Director of intelligence and and votes throughout the day. Live coverage of the u. S. Senate now here on cspan2. The president pro tempore the senate will come to order. The chaplain, dr. Black, will open the senate in prayer. The chaplain let us pray. Lord of our lives, make these moments of prayer more than mere words, but may this reverent pause fill our hearts with gratitude and love for you. May our lawmakers appreciate the fact that through prayer, they have the privilege of talking to you, the superintendent of the universe. Lord, inspire them to use this intercessory opportunity to seek your wisdom and guidance, knowing that you are eager to help them. Give us all the wisdom to remember that you continue to be our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. And lord, as we approach memoriamemorial day, thank you e men and women who gave their lives for this nation while serving in the United States military. Were grateful also for the great sacrifices made by
Grim statistics. The United States now leads the world in the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus with more than 1. 5 million. Another 2. 4 million workers filed jobless claims this week, joining more than 38 elliott americans who have applied for unemployment since the crisis began. Very soon our country will reach another grim milestone. We are fast approaching the day when elves 1 million american lives have been lost to covid19 comes the size of a small city erased from the map for pelosi and i sent a letter to President Trump this morning requesting that the American Flag be flown at half mast on all public buildings on the day the toll but as families all across its great country mourned the loss of friends colleagues and loved ones flying the flag at half mast would be a national expression of grief. And of course this weekend is also memorial day where we commemorate so Many Americans who through the centuries have lost their lives for our country and we never forget t
The challenges we face. Lord, we can meet these challenges with your power that transcends human understanding. When you whisper, dangers flee into the darkness. The sound of your footsteps causes tribulations to hide. Almighty god, permit our lawmakers to be aware of your providential guidance. May they depend on you to lead them according to your will. Give them the wisdom to trust you when they cant see the road before them, believing that you will be their light in the darkness. We pray in your great name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to our flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mr. Grassley mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from iowa. Mr. Grassley permission to address the senate for one minute in morning business. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Grassley ame
Achieved a few weeks ago passing the cares act, two. 2 trillion dollars 96 nothing to do with the voice vote passing 484 billion more almost two two. 7 trillion that is an amount far in excess of the annual federal budget of the United States of america for Discretionary Spending in a matter of days and weeks. We knew we are facing a National Emergency and we still do. The senate is here today because the majority leader has brought us back to washington against medical advice. We know the standard in the district of columbia . And from the normal working place to protect yourself and everyone else. The majority leader tells us we are here to do the nations business which can only be done in only possible talk about careful steps back. I have been waiting for the majority leader to announce with the business of this week will be for the things we should be doing. I know the endless telephone Conference Calls and the comments by friends and neighbors, there are many Unanswered Questions
Assistant democratic leader. Mr. Durbin i ask unanimous consent that the quorum call be vitiated. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Durbin i learned the et quit of the etiquette of the mask. Mr. President , i listened carefully to the remarks of the republican majority leader. He spoke about the reconvening of the senate this day and he talked about the work we achieved a few weeks ago passing the cares act. 2. 2 trillion in rescue funds for america 960, and by a voice vote we passed 48 million more. Almost 2. 7 trillion. That is an amount far in excess of the annual federal budget of the United States of america for domestic discretionary spending, and we did it in a matter of days and weeks. We knew that we were facing, as the president characterized it, a national emergency, and we still do. The senate is here today because the majority leader has brought us back to washington against medical advice. We know what the standard is in the District Of Columbia for the people