[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 194 (Monday, November 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S6689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              CORONAVIRUS

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, COVID-19, as we know, unfortunately, has 
upended nearly every aspect of American life for the better part of a 
year. But as impatient as we all are for our lives to return to normal, 
the harsh truth of the matter is that the coming months may be, by far, 
the worst of the pandemic.
  Cases have skyrocketed to well over 150,000 Americans per day. We are 
now recording more than 1 million new COVID cases a week. Hospital ICUs 
and morgues in many parts of the country are approaching or even beyond 
capacity.
  Americans must brace themselves for a long winter. We cannot tire of 
the simple precautions that limit the spread of the disease and save 
lives. Wear a mask, social distance, avoid large indoor gatherings, and 
stay vigilant. We must all continue to do our part to prevent this next 
surge from overwhelming our health systems and endangering our fellow 
citizens. Congress, as well, should be doing all that is necessary to 
support those efforts and prevent the worst from happening.
  Too many Americans have lost healthcare coverage as a result of 
losing their jobs this year. Medicaid has seen a huge increase in new 
enrollees and needs resources. As unemployment remains in the tens of 
millions, extending unemployment insurance is paramount, and many more 
things besides.
  Speaker Pelosi and I have been in regular communication with 
President-Elect Biden and his transition team. Unlike the current 
administration, the incoming administration wants to move rapidly to 
get a handle on the virus and recover our economy. Today, President-
Elect Biden urged the Senate to pass the Heroes Act--comprehensive 
legislation that leaves no one behind. That is just the right approach. 
Our country deserves a bill that meets the needs of the American people 
and that meets the needs of the moment.
  If Leader McConnell and our Republican colleagues want to sit down 
and negotiate a bipartisan solution with a bipartisan process, 
Democrats are ready and willing and able to do so, but, unfortunately, 
it has been 2 weeks since Leader McConnell said he was in charge of 
negotiating the next COVID-19 relief bill, and he still hasn't spoken 
to Speaker Pelosi or myself.
  We have 14 votes on the floor this week on nominations for a lameduck 
President, but we have nothing--nothing--pertaining to COVID. There is, 
however, a bit of good news today. A second U.S. company announced that 
it has discovered an effective vaccine in phase 3 trials. Early figures 
suggest it is close to 95 percent effective. As these two vaccines move 
through the final approval process, we should prepare the country to 
produce and distribute them to everyone in a comprehensive bill that 
includes robust vaccine funding.
  Finally, there is light at the end of the tunnel, but we are still in 
that tunnel and may be so for several months. So we must pull together, 
once again, to do everything in our individual power to turn the tide 
of the virus

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