Maggie Hassan

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you to my colleague from Delaware, not only for the kind introduction but for the very articulate overview that he just gave of the challenge before us and the importance of providing aid in this next relief package to State and local governments. They have been at the forefront of our Nation's response to COVID-19. They provide people and businesses with vital support, scouring the world for personal protective equipment, setting up testing centers, and providing emergency relief for families and businesses. They also employ millions of essential public employees who are on the frontlines of this crisis, including first responders, teachers, and many others. Unfortunately, as this crisis rages on, State and local communities are facing uncertainty, mounting costs, and a devastating loss of revenue. For too long, the Senate majority leader, Mr. McConnell, stalled action on an additional relief package, which has only made matters worse. Now, as negotiations are finally underway, we must ensure that the next relief bill provides significant additional Federal resources to support State and local governments' efforts to save lives, protect the public's health, and keep the economy moving. As my colleague from Delaware mentioned, I am a former Governor. I understand the challenges that State and local officials are experiencing. In New Hampshire, following public health guidance, local and State officials took necessary steps to close down portions of the economy in order to save lives. They are now feeling the impacts of revenue shortfalls directly related to those actions, all while keeping up their efforts to provide the frontline services necessary to save lives and provide economic relief. In a virtual roundtable with mayors and municipal leaders from all across the Granite State last month, officials described to me the dire situation that they are up against. Dover Mayor Bob Carrier stated: ``The tsunami of lost revenue is on its way.'' Claremont Mayor Charlene Lovett noted how budgetary strains are halting infrastructure projects. With the added burden of increased expenses and loss of revenue, Claremont risks falling behind on much needed infrastructure improvements like fixing roads. And a number of mayors explained their challenges with budgets for the upcoming school year. As educators and parents make decisions on whether schools will be in person, remote, or a hybrid version, local officials are facing deep uncertainty about what the operational costs for schools will be. Situations like these are playing out in cities and towns all across our country. Without additional funding from the Federal Government, States will be forced to slash education, to slash infrastructure, and to slash public health budgets, which would be devastating, especially in the midst of a pandemic. It is not just a loss in the services that people depend on. Millions of additional jobs would be lost as well--not only the jobs of public workers, by the way, but, for example, the private vendors who often do some of this work. Think about construction workers on an infrastructure project. Moody's Analytics reported that without significant Federal support for State and local governments, 4 million more people--4 million more people--could lose their jobs. That loss would be catastrophic. The ripple effect would be felt throughout our entire economy. We can't let that happen. Senate Democrats are focused on providing significant economic relief for State and local governments throughout our country because we recognize that it is essential for economic recovery. And, as part of our efforts to support economic recovery, we must ensure that States have the flexibility to use this funding to backfill revenue loss due to COVID-19 and preserve jobs. Providing this funding will mitigate some of the economic damage caused by this pandemic. In addition, as we have heard from local leaders, from educators, from parents, it is vital that we provide separate, dedicated funding for schools. Senate Democrats have proposed $430 billion to help schools implement public health protocols, address the challenges of students who have fallen behind, and provide quality education to all students, regardless of how the schools reopen. Our approach stands in stark contrast to the inadequate proposal put forward by Senator McConnell, which provides too few resources to schools and would actually withhold aid if schools don't fully reopen in person, even as the administration has failed to provide supplies and a strategy that would support such efforts to reopen. We need our Republican colleagues to work with us and deliver sufficient relief without any further delay. We need to provide State and local governments--as well as our schools, our first responders, our teachers--with strong bipartisan support from the Federal Government. I know that right now in New Hampshire, even as teachers face uncertainty, they are making lesson plans and trying to figure out how they are going to make sure that their children engage in their remote learning at home if their school system doesn't reopen, while providing services to their students as well. All across our State, I know that if today's heavy rains caused flooding, our public workers will be out there around the clock protecting their communities. I know that our law enforcement, our firefighters will continue to respond to calls whether or not they have enough personal protective equipment because that is what they do. They protect, and they serve. They do it with dedication, and they do it with commitment. They provide essential services that keep our communities safe and healthy. It has never been as important as it is now. All we are asking is that we come together across party lines, with the White House, and support our State and local governments in this time of need so that we can continue to fight this pandemic and so that we can continue to mitigate the economic harm that is ravaging our country. That is what State and local aid will provide to the people of New Hampshire and the people of our country. That is what this moment--this moment of the worst healthcare crisis that we have seen in 100 years and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression--that is what this moment demands. The livelihoods of millions of Americans and the lives of millions of Americans depend on our taking action right now I yield the floor to my colleague from Ohio.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to honor Carter Manson of Manchester as July's Granite Stater of the Month. Carter's efforts to encourage Granite Staters and all Americans to get outside and help clean up their communities has made a true difference in a difficult time. Carter, who is only 5 years old, has wanted to be a garbage man since he was 3. For Halloween last year, he even dressed up as a trash collector to show his appreciation for his heroes. Now, due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, Carter has taken his passion for garbage collection one step further. One day in April while the stay-at-home orders for New Hampshire were in place, Carter asked his mom, Kelly, if he could go outside and pick up some trash. Kelly obliged and took some photos of her young son cleaning up his neighborhood and posted them on her Facebook page. Much to her surprise, the photos Kelly posted of Carter's efforts received a lot of attention from her friends and family. In response, she decided to build on the momentum Carter had inspired by creating a group called Carter's Clean Up Crew. The ``Crew'' now has nearly 800 members from across the United States and Canada. The group has also received support from 22 businesses and raised $1,400 to help get members of the group the supplies that they need to clean up their communities, including trash grabbers and gloves. The Crew is planning their first big cleanup day at the end of August, and Carter and Kelly have been rallying members of their community to join them in Manchester for the big day. In the meantime, Carter has been diligent in his clean up regimen and goes out with his mom at least once a week to pick up 5 gallons of trash in neighborhoods across Manchester. Carter's passion for cleaning up his environment and encouraging others to do the same represents the best of our State and our all- hands-on-deck spirit. It also represents how eager people are to strengthen and improve their communities even during this pandemic. I applaud Carter for his efforts and look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, today I would like to congratulate Mr. John ``Mike'' Croteau of Newbury, NH, on his retirement from the Newbury Fire Department after a remarkable 75 years of service. Mike's father, George, was a long-time member and chief of the Newbury Fire Department, and in 1945, 15-year-old Mike, joined the department too. At first, Mike helped put out brush fires caused by trains that ran from Boston to Newbury Station. When Mike was 18, he fought the fire on Mount Sunapee that claimed 1,700 acres. Hundreds of firefighters worked for 7 days straight to battle the fast-moving fire during one of the worst fire seasons ever recorded in New Hampshire history. Beyond his work at the fire department, Mike was an engineer for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation for 33 years, and the Town of Newbury often called upon his expertise for site work and design. While working for the State, he continued to serve the fire department, serving as the fire chief, as well as forest fire warden. Mike has dedicated many hours of his time to the Newbury Fire Department in addition to firefighting by helping with fundraising efforts, including the annual bingo nights and auctions. His dedication to his community also went beyond his exemplary fire department service; he also volunteered for many town groups, boards, and activities and has always stepped up when something needs to be done. In 2012, Governor John Lynch commended Mike for 67 years of service as a firefighter, and in 2015, he received the Fire Service Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Hampshire Police, Fire, and EMS Foundation. Mike's commitment to his community and the Newbury Fire Department is a shining example of the spirit of New Hampshire, and he serves as a role model for all Granite Staters. He has been a critical part of the department for 75 years, and he has put himself at risk day after day to protect his fellow citizens. His town, State, and country are better because of his dedicated efforts. I hope you will join me in honoring an exemplary Granite Stater, Mike Croteau.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I thank my colleague from Rhode Island and my other colleagues on the floor for their comments. I rise to join Senator Casey and our colleagues in calling for additional action to protect nursing home residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic. I begin by thanking the Senator from Pennsylvania for his leadership on this issue. I note that the senior Senator from New Hampshire is here, and I know that she will be addressing this issue as well and has been fighting for action to protect people all across our State and across our country who reside and work in nursing homes. Nowhere is this pandemic being felt more acutely in this country than in nursing homes. Across the United States, 43 percent of COVID-19 deaths have been linked to nursing homes, and in New Hampshire, roughly, 80 percent of our State's deaths from this virus have been in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The grief of losing a loved one, compounded with the fact that families could not be at their sides, is unimaginable. I know that frontline staff are working as hard as they can to keep their patients and residents safe, but in talking with them, it is clear that these essential workers need more support. In particular, frontline staff tell me they still do not have sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment. Months into this pandemic, there is still no robust Federal strategy to support the residents and employees of nursing homes. That is inexcusable. With respect to the argument that I have heard some of my Republican colleagues make--that we have already passed the CARES Act and that it had money to go toward nursing homes--it doesn't address this issue. If the previous bill were sufficient, we wouldn't still be seeing this rate of death in our nursing homes. We need to address the pandemic based on the goals we set and the results we want, not just on how hard we think we have worked or how much money we think we have spent. The bill that Senator Casey has put forward today would make a significant difference for nursing homes in New Hampshire and across the country. The Nursing Home COVID-19 Protection and Prevention Act, which I am proud to cosponsor, would help save lives and improve safety among residents and employees in nursing homes. Specifically, this bill would provide $20 billion in emergency funding for nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and psychiatric hospitals to support costs related to staffing, testing, PPE, and other essential needs. It would also require the Department of Health and Human Services to collect and publish data and analysis on COVID-19 cases and deaths in these facilities, which would give us a clearer picture of the situation we are facing. In addition, I will continue working to ensure that we are doing all that we can to keep residents and employees of nursing homes safe. Last week, I joined with Senators Casey, Warren, and Schumer in calling for answers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, about nursing home and long-term care facility access to personal protective equipment--what we commonly know now as PPE--following reports that FEMA was shipping insufficient and defective personal protective equipment to these facilities. These reports are deeply alarming. Equipment arriving with mold on it cannot continue. As we continue to address this pandemic, the challenges facing nursing homes must be a top priority. Delaying vital assistance to these facilities will have dire consequences for people in New Hampshire and all across our country. I urge my Republican colleagues to support this legislation. I urge them to come to the table and work with the Democrats to strengthen the Federal response to this pandemic. I yield the floor.

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I rise today to join Senator Murray and my Democratic colleagues in calling for substantial additional funding for childcare and education as our country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. In New Hampshire and across the country, this pandemic has turned families' lives upside-down. As classrooms shifted to living rooms, many parents have had to take on new roles, balancing teaching their children with their own day-to-day work. Other parents, including those who are on the frontlines of responding to this crisis, have had to figure out new childcare arrangements to ensure that their children are cared for while they go to work. Teachers and educators have had to adapt and find new, innovative ways to meet the needs of all students. With cases rising across this country, there is significant uncertainty facing families and educators who are trying to navigate what our systems of education and childcare are going to look like in the coming months. The legislation being offered by Senator Murray today would be a strong step forward in helping families and educators prepare for the road ahead, and, as with all preparation, timing matters. Delaying necessary actions doesn't address the new challenges educators and families face; it just makes it harder for them to get their jobs done. The Coronavirus Childcare and Education Relief Act, which am I proud to cosponsor, is a comprehensive bill that would help meet the needs of students and childcare centers, K-12 schools, and institutions of higher education. Among its many provisions, this bill makes significant investments in childcare. Childcare centers have already been hit hard by lost revenue during the pandemic, and now they face added costs in implementing new health and safety policies to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19. This legislation would provide them with much needed relief. In addition, this legislation would bolster emergency funding for K- 12 schools. This funding would help address challenges with students who have fallen behind. It would help schools institute public health protocols, and it would give schools more resources to ensure that all students--all students--get a quality education, whether it is in person, remotely, or a combination of both. As we have worked to ensure that schools can effectively educate all students during this pandemic, I have also been focused on preventing students who experience disabilities from being overlooked. Before COVID-19, students with disabilities were already more vulnerable to disruptions in their education since the additional resources they need are often scarce. This pandemic has exacerbated the challenges students with disabilities face, and many have lost meaningful access to the critical services that make their education possible. We know that large numbers of students will require remedial help when they return to school, and these challenges will be particularly acute for students with disabilities. To address this, Senator Murphy and I have been calling for additional dedicated funding through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and I am pleased that this legislation meets those calls, providing $12 billion in funding to help ensure that students with disabilities receive the same educational opportunities as do their peers. Finally, to address the challenges facing institutions of higher education, this bill provides colleges and universities with critical emergency funding, helping strengthen emergency financial aid for students as well as bolstering support to help these institutions follow public health guidelines. It also provides key funding for community colleges as well as career and technical education programs. This upcoming school year will look different than any other we have ever seen before, and we must be prepared so that students do not fall further behind. The legislation that Senate Democrats have brought forth today will give schools and families some needed certainty, and this certainty is critical for the planning that needs to happen now. Delay in this moment is irresponsible. I am grateful to the Senator from Washington for her leadership on this bill and on all the efforts that we make to strengthen education for all of America's children. I urge my Republican colleagues to support this bill, to join with us to make sure that, as we grapple with this pandemic, we can all help our students thrive and our families get back to work I yield the floor.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished leader, and I thank my colleague from Oregon, Senator Wyden, for joining in this motion and for making it. I rise today to join them in calling for urgently needed funding for State and local governments to support our communities as they continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Across our country, State and local governments have been at the forefront of responding to this crisis and providing people and businesses with the support they need. State and local governments also employ millions of essential public employees--including teachers, first responders, and others--who have been working around the clock to help keep the American people safe. But in the face of these unprecedented circumstances, States and local communities are facing new, mounting costs and a catastrophic loss of revenue. Without additional Federal resources, we will see even more job losses and further economic harm. We must do more to support the American people. Just last week, Moody's Analytics released a sobering report on what State and local governments are up against. This report indicated that without significant Federal support for State and local governments, 4 million additional people could lose their jobs. Throughout this crisis, we have worked together to try to save American jobs. Why, then, would we now sit and do nothing for the people who make our communities run? States and cities employ essential workers who have been on the frontlines of this crisis. We need these workers now more than ever. We should support the important work they are doing, not leave their jobs at risk. In addition to job cuts, without additional support, State and local governments may also need to cut programs and services that the American people depend on. Forcing States to slash education, infrastructure, and public health budgets, among others, would be deeply harmful at any time, but in the middle of a pandemic and the recession it has helped create, the ripple effect of those cuts would be even more staggering. Already, States and cities are cutting or delaying fixing sewer lines or roads and delaying putting out critical contracts to bid, with a ripple effect felt throughout the economy. It doesn't have to be this way. Senate Democrats are focused on providing significant economic relief for State and local governments across the country. This would mitigate the job losses and further economic damage that we are seeing as a result of this crisis. I urge my Republican colleagues to work with us to deliver this necessary relief and ensure that States have the flexibility to use this funding to backfill lost revenue and preserve jobs. The recent spike in cases in many States reinforces that the public health threat remains extremely serious. Our economy will be feeling the effects of this pandemic for years to come. State and local governments need our strong support to help save lives and strengthen our economy, and they need it right now. Blocking this relief will only make a dire economic situation even worse. That is the last thing the American people need. I join Senator Wyden and my colleagues in moving this UC request. Thank you. I yield the floor.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize Emily Aho of Jaffrey as June's Granite Stater of the Month. Aho has stepped forward and provided emotional support for healthcare workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting our State's commitment to the idea that every individual can make a difference in times of critical need. Aho is the executive director of the Newfoundland Pony Conservancy in Jaffrey, a nonprofit organization that provides a safe living environment for the endangered Newfoundland pony. Up until December 2019, Aho was also a registered nurse until some physical ailments made it difficult for her to work in a hospital. Shortly after her retirement, COVID-19 began to spread rapidly throughout the United States, and Aho found herself feeling helpless as she watched her loved ones succumb to the deadly virus, including her father, a World War II veteran who was a guard during the Nuremburg trials. After her father's death, Aho went searching for her father's old photos and memorabilia and found them in the closet where she also kept her materials for equine-assisted learning. Her discovery of those materials was an inspiration and a reminder that, despite her loss, she had much to give. Through a partnership with True Hope Therapeutic Horsemanship, Aho helped establish the Heal the Heroes program, which provides free therapeutic sessions with ponies and horses for healthcare workers who have experienced heightened mental and physical challenges amid the pandemic. The healthcare workers visit Aho's conservancy once a week for 4 weeks, where they learn to communicate and connect with her Newfoundland ponies. Due to social distancing guidelines, the program can only take two people in one session, and all the equipment is properly sanitized to avoid spreading the virus. After 4 weeks with the Newfoundland ponies, the participants graduate to True Hope Therapeutic Horsanship, where they continue therapeutic work with horses, both ridden and unridden. This pandemic has impacted people and organizations throughout our State, including nonprofit organizations like the Newfoundland Pony Conservancy that Aho operates. But despite her own financial struggles, Aho still found a way to give back to her community and provide support to those on the front lines of this crisis. Aho's empathy and commitment to improving the mental wellness of her fellow community members exemplifies the best of our State and what it means to be a Granite Stater. I am honored to recognize her.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize Kearsarge High School's student group, Students Working on Community Outreach, SWOCO, for continuing to lift up their fellow classmates and support community members--even from a distance--amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Even before the pandemic, SWOCO members worked hard to make a difference in their community. One of their most impressive accomplishments was hosting a conference for neighboring school districts on how students could become stronger leaders in their communities. The group also partnered with the National Honor Society to organize blanket drives and food drives for Liberty House, a veterans homeless shelter. Like so many Granite Staters, these students have needed to adjust to the new realities of this pandemic, including finding ways to organize without being in the same physical space. Among other things, the students, who are now meeting over conference calls, organized both a student and teacher Zoom talent show in an effort to keep their classmates engaged with their school community during this challenging time. The members of SWOCO also started a Little Free Pantry project in Kearsarge, which is a grassroots movement to help members of the community who are food insecure access essentials, such as food and personal care items. The members are coordinating all of the food pantries throughout the school district and have encouraged various student organizations to sign up to help stock the shelves. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused Granite Staters to face unprecedented challenges, but even in the face of this crisis, they are coming together to support one another. For the members of SWOCO, this pandemic may have changed how they operate, but it did not change their mission or commitment to their community and fellow citizens. Their commitment to forging ahead in difficult times to help people from all walks of life and to support their community exemplifies New Hampshire at its best. I am, above all else, grateful for their hard work and look forward to seeing what they accomplish next.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize Salem High School's cheerleading team as April's Granite Staters of the Month for coming together, even while social distancing, to help raise the spirits of residents at a local nursing home. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Salem's cheerleading team was unable to compete at their New England conference meet, a moment that the athletes had worked hard for all season. In an effort to cheer up her teammates, as well as bring joy to residents at their local nursing home, Gabrielle Driggers, a sophomore on the team, suggested throwing a parade for the residents, which included Gabrielle's grandmother. Gabrielle, who has led previous efforts to support her local community by organizing donation drives and fundraisers with the help of her teammates, texted the team's group chat to see if anyone would be willing to participate in a parade for residents at Salemhaven Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. A few days later, between 25 to 30 members of the cheerleading team gathered in the Salem High School parking lot, pom-poms in hand, to greet their fellow teammates from the safety of their cars and prepare for the procession to the nursing home. The parade, which was carefully planned to ensure that all of the athletes were at least 6 feet away from one another and the residents, consisted of a line of cars where cheerleaders, one to a car, waved their pom-poms and blasted music to the delight of the residents. I commend the members of the Salem High School cheerleading team for recognizing the importance of ensuring that those who are the most vulnerable to the virus feel supported and seen during this public health emergency. This is a difficult time for all Americans, which is why this straightforward act of kindness and recognition of community resonates with Granite Staters and all Americans and reflects the very best of our State.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, Granite Staters are known for our all- hands-on-deck spirit--coming together in difficult times to support our friends and neighbors. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to change our daily routines and adjust to new challenges; however, one thing that has not changed throughout this public health emergency is the compassion and empathy we are seeing from people all across our State. Every month, I recognize a person or a group of people in New Hampshire who have gone above and beyond to help their community. I recognize them as the Granite Stater of the Month. But this month, I couldn't choose just one person and, instead, wish to recognize all Granite Staters for coming together to try to slow the spread of this virus and to help those in need. All across New Hampshire, people are taking commonsense steps, both to keep themselves healthy and to avoid unknowingly passing along the virus to others, particularly those who are at high risk. This includes washing your hands thoroughly and for at least 20 seconds and wiping down frequently touched surfaces, like cell phones and door handles. It also means practicing social distancing by going out in public only when absolutely necessary and keeping at least 6 feet between you and another person. We have also seen that events people look forward to all year, like the Boston Marathon or St. Patrick's Day festivities, have been canceled or postponed. People are following public health officials' guidelines by staying at home and canceling long-awaited travel plans. Taking these necessary measures is hard and unpleasant, but it has been inspiring to see how many people are willing to make these sacrifices to protect the public health. Additionally, many people might contract only mild symptoms from COVID-19, especially those who are younger and in good health; however, it is heartening that so many of those individuals recognize how important it is to protect others who might be at higher risk, like those over 60 or people living with chronic health conditions. As many Americans know, it is also crucial that we don't overwhelm our healthcare system and prevent an influx of patients from crowding hospitals, which could lead to a shortage of critical medical equipment and personal protective gear. Collective actions, like staying home and minimizing interactions with others, will be crucial in combating this public health emergency. As people's lives continue to experience disruption, I have been inspired to see such a tremendous outpouring of support from people all across New Hampshire in an effort to help one another during this very difficult time. For instance, nonprofits, food pantries, and volunteers are partnering with local schools in New Hampshire to combat food insecurity in their communities. One school district held a food drive over the weekend with a local nonprofit. They were concerned that given the last-minute nature of the event, there would be low participation. To their surprise, the school reported that the community came out in droves to donate goods. Stories like this are abundant in communities across my State, and I am immensely proud of how people across New Hampshire have come together to respond to this public health emergency. In the coming weeks and months, it will be even more important that Granite Staters and all Americans lean on one another for support. I encourage everyone to reach out to your neighbors, especially those at higher risk, to see what you can do to help. If you have an older neighbor, see if they need help picking up their groceries. If you know someone who is a medical professional with young kids at home, ask if you can babysit. Right now, it is important for people to remember what we can all do to help contain the spread of this virus and that we all have a role to play in doing so. In New Hampshire, we pull together, and we help one another to get through challenging times, and I know we can come together to slow the spread of this virus. I yield the floor.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize JerriAnne Boggis of Milford and Valerie Cunningham of Portsmouth as February's Granite Staters of the Month for their work to bring to light New Hampshire's too often forgotten Black history and engage communities across our State in conversations about New Hampshire's full past. JerriAnne has said that it took 25 years after emigrating from Jamaica to New Hampshire for her to discover that New Hampshire had a Black history. JerriAnne was surprised to learn that the town she lived in, Milford, was home to Harriet E. Wilson, one of the first African Americans in North America to publish a novel. To commemorate Harriet's incredible achievement, JerriAnne established a nonprofit organization to erect a statue of Harriet, which also marked the first statue in New Hampshire to honor a person of color. Valerie grew up in Portsmouth, where her parents were leaders of the local civil rights movement and encouraged their daughter to explore New Hampshire's Black history. Valerie followed her parents' encouragement and spent years documenting African and African-American history in New Hampshire. Valerie would later go on to create a physical embodiment of her decades of research by establishing the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail in 1995, with the intent of bringing public awareness to Portsmouth's Black history. Today, the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail has expanded to become the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. The foundation that Valerie founded is now led by JerriAnne, the trail's executive director. JerriAnne is working to expand the organization's mission to other towns across New Hampshire with the hope of growing public awareness of the Black history that exists in every region of the State. The Black Heritage Trail plays an important role in engaging Granite Staters about the complex topic of race in America. To help jumpstart these necessary conversations, the organization hosts community dialogues, called Tea Talks, focused on discussing the intersection of race with different facets of American life, including health, education, and the arts. It also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Black New England Conference, held last year at Southern New Hampshire University. The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire brings a long overdue focus on our State's Black history. African Americans in New Hampshire have made profound contributions to our State, and thanks in part to the work of JerriAnne and Valerie, these stories and achievements will be remembered in history. It is a great honor to recognize the work of these women and their dedication to creating a more informed, inclusive, and just New Hampshire.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, considering whether to convict a President of the United States on Articles of Impeachment is a solemn and consequential duty, and I do not take it lightly. Even before we had a country, our Founders put forward the notion of ``country first,'' pledging in the Declaration of Independence their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor--a pledge they made to an idea, imagining and hoping for a country where no one was above the law, where no one had absolute power. My dad, a World War II veteran, and my mom raised me to understand that this is what made our country the unique and indispensable democracy that it is. My obligation throughout this process has been to listen carefully to the case that the House managers put forward and the defenses asserted by the President's lawyers, and then to carefully consider the constitutional basis for impeachment, the intent of our Founders, and the facts. That is what I have done over the past few days. The Senate heard extensive presentations from both sides and answers to the almost 200 questions that Senators posed to the House managers and the President's advocates. The facts clearly showed that President Trump abused the public's sacred trust by using taxpayer dollars to extort a foreign government into providing misinformation about a feared political opponent. Let me repeat that. The President of the United States used taxpayer money that had been authorized, obligated, and cleared for delivery as critical military aid to Ukraine to try to force that country to interfere in our elections. He violated the law and the public trust. And he put our national security, and the lives of the Ukrainian soldiers on the frontlines of Russian aggression at risk. Although the country was alerted to the possibility that the President had crossed a critical line because of revelations about his now-infamous July 25 phone call, it is not the phone call alone that led to the President's impeachment. Instead, the phone call was a pivotal point in a scheme that had started earlier, spearheaded by President Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Mr. Giuliani has acknowledged that he was doing the President's personal and political bidding when he engaged with the Ukrainian government. As the newly elected anti-corruption Ukrainian Government came into power, in need of recognition and support from the United States, President Trump forced officials from Ukraine and the United States to negotiate through Mr. Giuliani, conflating his personal and political interests with the national security and diplomatic interests of our country. And then, as President Zelensky resisted the request that he concoct and announce a fake investigation into the Bidens, the President and Mr. Giuliani increased the pressure. Suddenly, and without explanation or a legally required notification to Congress, the President ordered that previously approved and critically needed military aid to Ukraine be held up. Mr. Trump, at first through Mr. Giuliani, and then directly, solicited interference with an American election from a foreign government. And he ordered others in his administration to work with Mr. Giuliani to ensure this scheme's success. While there is still more evidence that the Senate should have subpoenaed both witnesses and documents that would have given us a more complete understanding of what happened, we know as much as we do because of the courage and strength of American patriots who put country before self--patriots like the intelligence community whistleblower, who was followed by Army Lieutenant Colonel Vindman, and former U.S. Ambassadors to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch and William Taylor, as well as current members of the administration. These Americans who came forward were doing exactly what we always ask of citizens: If you see something wrong, you need to speak up; ``See something, say something.'' It is a fundamental part of citizenship to alert each other to danger, to act for the greater good, to care about each other and our country without regard to political party. When Americans step forward, sometimes at real risk to themselves, they rightly expect that their government will take the information they provide and act to make them safer, to protect their fundamental rights. That is the understanding between the American people and their representative government. While the brave women and men who appeared before the House did their jobs, the Senate, under this majority, has unfortunately not. Rather than gathering full, relevant testimony under oath and with the benefit of cross-examination, the Senate majority has apparently decided that despite what it has heard, it is not interested in learning more; not interested in learning more about how a President, his personal agent, and members of his administration corrupted our foreign policy and put our Nation's security at risk; not interested in learning more about how they planned to use the power of his office to tilt the scales of the next election to ensure that he stays in power; not interested in learning more about how they worked to cover it up. Increasingly, over the last few days, the President's defense team and more and more of my colleagues in the Senate have acknowledged the facts of the President's scheme. Their argument has shifted from ``He didn't do it'' to ``He had a right to,'' to ``He won't do it again,'' or even ``It doesn't really matter.'' I disagree so strongly. The idea that in our country, established by the very rejection of a monarchy, the President has absolute power is absurd, as is the idea that this President, whose conduct is ultimately the cause of this entire process, will suddenly stop. President Trump continues to invite foreign powers to interfere with our elections, maintaining to this day that ``it was a perfect call.'' Our Founders knew that all people, all leaders, are fallible human beings. And they knew that our system of checks and balances could survive some level of human frailty, even in as important an office as the Presidency. The one thing that they feared it could not survive was a President who would put self-interest before the interests of the American people or who didn't understand the difference between the two. As citizen-in- chief, and one wielding enormous power, Presidents must put country first. Our Founders knew that we needed a mechanism to hold Presidents accountable for behavior that violated that basic understanding and that would threaten our democracy. And they provided a mechanism for removal outside of the election process because of the immense damage a President could do in the time between elections--damage, in the case of this President's continuing behavior, to our national security and election integrity. Our Founders believed that they were establishing a country that would be unique in the history of humankind, a country that would be indispensable, built on the rule of law, not the whims of a ruler. Generation after generation of Americans have fought for that vision because of what it has meant to our individual and collective success and to the progress of humankind worldwide. That is the America that I have sworn an oath to protect. I will vote in favor of both Articles of Impeachment because the President's conduct requires it, Congress's responsibility as a coequal branch of government requires it, and the very foundation and security of our American idea requires it. I yield the floor.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. Chief Justice.

Ms. HASSAN. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice. I send a question to the desk for the House managers.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize Karthik and Rahul Chalumuri of Keene as January 2020's Granite Staters of the Month for their efforts to organize donation drives at their school to support patients at a local cancer center. Karthik and Rahul, fraternal twins attending Keene High School, have been involved in their local community from a young age. When they were 5 years old, their parents brought them to volunteer at their local soup kitchen, and helped instill in them the importance of giving back to their community. As they headed into their senior year at Keene High School, these two young men decided that they wanted to give back in a big way before they headed off to college. They founded a club at their school, Students for Hope, to organize donation drives with the intent of sending care packages to Cheshire Medical Center's Norris Cotton Cancer Center-Kingsbury Pavilion, which would distribute the care packages to their patients. Rahul, who plans to study computer science in college, designed the group's website from scratch to provide resources on how to donate. The group began their first donation drive in August. The brothers had low expectations for turnout and were shocked when local businesses and individuals in their community came together to donate a substantial amount of items for these care packages. Since then, they have organized two more donation drives around both Thanksgiving and Christmas and plan to hold another one in February around Valentine's Day. Although Rahul and Karthik are heading to college in the fall, they have tapped younger students to lead the organization next year. I want to commend Rahul and Karthik for their dedication to improving the lives of people who are less fortunate and recruiting others to do the same. I know I join the rest of the Keene community and all Granite Staters in thanking Rahul and Karthik for exemplifying the all-hands- on-deck spirit of New Hampshire.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, on rollcall vote No. 380, I was recorded as yea. It was my intention to be recorded as nay. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to change my vote since it will not affect the outcome.

Ms. HASSAN. Thank you. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize Melissa Matthews and Belle Rae Zachesky/Copp of Raymond as December's Granite Staters of the Month for seeking to turn their own grief into positive change and mental wellness for their community. In the last few months, both Melissa and Belle have lost someone dear to them. Melissa lost her husband, Graham, to suicide on September 30, 2019; and her niece, 8-year-old Belle, lost her father, Jesse, to an opioid overdose the next day, on October 1. In response to their shared grief and to distract from their sadness Melissa and Belle are seeking to raise awareness about the importance of mental wellness in their community. Belle and Melissa have started promoting wristbands with the slogan ``Lets change the `I' in mental illness with `WE' for mental wellness,'' to help spread this important message to others. The two have also started a Facebook page to try to create an online community of support and positivity. The group's name, MW Warriors--MW standing for mental wellness--was inspired by the song ``Warrior'' by singer Demi Lovato, who has struggled with drug addiction and depression. Their story is another inspiring example of how people across New Hampshire come together during difficult times to support one another. This is particularly true as the opioid crisis continues to ravage our State, and it is crucial that we continue to be there for the loved ones of those whom we have lost. Melissa and Belle are trying to do the challenging but important work of promoting positive change, all while battling their own loss and channeling their energy to help others. Thank you, Melissa and Belle, for your strength and courage.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleagues, like the Senator from West Virginia, and pay tribute to our friend Senator Johnny Isakson. It has been an incredible privilege to work with Senator Isakson. Senator Isakson and I got to know each other first through the bipartisan Senate Prayer Breakfast and then serving together on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and Finance Committees. I have always appreciated his commitment to bipartisanship, problem-solving, and getting results for the people in his home State of Georgia and for people all across our country. Because of that commitment, Senator Isakson and I have worked together to cosponsor a number of pieces of legislation, including efforts to improve care for veterans and to make hearing aids available over-the-counter. We also partnered together to pass a resolution designating March 25 ``Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day.'' In addition to being kind, thoughtful, and bipartisan, one thing stands out to me about Senator Isakson the most: his bravery in speaking out on issues regarding human dignity. He demonstrated that bravery early on in his career as a State senator who spoke out against a local anti-gay resolution. At a time when standing up for the rights of people of all sexual orientations wasn't easy or convenient, he did. That took real courage. In addition, I am in awe of Senator Isakson's bravery in sharing publicly his family's experience losing his grandson Charlie to an overdose. By opening up and sharing this tragedy, Senator Isakson helped reinforce that this crisis affects families from all walks of life. His public discussion has and continues to make a real difference as we work to break down the stigma that comes with addiction. I know he has continued working here in the Senate to prevent more families from experiencing a loss like his own. I am also grateful for Senator Isakson's leadership on behalf of our country's veterans. In June, Senator Isakson led a bipartisan Senate delegation to Normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. During that visit, I saw firsthand Johnny's incredible kindness and commitment to our country's veterans. I also saw how quickly he dismissed compliments and thanks directed his way to ensure that others got credit for their part in his success. I know that carries over to his tireless efforts and hard work on behalf of veterans as chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. Above all, I appreciate Senator Isakson's friendship. He has represented the people of Georgia in the Senate with dignity, determination, and grit, as well as a really good sense of humor. He has made a real difference. As Senator Isakson confronts a health challenge of his own right now, I am confident that he will face it with the bravery, humility, and humor he has exemplified throughout his life and here in the Senate. Senator Isakson, we will all miss you terribly, but we are looking forward to traveling to Georgia to see you and to continue the many conversations that have made us all better people and better Senators and makes this country a better place. I yield the floor.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I rise to join my Democratic colleagues who have come to the floor in recent weeks to share stories from our constituents about the need to protect and improve healthcare. Throughout the last 3 years, the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have been relentless in their attempts to undermine our healthcare system, and their efforts have increased costs and made it harder for patients to access the care they and their families need. Instead of working to improve our healthcare system and ensure that it is actually working for patients, this administration and some of my Republican colleagues have actively sought to do the opposite, and that has very real implications for the people we serve. Take, for example, Cassandra Van Kuren of Manchester, NH. Cassandra is a 26-year-old who is passionate about fitness and staying healthy. That is why it was so devastating that a week before she turned 25, she got the news that she had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Cassandra's life had been turned upside down, and after her diagnosis, she was immediately hit with another shocking blow: the costs associated with her condition. Within the first week of her diagnosis, she was forced to max out her credit card, and to this day she is still paying back all of the bills she accumulated within her first month of being diagnosed. Soon after, she lost her job because she missed so much work. She then went to work with her husband at the gym they own in Manchester and was able to get health insurance through the business. Still, the costs remain enormous. On average, Cassandra has to spend $150 a month on insulin costs alone after insurance. Her premium is over $400 per month, and every 3 months she accumulates bills of over $500 due to the cost of appointments and equipment. And, sadly, Cassandra and her husband are nervous about starting a family because their costs for care would grow even higher. The amount of insulin a woman with type 1 diabetes needs increases three times when she is pregnant. Cassandra's story is an example of why we need to improve our healthcare system and also why we can't afford to allow Washington Republicans to pull us backward. The administration is backing a partisan lawsuit--the result of which we will know soon--which would take healthcare away from millions of Americans, gut protections for preexisting conditions, end Medicaid expansion, and eliminate the requirement that insurers must cover prescription drugs, maternity care, mental healthcare, substance abuse treatment, and so much more. With the support of Senate Republicans, the administration has promoted what are appropriately referred to as junk health insurance plans. These junk plans allow insurance companies to discriminate against Americans who experience preexisting conditions, and they also leave patients with higher healthcare costs and worse insurance coverage. The administration has opposed certain efforts to lower the costs of prescription drugs, in particular, allowing Medicare to negotiate prices on lifesaving drugs, including insulin. These actions are unacceptable. Families in New Hampshire and all across the country cannot afford these reckless attacks on their healthcare, and they want us to work together on constructive bipartisan solutions that improve their lives and lower their costs, not this constant uncertainty and sabotage. The efforts of people like Cassandra, who have shared their stories in an attempt to shine a light on the challenges that patients are experiencing, are incredibly important. No one should have to share their most deeply personal healthcare stories and plead for lawmakers not to undermine their health coverage, but that is where we are. I am incredibly grateful for those who have had the courage to speak out. I will continue to share their stories, and I will continue working with anyone who is serious about actually improving our healthcare system, not undermining them. Thank you. I yield the floor.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, today I would like to recognize the life of an extraordinary individual, Dr. Woodie Flowers. As an engineer, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology--MIT--and an integral part of FIRST--For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology--Woodie helped educate and inspire people in New Hampshire, across the country, and around the world. I first had the privilege of meeting Woodie in the 1980s when I was doing legal work for MIT. Almost immediately, I recognized his curiosity and eagerness to learn, his patience and understanding, and his desire to collaborate and work effectively. Woodie extended that ethos and enthusiasm for education to every aspect of his life, including through his groundbreaking leadership at MIT and FIRST. Throughout his career, Woodie brought a unique vision to his work and frequently stressed that technology is changing at a pace that the human brain simply cannot keep up with. This understanding and concern led him to emphasize the importance of teaching critical thinking and an allegiance to objective truth, which he posited would push back against the tribalism and binary thinking afflicting our society. As part of his efforts to bridge division and expand human understanding, Woodie served as a mentor to countless students. While following Woodie in a speaking program was certainly a daunting task, I always looked forward to hearing his perspective at FIRST events. The major theme that Woodie sought to impart to students is that life is not a zero sum game. He would encourage them to work and compete with ``gracious professionalism,'' where you work hard and challenge one another to be your very best, but you always engage with respect and kindness. FIRST encourages its participants to consider the annual contest as ``coopertition,'' and Woodie used the opportunity to interact with the students and coaches as a way to reinforce this critical concept, that success comes through bringing out the best in each other and in humanity. Woodie understood what a good leader should be, and his vision and example are characteristics that all Americans should aspire to. And in many ways, his confidence in our ability as human beings to solve problems and transcend our most basic tribal instincts, informed by science and grace, was uniquely American. Dr. Woodie Flowers was one of the most brilliant, kind, and creative people I have ever met, and it was an honor to know him. I extend my condolences to Woodie's talented and magnificent wife and partner, Margaret, and their entire family. And I join them and the FIRST community in mourning an extraordinarily intelligent inventor, humanist, and American. We will miss Woodie more than I can say, but I am certain that his legacy will live on through the countless lives he has touched. The world is a smarter, better, and more hopeful place because Woodie Flowers lived his life with love and purpose.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize Captain Gregory Ferry of Hooksett as November's Granite Stater of the Month for his leadership m strengthening the partnership between New Hampshire's law enforcement and the Special Olympics. Captain Ferry recently retired from the New Hampshire State Police after 25 years of dedicated service to the people of New Hampshire. Known for going the extra mile to support his fellow officers in the line of duty, Captain Ferry led outside of work as well. Throughout his career, even while carrying out the full duties of a New Hampshire State Trooper, Captain Ferry volunteered with the Special Olympics. He has been involved in everything from handing out medals to the athletes to the Law Enforcement Torch Run. The Law Enforcement Torch Run helps bring awareness to the Special Olympics. Captain Ferry would help his fellow officers run what is called the ``Flame for Hope'' all across New Hampshire, for a total distance of 550 miles. Since the run's inception 35 years ago, New Hampshire law enforcement has raised more than $5.5 million for Special Olympics, and for 25 of those 35 years, Captain Ferry was at its helm. After 17 years of participating in the program, Captain Ferry decided to get even more involved and was chosen as State police liaison to the Special Olympics. In this role, Captain Ferry oversaw the expansion of law enforcement's partnership with the program, which included recruiting more liaisons, expanding law enforcement's participation in the Summer and Winter Games, and increasing fundraising efforts. As a symbol of Captain Ferry's strong relationship with the program, he was selected to represent New Hampshire at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, where he participated in the Torch Run across the United Arab Emirates. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Captain Ferry to represent both New Hampshire law enforcement and the Special Olympics program on the world stage. Captain Ferry has said that the most rewarding part of his involvement in the Special Olympics has been the special bonds that he has formed with the athletes, which extend beyond the playing field. He continues to keep in touch with some of the athletes on social media and makes sure to give them a hug whenever he sees them outside of the program. Captain Ferry's daughter, Jillian, also happens to be a Special Olympian. Her favorite event is bowling, and she has beaten dad on a few occasions. From serving as a public safety officer who went out of his way to support his fellow officers and protect his community, to providing a sense of security for the athletes in the Special Olympics program who have learned to trust him, Captain Ferry has demonstrated what it means to be a dedicated public servant. Thank you, Captain Ferry, for your service to our great State, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.