didn’t think we ever would, but it and Americans all across this coun- by a 40-hour week, that is $25 an hour. was a nice offer, a nice idea. Two weeks try—are worried about their health and I don’t know how you explain that to later, we had lunch together in his their safety and whether they are people who are making 15, 16 bucks an hideaway. It was like a Kennedy mu- going to be able to make ends meet hour in Delaware, that you are now seum. Some of you have been there be- during this emergency. We must act going to pay them $25 if they become fore. It is an amazing place. quickly to provide relief for struggling unemployed. I remember I asked him: How is it families and small businesses and The Senator from Illinois said this is that so many Republicans here want healthcare providers. And even as we the program only for people who are in- you, Ted Kennedy—the most liberal move with the urgency that this dif- voluntarily separated. If that is the Democrat, maybe, we had at the time— ficult time demands, we must ensure way the program worked, it would be to be their lead cosponsor on their that this bill is done right and that we great, but anybody who has ever spent bills? Why is that? are getting the right help to the people any time with unemployment insur- And he said: I am always willing to who need it the most. We must act ag- ance programs in your States knows compromise on policy, never willing to gressively, and now we must do every- that is not how it works. compromise on principle. thing to provide relief to workers and How it actually works is, once you I think that the policy here is that, families in Michigan and across the create a disincentive to work, employ- when people are unemployed and they country. ers regularly work with employees to need help, we want to help them, and Americans are facing an unprece- say: I kind of would like to drive you we help them in a timely way. dented personal, health, and financial off the system, and I think you should Mr. CRUZ. Will the Senator yield for challenge. Workers in my home State recognize this would be better for you, a question? of Michigan who are forced to stay too, if you can casualize it. That is ac- Mr. CARPER. I will just finish my home from work due to the coronavirus tually what happens. thought, and then I would be happy to. shouldn’t need to worry about whether I will yield the floor back to the Sen- But in a timely way. And I am just they can pay their bills or put food on ator. concerned—my second concern, along their table. Mr. CARPER. I thank the Senator with my first concern: I am just con- That is why I authored legislation very much. I will go back and will re- cerned that the idea to deal with this that is included in this package before engage with our secretary and make in a timely way is going to be dimin- the Senate to expand unemployment sure we have the math right. ished, maybe significantly. We just, assistance. We have never had unem- The other point that he made—I honestly, don’t know. ployment benefits in response to a pub- asked him: How hard would it be to ad- I am happy to yield. lic health crisis, but we have never Mr. CRUZ. A question to the Senator. minister? Is it something we could seen an emergency on the scale of what The Senator said that you were con- stand up in a couple of weeks or are we we are seeing right now. We must sup- cerned about implementation and that talking about months or what? He said port workers who are not receiving a it may not be timely at the State level this would not be an easy thing, admin- paycheck or have been laid off due to to implement this. istratively, to do. And at a time where coronavirus. I think, just prior to when you came That is why I fought to create an un- we are anxious to get the benefit out to the floor, I suggested a possible employment compensation program to the door in a hurry, this would not be amendment to the Senator from Ne- provide federally funded benefits to easy. I would just ask us to keep that braska’s amendment that would add a people who are unable to work during in mind. qualifier, something like, ‘‘to the best this pandemic. It would expand unem- One of the people I talked to last extent practical.’’ So it doesn’t slow ployment benefits to workers who have week when I was trying to figure out, the program down, but it acknowledges exhausted their State unemployment really, what kind of big package legis- that both the Department of Labor and benefits, and it would make unemploy- lative package No. 3 should be—Leon the States should endeavor to imple- ment benefits available to people who Panetta is one of the people I talked ment this in a way that ensures people don’t usually qualify—including small to. He told me about the three t’s: don’t get paid more not to work than business owners, freelance writers and timely, targeted, and temporary. Those to work. workers, independent contractors, sea- are the three that he talked about. So it adds a qualifier. You just sug- sonal workers, and people who have re- Timely means making sure we figure gested there might be bipartisan agree- cently started or were about to start a or calculate the right benefit but that ment. Would the Senator from Dela- new job. we are able to turn around and pay it ware be amenable to such a change? And it provides workers with ex- in a timely way. Mr. CARPER. I would be happy to tended unemployment insurance so What I gathered from my secretary discuss that with you and better under- that hard-working families can have of labor is we are not going to be able stand what you offer. I wasn’t here some certainty that they can stay to incorporate what they are doing at when you spoke. Thank you. afloat financially during this crisis the State level, feed into that the I yield the floor. that is likely to last awhile. State and the Federal benefit, and do it The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Our small businesses have been hit in a timely way. I think, if we could do ator from Michigan. especially hard, and some are at risk of that, you would have, probably, a fair Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, for over having to close their doors or lay off amount of bipartisan support. But it is 200 years, the American people have their employees. Our small businesses that delay, and we just don’t know how shown resilience in the face of great are the backbone of our economy, and long that delay would be. challenges. From civil wars, inter- they need support now more than ever. Ted Kennedy used to sit behind me national conflicts, and—yes— That is why I worked with my col- when I first came to the Senate. And I pandemics, we have faced these chal- leagues on the Small Business Com- noticed that I knew some Senators. lenges united and with resolve. mittee to craft legislation to expand DICK DURBIN and I served in the House Like the challenges of the past, the funding available for small business together, and other people, we had been novel coronavirus pandemic is a crisis loans. Governors together. I didn’t know Ted that, together, we can and we will As a result of those efforts, this Kennedy. One day I said to him: I am overcome. package now increases the funding for new here in the Senate, and I don’t As the cases of COVID–19 increase the popular and successful 7(a) small really know you very well. each day, my top priority is protecting business loans to $350 billion.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.055 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2052 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 I also pressed for additional fund- leaders, public health experts, and na- are estimating that by June, the end of ing—$240 million—for small business tional security officials. next quarter, unemployment could be development centers and women’s busi- It will continue to take each and 20 percent or 30 percent—and what this ness centers and an increase in funding every one of us doing our part and bill does say is that whether or not you for minority business centers as well. working together to prevent the spread are eligible for unemployment today, These funds will go a long way toward of this pandemic, protect public health, you are going to get unemployment helping small businesses pay their rent and continue to address this economic compensation. And that means many and keep their lights on. crisis. But together, I know that we of the gig workers—people who drive This legislation also includes signifi- will get through this, and we will come Uber cars—many of the waitresses and cantly more funding that will go to our out stronger on the other side. waiters who make starvation minimum hospitals and healthcare system. This I yield the floor. wages, many so-called independent funding will ensure that our over- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. contractors will be eligible for the ex- stretched hospitals can make up for SCOTT of South Carolina). The Senator tended unemployment benefits. And lost revenue, keep their doors open, from Vermont. that is exactly the right thing. Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, let me and make payroll for the dedicated The other thing this bill does, which be very honest and tell you that there nurses, doctors, and healthcare profes- is right, is say: OK, we are in the midst is much in this bill—and we have not sionals who are on the frontlines fight- of a horrific crisis, unprecedented in yet seen the printout yet—that I am ing day in and day out to stop this pan- modern American history. Not only are concerned about. I am especially con- demic. you going to get your regular unem- cerned that the administration will be I have been working closely with the ployment benefits, we are going to add able to spend $500 billion in virtually hospitals and healthcare providers in another $600 a week to it. Michigan, and they cannot stress how any way they want—any corporation critical this funding is to their ability they want—with virtually no strings And now I find that some of my Re- to continue providing care and comfort attached. publican colleagues are very distressed. during this pandemic. I will keep fight- The American people, at a time of They are very upset that somebody ing to ensure that they have the re- massive income and wealth and in- who is making 10, 12 bucks an hour sources—the supplies, the gloves, the equality, do not want more corporate might end up with a paycheck for 4 masks—and the medical equipment welfare, and they do not want policies months that is more than they re- they need to protect themselves and that will allow corporations in some ceived last week. Oh, my God, the uni- their patients from coronavirus. cases to receive loans or grants and verse is collapsing. Imagine that. Finally, as the ranking member of then do stock buybacks to enrich their Somebody who is making 12 bucks an the Homeland Security and Govern- stockholders, provide dividends, or hour now faces, like the rest of us, an mental Affairs committee, I worked maybe raise the compensation benefits unprecedented economic crisis and, closely with Chairman RON JOHNSON to of their already wealthy CEOs. with the 600 bucks on top of their reg- ensure that this legislation has strong What the American people want right ular unemployment check, might be oversight provisions in place. We must now is for us to use our taxpayer dol- making a few bucks more for 4 months. ensure that the funds we are author- lars in every way we can to protect the Oh, my word, will the universe survive? izing are going to the people, the small working families of this country, to How absurd and wrong is that? What businesses, and the healthcare pro- protect the middle class, to protect the kind of value system is that? viders who need them the most. 50 percent of our people who are living Meanwhile, these very same folks Our oversight provision creates a paycheck to paycheck. had no problem a couple of years ago Pandemic Response Accountability As we speak tonight, half of our peo- voting for $1 trillion in tax breaks for Committee—a Board that is made up of ple in this country—in the richest billionaires and large, profitable cor- agency watchdogs who will be charged country in the history of the world— porations—not a problem. But when it with auditing and investigating the ad- are living paycheck to paycheck. They comes to low-income workers in the ministration’s coronavirus response ef- wake up in the morning, and they are midst of a terrible crisis, maybe some forts and how your hard-earned tax saying: Do you know what? I can bare- of them earning or having more money dollars are being used to address this ly make it on the paycheck I got be- than they previously made—oh, my serious crisis. cause I am making 12, 13, 14 bucks an word, we have to strip that out. We are also requiring the Govern- hour, and now that paycheck has By the way, when the MCCONNELL ment Accountability Office to audit stopped. How am I going to pay my bill first came up, unbelievably—and I where these funds are going and keep rent? How am I going to put food on know many Republicans objected to Congress and the American people up the table for my kids? How am I going this—they were saying that we want to to date through real-time, publicly to make sure the lights remain on? give—whatever it was—1,000 or 1,200 available reports. This model was used How am I going to pay my student bucks, but poor people should get less. to successfully track spending from the debt? How am I going to pay my credit You said: Because poor people are down 2009 Recovery Act during the great re- card debt? If somebody in the family here, they don’t deserve—they don’t cession, and I was proud to work with gets sick, how am I going to pay for eat; they don’t pay rent; they don’t go my Republican chairman to get this that? to the doctor; they are somehow infe- This bill has been worked on exten- important accountability measure in- rior. Because they are poor, we are sively in the last few days. There are cluded in this bill. going to give them less. That was ad- elements in it that, in my view, are This bill is an important step forward dressed. Now everybody is going to get positive—don’t go far enough by any to address this crisis head-on and en- the $1,200. sure our Nation can get back on track means—but one of the things this bill once we have addressed the serious does do is provide the largest expansion Some of my Republican friends have public health threat and the resulting of unemployment benefits in history, not given up the need to punish the economic crisis as well. It is an impor- expending about $250 billion of Federal poor and working people. You haven’t tant step, but it is not the last action funds. What it does, importantly, is the raised the minimum wage in 10 years. we will need to take before this pan- bill understands that for all kinds of Minimum wage should be at least 15 demic is over. absurd reasons having to do with the bucks an hour. You haven’t done that. I am going to do everything possible Republican attacks on workers for You have cut program after program to continue working with my col- many years, fewer than 50 percent of after program, and now—horror of hor- leagues in a bipartisan manner to en- American workers today are eligible rors—for 4 months, workers might be sure Michigan communities and fami- for unemployment benefits. earning a few bucks more than they lies have the resources and the support What this bill does, rightly so, is say otherwise would. they desperately need. I will also con- that in the midst of this terrible eco- Needless to say, this is an amend- tinue working closely with Michigan nomic crisis where some people—no- ment that is coming up, but I don’t Governor Gretchen Whitmer, local body knows—where some economists think it is going to go very far. If it

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.049 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2053 does go far, I will introduce an amend- multifaceted bill, and it is going to Mr. SANDERS. No, not permanently ment to deal with the corporate wel- take an enormous amount of work to but during the crisis, yes. fare—the $500 billion in corporate wel- make sure that the money goes where Mr. SASSE. OK. That is a helpful fare—which is, to me, a very serious it should go in a cost-effective way. clarification. problem. But I do not think they are This bill does a lot of other things, as The Senator was saying a lot of dif- going to get the 60 votes, and that will well, that I think will help the Amer- ferent things, and I thought he was ar- be the end of it. ican economy. guing for a UPI of 14 grand. I just want- This bill also includes some $250 bil- To conclude, this is not the bill I ed to clarify that point. lion in one-time checks of $1,200 for would have written. Frankly, I don’t The Senator believes a lot of things adults and $500 for kids. I have a couple think it is the bill most Americans very differently than I do, but I appre- of concerns there. No. 1, I believe that would have written. I think most ciate the fact that he argues forcefully in the midst of this unprecedented cri- Americans are very apprehensive that for his positions. I think this body sis we should make this a monthly ben- one-quarter of this bill is going to go to would benefit from having more people efit, not a one-time benefit. Depending large corporations with very little ac- who spoke as bluntly and directly as on what happens—and I expect very countability. the Senator from Vermont. I hope his much that this Congress will be recon- In a political season, let me make the positions will be voted down again and vening because I think this coronavirus radical suggestion that we have a again and again and again, but I appre- 3—the bill we are on right now—is President of the United States who ciate the way in which he argues for going to be superseded by coronavirus may end up targeting some of this his positions. 4. My strong guess is this does not go money to States that he needs to win. I thank the Presiding Officer. This bill has some good things. It has far enough. But the bill does include a The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- some issues of real concern. One thing $1,200 check for adults, $500 for kids. ator from Oregon. we must not do is to punish low-income That will in the short term. We have to Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, several workers who might get a few bucks do a lot better than that. Senators on the other side have been As many of you know, in countries more than they had previously earned. arguing against the provision in this The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- around the world—UK, Denmark, other bill to supercharge unemployment in- ator from Nebraska. surance right now, which is something countries—the approach they are tak- Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, I just lis- on which Senate Democrats have nego- ing, which makes sense to me, is to ba- tened to the speech by the Senator tiated with the Trump administration, sically say to employers: If you keep from Vermont. There is obviously a lot Secretary Mnuchin, and Chairman your workers on the job, even if they we don’t agree on in life and policy, GRASSLEY. Based on what I am hearing are not working right now, we will pay. politics, and economics. He caricatured from the Senators on the other side, The UK pays 80 percent of their salary; the entire purpose of this amendment other countries are a bit higher. I tonight. The purpose of this amend- you would think that this provision think that is the direction we should ment is to affirm work. was pretty much going to end Western have gone. This is a little bit more con- Under his vision, I don’t know ex- civilization. voluted. What we do here is give $367 actly where he thinks the workers who Now, supercharging unemployment billion in loans to small businesses, stock shelves and drive trucks right benefits has long been a priority for and those loans could be forgiven if now would come from because he made Senate Democrats, and we have been those small businesses don’t lay off an argument about government sub- fighting for those improvements in un- workers. I think, for a variety of rea- sidies that would be, on a permanent employment since the process began. sons, that is exactly the right thing to basis, higher than the wages of all In our view, it is the key to getting do. those jobs. I don’t understand how his help to where it is needed the most. The goal right now is to stabilize the economic system would ever actually Believe me, colleagues, when you see economy by telling workers that they work. the unemployment claim numbers to- will have their jobs when they come But I would like to praise him here. morrow, if the numbers are accurate, back, when this thing is over, and in Two things: One, he said something this Chamber is going to see that the the meantime, they will have all or that politicians usually don’t say. Usu- unemployment crisis will be exploding most of their income. That is my pre- ally when people say they will vote for in America. ferred approach. something, they say the bill is salvific I don’t believe anybody in our great This bill provides $150 billion to and utopian and going to do everything country should fall into destitution as States and cities. I can tell you that in right, and if they are going to vote a result of this pandemic, so I, obvi- Vermont—and I am sure in every other against something, they say it is the ously, disagree with my colleagues who State in this country, States and cities worst thing that has ever been written. oppose so strongly our amendment to are hurting because we all know there Senator SANDERS just said that this improve unemployment benefits. I just has been a major decline in tax rev- bill has a lot in it. It is big. It is want to make a few key points in re- enue. That is an important thing do. clunky. We are in the middle of a na- sponse to their argument. By the way, in the midst of this cri- tional emergency. There is some good First, I start with an argument that sis, a lot of the responsibility is going in it; there is some bad in it; and he is just about knocked the wind out of me to fall on local and State government. going to vote for it. when I heard it earlier. It is the idea One of the concerns, of many, that I I also believe this bill is big and that nurses are going to quit their jobs have about this bill is that in the best clunky and stinky. There is a lot that as a result of this legislation. of times, this bill requires an enormous is broken in it. There is some that is Nurses are not going to be quitting amount of work by the Federal, State, good and necessary and important. their jobs to get unemployment bene- and local governments. How do you get There is a lot that is bad and poorly fits because that is not how nurses all these unemployment checks out? thought out and not going to be imple- think when they get up in the morning. How do you deal with all of these small mented very effectively. On that, I am By now, everyone has seen the Hercu- businesses that may apply for these also inclined to vote for it. So I appre- lean efforts of our nurses who have loans? This is hard stuff. It becomes ciate his candor in his admitting that been fighting the pandemic. Nurses in even more difficult when so many this is kind of a big ‘‘crap sandwich.’’ America are brave, and they care. They workers who work for local and State In addition, I praise the Senator from are true professionals. From Portland, governments are not coming into work Vermont for his candor in saying some- OR, to Portland, ME, they are on the because of the coronavirus. thing that I totally oppose, but I appre- frontlines of this fight and are putting One of the issues we are going to ciate his integrity and honesty in ad- themselves in harm’s way to save the have to focus on big time is the imple- mitting it. He said, I believe—correct lives of our neighbors whether they be mentation. If anyone thinks, just pass- me if I am wrong, sir—he wishes the in South Carolina, Oregon, or any- ing this bill, that tomorrow everything $1,200 emergency payment would be where else. They don’t cut and run. is going to flow smoothly, you are made monthly and permanently; is Also, contrary to the suggestion of my sadly mistaken. This is a complicated, that right? colleague from Nebraska, retired

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.050 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2054 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 nurses have been coming out of retire- the least we can do as lawmakers is to months, but I think we have developed ment in droves to help treat patients have their backs when it comes to some ideas that can be part of reform- who are suffering because of the their surviving this economic crisis. ing the unemployment compensation coronavirus. All of my colleagues know we are on system after those 4 months. Second, it is a head-scratcher to me the third bill in the fight against the Now I want to turn to why this that my colleague from Nebraska is virus. MITCH MCCONNELL’s first version agreement raises benefits specifically raising this objection now. I am the of this bill did virtually nothing for by $600 per week. I have heard my col- ranking Democrat on the Committee those who lost their jobs. I read it care- leagues and their strenuous objections on Finance. I learned about his objec- fully. Out of 247 pages in the Repub- to that amount. The reason it is $600 is tion when I watched his press con- lican leader’s first bill, only 8 lines of because Labor Secretary Scalia, after ference, and then I called him about it. text—not 8 pages but 8 lines—dealt meeting with the Senate negotiators— The proposal has been out there for with filing for unemployment online. myself, Senator GRASSLEY, Secretary days, and Senators have known about That bill had an awful lot of corporate Mnuchin, Senator MENENDEZ, Senator it the whole time. It is not a drafting goodies and lots of slush funds for big PORTMAN; a big group of us—Secretary error, and it is not a last-minute sur- corporations but just a few measly Scalia, after meeting with Senate ne- prise. What the Senator from Nebraska lines for people who were hurting—for gotiators, left us with no other way to wants to drop now, in effect, was part workers who were hurting, for workers get benefits to workers quickly. Sec- of the bill. who were losing their jobs. retary Scalia said that the States had The Presiding Officer is a member of The Senate Democrats fought for and no other way to get the benefits to our committee, and I enjoy working won the changes that make up this ro- workers in time. with him. What the Senator from Ne- bust, expanding, supercharged program We needed a simple solution. And I braska wants to drop now was, in fact, of unemployment insurance. It is based know my colleague, the distinguished part of the bill that Republican Leader on a bill that I and our colleague Sen- President of the Senate, and others MCCONNELL introduced on Saturday. ator PETERS introduced not long ago. who are sponsoring this proposal to un- He introduced it on Saturday because First, in these punishing economic ravel what Senate Democrats did with the Senate Democrats insisted on its times, Americans are going to need Secretary Mnuchin, the Trump admin- being part of the package, and as Sec- more weeks of coverage than they istration, and Chairman GRASSLEY may retary Mnuchin said this afternoon on would otherwise get from unemploy- not believe me, but I want to share the national television—we all heard it— ment insurance. The existing length of words of Secretary Mnuchin himself, the Republicans agreed. I will have a unemployment benefits will not cover and specifically on this question of why little more to say about Secretary the time this crisis will last. we were focused on making sure that Mnuchin’s remarks in a minute. Second, the Senate needs to mod- workers could get that extra $600 a Third, I want to talk about why this ernize the unemployment insurance week. is so needed—why my Democratic col- program because it really hasn’t Just today, Secretary Mnuchin said: leagues and I have worked so hard to changed much since it was developed in Most of these state systems have tech- help the millions get through these Wisconsin in 1932, and, in 1932, nobody nology that is 30 years old or older. If we had horrendous times who have been hit by was talking about gig workers. The un- the ability to customize this with much this economic wrecking ball. employment program that was in- more specifics, we would have. This was the For most Americans, the old unem- only way we could ensure states could get vented then has not changed all that the money out quickly and in a fair way so ployment rules would cover only a much. It certainly wasn’t built to take we used 600 dollars across the board. I don’t third to a half of their lost wages. That on the kind of challenge our country think it will create incentives, most Ameri- was it. It is pretty hard to pay the rent faces right now. cans want what they want: they want to and put food on the table with that. The Democratic Senators and I keep their jobs. Even before this crisis, the Federal Re- looked at that system and said this old That is what Secretary Mnuchin said serve found that nearly half of Ameri- system wouldn’t be good enough for today in defending the language that is cans wouldn’t have been able to have independent contractors, the self-em- in the bill as, in effect, the fastest, sim- come up with $400 cash to cover costs ployed, gig workers, part-time workers, plest way for workers to get their bene- in an emergency. Let’s face it. Millions and freelancers who are a big part of fits and why we disagree so strongly of Americans were walking on an eco- the face of the modern economy. They with the amendment from the Senator nomic tightrope of balancing their rent are not the kind of workers anybody from Nebraska to unravel that ap- against the food and the food against was thinking about in 1932, when the proach. the fuel, and that was before the pan- program was invented. The Senate The math shows that standard pay- demic. Democrats led the effort to get those ment of $600 is the simplest way to get That is why we on our side feel so people coverage. I am glad that, at one to full wage replacement without caus- strongly and are so appreciative of the point in the negotiations, we could get ing, as of now, an administrative train work of Senator PETERS and Senator bipartisan support for it. wreck. MENENDEZ, who helped in the negotia- For the people who still have their So I am going to close on this. I am tions, and, of course, of the leader’s jobs but who have had their hours sure that everybody here read that un- work. We all said we need an improved, slashed, we are going to bat for them. employment claims are expected to go supercharged unemployment benefit to For the people in the service economy, up by 2.5 million in 1 week when the replace people’s lost wages. These are who are those in the restaurants, sa- statistics are released tomorrow. Let people who shouldn’t face a choice be- lons, gyms—you name it—all of those me say that again—2.5 million. That is tween homelessness and hunger or people who are suffering because their almost as many jobs that were lost in bankruptcy because a virus has shut jobs and their businesses have been put the entire year of 2008 when the great down our economy and cost them their on pause—we are going to bat for them. recession hit our country so hard. It is jobs. This isn’t the fault of any work- We are talking about millions and mil- the single largest rise in unemploy- ers in South Carolina or in Oregon or lions of Americans—people who are ment since that figure began to be anywhere else. looking at hard times ahead and who tracked. Twelve entire months’ worth While the consumer economy is shut- need our help now. of great recession job losses—that is tered, Congress has a responsibility to The old unemployment insurance how many unemployment claims make sure that Americans can bounce system wasn’t working, so the Senate economists expect to see in a single back in a matter of weeks or months. Democrats said: We are going to come week. Otherwise, millions will struggle and together, and we are going to go to bat This country has never faced any- be slow to recover from the economic for all of those independent contrac- thing like it. It is not a normal reces- crisis, and many might not make it if tors, those who are self-employed, the sion. This isn’t a normal bill to try to the Senate doesn’t move to help them freelancers, and the gig workers. stimulate the economy in which the now, now, now. The panic people feel Now I think that not only are we government tries to give the economy over the virus is already too much, and going to help them over the next 4 a shot of fiscal adrenaline. This is a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.053 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2055 time when we face a shutdown of entire who are being hit hard in this crisis— care workers and first responders; $4.6 sectors of our economy. What the Con- to access benefits. Importantly, for million for housing assistance grants; gress needs to do is keep our economy Americans living paycheck to pay- $9.6 million to support the State’s air- alive and act now. We are not going to check, this bill will deliver these bene- ports; $4 million in LIHEAP assistance; do that by shortchanging workers who fits to workers sooner. To help the $5 million in Community Services are losing jobs, losing hours, or losing small businesses struggling to keep Block Grant funding; $2 million in gigs. their doors open, to find a path to re- Byrne-JAG assistance to law enforce- I feel so strongly that Americans open on the other end of this pandemic, ment; and $3 million in election secu- want to work. Businesses want to keep this bill supports loan forgiveness to rity assistance grants. their employees on the job. Americans small businesses and some nonprofits, Finally, this bill includes important want the economy to spring back to and provides critical funding to sup- oversight and accountability measures life once the pandemic is under con- port payments of existing loans to that will require this administration to trol, and that is what supercharging small businesses through the Small report publicly to the American people. unemployment benefits is all about. Business Administration. This is a taxpayer-funded relief bill. So here is the bottom line on the pro- The bill provides $340 billion in emer- The Executive Branch must be ac- vision that Senate Democrats agreed gency appropriations to give new re- countable to those taxpayers. Finan- with the Trump administration, Sec- sources to help strained State, local, cial relief to address the coronavirus retary Mnuchin, and Chairman GRASS- and tribal governments as they combat pandemic should not be turned into a LEY on—our proposal was not a draft- this pandemic. These resources support slush fund for a president seeking re- ing error. It didn’t pop out at the last hospitals and health care workers on election, with little accountability to minute. It is not going to bring about the front lines of this public health cri- the people whose money he is spending. the end of Western civilization. sis. They fund the purchase of personal I urge the Senate to pass this bill I hope my colleagues on the other protective equipment and much needed today, and I hope the House will swift- side of the aisle will review what Sec- medical equipment. The bill supports ly follow. This is an emergency relief retary Mnuchin had to say this after- our law enforcement and first respond- bill. Congress will need to take further noon on national television, supporting ers; funding for scientists researching action to provide needed stimulus to what Senate Democrats negotiated treatments and vaccines; support for our State and local economies, to sup- with him and the administration, and small businesses; support for local port our schools, including institutions join us in making sure millions and schools and universities; and funding of higher education, and to support dis- millions of Americans don’t fall into for affordable housing and homeless- placed workers who are the fabric of destitution. ness assistance programs. The bill will our national workforce. I yield the floor. provide immediate relief to farmers in But with this bill, we provide support The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Vermont and across the country who to the victims of this terrible virus: the ator from Vermont. continue to feed our communities dur- healthcare providers and first respond- Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, America ing this emergency, with an emphasis ers on the frontlines, the essential is at an inflection point. We are facing on those farmers serving our local food workers who are keeping our store a public health crisis unlike any we systems. Importantly, the bill will not shelves stocked and the necessities have seen in generations. Governments permit the transfer of emergency fund- available, and the families hit by the at every level are racing to respond, ing to battle COVID–19 to the Presi- fallout from this pandemic. react, and mitigate the crisis. dent’s misguided projects including the I have been fortunate. I have been Communities and counties are fearful border wall. married now for almost 58 years to one their hospital systems will be overrun, On top of all this, the bill includes a of the best medical surgical nurses I and needed supplies are unavailable. $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund have ever known. I hear her tell it like States are struggling to support local that will provide State local, and Trib- what it is. Marcelle tells me what the and state-wide economies that are in- al government with additional re- doctors and nurses face in a situation creasingly hit with store closures and sources to address this pandemic, all like this. I pray that neither you nor I, business suspensions. Unfortunately, with an important small State min- nor any other Member of this body will the Federal Government—starting with imum to help states like Vermont. have to face what they face on the the President—has failed to offer clear I think of our own Governor, Repub- frontlines of a crisis like this one. We leadership to navigate this crisis. lican Governor, who has worked so should go forward and pass this bill and But today marks a turning point, hard to help our State. This will give do that today. thanks to the leadership the Senate him some tools, as it will to our Speak- We must all heed the call of the med- will show by acting on this bipartisan er of the House and our President pro ical professionals and experts calling emergency relief package—today, with- tempore of our legislature. for dramatic but essential action to out delay, and without hesitation. In Vermont, Governor Scott has stop the spread of this virus. That re- The package before us includes three made the difficult but prudent decision quires leadership—from this Chamber important pillars. First, it directs eco- to restrict statewide activities only to and from the President of the United nomic assistance for businesses and essential services, we, too, are feeling States. The eyes of the Nation will workers. Second, it provides emergency the impact of the coronavirus. With watch how we further manage this cri- funding to support our over taxed med- over 120 confirmed cases, our small sis. Now is not the time to waiver in ical system, which is bracing for a State is already reeling from the eco- our resolve to do what is in the best in- surge in patients as the coronavirus nomic effects. I am pleased that the terest of the citizens whose interests continues to spread. And finally, it pro- Coronavirus Relief Fund will support we are sworn to protect. vides critical oversight to ensure that States and that it includes an impor- I yield the floor. the funding Congress provides goes to tant small State minimum that will I suggest the absence of a quorum. the people who need it—not to line the have significant impact in Vermont. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The pockets of corporations and executives Through formula grant funding, clerk will call the roll. who continue to benefit from the most States will benefit from this package. The legislative clerk proceeded to generous tax cut in history. In Vermont, that will mean $5.4 million call the roll. We will provide a massive investment through the CDC’s Public Health Emer- Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask in the unemployment insurance pro- gency Preparedness program; $4.2 mil- unanimous consent that the order for gram, ensuring that unemployed work- lion for assistance through the Com- the quorum call be rescinded. ers can receive a maximum benefit in munity Development Block Grant pro- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without this time of economic crisis. These re- gram; nearly $20 million for public objection, it is so ordered. forms will also extend unemployment transportation emergency relief; $4.3 Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I see insurance eligibility for an additional million to provide child care assistance that the Senator from Maryland is on 13 weeks and will allow part-time, self- to those on the frontline of the the floor, and I think he arrived a employed, and gig economy workers— coronavirus response, including health minute or two before me, so if he would

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.057 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2056 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 like to go first, I would want to give ministration-certified lenders, includ- I want to make clear that these large him that opportunity. ing certain banks, credit unions, and businesses would be barred from stock Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, I other financial institutions, and a buybacks and increasing executive pay am grateful. I thank the Senator from streamlined process would be created for the duration of the loan, and I fully Maine, but I am happy to have her go to bring other additional lenders into support those restrictions. first. the program. Of course, many of those small busi- Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, all The size of the loans would be tied to nesses don’t have shareholders, so the across the country, Americans are a formula based on the small business’s idea of a stock buyback doesn’t exist. stepping up in response to the average monthly payroll, and that Some of them that are subchapter S coronavirus pandemic sweeping our Na- would go back to February 15 since may, but many of them do not. tion. Doctors and nurses are working that is when the coronavirus really I am also pleased to say that we endless hours and putting themselves started to come to our country and would cover the sole proprietor, the at risk to care for the surge in pa- have an impact. independent contractor—those many tients. Manufacturers, including many The maximum loan amount would be individuals whom we rely upon to companies in my State, are working $10 million. As long as these small make our economy work. overtime and retooling their product businesses retain their employees and Following my advocacy, along with lines to produce medical testing swabs, issue those paychecks—which, keep in Members from other coastal States, I ventilators, and personal protective mind, also means in many cases that am also pleased that the bill includes equipment, all of which are vitally those employees will get their health $300 million to assist workers and busi- needed. Truckers are going above and insurance as well—the portion of the nesses in our Nation’s fisheries, which beyond, missing time with their fami- loan used to cover payroll and mort- support thousands of jobs in the great lies so that they can deliver goods gage interest, rent, and utility pay- State of Maine. With this legislation, needed to restock depleted grocery ments would also be forgiven. harvesters, fishing communities, agri- shelves. People are looking out for Furthermore—and this is important culture operations, and other fishery- their neighbors in a safe way. They are to States like those of the Presiding related businesses would be eligible for checking on them. They are making Officer’s and mine that have large this $300 million in assistance, which personal sacrifices to help prevent the numbers of tourists coming each year— may include some direct relief pay- virus from spreading to the most vul- employers with tipped employees ments. This helps protect our food sup- nerable members of our society. would receive forgiveness for the addi- ply chain. This targeted relief will help Help is on the horizon for small busi- tional wages paid to such employees. ensure that the families in coastal nesses and their employees who are In addition, I want to point out that communities who depend on our fish- facing economic devastation through workers who already lost their jobs due eries can emerge from this crisis. Simi- no fault of their own. to this crisis can be rehired and paid lar assistance is provided to our farm- I have talked to small business own- under our program, and that should be ers as well. ers all across our State, including our goal. This bill also provides more than $30 small mom-and-pop operations like a Mr. President, this vital assistance billion for States, school districts, col- third-generation diner operated and cannot come a moment too soon. There leges, and universities to help them owned by the Simones family in Lewis- are so many small businesses that have meet the unexpected expenses that ton, ME. For the first time ever in already shut down or are on the verge have flowed from the coronavirus cri- three generations, they have had to of doing so. They are trying to hang on sis. Our K–12 schools will have access close their doors. They had no choice. just a little longer to avoid laying off to $13.5 billion, which will help them As Linda Simones told me in tears ear- their employees, who are like members support remote learning and meeting lier this week: We have never been un- of their own family. In fact, in many the needs of their students. employed. Our son is unemployed. Our cases, they were members of their own I want to take a moment to recognize friends who have worked with us at family. the dedication of those teachers, ad- this diner for years are unemployed. Without this package, we face an un- ministrators, school food-service work- The agreement finally reached today employment tsunami that could reach ers, and bus drivers who are not only includes a $377 billion small business as high as 20 percent, according to the making sure that students have access economic relief plan that Senators Secretary of the Treasury. Not only to remote learning but are making sure RUBIO, CARDIN, SHAHEEN, and I au- would this cause tremendous harm to that students have access to meals off- thored as members of the Small Busi- millions of families, but it would also site. This bill provides funding to help ness Task Force. It is intended to help take a massive toll on the Federal them provide those meals in creative workers and small businesses just like budget, far exceeding the $377 billion but, unfortunately, more costly ways, the one owned by the Simones family that we are using for this small busi- such as delivering prepackaged meals in Lewiston. Our group worked day and ness assistance program to keep work- along bus routes or directly to students night to get this bipartisan package in- ers paid and employed. in their homes so that they won’t be cluded in the broader legislation. What we want is to make sure that hungry. We all know how important I want to do a shout-out to our staff those small businesses survive, that the School Breakfast and School Lunch because I don’t think they have been to they are here when we transcend this Programs are to our low-income fami- bed before 4 a.m. in the morning on any crisis, and that their employees are lies. day in the last week. That is how hard still able to go back to work for them. When colleges and universities made they have worked too. We don’t want to break that link, that the very tough decision to send stu- Under our bipartisan approach, small connection. We don’t want those small dents home for the semester, I spoke businesses would be eligible for a 100- businesses to give up and shutter their with several presidents in Maine, and percent federally guaranteed emer- doors forever, decimating our down- they told me about the steps they were gency loan to cover 8 weeks of payroll, towns and causing permanent job loss taking to make sure that their stu- as well as certain expenses like rent, for the workers who are so much a part dents could still receive a quality edu- mortgage payments, and utilities. If of their business. cation, albeit online or remotely. They these businesses keep their employees Larger businesses that are facing were also taking steps—as well they on the payroll—in other words, they cash flow issues would be eligible for should—to reimburse students and keep issuing those paychecks—their certain loans so they can avoid laying their families for room and board and loans would be completely forgiven. off their workers. However, unlike the for shortened travel study programs. Here is how it would work. Small em- small business assistance program, They are investing in the software and ployers with 500 employees or fewer where they would have their loans for- hardware infrastructures to bring would be eligible to apply for these fed- given as long as they keep their work- classes online quickly. They are doing erally guaranteed loans. The loans ers employed, the larger businesses even more than that. The University of would be available immediately would be required to repay these loans Maine, for example, has partnered with through existing Small Business Ad- in full. the State to prepare its dorms and its

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.058 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2057 facilities for emergency uses, if nec- tients the home healthcare that they cause we don’t want any American to essary. need. That is a critical improvement at say: I am not going to get tested even So the direct aid to colleges and uni- a time when our healthcare system is though I feel like I might have the versities is needed to help these insti- being put to the test and when people symptoms. I am not going to get tested tutions offset these sudden revenue are being told they need to stay in because I can’t afford it. losses and unexpected costs. There is their own homes to avoid spreading the It is putting both themselves and also temporary flexibility applied to virus. others in the community at risk. So we student aid and to student loans that The list of benefits that will be felt said we have to make sure these tests also will be very helpful. in communities across the country are free. This agreement is not only a lifeline goes on and on. We also provided sick leave because for workers, small businesses, and It is imperative that we pass this bill we don’t want anybody going to work schools, it builds on the previous two tonight. Every day, more small busi- when they feel sick and they have the packages that Congress has passed to nesses are forced to close their doors. virus if going to work is the only way promote the health and safety of Amer- Every day, Americans are losing their they can put food on the table, by get- icans. jobs and their income. Every day, med- ting a paycheck. So we said: Look, stay It makes substantial investment in ical professionals are increasingly at home, and we will provide for paid our Nation’s health system, biomedical overwhelmed by the exponential rise in leave. research, and education, including a cases. There was a gap—a big gap—in that $130 billion infusion for our hospitals (Mrs. LOEFFLER assumes the chair.) that still needs to be addressed. and healthcare providers who are The package we are voting to ad- We took some important measures in struggling to cope with this influx of vance tonight will bolster our phase 1 and phase 2, and now here we patients. healthcare system, infuse funds into are this evening on phase 3, where we It provides $20 billion for additional biomedical research that will ulti- are not only providing additional dol- resources for veterans’ healthcare. mately produce a vaccine and effective lars to fight the coronavirus and the It authorizes an $11 billion catalyst treatments, shore up our economy and health emergency but also dealing with toward the development of an effective our businesses, support those who are the economic fallout, which is growing vaccine and therapeutics. unemployed, strengthen the link be- by the day. I am not going to go It provides $1 billion for community tween employers and their employees, through all the provisions that do that. services block grants to support crit- save millions of jobs of those employed I will say that this bill is far from ical social service programs for mil- by small businesses, and help prevent a perfect. This is not a bill I would have lions of low-income individuals. devastating recession, perhaps even a written. I dare say it is probably not It gives the Centers for Disease Con- depression, in this country. the bill that any one Senator would trol additional funding to enhance its Let us not squander this momentum have written. But with all its flaws, it vital work. when we are so close to getting this does some very important things that It assists communities responding to done for the American people. I urge are absolutely necessary during this greater demands for services with an my colleagues to join me in passing national emergency. increase of $5 billion for community this critical legislation. There has been a lot of talk tonight development block grants. That comes I yield the floor. about the unemployment compensation from the subcommittee that I chair. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- provision. Those are absolutely essen- It helps with transit systems. ator from Maryland is recognized. tial as a lifeline to workers who each There is widespread help for those Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Presi- day are losing their jobs around the who are homeless or who are among dent, as other Senators have men- country in many industries. It is abso- the most vulnerable in our population. tioned, we see our fellow Americans lutely essential that in that process, It strengthens the low-income home uniting around the country to fight the people who are out of work through no heating assistance program. That is coronavirus and to help those in need. fault of their own are still able to pay something Senator JACK REED and I Most of all, we are grateful to the men their bills, their rent or their mort- have long worked together on. We and women in healthcare, the gage, keep the lights on, get food, and don’t want families and seniors making healthcare workers on the frontlines of that is why we are working to make impossible choices between heating this fight—the nurses, the doctors, all sure they have real replacement in- their homes and buying food or medi- the other staff in hospitals and commu- come during this 4-month emergency cine. nity health centers and in clinics who period. This package also contains two addi- are putting themselves and their own The provisions regarding small busi- tional pieces of legislation that I have health at risk to help their fellow nesses and middle-size businesses are introduced and championed. Americans. very important too. I am sure we are First, it contains provisions from the We in the Senate, like our fellow all hearing from folks who already had Mitigating Emergency Drug Shortages, Americans, must come together to do to close their doors because when there or MEDS, Act—legislation I authored the right thing for the country at this are no customers coming in the door, that would help prevent a shortage of moment in time—to provide a surge of there are no sales, no income, and so if vital medication. I was shocked to help to those on the frontlines of the you are a small business, you can’t learn that 72 percent of the facilities coronavirus fight and to help those make your debt payments and you that make vital active pharmaceutical who are suffering from the economic can’t make payroll. So this bill does ingredients for our market here in fallout, workers and small businesses have a lot of very important provisions America are located overseas. Thirteen and midsize businesses and others who in it with respect to small businesses. percent of these facilities are in China. are absolutely getting clobbered as we I am really glad that we moved, with We just can’t have that. We need far all try to fight this virus together. respect to small businesses, to loans greater visibility into that supply sys- Congress must unite this evening, as only—to loans that would be forgiven tem. we have on two prior occasions during so long as the small businesses spent It also contains a bill I have long ad- this emergency when we came together those monies to, one, maintain payroll vocated for—the Home Health Care to pass phase 1 to provide emergency, or rehire people if they have already Planning Improvement Act. It will immediate healthcare support to pub- had to let them go, and, two, to pay es- allow nurse practitioners, physician as- lic health entities and to provide more sential bills. Just adding more loans sistants, and others to certify patients funds to do research on a vaccine for and debt onto small businesses would as needing home health services. Now the coronavirus and more funds for re- only be like an anchor around their it is just a physician who can do it search on antivirals to address the necks at the end of a 4-month or what- even though the physician might not coronavirus. ever period it may be. They wouldn’t be the primary care provider, particu- Then we passed phase 2, the Families be able to dig themselves out of that larly in rural areas. That will remove First Coronavirus Response Act, where hole. It was very important to have needless delays in getting Medicare pa- we made sure that testing was free be- loans that will be forgiven so long as

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:32 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.060 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S2058 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 25, 2020 the loans are used for the intended pur- States. There are more residents in the But, overall, we need this bill for the poses. District of Columbia, the Nation’s Cap- country. We need it because we have a We also made important provisions ital, than the State of Wyoming and national emergency, both on the for nonprofits that hire millions of the State of Vermont. They were left healthcare front and the economic Americans and as well for midsize busi- out of that category they are usually front. nesses. put in, and instead they were put into So I hope, going away from here, as With respect to some of the largest a formula with Puerto Rico, the Virgin we come together and I hope do the industries in the country that have Islands, American Samoa, and some of right thing with a large vote, that been hard hit, it is appropriate to also the territories. there will be some Senators, whoever give them help, but it is also important The net effect of that—the net effect were part of negotiating that deal and that as we do that, we safeguard the of putting the people in the Nation’s who said, no, we are going to short- American taxpayer and the public in- Capital in that formula versus the for- change the people in our Nation’s Cap- terest. mula with the States—will cost the ital, will feel a little bit ashamed. And When the proposal first arrived here District of Columbia about $700 mil- I think all those people who didn’t in the Senate from the White House, lion. That is because that other for- want to change this provision, which is we were looking at about a $500 billion mula is based entirely on population, easy to change just like that, should slush fund with no strings attached, no and Puerto Rico has about 3 million feel ashamed. real accountability, and no real trans- people in it. So when you put the Dis- This is our Nation’s Capital. The peo- parency. So we tried to tie that down trict of Columbia into that funding ple who live and work here deserve to so that we will have an inspector gen- kettle, into that funding pot, they get be treated with respect. There is no eral with subpoena power that will en- shortchanged $700 million. U.S. Senator who represents the people sure that there will be no stock That is the case even though the peo- of the District of Columbia. Some of us buybacks with these emergency funds. ple of the District of Columbia send the who live in the surrounding areas work Now, we are going to still look at the Federal Treasury more tax dollars than hard to do so. I just wish Senators from fine print, but we have come a long the people of 22 other States. Let me the rest of the country, and especially, way from the proposed blank check to say that again. The people of the Dis- in this case, apparently, our Repub- the Secretary of the Treasury, which trict of Columbia send the IRS more lican colleagues, would show a little was in the bill as it arrived here as pro- tax revenues than the people of 22 respect for the people who live in the posed by the administration. other States. Yet, when it came time Capitol of this great country. There is another thing that is in the to write the formula for distributing I yield the floor. bill that is before us tonight that was emergency funds under the Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I am not in the bill proposed by the adminis- coronavirus, they weren’t part of the pleased that the final bill includes a tration, and that is badly needed help kind of funding formulas they nor- stabilization fund for States that the for States and cities and towns that mally are. pandemic has hit hard. Given the grow- are on the frontlines of this battle I asked about this because I thought ing dire fiscal emergency States are across the country. We heard about 5, 6 maybe this would be a simple fix. I facing as a result of the coronavirus, I days ago from the majority leader: Oh, mean, surely in a bill of $2 trillion in think it is very likely we will need to well, let’s just wait. Maybe we can do emergency relief, we can do right by come back and do more. States not that sometime down the road. the people of the District of Columbia only are fighting a growing pandemic, Well, we heard from a bipartisan and not shortchange them $700 million. but also a bottoming out of State reve- group of Governors through the Na- The answer I got back was no. No, no, nues from a lack of sales taxes, as a re- tional Governors Association that they this was not a mistake. This was not sult of responsible social distancing en- need that help now. I am sure you have an oversight. Republican negotiators couraged by the Federal Government, all been fielding calls from your elect- insisted on shortchanging the people of and income taxes, as a result of the De- ed officials, your Governors and others, the District of Columbia. If I am wrong partment of Treasury delaying the tax about how they desperately need addi- about that, it would be a very easy fix filing deadline by 3 months. We all are tional help to fight this virus. I am in an amendment that could be offered monitoring the situation closely and glad this bill contains $150 billion to by the majority leader and, I am sure, will provide further aid if needed. help those States. accepted unanimously—accepted For most States, maybe all of them, I want to raise tonight something unanimously—except for the fact that what they need to do with this money that I discovered about this bill just a this actually was a point that was ne- will be completely obvious, and we few hours ago that gives me real heart- gotiated. defer to the sound judgment of the burn and actually, I believe, reflects I am not going to hold up a $2 trillion States. Out of an abundance of caution, badly on this Senate. emergency rescue package that is ur- we included language requiring that Here is how we distributed the funds gently needed by the country for this, expenditures be related to the to the States. Each State, regardless of but I think it is shameful. I think it is coronavirus pandemic. This is intended population, gets $1.2 billion, and then shameful that, in a $2 trillion emer- to avoid a situation in which a State the remainder of the money—up to $150 gency rescue package, we would short- was to divert these funds to some new, billion—is distributed to States based change the people right here in the Na- unrelated project that had been re- on population. You can question tion’s Capital, people whom we see jected as part of the State’s regular whether that is the best and most ef- coming into work every day, many of budgeting process. We do not want to fective way to essentially allocate re- the Federal employees who work day in be paying for roads to nowhere or other sources when you are fighting a and day out for the Federal Govern- trivial expenses. coronavirus like this, which is more in- ment. Again, for most States, this will not tense in some places than others, but Many of them live here. Many of be an issue. The coronavirus has ex- that is not my overall point right now. them live in surrounding States. Many ploded their demand for services and Here is what we discovered: The peo- of them live all over the country. But strangled their revenue streams so this ple of the District of Columbia, the for the people who live here, to short- money will just be plugging those people of the Nation’s Capital, were change them and to do it intentionally holes. No responsible Governor or legis- left out of that formula. They are is really outrageous. lature is even thinking about new fighting the coronavirus just like So here we are, coming together, and projects at this time. We understand Americans in every other State and that is the right thing to do. As I said, that, at this point, all the impacts of city. They are part of other Federal this bill has many, many flaws and the coronavirus pandemic are merging formulas. For example, title I for edu- many, many problems. I certainly together. We do not intend to subject cation, highway funds, and other Fed- wouldn’t have written it this way, and States to additional paperwork or arbi- eral formula dollars go to the people of I would never have done wrong by the trary rules. If a State has needs that it the District of Columbia. people of the District of Columbia the would not have had without the The District of Columbia has a popu- way this was intentionally done, appar- coronavirus pandemic, that is more lation that is higher than 2 of the 50 ently, in this bill. than good enough.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 08:25 Mar 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25MR6.062 S25MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE March 25, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2059 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- unprecedented in living memory. Let’s staffs. The past few days have been jority leader is recognized. stay connected and continue to col- filled with drama. The past few hours Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, laborate on the best ways to keep help- were no exception. I know a few of my I ask unanimous consent that the clo- ing our States and our country through Republican friends still harbor reserva- ture motion with respect to the motion this pandemic. Let’s continue to pray tions about voting for this legislation, to proceed to H.R. 748 be withdrawn. for one another, for all of our families, but when there is a crisis of this mag- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there and for our country. nitude, the private sector cannot solve objection? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The mi- it. Individuals, even with bravery and Without objection, it is so ordered. nority leader is recognized. valor, are not powerful enough to beat The cloture motion was withdrawn. Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I it back. Government is the only force f will speak for a little bit, briefly. large enough to staunch the bleeding MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS The legislation now before us is his- and begin the healing. TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019 toric because it is meant to match a This is a time when the American historic crisis. Our healthcare system people need their government. This is Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, is not prepared to care for the sick. Our what we were elected for. The oath we I ask unanimous consent that the Sen- workers are without work. Our busi- swear to the Constitution means we ate proceed to the immediate consider- nesses cannot do business. Our fac- must protect the general welfare of the ation of H.R. 748; further, that the only tories lie idle. The gears of the Amer- people. So let us marshal this govern- amendments in order be amendments ican economy have ground to a halt. ment into action. to be offered by Senator MCCONNELL, Our country has faced immense chal- There are millions of Americans No. 1578, and Senator SASSE, No. 1577, lenges before but rarely so many at the watching us right now at home on their or their designees; further, that the same time. televisions, separated from friends and Senate vote on the Sasse amendment Over the past few days, the Senate family, fearful for their children and with a 60-affirmative-vote threshold for has stepped into the breach. We packed their livelihoods, unsure of when the adoption; further, that following dis- weeks or perhaps months of legislative time will come when all of our lives position of the Sasse amendment, the process into 5 days. Representatives may return to normal. Let us tell them McConnell amendment, as amended, if from both sides of the aisle and both tonight that help is on the way; that amended, be agreed to, the bill, as ends of Pennsylvania Avenue have they are not truly alone; that this amended, be read a third time, and the forged the bipartisan agreement in country, that this Senate, that this Senate vote on passage of the bill, as highly partisan times with very little government is here for them in a time amended, with a 60-affirmative-vote time to spare. It has been a long, hard of dire need. This is a strange and evil threshold for passage; finally, if passed, road with a remarkable number of disease. There is much we still don’t that the motion to reconsider be con- twists and turns, but for the sake of know about it, and it is keeping us sidered made and laid upon the table millions of Americans, it will be worth apart. When we pass this bill, instead and that all rollcall votes in this series it. of hugging each other, we will wave be 30 minutes in length. It will be worth it to save millions of from a distance. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there None of us can know when this small businesses and tens of millions of objection? plague will pass. The only thing we jobs. Without objection, it is so ordered. know for sure is that we must summon It will be worth it to see that Ameri- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the same spirit that saw previous gen- cans who have lost their jobs through clerk will report the bill. erations through America’s darkest no fault of their own will be able to pay The senior assistant legislative clerk hours. Fellowship, sacrifice, fortitude, their rent and mortgages and put food read as follows: resilience—that is what it means to be on the table because we passed the A bill (H.R. 748) to amend the Internal Rev- an American. With that spirit, this Na- greatest expansion of insurance to the enue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on tion faced down war and depression and unemployed in decades. high cost employer-sponsored health cov- fear itself. I have no doubt that once It will be worth it to send gloves and erage. again America will ultimately prevail. There being no objection, the Senate masks to our nurses and to our doctors. I yield the floor. proceeded to consider the bill. It will be worth it to send ventilators The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, and beds to our hospitals and begin re- jority leader is recognized. building the public health infrastruc- I ask unanimous consent that I proceed AMENDMENT NO. 1578 ture in America—a Marshall Plan in under my leader time. (Purpose: Providing emergency assistance The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without this new century for our medical sys- and health care response for individuals, objection, it is so ordered. tem. families and businesses affected by the 2020 Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, It will be worth it to save industries coronavirus pandemic.) so here we are, colleagues. For the in- from the brink of collapse in order to Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, formation of all of our Senators, we save the jobs of hundreds of thousands I call up the substitute amendment No. will first vote on the adoption of the of Americans in those industries. 1578 and ask that it be reported by Sasse amendment at a 60-vote thresh- It will be worth it to put workers number. old, and then our second and final vote first. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without will be on passage of the CARES Act, It was a long, hard road. Neither side objection, the clerk will report the also at a 60-vote threshold. We are can be completely happy with the final amendment by number. going to pass this bipartisan relief product, but it will be worth it. The senior assistant legislative clerk package and send it over to the House I am damn proud of the work we did read as follows: so they can put it on the President’s over the past few days because we put The Senator from Kentucky [Mr. MCCON- desk. in the work. Because we tested the lim- NELL] proposes an amendment numbered When the Senate adjourns this its of exhaustion, because we didn’t im- 1578. evening, our next scheduled vote will mediately accept the bill drafted by (The amendment is printed in today’s be the afternoon of Monday, April 20. only one party, the legislation before RECORD under ‘‘Text of Amendments.’’) Of course, during this unprecedented us tonight is better—better for our The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- time for our country, the Senate is healthcare system and 65,000 Ameri- ator from Nebraska is recognized. going to stay nimble. As always, we cans now afflicted with COVID–19, bet- AMENDMENT NO. 1577 will convene regular pro forma ses- ter for our workers, better for our Mr. SASSE. Madam President, I call sions, and if circumstances require the small businesses, better for our Indian up amendment No. 1577 and ask unani- Senate to return for a vote sooner than Tribes, better for our economy, and mous consent that it be reported by April 20, we will provide at least 24 better for the American people. number. hours’ notice. So I must thank my colleagues on The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Our Nation obviously is going both sides of the aisle—especially the objection, the amendment will be re- through a kind of crisis that is totally chairs and ranking members and their ported by number.

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