[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 110 (Thursday, June 24, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                             Fourth of July

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about how far our 
Nation has come in the past 6 months.
  Just for a moment, think back to where we were in January. Every day, 
hundreds of thousands of Americans were being diagnosed with COVID-19, 
and on many days, more than 3,000--or even 4,000--of our moms and dads 
and brothers and sisters and children and friends and neighbors were 
dying of this horrible disease. Meanwhile, millions of Americans were 
out of work just 6 months ago, and small businesses were unsure whether 
or not they could reopen safely. During these cold, dark days, it was 
easy to wonder if things would ever get better.
  But something else happened in January. On January 20, President Joe 
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn into office, and with 
their inauguration came a laser focus on defeating this horrific 
disease and getting our country moving again.
  They had some amazing tools in their arsenals: vaccines that proved 
to be more effective than anyone could have hoped--thank goodness. And 
I am so proud that Michigan workers at Pfizer have played a big role in 
producing these lifesaving vaccines and getting them shipped all over 
the country.
  When President Biden and Vice President Harris took office, only 5 
percent of American adults had received at least one shot. Now, only 6 
months later, 70 percent of Americans over age 30 have received at 
least one shot. That is a total of 300 million vaccine shots in only 
150 days, and we are seeing the results.
  This week, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was able to drop our 
State's pandemic restrictions. That is great news for our small 
businesses and our restaurants and our entertainment venues, just in 
time for peak travel season in beautiful Michigan.
  Nationwide, more than 2 million jobs have been created since 
President Biden took office--2 million jobs since he took office just 6 
months ago. Half as many people are applying for unemployment each 
month as were in January. And, next month, families will begin to 
receive advance child tax credits that are going to lift half of the 
poor children in our country out of poverty--incredible. These monthly 
payments of $250 or $300 per child will help families pay for the 
things they need to care for their children, and it will also boost the 
economy.
  We have made amazing progress, and it wouldn't have been possible 
without leadership from the White House, around $20 billion in funding 
for vaccines from Congress, the dedication of our medical 
professionals, the hard work of our small businesses that have done so 
much to keep their employees and their customers safe, and the 
willingness of so many Americans to literally roll up their sleeves to 
protect themselves and each other.
  It is true that we have a lot more to do, of course. Many families 
and communities are still struggling to get back on their feet. We need 
to continue to support our small businesses that have been through so 
much.
  We know that some States and regions are lagging behind on 
vaccinations for a number of reasons. That is so unfortunate because we 
know that these vaccinations are safe, they are free to receive, and 
they are amazingly effective. The numbers prove it.
  On January 23, 3,322 Americans died of coronavirus in a single day, 
and, yesterday, 370 people died of coronavirus in the United States. Of 
course, that is still 370 too many lives lost. Each one of those lives 
was precious, and our hearts are with everyone who is grieving.
  There is still a risk that variants will spread and cases could rise 
again, especially in areas with low vaccination rates, which is why it 
is so critical that people get vaccinated. It is so important to get 
vaccinated, not only for yourselves but for your friends, for your 
neighbors, and for your children.
  We have come a long way--a really long way--in the last 6 months. It 
is really amazing, and it is just in time for the Fourth of July. 
Americans have a lot to celebrate this Independence Day. It is a day 
when we give thanks for our Nation and for the freedoms we enjoy as 
Americans, and this year we have a few extra freedoms to celebrate: the 
freedom to get together with friends again, the freedom to eat dinner 
at a favorite local restaurant, the freedom to attend a live music 
event or go to a movie, the freedom to live our lives with a lot less 
fear--a lot less fear--and the freedom to give our loved ones a hug. 
And I know I am cherishing every hug I can give my 95-year-old mom.
  All of these freedoms are thanks to science and an administration 
that believes in science, and the willingness of Americans to trust the 
science.
  To my fellow Americans, thank you for that.
  Thank you to our President, and happy Fourth of July.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Cortez Masto). The majority leader is 
recognized.

                          ____________________