[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 215 (Friday, December 18, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7827]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     MAKING FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of H.J. Res. 107.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the joint resolution by title for the 
information of the Senate.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A joint resolution (H.J. Res. 107) making further 
     continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2021, and for other 
     purposes.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to proceeding to the 
measure?
  Mr. SANDERS. Reserving the right to object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.
  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, last week I indicated that it would be 
unacceptable for the Senate to recess for the Christmas holidays 
without providing substantial direct payments to the working families 
of our country and to their children.
  Majority Leader McConnell and I do not agree on much, but as I 
understand it, we are in agreement on at least one point, and that is 
that the Senate cannot go home until the COVID emergency relief bill is 
passed. The fact that the majority leader intends to keep the Senate in 
session this weekend to continue work on the COVID relief package is 
the correct decision.
  But let me, at this time, be as clear as I can be. Senator Josh 
Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, and I have been working together to 
make certain that the working families of this country have a direct 
payment of $1,200 for adults and $2,400 for couples and $500 for each 
of their children. Let me also be absolutely clear that I will object 
to any attempt by the Senate to pass an omnibus appropriations bill and 
leave town before passing a COVID relief bill with substantial direct 
payments going to working people.
  The truth is that the working families of this country today are 
probably in a worse economic condition than at any time since the Great 
Depression. Millions of people are unable to pay their rent, and they 
are worried about being evicted. Hunger is, literally, at the highest 
level that it has been in several decades. And in the midst of this 
terrible, terrible pandemic, we have tens of millions of people who 
cannot afford to go to a doctor. That is unacceptable.
  I would say to my colleagues, let's get this package passed. Let's 
make certain that we have direct payments to working families of this 
country, and with that I would withdraw my objection.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the joint 
resolution.
  Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered 
read a third time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The joint resolution was ordered to a third reading and was read the 
third time.
  Mr. McCONNELL. I know of no further debate on the joint resolution.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate on the joint 
resolution, the joint resolution having been read the third time, the 
question is, Shall the joint resolution pass?
  The joint resolution (H.J. Res. 107) was passed.
  Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider 
be considered made and laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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