WASHINGTON –Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed Majority Leader McConnell’s announcement on a path forward for new coronavirus relief legislation and expressed his hope that Senate Democrats will come to the negotiating table in good faith. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.
“The Majority Leader shared some good news in our ongoing effort to deliver an additional coronavirus relief package to the American people before we adjourn for the Christmas holidays. Following discussions with Secretary Mnuchin and the White House Chief of Staff, there now seems to be a general agreement on a path forward that could gain bipartisan support in Congress and earn the signature of the President.”
“People sometimes forget we are an important part of the process, but the person who signs legislation or would choose to veto it is an important partner in that legislative process as well, so the fact that President Trump has indicated that he would sign such a bill is encouraging.”
“The Majority Leader is in the process of drafting this new language, which could finally break the gridlock which has put us in such a precarious position in terms of delivering the relief to the American people that they need, both from a public health and an economic standpoint.”
“This may finally put us on a path to passing another relief bill before the end of this year. We know we’re going to have to do it, but we should not make the American people endure additional pain, and anxiety, and hardship as a result of political dysfunction by kicking it over into the new Administration.”
“For months on end, my constituents in Texas and the American people have waited as political dysfunction has stood in the way of progress on COVID-19 relief.”
“With case counts climbing in Texas and across the country, the need for action cannot be overstated.”
“It’s clear that Republicans, both in the Congress and the White House, are prepared to make a deal. I hope our colleagues across the aisle can bring themselves to stop blocking relief and to do the same.”
“I think the best Christmas present we could confer on the American people is to work together in a bipartisan way to provide both the public health relief and the financial support that they need during this challenging time.”