August 5, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 139 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page S4888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              CORONAVIRUS

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, let me close by saying this. The 
majority leader comes to the floor regularly and talks about special 
interests. Perhaps he can explain to us why the Republican proposal for 
relief for the COVID-19 virus includes a $2 billion allocation for a 
new FBI building across the street from the Trump hotel. Perhaps he can 
explain the $30 billion wish list from the Department of Defense, 
trying to make up for cuts that were made when the President raided 
their accounts to build his almighty wall in the southern border. 
Perhaps the majority leader can explain to us the liability immunity 
which is being proposed by the Republican side as a ``redline, take it 
or leave it, we will walk away if you don't like it'' approach.
  It would be one thing if the Republican leader were in the room, 
actually negotiating, but he just makes a redline and walks away. That 
redline is a subsidy to the largest corporations in America, giving 
them liability immunity when it comes to possible court suits.
  Wouldn't we want a standard to make sure that all businesses and 
every individual or group or business is doing its best to keep America 
safe? When we say, don't worry about any liability in court if you 
ignore the public health reality, that is no guarantee that it is going 
to be a safe environment for America when we reopen this economy.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from South Dakota.

                          ____________________