[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1769-S1770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              CORONAVIRUS

  Mr. THUNE. Of course, the other thing we are focused on this week is 
the issue that is at the top of everyone's mind, and that is dealing 
with the coronavirus outbreak.
  Two weeks ago, Congress passed coronavirus legislation providing more 
than $8 billion in funding for virus research, testing, and medical 
care. This week, we are looking to pass the second phase of Congress's 
response, and that is legislation to continue our investment in medical 
care and to begin to address the economic impact the coronavirus is 
having on American workers.
  The House has reached an agreement with Treasury Secretary Steve 
Mnuchin, and Senators are currently reviewing the House's legislation, 
which arrived here in the Senate just this morning. I look forward to 
passing that bill this week.
  As the leader said on Sunday, Senate Republicans believe that any 
legislation we pass this week is only the beginning of Congress's 
response to the virus.
  As this outbreak continues to unfold, other issues will need to be 
addressed, and Senate Republicans are already planning for legislation 
to address future priorities, whether they be in the increased funding 
for medical facilities or measures to provide support for American 
families and businesses.
  This is a challenging time for our country, but it is often in 
challenging times that we see the very best of America. We are seeing 
that already--in neighbors' ensuring that neighbors are supplied with 
necessities; in sports figures' donating to ensure that workers at 
their arenas are still paid even when games aren't being played; in 
restaurants' helping to feed their neighbors even though their 
businesses are currently suffering; in companies and arts 
organizations' acting to provide free resources to families who are 
hunkering down at home; in the millions of Americans who are providing 
the essential services we need during this outbreak--from the workers' 
stocking the shelves at our grocery stores and pharmacies to the truck 
drivers' delivering needed goods across our country; finally and 
especially, in

[[Page S1770]]

our healthcare professionals, from doctors and nurses to sanitation 
staff, who risk exposure every day to ensure that Americans receive the 
care they need.
  When we have come through this outbreak, all of us will want to be 
able to look back and say that we did everything we could to help keep 
our fellow Americans safe and slow the spread of this disease. The best 
way to do that is by following the guidelines that we have been given--
washing our hands frequently and thoroughly, practicing social 
distancing, avoiding large gatherings, and staying home when advised. 
Some of these measures may be inconvenient, but they are a small price 
to pay to flatten the curve and limit the disease's spread.
  While anyone can be hit hard by the coronavirus, there are a lot of 
people who are especially vulnerable to complications--from elderly 
Americans to the many individuals who have preexisting conditions. 
Let's do everything we can to protect our fellow Americans and prevent 
our hospitals and our healthcare professionals from being overwhelmed 
with cases.
  I am confident that, if we pull together and look out for each other, 
our Nation will emerge from this challenge stronger. I look forward to 
working with my colleagues here in Congress to ensure that our Nation 
has the resources it needs to combat and defeat this disease.
  I was encouraged to hear our Senate Democratic leader speak about his 
willingness to work with the Republicans. Obviously, to do anything 
here in the Senate requires 60 votes, which means we have to have 
bipartisan cooperation. We have a legislative vehicle, as I mentioned, 
that contains a number of features that are helpful, I think, in terms 
of addressing the crisis that we are experiencing, not only on the 
healthcare front but on the economic front with regard to the hardships 
that are being experienced by millions of Americans.
  There is more that we need to do, and those discussions, as I 
mentioned, are underway, and I am hopeful that we will be able to come 
to a conclusion, to a resolution, that would be good not only for those 
Americans who have been hurting economically and who, perhaps, are not 
working and are not able to get to work, but for those businesses that 
have shut down--our small businesses that create the majority of jobs 
in this country--and for, certainly, the healthcare professionals, who, 
as I said, are on the frontlines every single day. We need to take 
every step we possibly can to ensure that we protect people from the 
spread of the disease and ensure that they continue to sustain their 
economic livelihoods in the midst of this crisis.
  Many of the things that are being discussed and worked on that will 
require collaboration with the Democrats and the House of 
Representatives will need to be approached in a bipartisan way. We need 
to recognize that the need is great and that the absolute necessity of 
cooperation is greater than ever. I look forward to working with our 
colleagues here this week as we move forward in a way that will, 
hopefully, lead to some very positive results and will address the very 
critical needs being felt by families all across this country as a 
result of this coronavirus disease.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. TESTER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Loeffler). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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