[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 12, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2365-S2366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              Coronavirus

  Mr. THUNE. Madam President, we are back for our second week in the 
Senate after spending some time working remotely to help flatten the 
coronavirus curve. We are getting used to the temporary new normal--
social distancing during hearings, floor votes, and meetings; masks; a 
lot of conference calls and Skype calls instead of in-person meetings; 
lots of hand washing and hand sanitizer; and as many staff working 
remotely as possible. We are committed to doing the essential work of 
the American people, and they are depending on us to do it in the 
safest way possible.
  Responding to the coronavirus continues to be at the top of the 
agenda. Last week, we held a number of coronavirus-related hearings, 
including a hearing on coronavirus testing and a hearing on the impact 
the pandemic has had on the airline industry.
  When people think about what the Senate does, they tend to think 
about voting on bills and debating on the floor, but the truth is, 
committee work is some of the most important work we do here in 
Washington. Committees are where we review nominees' qualifications, 
hear from experts in various fields, develop legislation, and conduct 
essential oversight of government programs. The work we do in 
coronavirus-related committee hearings will inform any future 
coronavirus legislation we might consider.
  This week, the Senate Banking Committee will be voting on the 
nomination of Brian D. Miller to be Inspector General for Pandemic 
Recovery at the Treasury Department. If he is confirmed by the full 
Senate, Mr. Miller will be an essential part of ensuring that the 
trillions we have provided for coronavirus relief are spent properly. 
The Banking Committee will also be holding an oversight hearing with 
key Federal financial regulators to learn about the steps they have 
taken to ensure the safety and soundness of our financial sector during 
this challenging time.
  The Senate Judiciary Committee will be examining the issue of 
liability during the COVID pandemic and discussing ways to prevent 
frivolous lawsuits from damaging our economy once we reopen.
  The Senate Commerce Committee, of which I am a member, will be 
holding a hearing looking at efforts to maintain and expand reliable 
high-speed broadband access during this time when so many Americans are 
relying on their internet for work, school, and connections with 
friends and family.
  The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee will be 
hearing directly from the leaders of our fight against the 
coronavirus--Drs. Fauci, Redfield, and Hahn, and Admiral Giroir. 
Senators will be talking to these experts about what we need to do to 
safely reopen our economy and our schools.
  Another big part of our coronavirus response right now is monitoring 
the implementation of the funds we have already provided. We have 
delivered a tremendous amount of money to respond to the pandemic--
equal to almost 50 percent of the entire Federal budget for 2020--and 
it is important that any future funding be carefully targeted.
  We are facing extraordinary circumstances, and they call for an 
extraordinary, bold response from Washington, but it is important to 
remember that every dollar of the trillions we provided for the 
pandemic is borrowed money, and our children and grandchildren are 
going to be paying for that borrowing. That doesn't mean we are not 
going to provide more money if necessary, but it does mean we need to 
make sure we are spending money wisely and well and only appropriating

[[Page S2366]]

what is really needed. That means monitoring the implementation of the 
funds we have already provided, which haven't been fully spent yet. 
Once we see how and where those funds are getting spent, we will have a 
better sense of where we have spent sufficiently and where more money 
may be necessary.
  It is also important that we make sure those funds are being spent in 
the most effective and efficient way possible. Again, these are all 
dollars that our children and grandchildren will have to pay for. We 
want to make sure we are not wasting any of that money.
  Finally, while coronavirus will, of course, continue to be at the top 
of our agenda, there are other important things we have to do to keep 
the government running and to protect the Nation.
  This week, we will take up legislation to renew and reform several 
key provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which the 
Democratic-controlled House allowed to lapse despite unanimous support 
for an extension here in the Senate.
  Our law enforcement officers are working every day to protect 
Americans from terrorist threats. It is essential that we make sure 
they have the tools they need to do their jobs, while also providing 
critical protections for civil liberties.
  We are also taking up two nominations this week for senior 
administration posts: Brian D. Montgomery to be Deputy Secretary of 
Housing and Urban Development and Troy Edgar to be the Chief Financial 
Officer of the Department of Homeland Security.
  The American people are relying on us right now, and we have a 
responsibility to deliver for them. We will continue to do everything 
we can to support our Nation's families and businesses as the country 
fights its way through this crisis and emerges on the other side.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cramer). Without objection, it is so 
ordered