Political Quotes

“Reserving the right to object. Mr. President, the fact is, the Senate has acted. We acted very generously. In the CARES Act, we passed $100 billion. In the CARES Act 3.5--phase 3.5--we passed $75 billion for a total of $175 billion for the Provider Relief Fund. That fund allowed reimbursement and financial assistance to skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes. To date, about $76.9 billion--44 percent of that $175 billion--has actually been expended, and $4.9 billion has been expended on skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes, which means we have $98.1 billion left. Fifty-six percent of that $175 billion has not been spent, and HHS has a great deal of latitude in terms of how to direct that. If more needs to go to skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes, HHS has $98.1 billion to spend. Before we authorize another $20 billion and try to pass that by unanimous consent, I say we need to take a very close look at what we have already spent--close to $77 billion--and then either redirect, repurpose, or just utilize it as was intended, the $98.1 billion that remains to be spent. I object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard. Unanimous Consent Request--S. 2779 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wisconsin.”