[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 195 (Tuesday, November 17, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              Coronavirus

  Mr. THUNE. Madam President, for the second Monday now in a row, we 
have received tremendous news about the prospects for a COVID vaccine.
  Last week, Pfizer announced that the initial results of its COVID 
vaccine showed a greater than 90-percent rate of effectiveness. And 
yesterday, Moderna announced its COVID vaccine is showing a similarly 
high effectiveness rate, raising the possibility that not one but two 
COVID vaccines may be available in the very near future.
  This success is a tribute to the innovative power of the private 
sector and the efforts of Congress and the Trump administration to 
expedite development of COVID vaccines. Operation Warp Speed has helped 
fund development of Moderna's vaccine and will help fund distribution 
of both Moderna's and Pfizer's products.
  While vaccine trials and development continue, so does research into 
new COVID treatments. Drugmaker Eli Lilly just received emergency use 
authorization for an antibody drug that will be used to treat COVID in 
patients with mild or moderate illness. Another company, Regeneron, has 
also filed for emergency use authorization for a potential antibody 
treatment. And there are a lot of other clinical trials going on right 
now for COVID vaccines and therapeutics, meaning there may be more good 
news to come.
  Meanwhile, we are also strengthening domestic production of personal 
protective equipment for medical personnel and other essential workers.
  And 3M, which manufactures N95 masks, received two contracts under 
the Defense Production Act to expand N95 production. I recently visited 
the 3M plant in Aberdeen, SD, to celebrate the opening of the plant's 
new N95 manufacturing lines. These new lines will help 3M's N95 
production increase from 22 million to more than 95 million respirators 
per month. That is critical progress on the PPE front, not to mention 
the jobs that are being created.