[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 48 (Thursday, March 12, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1713-S1714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              CORONAVIRUS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, this morning, the Senate and House 
Sergeants at Arms announced the suspension of public tours and 
nonofficial access to the Capitol Complex beginning at the close of 
business today and running through the end of March. Their decision was 
made in close consultation with the Attending Physician of the U.S. 
Congress, Dr. Brian Monahan.
  I support the decision of these nonpartisan officers. It follows new 
guidance from the Washington, DC, Department of Health encouraging that 
all nonessential mass gatherings of more than 1,000 people be 
postponed. The Capitol Complex welcomes many times that many visitors 
on a typical day, particularly at this time of year.
  Congress will continue to do our work. Offices will be able to 
welcome constituents and visitors for meetings and official business by 
appointment, but in deference to the experts and to protect the health 
of many Americans who travel to our Nation's Capital, tourism and 
nonofficial access to the Capitol and the complex will be put on pause.
  This virus is challenging our Nation in ways that feel unfamiliar to 
us, but our great country is strong, we are equipped, and we have 
overcome far greater challenges before. I know the entire Congress will 
look forward to welcoming all Americans back to visit their beautiful 
Capitol as soon as possible.
  In the meantime, we continue to encourage everyone to follow the 
facts, listen to the experts, and take smart and calm precautions as 
appropriate. Every American can access up-to-date recommendations for 
their own personal circumstances at www.coronavirus.gov.
 Last night, President Trump addressed the Nation on the broader, 
ongoing effort to slow and mitigate the spread of the virus here on 
American soil. As I have noted before, the administration's early 
proactive measures to repatriate U.S. citizens and restrict travel from 
China bought more time for public health professionals to prepare our 
response, and the funding measure that Congress passed last week is 
sending an infusion of new funding into laboratory research, frontline 
medical care, and everything in between.

[[Page S1714]]

  With those critical steps already taken, this week brought a further 
opportunity to help communities and families face the economic effects 
of the virus spread. Unfortunately, it appears at this hour that the 
Speaker and House Democrats instead chose to produce an ideological 
wish list that was not tailored closely to the circumstances. One is 
reminded of the famous comment from President Obama's first Chief of 
Staff: ``You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.'' Instead of 
focusing on immediate relief to affected individuals, families, and 
businesses, the House Democrats chose to wander into various areas of 
policy that are barely related, if at all, to the issue before us.
  Instead of working within existing law and within existing systems to 
deliver targeted relief as officially and effectively as possible, the 
Speaker's proposal would stand up a needless thicket of new 
bureaucracy. They would task offices like the Social Security 
Administration with standing up brand-new bureaucracy that would delay 
the delivery of aid to those who need it.
  As currently drafted, the proposal appears to impose permanent 
unfunded mandates on businesses that could cause massive job losses and 
put thousands of small businesses at risk. The administration was ready 
to collaborate. The Senate was ready to seriously consider a compromise 
product, but it appears that over in the House, leftwing political 
messaging may have taken priority over the needs of our country. 
Certainly, this is disappointing.
  I want to commend Secretary Mnuchin for his efforts and his continued 
conversation. At a minimum, I hope that Senate Democrats will not block 
potential requests from our colleagues today to pass smaller, 
noncontroversial pieces of legislation right away that would bolster 
particular aspects of the fight against coronavirus.
  The good news is that our Nation's economy remains strong. The 
President is continuing to take action himself. We just passed 
billions--billions--in urgent funding just last week, and the Senate 
will continue to stand ready and willing to work toward further 
bicameral, bipartisan actions when the House Democrats decide to get 
serious.

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