Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Page S1822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CORONAVIRUS
Mr. THUNE. Madam President, yesterday the Senate passed the Families
First Coronavirus Response Act, which is bipartisan legislation that
will provide critical relief to American workers, families, and small
businesses.
Two weeks ago, the Senate passed the first phase of Congress's COVID-
19 response, and that was $8.3 billion in funding for coronavirus
research, testing, and medical care. Yesterday's bill was the second
phase of that response. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act
will ensure that all Americans can access coronavirus testing at no
cost.
The bill also ensures expanded telehealth access for Medicare
recipients during this outbreak, which I strongly support. As a
resident of a rural State, I have long been a supporter of telehealth
for the expanded healthcare access it can deliver for rural
communities. The value of telehealth isn't limited to rural States.
During an outbreak like this, for example, telehealth services can help
keep patients--particularly vulnerable, elderly patients--out of
doctors' offices and hospital waiting rooms. Patients can use a phone
call or the internet to check in with their doctors for minor
complaints or medication followups, instead of having to venture out
and be exposed to possible coronavirus infection. I am very pleased
that Medicare patients will have greater access to telehealth services
during this outbreak.
The largest part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
focuses on providing economic support for families during this
difficult time. The bill makes provisions for paid sick leave and paid
family and medical leave for American workers, particularly for those
who might not otherwise have access to these benefits. It also invests
additional money in unemployment insurance where benefits are available
for those who need them.
I am pleased we were able to pass this bipartisan bill that the House
produced, but there is more work to be done. The House bill touches on
only a small part of what is needed to help Americans weather the
storm, which is why Senate Republicans are currently working to develop
the third phase of Congress's response.
Our legislation will address three priorities: providing direct,
immediate assistance to American workers and families; giving our
economy, especially our small businesses, the necessary support to
weather the storm; and, of course, most importantly, providing medical
professionals with the resources they need to fight this virus.
I have been working closely with colleagues on the Senate Commerce
and Finance Committees to develop the parts of the legislation that
will address tax relief, particularly for small businesses, and support
for industries that have been directly impacted by this pandemic,
including the airline industry, which has taken a devastating hit from
this outbreak.
The Senate will be here as long as it takes to get this additional
legislation to the President's desk.
These are difficult days. This is new territory for most of us, and
there is a lot of uncertainty in the air. Americans are worried about
their own health and that of their loved ones. They are worried about
what this outbreak will mean for their jobs and their financial health.
It is a difficult time for our country. We are going to get through
this.
America has faced big challenges before, and we have come through
them even stronger. This time will be no different. I see the strength
of America everywhere I look--in the dedicated doctors and nurses
putting their lives on the line to care for the sick and our first
responders who are always at the forefront of the response to any
crisis and the truckdrivers and grocery store employees and delivery
workers who keep on doing their jobs in the face of the outbreak,
ensuring all of us have the essentials we need. It is also in the
thousands of ordinary Americans who are stepping up to help their
neighbors--running to the grocery stores for elderly or sick
individuals, providing childcare for those who can't telework, and
looking out for those who are struggling financially. This is what will
get us through.
I and my colleagues in Congress will continue to do our part to
ensure that our country has everything it needs to weather this crisis
and to defeat this disease.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________