Roy Blunt: “last year Congress provided nearly $68 billion in emergency funding for schools. About 10 percent of that has been used.…”

“last year Congress provided nearly $68 billion in emergency funding for schools. About 10 percent of that has been used. This bill provides another $126 billion, with no requirement that we get kids back to school. We know they need to be back in school. I think this amendment actually, if applied, almost ensures we won't get back to school this year. Thirty days to come up with a plan; public comment on that plan. It is the middle of March before anybody even begins to make--have the 30 days to make that plan. We need to get kids back to school. The New York Times understands that. Many States are saying the suicide rates, the emergency room mental health concerns demand that kids get back to school, and not next year but they get back to school as quickly as they can this year. I think this amendment, while I am sure offered in good intention, works against that, not for it, and I would urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment. Vote on Amendment No. 1344 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the Hassan amendment.”