S4434 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 23, 2020 CORONAVIRUS and trace and finally stop the spread of I yield the floor. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, faced this evil disease. The centerpiece of the I suggest the absence of a quorum. with the greatest economic challenge Republican proposal is a liability The PRESIDING OFFICER. The in 75 years and the greatest public shield to protect big corporations from clerk will call the roll. health threat in a century, we Senate lawsuits if they put their workers at The senior assistant legislative clerk Democrats have been waiting for risk—seriously. As COVID continues to proceeded to call the roll. months for our Republican colleagues surge throughout our country and un- Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, in the Senate to get serious about an- employment numbers rose again for I ask unanimous consent that the order other round of emergency relief for the the first time in weeks, Leader MCCON- for the quorum call be rescinded. American people. NELL has made corporate immunity the The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Now that Senate Republicans have fi- centerpiece of this Republican re- HYDE-SMITH). Without objection, it is nally woken up to the calamity in our sponse. Once again, the Republican so ordered. country, they have given up wishing it Senate is far more comfortable pro- f viding relief to big corporations than would go away, following the Presi- RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME dent’s wishing everything would go relief to American workers and Amer- away, to the detriment of this country. ican families. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Our Republican colleagues have been so How about instead of shielding cor- the previous order, the leadership time divided, so disorganized, and so unpre- porations from liability, we shield is reserved. pared that they have to struggle to renters from eviction? How about in- f draft even a partisan proposal within stead of shielding corporations from li- ability, we shield the unemployed from CONCLUSION OF MORNING their own conference. This is before BUSINESS they talk to a single Democrat. This is poverty? before they even consider what the Even in those areas where the Senate The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning House has done. Republicans seem to be moving a bit in business is closed. It does seem that sometime soon, Re- our direction, it looks like they are f coming up way short. Republicans publicans may finally unveil a legisla- LEGISLATIVE SESSION tive proposal, but because they are so aren’t talking about providing enough disorganized and divided, they can’t resources for our schools to reopen agree on a series of smaller bills that safely. According to reports, the White NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- don’t even amount to one coherent pro- House and Senate Republicans want to TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR posal. Even after all this time, it ap- extend the enhanced unemployment 2021—Resumed pears the Republican legislative re- benefits the Democrats secured in the CARES Act but only provide a percent- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under sponse to COVID is ununified, the previous order, the Senate will re- unserious, unsatisfactory. Let me re- age of a worker’s former wage. That is right, America. If you have sume consideration of S. 4049, which peat that. Despite hitting the ‘‘pause’’ lost your job through no fault of your the clerk will report. button on the Senate for 3 months, de- own and can’t go back to work because The senior assistant legislative clerk spite waiting more than 60 days after this administration has mismanaged read as follows: the House Democrats passed their plan the crisis, Republicans want you to A bill (S. 4049) to authorize appropriations to start work on their own, the Senate take a 30-percent pay cut in the middle for fiscal year 2021 for military activities of Republican response to COVID is of this crisis. the Department of Defense, for military con- ununified, unsatisfactory, and, fun- Worse still, because Republicans struction, and for defense activities of the damentally, unserious. dithered and delayed for so long, there Department of Energy, to prescribe military From what we know, their proposal will be an interruption in unemploy- personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. or series of proposals will not include ment benefits. Eviction protections food assistance for hungry kids. Fami- will expire no matter what we do be- Pending: lies where the parent has lost a job cause they waited until the last minute Inhofe amendment No. 2301, in the nature through no fault of her or his own can’t and, even at this last minute, can’t of a substitute. feed their kids in this proposal, as we seem to get their act together. McConnell (for Portman) amendment No. 2080 (to amendment No. 2301), to require an hear about it. Leader MCCONNELL and Senate Re- From what we know, it will not in- element in annual reports on cyber science publicans dismissed the House-passed and technology activities on work with aca- clude rental assistance or extend the Heroes Act because it included a few moratorium on evictions that is keep- demic consortia on high priority cybersecu- items that Republicans didn’t think rity research activities in Department of De- ing tens of millions of Americans with were absolutely necessary. fense capabilities. a roof over their heads. Millions of Senate Republicans can’t even get RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER Americans have lost their jobs through their act together to provide the ba- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- no fault of their own. They can’t pay sics—food for kids, keeping Americans jority leader is recognized. the rent or the mortgage, and our Re- in their homes, preventing the unem- VOTE ON AMENDMENT NO. 2080 publican friends say: Evict them. ployed from going into poverty, and It will not provide hazard pay to our giving the economy the needed help so Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, essential workers, who have been risk- we can overcome this recession. I know of no further debate. ing their lives and their families’ lives You can’t say you support essential The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there ever since this crisis began. It will not workers and then refuse to give them is no further debate, the question is on make the necessary investments in hazard pay. You can’t say you want to agreeing to amendment No. 2080. communities of color that have been fix racial issues and then throw mil- The amendment (No. 2080) was agreed ravaged by this virus disproportion- lions of Americans of color out of hous- to. ately so. It will not provide the new ing and off unemployment benefits dur- VOTE ON AMENDMENT NO. 2301, AS AMENDED funding that State and local govern- ing a pandemic. You can’t say you The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ments need to keep the busdrivers and want to honor John Lewis and then question is on agreeing to amendment sanitation workers, teachers, and so refuse to provide funding for safe elec- No. 2301, as amended. many others on the job. From what we tions. Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, know, it will not even include funding Congress needs to act quickly, but I ask for the yeas and nays. to ensure that our elections are safe the developing Republican proposals The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a this fall during this COVID crisis. are not going to get the job done. We sufficient second? Remarkably, the likely centerpiece need to immediately enter bipartisan, There appears to be a sufficient sec- of the Republican legislative response bicameral negotiations to develop a ond. to COVID is not an aid package for the proposal that actually meets the mo- The clerk will call the roll. 20 to 30 million unemployed Americans ment and matches the scale of the cri- The senior assistant legislative clerk or a massive influx of resources to test sis. called the roll.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:37 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G23JY6.002 S23JYPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE July 23, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4435 The result was announced—yeas 88, The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 86, color of their skin; and to have each nays 12, as follows: nays 14, as follows: public safety officer say ‘‘How would I [Rollcall Vote No. 138 Leg.] [Rollcall Vote No. 139 Leg.] respond differently if I saw three young YEAS—88 YEAS—86 teenagers running toward a house and Alexander Fischer Reed Alexander Feinstein Peters they were Black rather than White?’’ Baldwin Gardner Risch Baldwin Fischer Portman and taking that into account and say- Barrasso Graham Roberts Barrasso Gardner Reed ing ‘‘Would it change that? Would I re- Bennet Grassley Romney Bennet Graham Risch spond the same?’’ Blackburn Hassan Rosen Blackburn Grassley Roberts Blumenthal Hawley Rounds Blumenthal Hassan Rosen They are all our clients. We are here Blunt Heinrich Rubio Blunt Hawley Rounds to serve everyone. That is the national Boozman Hirono Sasse Boozman Heinrich Rubio discussion. People come into the Brown Hoeven Schatz Braun Hirono Sasse Burr Hyde-Smith Burr Hoeven streets and protest. Schumer Schatz Cantwell Inhofe Cantwell Hyde-Smith This is a group of African-American, Scott (FL) Schumer Capito Johnson Capito Inhofe Scott (SC) Scott (FL) Black American protesters in Oregon. Cardin Jones Cardin Johnson Scott (SC) One of them is wearing a T-shirt saying Carper Kaine Shaheen Carper Jones Shaheen Casey King Shelby Casey Kaine ‘‘We March, we sit down, we speak up, Cassidy Klobuchar Sinema Cassidy King Shelby we die.’’ Collins Lankford Smith Collins Klobuchar Sinema When I read that, I was thinking Coons Leahy Stabenow Coons Lankford Smith Cornyn Loeffler Sullivan Cornyn Leahy Stabenow about the experience I had a number of Cortez Masto Manchin Tester Cortez Masto Loeffler Sullivan years ago when a Black American was Cotton McConnell Thune Cotton Manchin Tester working with me rebuilding a house, Cramer McSally Tillis Cramer McConnell Thune helping me out for a few weeks. We Crapo Menendez Crapo McSally Tillis Toomey went out into suburban Maryland. This Cruz Moran Udall Cruz Menendez Toomey Daines Murkowski Van Hollen Daines Moran Udall was back in the 1980s. We were trying Duckworth Murphy Warner Duckworth Murkowski Warner to find a particular part or piece of Durbin Murray Whitehouse Durbin Murphy Whitehouse Enzi Perdue equipment. We didn’t know where that Wicker Enzi Murray Wicker Ernst Peters Ernst Perdue Young speciality store was. We pulled up next Young Feinstein Portman to a sheriff. The sheriff’s car had two NAYS—14 NAYS—12 White sheriffs in it and a shotgun Booker Lee Sanders Booker Kennedy Paul Brown Markey Van Hollen propped up between the seats. Braun Lee Sanders Gillibrand Merkley Warren I said to my friend: Hey, roll down Gillibrand Markey Warren Harris Paul Wyden your window and ask those sheriffs Harris Merkley Wyden Kennedy Romney where this place is. The amendment (No. 2301), as amend- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. He started to roll down the window. ed, was agreed to. SCOTT of Florida). On this vote, the He looked over and saw the two White CLOTURE MOTION yeas are 86, the nays are 14. sheriffs with the gun between them, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant Three-fifths of the Senators duly cho- and he never said a word. He just to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the sen and sworn having voted in the af- turned back. He looked straight ahead, Senate the pending cloture motion, firmative, the motion is agreed to. and he looked terrified. which the clerk will state. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I saw those sheriffs as people who The assistant bill clerk read as fol- ator from Oregon. work for me—who should work for ev- lows: Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I ask eryone—and we could ask them for for the opportunity to address the issue their help. He saw them as people CLOTURE MOTION before us. who—if he started a dialogue with We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without them, he might end up in deep trouble, ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the objection, it is so ordered. in physical harm. That is what this Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby PROTESTS conversation is about. That is what we move to bring to a close debate on Calendar Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, across are seeking to change in America. No. 483, S. 4049, a bill to authorize appropria- tions for fiscal year 2021 for military activi- America, crowds have been assembling, This idea of protesting for change is ties of the Department of Defense, for mili- saying: This is a moment in which we as American as apple pie. This is as tary construction, and for defense activities must not only have a national con- American as the American Revolution, of the Department of Energy, to prescribe versation about public safety and rac- people standing up and saying: This is military personnel strengths for such fiscal ism, but we need action. We need to not right. Freedom of speech and free- year, and for other purposes. change the scenario that exists in so dom of assembly are core values of Mitch McConnell, Mike Crapo, Pat Rob- many places where public safety de- what it means to be a ‘‘we the people’’ erts, John Cornyn, John Barrasso, Cory partments have seen one group of citi- republic. Gardner, Roy Blunt, Thom Tillis, Mar- These protesters—often African sha Blackburn, Mike Rounds, Shelley zens in a community as their clients Moore Capito, Kevin Cramer, John and another group of citizens as the American, often of many races—have Thune, James M. Inhofe, Jerry Moran, threat, which leads to systemic racism, been coming together. There have been Joni Ernst, John Boozman. differences in approach depending on some folks—often younger folks—who The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- the color of the skin of the person that have come to cause a bit of trouble imous consent, the mandatory quorum you are dealing with. It may be as sim- that goes beyond simple protesting. call has been waived. ple as saying: Let’s stop that person. We had a challenge in Portland of The question is, Is it the sense of the They have dark skin, and they are White extremists—often dressing in Senate that debate on S. 4049, a bill to driving through this neighborhood, and camouflage, antifa members who are authorize appropriations for fiscal year maybe they don’t belong here. Let’s looking for a fight—conflicting, often 2021 for military activities of the De- stop that person because they have late at night. Portland has worked partment of Defense, for military con- dark skin, and maybe they are dealing very hard to deescalate that situa- struction, and for defense activities of drugs. tion—to deescalate it, to empower the the Department of Energy, to prescribe That is systemic racism and message that the protesters are bring- military personnel strengths for such profiling. ing about restructuring systemic rac- fiscal year, and for other purposes, This is a discussion about what value ism, ending systemic racism. These shall be brought to a close? we should aim for here in America. acts, these conflicts, take away from The yeas and nays are mandatory That value is that every member of the that message. under the rule. community is a client; that there is As they worked so hard to deesca- The clerk will call the roll. the goal of providing equal public safe- late, along came President Trump. The senior assistant legislative clerk ty services to all and treating each and Trump had a different objective: He called the roll. every person the same regardless of the wanted to escalate violence on the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:37 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23JY6.001 S23JYPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S4436 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 23, 2020 streets of Portland. I can tell you, The message ‘‘All Mothers Were head by a canister? Am I going to make it there is a huge difference between pro- Summoned When He Called Out to His home to my children? testing and making your message Mama’’ is a reference to George Floyd We held our line as they threw flashbangs and shot tear gas canisters at us. I was known and respecting that and having dying with a policeman’s knee on his peaceful, I was standing still and holding a government that respects it. It is our neck, cutting off either his air or his hands with women around me—surely they government, our ‘‘we the people’’ gov- carotid artery, blood supply to his would not shoot at me. I could feel the ernment. And this a government—an brain or both, killing him. So mamas women on both sides of me trembling. The Executive in the Oval Office who de- have responded. They said: Let’s go officers pointed their weapons at us. I put ploys Federal forces to create chaos join the protesters as well. Surely this my hands in the air and begged them not to and violence and to attack peaceful is not the case, that they are attacking hurt us. They shot more tear gas. The tear protesters. peaceful protesters. gas overwhelmed us—the pain was unimagi- I have come to the floor twice in the They formed a group who went down, nable. It burned my eyes, my throat, my skin. I did not bring goggles or a helmet to last 2 days to go through and show the and they did things like dancing and this protest. I wore a tank top and shorts. camouflaged, battle-ready troops de- chanting and handing out flowers, like Why would I need a helmet and goggles at a ployed by Trump who are coming in a this woman here. Isn’t she beautiful? peaceful protest? secret fashion, eliminating any indica- She is coming down, holding a sun- I coughed to the point of vomiting. We ran. tion of whom they work for. Are they flower. Others were holding mums. Fellow protesters came to us with water bot- Customs and Border Protection? Are It is unimaginable that a President tles and helped clean our eyes. Another they Federal Protective Service? Are of the United States would send Fed- brought wipes to clean our skin. We coughed, we vomited, and we cried. they U.S. Marshals? They have no iden- eral troops to attack women like this, Today, I am still shaking. I cannot focus. tity and have stripped all their unique holding peaceful flowers and dancing I am scared. I am jumping at loud noises. My identifiers, which means they can club and singing in the streets. But they heart is racing simply recalling the events of a peaceful protester, they can shoot were scared because they knew that last night. I am worried about what the fed- them in the head, and nobody knows peaceful protesters had been attacked eral officers are going to do to my fellow Or- who did it because there is no ID on previously, so some of them wore gog- egonians tonight. their uniform. There is no account- gles, and some of them wore bike hel- Let me be clear: there was violence on ability and no discipline and out- mets. Tuesday night, but none of it was from pro- testers. The only violence I encountered that rageous attacks on peaceful protesters. But let’s hear from the women in night was from federal police officers. I was here speaking yesterday, and I their own words. Two of these women I am grateful that I made it home to my asked for consideration be given on work on my team. I didn’t know they kids last night. Others were not so fortunate. this floor for my amendment to end se- were going to go down. I didn’t know Thank you, Stacey, for sharing your cret policing. It is a very simple until last night that they had gone firsthand account of the night before amendment that says: You wear identi- down the previous night, that they had last—Tuesday night—on the streets of fication of your agency. You wear a been there. They had experiences, and Portland, when Federal officers at- unique identifier. You don’t go outside they chose to share their experiences. I tacked peaceful demonstrators, where your mission of protecting a Federal have maybe another five or six things there was no violence except the vio- building unless you are in partnership that women wrote up about their expe- lence of the officers on the protesters. with a Governor or a mayor. It is that riences and posted them. I will try to This next recounting is from Amy simple. So simple. share those, reading it in their voice. Bacher. But my Republican colleague came The first one is from Stacey She writes: down and objected to consideration of Jochimsen: Pre-protest normalcy. There are people this amendment. I think, in essence, he I joined the Wall of Moms in Portland on hanging out in a downtown park by the Jus- didn’t believe the story I am pre- Tuesday night to support black and brown tice Center. They are wearing masks, play- senting. He didn’t believe the story I Americans and voice my concerns about po- ing music, and, thanks to Riot Ribs, eating am telling you about peaceful pro- lice violence in our city. I showed up in cut free food. The Wall of Moms gathers a short testers being attacked. Maybe because off shorts and a yellow shirt—the identifier distance from there, where they hand out it is so outside the conception of what for the Portland Wall of Moms—I was wear- sunflowers and yellow carnations. Protective a President would do, the thought is ing sneakers and carrying yellow mums and gear is also distributed, like helmets, due to just hard to acknowledge, that we have sunflowers that other moms had gifted me issues with the Federal police firing ammu- on my way in. nition. Medics hand out water and other a President who embraces this secret We participated in hours of dancing, chant- safety gear to everyone to try to keep pro- police strategy of assaulting peaceful ing, and singing. It was a beautiful protest testers safe. protesters and grabbing people out of on a warm Oregon night. I saw no violence, Usually, about a few hours into the pro- the crowd and throwing them into un- I felt safe. We were demanding change. We tests, the secret police come out. It is un- marked vans. It is hard to imagine. were standing up for our black and brown clear who they are now because there are no It is hard to imagine a President of brothers and sisters; we were there to am- markings for what unit—who they are with— the United States admiring authori- plify their voices. Was there graffiti? Sure and they fire at the protesters. When it was tarian dictators across the planet, but there was. Graffiti is not violence. the Portland Police Bureau, they were al- At around 11 p.m., the Wall of Moms was lowed to have their badges covered. we have a President who admires the called to the front of the federal courthouse. My experience yesterday included the fol- authoritarian dictator-style tactics of We went. We stood—arms linked—facing the lowing: About 2,000 people gathered, chanted, Duterte in the Philippines and who ad- building, creating a wall of protection be- gave speeches, and danced in the blocks in mires the Crown Prince, who assas- tween protesters and the building. We were front of the Justice Center and Federal sinated and dismembered an American- moms called to use our privilege to keep oth- Building in the name of Black Lives Matter. based reporter for the Washington ers safe, and we tried. People were serious about wearing masks. A Post. We have a President who admires While we stood, arms linked, officers in fa- small, white plane circled the protest area Putin, who crushes the civil rights of tigues and gas masks (we assume were fed- repeatedly. It appeared to be the same or eral, they were unidentified) rushed from the similar aircraft of the plane that circled ear- his people. We have a President who building and from behind us. There was no lier protests around Revolution Hall. There admires the strong-arm tactics warning. They took a woman to the ground were a few protesters trying to block a door Erdogan is employing in Turkey. That and hog-tied her on the steps of the Court- of the Federal Building and post graffiti. One is what we have. Until now, he didn’t house. They swiped at cell phones and yelled of the chants we shouted in front of the Fed- bring the secret police to the streets of at us from behind gas masks. They pointed eral Building was, ‘‘Tell me what democracy America; now he has. weapons at us. Us. We were non-violent, looks like.’’ Then ‘‘this is what democracy I am going to try a different way of peaceful demonstrators. We were moms in looks like.’’ We were all using our voices. conveying what is going on and do it in Converse sneakers holding flowers. I am still The next moment, though, about 15 to 20 the voices of women who were there at trembling at the sight of their weapons large men in camouflage and military gear pointed at us. I have never felt so threatened appeared like they were ready for war. They the protests 2 nights ago to try to con- and unsafe as I did at that moment. I had the had no name tags or identifiers. We had no vey what is happening on the streets of realization that these officers really are not idea if they were soldiers, what branch they Portland and how terribly, terribly here to protect, they are here to harm. Were were from, or why they were there. Almost wrong it is. we going to be shot? Would I be struck in the all of them were holding pepper spray guns

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:37 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G23JY6.009 S23JYPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE July 23, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4437 and looked like they had customized side- Honestly, the leaf blowers helped so much them in camouflage, and they have arms. They stood under the eaves of the Fed- on Monday. I was wishing that the dads given them armaments. They have eral Building. The Wall of Moms were there would come out in force again Tuesday be- taught them tactics that, in effect, in yellow T-shirts, stretch pants, and sneak- cause the moms got gassed bad. It was bru- turn them into military-style forces. ers, basically. There was a long line—more tal. I am still coughing and burning 4 hours They have become secret police when than a block long—facing the Federal Build- later. ing. We were trying to stand in front of all Come on, dads. Until we have meaningful they are unidentified. They are like the the other protesters who had already been change, the protests will continue. Don’t little, green men in Russia who show gassed for some 50-plus days, thinking that give up yet. up at demonstrations and throw people Trump’s military would not fire on moms. Krista makes a point that I want to into vans to disappear them. That is We were wrong. There was no ask by officers accentuate time and again: Black what they have been doing in Oregon. in front of us to step back, move, or do any- So whereas before the National Guard thing at all. The officers started kicking tear Americans have been protesting, put- ting their lives at risk night after might have been called out as a show of gas directly at us, shoving a nearby mom in force to restore order, now we have a the neck, and pepper-spraying another mom night after night—all kinds of pro- in the face at close range. testers coming together and all kinds perniciously different use of military I had not been tear-gassed before and can’t of skin color coming together in order force in the name of law enforcement. I will say, as someone whose career believe that it’s allowed, especially with to say Black lives matter and that we as a U.S. attorney and then as an at- such frequency. It produces violent and im- have to end systemic racism. mediate bodily reactions and should not be torney general for 20 years was in- My colleague is here to speak. used on peaceful protesters. There is a near- volved in law enforcement, I am immediate reaction. You can’t see without Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to reserve the balance of my ashamed and embarrassed to use, in ef- pain of blinking. It feels like you are inhal- fect, secret police in this way, sup- ing fire into your lungs and like your skin is time. being burned. My lungs are still burning 24 The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. posedly in the name of law enforce- ment but, in reality, as a political tool. hours later. These are weapons of war that FISCHER). Without objection, it is so should not be used on Portlanders exercising ordered. If you have any doubt about the polit- their constitutional right to freedom or as- The Senator from Connecticut. ical purposes here, just watch the lat- sembly. If, after 54 days, officers are still Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam Presi- est Trump ads, which are the other side using these weapons of war and it is not dent, I thank my colleague from Or- of this coin—raising fear, exhorting working, we should be asking why—why they people to panic, and then responding on are still deemed effective or legal. Just be- egon for his eloquence and for the power of his remarks. He speaks not the streets in communities with this fore the first tear gas was thrown, three to excessive use of force. four of the other officers tackled a woman to only for Oregon but for America. He Exactly what our Founding Fathers the ground and hog-tied her. We didn’t see speaks for every one of our commu- feared was this unchecked use of mili- where she was taken. At least four women nities and States that ought to fear tary power. That is why the bill that were arrested from that group. this overreach. It was, indeed, one of my colleague from Oregon has intro- Then she gives a reference to the the main fears of our Founding Fathers duced and that I have cosponsored is so story on the web and how to find it. that the misuse and abuse of our mili- very important, because there must be She also notes that Federal agents pep- tary and policing power—of violating a check. Accountability is vital. Iden- per-sprayed the first aid tent, which fundamental rights—would encroach tification is key. People need to know could be a crime when done in war. on our basic liberties. who these people of law enforcement Federal agents went by the Riot Ribs free Now, let’s be very real. Federal forces supposedly are, and we need account- food cart in the park and pepper-sprayed the were used before to restore order in the food and the grilles. ability from them. face of violence after the Rodney King We also need accountability through That is where she ends her com- incident, after the killing of Martin mentary. the Insurrection Act. In having been Luther King in 1968, in Little Rock in joined by many of my colleagues, I Thank you very much, Amy, for shar- 1957, in Oxford, MS, in 1962, and in ing your story of what happened the have offered a bill, the CIVIL Act, that going further back in our history, after would apply these same checks on the night before last. the Pullman Strike and after the De- I hope that all of America is recog- President’s power as apply when the troit race riots in 1943, but this time is President uses military abroad. He nizing that what we would never con- different. This time is fundamentally ceive of happening in America is hap- must be accountable to Congress. He different. must come to Congress and explain the pening—Federal agents, Federal offi- As my colleague has so powerfully cers, being deployed to attack peaceful purposes and the reasons for his use of described from the descriptions and the military power. He should have no protests. As these two women point photographs that he has brought to the out, there was graffiti, but it was not more leeway when he uses troops Senate floor, what we have here is not abroad than he would at home and vice violent. some violent encroachment by one From one of the other letters I am versa. If he uses American troops group against another and not just against American citizens, he ought to about to read, I note: some use of violence. We have peaceful There were young folks pounding on the be accountable no less than when he protests. In fact, the purpose and effect uses them abroad. The same is true of plywood that covers the doors of the Federal of the use of Federal forces here has Building, but that, too, wasn’t violent. The this policing power. only violence came from the Federal officers. been to incite and fuel violence. It was The importance of this moment can- the same purpose that Richard Nixon This next story was posted by Krista. not be underestimated. It is a moment She writes: sought to use Federal force when pro- of reckoning for racial justice, but for testers against the Vietnam war came So the nonviolent Wall of Moms just got justice in our entire country. I believe gassed for absolutely no reason. to Washington. It was Richard Nixon that we must act on both sides of the Then she puts in the tags ‘‘PDX pro- who said that law and order was the po- aisle. We have an obligation to assure test’’ and ‘‘Black Lives Matter.’’ litical issue of his day, but the use of that this power is checked, because Federal forces here is not to restore I don’t need cookies for being there. those police forces are coming to your Please. I have the privilege of taking the order or to enforce the law. It is, in- city and your community—to Albu- night off to let my lungs rest. Black and stead, to incite lawbreaking and vio- querque, to Chicago, and, potentially, Brown people don’t get to change their skin lence. to Hartford, Stamford, and New Haven, color to take a break from systemic and per- What is different also is the use of CT, without the permission or invita- sonal racism. Also, Black women have been unidentified, military-like forces. We tion of our local officials. on the frontlines for decades. The Wall of have seen a growth over the past years Again, it is a fundamental difference Moms is getting a lot of attention, but we in the form of such forces that are between many past uses of political are not the story. Abolishing racist systems available to the President to use. The power and this one. And it may be and ending police brutality against people of Customs and Border Patrol, the De- color is the real story. rationalized or disguised as an effort to If you want to get involved but aren’t able partment of Transportation, and other combat violence in the streets, but we to go downtown, please consider making a agencies have militarized Federal law know the purpose and intent and effect donation to ‘‘Don’t Shoot Portland.’’ enforcement agents. They have put of the use of these policing forces.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:37 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G23JY6.011 S23JYPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S4438 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 23, 2020 So whether they are the Department the little green men in Russia, coming taken an oath to the Constitution, to of Justice or Homeland Security or De- to sweep people off the streets and put an end to it, which is why I am partment of Transportation or the Se- throw them into unmarked vans. down here for the third day in a row cret Service, the goal is the same—to These pictures, I understand, are saying: Let’s insist that Federal offi- intimidate and incite, not to restore from 2 nights ago, and people were de- cers be identified by whom they rep- order. scribing to me how batons were resent, the agency. Let’s insist Federal The shame and disgrace to this Na- brought down—one on the neck of a officers have a unique identifier. Let’s tion is palpable. When our allies, when woman—how they were thrown to the insist that if their mission is to protect people abroad look to the United ground. This is showing maybe some of a Federal building, they are on the pe- States, they see us as an exception to that right there. I can’t imagine how rimeter of the Federal building, not the rule of force unchecked by the rule terrified this woman was. sweeping through the streets of Port- of law. Too often, force, not law, ap- Think about this: Within this week land, throwing people into unmarked plies to subjugate rights. We are an ex- where we are recognizing John Lewis vans. ceptional nation because we believe in passing away—here is John Lewis on That is my amendment. That is the the rule of law, but what we are seeing the Edmund Pettus Bridge being beat- amendment I am asking to be consid- right now is a corruption of the rule of en by so-called public safety officers; I ered on this floor. Isn’t it our responsi- law, in fact, using the disguise and mis- think they were Alabama police, but I bility to debate when egregious things using the name of law and order to am not sure who they were; they have happen in America, like a strongman, push forward an agenda of hatred and badges; at least they weren’t secret po- authoritarian President trampling on bias and subjugation of basic rights. It lice—and this scene from 2 nights ago the Constitution by assaulting peaceful is a shameful and tragic time for Amer- in Portland, these women being as- protestors with Federal forces? Isn’t it ica. saulted by these men ready for war our responsibility to debate it and vote My hope is Americans will rise up, with every armament you can think on whether secret police are allowed in that they will object with their voices about, including impact projectiles; the United States of America? and, ultimately, with their votes. that is, rubber bullets and gas and I have been reading these letters I yield the floor back to my colleague flashbang grenades and batons, assault- from the women who were down there. from Oregon. ing these women dressed in yellow T- I will read one or two more, and then I The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- shirts. am going to yield to my colleague from ator from Oregon. I want to stress, as this last letter Oregon. Mr. MERKLEY. Madam President, I did, that for weeks and weeks and thank my colleague from Connecticut weeks before there was a ‘‘wall of As the two Senators from Oregon, we for bringing his experience in the legal moms,’’ protesters of every race were have heard from hundreds of people world to bear on this extraordinary de- coming down to say we must reform who have been protesting peacefully velopment of secret police being de- systemic racism in America, and they, over these weeks and how hard local ployed on the streets of America. too, were peacefully protesting, and leaders have worked to deescalate, and As we heard from the President, he they, too, were standing, often with how Trump, sending in these Federal wants to expand this model. It was arms linked. forces to beat protestors—peaceful first in DC. Then it was Portland. Now The outrage over the Federal troops protestors—has completely escalated he is talking about Philadelphia and being deployed with these secret police the situation, rather than deescalating Baltimore, Chicago and Detroit, Oak- tactics has swelled the numbers, in- it, all so Donald Trump can run a cam- land. In other words, all across Amer- cluding this most recent protest, but paign commercial and try to persuade ica, as the President says, where there let’s not think for a moment there you he should be President. happens to be Democratic mayors, he haven’t been people of great courage This story recounting is written by wants to go create that same mayhem. week after week, many of them orga- Joy, and she was down there with Thank you for bringing your exper- nized and led by the Black population Krista, so she starts out: tise to bear on this. and Black leaders of Portland. I don’t know how my friend, Krista, man- I had just read the story from Krista How is it possible—Edmund Pettus aged to take a picture during the madness of about the moms and the protesters all Bridge, where a little over a year ago I this moment. I could not see anything and getting, as she put, it ‘‘GASSED BAD.’’ was standing with my daughter and was struggling to breathe through the mass She said, ‘‘It was brutal. . . . coughing John Lewis, remembering what hap- of foamy snot provoked by teargas that filled and burning 4 hours later.’’ Then she pened back when, when out-of-control my mask. closes with, ‘‘C’mon dads . . . we have leaders sent well-armed men to bru- And she had posted a picture that [to have] meaningful change. Don’t tally assault peaceful protesters, and Krista had taken of her right after she give up. . . . ‘’ now, once again, we have out-of-con- had been gassed. I don’t think I have I was thinking about what I am de- trol men, the President of the United the—do I have the picture? I might scribing, as I read these stories, or States, sending well-armed men to bru- have. Let me see if we can—no. If I find what these women are describing is the tally beat peaceful protesters. How is it, I will put it up. transition from this setting, where this conceivable? Getting gassed was painful and scary, yet women are dancing; they are holding Protesters of all kinds have been still I felt secure and cared for by the several flowers; they are singing; they are working hard to basically say let’s helpers that aided us with water and saline chanting; they are eating ribs; and have public safety that works for all. eye washes. Several people checked in to see what unfolded a few moments later. But what is the President doing? While if we were ok and help. That is the beautiful And what unfolded? he is sending these forces to brutally part of this otherwise unpleasant image. Two of these stories, so far, have de- beat peaceful protesters, he is running This is me on my knees, being helped by scribed the sudden appearance of large strangers. The ugly part of this moment is campaign ads, and here it is: ‘‘You what happened before this . . . the moment men in camouflage, armed with side- won’t be safe in Joe Biden’s America. when federal agents blasted us with teargas arms, who shortly started to shoot Paid for by Donald J. Trump for Presi- and rubber bullets despite ZERO provocation them, gas them, spray them, throw dent.’’ from our line of moms . . . we were simply flashbang grenades, tackle them—in He is deliberately assaulting peaceful standing side by side with linked arms. one case, hogtie a woman who was a protesters in order to run campaign That’s it. For no apparent reason they shot few feet away. commercials that say he is a strong at a bunch of moms without giving a single And you can see how terrifying— man who can reduce violence in Amer- warning. Nope, no warning. No request to these are men dressed for war against ica. move. They just blasted away at us like they were playing a video game. women dancing and holding flowers. Let us all beware how twisted this is, This is beyond wrong. This is incon- how evil this is, how wrong this is, how I yield to my colleague from Oregon ceivable. These unmarked, no agency, much of an assault on the civil lib- and reserve the balance of my time. no unique identifier secret police— erties of Americans this is, and how The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- what my colleague just referred to like much we have a responsibility, having ator from Oregon.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:37 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G23JY6.013 S23JYPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE July 23, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4439 Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, I and I really pondered this as we were The Senator from Oregon. want to thank my colleague for put- listening to these nonanswers yester- Mr. MERKLEY. Madam President, I ting a human face—the face of Orego- day by a top Trump official. By the thank my colleague from Oregon for nians—on this Federal invasion of our way, he is in a top position now in the his intense representation of these State. Justice Department responsible for legal issues and the role of the Intel- And I want to talk just for a moment knowing about these legal issues that ligence Committee, noting that this and ask my colleague a question be- reflect the violations of the constitu- has all the trappings of a President cause, yesterday, here in Washington, tional rights of our constituents, and bent on the equivalent of martial law, as our constituents were finding this then he gets a bigger job, a bigger role operating in this rogue fashion, shred- horrific invasion of their constitu- in these issues. I thought to myself, it ding the constitutional rights of peo- tional rights—the moms and others, seems to me, without drawing a line in ple, sending Federal officers to attack when they were peacefully protesting— the sand, America may be looking peaceful protesters. what we saw in the Senate Intelligence down the barrel of martial law in the I was reading the stories of women Committee, I say to Senator MERKLEY, middle of a Presidential election. I who were down at the protests the was an example of just how discon- would be interested in the thoughts my night before last. The next one is from nected the Trump administration is colleague because I have been amazed Stephanie. from reality as they try to find these at the number of Senators who have She says: figleafs to cover up for their violation come up and said: You know, RON, that I went downtown again last night to peace- of the constitutional rights of our citi- really seems to be what it has come fully protest. To use my voice and my 1st zens. down to. Amendment rights. To feel safe—repeat: TO FEEL SAFE—against these anonymous fed- We had a nominee for a top legal po- My colleague is a student of history and has brought so much specific docu- eral agents. I wore: sition in the Trump administration—a —A bike helmet top position, legal position, that is mentation, such as the cases he has —Goggles greatly going to affect the constitu- been spelling out. I would be interested —A double mask in my colleague’s assessment of where —Ear plugs tional rights of the people we are hon- And I was still terrified. The #WallofMoms ored to represent—the rights that are he thinks this is going. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- stood locked, arm in arm, right up against now being violated, as we have said re- the fence line at the federal courthouse. We peatedly here on the floor. ator from Oregon. Mr. MERKLEY. I thank the Senator stood between these federal agents dressed in The nominee’s name was Patrick war gear and unarmed protesters shouting Hovakimian, and I asked him a couple for asking for my thoughts on this. behind us. Sweat poured down my back. The Just before he spoke, I had described of basic questions, questions that our Moms stood for hours. On my bike ride home the story of Joy, who talked about the constituents are asking. I texted [an individual] Geoff [not me] each hit that her friend Krista had taken I asked him: Do you believe that Fed- time I stopped and called Amy . . . to have during this chaos after she had been a ‘‘buddy’’ on the phone with me. Every time eral forces can patrol American cities gassed. I did check, and here is the pic- I heard a car, my heart skipped a beat. Is it over the objections of State and local ture of her. You can see her whole face a crew of federal kidnappers, ready to throw officials and away from Federal build- is inflamed. There are so many people me into a van? This administration has been ings? who can’t see. They are dazed, and chipping away at our rights since day 1, but That is something you and I get this past week in Portland has been an accel- their lungs are on fire, and Patrick asked all the time by our constituents. eration. Wake up, especially those sup- Hovakimian is sending best wishes to Then I also asked him: Do you be- porting them. We are in a crisis of great the people of Oregon. magnitude and we are about to lose control. lieve that unidentified Federal forces It reminds me of a cartoon I saw in unmarked cars can drive around Candace Jimenez, member of the when I was young in which Lucy goes Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, seizing and detaining American citi- out after it is observed how cold zens? said she came out to protest after the Snoopy is, out shivering on top of his deployment of Federal agents, and This is also something we are very doghouse during a snowstorm, and said: familiar with. I pointed out American Lucy goes out and says ‘‘Hope you stay troops, our soldiers who so coura- We have been dealing with that for 500 warm,’’ and goes back into her house. years. We understand the trauma, the ter- geously fight the terrorists, wear their Yeah—‘‘Best wishes, but I am not doing identification. Again, he just ducked rorism, and the harm it causes. a thing to help you out.’’ Bev writes: and bobbed and weaved. At one point— I would love for Mr. Hovakimian to and then he repeated it—he said: Sen- say: I will come and stand there. I will In less than eight hours, a group of moms ator, just give my best wishes to the helped me put together this #WallofMoms. see what is really going on, and if We tried in earnest to give the kids a break people of Portland. peaceful protesters are being attacked, by shifting the pervasive narrative that pro- I asked again for a responsive an- that is simply unacceptable, and as a testers are rioters. swer, and he wished us best wishes leader I will take it to President Case and point, we wore our whitest whites again for these people who are getting Trump and tell President Trump that to show we weren’t there to make trouble, gassed, like Sharon Meieran—whom we don’t do secret police in America. we showed up to prove that the feds are the the Senator and I talked about, a per- We don’t sweep people into vans, and if violent ones. . . . And we were right. Kids took down fences and did some sonal friend of our family, an emer- you really want me to take this posi- gency room doctor—getting hit with a skateboarding, two or three kids [banged] on tion, that is what I am going to change walls, but the other people were peaceful. tear gas canister—‘‘sending best wish- the policy to because that is what you I want to tell you that I didn’t vomit or es’’ to the people you and I represent. do in a republic. We are not a dictator- pee my pants after being gassed, but I did. I So it seems to me—and I would be in- ship. guess I lost control . . . and soon after I terested in the Senator’s thoughts be- That is what I would like to hear him couldn’t open my eyes. cause he has spent a lot of time think- say in response to your question to To be clear, we moms weren’t armed, [we ing through where this is headed be- weren’t] throwing rocks, [we weren’t] throw- him. ing water. That didn’t happen. cause we in Oregon were kind of the You asked about martial law. Secret We were gassed for chanting ‘‘Leave the test tube. We were the people who were police operating as rogue operators kids alone.’’ going to be first. The President has outside the framework of law, outside I want you to think about what’s hap- said that he is going on to other cities. of the cooperation of the Governor or pening in this country and ask yourself how Both of us share a great interest in the mayor sound like the equivalent of you’re going to help change it. healthcare. I sure as hell wish that he martial law to me. Heather was down at the protests, would attack the coronavirus with half Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, how and I don’t have her picture, her larger of the intensity with which he has at- much additional time does my col- picture, but I can tell you that she tacked our cities. We are going to talk league have? posted a picture. She is very pregnant. some more about that. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The jun- How gutsy I think that is that she was Let me get the Senator’s reaction to ior Senator from Oregon has 26 min- there, even as she is about to give what I think is the central question, utes postcloture. birth.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:37 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G23JY6.014 S23JYPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S4440 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 23, 2020 She writes: Rarely did these leaders start with Not here; not by our government; not I am . . . 9mo pregnant . . . and I stood be- majority support, but terror, combined by our people. tween the police and the rest of the pro- with the abuse of the elections proc- That is exactly why we are on the testers last night with about 40 other moms. ess—which we are also very concerned floor right now to say: Secret police— My unborn baby is the topic of many Twitter about—allows them to claim power not here, not by our government, and debates right now and symbolizes a thousand from the ballot box. not allowed in our Republic. Sweeping year old debate among those who want to people off the street into unmarked stifle women’s freedom. Right now I have It seems to me you are laying out even more power than usual and I am here to that it is our sacred duty to learn from vans—not allowed, not here, not our use it. this history, to bring this history to government, and we will put an end to I am SAFE. Thanks everybody for your the floor and, as I tried to say with re- it. Gassing, assaulting, and batoning concern. But we are NOT OK. spect to the threat of martial law, to peaceful protesters on the streets of Until all women can carry a pregnancy to draw a bright line when a government, our city—not here, not allowed, and we term . . . and birth without worrying about instituted to protect liberty, is being will put an end to it. unnecessary trauma and death we are not I yield to my colleague, who I believe OK. used to attack liberty. We shouldn’t, I show up for all of the pregnant women we cannot, and we can’t wait until we wishes to speak. who have lost their babies or their lives at Mr. DURBIN. Madam President. have a gun at our back to raise the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The as- the hands of racist and sexist systems and alarm. people. I show up for the women who have sistant Democratic leader. The government isn’t going to defend Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I had a hard time getting pregnant because of itself. The same Attorney General that the everyday stress caused by racism. I would like to direct a question to the march for all of the Black mothers who has taken an oath to defend the Con- junior Senator from Oregon through rightfully agonize about their children’s stitution will sit idly by while citizens the Chair. safety outside of their homes. I march for are detained without charge and vio- I thank both my colleagues from Or- anyone who has been injured physically or lently assaulted by the government. egon. I especially thank my colleague mentally by police brutality, citizen bru- The same police officer charged with Senator MERKLEY, who contacted me tality, systemic inequity, intergenerational defending our citizens will commit last weekend when the situation was trauma and poverty. I march for the White those assaults if that is what they are people finally waking up—see me and get unfolding in Portland and talked to me [me], get out, pay up, and listen! I march for directed to do. about his reaction to it and what he all of us because this is a problem for ALL of If the Executive and any government was hearing from the people of the us. When you say ALL lives matter take into served by the bureaucracy will take all State he represents. account what you are doing in your life to the power they can unless a brave judi- Of course, there was genuine concern improve the world for ALL people. . . . Are ciary and a strong legislature step up in the city of Chicago, which I am hon- you worried about my unborn child? (please and, as you have outlined here on this ored to represent, because this Presi- answer these questions in your hearts.) Get floor, say: ‘‘No more.’’ dent in the White House had been tak- the hell out there and stand up for a better This Congress has been way too pli- ing swipes at that city for years now, world for my baby and his generation. ant in yielding, and it has emboldened and we fully anticipated that the Madam President, I reserve the bal- the executive branch, led by Donald atrocity that was occurring in Port- ance of my time and yield to my col- Trump, to ignore the constraints that land could occur in Chicago as well. league from Oregon. have traditionally protected our lib- I just want to say to the Senator The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- erty. from Oregon: Thank you for your lead- ator from Oregon. So my question is—it seems to me ership on this. Thank you for bringing Mr. WYDEN. Parliamentary inquiry, you are standing up for these kinds of this issue to the floor and to the floor how much time does my colleague have of the Senate. on his hour remaining? core values of freedoms that are what we stand for as Americans and that This is an issue we should be voting The PRESIDING OFFICER. The jun- on. We should have voted on it this ior Senator from Oregon has 20 min- this has been the beacon all around the world for over a century. I believe what week. There was no excuse for it. We utes. have risen to the occasion before when Mr. WYDEN. Thank you, I will take you are saying—and I think it would be helpful for you to put it in your own a historic occurrence brings to our at- a few, and we are very pleased that our tention that the Senate should speak colleague from Illinois is here and has words—what you are saying is that we have to be out here working on your and express itself. We should have done been a very significant ally in this. it this week on the issue that you legislation and working on these key Senator MERKLEY, one of the reasons brought, and I hope we can resort to kinds of measures because without this I so appreciate your taking this time is this issue quickly—if not today, as effort, there is a real danger, on our that it reminds me a bit of what Jews quickly as possible afterward. faced in the 1930s. watch, that the light of liberty will I am a cosponsor of the legislation My family fled the Nazis in the 1930s. fade away? And it seems to me what the Senator is offering, and it is basic. Not all of our family got out. My fa- you are saying is that we are better It is fundamental. As I recall, and I ther’s great-uncle Max was one of the than this. will ask the Senator from Oregon, what last gassed in Theresienstadt, and Jew- I would like your reaction to that be- you are asking for is, if the Federal ish families saw that a democratically cause I think if you look at the march Government is going to send out the elected government can transform into of history, which in the Wyden house- so-called law enforcement protective a murderous regime before the eyes of hold is very, very personal—to have forces and such, that they identify its citizens very quickly. There isn’t lost family to Hitler’s murderous re- themselves and that they not come any bright line when it happens, no gime. I would like to hear your into a community anonymously, with- cinematic moment where everything thoughts about this kind of challenge out any indication of who they are. changes—just a moment, as we talked we face and how important the work in I am reminded of the Russian inva- about earlier, in which bureaucrats and front of us is to make sure that light of sion of Ukraine—eastern portions of lawyers and police begin to follow the liberty doesn’t fade away. Ukraine, the Donetsk region—and bidding of their leader while perverting Mr. MERKLEY. Madam President. Vladimir Putin was very careful that the rules of their Republic. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- his invaders not wear Russian uni- This was not a singular event. From ator from Oregon. forms. They were known as little green Europe to Asia to the Americas, demo- Mr. MERKLEY. Madam President, men. We have a comparable situation cratically elected governments were my colleague described how his family here where the Federal forces are not undermined and replaced by authori- was affected by fascism in Germany identifying the agencies they represent tarian regimes—often while retaining and how his family members died for but coming to the streets of Portland the trappings of a democracy. Bureau- fascism—attacking them, imprisoning in camouflage. crats claimed they were just following them in concentration camps, and put- The Senator from Oregon, I would rules, soldiers and police—just fol- ting them to death. Don’t we all be- like you to please, if you would, re- lowing orders. Then they just wished us lieve that every German citizen should spond. Has this not been the case? Has best wishes. have stood up to that fascism and said: this been documented?

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:37 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G23JY6.016 S23JYPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE July 23, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4441 Mr. MERKLEY. To my colleague loquy between myself and the junior committing those resources instead to the from Illinois, that is exactly right, as Senator from Oregon. efforts discussed above. seen in this picture and the testimony Let me say to the Senator that we It has been more than three years since then, and you have not replied to our letter of all those who are present. were concerned at the beginning of this nor followed through with our suggestions. Mark Morgan, the Customs and Bor- week, because of your experience, with We reiterate that these steps would be more der Protection Commissioner, said that what might happen in the city of Chi- effective in reducing violence in Chicago is not the case, and he said: ‘‘Our per- cago. Senator DUCKWORTH and I sent a than replicating the destabilizing role that sonnel are clearly marked as federal letter to the President of the United you have directed federal law enforcement to [law enforcement officers] & have States expressing that concern. play in Portland. With the right leadership, federal law en- unique identifiers.’’ They were not. I ask unanimous consent that the forcement can serve as valuable partners in They are operating, as you say, like letter dated July 21, 2020, to President supporting local efforts and helping reduce little green men, secret police. Trump, along with the press release violence in American communities, rather Mr. DURBIN. I would like to ask an- dated July 22, 2020, describing its con- than contravening local efforts and exacer- other question through the Chair to tents, be printed in the RECORD. bating tensions. It’s not too late for you to the Senator from Oregon. There being no objection, the mate- demonstrate such leadership. Is it not also true that many of these rial was ordered to be printed in the Sincerely, RICHARD J. DURBIN, Federal agencies have defined respon- RECORD, as follows: U.S. Senator. sibilities and defined areas of jurisdic- U.S. SENATE, TAMMY DUCKWORTH, tion? For example, in the city of Chi- Washington, DC, July 21, 2020. U.S. Senator. cago, as probably is the case in Port- President DONALD J. TRUMP, land, OR, there is a Federal protective The White House, [Press Release, July 22, 2020] service that has a specific building and Washington, DC. DURBIN, DUCKWORTH STATEMENT ON EXPAN- facility and personnel in that facility DEAR PRESIDENT TRUMP: You have indi- SION OF DOJ OPERATION LEGEND TO CHICAGO cated that you may send additional federal that they are responsible for. Is that THE EXPANSION OF OPERATION LEGEND WILL agents to the City of Chicago to conduct po- CONSIST OF AN INCREASED FEDERAL LAW EN- not the case in Oregon? licing activities that traditionally are han- Mr. MERKLEY. That is the case. FORCEMENT PRESENCE FROM FBI, DEA, ATF, dled by local law enforcement. We strongly U.S. MARSHALS, AND HSI, FOCUSED ON PRO- Mr. DURBIN. And in this situation, urge you to refrain from taking this action, VIDING SUPPORT TO EXISTING VIOLENT CRIME have these Federal agents of some dif- which is opposed by Governor Pritzker, TASK FORCES Mayor Lightfoot and other local leaders. ferent agency or whatever extended WASHINGTON.—U.S. Senators Dick Durbin their reach of jurisdiction beyond that This week, we introduced legislation with (D–IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D–IL) today Federal protective facility? other Senate Democrats to prevent you from released the following statement regarding Mr. MERKLEY. They have. overriding local authorities in this manner. the Department of Justice (DOJ) announcing Any involvement by federal law enforce- Mr. DURBIN. How far? an expansion of Operation Legend to Chi- ment in community policing activity must cago, Illinois. Operation Legend is DOJ’s vio- Mr. MERKLEY. Well, they have been be conducted in coordination with, and with present in the streets. I don’t know lent crime reduction initiative with the stat- the approval of, local officials. In this time ed goal to provide support and assistance to just how many blocks from the Federal of heightened tension, we cannot have fed- state and local law enforcement partners as building but certainly not just in the eral law enforcement operating at cross-pur- they work to combat violent crime, and gun perimeter of the Federal property. poses with local leaders. violence in particular. Durbin and They have swept through streets. They In recent days, your Administration has Duckworth are set to speak with U.S. Attor- have vans that have gone through the deployed federal law enforcement agents in ney John Lausch about Operation Legend streets. They have grabbed protesters the streets of Portland, Oregon, without any today. visible identifying information. These fed- ‘‘After needless threats from the President, and thrown them into vans. So they eral agents have reportedly used excessive we’re relieved the Trump Administration have departed significantly from, if force against peaceful protestors and de- says they plan to work with local officials you will, the mission of defending the tained residents in unmarked vehicles. Such and authorities in Chicago rather than un- Federal building. conduct is unacceptable anywhere in the dermine local law enforcement and endanger Mr. DURBIN. Directing another ques- United States and must not happen in the our civil rights, as their agents have done in tion to the Senator through the Chair. Chicagoland area. Portland. We will continue closely moni- What has been the coordination of On February 10, 2017, we sent you a letter toring the Administration’s efforts to ensure they follow through with this commitment. this Federal activity with local and suggesting a range of ways in which the fed- eral government could play a helpful and ‘‘More than three years ago, we sent Presi- State law enforcement in Portland, supportive role in reducing violence in Chi- dent Trump a letter suggesting a range of OR? cago. We noted that ‘‘[p]ublic safety is pri- ways in which the Federal Government could Mr. MERKLEY. Madam President, I marily a local responsibility, but the federal work in partnership with local officials to request unanimous consent that our government must be an engaged partner in provide support and resources to assist in dialogue be credited to my colleague’s public safety efforts alongside local officials, public safety, violence prevention, and eco- 1 hour because I am afraid my minutes law enforcement, and community stake- nomic development efforts in Chicago. While holders.’’ We recommended that your Admin- we are hopeful that today’s announcement will run out. means the Administration has reconsidered The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without istration take steps to assist local violence prevention efforts, including: and will take a more positive approach, objection, it is so ordered. Enhancing Department of Justice (DOJ) President Trump still has not replied to our Mr. MERKLEY. You asked about co- programs that improve community policing; letter nor followed through with our sugges- ordination. My understanding is that Directing DOJ to promote mentoring and tions. We reiterate that these steps would be there was not an invitation from the job training programs for youth and for- more effective in reducing violence in Chi- mayor to come, and there was not a merly incarcerated individuals; cago than any effort the Administration may conversation with the Governor. There Improving mentoring and violence preven- take to replicate the destabilizing role it tion initiatives and boosting funding for re- played in Portland.’’ certainly was no conversation with In their 2017 letter which they reiterated cidivism reduction programs; Senator WYDEN and me and the other yesterday, Durbin and Duckworth rec- Directing DOJ to abide by its commitment ommended that the Trump Administration members of the delegation. The Port- to help implement policing reforms rec- take steps to assist local violence prevention land police have indicated that they ommended by the Department’s Civil Rights have not worked in cooperation with efforts, including: Division; Enhancing Department of Justice (DOJ) these Federal forces. They may have Closing gaps in the FBI gun background programs that improve community policing; been engaged in what they call check system and in federal firearm laws Directing DOJ to promote mentoring and deconfliction, and I don’t know the full that enable straw purchasers and gun traf- job training programs for youth and for- extent of that. fickers to flood Chicago’s streets with illicit merly incarcerated individuals; Mr. DURBIN. Well, I don’t know if I guns; Improving mentoring and violence preven- Prioritizing career and youth training pro- am on my own time at this moment tion initiatives and boosting funding for re- grams to address lack of economic oppor- cidivism reduction programs; or—— tunity in neighborhoods hit hard by vio- Directing DOJ to abide by its commitment The PRESIDING OFFICER. You are. lence; and to help implement policing reforms rec- Mr. DURBIN. Fine. So I will still Redirecting resources that you are devot- ommended by the Department’s Civil Rights continue, without objection, with col- ing to construction of your border wall and Division;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:37 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G23JY6.017 S23JYPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S4442 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 23, 2020 Closing gaps in the FBI gun background place, again, with the knowledge and On February 10, 2017, we sent you a letter check system and in federal firearm laws coordination of local law enforcement, suggesting a range of ways in which the fed- that enable straw purchasers and gun traf- be printed in the RECORD at this point. eral government could play a helpful and fickers to flood Chicago’s streets with illicit There being no objection, the mate- supportive role in reducing violence in Chi- guns; cago. We noted that ‘‘[p]ublic safety is pri- Prioritizing career and youth training pro- rial was ordered to be printed in the marily a local responsibility, but the federal grams to address lack of economic oppor- RECORD as follows: government must be an engaged partner in tunity in neighborhoods hit hard by vio- [Press Release, July 21, 2020] public safety efforts alongside local officials, lence; and DURBIN, DUCKWORTH CALL OUT PRESIDENT law enforcement, and community stake- Redirecting resources that are being de- TRUMP ON REPORTS OF PLAN TO SEND SE- holders.’’ We recommended that your Admin- voted to construction of border wall and CRET POLICE TO CHICAGO istration take steps to assist local violence committing those resources instead to the prevention efforts, including: SENATORS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO BLOCK efforts discussed above. Enhancing Department of Justice (DOJ) THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROM DEPLOY- The expansion of Operation Legend will programs that improve community policing; ING FEDERAL FORCES AS A SHADOWY PARA- consist of an increased federal law enforce- Directing DOJ to promote mentoring and MILITARY AGAINST AMERICANS ment presence in Albuquerque, New Mexico, job training programs for youth and for- and in Chicago, Illinois. This federal law en- WASHINGTON.—Following reports that merly incarcerated individuals; forcement presence will consist of experi- President Donald Trump wants to send fed- Improving mentoring and violence preven- enced investigative agents from FBI, DEA, eral agents into cities, including Chicago, to tion initiatives and boosting funding for re- ATF, U.S. Marshals, and HSI, focused on pro- conduct policing activities that are tradi- cidivism reduction programs; Directing DOJ to abide by its commitment viding support to existing violent crime task tionally handled by local law enforcement, to help implement policing reforms rec- forces. U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D–IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D–IL) today sent a let- ommended by the Department’s Civil Rights Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ter to President Trump calling on him to re- Division; would say to the Senator from Oregon frain from taking this action, which is op- Closing gaps in the FBI gun background that the Department of Justice made posed by Governor Pritzker, Mayor Light- check system and in federal firearm laws an announcement yesterday that they foot, and other local leaders. that enable straw purchasers and gun traf- were, in fact, sending, I assume, a num- ‘‘With the right leadership, federal law en- fickers to flood Chicago’s streets with illicit forcement can serve as valuable partners in guns; ber of Federal agents—150—into Chi- Prioritizing career and youth training pro- cago in pursuit of an operation known supporting local efforts and helping reduce violence in American communities, rather grams to address lack of economic oppor- as Operation Legend. This is an oper- than contravening local efforts and exacer- tunity in neighborhoods hit hard by vio- ation which began July 8, 2020, by the bating tensions. It’s not too late for you to lence; and Redirecting resources that you are devot- Federal Government starting in Kansas demonstrate such leadership,’’ Durbin and ing to construction of your border wall and Duckworth wrote. City because of the death of a 4-year- committing those resources instead to the Yesterday, Durbin and Duckworth joined old young man, Legend Taliferro, shot efforts discussed above. and killed in the early morning hours Senators Jeff Merkley (D–OR), Ron Wyden It has been more than three years since in Kansas City on June 29. (D–OR), and 17 of their Senate colleagues to then, and you have not replied to our letter I received a phone call this morning introduce the Preventing Authoritarian Po- nor followed through with our suggestions. licing Tactics on America’s Streets Act, We reiterate that these steps would be more from John Lausch, the U.S. attorney which was also introduced as an amendment for the Northern District of Illinois, a effective in reducing violence in Chicago to the National Defense Authorization Act. than replicating the destabilizing role that man whom I was instrumental in se- The bill would block the Trump Administra- you have directed federal law enforcement to lecting and supporting and still do sup- tion from deploying federal forces as a shad- play in Portland. port to this day—his professional ac- owy paramilitary against Americans. The With the right leadership, federal law en- tivities—who gave me his personal as- legislation comes after a week in which forcement can serve as valuable partners in surance that what happened in Oregon heavily armed, unmarked federal forces in supporting local efforts and helping reduce was not going to happen in Chicago; unmarked vehicles were filmed grabbing pro- violence in American communities, rather testers off the street in Portland, Oregon. that this Operation Legend, as he de- than contravening local efforts and exacer- In February 2017, Durbin and Duckworth bating tensions. It’s not too late for you to scribed it to me, was in coordination sent a letter to President Trump suggesting demonstrate such leadership. with State and local law enforcement a range of ways in which the federal govern- Sincerely, * * * in the city of Chicago, the State of Illi- ment could work in partnership with local Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, what nois, to make certain that their activi- officials to provide support and resources to assist in public safety, violence prevention, happened in Portland, OR, is unaccept- ties were coordinated and known in ad- able in the United States of America. vance and that they were focusing on and economic development efforts in Chi- cago. We have heard the historical analogies gun violence and drug trafficking in Full text of today’s letter is available here from the senior Senator from Oregon the city of Chicago. and below: where authoritarian central govern- I have also been alerted by Mayor JULY 21, 2020. ments moved into an area and took Lori Lightfoot that she has received DEAR PRESIDENT TRUMP: You have indi- control. We have seen the historic par- cated that you may send additional federal the same assurances and briefing, as allel in the eastern reaches of Ukraine, well as Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illi- agents to the City of Chicago to conduct po- licing activities that traditionally are han- in Crimea. We know what it looks like nois. because history has shown us. We don’t So our circumstances are different dled by local law enforcement We strongly urge you to refrain from taking this action, want this occurring in the United from the ones that Portland faced. I which is opposed by Governor Pritzker, States of America. will tell you that we are going to hold Mayor Lightfoot and other local leaders. I am sorry for those who were injured Mr. Lausch and the Department of Jus- This week, we will introduce legislation with and bear the scars of this Federal in- tice and all others to their word that other Senate Democrats to prevent you from cursion in the city of Portland, OR. I we will not see in Chicago anything overriding local authorities in this manner. stand with the junior Senator from Or- like we witnessed in the streets of Any involvement by federal law enforce- ment in community policing activity must egon. We will call and we will pass, I Portland, OR. hope, on a bipartisan basis the reasser- I just want to say in closing to the be conducted in coordination with, and with the approval of, local officials. In this time tion of the basic principles of this Senator from Oregon: Thank you for of heightened tension, we cannot have fed- country when it comes to the separa- bringing this to our attention because eral law enforcement operating at cross-pur- tion of powers and when it comes to when we were alerted—the Governor, poses with local leaders. the dignity which we ask in the streets the mayor of Chicago—Senator In recent days, your Administration has of America under our Constitution. DUCKWORTH and I both jumped on this deployed federal law enforcement agents in I thank the junior Senator from Or- immediately and contacted the Trump the streets of Portland, Oregon, without any visible identifying information. These fed- egon. administration for clarity about what I yield the floor. was going to happen in Chicago. We eral agents have reportedly used excessive force against peaceful protestors and de- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- have been given these assurances. tained residents in unmarked vehicles. Such ator from Oregon. I ask unanimous consent that the conduct is unacceptable anywhere in the Mr. MERKLEY. Madam President, I lengthy press release, which describes United States and must not happen in the thank my colleague so much for com- the activities that are going to take Chicagoland area. ing down to stand up for the people of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:37 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23JY6.005 S23JYPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE July 23, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4443 his home State and say that ‘‘secret I reserve the balance of my time, and not been tending to it over the last 3 police don’t belong in my State, in my yield to my colleague from Con- years. city of Chicago, or anywhere in the necticut. I rise to support Senator MERKLEY United States’’ and that we should act The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- and his effort because I have watched on this floor to make sure that is not ator from Connecticut. what these other governments do at the case. Mr. MURPHY. Madam President, I the outset—these would be autocrats— We must work and fight for the citi- appreciate the Senator breaking for a what they do to try to gently begin to zens all across this country. It would moment to allow me to just a say few quell people’s interest in free speech. be the right thing for us to debate my words. I might pose a question to him, The tactics that are being used in Port- simple amendment that says: ID, and if he chooses to answer with the re- land, the tactics that were used just you stay in the near vicinity of a Fed- maining part of his time. down the street, in the Nation’s Cap- eral property, and you don’t engage in I want to make sure that my re- ital, the tactics that are being con- these attacks on peaceful protesters. marks are counted toward my time, templated for other cities throughout We should debate it. If people dis- not Senator MERKLEY’s time. this country are reminiscent of tactics agree with it, they should stand up and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Correct. that have been proven successful in explain why. Maybe we can come to a Mr. MURPHY. Senator MERKLEY and other countries to try to push people common understanding. Do you know I serve on the Foreign Relations Com- back inside their homes and to try to how rare it is for Senators to come mittee together, and what we have disincentivize their interests in speak- down and actually have dialogue and watched together, over the course of ing up against power, because, I am debate? It just doesn’t happen. On our time on that committee, is a rever- going to tell you, as word spreads that something as important as this, sal of what was called by some scholars if you run out to the streets to protest your government, you may be requi- shouldn’t every Member be here weigh- ‘‘the end of history.’’ There was this sitioned and shoved into an unmarked ing in and considering it? idea that democracy was going to be vehicle, if you are a single mom, who How much time do I have left? triumphant in the world; that in the can’t disappear for an hour, never mind The PRESIDING OFFICER. The jun- wake of the fall of the Soviet Union a day, you aren’t going to be that in- ior Senator from Oregon has 18 min- and the Berlin Wall, democracy— terested in going out and speaking utes. participatory, open democracies—and freely. All of a sudden, if the govern- Mr. MERKLEY. I am going to read capitalist economies had, effectively, ment is starting to come down like a another story from a woman who was won the fight and that it was just a ton of bricks with Federal troops, with at the protest 2 nights ago. Her name is matter of time before the rest the sweeps of peaceful protesters off the Tiffany. She says: world was living in a system like ours that respects the rule of law and allows streets and into confinement, it does I was there. Let it be known that police start to chill people’s interest in stand- fired on peaceful protesters. The Feds are for those who want to protest their ing up. And that is why governments here. This is really happening in #portland. government to do so under the protec- across the world have tried to pioneer . . . knowing the risks, in the middle of a tion of law. And much of our outreach these practices. pandemic, mothers of our city formed a to the Communist Party in China dur- They say they are still democracies. chain to protect the peaceful protesters. We ing the 1980s and 1990s came under the stood united with flowers, yellow shirts . . . They say they still observe the rule of presumption that even China would and peace signs. law, but, then, when people try to go eventually fall under the crushing I thought I would put up again the out and protest, they throw the mili- weight of an advancing democracy. tary at them. They start to snatch peo- picture of this protester with her flow- We now know that to not be true be- ers. ple off the streets, and, all of a sudden, cause we are at a moment in time in people start to think to themselves She continues: which we hear on the Foreign Rela- Behind the safety of their fence, the police that they are better off just staying in tions Committee uninterrupted testi- their homes. They are better off not fired upon a small number of us with their mony of countries that we would have, ‘‘non-lethal’’ bullets. As a symbol, I used my protesting their government because baby’s blanket to attempt to shield myself. even just a decade ago, accepted and the consequences now feel too signifi- They therefore knew exactly what they were named as a democracy, starting to cant. doing. They heard our peaceful calls and slide away from the rule of law, away I know, Senator MERKLEY, that a lot fired anyway. from the protection of speech into of folks claim that we are engaged in a When the fence fell, and the mothers con- something else. hyperbole when we talk about the risks tinued to protest peacefully from the side, Now, you don’t go from a democracy the police threw tear gas at us. We had to to democracy presented by this admin- into an autocracy overnight. So many istration, but through our collective [scatter] into the streets, stumbling, trying of the countries we are concerned to keep our masks on, trying to avoid more seats on the Senate Foreign Relations gas and cars. about are in that transition. We hope Committee, we see what is happening When we attempted to regroup, the Feds that an active United States, playing a around the world. We see the ways in had arrived. Some of us just trying to make role for democracy promotion in the which, drip by drip, an open our way to our cars, found our way blocked world, can help pull them back. But it participatory democracy can all of a by federal agents in full combat gear. is a reminder—it is a reminder—that sudden start to foreclose the rights of Full combat gear. democracy in many ways is a very un- people to be able to petition their gov- They too fired gas at unarmed protesters, natural mechanism to control or run ernment. including myself. I yelled ‘‘You are in viola- your life or society. We should just remember that over tion of the US Constitution. You are in vio- I always remind my constituents the course of history, it is .001 percent lation of the Bill of Rights. I own my home back home that there aren’t many of citizens who have lived in a democ- in Portland, Oregon. I pay my taxes in Port- other things in life that are really im- racy. This is not actually how the land, Oregon. I have a right to walk on my portant that you run by democratic world has chosen to organize itself. We own street without being assaulted by my vote. You don’t run your business by government. I have a right to be here’’. . . . now have these templates. We now They silenced us with more gas. democratic vote. Your kid’s sports have these models provided to us by See the images for yourself. team doesn’t run by democratic vote. I people like the leader in Turkey or the When the government attempts to take love my 8-year-old and 11-year-old, but new President in the Philippines by your liberty, that is when it is appropriate to they don’t get an equal vote in the de- which we should be cautioned in the risk your life. Nonetheless, you will notice cisions in my household. ways in which we start to constrain we took every precaution to stop the spread. Democracy is fairly unnatural. We speech, the ways in which we start to Every single one of us wore a mask. We had don’t really choose it as a mechanism punish speech, the ways in which we people spraying hand sanitizer from spray to run other institutions in this coun- bottles. But you know, once you got gassed, start to make people believe that there it is very hard not to spread water droplets. try, but we reserve it for government. is so much risk in speaking out against Gas makes your nose and eyes pour water We reserve it for government, but it their government that they are better like a faucet! Not necessarily nonlethal force only remains, it only survives, it only off just accepting whatever comes their when we are in the middle of a Pandemic. perseveres if we tend to it, and we have way.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:37 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G23JY6.019 S23JYPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S4444 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 23, 2020 So I come to the floor today as some- Accountability is also a cornerstone there was no violence except the vio- one who introduced legislation requir- of the rule of law. The only way that lence of the Federal agents against ing the identification of military forces we can aggrieve abuses of power is to them. when they are doing crowd control. know who committed those abuses of Here is another such letter: The minute that I saw those unmarked power. I am a mom. I am a nurse. I live in Port- officers on the streets of the Nation’s Listen, these troops or these riot offi- land. I was peacefully protesting police bru- Capital, I knew how dangerous it was. cers were ordered to be in that space. tality and racism tonight alongside other I know enough about the history of our Let’s be honest that the vast majority moms as part of the protests in downtown own country to know that vigilante of these patriotic law enforcement offi- Portland. I had my arms linked with my own justice, masked from identification, is mom and my close friend when Federal cers are trying to do the right thing. agents in camo rushed us with guns pointed. reminiscent of some of the worst mo- But we know, because we have seen the They paused for a split second (as if to con- ments in American history. I know video, that there have been repeated— sider if they were really going to enact vio- that we should be students of our own repeated—abuses on the streets of lence on a group of unarmed moms) then history to understand the danger to de- Portland, on the streets of New York they pushed people down to my left. We were mocracy presented by unidentified, un- City, and on the streets of the Nation’s [chanting] ‘‘don’t hurt our kids.’’ They threw accountable agents of justice, but I Capital. When those occur, frankly, it flash-bangs at our feet. They tear gassed the also know, as a student of the world should be in the interest of law en- crowd. today, that there are plenty of exam- I will not be silent. This is not ok. Don’t forcement leadership themselves to be just consume the line that it is a bunch of ples overseas that should caution us as able to hold those individuals account- anarchists the police and feds are attacking. well. able so that we can make sure that the That is not ok. Black lives matter. Maybe there isn’t a question in there, blame is not ascribed to every single I have many more letters of people Senator MERKLEY, but I am just so ap- individual who is uniformed and on explaining what happened. They all are preciative of your efforts, so appre- these streets, but that we hold the spe- basically the same: There were some ciative that you have allowed me and cific individuals, or the individuals the legislation that I have offered with kids doing some graffiti; there was who ordered them to take those ac- some pounding on the door of the Fed- Senator SCHUMER to require identifica- tions, accountable. eral courthouse, but there was no vio- tion of Federal security forces to be So as a broad question, Americans added to the bill that you are offering. lence. The only violence came from the should want to know what agency Feds attacking the peaceful protesters. I will be with you every step of the these individuals are representing, and way, if we are not successful in getting I am going to reserve the balance of they should at least have a badge num- my time. I see my colleague is here it included in the legislation pending ber attached to them so that we can today, to make sure it finds a way into from the State of Utah. make sure that individual actions have I yield the floor. law. I think your legislation is a cor- a line of accountability. But I would The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- nerstone of our strategy to protect de- argue that the agency themselves ator from Oregon. mocracy for the next 240 years. should want that if they are really in Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I Mr. MERKLEY. Would my colleague the business of making sure that any would inquire how much time I have from Connecticut yield for a question? abuses of power by their officers or by Mr. MURPHY. I would. remaining, please. Mr. MERKLEY. For clarification, their soldiers or by their police are The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- will my question be credited to my col- held to account as well. ator has 12 minutes postcloture time league’s time, and can I ask unanimous The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- remaining. consent that that it be credited to his ator from Oregon. Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I have Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I time? been using this time to share stories The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. thank my colleague from Connecticut from women who have been down at for his intense effort to defend the civil YOUNG). If the Senator for Connecticut the peaceful protests in Portland and yields for a question, it comes off his rights of citizens—not only of his State then as they relay that they are at- time. but all Americans—and for the truth tacked even though there is no vio- Mr. MURPHY. I would yield for a he speaks that, when you have anony- lence in the protest. And they are at- question, then. mous officers in war gear attacking tacked in an incredibly violent way. Mr. MERKLEY. Thank you. peaceful crowds and committing, real- This is not, of course, the story the You made the point about lack of ly, disturbing acts of violence against administration is telling the world, the identification. I have here the picture them, it is an unacceptable thing in President is telling the world. He says: of how these have been deployed. I will our democracy. There is violence, and we stopped it. make sure you can see it as well. He has noted that there was this con- The truth is, it was a peaceful pro- Many are in camouflage—the generic versation about the triumph of democ- test, and Trump’s Federal agents, police, with no sense of what agency racy as a strategy and it was going to dressed in war outfits, assaulted those they are part of, no unique identifier, spread and where we were going to find protesters, as you heard in letter after even as the head of their organiza- ourselves by this time was a world letter after letter. tion—it was later clarified, and we ruled by ‘‘we the people’’ governments It is almost like acts in a play. You found out, that they were CBP, Cus- across the land and how that is not the have women holding flowers, like this toms and Border Protection. case. sunflower, and some had mums. They He said: Of course, they have unique He mentioned several countries that are dancing. They are singing. identifiers and, of course, they are have been backsliding, and I think we Act 2, the camouflaged secret police, marked as Federal law enforcement— could add to that those places like Po- Trump’s secret police, come onto the which they are not. But if one of these land and Hungary. I believe he men- street—no agency identifier, no unique individuals, in the course of attacking tioned Turkey. identifier—and then they start assault- protesters, shoots them with a rubber It is tempting to be a strongman, and ing the women. That is act 3, the as- bullet that fractures their forehead and we have heard the President of the sault. puts them in critical condition in the United States convey his admiration These women are describing that as- hospital, would we have any idea how for these strongmen across the planet. sault in graphic terms. It is tear gas. It to hold that officer accountable if they But then he starts to bring their secret is flashbang grenades. It is pepper have no ID? police, fascist tactics to the streets of spray. It is batons. It is a woman a few Mr. MURPHY. Thank you for the America, and we have an obligation— feet away being hogtied. It is a woman question. under our oaths of office and simply as a few feet away being knocked to the This is what led me to join with citizens of this Nation—to stand up and ground. That is act 3. many of my other colleagues, as I men- say no. And why is this happening? Because tioned, including Senator SCHUMER, to I have been reading letters from the President likes the authoritarian, introduce the legislation in the wake of women who were on the frontline down secret-police tactics of dictators the protests in our Nation’s Capital. in the peaceful protests, clarifying that around the world and wants them to

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Heard several back and forth con- bate—long or short, as my colleagues Let’s understand that the President versations between the officers about ‘‘she would prefer—and vote. It is important of the United States is creating vio- resisted us’’ and ‘‘she tried to help her friend we raise our voice. It is important we lence in the streets so he can run cam- get away.’’ [And then someone else said] ‘‘if vote. It is important we have account- paign ads to say that he will stop the she’s willing to leave, just let her go.’’ I kind ability. It is important that we defend violence. That is this play. of scootched back on my butt into the crowd the Constitution of the United States It feels like a Greek tragedy. It feels and then some kind soul asked if he could and the citizens of the United States. like something that would never hap- help me up and get away from the gas, took The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- my arm and we walked up the block back ator from Oklahoma. pen in America—but it is. into the park. Some other kind soul asked if I have been relaying these letters we needed Maalox for our eyes (that helped a UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—AMENDMENT that describe it in so much better little) and then we were out of the bitter NOS. 2127; 2180; 2305; 2308, AS MODIFIED; 2399; 2431; terms than anyone can. This letter is cloud. 2449; 2459; 2484, REFILE OF 2421; 2486, REFILE OF from Karen—or this Facebook post is I felt sorry for the officers actually, who 2330; 1752; 1876; 2221; 2295; 2407; 2410; 2412; 2432; 2438; from Karen. were only doing what they were told by some 2439; 2436; 2446, AS MODIFIED; 2453; 2430; 2461, AS MODIFIED; 2437; 2471; AND 2429 She says: pretty evil higher-ups (to disperse nonviolent crowds by force), and as far as my experience Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask Mixed feelings this morning, waking up unanimous consent that the following eyes still stinging and a metallic taste in my last night, actually seemed to try to do their mouth after ending the night of nonviolent best not to truly hurt me (possibly because I amendments be called up en bloc and protest with the #WallofMoms being gassed, am white, female, and was wearing yellow to the Senate vote on adoption of the shot at, and manhandled to the ground with- identify as a Mom). amendments en bloc with no inter- out provocation. Here’s what happened. I got away with some scraped knees and a vening action or debate. The majority of the night was a calm gath- sore hip, plus the stinging eyes and metallic Before I read the names, which I will ering spent listening to speakers, chanting, taste which will soon pass. But also—worst— do, I make that request: I ask unani- a heavy heart. It really is senseless out singing, and marching. Toward 11:30ish, folks mous consent for the following amend- gathered on the steps of the Justice Center. there. I don’t have answers and am no longer convinced that showing up is helping any- ments to be called up en bloc and the I intentionally positioned at the front line Senate vote on adoption of the amend- with the Moms to see for myself the truth. thing. However, I am pretty sure if the Feds There were definitely some idiot kids hadn’t been called in this would have contin- ments en bloc with no intervening ac- yelling stupid and unproductive things, but ued to fade as hopefully productive real tion. I am going to list all of the mainly we gathered calmly, sweating in the change and progress were made involving the amendments so there is no misunder- heat, holding signs and chanting in soli- city government and PD about the actual standing. darity with BlackLivesMatter. More experi- issues—concern about police brutality and The reason we are going to do this— enced protesters told the Moms without gas social inequities for POC [people of color]— we talked about this last night. These but now look at us. masks to get a few layers of people back have been hotlined. There are a total of since they knew to expect CS gas again to- We should look at these protesters about 28 amendments. I will be naming night. The only physical actions taken be- who are calling for justice, for policing fore all hell broke loose is that some of the in the RECORD those that I am asking that treats everyone equally, and it the consent for: Sullivan, No. 2127; protesters were banging and kicking loudly doesn’t profile, doesn’t provide public on the thick plywood wall that had been con- Toomey, No. 2180; Rubio, No. 2305; Cruz, structed to block the entrance to the Justice safety protection to some and ignore No. 2308, as modified; Grassley, No. Center. others. It doesn’t view some citizens as 2399; Fischer, No. 2431; Perdue, No. 2449; We waited and then suddenly some kind of the clients and other citizens as the Perdue, No. 2459; Tillis, No. 2484, refile bullets . . . started shooting out of a small threat. It doesn’t change their actions of No. 2421; Portman, No. 2486, which is hole cut in the plywood, I felt a few stings when they see a group with white skin a refile of No. 2330; Peters, No. 1752; like small pebbles or sand, it didn’t really versus black skin or dark skin. hurt but it scared me. Then some kind of Cardin, No. 1876; Heinrich, No. 2221; That conversation is being destroyed Klobuchar, No. 2295; Udall, No. 2407; smoky stuff (tear gas in hindsight) was in by the President of America. He is try- the air. I already couldn’t see very well since Schumer, No. 2410; Booker, No. 2412; my swim goggles had fogged up, but I didn’t ing to replace that argument for a bet- Duckworth, No. 2432; King, No. 2438; feel any burning etc. Those without res- ter America that treats people with re- King, No. 2439; Grassley, No. 2436; pirators started leaving when they couldn’t spect and honors the civil rights of all Moran, No. 2446, as modified; Cassidy, see or breathe. Huge loud noises and explo- with a different America where secret No. 2453; Crapo, No. 2430; Reed, No. 2461, sions (?’’flashbangs’’) were going off in front police are deployed to beat the hell out as modified; Klobuchar, No. 2437; War- and behind us. Some of us linked arms and of peaceful protesters and then put up stood together as there were (?where they ner, No. 2471; and Bennet, No. 2429. campaign ads to say that he will fix it. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there came from) all these big officers in black We cannot let this story go unan- riot gear with batons starting to push us off objection? the steps of the Justice Center. We tried to swered. At a minimum, collectively, all The Senator from Oregon. hold our ground but then one Mom a few 100 of us should say: No secret police— UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—AMENDMENT down the row from me was grabbed pulled they wear identifiers for agencies. NO. 2457 back toward the group of officers and they They wear unique identifiers, and they Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, re- started to drag her away. She must have said don’t go marching through the streets serving the right to object, would my something inflammatory, but she was linked of our city. They stay to protect the colleague from Oklahoma modify the arms and could not have hit them, thrown Federal property they are charged to request to include unanimous consent objects, or resisted anything. We tried to protect. They don’t attack peaceful pull her back to us for her safety and then to call up amendment No. 2457, an suddenly I was grabbed by 3–4 officers who protesters with flashbangs and tear gas amendment to limit Federal law en- were shouting to each other to ‘‘pull her and pepper spray and rubber bullets forcement officers from operating in a down, get her on the ground’’ etc. (indeed and batons. We don’t do that here in secret fashion on the streets of Amer- they shoved and pulled me to the ground, America. ica without identification; that there grabbing both arms and my backpack to do I hope all 100 Senators will stand up be 2 hours for debate, equally divided so). Someone from the Moms said, ‘‘let’s go, and say: Yes, let’s have a debate on a between opponents and proponents; they are surrounding us, we can’t do any- very simple amendment that says yes that upon the use or yielding back of thing now.’’ By then the swim goggles had to ID on uniforms—there are no secret leaked and my eyes were burning and tearing time, the Senate vote in relation to the and I . . . couldn’t see, and I just crouched police—and yes to staying on your Fed- amendment with no intervening action on the ground in a ball and put both hands eral property or the near vicinity if or debate? up. Then—I heard the officers asking if I was that is your mission, so we don’t have The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the ok. Asking if I could stand (I couldn’t since folks on an unrestricted mission of Senator so modify his request?

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:37 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G23JY6.022 S23JYPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S4446 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 23, 2020 Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, reserv- their benefits, not lose them to We have a President who has put this ing the right to object, this is an issue scammers. The longer we wait to fix plan together. We spent a lot of time that we have talked about for some this issue, the longer we are failing our on this. The Senate has been heard. We time, and we have spent a whole year veterans and their financial well-being. actually discussed this as we put to- on this bill. We have covered these We can fix that right here, right now. gether our bill. issues before. I do object to that modi- That is why I am calling on my col- For that reason, I do object to the fication. leagues today to adopt my amendment modification. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there to the NDAA—to protect our veterans, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the original request? to protect the great men and women objection to the original request? The Senator from Montana. who have served in the defense of our Mr. ROMNEY. Mr. President, I ob- UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—AMENDMENT country. ject. NO. 2481 I will stand by the Montana veterans, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, reserv- and I will continue fighting this fight tion is heard. ing the right to object, I am here to until we get this done. Therefore, I ask Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, every speak about a very important issue fac- the Senator to modify his request to year, the Senate considers sweeping ing our veterans in Montana. In Mon- include the Daines amendment, No. legislation to authorize operations of tana, we are home to one of the largest 2481. the Department of Defense and certain veteran per capita population in the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the functions of the Department of Energy. Nation. It is an extraordinary privilege Senator from Oklahoma so modify his The fiscal year 2021 National Defense for me to represent our veterans. request? Authorization Act provides a roadmap I am the son of a veteran, a marine. The Senator from Rhode Island. for spending for national defense, In the U.S. Senate, I represent Mon- Mr. REED. Mr. President, this is a spending which reflects over half of the tana’s brave men and women who serve meritorious issue, obviously, involving annual Federal budget. Its importance our country in uniform, and I have had veterans. But at this late juncture, is enormous, and its consideration im- the opportunity to hear concerns from after the weeks we have spent in delib- portant. Regrettably, the Senate in re- our veterans in all corners of our eration both in the committee and cent years has reduced consideration of State. That is why I am here today. then on the floor, it is not yet—this the NDAA to a perfunctory exercise oc- Last spring, the widow of a Montana particular amendment—ready so that cupying a couple of weeks of debate, veteran, Patricia Pardue, who lives in there is no opposition on my side. and little consideration of amend- Northwest Montana, approached me Since there is opposition, I would like ments. While I support much of what is with a heartbreaking story. Patricia to inform the Senate and the chairman included in this authorizing package, I saw nearly all of her pension benefits of that situation. cannot support its passage. that her husband had earned in service Mr. INHOFE. Mr. Chairman, I would I am most concerned that the FY21 to our country stripped away by a scam agree it is hard to find anything with NDAA includes authorization for test- artist. more merit than this. It is something I ing of nuclear devices. Where our This scam artist is also referred to as want to work very hard to accomplish. President fails to lead in global diplo- a pension poacher. This scam artist However, we do have an agreement macy and common decency, he seems was receiving Patricia’s full VA pen- that this would violate. enthralled with an approach favored by sion, charging her for services that For that reason, I object. autocrats and dictators: demonstra- would have been free at the VA. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there tions of military might over strategic Sadly, Patricia’s story is not a rare objection to the original request? partnerships and alliances. I am con- occurrence. There are bad actors across The Senator from Utah. cerned that, under this administration, the country taking advantage of inno- Mr. ROMNEY. Mr. President, reserv- we are inexorably trending toward a cent Montanans like Patricia, and they ing the right to object. new nuclear arms race, where dem- need to be stopped. After hearing her Mr. Chairman, I came to the floor onstrations of power have taken the story, I introduced a bipartisan bill to earlier this week to implore my col- place of treaties that made the use of protect our veterans and their families leagues to debate the administration’s history’s most dangerous weapons less from these pension poachers. proposal to withdraw troops from Ger- likely. My bill has the support of Senators many and to vote on my amendment Coupled with authorization to build a across both sides of the aisle, as well as aimed at evaluating such a move. new nuclear warhead, the Senate’s fis- the support of the Military Order of the As I committed in my remarks at cal year 2021 National Defense Author- Purple Heart of the USA, the National that time, I am objecting to the man- ization Act goes beyond the nuclear Association of County Veterans Serv- agers’ package on the basis that the modernization plan set in action by the ice Officers, the Iraq and Afghanistan Senate has not been afforded the oppor- Obama administration in concert with Veterans Association, and other mili- tunity to have that debate. ratifying New START. Rather, it takes tary and veterans associations. The proposed removal of our troops scientifically dubious and strategically This is a bipartisan bill. It punishes from Germany is a matter of extreme unnecessary steps to support the Presi- those who act illegally by providing ad- significance for our national security dent’s seemingly exclusive interest in vice or representation to veterans and our military readiness. A decision brandishing—literally—our military without proper accreditation from the of this magnitude should not occur might. Congress and Presidents of both VA. It is a shame we are even in this without the input of the U.S. Senate. parties have worked for decades to help position today, that there are people The failure to debate such a consequen- the world avoid repeating the precar- out there looking to take advantage of tial matter is a disservice to this ious situation of the 1960s; I worry we our Nation’s heroes. Chamber, to our Nation, and to our al- are starting a slow march back to that Today, there are no legal con- lies. edge. sequences for these people—these My amendment seeks to evaluate Like many Senators, I am dis- shameful and unpatriotic individuals such a withdrawal and affirm our sup- appointed that a simple amendment I who steal money from our Nation’s port for Germany, our support for our have authored to provide resources veterans. It is shameful. That is why I NATO allies, and our national security through the Department of Defense to am fighting to include this bipartisan interests, and it sends a strong mes- communities who are the home to sig- bill as an amendment to the defense sage to our adversaries like Russia. nificant military missions through our legislation, the NDAA, before us Therefore, I ask the Senator to modify National Guard did not receive consid- today—to protect our servicemembers his request to include the Romney eration. The men and women of our Na- throughout their lives, not just while amendment No. 1885. tional Guard are members of our com- in uniform but always. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the munities. They are our mothers and fa- Right now, we can take an important Senator so modify his amendment? thers, our husbands and wives, our co- step to do everything in our power to Mr. INHOFE. Reserving the right to workers and neighbors. The important ensure veterans and their families keep object. missions they serve help not only our

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:37 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G23JY6.024 S23JYPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE July 23, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4447 communities, but our national defense. nam. For more than 40 years, the Viet- ference report that both parties can The Department of Defense should not namese Government has provided in- support and the President can sign. only support the men and women who dispensable assistance in locating the It has been bipartisan. All these serve in uniform, but also the commu- remains of more than 700 U.S. MIAs. amendments—each group amendment nities in which they partner. This sim- This provision will enable the Depart- that the ranking member, Senator ple, straightforward amendment would ment of Defense to reciprocate by pro- REED, yesterday talked about—were have provided $20 million for the De- viding archival data and other assist- equally divided between Democrats and partment of Defense to support mul- ance to Vietnam. I want to thank Sen- Republicans. I have not seen it this tiple communities where certain mili- ators HIRONO and KAINE for their help way in the past. We will make sure, tary missions that serve the national in sponsoring this amendment in com- once again, that we have the same bi- defense are based. As communities mittee and Chairman INHOFE and partisan effort. across the country support our mili- Ranking Member REED for accepting I have said it many times over the tary’s missions, so, too, should our De- it. past several days and several weeks partment of Defense serve their needs. I hope that an agreed upon fiscal that the NDAA is one of our most im- I am also disappointed that the Sen- year 2021 National Defense Authoriza- portant responsibilities. There is a doc- ate has rejected an amendment to rein tion Act will address these concerns. ument I refer to now and then that no- in the dramatically escalating budget While I cannot vote to pass this bill body reads anymore called the Con- of the Department of Defense. As the today, I hope to be able to support a stitution. In that Constitution, it tells vice chairman of the Senate Appropria- conference agreement that supports us what we are supposed to be doing tions Committee, I have worked with our men and women in uniform and here. What we are supposed to be doing the Republican leadership and with their families, meets the defense needs here is exactly what we are doing Chairman SHELBY in recent years to of our Nation, and reflects the values today. strike budget agreements that have re- that have made American the beacon The National Defense Authorization sulted in parity between defense and of hope for generations. Act is how we fulfill that responsi- nondefense spending. At the same time, Mr. INHOFE. We are at the point now bility, and we have done this every amid a national and international pub- where I would like to make a few com- year for 60 years in a row now. It is a lic health crisis, the time has never ments, and I would like to ask our sacred responsibility we all have to all been more critical to infuse more re- ranking member to make some com- Americans, especially our troops and sources in public health, education, ments. This has been a long time in the their families—those in harm’s way. and business development programs. making. Every day they wake up, lay their lives The Sanders amendment would have I have said several times on the floor on the line to defend our Nation and maintained full support for the per- that this, in my opinion, is the most our values and freedom, democracy, sonnel needs of the Department, as important bill of the year. It is some- and peace. well as the critical medical research thing we have done every year. This Right now, the main challenge to our supported through the Department of will be the 60th consecutive year that security comes from authoritarian re- Defense. It would, however, have also we have actually done this bill. gimes that stand against all of our val- taken some of the Department’s sweep- It is never easy. One reason it is not ues. I am talking about China and Rus- ing budget and reserved it for under- easy is because everybody knows it is sia and others—primarily China and funded domestic needs. This is long going to pass, so people want to be a Russia. overdue. part of it and put their many amend- The way we win against our adver- The Senate will pass this bill today, ments that aren’t even germane on this saries is by making sure our fights and we will need to reconcile dif- bill. We are now to the point where, in never start by sending a strong mes- ferences with the House. While I will just a few minutes, we are going to be sage that ‘‘you can’t win; don’t even not vote for the Senate bill as it cur- voting on the final passage of the Na- try.’’ That is what we are doing with rently stands, there are many provi- tional Defense Authorization Act for this bill. sions that merit support. The bill con- Fiscal Year 2021. The National Defense Strategy Com- tinues a streak in recent years of im- When Senator REED and I introduced mission report is significant because proving support for the health and this bill, we thought we had a good bill. this is the second time now we have safety of military servicemembers and The bill was really led by the Members. done this. This is a book that was put their families and, this year, also au- This never happened before. We started together by six leading Democrats, six thorizes $44 million for vaccine and off with over 700 requests and amend- leading Republicans—all very knowl- biotech research support for COVID–19 ments so that the Members themselves edgeable on this issue. It is called the response that benefits everyone. The have drawn this bill together. It is not ‘‘Common Defense.’’ This is what we bill includes limitations on the use of as if it is put together by a committee; have used as our blueprint. We stayed the military against protestors, fol- it was put together by all of us here in pure with that all the way through. lowing the administration’s actions the Chamber. The committee approved The NDAA makes sure that we have against protestors in the Nation’s Cap- it 25 to 2. That is overwhelming. I the personnel, the equipment, the itol, and the photo-op that followed. It think everyone understands that. training, and the organization needed includes a provision to begin the proc- We filed it with the hopes of adding a to support the strategy that is found in ess for renaming U.S. military facili- few more amendments on the Senate this book. If we get it right, we will be ties named after Confederate generals. floor. We did that. We added more than set on a steady course toward a peace- Our bases today should reflect the 140 amendments altogether. We even ful, free, and prosperous world—not foundational belief that we are all cre- had some debates and rollcall votes on just for us but for our children and our ated equal, not glorify those who amendments, something we haven’t grandchildren as well. Kay and I have sought to perpetuate slavery and de- done probably in the last 5 years or so. been married for 60 years. We have 20 stroy the Union. Now we are voting on a great bill, a kids and grandkids. We know some- I am also very pleased that a project bill that every Senator had the chance thing about this and the significance of I have worked on many years to heal to make his or her remark on. Once the this. the wounds of the Vietnam war has Senate passes this bill, we will still The backbone of all of this is our been advanced. Over the last 2 years, have more work to do. We still have to men and women in uniform, so this bill we have included an authorization and go over to the House and pass their is for them. The bill provides for a 3- the Appropriations Committee has bill. We have to go to conference with percent pay raise, the largest one in funded a project to remediate dioxin the House. We will do that. We have over a decade. It also takes care of the contamination at the Bien Hoa Air- done that every year for many, many families and makes sure their spouses base. This year, we also include an au- years. Our next step would be, of have employment opportunities, chil- thorization for a partnership with the course, to do the conference. dren have access to good schools and Vietnamese Government for recovering Then we will work to make sure, childcare, and they are all living with remains of missing in action in Viet- once again, this is a bipartisan con- a quality roof over their heads.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:37 Jul 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23JY6.006 S23JYPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S4448 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 23, 2020 These are priorities that go beyond lieve this is an excellent bill. I believe [Rollcall Vote No. 140 Leg.] party. That is why this bill has passed it provides the men and women of our YEAS—86 for the last 59 years in a row with bi- military with resources and the au- Alexander Fischer Reed partisan support, and that is why we thorizations needed to defend our Na- Baldwin Gardner Risch are going to do it again today. tion, while at the same time taking Barrasso Graham Roberts There is talk out there that people in Bennet Grassley Romney care of their families. It was crafted Blackburn Hassan Rosen Washington don’t really work that after a series of thoughtful hearings, Blumenthal Hawley Rounds hard. Let me assure you, they do in discussion, and debate on both sides of Blunt Heinrich Rubio this case. We have been blessed with a Boozman Hirono Sasse the aisle. It was passed out of com- Burr Hoeven couple of leaders, this great committee mittee with strong bipartisan support. Schatz Cantwell Hyde-Smith Schumer we have that put this together. Those Capito Inhofe Most importantly, I am very pleased Scott (FL) Cardin Johnson leaders include John Bonsell. John that this bill has had such full consid- Scott (SC) Carper Jones Bonsell has been working in this effort Shaheen eration on the Senate floor. For the Casey Kaine Shelby with me for well over 20 years, and he first time in a long time, we were able Cassidy King was a great leader of this group. On the to come to an agreement to debate and Collins Klobuchar Sinema Coons Lankford Smith Democratic side, the minority side, Liz vote on several amendments. In addi- Stabenow King has worked hand in hand with Cornyn Loeffler tion, we were able to adopt over 140 Cortez Masto Manchin Sullivan John Bonsell. The whole team has amendments from Members on both Cotton McConnell Tester worked together. sides of the aisle. Cramer McSally Thune Developing a bill that comes out of Crapo Menendez Tillis I want to, again, thank Senator Toomey committee with only two dissenting Cruz Moran INHOFE for his leadership getting the Daines Murkowski Udall votes is not something that is done Defense authorization bill to this Duckworth Murphy Van Hollen every day. I want to personally thank point, overcoming the many challenges Durbin Murray Warner those individuals on our side, and we Enzi Perdue Whitehouse posed by the pandemic and by other Ernst Peters Wicker will ask Senator REED to do the same factors that made this a very unusual Feinstein Portman Young on the minority side. year. I look forward to working with NAYS—14 We want to thank not just John him as we go into conference. Bonsell but John Wason, Tom Goffus, Finally, I would like to thank the Booker Kennedy Paul Stephanie Barna, Greg Lilly, Marta Braun Leahy Sanders committee staff who have worked so Brown Lee Warren Hernandez, Rick Berger, Jennie hard. I specifically want to recognize, Gillibrand Markey Wyden Wright, Adam Barker, Augusta as the chairman has, the staff director, Harris Merkley BinnsBerkey, Al Edwards, Sean John Bonsell, for the Republicans and The bill (S. 4049), as amended, was passed. O’Keefe, Brad Patout, Jason Potter, the staff director for the Democrats, (The bill, as amended, will be printed in a Katie Sutton, Eric Trager, Dustin Elizabeth King. They worked together. future edition of the RECORD.) Walker, T.C. Williams, Otis Winkler, They are diligent. They are bipartisan. f Gwyneth Woolwine, Katie Magnus, Ar- They are thoughtful. They are the best CLOTURE MOTION thur Tellis, Leah Brewer, Debbie examples of a staff member of the U.S. Chiarello, Gary Howard, Tyler Senate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant Wilkinson, John Bryant, Griffin Can- I would also like to thank my staff to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the non, Keri-Lyn Michalke, Soleil Sykes, on the Democratic side: Jody Bennett, Senate the pending cloture motion, Brittany Amador, Jillian Schofield. Carolyn Chuhta, Jon Clark, Jonathan which the clerk will state. We will cover those from the minor- Epstein, Jorie Feldman, Creighton The senior assistant legislative clerk ity side in just a moment. Greene, Ozge Guzelsu, Gary Leeling, read as follows: From my personal office: Luke Hol- Kirk McConnell, Maggie McNamara CLOTURE MOTION land, Andrew Forbes, Leacy Burke, Cooper, Bill Monahan, Mike Noblet, Don Archer, Travis Tarbox—who just We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- John Quirk, Arun Seraphin, Fiona ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the got his promotion to major yesterday— Tomlin, and, once again, staff director Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby Brian Brody, Dan Hillenbrand, Jake Elizabeth King. move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- Hinch, Devin Barrett, Laurie Fitch, Also, let me thank the floor staff and nation of William Scott Hardy, of Pennsyl- and Whitney Fulluo. the leadership staff. You have been vania, to be United States District Judge for Lastly, from the floor staff: Robert part of this process for the last several the Western District of Pennsylvania. Duncan, Chris Tuck, Megan Mercer, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Grassley, Cindy weeks, and you have done a remarkable Tony Hanagan, Katherine Foster, Hyde-Smith, Michael B. Enzi, Tim job. We thank you for that very, very Brian Canfield, Abigail Baker, Anna Scott, Marco Rubio, Lamar Alexander, much. You facilitated our efforts. James E. Risch, David Perdue, Bill Carmack, and Maddie Sanborn. Finally, I would urge all of my col- It is because of the tireless work of Cassidy, Pat Roberts, John Cornyn, leagues to vote for this very excellent Lindsey Graham, Thom Tillis, Deb all these fine people—we are talking bill. Fischer, Mike Crapo, Kevin Cramer. about the members of the committee, I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- the personal staff, and we are talking Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I know imous consent the mandatory quorum about the staff in the cloakrooms—I of no further debate. call has been waived. want to thank them all. This is our The PRESIDING OFFICER. The The question is, Is it the sense of the only opportunity to do that. clerk will read the title of the bill for Senate that debate on the nomination We are going to hear now from the the third time. ranking member, Senator REED, and of William Scott Hardy, of Pennsyl- The bill was ordered to be engrossed vania, to be United States District then, after that, we will vote and look for a third reading and was read the forward to this year’s NDAA passing Judge for the Western District of Penn- third time. sylvania, shall be brought to a close? with a strong bipartisan majority. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The bill The yeas are nays are mandatory Senator REED. having been read the third time, the under the rule. Mr. REED. Thank you very much, question is, Shall the bill pass? Mr. Chairman. Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask for The clerk will call the roll. Mr. President, I rise, once again, to the yeas and nays. The senior assistant legislative clerk express my support for the National The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a called the roll. Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal sufficient second? Mr. THUNE. The following Senators Year 2021. I want to commend the There appears to be a sufficient sec- are necessarily absent: the Senator chairman for his leadership and his ond. from North Carolina (Mr. BURR), the thoughtfulness throughout this whole The clerk will call the roll. Senator from Louisiana (Mr. CASSIDY), process. The bill clerk called the roll. the Senator from Arizona (Ms. I am pleased, as we all are, that we The result was announced—yeas 86, MCSALLY), and the Senator from Utah will be voting soon on passage. I be- nays 14, as follows: (Mr. ROMNEY).

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