[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 27, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                           Ukraine and COVID

  Madam President, on Ukraine and COVID funding, in the immediate 
future, there are two different issues that demand swift and bipartisan 
action from the U.S. Senate: passing another Ukraine supplemental 
package and approving another round of COVID funding.
  In the coming days, the President is expected to send to Congress his 
request for action on Ukraine. We are going to make passing Ukraine 
funding a priority in the Senate, and I expect both sides to work 
together. As we have seen over the last 2 months, American support has 
gone a long way in helping the Ukrainian people resist and even push 
back against Putin's savage and immoral war, but the fight is far from 
over.
  The Ukrainian people are fighting for survival in a contest that is 
very much about democracy versus tyranny. There should be no question--
no question whatsoever--about which side America stands on. We have a 
moral obligation--a moral obligation--to give the Ukrainian people the 
tools they need for as long as they need them. For this reason, I 
expect both sides to work in the same bipartisan way we did a few 
months ago to get the Ukrainian supplemental done.
  We also need bipartisan cooperation as soon as we can to pass another 
round of COVID health funding. I urge my Republican colleagues to work 
with us to pass COVID funding ASAP. It is very risky for the health of 
the American people for Republicans to play political games at a time 
when we need more health funding.
  Let's be clear. This is an exceedingly time-sensitive priority. 
According to the White House, countries like Japan and Vietnam and the 
Philippines are already ahead of the United States in placing orders 
for treatment, for medications, for vaccines. The United States is 
largely unable to follow suit simply because Senate Republicans have 
blocked any new round of funding required to make these purchases.
  The longer Senate Republicans hold out on supporting new COVID 
funding, the greater the risk of other nations buying out all of the 
available supplies of vaccines and tests and lifesaving therapeutics. 
If they run out, it will take manufacturers months to make new doses.
  So, again, to my Republican colleagues, work with us to pass COVID 
funding ASAP. Our country can't afford delays or political games that 
stand in the way.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Baldwin). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.