On the recordMarch 25, 2020
I came to this building, this Capitol, about 12 hours ago today and, first thing this morning, recorded a video to share on social media with the folks back home, who have been eagerly asking: What is up? What is happening? What is next? My message has been simple. After days of disagreement--of tussling and of fighting and of crafting--we have a deal, and I am ready to vote. Let's move forward. Twelve hours later, I stand in a largely empty Chamber and have an odd sense of foreboding, as I have all day and as have many of my colleagues, wondering: What is taking so long? What is the delay? What are the remaining issues? I am hopeful, prayerfully, that we will resolve what is left, move to this Chamber, take up the text, vote it out, send it to the House, send it to the President, and send $2 trillion in support to our Nation. Let me tell you, as I have waited today and yesterday and as I have taken phone calls for whatever reason from the folks from Delaware, they have all asked: When will the Senate act? We have faced a challenge over the last couple of days between our moving swiftly and our moving wisely in putting together a package of this size. With no hearings, no committee proceedings, and no detailed legislative process, it means that there will be rough edges, and it means there will be mistakes in this bill. Is it perfect? No. In fact, some of its pieces, as we will discover as it unfolds, are far from it.…
