[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 55 (Saturday, March 21, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S1881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SENATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, Senators' bipartisan discussions 
continued all day yesterday and through the night. Both sides' 
negotiators, with the administration, are continuing to work toward a 
bipartisan agreement on major legislation to support American workers 
and families, protect small businesses, help to stabilize our economy, 
and put more resources on the frontlines of our healthcare battle 
against the coronavirus.
  As of now, an agreement has yet to be finalized, but our committee 
chairs, their Democratic counterparts, and President Trump's 
representatives are making important progress.
  Yesterday, I took action on the floor to keep the process moving 
along with the urgency that it demands. By rule, it set up our first 
procedural vote for tomorrow, and then, on Monday, the Senate will vote 
on passage.
  It has only been 2 days since Senate Republicans introduced the 
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to give shape and 
structure to these urgent discussions. We put forward four objectives:
  First, put emergency cash in the hands of individuals and families as 
quickly as possible.
  Second, deliver the major relief that American small businesses need 
at this unprecedented time, and deliver it fast.
  Three, help bring some stability to our economy and prevent as many 
layoffs as possible.
  Four, continue to rush resources to the frontline healthcare workers 
and providers who are actually treating patients.
  And perhaps most important of all, we looked specifically for 
policies that could do all of the above as quickly as humanly possible.
  Small businesses all across the country have made it clear: If they 
are going to keep their lights on and keep their employees on payroll, 
they need help, and they need it now.
  Americans who have already been laid off due to this crisis have made 
it clear they need help and they need it now. Key national industries 
which are hemorrhaging business through no fault of their own but due 
to the government's own public health guidance have made it clear: In 
order to retain their workers, they need help, and they need it now.
  In particular, every single American who has opened a newspaper or 
turned on the television in the last week has heard from our brave 
nurses, doctors, first responders, and public health experts: If our 
Nation is going to punch back and beat this virus, the people on the 
medical frontlines need our help, and they need it now.
  Senate Republicans put out our starting proposal as fast as we could. 
Then I created a structure for bipartisan discussions to begin as fast 
as they could. No legislation will move through the Senate that does 
not contain ideas from both parties. That is the way this body is 
designed. So these bipartisan talks have been essential, and they are 
ongoing, but what we need to do now is move forward.
  Now, 2 days ago the press reported that a senior Member of the House 
Democratic leadership told his colleagues: ``This is a tremendous 
opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision''--a senior Member 
of the House Democratic leadership.
  Well, let me suggest that that is exactly--exactly--the wrong 
approach right now. That is the kind of thinking that could bog down 
these urgent discussions. That is the kind of mindset that the American 
people cannot afford for their elected representatives to adopt. I hope 
it does not describe the view of our own Senate Democratic colleagues 
as we try to close out these talks.
  More Americans are being laid off every day. More small businesses 
are being forced to shed payroll every day. Our nurses and doctors are 
running lower on key supplies every day. This is not a political 
opportunity. This is not a political opportunity. This is a national 
emergency. It is time to come together, finalize the results of our 
bipartisan discussions, and then close this out.
  Earlier this week, I had the Senate move quickly to pass the more 
modest bill that came over from the Democratic House of 
Representatives. I didn't believe it was perfect--far from it. But 
Senate Republicans did not delay it needlessly. We did not try to 
originate our own version and burn several more days trying to fit them 
together. Instead, we treated that bill with the bipartisanship and 
urgency this crisis requires. Since then, the situation has only grown 
more dire, so I hope that our Senate Democratic colleagues and the 
Democratic House will bring equal bipartisanship and equal urgency to 
this legislation as well.

  In closing, I think all of us could take a lesson from our 
constituents. As we finish negotiating and finalize this bold 
legislation, we should look to the American people. Everywhere you look 
these past days, individuals, families, and organizations are stepping 
up to the plate and finding creative ways to serve those in need.
  One of my fellow Kentuckians is a woman named Erin Hinson. Erin lives 
in Louisville. She is someone whom doctors have told to be particularly 
careful these past few days, so her opportunities to pitch in were 
somewhat limited, but she was determined to do her part. Here is what 
she said: ``I may never have the capacity to develop a vaccine or a 
magic pill to get rid of COVID-19 . . . but I can master a 
spreadsheet!''
  Erin created a website--Louisvillecovid19match.com. There is one 
signup sheet for neighbors who are older or at heightened risk and 
another signup sheet for neighbors who are young and healthy. And Erin 
is performing a kind of matchmaking service. If someone needs a 
prescription pickup or some groceries delivered or even a friendly 
phone call, she helps make the connection.
  With a little help from local media, Erin is already tracking more 
than 400 volunteers--400 volunteers--from every Louisville ZIP Code. It 
is the perfect manifestation of Kentucky's State motto: ``United we 
stand, divided we fall.'' United we stand--even if we have to stand 6 
feet apart for a few weeks--and divided we fall. Brave and generous and 
creative Americans all across our Nation get it. They just need 
Congress to get it too.
  I am impressed and heartened by the speed and bipartisan spirit that 
has characterized the past day's discussions, but we need to keep it 
up. We absolutely cannot let up now. We need to finish these 
negotiations and move forward.

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