Speaking during a question-and-answer session sponsored by the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, Schatz also said prospects are slim that Congress will pass another COVID-19 relief bill before November 3.

Schatz said the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate works on one thing at a time and is focused on confirming President Trump’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett. So pandemic aid is doubtful anytime soon.

“The very high likelihood is that it’s going to have to wait until after the election. And that is deeply unfortunate,” he said.