[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 214 (Thursday, December 17, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                           Government Funding

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, well, we in Congress are no strangers 
to December funding deadlines or the occasional pre-Christmas 
cliffhanger.
  In that respect, the situation we face now is familiar. Funding for 
the Federal Government is hanging in the balance. In the next few days, 
Congress will either succeed or fail at providing secure and stable 
funding for our military commanders, our Federal Departments, and key 
investments for our future.
  Fortunately, our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee and their 
House counterparts have been on the case. Bipartisan, bicameral 
committee work has full-year government funding legislation on the 1-
yard line.
  I am optimistic that if we can close out our other parallel business, 
we should be able to fund the government and move forward together.
  But that brings me to the way in which this year is unlike anything 
we have seen before. It has been more than 9 months since our Nation 
began to feel the full force of the COVID-19 pandemic. The American 
people have done what Americans do when crises come knocking.
  Essential workers have kept our Nation running. Healthcare 
professionals have worked day and night to care for strangers. Heroic 
American businesses have adapted, reinvented, and obeyed the advice of 
medical experts.
  Now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Operation Warp 
Speed has given us safe and effective vaccines in record time, but the 
American people need another bridge to those better days that are not 
so far off. The country needs Congress to come through with another 
targeted rescue package. They have waited months. They have waited and 
suffered, and some have died while needless political games have played 
out. The American people's wait for more emergency assistance ought to 
be over.
  For months, I have called for a targeted, bipartisan package that 
would put hundreds of billions of dollars into payroll support, 
testing, vaccine distribution, extended unemployment aid, safe schools, 
and other essential priorities.
  So I am encouraged that our Democratic colleagues have now embraced 
this framework that has been the right solution for our country all 
this time. And a bipartisan, bicameral agreement appears to be close at 
hand.
  The outline that I have been discussing with the Democratic leader, 
Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy would get another huge dose of 
bipartisan support out the door as fast as possible.
  We have yet to nail down every detail, but in broad strokes, we have 
been discussing the targeted second round of the job-saving Paycheck 
Protection Program that Republicans have sought since last summer.
  We are discussing many tens of billions of dollars for distributing 
vaccines, COVID testing, and equipping safe schools to get our kids' 
educations back on track. We are discussing extending important 
unemployment programs.
  At the particular urging of President Trump and Secretary Mnuchin, 
who continue to be the champions of cash relief for American families, 
we are discussing more direct impact payments for individuals, plus the 
bonus for families with children.
  These are just some of the major pillars. And equally important, we 
are agreeing to be smart about financing these extraordinary policies.
  Now listen to this. We intend to repurpose more than $400 billion in 
unspent funds which we have already allocated in the CARES Act. It 
turned out these funds did not need to be tapped to restore basic 
stability to our economy. It is time we put that money to urgent use.
  Like I said at the time yesterday, I am heartened by our discussions 
and our progress. I believe all sides are working in good faith for our 
shared goal of getting an outcome.
  But I will say this. In my judgment, we are very close to a point 
that arises in every major negotiation. It is the point where each side 
faces a fork in the road.
  Do we want to lapse into politics as usual and let negotiations lose 
steam? Do we want to haggle and spar like this were an ordinary 
political exercise, get wrapped around the axle of language or policy 
riders that we know are controversial, or, on the other hand, after 
months of inaction, do we want to move swiftly and with unusual 
bipartisanship to close out our issues, seal the deal, and write text 
that can quickly pass into law?
  In short, we are near the point in this process where we decide if we 
are going to stay on the fast track or drift back toward business as 
usual.
  I say the answer should be obvious. After all these months, 
struggling Americans don't just need action; they need action fast--
fast.
  So I continue to appreciate our productive discussions, but I hope we 
also remember just how urgent the situation is for millions and 
millions of our fellow citizens.
  So for the information of all Senators, we are going to stay right 
here--right here--until we are finished, even if that means working 
through the weekend, which is highly likely.
  And if we need to further extend the Friday funding deadline before 
final legislation can pass in both Chambers, I hope we will extend it 
for a very, very short--short--window of time.
  Our citizens can't afford for us to get bogged down in the back-and-
forth. Let's finish up our bipartisan framework. Let's make law as soon 
as possible. That is what our people deserve.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.