[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 48 (Thursday, March 12, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S1733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--SCHUMER BILL

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, in a moment, Democrats will ask the 
Senate's consent to take up and pass several measures that would 
immediately help American workers and American families cope with the 
impacts of coronavirus, including paid sick leave for workers, 
emergency unemployment insurance, and much needed assistance to States 
overburdened by Medicaid costs, known as FMAP.
  These provisions are all included in legislation that will soon be 
passed by the House. Many of these policies have already been enacted 
by other countries dealing more successfully with the coronavirus than 
our country is.
  These policies are targeted directly at the workers and families 
impacted by its spread. They are not going to the big, wealthy 
corporations or powerful people or wealthy people. They are going right 
at the workers and families--average working people who need the help.
  Now, the Republican leader this morning called these provisions ``an 
ideological wish list.'' President Trump referred to them as 
``goodies.''
  If helping a construction worker who is laid off as a result of the 
virus is part of an ideological wish list, then God help those who 
believe that. If giving infected workers paid sick leave is a goody, 
then God help those who think that. If making sure our States, 
localities, hospitals, and first responders are compensated for their 
efforts is ideological, is a goody, those who believe those things have 
lost touch with the needs and aspirations of the American people, and 
they need to talk to some real people who have been impacted by the 
coronavirus, instead of sitting in their ideological towers.
  With the comments made by the President and the Republican leader, 
they have revealed their own ideology--that even in a time of public 
crisis and need, the President and the Republican leader are more 
willing to entertain corporate tax cuts and bailing out industries than 
helping American workers and families.
  The Senate should pass these bills today. The Republican leader 
should not be sending the Senate home for the weekend without taking 
action to help people who are or will soon be really hurting.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the 
immediate consideration of the Schumer bill that is at the desk, that 
the bill be considered read three times and passed, and the motion to 
reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no 
intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The Senator from Nebraska.
  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, this 
concept is under discussion, and it is a centerpiece of negotiations 
between the House Democrats and Secretary Mnuchin, which are ongoing.
  This Chamber will be in session next week to ensure that we are 
taking needed actions to appropriately respond to the coronavirus.
  I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The Democratic leader.

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