[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 140 (Thursday, August 6, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5233-S5234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                               HEALS Act

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, every day we can see that this public 
health crisis is also an economic crisis. During the shutdowns, some 
employers shuttered completely, and others were forced to lay off 
workers. Tens of millions of jobs were saved thanks to the Paycheck 
Protection Program and other CARES Act provisions, but millions of 
other Americans lost their jobs and remain unemployed.
  While job numbers have improved since the more dire days of March and 
April, there are still many Americans facing unemployment. Talks are 
continuing to determine how best to modify and extend a Federal 
supplement to State unemployment insurance programs, but those talks 
are going miserably slowly.
  These State programs and the extra Federal aid have been important 
safety nets for folks who have lost their income, but they are only a 
piece of what we can and should do and what a bill before the U.S. 
Senate lays out. It is called the HEALS Act, put forth by our leader.
  As the leader said yesterday, we know that these programs shouldn't 
pay someone more to stay home than essential workers are making by 
working hard. We also know that most people would prefer to have a 
reliable job and avoid layoff entirely. That is why Republicans, as 
part of the HEALS Act, have put forward several additional proposals to 
help already unemployed Americans and prevent others

[[Page S5234]]

from getting laid off in the first place. That is why these talks ought 
to speed up, so we can get some of these other things in place as well 
as the unemployment issues that we are talking about.
  We extend and significantly expand the employee retention tax credit 
that was included in the CARES Act so that employers can keep more 
people on the payroll instead of laying them off. It supports 
businesses that hire more workers as the economy continues to improve.
  We expand the work opportunity tax credit to support employers who 
are helping those currently receiving unemployment insurance find a 
new, safe, and steady job. Bringing in new employees and expanding the 
workforce can be complicated, especially in times of a pandemic. Both 
employers and employees want to maintain safe working environments. It 
is important for employers to have the resources to keep their 
workplaces clean and their employees protected. Republicans then 
proposed a new tax credit for these expenses, like additional cleaning 
expenses, personal protective gear, and even office reconfigurations 
that keep employees and customers safe.
  The HEALS Act also provides for another round of economic impact 
payments. An average family of four would receive $3,400 to help cover 
expenses. These payments will help any family or any individual who has 
had to deal with layoffs and are in addition to any unemployment 
benefits they may receive.
  These tax provisions serve as a complement to the unemployment 
insurance program that is being negotiated right now, with no evidence 
of progress. There ought to be progress. These programs do set up an 
extra layer of protection for workers and those already out of work.
  Together, these proposals provide a responsible approach to help 
employers reopen businesses so that employees can safely and 
effectively return to work to continue fueling the Nation's economic 
recovery.
  Why can't we get these important issues resolved for the American 
people, particularly for the American people who are hurting? And they 
are hurting because we were faced with a virus pandemic. As a result of 
the virus pandemic, the government, for the first time in 240 years, 
shut down the economy of the United States, and then immediately, in 
the middle of March, after that happened, we made a point of passing 
the CARES Act to open up the economy, to give people confidence that 
what the government did that was bad for the economy and for people and 
hurting people, unemployed--that we were going to take a lead in 
getting them back. And we are still in this situation. We shouldn't be 
debating as long as we are to get these issues taken care of.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Scott of Florida). The clerk will call the 
roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. SMITH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (The remarks of Ms. Smith pertaining to the introduction of S. 4466 
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.''
  Ms. SMITH. I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.