On the recordMarch 23, 2020
the health and livelihoods of the American people are at risk; they are in danger. We cannot afford to keep squabbling and arguing in the U.S. Senate. Time is not on our side. Each day matters. In fact, every hour matters. As we look at the stats coming in terms of those who have been infected with COVID-19, it is literally hour by hour. This is a logarithmic kind of scale. This is a doubling-every-day kind of scale that is going on. Hours matter; minutes matter. Like many of my colleagues in the U.S. Senate, I have been talking to Montanans around the clock to get their feedback--hospital leaders, ag groups, Tribal leaders, small business leaders, construction workers. We are in a public health and an economic crisis. I have not sensed fear like this from the American people anytime in my life. I remember 9/11. I remember the crisis of 2008. I remember the 1987 crash. Those pale in comparison to what we are seeing today at this very moment in our country. This is a time that we need to come together. This is a time we must get this done for the good of our country. Neither side is going to be happy with the final product. That is part of negotiations. It is give, and it is get. The Senate bill before us provides relief for workers, for families, for small businesses, and for healthcare professionals. I have heard some things said today on the U.S. Senate that are flatout not true. Let me set some of the facts straight--what this bill before us does do.…
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