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[Pages S1713-S1714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CORONAVIRUS
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, this morning, the Senate and House
Sergeants at Arms announced the suspension of public tours and
nonofficial access to the Capitol Complex beginning at the close of
business today and running through the end of March. Their decision was
made in close consultation with the Attending Physician of the U.S.
Congress, Dr. Brian Monahan.
I support the decision of these nonpartisan officers. It follows new
guidance from the Washington, DC, Department of Health encouraging that
all nonessential mass gatherings of more than 1,000 people be
postponed. The Capitol Complex welcomes many times that many visitors
on a typical day, particularly at this time of year.
Congress will continue to do our work. Offices will be able to
welcome constituents and visitors for meetings and official business by
appointment, but in deference to the experts and to protect the health
of many Americans who travel to our Nation's Capital, tourism and
nonofficial access to the Capitol and the complex will be put on pause.
This virus is challenging our Nation in ways that feel unfamiliar to
us, but our great country is strong, we are equipped, and we have
overcome far greater challenges before. I know the entire Congress will
look forward to welcoming all Americans back to visit their beautiful
Capitol as soon as possible.
In the meantime, we continue to encourage everyone to follow the
facts, listen to the experts, and take smart and calm precautions as
appropriate. Every American can access up-to-date recommendations for
their own personal circumstances at www.coronavirus.gov.
Last night, President Trump addressed the Nation on the broader,
ongoing effort to slow and mitigate the spread of the virus here on
American soil. As I have noted before, the administration's early
proactive measures to repatriate U.S. citizens and restrict travel from
China bought more time for public health professionals to prepare our
response, and the funding measure that Congress passed last week is
sending an infusion of new funding into laboratory research, frontline
medical care, and everything in between.
[[Page S1714]]
With those critical steps already taken, this week brought a further
opportunity to help communities and families face the economic effects
of the virus spread. Unfortunately, it appears at this hour that the
Speaker and House Democrats instead chose to produce an ideological
wish list that was not tailored closely to the circumstances. One is
reminded of the famous comment from President Obama's first Chief of
Staff: ``You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.'' Instead of
focusing on immediate relief to affected individuals, families, and
businesses, the House Democrats chose to wander into various areas of
policy that are barely related, if at all, to the issue before us.
Instead of working within existing law and within existing systems to
deliver targeted relief as officially and effectively as possible, the
Speaker's proposal would stand up a needless thicket of new
bureaucracy. They would task offices like the Social Security
Administration with standing up brand-new bureaucracy that would delay
the delivery of aid to those who need it.
As currently drafted, the proposal appears to impose permanent
unfunded mandates on businesses that could cause massive job losses and
put thousands of small businesses at risk. The administration was ready
to collaborate. The Senate was ready to seriously consider a compromise
product, but it appears that over in the House, leftwing political
messaging may have taken priority over the needs of our country.
Certainly, this is disappointing.
I want to commend Secretary Mnuchin for his efforts and his continued
conversation. At a minimum, I hope that Senate Democrats will not block
potential requests from our colleagues today to pass smaller,
noncontroversial pieces of legislation right away that would bolster
particular aspects of the fight against coronavirus.
The good news is that our Nation's economy remains strong. The
President is continuing to take action himself. We just passed
billions--billions--in urgent funding just last week, and the Senate
will continue to stand ready and willing to work toward further
bicameral, bipartisan actions when the House Democrats decide to get
serious.
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