E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 116 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

Vol. 166 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020 No. 3 Senate The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was Mrs. HYDE-SMITH thereupon as- flict, Iran’s authoritarian regime has called to order by the Honorable CINDY sumed the Chair as Acting President shown no compunction about kidnap- HYDE-SMITH, a Senator from the State pro tempore. ping, torturing, and killing Americans of Mississippi. f since its earliest days—or Iraqis or fel- f low Iranians, for that matter. From RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY the 52 diplomatic personnel held hos- PRAYER LEADER tage in Tehran for 444 days back in The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- 1979, to the hundreds of U.S. service- fered the following prayer: pore. The majority leader is recog- members killed in bombings carried Let us pray. nized. out by Iran’s proxies—Beirut in 1983, Eternal God, our Nation needs Your f Riyadh in 1995, Khobar in 1996—to the mercy. The challenges are too great to hundreds more killed or maimed in be met with mere human ingenuity. IRAN Iraq by the explosives and indirect fire You have been our protection. Shelter Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, attacks ordered by General Soleimani us until the violent storms are passed. I spoke yesterday about President himself, to the constant flows of re- Let Your glory shine on Your law- Trump’s decision to remove the chief sources and equipment that prop up makers. May their thoughts, words, architect of Tehran’s terrorism from despots and terrorist organizations and deeds prompt people to glorify the battlefield, and I discussed the Sen- throughout the region, Iran’s game You. Inspire our Senators to place ate’s obligation to approach this in a plan has been an open book: Use third- their confidence completely in You. manner that is serious, sober, and fac- party terrorism to inflict death and Eternal God, You are our salvation. We tual. suffering on its enemies while avoiding will trust and not be afraid, for You are It is right for Senators to want to direct confrontation. our strength and song. learn more about the President’s major The threat Iran poses is, certainly, We pray in Your loving Name. Amen. decision. Once again, I encourage all of not new. Its violence is not some f our colleagues to attend the classified unique reaction to President Trump or to Prime Minister Netanyahu or to any PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE briefing which the administration will provide tomorrow. The Secretary of other current leader. Violence runs in The Presiding Officer led the Pledge Defense, the Secretary of State, the the bloodstream of this evil regime. In particular, our colleagues who ap- of Allegiance, as follows: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, parently want to blame President I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the and the CIA Director will give a classi- United States of America, and to the Repub- Trump for Iranian provocative foreign fied context behind the President’s de- lic for which it stands, one nation under God, policy should reflect on the previous cision, and they will discuss the admin- indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. administration’s recent history. istration’s strategy to protect our per- f Iran exploited President Obama’s sonnel and defend our Nation’s inter- withdrawal from Iraq. Soleimani and APPOINTMENT OF ACTING ests in the new landscape. I would ask his agents filled the void and dramati- PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE every Senator on both sides to bring an cally expanded Iranian influence inside The PRESIDING OFFICER. The open mind to this briefing. Iraq. They were able to impose a sec- clerk will please read a communication In particular, we should all remem- tarian vision on Iraq that disenfran- to the Senate from the President pro ber that the history of Iranian aggres- chised the Sunnis, fueled the rise of tempore (Mr. GRASSLEY). sion began long, long before this news ISIS, and plunged the region into The senior assistant legislative clerk cycle or this Presidency. In the decades chaos. read the following letter: since the Islamic revolution of 1979, as Over in Syria, more weakness from U.S. SENATE, the White House has changed parties the Obama administration opened yet PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, and our administrations have changed another door for Iran. The Democratic Washington, DC, January 7, 2020. strategies, Tehran’s simmering anti- administration failed to confront the To the Senate: American hatred, proxy violence, and Iranian-backed Assad regime as it Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, steady support for terrorism worldwide slaughtered literally hundreds of thou- of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby have remained entirely constant appoint the Honorable CINDY HYDE-SMITH, a sands of Syrians and displaced millions Senator from the State of Mississippi, to per- through all of these years. more. Once again, amid the chaos, form the duties of the Chair. In effect, Iran has been at war with Soleimani worked and thrived. CHUCK GRASSLEY, the United States for years. While it Of course, all of this was the back- President pro tempore. has taken pains to avoid direct con- drop for the brazen, legacy-shopping

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07JA6.000 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S32 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 nuclear arrangement that sent billions ecution seems to have gotten cold feet. Speaker of the House is not going to of dollars to fuel Iran’s further vio- Nearly 3 weeks after the rushed vote handwrite new rules for the Senate. It lence. they claim was so urgent, they are still is not going to happen. Even my friend the current Demo- debating whether or not they even Look, these are serious matters. At cratic leader knew it at the time. Be- want to see the trial proceed. They some point in time, the Democrats’ fore he himself voted for a resolution of voted for it 3 weeks ago. rage at this particular President will disapproval on President Obama’s deal, The House Democrats say they are begin to fade, but the sad precedent Senator SCHUMER said: ‘‘After 10 years, waiting for some mythical leverage. I they are setting will live on. The if Iran is the same nation as it is have had difficulty figuring out where American people deserve a lot better today, we will be worse off with this the leverage is. Apparently, this is than this. agreement than without it.’’ That was their proposition: If the Senate does f the Democratic leader, who opposed not agree to break with our own unani- President Obama’s Iran nuclear deal, mous, bipartisan precedent from 1999 RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME and the Democratic leader was pre- and agree to let Speaker PELOSI hand- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- scient, for that is exactly what hap- design a different procedure for this pore. Under the previous order, the pened. Senate trial, then, they might not ever leadership time is reserved. The previous administration failed to dump this mess in our lap. f confront Iran when necessary. So the It is one cynical political game right mullahs used their windfall from the on top of another. It was not enough CONCLUSION OF MORNING disastrous nuclear deal to double down for the House to blow through its own BUSINESS on hegemonic aspirations all across the norms and precedents and succumb to The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Middle East. A Democratic administra- the partisan temptation of a subjective pore. Morning business is closed. tion just had 8 years to deal with the impeachment that every other House f growing threat posed by Iran, and it had resisted for 230 years. Now it needs failed demonstrably. Iran was stronger to erode our constitutional order even EXECUTIVE SESSION and more lethal at the end of the further. Those in the House want to in- Obama Presidency than at the begin- vent a new, sort of pretrial hostage ne- ning. gotiation wherein the House gets to EXECUTIVE CALENDAR So I would ask my Democratic col- run the show over here in the Senate. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- leagues today not to rush to lash out at Meanwhile, they are creating exactly pore. Under the previous order, the President Trump when he actually the kind of unfair and dangerous delay Senate will proceed to executive ses- demonstrates that he means what he in impeachment that Alexander Ham- sion to resume consideration of the fol- says—when he enforces his redlines, ilton specifically warned against in the lowing nomination, which the clerk when he takes real action to counter Federalist Papers. This is already the will report. lethal threats against Americans. longest delay in American history be- The senior assistant legislative clerk Wishing away tensions with Iran is tween the impeachment vote and the read the nomination of Jovita really not an option. The Iranians have delivery of the House’s impeachment Carranza, of Illinois, to be Adminis- spent decades making that perfectly message. It is almost as though this trator of the Small Business Adminis- clear to all of us. The question is House Democrat majority systemati- tration. whether we as a body would prefer the cally took all of the Framers’ warnings RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER administration to stand by as Iran about partisan abuses of the impeach- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- kills Americans or whether we are pre- ment power—took everything the pore. The Democratic leader is recog- pared to work with the President to Founders said not to do—and thought: nized. stand up to Tehran’s terrorism and Now, there is an idea. Why don’t we try shadow wars. that? IRAN Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, f Impeaching a President is just about the most serious action that any House now, in the aftermath of the U.S. mili- IMPEACHMENT of Representatives can ever take. How tary operation that took out Iranian Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, inappropriate and how embarrassing to General Soleimani, we need to be ask- on another matter, every day that the rush forward on a partisan basis and ing the right questions and remain House Democrats refuse to stand be- then treat what you have done like a clear-eyed about what might happen hind their historically partisan im- political toy. How contemptuous of the next. peachment, it deepens the embarrass- American people to tell them, for I have grown increasingly concerned ment for the leaders who chose to take weeks, that you feel this extraordinary about the strike against Soleimani and our Nation down this road. You can’t step is so urgent and then delay it in- what it might mean for the safety of say we didn’t warn them. You can’t definitely for political purposes. How American troops in the region and the even say they didn’t warn themselves. embarrassing, but also how revealing. future of America’s involvement in the It was less than 1 year ago that Speaker PELOSI’s actions over the Middle East. The President has prom- Speaker PELOSI said: ‘‘Impeachment is past 3 weeks have confirmed what ised that he would not drag the Amer- so divisive . . . unless there’s some- many Americans have suspected about ican people into another endless war in thing so compelling and overwhelming this impeachment process all along— the Middle East. The President’s ac- and bipartisan, I don’t think we should that the House Democrats have only tions, however, have seemingly in- go down that path.’’ That was the ever wanted to abuse this grave con- creased the risk that we could be Speaker a year ago. stitutional process for partisan ends dragged into exactly such a war. Back during the Clinton impeach- right from the beginning. Unfortunately, this contradiction is ment, it was Congressman JERRY NAD- Well, here is where we are. The Sen- far too typical of how the President LER who said: ‘‘An impeachment sub- ate is not about to let the Speaker cor- has conducted foreign policy over the stantially supported by one of our rode our own Senate process and prece- last 3 years. The President’s decision major political parties and largely op- dents in the same way. The first orga- making has been erratic, and it has posed by the other . . . will lack legit- nizing registration resolution for the been impulsive, without regard to the imacy.’’ Chairman NADLER was right 20 1999 Clinton trial was approved unani- long-term consequences of America’s years ago. mously, 100 to nothing. It left midtrial actions abroad. He prefers reality show At this point, they may wish they questions to the middle of the trial diplomacy and photo ops with foreign had taken their own advice. where they belong. leaders to substantive progress. As a Instead, what the country got was If that unanimous bipartisan prece- result, the President’s foreign policy the most rushed, least thorough, and dent was good enough for President has been dangerously incompetent. most unfair Presidential impeachment Clinton, it should be our template for When you look at nearly every in American history, and now the pros- President Trump. Fair is fair. The hotspot around the globe, he has made

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.002 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE January 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S33 the situation worse, not better. North partisans who are either sympathetic tional Security Advisor Bolton, said he Korea—3 years after failed ‘‘negotia- or inimical to the President’s interests. is ready to testify and has new infor- tions,’’ North Korea remains bellig- That is why the Framers gave the Sen- mation to share related to the case at erent, defiant, and intent on developing ate the responsibility to try impeach- hand. Republicans were dodging and ICBMs. Syria—after years of sacrifice ment cases. When it came to a matter twisting themselves into pretzels try- and struggle against ISIS, one impul- as serious as the potential removal of a ing to explain why someone with direct sive decision to withdraw our troops President, they believed the Senate knowledge of what the President did risks undoing all our progress. Russia— was the only body of government with shouldn’t testify under oath imme- every meeting the President holds with enough independence to rise above par- diately. Putin always seems to result in Putin’s tisan considerations and act with the I believe that illustrates the funda- coming out ahead. We are now at risk necessary impartiality. Will we live up mental weakness of the Republican po- of the situation with Iran heading for a to that vision? sition. None of our Republican col- similar deterioration. Right now, the Republican leader and leagues can advance an argument The President’s foreign policy ac- I have very different ideas about what about why this evidence shouldn’t be tions so far in North Korea, in Syria, in it means to conduct a fair trial. Demo- part of a trial from the beginning. Russia, and just about everywhere else crats believe a fair trial considers all To put it another way, none of our can be described in two words: ‘‘er- the relevant facts and allows for wit- Republicans have advanced an argu- ratic’’ and ‘‘impulsive.’’ I am worried nesses and documents. We don’t know ment about why it would make sense that a few months from now his Iran what the evidence will say. It may ex- for the Senate to wait until the end of policy will be described in exactly the culpate the President. It may further the trial to obtain all the evidence. same way. incriminate him. We only want a trial Make no mistake, on the question of As the President’s circle of advisers that examines all the facts and lets the witnesses and documents, Republicans has gotten smaller and more insular chips fall where they may. may run, but they can’t hide. There and as nearly all of the dissident voices The Republican leader, in contrast, will be votes at the beginning on have been forced out of the administra- apparently believes that a trial should whether to call the four witnesses we tion, there seems to be no one left to feature no witnesses, no relevant docu- have proposed and subpoena the docu- tell the President no. At times like ments, and proceed according to the ments we have identified. America and this, skeptical voices need to ask the desires of the White House, the defend- the eyes of history will be watching right questions, and Congress—Con- ant. The Republican leader seems more what my Republican colleagues do. gress must provide a check on the concerned with being able to claim he Another argument I have heard from President and assert our constitutional went through the constitutional mo- the other side is that it is not the Sen- role in matters of war and peace. tions than actually carrying out our ate’s job to go outside of the record es- In my view, President Trump does constitutional duty. tablished by the House impeachment not—does not—have authority for a Because the Republican leader has probe. I would reply that it very much war with Iran. There are several impor- been completely unwilling to help get is the Senate’s job. The Constitution tant pieces of legislation by both Sen- the facts for a Senate trial, the ques- gives the Senate the sole power to try ators KAINE and SANDERS to limit fur- tion will have to be decided by the ma- impeachment cases, not review im- ther escalation with Iran and assert jority of Senators in this Chamber. peachment cases, not go over impeach- Congress’s prerogative on these mat- That means four Republican Senators ment cases but the sole power to try ters. Both should receive votes in the at any point can compel the Senate to them. It is not the Senate’s job to put Senate. call the fact witnesses and subpoena the House impeachment proceedings on I plan to ask pointed questions of the relevant documents that we know a weeklong rerun on C–SPAN. Our job this administration at a briefing for will shed additional light on the truth. is to try the case, to hold a real, fair, I have heard several arguments from the Gang of 8 later this afternoon. We and honest trial. That means exam- the other side as to why we shouldn’t need answers to some crucial ques- ining the arguments. That means let- vote on witnesses and documents at tions, and there are many. Here are the the outset of the trial. The Republican ting the prosecutors request witnesses two that are most on Americans’ leader and several Republican Senators and documents to make their case. minds: What are Iran’s most probable This is not just my view. It has been have suggested that each side complete responses to the strike on Soleimani? the view of every Senate facing im- their arguments, and then we will de- Are we prepared for each of these re- peachment trial in our history. Every cide on witnesses. sponses, and how effective will our This idea is as backward as it sounds. single impeachment trial of a Presi- counterresponses be? Trials should be informed by witnesses dent has featured witnesses. Andrew There was some alarming confusion and documents; they are not an after- Johnson’s impeachment trial had 41 yesterday about the military’s position thought. Their reasoning and MCCON- witnesses. Several of my Republican on the future of U.S. troops in Iraq. NELL’s reasoning has an ‘‘Alice in Won- colleagues here today voted for wit- What, in truth, does the Soleimani derland’’ logic to it: Let’s have each nesses in the Clinton trial. Except for strike mean for the long-term stability side make their case, he says, and then one solitary case, every impeachment of Iraq and our presence there? How vote on whether the prosecutors and trial of any official, in the history of does the administration plan to pre- defense should have all the available the Senate—and there have been a vent an escalation of hostilities and evidence to make those cases. bunch—had witnesses. the potential for large-scale confronta- We know what is going on here. Our A trial isn’t a trial without evidence. tion with Iran in the Middle East? Republican colleagues, even Leader A trial without all the facts is a farce. These are just some of the questions MCCONNELL, knows that the American If the President is ultimately acquitted the administration has to answer. The people want witnesses and documents. at the end of a sham trial, his acquittal safety and security of our American Sixty percent of Republicans do. They will be meaningless. That is why the troops and of the American people are are afraid to say no, but they don’t President himself should demand a full at stake. want to vote on them because that and fair trial. IMPEACHMENT might offend the defendant in this President Trump, if you have nothing Madam President, on impeachment, trial, President Trump, so they are try- to hide, if you think the case is as flim- this morning, I return to the most ing to kick the can down the road. sy as you say, call your Chief of Staff. pressing question facing my colleagues It is a strange position for Repub- Tell him to release the documents. Call at this moment: Will the Senate con- lican colleagues to take. They are will- Leader MCCONNELL and tell him what duct a fair impeachment trial of the ing to kick the can down the road, as I you already told the country; that you President of the United States of said, on questions of witnesses and doc- would ‘‘love’’ for your aides to testify America? uments, but they are not willing to say in a Senate trial. President Trump, if The Framers suspected that any im- when or if they will ever support it. you believe you have done nothing peachment would ignite the passions of Just yesterday, one of the four wit- wrong, you have nothing to be afraid of the public and naturally would create nesses we have requested, former Na- from witnesses and documents. To the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.004 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S34 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 contrary, if you are afraid of witnesses In the Volunteer State alone, we What was their choice? Their choice and documents, most Americans will have 967 foreign-based businesses, and was to choose partisan politicking and believe you have something to hide and they have invested $37.3 billion in cap- leave the American workers on the that you fear you have done something ital improvements, and currently they sideline, leave these auto manufac- very, very wrong. employ more than 147,000 Tennesseans. turing workers on the sideline while If my Republican colleagues believe That is good for our State. Trade is im- they focused in on partisan bickering. the President has done nothing wrong, portant to us in Tennessee, insourcing We all know what happened. they should have nothing to fear from these jobs. In 2019, petty revenge schemes took witnesses and documents. In fact, they Of particular importance to us is priority and trade relations with our should welcome them. What better way maintaining great trade relations with closest allies were shoved aside to ac- to prove to the American people that Japan. Do you know what is so amaz- commodate a yearslong campaign. As I we are treating this matter with the ing? We have so many people who said at the beginning of my remarks, gravity it requires. What better way to didn’t even know that the Japan trade for 3 years they have wanted to undo prove to their constituents that they agreement went into effect on January the 2016 election. are not just doing the President’s bid- 1. The mainstream media was so busy In May, instead of prioritizing the ding and not just making this a sham focused on impeachment and other creation of nearly 176,000 jobs, House trial because of obeisance to the Presi- things that they didn’t even realize Democrats decided to spend their time dent of the United States. this was a deal that will do a good job drafting subpoenas. In June, instead of If every Senate Republican votes to for us. focusing on the 12 million jobs already prevent witnesses and documents from Our former U.S. Ambassador to depending on good trade relations with coming before the Senate, if every Re- Japan, who is a Tennessean, Ambas- Canada and Mexico, House Democrats publican Senator votes for a rigged sador Hagerty, had negotiated this be- held four votes on these subpoenas. trial that hides the truth, the Amer- fore he left. This recently agreed-to It was the same story in July, in Au- ican people will see that the Repub- Japan trade deal will support 40,000 gust, and in September. House Demo- lican Senate is part of a large and jobs that are already provided by Japa- crats pushed forward with their im- awful coverup. nese companies. The new deal will also peachment ambitions at all costs. They I yield the floor. solidify Tennessee’s relationships with had to do it. They had made a promise The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Japanese partners like Nissan North that they were going to go get him. pore. The Senator from Tennessee. America, Toyota, Bridgestone, Nidec, They neglected the owners of over JAPAN TRADE DEAL and Denso Manufacturing—all with a 120,000 American small businesses that Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Presi- presence in Tennessee and all employ- export goods throughout North Amer- dent, I have come to the floor today to ing Tennesseans. ica. They put themselves and their pri- start this new year by really encour- It is going to create greater market orities before the needs of the Amer- aging my friends on each side of the access to Tennessee’s agriculture prod- ican people. aisle to approach this coming legisla- ucts, specifically pork, cheese, and Even as late as October, the Speaker tive session with some optimism be- wine. It will eliminate or lower tariffs of the House continued to stall, invent- cause there are some good things we on 7.2 billion dollars’ worth of U.S. ex- ing excuse after excuse when it came to can do. ports, including beef, which will put pushing the USMCA negotiations to We come to the floor and we hear Tennessee and American farmers on a the sidelines in favor of partisan at- about Iran and we hear about level playing field with their competi- tacks. Even Members of her own cau- Soleimani. There are differences of tors. That is a good thing for our agri- cus sought to distance themselves from opinion there. I am one of those. I rep- cultural community. I cannot over- those attacks. resent a major military post, and I By the end of the year, the House state how big a win this is for Ten- know that so many of our men and majority’s resolve to ignore their duty, nesseans and for Americans, and there women in uniform said: You know finally began to splinter. what, this should have been done long is more on the horizon. They struck a deal with the White ago. This is a known terrorist who has CHINA TRADE DEAL House, but even then, the compromises conducted terrorist attacks on six con- Madam President, later this month, they pushed for were barely, hardly tinents, even tried it here in the United President Trump will solidify a trade worth wasting an entire year’s worth of States. They felt like the President deal with China that will eliminate or potential economic opportunity. There was justified. roll back the section 301 tariffs and was a lot of opportunity cost to busi- We hear about impeachment, and of provide some much needed protection nesses to make way for House Demo- course we know it has been widely re- for our patents and trademarks and crats’ partisan bickering. ported that our friends across the aisle copyrights that will allow innovators We have brokered successful trade and over in the House started 3 years in our creative community, like our deals with Japan, with China—deals ago trying to find something they Tennessee songwriters, screenwriters, that America’s farmers, manufactur- could impeach Donald Trump on—just TV producers, and our actors, to enjoy ers, producers, and small businesses something. It was going to be emolu- the benefits of a free market. This has have waited for, for a very long time. ments, or it was going to be collusion, been a long time coming. There is a lot Now, after a year’s worth of delays, ex- or it was going to be coercion, or it was more to do. cuses, and outright obstruction on the going to be Russia, or it was going to UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA TRADE part of House Democrats, we are forced be bribery. There had to be something AGREEMENT to ask those farmers and workers to there because, you know what, they Madam President, you may recall at wait just a little bit longer. It isn’t just don’t like the guy. They don’t like the end of 2018—not 2019 but at the end fair, and it certainly is not what is best him. So they have been at it nonstop. of 2018—President Trump notified Con- for our Nation’s economy and certainly They let that get in the way of some gress that he would soon provide us not what is best for Tennessee. good things that people would like to with implementing legislation for the In the coming weeks, I encourage my get done. newly signed United States-Mexico- colleagues to stay focused on policies For the next few minutes, I would Canada trade agreement. We call it the that may not dominate the headlines like to encourage us to think beyond USMCA. but that are dominating the thoughts subpoenas and trial and negativity and At that moment, at the end of 2018, of Tennesseans from one end of the witness statements and instead focus our colleagues in the House were put State to the other and certainly of in on three things that are right in on notice that this highly anticipated Americans all across this country who front of us: two successfully negotiated and desperately needed legislation was are looking for trade opportunities and trade deals that will benefit farmers, on its way. Get ready. It is coming to opportunities to grow their businesses manufacturers, and small business you. At that moment, the House ma- in this robust and growing economy. owners and producers not only in my jority leadership was presented with I yield the floor. State of Tennessee but across the en- the opportunity to prioritize American The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- tire country. workers over partisan politicking. pore. The Senator from Illinois.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.005 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE January 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S35 IRAN were killed, and $170 billion—now, in bring evidence before us. But so far, Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, this today’s terms, $1 trillion—was spent on the record is not very strong for that morning, the Republican majority a conflict that divided America and to happen. leader took to the floor and spoke at cost so many American lives. Congress One of the Articles of Impeachment, great length about the execution of did not exercise the authority given to the second one, relates to the Presi- General Soleimani. General Soleimani, it under the Constitution to make the dent’s refusal to cooperate with the in- who was the head of the military forces initial decision about that war in Viet- vestigation in the House, refusal to in Iran, was killed by a drone strike at nam. Many times thereafter, people provide documentation and witnesses. the authorization of the President of said: Why didn’t you step up and make For a President who is arguing that the United States, Donald Trump. the decision before this costly mistake there is really nothing to these Senator MCCONNELL, this morning, was made? charges, he has refused to provide even made a lengthy case about the back- If there is to be a war with Iran, I the most basic evidence to prove his ground of General Soleimani. It is hard join with Senator KAINE of Virginia in point, if it exists. to argue with the facts he brought to saying that the American people, once What we are saying on the Demo- the floor. In fact, I would concede and again, need to make this decision cratic side is that if there is to be a most would agree that General under the Constitution through Con- trial for impeachment in the U.S. Sen- Soleimani, in his time, was an archi- gress, article I, section 8, which pro- ate, common sense and the Constitu- tect of terrorism and that, in the vides, in clause 11, that only Congress tion require that it be a fair trial with course of his career, there has been has the power to declare war. evidence for not only the Senators but American blood on his hands. That is If we are going to proceed down a the American people themselves to see. fact, but it wasn’t a fact just discov- path to war with Iran, the American What we have asked for so far is lim- ered in the last few weeks. The Presi- people have the right to know and the ited in terms of what we are looking dents of both political parties have right to hear the fulsome debate. In the for: four witnesses and documents that known this about General Soleimani time I have served in the Senate, I can be clearly identified. Those are for a long period of time. They have have seen Presidents in the past who things I think should be part of this had opportunities to end his life, yet have come before the American people trial record so that regardless of the they didn’t seize those opportunities. with flimsy evidence or even mis- outcome of the trial, the American Presidents of both parties decided it leading evidence to justify military ac- people will believe it was handled fair- was prudent not to do it. tion. I know the bitter consequences of ly, in a dispassionate and nonpartisan The question that has been raised war. Even the best American troops are way. now is why this President, at this mo- going to suffer casualties and deaths in FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ment, made the decision to execute the the execution of a war. Madam President, I have come to the general. We know this general and his Let us make certain that if we are floor many times to speak to the past activity have had an impact not going to move forward with hostilities American people about an industry, only on the United States but on the against Iran, we do it under our con- the most heavily federally subsidized Middle East and many other innocent stitutional requirement to have a ful- industry in America today. No, it is people. The question that has been some debate before the American peo- not a defense contractor. It has noth- raised is, Why at this moment? Why ple and have an official declaration of ing to do with American agriculture. did it make sense at this moment? war before we move forward. We owe What I am speaking of are the for-prof- But for a few Members of the Senate, the American people nothing less. it colleges and universities of the most of us have not had extensive IMPEACHMENT United States. These colleges and uni- briefings or an opportunity to ask Madam President, secondly, I would versities, sadly, have written a noto- questions of this administration about like to address the issue of the im- rious record when it comes to the the timing of this critical decision. We peachment trial, which the Senate ma- treatment of their students. They have will get our chance tomorrow. There is jority leader, Senator MCCONNELL, often cheated their students, luring a classified briefing in which represent- raised this morning. them into signing up for expensive, atives at the highest level of this ad- Before I was elected to Congress, I often worthless college courses with ministration will come before us and made a living as a lawyer. I took many false promises and inflated outcomes if explain why they believe the Presi- cases to trial. Few, if any, ever moved they graduate. dent’s decision at that moment was the to a final decision without the intro- At the end, the students are left with right thing to do for America. So many duction of evidence. The evidence, of massive student debts, a diploma that of those who come to the floor and de- course, consists of documentation, is worthless, credits that can’t be fend the decision or criticize those who sometimes physical evidence, but often transferred to any other reputable col- question that decision really have not the testimony of people who were wit- lege or university, and the prospects of had the benefit of a classified briefing, nesses to events critical to a jury’s a job that is almost impossible to find. which will be offered to Members to- final decision. In many cases, these sham operations morrow. This impeachment trial should be actually go out of business in the mid- I am going to withhold any com- nothing less. This is an opportunity for dle of the student’s education. ments about those elements, as much us—a rare opportunity in American As an industry, for-profit colleges as I can possibly say publicly, until I history—to come forward and to dem- need to be remembered for two num- get the chance to have more informa- onstrate that we are going to handle a bers—two numbers that tell the story tion. But this much I do know: Regard- trial in the U.S. Senate in a profes- of this industry. Nine percent of all less of that decision on General sional manner. For the Senate major- postsecondary students go to for-profit Soleimani, we know for certain the ity leader, Senator MCCONNELL, to an- colleges and universities in the United Constitution of the United States em- nounce that there will be no witnesses, States. The University of Phoenix, powers the American people, through there will be no evidence, there will be DeVry—you have heard their names. their elected Representatives in the no documents in advance is to deny the They advertise quite widely. Nine per- Senate and the House, to make the ul- very basis of a trial, as I understand it cent of students are attracted to these timate decision about whether the and as most Americans understand it. for-profit colleges and universities. But United States will go to war with Iran If this President believes, as he has 33 percent of all of the federal student or any other country on Earth. We said so often, the charges in the im- loan defaults in the United States are have learned, bitterly, that the igno- peachment articles do not rise to any by the students who chose to attend rance or refusal of Congress to exercise serious or credible level, then, cer- those colleges and universities. that constitutional right can be disas- tainly, there is evidence that could What is going on here, with 9 percent trous. prove his case. He will have his man- of the students and 33 percent of the Many of us have memories of the war agers on the floor of the Senate when student loan defaults? The answer is in Vietnam, where 58,000 American the articles are presented to us. They obvious. The cost of education at for- lives were lost, 2 million Vietnamese can certainly call witnesses. They can profit colleges and universities is too

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.007 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S36 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 high. Students incur more debt than a borrower defense to discharge the this automatic discharge, which was they would by attending community student debt, wipe it clean, and get an- the case under the Obama administra- colleges, city colleges, or other univer- other chance at life. Congress has tion. With this new rule, Secretary sities and colleges that have good rep- rightly decided with this law that we DeVos is saying to borrowers: We are utations. shouldn’t leave students holding the not on your side. You are on your own. Secondly, the education is sub- bag when these schools should be held In addition, if a borrower’s claim for standard. You can advertise everything responsible. relief is denied, they would not be al- online about this great education. I can Is that something most Americans lowed to appeal under Secretary recall an ad that was on television in agree with? Take a look at this New DeVos’s new rule. Even if more evi- the Washington, DC, area a few years America poll. Americans agree that dence of deception and misconduct is ago, and it showed a young woman— students should have their Federal stu- found. probably a teenager, not much be- dent loan debt canceled if their college This new rule also puts taxpayers on yond—in her pajamas, on her bed, say- deceived them. For Republicans, 71 per- the hook for relief, shielding schools ing: I am going to college on my laptop cent agree with that statement; Demo- from being held directly accountable here. crats, 87 percent. Seventy-eight per- by students. The DeVos rule eliminated Well, that kind of easy education, cent of the American people say that if the current prohibition on institutions many times, is no education at all. At these colleges lied to them, the stu- using class action restrictions and for-profit colleges and universities, too dents shouldn’t end up holding the bag. mandatory arbitrations as conditions many students end up taking these ex- It is pretty obvious. of enrollment. pensive courses that are meaningless. But sadly, Secretary of Education These practices, which you have seen It turns out that none of these courses Betsy DeVos is trying to make it dif- over and over again by Corinthian and can be transferred to some other school ficult, if not impossible, for defrauded ITT Tech and others, require borrowers or university. When you take these student borrowers to get the relief. to sign away their rights when they go courses and you spend your money and Secretary DeVos has allowed a backlog to school. Think about that. You are 19 you spend your time and you end up of—listen to this—more than 223,000 years old, and you are starting your with so-called college credits by for- claims of students with student debt college education. You are going before profit colleges and universities, no one who claimed they were defrauded by one of these schools. They push in else will take them. No one else ac- these colleges and universities. There front of you that you have to sign up cepts them. They laugh at them. Then are 223,000 queued up, waiting in line for $10,000 or $20,000 in tuition and sign the students, if they can hang in there for the Department of Education to im- the following contract. There you are, long enough with massive student debt, plement the law. For more than a year, at age 19 without much life experience, end up with a diploma that is a joke, a she has also failed to approve one sin- being asked to sign up. Do you know diploma that can’t even lead to a job. gle claim of the 223,000 who say they what the fine print says? The fine print That is what the for-profit colleges and were defrauded—not one. She couldn’t says that if I am lying to you, you universities are all about. Despite the help one student who was defrauded can’t go to court. Most students don’t fact that they have been pretty wide- out of 223,000. even understand that. They sign it be- spread across the United States, many Now she wants to change the rules to cause they are off to college, thinking, of them have gone bankrupt. make it impossible for future student finally, here is our opportunity to be What happens to you as a student if borrowers to be relieved from their stu- educated and have a life, a future. They you have gone to one of these univer- sities that has made all these promises dent debt when the schools have de- don’t know they are being deceived by to you along the way about taking col- ceived them and defrauded them. She these schools. Secretary DeVos has said: Sorry stu- lege courses and how it is going to end has put forward a new rule that places dents, you signed that paper when you up being an education that will lead to unreasonable burdens on student bor- were 19, and now you are stuck with it. a job, and it turns out they were all rowers to seek and receive relief. Under It is impossible for student borrowers lies, fraud, deceit, deception? You have this rule, the applicants looking for to get relief under this new rule by the debt, right? You have the student discharge of their student debt must Secretary DeVos. According to an anal- debt, but you can’t find a job. You went prove that the school intentionally ysis by the Institute of College Access through 4, 5 years of these so-called misled them. How is the student sup- & Success, the new Secretary DeVos courses at for-profit colleges and uni- posed to prove intention on the part of rule will end up forgiving, at most, 3 versities, and the only thing you have the school? Borrowers must also file a percent of the loans associated with to show for it is a debt that is going to claim within 3 years of leaving the school misconduct. They will be able to decide the rest of your life. school, even though the conduct is It is not just the for-profit college in- often not discovered until many years recoup just 33 percent of that relief dustry that is burdening and exploiting later. The new rule also requires bor- from the schools themselves, and tax- our students. I come to the floor this rowers to apply individually instead of payers will foot the difference. The morning because, sadly, at this mo- receiving automatic discharge when current rule is estimated to forgive 53 ment in time, an agency of our govern- they are part of a group who has been percent of loans associated with mis- ment is complicit. Secretary Betsy harmed by similar widespread mis- conduct and recoup a greater percent- DeVos and the U.S. Department of conduct. age of the relief from schools. Sec- Education have made a fateful decision We have seen it before. Some of these retary DeVos has loaded up the U.S. for hundreds of thousands of American names may ring a bell with you: Corin- Department of Education with people students that I have just described. Let thian Colleges. They were all over the who were in the for-profit college in- me explain. United States. They went bankrupt. It dustry. These are folks who are devis- After a for-profit college defrauds a turned out they were defrauding stu- ing rules good for their industry but student—lies to the student—Federal dents, saying: Go take these courses, not good for the American student bor- law gives that student the right to and you can end up being qualified for rowers. The bottom line is, the DeVos have his or her Federal student loan these jobs. rule makes it harder for borrowers to discharged under a provision known as It turned out it was a lie. After they receive relief, and the schools who borrower defense. Follow me. I have went bankrupt, under the Obama ad- commit the misconduct will pay for a gone to a school and incurred a debt. ministration, many of the students, as lower portion of the relief that is They lied to me about their courses a group, were protected by this law, given. leading to a certain degree or to a job. the borrower defense rule. Secretary I introduced S.J. Res. 56 last Sep- Now the college is going out of busi- DeVos says: Every student, you are on tember to overturn Secretary DeVos’s ness, and I still have the debt, but, your own at this point. Lawyer up. You borrower defense rule. Representative under American law, I am protected as are going to have to prove your case as SUSIE LEE of Nevada introduced a com- a student. an individual. panion resolution in the House. Many The law says that if you were de- This new rule requires borrowers to organizations have endorsed my bill, frauded, you can use something called apply individually, instead of receiving including the Leadership Conference on

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.008 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE January 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S37 Civil and Human Rights, the AFL–CIO, Senator Durbin, The American Legion ap- the peril is real. Anytime we are con- American Federation of Teachers, Na- plauds your leadership in addressing this sidering asking the men and women of tional Education Association, Con- critical issue facing our nation’s veterans our Armed Forces and their families to sumer Federation of America, Student and their families. make further sacrifices for their coun- For God & Country, Veterans of America, and the NAACP, JAMES W. ‘‘BILL’’ OXFORD, try, we have to treat those moments but there is one most recently that I National Commander, The American Legion. with the gravity they deserve. want to share with you because I think Mr. DURBIN. Let me read one para- Let me state at the outset of my re- it is important that Members of the graph from Commander Oxford: marks that there are important rea- Senate of both political parties realize sons why I believe that both Iran and that we now have a major organiza- As veterans are aggressively targeted due to their service to our country, they must be the United States do not want to enter tion—a nonpartisan organization—that afforded the right to group relief. The De- into a conventional conflict that would speaks for the veterans of America who partment of Education’s ‘‘Borrower Defense’’ likely involve the United States taking have endorsed this effort. rule eliminates this right, forcing veterans steps to remove the Supreme Leader I have in my hand a letter submitted to individually prove their claim, share the from power and which would likely in- to me by James Oxford, who goes by specific type of financial harm they suffered, volve an invasion that would make and prove the school knowingly made sub- the nickname ‘‘Bill,’’ national com- Iraq in 2003 look like child’s play. mander of the American Legion of the stantial misrepresentations. The preponder- ance of evidence required for this process is The United States, of course, remem- United States of America, sent to me so onerous that the Department of Edu- bers the Iraq war—at least, I think we on December 18, 2019. He tells the story cation itself estimated that only 3 percent of do. Our military leaders know that a of veterans who were exploited by applicants would get relief. short-term fight in Iran would be much these for-profit colleges and univer- Whether you are a Democrat or Re- bloodier and would be much more cost- sities. They ended up serving our coun- publican, don’t go waving that flag and ly than the initial invasion of Iraq. try, earning their GI bill of rights, then tell everybody how much you love our Iran, for instance, has twice the popu- losing their benefits to these schools— veterans and ignore this letter. The lation of Iraq. A long-term counterin- these worthless schools—and going fur- leader of the largest veterans group in surgency in Iran would be endless, po- ther in debt to pay for their education. the United States of America—a non- Commander Oxford sent this letter. tentially costing hundreds of thou- partisan group—told us these schools Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- sands of lives. exploited veterans, and Secretary sent that this letter be printed in the The Iranian leadership also knows DeVos’s new rule means that these vet- RECORD. that the United States might never de- erans will never get relief. Ninety- There being no objection, the mate- fensively defeat a drawn-out insur- seven percent will never get any relief. rial was ordered to be printed in the gency on Iranian turf, but Iran’s lead- In a matter of a few days—maybe RECORD, as follows: ers also know they likely wouldn’t be weeks—I will be calling this matter to DECEMBER 18, 2019. around to see that eventual conclusion the floor. I am asking my colleagues on because the United States would, at DEAR SENATOR DURBIN: On behalf of the both sides of the aisle to put the party nearly 2 million members of The American the very least, likely be successful in Legion, I write to express our support for labels outside, hang them up in the ending the existing regime. cloakroom, come on inside here, and Joint Resolution 56, providing for congres- So neither side is likely war-gaming sional disapproval of the rule submitted by stand up for students across America the Department of Education relating to, who did their best to get a college edu- for victory. Even those of us who are ‘‘Borrower Defense Institutional Account- cation and were deceived in the proc- deeply critical of President Trump’s ability.’’ The rule, as currently written, is ess, stand up for students who were Iran policy should acknowledge this, fundamentally rigged against defrauded bor- loaded up with student debt, which but as a student of history, I know that rowers of student loans, depriving them of could destroy their lives, and give the annals of war are replete with cata- the opportunity for debt relief that Congress clysmic conflicts that began not by intended to afford them under the Higher them a fighting chance for a future by saying that Secretary DeVos’s bor- choice but by accident, negligence, and Education Act. Affirming this position is incompetence. American Legion Resolution No. 82: Preserve rower defense rule is unfair to vet- Veteran and Servicemember Rights to Gain- erans, unfair to students, and unfair to So today, when I warn of the United ful Employment and Borrower Defense Pro- American families. States being on a potential path to war tections, adopted in our National Convention I ask my colleagues on both sides of with Iran, that is my concern, that the 2017. the aisle to do the right thing when the utter lack of strategy, the complete ab- Thousands of student veterans have been time comes and give these borrowers a sence of nuance, the abandoned com- defrauded over the years—promised their credits would transfer when they wouldn’t, second chance at being financially munication and coordination with our given false or misleading job placement rates independent Americans who can con- allies, and the alarming deficiency of in marketing, promised one educational ex- tribute to their families and our na- experienced counsel will end up getting perience when they were recruited, but given tional economic growth. For our vet- thousands of Americans needlessly something completely different. This type of erans, please join me in making sure killed. deception against our veterans and that Secretary DeVos’s borrower de- This is not the first warning of this servicemembers has been a lucrative scam fense rule is disapproved by both the for unscrupulous actors. kind I have presented. A year and a As veterans are aggressively targeted due House and the Senate. half ago, the President ignored the ad- to their service to our country, they must be I yield the floor. vice of his first Secretary of State and afforded the right to group relief. The De- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. his first Secretary of Defense, and he partment of Education’s ‘‘Borrower Defense’’ SCOTT of Florida). The Senator from unilaterally pulled the United States rule eliminates this right, forcing veterans Connecticut. out of the Iran nuclear agreement, de- to individually prove their claim, share the IRAN spite the fact that every expert agreed specific type of financial harm they suffered, Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, at a that Iran was in compliance. Then, to and prove the school knowingly made sub- stantial misrepresentations. The preponder- time of international turmoil and cri- make things worse, President Trump ance of evidence required for this process is sis like this, all of us, I think, are enacted a series of devastating unilat- so onerous that the Department of Edu- sometimes prone to hyperbole. I count eral sanctions on Iran. No other na- cation itself estimated that only 3 percent of myself as part of that club. I endeavor tions joined with us. In fact, most of applicants would get relief. to do better. our allies actively and aggressively Until every veteran’s application for stu- It doesn’t serve this body well to worked against us, trying to under- dent loan forgiveness has been processed, we warn of bad decisions that could lead mine and work around those sanctions will continue to demand fair and timely de- to war if we are only doing it to serve in order to save the nuclear agreement. cisions. The rule that the Department of Education has promulgated flagrantly denies political ends or to bloody up a polit- That fact, in and of itself, is simply ex- defrauded veterans these dignities, and The ical opponent. Crying wolf also anes- traordinary and a sign of how weak American Legion calls on Congress to over- thetizes the public and risks dulling President Trump has made America turn this regulatory action. the country’s senses at a moment when abroad.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.009 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S38 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 The sanctions still took a dramatic U.S. troops in Iraq and across the Mid- enough. The theory becomes toll on Iran’s economy, and like every- dle East, and Iran is closer to a nuclear unprovable because the Iran hawks just body predicted, the Iranian Govern- weapon. contend, failure after failure, that we ment didn’t sit still. They began to The simple truth is that Iran is just need one more escalation and one push back, attacking Saudi oil pipe- stronger and we are less safe today more escalation and one more esca- lines, capturing European oil tankers, than when President Trump was inau- lation. This is the exact behavior that and ratcheting up threats against U.S. gurated, but it gets, implausibly, even could land us in a kinetic conflict with forces in Iraq. During this time, the worse. Iran that costs American lives. President changed his story every Because the strike on Soleimani is so As I said at the outset, this is likely week. Some days he said he would sit destabilizing and so unstrategically not going to be a full-on conventional down and negotiate with the Iranians provocative, the U.S. position in Iraq— war—at least I hope it is not. It may be without preconditions. Other days his where we are still battling ISIS—is un- that Iran sends missiles into Israel or top people said they wouldn’t sit down raveling. All U.S. civilians have been ramps up the temperature in Yemen. unless Iran met an absurdly long list of ordered to evacuate. All U.S. counter- They may try to assassinate American preconditions. Other days, President ISIS operations have been suspended. military or political leaders or use Trump said he wanted to blast Iran off NATO has stopped its ongoing efforts cyber warfare to go after critical infra- the map. It was a comedy of diplomatic to fight ISIS. The Iraqi Parliament has structure. And maybe we don’t invade errors, compounded nearly weekly with begun the process of kicking out all Iran. Maybe we just blister their coun- conflicting message after conflicting U.S. forces from the country—exactly tryside with bombs or try to disable message that made it difficult for Iran what Qasem Soleimani had worked for their military from above. to approach negotiations with us, even years to achieve. Of course, no matter the scope of the if they wanted to. All of that, on the back of Iran’s new- conflict, no matter how long this By this winter, the situation was spi- found strength in the region, is the rea- escalatory cycle lasts, the one thing we raling out of control. Iranian-backed son there is so much head-shaking hap- know is this: None of this has anything militias launched a rocket attack that pening right now about why President to do with making us safer. This cycle killed a U.S. private contractor in Iraq. Trump has so willfully bungled Iran started with Trump’s rejection of a dip- The United States responded by killing policy, emboldening Iranian hard-lin- lomatic agreement with Iran that he at least 24 Iraqi militia members. Then ers and putting our Nation’s safety at didn’t like just because it had Barack Iraqi militia, supported by Iran, risk. Obama’s name on it. stormed our Embassy, culminating, for With that for context, we come back A political grudge set off a series of now, in the drone strike that killed to the crisis moment of today and the events that now has us lodged in a cri- General Qasem Soleimani last week in real possibility that more of President sis of harrowing scope, a crisis that Iraq. There is no reason things had to Trump’s stumbling will lead us into a this President—so unstable, so reck- get to this point. When President world-changing conflict with Iran. less, so capricious—likely cannot han- Trump came into office, Iran had We, the Senators, have seen no evi- dle. Unfortunately, his rejection of di- stopped their quest for nuclear weap- dence that the assassination of plomacy and lack of concern for our al- ons capabilities, and Iran was com- Soleimani was necessary to prevent an lies has left America more isolated plying with an intrusive inspections re- imminent attack on the United States. than at any other perilous time in our gime that made sure they didn’t cheat. I remain open to seeing that intel- history. At a moment when we cannot Iranian-backed militias had stopped ligence, but 5 days later, Congress has afford to be out on a limb, out on our firing rockets at U.S. personnel in Iraq. not received a briefing from the admin- own, we are. In fact, they were actually working on istration. We are apparently going to Politics is part of what got us here, a U.S.-led project in Iraq—the eradi- get that tomorrow. But both President but maybe politics is part of how we cation of ISIS. Obama and President Bush had the get out of this mess. Congress can cut President Obama had united the en- ability to kill Soleimani. They didn’t off funding for President Trump’s war tire world against Iran. Even Russia because their experts believed that exe- of choice with Iran. We can make clear, and China were working side by side cuting the second most powerful polit- Republicans and Democrats, that the with the United States to constrict ical figure in Iran—no matter how evil President cannot take military action Iran’s nuclear weapons program. And he was, no matter how many American without congressional consent. And of with the nuclear agreement secured, deaths he was responsible for—would course the American people can have this global coalition was teed up and end up getting more, not fewer, Ameri- their say too. They can rise up, as they ready to be mobilized by President cans killed. did in many cities this past weekend, Trump to pressure Iran to make the We don’t know in what form the re- and cry out in protest over President next set of concessions on their bal- prisal from Iran will come or when, but Trump’s decision to put politics over listic missile program and their sup- it will come. And, listen, we shouldn’t our Nation’s security. That public pres- port for terrorist proxies across the re- be afraid of reprisals in the wake of sure may push allies of the President’s gion. truly necessary military actions by the here in the Senate to stand with Demo- But Trump’s bizarre and nonsensical United States to protect our interests crats in opposition to this reckless risk Iran policy threw all that leverage abroad. But when that attack arrives, to our Nation’s security. It is not too away willingly, voluntarily. Despite President Trump has telegraphed that late to put a stop to this madness. the economic sanctions, Iran today is he is preparing to respond by commit- Iran is an adversary. I don’t want more powerful, is more menacing than ting war crimes against the Iranian anything I have said today to paper ever before. Just weeks ago, Iran had people. He says he will bomb cultural over all of that nation’s misdeeds in been wracked by anti-government pro- sites, filled with civilian visitors, in re- the region. It is in our national inter- tests, but President Trump’s recent ac- taliation. I can’t believe this needs to est to conduct a foreign policy that tions have united the country against be said on the floor of the U.S. Senate, weakens Iran’s ability to threaten us, America and against our allies in one but that is something terrorists do, not our allies, and our interests. But for fell swoop. One only needs to look at the United States. the last 3 years, President Trump has yesterday, when millions of Iranians Although this administration keeps done exactly the opposite. Iran’s nu- took to the streets for Soleimani’s fu- saying they don’t want war, there is no clear program is back on. Iran has re- neral—a mass outpouring of support logic to their circular theory of Iran started attacks against the United that the Iranian regime could never policy. Trump believes that to change States. Iran is more influential in the have hoped to inspire on its own. Iran’s behavior, we need to escalate our region. Everything the President has Compared to 3 years ago at the end of own actions. Then when our escalation done has worked to degrade our Na- the Obama administration, today Iran begets more escalation from Tehran, tion’s safety and has worked to make is closer to restoring its proxy state in Trump and his Iran hawks come to the Iran stronger. Syria, Iran is more influential in conclusion that this must be due to the The order to strike Soleimani has al- Yemen, Iran is more threatening to fact that our escalation wasn’t serious ready been given, but what happens

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.010 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE January 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S39 next is not predetermined. My fear— the United States and our allies. In al- Soleimani was not a high-ranking my belief—is that last week’s killing of most every report of these activities, military official in any acceptable Qasem Soleimani will end up fitting Soleimani was one of the persons men- military structure. If your idea of a into this pattern. But we have serious tioned as, again, structuring, master- leading general is a general who leads choices to make in this body, and we minding, encouraging, or taking credit in terrorist efforts, I think you have can choose to get off this path of esca- for these things as they happened in the wrong idea of what a military lead- lation and make decisions that correct some cases and denying responsibility er is supposed to do. this President’s recklessness and keep in others for activities for which he Soleimani was not a high-ranking America safe. I hope we step up to that and Iran were responsible. government official in any job that a challenge. Last June, Iran shot down a U.S. in- responsible government would have. I yield the floor. telligence drone flying in international Soleimani was the mastermind of ter- I suggest the absence of a quorum. space. In July, the Iranian Revolu- rorist activities of the No. 1 state spon- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The tionary Guard Corps captured a Brit- sor of terrorism in the world today. clerk will call the roll. ish-flagged commercial vessel in the Soleimani has been eliminated and The legislative clerk proceeded to Strait of Hormuz. Iran was behind the hopefully will be impossible to fully re- call the roll. attack on Saudi oilfields last Sep- place. Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask tember using drones and cruise mis- I would say, in response to that deci- unanimous consent that the order for siles. Iran was been behind an earlier sion, good job to the U.S. forces that the quorum call be rescinded. attack on a Saudi airport used by civil- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without executed the strike, and good job, Mr. ians. The Quds Force also launched a President, in being willing to make the objection, it is so ordered. crackdown on Iranian citizens who pro- Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, Qasem call. A bad person and a determined tested oil prices and are vigorously enemy of freedom and democracy in Soleimani, the commander of the Quds seeking out others who are com- Force, was killed by U.S. forces last the United States of America has been plaining about the failing economy in eliminated. It is time for the Iranians week. That has already been well dis- Iran’s failing system. cussed and well understood. The failing to be thinking about what our next ac- Someone has already been named to tion might be instead of quietly and regime in Iran has done everything it replace Soleimani as the head of the vigorously planning on what their next could, between his death and right Quds Force, but hopefully no one really now, to make the most of it, to make action might be. can fully replace him. I yield the floor. him a martyr to the cause of terrorism. I am not at all sympathetic to the I think we should all understand that I suggest the absence of a quorum. idea that this action to eliminate this The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the cause of terrorism was his cause. individual somehow came out of the He is not a general in any traditional clerk will call the roll. blue. I think the President has been The legislative clerk proceeded to sense of what that would mean. He has presented multiple times with this op- been described a number of different call the roll. tion as one of the things we could do if Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask ways. He has been referred to as Iran’s we wanted to send the clearest possible top general. Don’t think for a minute unanimous consent that the order for message to Iran. The President was the quorum call be rescinded. that means anything like almost any criticized last year because when going other country’s top general. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without down the list of things I mentioned, he objection, it is so ordered. One newspaper called him Iran’s was hesitant to act—until last week. IMPEACHMENT ‘‘most revered military leader.’’ That The same exact critics in many cases Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, many of might be true, but remember Iran’s decided, after a year of thinking what us here in the Senate thought we would purpose as a State is to encourage ter- would be the best response, that when be opening the new year with an im- rorism all over the world. the President did act it was suddenly a peachment trial, but that is not what I heard one news broadcast where he hasty action. They went from calling is happening this week because the was referred to as ‘‘an irreplaceable his actions hesitant to calling this Senate is still waiting—waiting for figurehead,’’ though they went on to hasty, looking for a way to criticize Speaker PELOSI to actually send over explain that he was a significant per- the President. son. There apparently are no editors The President took this action after the Articles of Impeachment. anymore because the term ‘‘figure- an American contractor was killed by Democrats rushed impeachment head’’ doesn’t mean what they were forces associated with Iran and through the House, throwing fairness suggesting. If they meant he was an ir- Soleimani, after the U.S. Embassy in and due process to the winds in their replaceable figure, I hope that he is. I Baghdad was attacked and weapons haste to impeach the President, but think he is hard to replace, and I hope were used to get into the building. now they are apparently content to he is hard to replace. I would like to There have even been some sugges- just sit on the Articles of Impeachment think that in many ways he will not be tions that we shouldn’t have done this for the foreseeable future. If Democrats able to be replaced, but that doesn’t because we should be afraid of how Iran really believe that this impeachment is mean he deserves our sympathy, re- will react. We do have to be thinking a serious matter, that there is literally spect, or our grief. about how Iran would react. We need to a crime spree in progress, as they have He was, in fact, a bad person. He be thinking about what their next ag- claimed, they would have already sent spent his career largely outside the gressive act might be. It would not be over the articles. The truth is, Demo- boundaries of what any civilized nation their first aggressive act, and I have al- crats’ impeachment efforts, which basi- would consider a military context. He ready gone down a pretty long list that cally started before the President had led Iran’s terrorism agenda around the others can expand upon of the aggres- even taken the oath of office, have world. sive acts Iran has done up until the been politically motivated from the Iran funded and provided weapons to last few days. start. Democrats thought they could the Shia militias in Iraq. They pro- We do have to be thinking about damage the President politically by vided arms depots and military forces what is an appropriate response, but rushing to impeach him, and now they to the Assad regime in Syria. They maybe it is now time for Iran to be think they can damage the President supported Hezbollah terrorists in Leb- thinking about what our next response politically by stalling a trial. anon. They provided advanced weapons may be to their next aggression. The Speaker PELOSI is also attempting to to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Hun- aggressive list is long, the response force the Senate to conduct the trial dreds of U.S. military personnel in Iraq that the U.S. Government took was she would like it to conduct in hopes of were either killed or injured by the significant, but we can’t fail to act de- getting the outcome she would prefer— IED attacks encouraged and funded by cisively just because it might upset our demonstrating once again the fun- Iran in Iraq. That is what the terrorist enemies. We can’t fail to act damentally political nature of the Soleimani agenda was all about. decisively just because it might upset Democrats’ impeachment quest. Here Over this past year, Iran has contin- the No. 1 state sponsor of terrorism, in the Senate, we will continue work- ued its campaign of aggression against Iraq. ing on the business of governing until

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.011 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S40 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 the Speaker decides she is ready to course. In both Iran and Iraq, we have tries, and there is good reason for that. stop playing games. seen protests bravely displaying the de- So many of the great companies in this IRAN sire for a new way forward and, in the Nation started out as small businesses, Mr. President, on Friday, we learned case of Iraq, for freedom from Iran’s and some of the greatest companies in that Iranian General Qasem Soleimani malign influence. The path to that new America today are small businesses. had been killed in a U.S. airstrike. day is a difficult one. Soleimani’s dec- We also have just under 60 million indi- Iran’s terrorist activities throughout ades of work building terrorist net- viduals who are employed by over 30 the Middle East are well known. Iran is works will not easily be undone, and million small businesses throughout a key backer of Hamas and Hezbollah his replacement has already been the country. and has fomented conflict throughout named and has vowed revenge. The Small Business Administration the entire Middle East—escalating sec- In addition, under pressure from can play a very important role in our tarian conflict in Iraq, fueling civil war Iran, Iraq’s Parliament advanced a success and in the success of these in Yemen, and supporting Syrian Presi- nonbinding resolution calling for the businesses by providing entrepreneurs dent Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime. removal of U.S. troops from Iraq. I and firms with technical assistance and At the end of December, the Iran- hope that cooler heads will prevail in access to capital, so it is critically im- backed militia Kataib Hezbollah, or Iraq and that we can come to an agree- portant for the country. KH, as they are called, fired more than ment that upholds our mutual security Today, as we consider the nomina- 30 rockets at an Iraqi military base, interests and is beneficial to both the tion of Jovita Carranza to serve as the killing an American contractor and United States and to the people of Iraq. SBA Administrator, I thought it was wounding 4 U.S. troops. Days later, We have invested a lot in regional secu- an important point to make. There are Iran-backed protesters stormed the rity efforts that we should see through. some additional points I would like to U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, conducting a As we know all too well from the rise make. 2-day siege of the Embassy before with- of ISIS, the consequences of leaving a First of all, the position of Adminis- drawing—although not without setting power vacuum can be dire. I hope that trator is really crucial to ensuring that fire to parts of the Embassy’s exterior. power vacuum will not be resurrected the agency is functioning well and is The list of Iranian terror activities is as the United States suspends counter- successful. It is also important that long, and at the center of all these ac- ISIS operations in order to defend our the Administrator be someone who is tivities has been General Qasem installations. open to and supportive of the need to Soleimani. As head of the Quds Force The world may enjoy a degree of clo- modernize the Small Business Admin- of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, sure with the killing of Qasem istration and its many programs. General Soleimani has been master- Soleimani. Citizens of the Middle East As we move into this new decade, it minding Iran’s terrorist activities for who suffered at the hand of Soleimani’s is really important that the agency two decades. Iran has been linked to terror may have hope for a safer fu- evolve to meet the unique and special one in six military deaths in Iraq, no- ture, but this will require the Iranian needs of the entrepreneurs of today at tably through the IEDs that have be- regime to recognize the opportunity it a time in which we have ever-changing come so emblematic of the War on Ter- now has to rid itself of Soleimani’s and increasing global and business cli- ror. This was Soleimani’s work. He is mate adjustments that are occurring. responsible for the deaths of hundreds agenda and chart a new course. Iran’s leadership knows full well the I think we sometimes forget that of Americans and thousands of inno- consequences of maintaining its ven- businesses today face a very different cent civilians throughout the Middle detta against America, our allies, and environment than we saw 10, 20, or 30 East. It is a good thing that his reign those who seek to live in peace and years ago. So as we are aware of these of terror is over. changes, it is important that, as pol- While I hope we can all agree that freedom. It got a preview of our mili- icymakers, we have an obligation to Soleimani was a just target, there are tary and intelligence capabilities last identify the goals that achieve our na- naturally questions about the timing week. This is not a call for escalation tional interests and that provide for of the strike and what options were but a frank acknowledgment that the our national defense, that create good laid before President Trump. The Sen- United States will stand resolutely jobs for American workers, and then ate will be briefed tomorrow, and I against those who threaten American that organize the laws that we propose hope my colleagues and I will be given lives. a clear intelligence picture of the im- While the initial reaction from Iran and the reforms that we propose minent and significant threat Sec- has not been promising, I hope General around those important items of na- retary of State Pompeo and other ad- Soleimani’s death will encourage Iran tional interest and how to achieve fur- ministration officials have described. to think carefully before it proceeds thering them. Soleimani’s death provides Iran with any further on its path of terror. I look The last time the Small Business Ad- an opportunity to change course and to forward to talking with the Defense ministration was fully reauthorized rethink its participation in terrorist Secretary, the CIA Director, and others was 20 years ago, in the year 2000, when activities throughout the Middle East tomorrow about what we need to do to just 42 percent of households, for exam- and its aggression against the United minimize the threat of retaliation and ple, had internet access. Nearly every- States. Unfortunately, Iran doesn’t to keep Americans and our allies safe. one was still using dial-up phones for seem ready to take that opportunity, I yield the floor. access. It would be another 6 years be- and there are rightfully concerns about I suggest the absence of a quorum. fore the iPhone even existed. Back in how Iran might retaliate for The PRESIDING OFFICER. The 2000, Americans bought fewer than Soleimani’s death. clerk will call the roll. 10,000 hybrid electric cars. From 2000 to Iran has vowed severe revenge, but I The bill clerk proceeded to call the 2020, those are the changes we have un- hope Iran’s leaders recognize that the roll. dergone, and that was the last time the United States will not tolerate Iran’s Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I ask SBA was reauthorized. aggressions. The United States is obvi- unanimous consent that the order for By the way, it also happens to be the ously closely monitoring any Iranian the quorum call be rescinded. year when China became a member of response or escalation, from attempted The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without the World Trade Organization. I say cyber attacks to threats against U.S. objection, it is so ordered. that because, today, American small troops or citizens or our allies. The NOMINATION OF JOVITA CARRANZA businesses—if you think our big busi- chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I am very nesses face unfair competition, imag- Milley, has cautioned that there re- happy that our first votes, not only of ine the unprecedented threat in com- mains a significant risk, and we have the session but of this decade, are peting against the Chinese Government seen the Department of Defense and going to be focused on supporting small and its Communist Party’s systematic the State Department adjust their pos- businesses. industrial espionage and coercion, its tures accordingly. In America, we tend to speak about large-scale subsidies for their own in- As I said, with Soleimani’s removal, businesses with a sense of reverence dustries, and its sweeping obstruction Iran has the opportunity to change that I think is absent in other coun- of market access to its own country.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.013 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE January 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S41 The challenges are extraordinary, and the Senate—to serve as SBA’s Deputy Thank you. they require resources that allow our Administrator back in 2006. She served I yield the floor. small business sector to compete there for 2 years and then went back I suggest the absence of a quorum. against these conditions and to operate into the private sector until returning The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. dynamically, to grow, to be innovative, in June of 2017, when President Trump CRUZ). The clerk will call the roll. and to be creative. named her Treasurer of the United The senior assistant legislative clerk Small businesses need access to serv- States. proceeded to call the roll. ices and programs that better position Last month, the Senate Small Busi- Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I ask them to support not just our Nation’s ness and Entrepreneurship Committee unanimous consent that the order for competitiveness on an international held a hearing to consider this nomina- the quorum call be rescinded. scale but particularly with regard to tion, and we voted favorably to report The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Beijing’s continued economic aggres- her nomination to the Senate floor. objection, it is so ordered. sion toward our Nation. In that hearing, Ms. Carranza made a commitment to work with Congress— VOTE ON CARRANZA NOMINATION Just as the SBA was critical in build- Under the previous order, all ing the technologies and helping to to work with each of us—on the press- ing issues that are facing the SBA and postcloture time has expired. spur the creation of the technologies The question is, Will the Senate ad- that allowed us to be successful both in the program. She assured us—myself, ranking member, Senator CARDIN, and vise and consent to the Carranza nomi- the space race and, ultimately, in the nation? Cold War, I believe the SBA can play other members of the committee—that she would address the management Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I ask an important role in our efforts to for the yeas and nays. compete with Chinese economic hos- challenges in the Office of Investment The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a tility. and Innovation to ensure the integrity sufficient second? In that regard, it is important to of its programs but, most importantly, There appears to be a sufficient sec- note that the status quo is just not that she would appear before the com- ond. enough. We need an agency that incor- mittee after her confirmation to pro- The clerk will call the roll. porates new and creative programs, vide an update on how she is addressing The senior assistant legislative clerk that focuses on spurring investment, these challenges. She has committed to do other called the roll. supporting advanced manufacturing, things that are important: to assess Mr. THUNE. The following Senators promoting innovation, and expanding the far-reaching rule governing the are necessarily absent: the Senator our export opportunities. agency’s critical access to capital pro- It is important to note, as I said ear- from Tennessee (Mr. ALEXANDER) and grams so that it is not restricting ac- lier with regard to the SBA’s role dur- the Senator from Georgia (Mr. cess to capital for small businesses; to ing the space race and the Cold War, PERDUE). be communicative and transparent that innovation breakthroughs we have Further, if present and voting, the with us on the subsidy models and cal- often seen in our history have often Senator from Tennessee (Mr. ALEX- culations they are using for the Fed- been contingent on private-public col- ANDER) would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ eral credit programs; to fill the back- laboration, especially in the space pro- Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the log of staff that is needed to properly gram that also happens to have a com- Senator from New Jersey (Mr. BOOKER), run the SBA’s innovation programs; to mercial obligation and also furthers the Senator from Maryland (Mr. ensure that Federal grant dollars are CARDIN), the Senator from Minnesota our national security. being properly used—the dollars espe- Small businesses and startups have (Ms. KLOBUCHAR), the Senator from cially associated with the entrepre- historically always been essential to Vermont (Mr. SANDERS), and the Sen- neurial development programs to mod- developing the technologies and the ator from Massachusetts (Ms. WARREN) ernize the agency’s disaster loan pro- commercialization of products that are necessarily absent. grams; and to establish better controls The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there often come out of those partnerships. to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. She But unlike what we have seen in Sil- any other Senators in the Chamber de- committed to expeditiously establish a siring to vote? icon Valley—startups that venture cap- women-owned small business certifi- ital firms tend to gravitate toward The result was announced—yeas 88, cation program and to provide re- nays 5, as follows: over there—these technologies—the sponses to Congress on several of our [Rollcall Vote No. 2 Ex.] ones that are in our national interests, past communications to the agency which I just spoke about—require sig- outlining proposals to aid small busi- YEAS—88 nificant time and resources to finance. nesses against cyber threats, which is a Baldwin Gardner Reed So on the Small Business and Entre- critical threat facing many of the Barrasso Graham Risch preneurship Committee, we are going Bennet Grassley Roberts small businesses in this country today. Blackburn Hassan to continue to work toward a com- Romney In the business meeting we had after Blumenthal Hawley Rosen prehensive reauthorization of the the hearing, we considered her nomina- Blunt Heinrich Rounds Small Business Act and the Small tion. I was pleased to see that the over- Boozman Hirono Rubio Braun Hoeven Sasse Business Investment Act to achieve whelming majority of our members on Brown Hyde-Smith Schatz these ends that I have just outlined. Burr Inhofe both sides of the aisle, including the Schumer Cantwell Johnson But the leadership and the guidance of ranking member, supported sending Scott (FL) a forward-thinking SBA Administrator Capito Jones the nomination to the full Senate be- Carper Kaine Scott (SC) is going to be essential, not just to get cause there is a lot of work to be done. Casey Kennedy Shaheen it passed but to make sure that mod- Restoring and expanding the SBA’s his- Cassidy King Shelby Sinema ernization works. toric legacy of assisting businesses and Collins Lankford As the chairman of the committee, I Coons Leahy Smith meeting the international challenges Cornyn Lee Stabenow am very eager to see the position of at hand are very important and very Cortez Masto Loeffler Sullivan Administrator be filled. President crucial. Cotton Manchin Tester Trump nominated Ms. Carranza to I look forward to working with Ms. Cramer McConnell Thune serve in this critical role back in Au- Crapo McSally Tillis Carranza to modernize our existing Cruz Menendez Toomey gust of last year. She has a long and programs to meet the challenges we Daines Moran Udall successful career, having spent many have before us and working toward so- Duckworth Murkowski Van Hollen years in both the private sector and Durbin Murphy Warner lutions that ensure that small busi- Enzi Murray Whitehouse government service. nesses have access to the resources Ernst Paul Wicker She started her service at UPS. After Feinstein Peters they need to start, to grow, and to em- Young 29 years, she retired from there as vice power our Nation at large. Fischer Portman president of air operations. Then she I urge all of my colleagues to support NAYS—5 was nominated by President George W. this nomination when we have a vote Gillibrand Markey Wyden Bush and was confirmed by this body— in a few minutes. Harris Merkley

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.014 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S42 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 NOT VOTING—7 only been through this three times be- tiff or the defendant. The role of the Alexander Klobuchar Warren fore in American history. This is an ex- jury is to sit and listen and then to de- Booker Perdue traordinary undertaking under our cide after the evidence is presented. Cardin Sanders Constitution, to seek to impeach and Well, when the time came to vote on The nomination was confirmed. remove a President less than a year be- the motion to dismiss, during the Clin- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under fore the upcoming election over some- ton trial, every single one of our Demo- the previous order, the motion to re- thing that does not even allege any cratic colleagues who were here in 1999 consider is considered made and laid crime but rather a disagreement with voted to dismiss the charges—every upon the table and the President will the way the President has conducted single one. That was the Clinton trial be immediately notified of the Senate’s foreign policy, which is his role under in 1999. Then, when Members voted on action. our Constitution. whether or not to hear additional wit- f For as long as Democrats have been nesses, every single one of our Demo- dreaming about this moment, you cratic colleague who were here in 1999 RECESS would think they would be well pre- voted no—no additional witnesses. Ev- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under pared for a thorough investigation and eryone voted no. That includes our the previous order, the Senate stands a presentation of their case to the Sen- friend the minority leader, Senator in recess until 2:15 p.m. ate. Well, as it turns out, that is not SCHUMER, who said on the Senate floor Thereupon, the Senate, at 1:12 p.m., even close. They moved through closed yesterday that everyone who is op- recessed until 2:15 p.m., and reassem- door depositions, public hearings, and a posed to additional witnesses is partici- bled when called to order by the Pre- vote at an alarming pace, all to ensure pating in a coverup. Talk about a siding Officer (Mrs. CAPITO). that they could wrap up the process by change of heart. You know that is the f the end of the year. Before the clock danger here in the Senate. If you have EXECUTIVE CALENDAR—Continued struck midnight, they managed to get been here long enough, you can find it done. yourself on the opposite side of almost The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Despite Speaker PELOSI’s insistence any question that could come up. Cer- the previous order, the Senate will re- less than a year ago that impeachment tainly, Senator SCHUMER has found sume consideration of the following should be a bipartisan process, the himself, first, saying in President Clin- nomination, which the clerk will re- House passed Articles of Impeachment ton’s case no additional witnesses and, port. with votes from just one party, which now, in the case of President Trump, The senior assistant legislative clerk is the definition of partisan, not bipar- he has changed the standard and says, read the nomination of Matthew H. tisan. if you don’t vote for additional wit- Solomson, of Maryland, to be a Judge In spite of the partisanship that has nesses, you are somehow engaged in a of the United States Court of Federal ensnared this process in the House of coverup. Claims for a term of fifteen years. Representatives, we in the Senate have Well, I think people are smart The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- vowed to follow the framework set by enough to understand what that rep- ator from Texas. the only modern precedent for an im- resents. It represents not only a change IMPEACHMENT peachment trial in the Senate, and of heart, but it represents hypocrisy Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, be- that is of President Bill Clinton. In and a double standard. fore Congress adjourned for the holi- 1999, all 100 Senators, including both When President Clinton was on trial, days, our colleagues in the House of the current majority and minority Democrats had zero interest in hearing Representatives carried out their sole leaders, voted in support of a pretrial from additional witnesses beyond that priority for 2019, which was to impeach resolution that laid the foundation for presented by the impeachment man- President Trump. That was their No. 1 the trial ahead—this was in fairness to agers and the President’s lawyers or objective in 2019. While it is no secret all concerned—so that the Senate could spending more time on the trial. The that this is something they have been know how this would proceed and what way they saw it, all the information dreaming of since the day President they would be called upon to do. had been presented, and so they voted Trump was inaugurated on January 20, Back in 1999, all 100 Senators decided to throw the charges out. Now, I am 2017, it certainly took our colleagues in to begin with opening arguments, to not faulting them for that, per se. All the House on a roller coaster ride and move to Senators’ questions, and then 100 members agreed to the process that the country as well. I liken it, really, to vote on a motion to dismiss. This gave them the opportunity to make not to a roller coaster ride, but to a would provide an opportunity to hear that vote, and they had every right to three-ring circus. It did not reflect par- the case presented by the parties before do so. Now that a Republican President ticularly well on their body or on the the decision was made whether to hear is on trial, instead of a Democrat, our seriousness of the process. from additional witnesses. I might add Democratic colleagues say the same From March of last year, here is an that I believe the House heard from 17 process is not good enough. In other important quote to remember. Speaker different witnesses. words, what was good enough for Presi- PELOSI cast a lot of doubt that an im- All of the testimony certainly could dent Clinton is not good enough, in peachment vote would even happen. be presented by the impeachment man- their opinion, for President Trump. This is from March 2019. She said: agers in the Senate. Sometimes, I hear Instead of following the exact same Impeachment is so divisive to the country people talking about whether we are framework used in the Clinton im- that unless there’s something so compelling going to have any witnesses or not. peachment trial, they want to set the and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t Well, of course, but witnesses come in rules for the entire trial before we have think we should go down that path, because different shapes, sizes, and form. There even had a chance to hear the opening it divides the country. And he’s just not could be a live witness. There could be arguments. Here, again, I realize we worth it. a witness’s sworn testimony presented have a lot of type-A personalities That is what Speaker PELOSI said in in a hearing or at a deposition outside here—people who like to take charge— March of 2019. of the Chamber and excerpts are read but that is not the role of the Senate As we have seen, it was only a matter into evidence in the impeachment during an impeachment trial. We are of time before the radical Members of trial. This is not a question of whether here to listen to the case presented by her caucus forced Speaker PELOSI’s we are going to have any witnesses or the impeachment managers from the hand and sent the House down a par- no witnesses. This is going to be a House and the President’s own lawyers, tisan impeachment rabbit hole. That is question of whether we are going to not to try to take over the process. In where they ended up. House Democrats allow the impeachment managers from fact, the hardest thing a Senator is dove head first into—as something our the House and the President’s lawyers going to have to do during this im- majority leader has said here in the to try their own case. In an ordinary peachment trial is to sit and be quiet Senate—the most rushed, least fair, civil or criminal case, you don’t have and let the parties present their case. and least thorough impeachment in- the jury trying the case for the pros- Well, our Democratic colleagues are quiry in American history. We have ecution or the defense or for the plain- even going so far as requesting specific

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07JA6.004 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE January 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S43 witness lists even before NANCY PELOSI problem the House has is that the facts FOREIGN POLICY has sent the Articles of Impeachment they have discovered and alleged sim- Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam President, over. They obviously are having buy- ply don’t represent a high crime and for over 3 years now, everyday Ameri- er’s remorse about voting out Articles misdemeanor, much less bribery or cans, Members of this body, our diplo- of Impeachment now and essentially treason, which are the constitutional matic corps, and our allies and adver- admitting that the evidence is so flim- standards for an impeachment. What saries alike have wondered whether sy that it needs to be bolstered by addi- they have is a disagreement on the there is any sort of coherent strategy tional witnesses here in the Senate. manner in which foreign policy was guiding the national security and for- Well, I am sure it comes as no surprise conducted with a President whom they eign policy of President Donald Trump. that Senate Republicans are not on hate. That is the reason they have im- If the events of recent days are any in- board with this partisan approach to peached President Trump. It is not be- dication, the answer is a resounding impeachment. cause of any bribery, treason, or high no. As you can imagine, NANCY PELOSI crimes and misdemeanors. As a matter The Trump administration has no vi- isn’t happy that the power to make of fact, they don’t even charge a crime. sion for how we might build a world this decision is in the Senate’s hands. What they do is charge obstruction of that is more stable, peaceful, and pros- One thing I have learned here in the Congress. perous for future generations. To be Senate and in the Congress is that the Here is what happened. ADAM SCHIFF, sure, the administration has some seri- Senate and the House are pretty jeal- the chairman of the Intelligence Com- ous reports outlining global challenges ous about the prerogatives of their mittee, issued subpoenas to certain and nicely drafted statements pro- body to be able to make decisions for witnesses. The White House said: Hey, claiming their ‘‘America First’’ strat- themselves. The last thing the House wait a minute. We believe we have a egy. In practice, the President’s erratic ordinarily wants to do is have the Sen- valid claim of executive privilege. Ordi- leadership and failure to invest in the ate tell them what to do. Certainly, the narily, that would then go to a court, very institutions we need to promote opposite is true. The last thing the and the court would say yes or no or American national security have sowed Senate wants to do is to have the cut the baby in half. chaos and increasingly left America House try to direct how the impeach- But when the witnesses said we need alone. Our Nation has faced great chal- ment trial is conducted here in the to go to court for direction, ADAM lenges before. Yet, having served near- Senate. Well, that is not the way it SCHIFF dropped them like a hot potato ly three decades in Congress, I cannot works, and that is not going to happen. and didn’t even bother to call the wit- recall a time when so many of them The Speaker has pulled the emer- nesses or go to court to pursue the tes- were of our own making and as predict- gency brake on this rushed impeach- timony he said was important. Now, able as they were avoidable. ment process and is refusing to send that is on him. That is not on Presi- Simply put, President Trump’s for- the Articles of Impeachment over here dent Trump. To claim that their own eign policy, like President Trump him- to the Senate because she doesn’t mismanagement of the impeachment self, is completely shortsighted, self-in- think the framework used in the Clin- inquiry is grounds to impeach the terested, and transactional. ton trial is good enough. She is now President for obstruction of Congress The President’s abandonment of our trying to use her role as Speaker of the would be laughable if it weren’t so seri- core values has already eroded Amer- House—admittedly, a very powerful po- ous. ica’s standing abroad. Near the end of sition in our Congress—to try to make At their own volition, they rushed the last administration, the Gallup or- the rules of the Senate. She wants to through the impeachment inquiry with ganization found that 48 percent of re- set the parameters for what the Sen- reckless abandon, and it is not the Sen- spondents in more than 100 countries ate’s trial will look like, which is not ate’s job to reopen and redo their inglo- worldwide had confidence in the United in her job description. I know it is a rious investigation. States. Today, it has gone from 48 per- The Senate’s role, as I said, is to take terrible revelation, but it is beyond her cent to—it hovers around 31 percent. the evidence compiled by the House authority, beyond her power, and it Furthermore, more people around the and presented by the impeachment ain’t going to happen. world likely trust—according to the The way I see it, this dogged deter- managers and conduct a trial based on poll—China or Russia rather than the mination to interfere in the Senate the evidence that they present, not to United States. process isn’t because the framework we somehow initiate a new investigation I know that national security is not are planning to use is unfair or par- before we have even heard from the im- a popularity contest, but the erosion of tisan. Obviously, all the Democrats peachment managers from the House, America’s standing in the world mat- who were here during the Clinton trial or to somehow say: Well, we are going ters because it makes it less safe for agreed to a similar process then, and to essentially become the impeach- Americans. It undermines our diplo- now they want to change the rules for ment managers ourselves, a role that macy. It hinders economic oppor- President Trump. the Constitution gives to the House tunity. It undercuts our ability to pro- Speaker PELOSI also wants the Sen- and not to the Senate. ate to do the work that Members of her The Senate’s role is to listen and to mote our values, betraying our cen- caucus were either too rushed or too decide, not to try to hijack the process turies-long vision of our Nation as a lazy to do for themselves. Ordinarily, if and to try to do something for the city on a hill. the charges are going to be brought, House that they have been unable to do Our Nation was founded on noble let’s say, in a criminal case, there themselves. Once the Speaker trans- ideals. It is those ideals more than our would be an indictment, and then the mits the Articles of Impeachment to unrivaled economic strength and more case would be presented. It would rise the Senate, the House’s role as a body than our unparalleled military might or fall based on the presentation of the is done, and they speak and act that have rallied the world to our prosecutors. through the impeachment managers, side—from the defeat of fascism in Eu- Well, here, I think the analogy is apt who will be presenting the case on be- rope, to the rise of international insti- that it is the responsibility of the half of the House. tutions and security partnerships, and House to prove the Articles of Im- When the Speaker decides to send the to the fall of the Berlin Wall and be- peachment that they have charged. It Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, yond. is their responsibility, not ours. We are we will be prepared to do our job. And President Trump has squandered this supposed to be the jury. unlike the House, we will do so in a se- precious resource of our values—our Speaker PELOSI knows, as we do, that rious and deliberative fashion and per- ‘‘soft power’’—through actions that be- the House did not do a good job in in- form our constitutional duties under tray our ideals, abandon our allies, and vestigating the facts, and she thinks the Constitution and the rules of the appease our enemies. Far from Amer- the Senate should mop up after the Senate with regard to impeachment ica First, this administration is leav- House created the mess that they did. trials. ing America isolated, corrupted, and That is not going to happen. I yield the floor. behind. We see it again and again— The House had ample opportunity The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- from Ukraine, to Syria, to Iran and be- and time to look at all the facts. The ator from New Jersey. yond.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.020 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S44 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 Consider Russia. Even as our intel- ally Australia faces the most deadly safer, better world for the American ligence community and bipartisan con- conflagration, this administration con- people to thrive in. gressional reports point to ‘‘incon- tinues to deny a threat that is already As the President abdicates our lead- trovertible’’ proof of Russia’s inter- costing American taxpayers billions of ership and undermines the institutions ference in our 2016 elections and plans dollars in the wake of increasingly se- we worked decades to help build, we to do so this year in 2020, to this day, vere storms, fires, and floods. have witnessed attacks on some of the President’s own fragile ego still Withdrawing from the Paris climate America’s closest friends. President prevents him from even acknowledging agreement was a gross abdication of Trump’s verbal broadside against the the threat, let alone standing up to American leadership, one that has al- United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, continued Russian aggression. lowed China—yes, China—to position and South Korea, just to mention a Turn to North Korea. Two years ago, itself as the world leader on clean en- few—the latter during the ongoing nu- the President said that he had achieved ergy. clear standoff with North Korea—are a breakthrough and that we didn’t The Trump administration has also deeply regrettable and completely have to worry about North Korea any- ceded ground at the United Nations to counterproductive. This is not how more and we could sleep well at home. China and Russia. Recently, China beat America leads the world; this is how Yet, despite all the made-for-TV mo- us out for a leadership seat at the Food America finds itself alone, isolated, ments, his poorly conceived and poorly and Agriculture Organization, while and more vulnerable. executed effort has left North Korea a Russia won out support for its cyber This administration has attacked the greater threat in 2020. Under President crime treaty. very idea of diplomacy. They proposed Trump’s watch, North Korea has ex- While the administration may seek enormous cuts to the State Depart- panded its nuclear arsenal, successfully to explain away these losses on an indi- ment’s budget, removed senior diplo- tested its first intercontinental bal- vidual basis, this is, in fact, the steady matic leaders with no replacements, listic missile, and conducted its most drip, drip, drip of the loss of American and marginalized the State Depart- powerful nuclear testing. His adminis- power and influence due to President ment’s input on key decisions. tration has undercut our critical defen- Trump’s abject mismanagement. Finally, nowhere in the world is sive alliance with South Korea and Turn now to Africa. At a time when President Trump’s reckless foreign pol- icy and total lack of strategy more Japan and walked away from serious our allies, as well as adversaries like painfully obvious than the Middle East. sanctions enforcement. Russia and China, are ramping up their Let me be clear: I do not shed a tear Nearby in China, the administra- engagement, the United States is pull- for Qasem Soleimani. As a commander tion’s efforts have failed to change Chi- ing back. Indeed, Secretary Pompeo of the IRGC Quds Force, he was respon- na’s actions in the South China Sea, has visited Kansas on multiple occa- sible for the deaths of hundreds of resolve the structural issues at play in sions during his tenure, but he has yet Americans and supporting terrorism our trade relationship, or address its to visit a single sub-Saharan country. throughout the Middle East. Previous worsening human rights and govern- Likewise, we see a complete absence administrations kept tabs on ance behavior—from the crackdown in of diplomatic strategies for challenges across Africa, from preventing a return Soleimani’s whereabouts, both Repub- Hong Kong, to the oppression of the lican and Democratic alike, but they to conflict in South Sudan, to sup- Uighurs, to China’s growing economic always chose not to act against him be- porting the democratic transition in and technological influence, used to cause the decision was that the action Ethiopia, to curbing terrorism in the spy and oppress. against him—the value of that was of Turning to the Western Hemisphere, Sahel. The recent tragic deaths of less value than the consequences of re- a year ago, the President rightly de- Americans in Kenya demonstrate a taliation and long-term military ac- nounced Maduro but misleadingly de- lack of progress in weakening terrorist tion. clared the success of his Venezuela pol- organizations like al-Shabaab and The President must come to Congress icy. Today, the President sits silently Boko Haram. and present clear and compelling intel- as millions of Venezuelans fleeing a Likewise, for a year, the administra- ligence as to why this strike against massive humanitarian crisis and the tion failed to waive human trafficking Soleimani was absolutely necessary. hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans sanctions so that USAID could ade- What was the imminent threat already in the United States remain in quately respond to the deadly Ebola Soleimani uniquely possessed? We need desperate need of temporary protected epidemic in the Democratic Republic of to know if the threats we face have ma- status. Congo. terially changed. President Trump says he wants to On human rights, the Trump admin- In the wake of all of its misleading confront the root causes of migration. istration’s approach is, in one word, statements, we must make clear to the He says he wants to combat drug traf- abysmal. The administration supported administration that the President by ficking and the opioid epidemic. Yet he the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen amid himself does not—does not—have the has repeatedly weakened our counter- credible reports of despicable war authority to launch a war against Iran. narcotics, law enforcement, and devel- crimes. It stood silent on the killing of Let me send the President a message. opment operations in the Northern Tri- Washington Post reporter Jamal Attack on cultural sites are war angle and Mexico, while continuing to Khashoggi at MBS’s direction. It has crimes. They are war crimes. We ob- push for a border wall he promised the downplayed human rights and demo- serve international law not only be- American people Mexico would pay for. cratic backsliding in Honduras, Guate- cause it is right but because then we The administration’s abhorrent mala, the Philippines, Burma, Turkey, can demand other countries to observe treatment of asylum seekers—from and beyond. international law as well. separating children from their parents Likewise, the Trump administration The consequences of President to placing people in cruel and inhuman has rolled back the rights of women Trump’s strike on Iranian Commander conditions—has only further weakened and girls worldwide, from cutting off Qasem Soleimani are unfolding as we America’s moral standard. Likewise, funding for lifesaving maternal care speak. Already, the Iraqi Parliament President Trump’s functional destruc- they falsely claim promotes abortions has called for an expulsion of American tion of our Refugee Resettlement Pro- to reinstating the global gag rule. It forces. Now there is confusion about gram and the slashing of refugee ad- has also set back the clock on equality what U.S. policy is. Are we keeping missions to the United States not only and protection for LGBTQ citizens in troops to fight ISIS? Are we going to damage America’s reputation as a bea- international instruments at the U.N. start sanctions on Iraq? Confusion. con of hope for vulnerable people and elsewhere. Contradiction. Chaos. Amid such con- around the world but deprive us of the I want to remind my colleagues why fusion, the one thing that has taken contributions refugees have always America must champion human place for sure is that instead of our brought to our economy and our com- rights—not just because it is right, al- mission there to fight ISIS, we are now munities. though it certainly is right, but be- having to recalibrate to use that mis- We also face immense challenges like cause democracy and respect for sion to protect our own forces there. climate change. Yet, even as our close human freedom are the foundation of a What a reprieve ISIS gets.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.021 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE January 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S45 Despite what the President may say, I urge my colleagues to remember our Embassy and our personnel in Iraq. Iran is not a different country than it why America’s conduct on the world We knew that more attacks were com- was 2 years ago. Iranian-backed pro- stage matters, why our values matter, ing, so the United States took action. testers just stormed our Embassy. Pre- and why our leadership matters. Soleimani’s death makes America viously, they were storming Iranian We strive to create a more peaceful safer in the long run. Taking out this Embassies. The Iraqi people were and a more stable world so that we can war criminal will help us avoid war in storming Iranian Embassies because of protect the security of Americans at the future. Iran’s influence in Iraq. Now they are home, so that we can create greater Let me be clear: I don’t want war out massively protesting against us. prosperity and economic opportunity with Iran. The United States does not A regime that continues to oppress for our people, and, at the end of the want war with Iran, but we know that its own people and its proxies now has day, avoid at all costs a need to send appeasement does not work. The a solidified populous behind it. our sons and daughters to war. Obama administration’s strategy of Soleimani’s legacy, ultimately, is that Every President faces new threats wishful thinking failed. what he could not achieve in life, he that challenge our quest for this Soleimani’s terrorist network was may very well have achieved in death— brighter future. We have worked hard made more powerful by U.S. money. pushing the United States out of Iraq. to create institutions and provide re- The Obama administration gave bil- lions and billions of U.S. dollars as part It is no secret that I did not support sources to help every administration of that Iran nuclear deal. What did the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- navigate this increasingly complex they do with the money? They used the tion, but let’s be clear: Today, Iran is world. We pray that the moral char- money to support terrorists around the closer to a nuclear breakout than when acter of every President provides them President Trump took office, and we world. Without a doubt, appeasement with the foresight and judgment nec- brought only failure. It made Iran have isolated ourselves from the inter- essary to protect American security national alliance that we have built to stronger, and it hurt the United States and our strategic interests when it and our allies. constrain Iran’s ambitions. matters the most. Instead, President Meanwhile, in Syria, the President’s We know that the winning strategy is Trump has taken difficult security peace through strength. We knew it greenlight for Turkey’s incursion has challenges and made them even harder weakened American interest in the re- through Ronald Reagan, and we know to resolve. That is why Congress’s role it today. Already, U.S. sanctions on gion, allowed Russia to grow its influ- in shaping and advancing U.S. foreign ence, and opened the door for ISIS to Iran have been crushing and crippling. policy has never mattered more. That We must continue President Trump’s reconstitute. is why I will continue to advance stra- By turning our backs on the Kurds, maximum-pressure campaign. Now tegic legislation from Turkey to cli- we signaled to the world that we will Iran knows the United States means mate change, to new Ukraine support abandon our allies on the battlefield. what it says. We are prepared for retal- to conduct oversight, and to speak on And while the President promised to iations, should they come. behalf of the American people and the This past weekend, Joe Biden actu- stop endless wars in the Middle East, values and norms that define us and ally said that Iran is in the driver’s over the weekend, thousands of mili- seat. Iran is not in the driver’s seat; tary family members are unexpectedly our place in this complicated world. Here in the Senate, we have an obli- Iran is in the center of the bull’s-eye. saying goodbye as their loved ones re- gation. We cannot cynically look the U.S. forces will respond. We will re- ceive orders to do just the opposite. spond to any future attacks on Ameri- President Trump has not brought the other way or be silent or enable that cans or Americans’ safety, and we will American people a more peaceful, a which we know to be wrong, risky, and do it swiftly and with a punishing re- more stable, and a more prosperous morally reprehensible. History will not sponse. world. On the contrary, the President judge us kindly if we do. I, for one, will It will be a grave mistake for Iran to has brought us closer to war, closer to not stand idly by and be judged that further escalate tensions. Instead, facing a nuclear-armed Iran, closer to way. what Iran ought to do is dial down its facing an existential threat to Israel, I yield the floor. aggressive nature and posture. and closer to witnessing a destabilizing The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ator from Wyoming. The facts are these: General arms race and greater conflict in the Soleimani was a blood-thirty terrorist. entire Middle East region, fueled by Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I come to the floor today following the He had the blood of innocent civilians emboldened Iranian proxy forces. on his hands, and he would have killed A show of strength with no strategy U.S. airstrike in Iraq, the airstrike that killed Iranian’s terrorist master- many more if given the chance. in place is no show of strength at all. This general spent his entire career President Trump spent the better mind. at war with the United States. He was part of 3 years on the golf course, evis- I fully support President Trump’s de- responsible for the deaths of American cerating the clear lines between a cision. As Commander in Chief, I be- soldiers—hundreds of deaths with President’s responsibilities to the lieve he had an obligation to do what IEDs—and for the maiming of Amer- American people and his devotion to he did to act when American lives were ican soldiers with roadside bombs. his own wallet. The President and his at stake. With the death of Iran’s Gen- Thousands of Americans have been per- family continue to put their business eral Soleimani, the American people and people around the world are much manently disabled because of him. interests over America’s interests. Thankfully, the general’s 20-year The President has flouted the Con- safer. reign of terror has now ended, and stitution’s emoluments clause and This general was an emboldened, there is broad condemnation all around shredded decades of ethical norms by blood-thirsty terrorist. He was a killer. the world over the mass destruction refusing to divest himself from the He has the blood of countless people and the death that he caused. It is now Trump Organization. He and his family around the world on his hands. time for Iran to take a step back, away maintain unprecedented business inter- In the last 2 months, we have seen 11 from nuclear weapons, away from ter- ests in real estate projects in about 20 attacks—11 attacks—on U.S. forces and rorism, away from aggressions, and to foreign countries that undoubtedly en- bases, including the killing of an Amer- come to the table. It is time for them tangle him with foreign governments ican citizen. to discuss peace. He became bolder and more aggres- whenever local cooperation or financ- Thank you. ing is needed. It is clear that that cre- sive in both his actions and his ambi- I yield the floor. ates a conflict that does not put the tions, and he was stepping up his at- I suggest the absence of a quorum. Nation’s interests first. tacks on Americans. In fact, General The PRESIDING OFFICER. The He operates with no moral compass. Soleimani was at war with the United clerk will call the roll. Indeed, the President’s pursuit of his States his entire career, and it was a The senior assistant legislative clerk own personal profit at the expense of military career. He was the commander proceeded to call the roll. America’s national security interests of Iran’s terrorist network. Mr. KAINE. Madam President, I ask in Ukraine led to his impeachment by In recent months, we watched as he unanimous consent that the order for the House of Representatives. personally directed brazen attacks on the quorum call be rescinded.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.022 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S46 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. initiation of war would be done by Con- Constitution, that war can’t be started BLACKBURN). Without objection, it is so gress. except by Congress. If we have that de- ordered. Why was it done that way? Well, we bate and vote, then, it is a fair request WAR POWERS RESOLUTION have the virtue of a Virginian who was to ask that of people—like my boy in Mr. KAINE. Madam President, I rise not only one of the drafters of the Con- the Marines or the 1 million-plus peo- today to discuss the War Powers Reso- stitution but who kept notes of the ple who serve in the military. It is a lution that I filed on Friday, January Constitutional Convention and then fair request to deploy them and have 3, with Senator DURBIN. wrote letters about what they in- them risk their lives. I spoke yesterday at some length tended. Ten years after the Constitu- But how dare we order troops into about the painful history of relations tion was written in 1787, James Madi- harm’s way, where they could risk between Iran and the United States son wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson their lives or health possibly for the and the escalating tensions in the last and directly addressed why it is that rest of their life, if we in Congress are 3 years that have brought us to the the power to declare war is something unwilling to have a debate and have a brink of war. As we stand at the brink, for Congress. He said this: ‘‘The Con- vote. Sadly, throughout the history of with military actions by Iran and the stitution supposes, what the History of this country—and this is a completely United States causing battlefield cas- all Governments demonstrates, that nonpartisan statement—with Whigs ualties on the other side, I believe that the Executive is the branch of power and Federalists, Democrats and Repub- it is imperative for Congress to re- most interested in war, and most prone licans, and with different parties in assert itself and make plain that no to it.’’ For this reason, we have ‘‘with control of the legislative bodies and President should have the ability to studied care, vested the question of war different parties represented in the take the Nation to war on his or her in the Legislature.’’ White House, Congress has managed to figure out a way to avoid debate and own. They recognized that Executives Let me talk about the Constitution were prone to war, and they wanted the avoid voting if they can. War votes are tough. I have had to and about the value judgment under- legislature to have to sign off on the cast two during the time I have been in lying the allocation of war powers in initiation of war. It was unusual then, the Senate as a member of the Foreign the Constitution and then the resolu- and it is unusual now that the initi- Relations Committee. I have cast thou- tion that is now pending, having been ation of war is to be left to the legisla- sands of votes in my life as a city coun- filed in the Senate. ture. Why is that provision in the Con- cil member and as a Senator. I will tell First, on the Constitution, the Con- stitution? Why would we want to leave you that a war vote is categorically stitution as drafted in 1787 has a series the question about whether war should different than any other vote you will of provisions. Some are somewhat be started to Congress rather than let ever cast. They are hard. They can be vague. In the Bill of Rights, what is an the President do it as would be the case unpopular. There are going to be bad unreasonable search? Some are ex- in other nations? It is about a value consequences of a war vote. There may tremely precise. You have to be 35 judgment. be an understandable human tradition years old to be President. If you look As important as the constitutional in Congress to try to avoid it, but it is at the Constitution, you can see a vari- provision is, I would argue that what is a responsibility that cannot be avoid- ety of provisions, some more specific more important is the value judgment ed. How can we order people to risk that underlies this requirement of con- and some a little more open-ended. their lives when we are unwilling to Actually, the war powers part of the gressional authorization, and the value risk the political challenges of a vote Constitution—though not completely judgment is about the men and women on war? That is the constitutional his- without ambiguity—is one of the clear- who serve in our military. Any war tory. That is why the article I branch— est parts of the Constitution. In article runs the risk that the young men and the first among equals—is charged with I, the power to declare war is given to women who serve in our military could the responsibility of initiating war, Congress, not to the President and not lose their lives or could be injured or and that is the value judgment that to the Judiciary—to Congress. could see their friends lose their lives underlies that constitutional provision. In article II, the President is declared or be injured. When we send troops into What does our resolution do? Our res- to be the Commander in Chief of the war, they may suffer an injury—trau- olution is filed pursuant to the War military. If you read the constitutional matic brain injury, post-traumatic Powers Act. The War Powers Act was debates at the time, what emerges is a stress disorder—that will affect the en- passed at the tail end of the Vietnam fairly clear understanding by those tire remainder of their lives in dra- war. Senator DURBIN did a good job who were at the Constitutional Con- matic ways. If we affect their lives in yesterday of sort of going into the his- vention in Philadelphia that was both that way, we affect the lives of their tory of the passage of the War Powers clear but also quite unusual. The un- families and friends. Act. The War Powers Act was trying to derstanding was that for a war to start, The value judgment that sort of do two things. In the aftermath of the Congress should vote for it to be initi- served as the pillar behind the provi- Vietnam war, they were analyzing ated, but then, once started, the last sion that says Congress has to author- what had gone wrong during it. There thing you would need is 535 com- ize war is this: If we are going to force were a number of points along the way manders in chief. So once Congress had young men and women to risk their where the President did not keep Con- voted to start a war, at that point the lives, it should be based on a consid- gress informed. There was a bombing prosecution of the war becomes for the ered and open debate and a vote in full campaign that started in Laos, for ex- President and the military command, view of the American public. Then, ample, during the Vietnam war, about not to be micromanaged by 535 Mem- there should be a vote about whether which Congress wasn’t informed, and bers of Congress. we are at war. If at the end of that de- there were activities in Cambodia This was fairly clear, and it was very bate—with the questions that get about which Congress wasn’t informed. unusual. It was very unusual because asked and the trading of perspectives— Then, the second thing we were try- at that point in history, in 1787, war before the people’s elected legislative ing to do was not just to require Presi- and the declaration of war was not pri- branch, the legislature says that this is dents to inform Congress but also to marily legislative. It was for the execu- in the national interest and we should give Congress the ability to have a de- tive. It was for the King, for the Mon- be at war, then, for those men and bate and have a vote on the floor in arch, for the Pope, for the Emperor, or women who serve—yes, they are going case the President started hostilities for the Sultan. War had been, through- to serve and risk their lives and risk without coming to Congress. The Presi- out history, an executive function, not their health and risk what might hap- dent should keep Congress informed a legislative function. But the Framers pen to them for the rest of their life— and not hide the ball from Congress, of the Constitution and the constitu- we will only ask them to do that if and Congress needs a procedure to stop tional debates made plain that they there is a considered judgment that a war that is initiated by a President were really trying to change human war is in the national interest. who doesn’t come to Congress. history, at least in so far as the United That is the value judgment that Here is the procedure under which we States went. Then, in this country, the underlies the most unusual part of the have filed our resolution. If a President

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.029 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE January 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S47 puts U.S. troops into hostilities with- gion. Thousands of Americans are We put war on a footing where it can out a congressional authorization— there partaking in missions that in- go on forever, sort of like on ‘‘Execu- even if the President claims a legal crease the security of the United tive autopilot’’ by Presidential order, right to do so—self-defense, article II States and our allies. There is no re- and Congress, in my view—and, again, power—but if the President puts U.S. quirement that we withdraw from the this is bipartisan—has hidden from its troops into hostilities without a con- region. These missions include security responsibilities. gressional authorization, any Member cooperation with partner forces, fight- At this moment of very grave danger, of Congress can file a resolution to re- ing against elements of al-Qaida, ISIS, where both Americans and Iranians are move the U.S. troops from hostilities and the Taliban, and ensuring the safe losing their lives in hostilities, it is and force a vote on that resolution passage of commercial vehicles time for Congress to shoulder the bur- within a prompt period of time. That is through freedom of navigation oper- den of making the most important de- the resolution Senator DURBIN and I ations. All those activities that are cision we will ever face. That is why I filed last Friday. being conducted by the United States intend to bring this resolution to the President Trump has engaged the in the region can continue. floor of the Senate and ask my col- United States in hostilities with Iran. The resolution does not hold those leagues to debate and vote on it in the People have different points of view forces into question or question their coming weeks. about whether that is a good thing or mission. I yield the floor. bad thing, but now that there are bat- The only thing the resolution would I suggest the absence of a quorum. tlefield casualties on both the U.S. and accomplish, if passed, is to back the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Iranian sides, it is clear that this pro- U.S. troops away from engagement and clerk will call the roll. vision of the statute has been met. We hostilities with Iran unless for immi- The bill clerk proceeded to call the are engaged in hostilities with Iran. nent defense or pursuant to a separate roll. Mr. MARKEY. Madam President, I Not only are the United States and authorization. ask unanimous consent that the order Iran engaged in hostilities that have I would hope to have the support of for the quorum call be rescinded. inflicted casualties on the other side, all my colleagues on this resolution. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without but the President is essentially ac- Its passage would preserve the option objection, it is so ordered. knowledging that we are in hostilities of U.S. military action for self-defense. because he is sending War Powers no- It would preserve the ability of Con- f tices to Congress—one in November gress to declare war or pass a war au- UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST— and one last Saturday—reporting on thorization. It would only prohibit this S. CON. RES. 32 his actions and saying that the reports President or any President from taking Mr. MARKEY. Madam President, are consistent with the War Powers us to war on his own. Members of the Senate, I rise first to Act. He recognizes that hostilities are I heard one colleague say: ‘‘The last express my grave concern over Presi- underway. thing America needs is 535 Com- dent Trump’s recent actions and words The current hostilities are not pursu- manders in Chief.’’ I completely agree. that have brought us to the brink of an ant to a previously passed congres- Once Congress authorizes a war, it unauthorized war with Iran. sional authorization. The 2001 author- should be up to the Commander and Today I am introducing a resolution ization for use of military force author- the military leadership to wage that with Senator WARREN and Senators ized military action against the per- war and make the tactical decisions LEAHY and REED and BOOKER and petrators of the 9/11 attack. Iran was about how to fight it, but the question WYDEN because, on Saturday, President not a perpetrator of the 9/11 attack, of whether we should be at war at all is Trump tweeted that his administration and there is no argument that they are one that is specifically left to Con- is targeting 52 sites, some of which are covered by that authorization. There gress. cultural sites treasured by the Iranian was a separate authorization passed by Let me finish by again focusing on people. Congress in 2002. That is the most re- our troops. So many members of the My resolution is very simple. It says cent one that has been passed. It au- military were home for the holidays, that attacks on cultural sites in Iran thorized action to topple the Iraqi Gov- enjoying time with their families, and are war crimes. It is as straightforward ernment of Saddam Hussein. That gov- then received surprise notices that as that. ernment is long gone, and that author- they must redeploy to the Middle East The President would compound the ization does not permit attacks on Iran yet again. mistake he has made and turn it into or on the current Iraqi leadership, such Imagine the cost of two decades of something that could be catastrophic as the individuals who were killed in war on these troops and their families. for that region, for our country, for the the two sets of U.S. strikes. With these Some of these folks have deployed over world. two threshold questions met, hos- and over and over again. Imagine being President Trump’s repeated threats tilities are underway as defined by the at home at Christmas and receiving the to add Iranian cultural sites to his War Powers Act, and they are not sub- notice you have to deploy yet again to military target list is a betrayal of ject to a previous congressional au- the Middle East. American values. It is wrong. It is a thorization. We are living in a challenging time. needless escalation which ignores We have now filed a resolution to get Many Americans know nothing but international law and the Defense De- Congress to reassert its constitutional permanent war. We have been at war partment’s own policies. Attacking role. The resolution demands that U.S. since 2001. There are Americans, in- cultural sites is a violation of inter- forces be withdrawn from hostilities cluding Americans in the military, national law. against Iran unless Congress affirma- that that has been their whole life. Article 53 of protocol 1 to the Geneva tively passes a declaration of war or That is all they know. Yet, at the same Conventions prohibits any act of hos- authorization, or the United States time, many Americans know nothing tility against cultural objects, includ- needs to defend itself from an immi- about war. Because we have an all-vol- ing making cultural sites the target of nent attack. unteer service, many American fami- reprisals. If my resolution passes, Congress lies are completely untouched by the The 1954 Hague Convention for the would still have the ability to pass an war. Only 1 percent of our adult popu- Protection of Cultural Property in the authorization, if it chose to, and the lation serves in the military. Event of Armed Conflict, which has United States would still be able to de- We have an interesting dynamic that been ratified by this body, also pro- fend itself against imminent attack, may be sort of unique to our history, hibits the attack or destruction of cul- but the President could not act on his whether we have been at war for 20 tural sites. own to start a war with Iran except in years and some only know permanent Attacking cultural sites would also those circumstances. war, while many other American fami- violate the Defense Department’s own The resolution does not require that lies know nothing about war because policies. The Department of Defense U.S. troops withdraw from the region. members of their families don’t serve Law of War Manual states that cul- We are doing many things in the re- in the military. tural property, the areas immediately

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.030 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S48 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 surrounding it, and appliances in use Imagine the outcry the American peo- the Oval Office that we do not want for its protection should be safeguarded ple would have if our symbols of cul- him under any circumstances to order and respected. tural heritage were destroyed—the the destruction of the most sacred cul- The fact that President Trump’s Statue of Liberty destroyed; Independ- tural sites inside Iran. It would be a threatened attacks of cultural sites in ence Hall, where the Declaration of war crime. It would be a violation of Iran violate international law and De- Independence and the Constitution the Geneva Convention. It would be a partment of Defense policies may be were drafted, destroyed; the memorials violation of the Hague Convention. It why, yesterday, Defense Secretary along the National Mall destroyed. would have catastrophic consequences Mark Esper appeared forced to con- These places house and embody our for our country and for the Middle East tradict the President. collective history and the culture of for a generation. So this is the time for When asked if cultural sites would be the United States of America. us to speak—before it happens, before targeted as the President had sug- The assassination of General the President fulfills his promise to de- gested over the weekend, Secretary Soleimani was a massive, deliberate, stroy those sites. Esper stated that the United States and dangerous escalation of conflict He is the Commander in Chief. He ‘‘follow[s] the laws of armed conflict.’’ with Iran. What conditions prompt us said that he wants to do this. He just Well, the U.S. Senate then should to go to war? The U.S. Constitution killed—assassinated—the top military speak clearly with one voice to tell and the War Powers Act leave little official, the second most powerful per- President Trump it does not condone ambiguity. The Congress, not the son in Iran, to the shock of his own attacks on cultural sites in Iran. Given President, has the power to make or generals. So do not think for a second Secretary Esper’s comments yesterday, authorize the war. The Congress has he will not do this. I cannot see why my friends on the the authority to determine when and This is a potential tragedy for our other side of the aisle would not sup- how we go to war. country. This is a potential source of port this resolution to make that We cannot and must not get drawn eternal friction between our two coun- statement very clear and to make it into a costly war with Iran. We need to tries. Reconciliation with Iran would now before Iran potentially retaliates deescalate now. But President Trump’s become nearly impossible. So let’s against us, and the President begins to threat to illegally attack cultural sites make this statement as the U.S. Sen- select the targets inside of Iran. in Iran only aligns us with the world’s ate. Let’s follow up on what Secretary Attacking cultural sites is what ISIS most sinister and draws us further of Defense Esper represents as the posi- does. It is what al-Qaida does. It is along the path to war. tion of President Trump and of the ad- what the world’s most heinous terror- Some might say: Well, Secretary of ministration—that they don’t want to ists do. There is no excuse for the Defense Esper says that President destroy it. But let’s make the state- President to threaten war crimes by in- Trump will not do this. Let me read ment because we know that the De- tentionally targeting the cultural sites you President Trump’s tweet at 5:52 fense Secretary just may not speak for of another country. This is not who we p.m. on Saturday evening. Here is what Donald Trump. No one speaks for Don- are. We are the United States of Amer- he said: ‘‘targeted 52 Iranian sites . . . ald Trump. Only his tweets speak for ica. We are better than this. We actu- some at a very high level & important Donald Trump, and we know what his ally fight against this. We condemn to Iran & the Iranian culture, and tweet said: ‘‘at a very high level & im- ISIS. We condemn others who destroy those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE portant to Iran & the Iranian culture, the culturally sacred objects in other HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD.’’ and those targets, and Iran itself, countries. That was by the President of the WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY Just a few years ago, in 2017, the United States just Saturday night at HARD.’’ Trump administration itself opposed 5:52 p.m., and we are supposed to be as- We have a chance here to make a and condemned the unlawful destruc- sured by Secretary of Defense Esper statement before this happens. Fore- tion of cultural heritage at the hands that we don’t have to worry? warned is forearmed. We have been of ISIS. As a top U.S. official to the Well, here is what we have learned in forewarned, and our ability to act is United Nations, U.S. Deputy Perma- just the last couple of days. The gen- with a unanimous resolution here from nent Representative to the U.N. erals were stunned. The generals were the floor of the U.S. Senate, saying to Michele Sison said on the President’s shocked that President Trump ordered the President as Secretary Stimson behalf: the assassination of Soleimani. So we said to President Truman in 1945: Do The unlawful destruction or trafficking of can’t depend upon the representations not do this, Mr. President. It will be a cultural heritage is deplorable. We unequivo- of Secretary Esper. mistake of historic proportions and a cally oppose it and we will take all feasible We have to make a statement our- war crime. Do not order a war crime to steps to halt, limit, and to discourage it. selves because no one in his adminis- be conducted in the name of the Amer- Now the President himself is threat- tration controls Donald Trump. If he ican people. ening to engage in exactly these sorts says that he is going to target the most So the resolution that I bring to the of illegal and reprehensible attacks on valuable cultural sites inside Iran, we floor is intended to have this body vote Iran. should believe him. He does what he and vote unanimously for him not to The United States had a choice to says he is going to do. He wanted to take that action. This is our moment make during World War II because our kill Soleimani. Even if the generals to speak before he compounds his origi- military kept putting Japan’s ancient were shocked, he did it. nal mistake—the assassination of Gen- capital Kyoto back on the target list He doesn’t understand the long-term eral Soleimani—and turns it into a for the atomic bomb. Kyoto is home to consequences. From his perspective, tragedy, which we will have to live more than 2,000 Buddhist temples, just get over it. Well, if we sow the with for a generation. Shinto shrines, including 17 world her- wind, we are going to reap the whirl- Madam President, as in legislative itage sites. wind in Iran. session, I ask unanimous consent that It was Secretary of War Henry If the President decides to take the the Senate proceed to the immediate Stimson who went directly to Presi- next step after Iran retaliates—and consideration of S. Con. Res. 32 sub- dent Truman to argue that Kyoto they say that they are—and these sa- mitted earlier today. I further ask that should be removed because ‘‘the bitter- cred cultural sites are on the list, then the concurrent resolution be agreed to, ness which would be caused by such a taking Secretary Stimson’s advice the preamble be agreed to, and the mo- wanton act might make it impossible from World War II, our ability to ever tion to reconsider be considered made during the long post-war period to rec- reconcile may be impossible. and laid upon the table with no inter- oncile the Japanese to us.’’ This is the moment that we have to vening action or debate. So if we want any ultimate reconcili- speak as a Senate because we do not The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there ation with Iran, we cannot allow Don- know how much time will elapse before objection? ald Trump to order the destruction of Iran strikes back at us, as they have The Senator from Oklahoma. the cultural history of Iran so that rec- promised. We should make our state- Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, re- onciliation may never be possible. ment right now to Donald Trump in serving the right to object, I sit here

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.036 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE January 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S49 listening to this, and a lot of the Amer- over for ratification almost exactly 21 objection, but the President could be ican people do too. My good friend from years ago on January 6, 1999, and I am ordering additional retaliatory strikes Massachusetts has said things that I quoting from it: against the Iranians within a week if know he actually believes. He actually Cultural property is protected from inten- the Iranians are good for their word believes it. tional attacks so long as it is not being used that they are going to hit us. We have Here we are with the President of the for military purposes or otherwise may be to be sure that if the President does United States, who has given us, over regarded as a military objective. Misuse may that, he does so in a way that does not the objections of the gentleman, my subject such property to attack. commit a war crime and that does not friend from Massachusetts, the best That is a direct quote. destroy these culturally significant economy we have had maybe in my To be clear, I am not saying that we parts of the Iranian culture that go lifetime. You could argue that. He has should target cultural sites, but we back thousands of years. It would be been able to do this two ways. One was certainly should not restrict our mili- something that ultimately would be a way that was designed first by a tary’s ability to defend itself with catastrophic. Democrat—by John Kennedy—when he rogue actors appropriating cultural We are better than this. We are the said that the best way to increase rev- sites for attacks or strategic reasons. United States of America. President enue is to reduce marginal rates, and it The use of a cultural site to construct Trump has already made one mistake worked. Unfortunately, President Ken- IEDs, launch missiles, or give snipers in assassinating General Soleimani. We nedy died after that. carte blanche against our forces is not should not allow him to compound that Then we have the judges right now; accounted for in this resolution. mistake. we have, right now, over 170 judges. I therefore object to this resolution Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, I re- The unique thing about this is that on those grounds and hope that the res- quest a parliamentary inquiry. these are judges who are really con- olution will be amended to acknowl- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the stitutional judges. They have read the edge an exception for when cultural Senator yield for a parliamentary in- Constitution. That is a unique notion. sites are used for staging military at- quiry? Then the military—again, it is hard tacks or other improper purposes. Mr. MARKEY. I yield to Senator to sit here and listen to someone who I object. INHOFE. has that level—you hear so much ha- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Mr. INHOFE. I am just asking, are tred about this President, but he is get- ator from Massachusetts. we in a period of morning business? ting so many great things done. If you MEASURE REFERRED—S. CON. RES. 32 The PRESIDING OFFICER. We are look at the military, not many people Mr. MARKEY. Madam President, I not. know this—now, I chair the Armed ask unanimous consent that the con- Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, I ask Services Committee—but we know that current resolution be referred to the unanimous consent that at the conclu- during the Obama administration, dur- appropriate committee. sion of the remarks of my friend from ing the last 5 years—this would have The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Massachusetts, I be recognized for such been from 2010 to 2015—he reduced the objection, it is so ordered. time as I shall consume. budget for the military by 25 percent in Mr. MARKEY. Madam President, just The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there constant dollars. That has never hap- in response to the Senator from Okla- objection? pened before, even after World War I homa, it is deeply disheartening when, Without objection, it is so ordered. and World War II when reductions took on the floor of the U.S. Senate, we can- Mr. MARKEY. Madam President. place. This was even more than that at not agree to a simple commitment that The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- a time when you can argue it was the the United States of America should ator from Massachusetts. most dangerous time in history. So, never engage in military actions that Mr. MARKEY. I yield back. here the President has been responsible are war crimes by attacking cultural The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- for that, yet there is so much hatred sites in Iran. ator from Oklahoma. out there. When ISIS attacks cultural sites in Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, 5 The issue at hand now with the Middle East, we condemn that be- days ago, President Trump made the Soleimani—this gentleman’s resolution cause we know what the impact on the boldest defensive policy decision of his is rather interesting. He is talking cultures of those countries will be. Presidency to date. He authorized the about cultural sites. I can remember at When al-Qaida attacked us on Sep- airstrike against the leader of Iran’s the very beginning of the Trump ad- tember 11, 2001, which targets did they Quds Force, Soleimani, in accordance ministration, he went out of his way to select? They selected the World Trade with his authorities as Commander in protect cultural sites. If you talk to Center, the symbol of capitalism in the Chief of the United States under article different people of minority religions United States. They selected the Pen- II of the Constitution. in different countries, they talk about tagon, the symbol of our defense. And Let’s remember who Soleimani was. what he has done to protect minority but for those brave passengers on that He was a terrorist. He was responsible rights and sites—churches that have plane in Pennsylvania, when they said for training and funding militias across been torn down. So here is a guy, our ‘‘Let’s roll,’’ that target could have the Middle East—the very militias that President, who has been right in the been the Capitol Building of the United have targeted American personnel, our middle of the very thing he has been States of America where we are stand- facilities, and our partners for decades. accused of offending. ing right now, the symbol of Democ- He was behind the plot to assassinate I note that Secretary Esper has made racy. They knew what they were the Saudi Ambassador in Washington. it quite clear that the United States doing—they were striking at cap- That was back in 2011. He has been will follow the laws of armed conflict. italism, at our Defense Department, doing this for a long time now. He was I appreciate the spirit of Senator and at our democracy—and they knew responsible for the brutal repression of MARKEY’s resolution opposing attacks what the impact would have been on democratic protests within Iran. The on cultural sites. I agree with that. our country. terrorist groups he armed and trained However, since our votes carry the So we have a choice to make right attacked our partners, including Israel. force of law, we need to be specific in now out here on the floor of the Sen- Some of the people out there are our resolutions. It is simply not true ate, and that is to make a statement more focused on criticizing President that attacking cultural sites is always before we do that to the Iranians be- Trump for taking out Soleimani than a war crime because there are many in- cause we ourselves experienced it, and they are on protecting American dip- stances in which cultural sites have we know what our reaction was. They lomats and American troops, conven- been used as staging grounds for hos- will rise up in a way that will make it iently forgetting that Soleimani is the tilities. We all know that. I can give impossible to reconcile. We will be in architect of Iran’s terrorism and is re- you examples for that. eternal war in the Middle East. sponsible for over 600 American deaths President Clinton noted in his mes- My request to the Members is to have during the Iraqi war. When you stop sage to the Senate when he sent the this resolution come back out here on and think about how bad he is, it just Hague cultural property convention the floor. I understand the gentleman’s doesn’t get any worse than that.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:00 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.037 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S50 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 We hear a lot recently about get- him to get all excited. He handled it in those constitutional powers. Yet the ting—I am very happy this President a very diplomatic way. Then, in Sep- President did not use military force was able to put together something and tember, they attacked the Saudi oil- until they crossed the redline, and that take out al-Baghdadi, but this guy was fields, taking some 50 percent of Saudi is not a rush to war. worse than al-Baghdadi—you can Arabia’s oil production capability off- Listen to folks like former Demo- argue, even worse than bin Laden. line. cratic Senator Joe Lieberman. I served Their justification for criticizing the President Trump showed incredible here in the Senate with Senator Joe President for killing a terrorist who restraint after each one of those provo- Lieberman. He is a Democrat. I have wanted to destroy America—stated it cations. He responded by increasing one of the quotes that he said just re- many times—they think it was reck- pressure on Iran—ramping up economic cently in analyzing this. I don’t recall, less and represents a rush to war. Noth- sanctions and increasing their diplo- but I think he was here probably about ing could be further from the truth. matic isolation but not anything that 25 years. This is a quote from Demo- Just remember how we got where we would suggest getting into any type of crat Joe Lieberman, a former Senator: are today. violence at that time. President Trump’s order to take out Remember the Obama apology tour? The President avoided military ac- Qasem Soleimani was morally, constitu- I remember it well. When he first came tion while setting a very clear redline. tionally and strategically correct. It de- into office, he went around talking And what was the redline? He said: So serves more bipartisan support than the be- about—all around to our adversaries long as you don’t kill an American—if grudging or negative reactions it has re- and our friends alike talking about you kill an American, we are going to ceived thus far from my fellow Democrats. how bad America was. We remember come after you. That is the redline. That is a quote. that, and it was a game changer for our That is a redline that 95 percent of the We have another one from about the behavior throughout the world at that people in America agree with. same timeframe, just recently. Listen time. On December 27, Iran crossed that to Obama’s Secretary of Homeland Se- First, American credibility hit an redline. Soleimani directed the attack curity. I got to know him. His name is all-time low under the Obama adminis- that killed an American and wounded Jeh Johnson. He was one who was emi- tration. President Obama set a redline four other servicemembers. President nently qualified for that position and in Syria. We all remember that redline Trump made it clear that there were did a good job while he was there. This in Syria. That was because Syria was consequences for spilling American is what he said about the action with using weapons of mass destruction, and blood. He said: You kill an American, Soleimani, which the President is President Obama said: If you continue we are going to come after you. And he being accused of all these terrible to do that, we will, you know, take you is dead now. things about. This is from the Sec- out—words to that effect. Well, then Iran never believed there would be retary of Homeland Security under the redline occurred when Syria start- consequences. After all, Obama never President Obama. Jeh Johnson said: ed dropping weapons of mass destruc- enforced his redline, and even Presi- He was a lawful military objective, and the tion on its own people there. Now, that dent Trump was hesitant to use mili- president, under his constitutional authority tary force. Only a day before the strike as commander in chief, had ample domestic kind of, I think, changed the thinking legal authority to take him out without an of does America mean what they say? that killed Soleimani, Iran’s Supreme additional congressional authorization. To make matters worse, Obama Leader tweeted at our President—in Whether he was a terrorist or a general in a signed a deal with Iran that didn’t ad- fact, you have to read this. This is a military force that was engaged in armed at- dress Iran’s support for terrorism at tweet that came from him to the Presi- tacks against our people, he was a lawful all. It gave Iran over $100 billion, in- dent: ‘‘That guy has tweeted that we military objective. cluding $1.7 billion in cash. That was a see Iran responsible for the events in Everything that this President did John Kerry thing. That was when John Baghdad & we will respond to Iran. 1st: was perfectly appropriate, and these Kerry was the Secretary of State and You can’t do anything.’’ This is a guy are two prominent Democrats who President Obama was the President. At telling our President ‘‘You can’t do have come out with this. that time, $1.7 billion was given to this anything.’’ That is a quote. That whole So, you know, there are a lot of peo- terrorist group in small bills, in foreign thing is a quote that came from him. ple out there who are pretty fed up currency, for obvious reasons—you They never believed there would be with what has been going on with at- don’t have to stop and think that consequences, but there were con- tacking the president and impeach- through—but then, in addition, over sequences. ment. I keep hearing that something is $100 billion, and they even admitted at Only a day before the strike, he said: going to happen this week in terms of that time that that could be used to ‘‘You can’t do anything.’’ We are talk- sending over the articles, and I don’t expand terrorist activities. ing about Iran’s Supreme Leader know—I have a personal opinion that a One of the quotes in 2016—and I wrote tweeting to our President of the United lot of people don’t agree with, I am it down, and I have used it many times States ‘‘You can’t do anything.’’ Obvi- sure. I don’t think even the Speaker since then—I want you to listen to ously, they know better than that. knows right now just what is going to this. This is a quote from John Kerry Well, President Trump could, and he happen. Are the articles going to come in 2016. He said: ‘‘I think that some of did. He actually restored America’s over? I think a lot of her far-left it will end up in the hands of the IRGC credibility around the world. He friends are saying: Yeah, let’s go over or other entities, some of which are la- showed that we mean what we say. there and let’s continue this thing. beled terrorists.’’ John Kerry also said: You tell me what is reckless—they Let’s continue beating up the Presi- ‘‘You know, to some degree, I’m not talk about this as reckless—a Presi- dent. But she also has a bunch of her going to sit here and tell you that dent who means what he says and liberal friends who are saying: Look, every component of that can be pre- takes the protection of American lives the polls don’t look too good. People vented.’’ seriously or the fringe Democrats who are onto this. They realize that there is So is it any wonder that Iran’s re- want to tie the President’s hands and a problem. Maybe we shouldn’t be send- gional aggression has only gotten bold- deny him the tools to uphold his con- ing them at all. er and bolder? Look what has happened stitutional responsibility to defend our We will find out tomorrow. I under- just in the last few months. In May of citizens? stand there is a big Democratic meet- this year, the Iranians attacked oil You know, right now before this Sen- ing. I am not invited. There is one over tankers with land mines. We know ate, there is a resolution—not the one in the House. They are going to make about that. In June, they shot down a my friend from Massachusetts was a determination, and we will all find U.S. drone. It is a U.S. drone. By the talking about but another one that out at that time what is going to hap- way, the cost of that was classified for would take away a lot of the Presi- pen to the Articles of Impeachment. a while. It is not classified anymore. It dent’s powers of negotiation. We are But again, Soleimani was a lawful was in excess of $100 million. That is talking about powers that are there as military objective—one that President what they did. What did our President a result of article II of the Constitu- Trump took out under article II au- do? He sat back, and it didn’t cause tion. That is what our President has— thority. More to the point, nobody is

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.040 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE January 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S51 talking about war. Nobody is calling came at a considerable cost. More than It is fitting that we recognize the for an invasion. Nobody is calling for a 89,000 American soldiers were casual- 75th anniversary of a battle that both ramp-up. We all know what that looks ties, including 19,000 soldiers who were shaped the future of combat and ush- like here, and it is very plainly not killed, 47,500 who were wounded, and ered in a new year of comity between what is happening. An airstrike is not 23,000 who were captured or missing in Europe and the United States. war. Defending American lives is not action. I yield the floor. war. The President has made it clear The people of Belgium and Luxem- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- that he does not desire war, which is bourg have a close place in their hearts ator from Rhode Island. why he has continued to call for nego- for American soldiers who sacrificed Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, tiations with Iran to end the standoff, their lives on foreign soil. They con- first, I thank the Senator from Arkan- and that is the very thing some people tinue to display that gratitude today. sas for his wonderful remarks. We had are trying to take away from him. It is A couple of weeks ago, I led a group a similar event in Rhode Island with not just a constitutional right; it is a of my fellow Senators to both coun- veterans of the Battle of the Bulge who constitutional responsibility. tries to commemorate the 75th anni- recounted their stories and who were Nobody here wants war, but at the versary of the Battle of the Bulge. We celebrated by our State leaders, our ad- same time, nobody should want a pol- experienced how the town of Bastogne, jutant general, and a crowd of admir- icy that would leave Americans vulner- Belgium, observes this anniversary. ers. It was a wonderful moment and a able to the whims of Iran’s terrorist- The tremendous community support wonderful memory. So I thank him for supporting regime. If we do that, if we was welcoming of American veterans calling it up on the Senate floor. tie the President’s hands so that he whom fate had brought together in 1944 CLIMATE CHANGE cannot defend American lives, we leave there in the town and in the nearby Mr. President, here we are in 2020, ourselves more vulnerable and there- forest to defend Bastogne and hold off and I am still coming to the floor to fore make war imminently more like- the German advance. try to wake this Chamber up to the ly. That would be reckless. I was honored to visit with American perils of climate change—pathetic. I would just be anxious for this time veterans who fought in the battle and Why do I have to be doing another period to get by so we don’t have to be were returning to the land they had de- one of these speeches? Why don’t we facing this on a daily basis. fended. There are fewer and fewer who heed the warnings of our foremost sci- I yield the floor. are able to join, but that doesn’t di- entists, of our military, of top financial minish what they did there or the The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. CAS- institutions—heck, of our own home steadfast way they fought and sac- SIDY). The Senator from Arkansas. State universities? What does it take rificed in the name of freedom. 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF THE to get our attention around here? My colleagues and I also had the BULGE Why is the fossil fuel industry’s un- unique opportunity to witness the cere- Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise limited dark money still flooding our mony by the 101st Airborne Division today to recognize members of the politics? Why are the biggest lobbying among the foxholes in Belgium. These Greatest Generation who courageously forces in Washington, like the U.S. foxholes, once occupied by soldiers, in- helped to defeat the German Army at Chamber of Commerce, rated as Amer- cluding those from Easy Company, the the Battle of the Bulge and who dealt ica’s worst climate obstructors? Where heroes immortalized in the celebrated a critical blow to the Nazi regime. ‘‘The Band of Brothers’’ book and mini- are those trade group members who On this day 75 years ago, American series, remain preserved. They stand as claim to support climate action when soldiers continued the resilience they a stark reminder of the bitter cold and their own groups are leading the ob- had demonstrated for 4 weeks. On De- inhospitable conditions our soldiers struction? What is going on? cember 16, 1944, in the Ardennes Forest Who around here is so cynical as to withstood for so many days. This sol- of the Luxembourg and Belgium area, emn ceremony was a special way to re- still take fossil fuel money and block American soldiers were unexpectedly member those who had fought and to climate action? In 2020, how is that a attacked by the Germans. Allied forces honor those whose lives were taken too legitimate deal? were unprepared. They were out- Who hasn’t noticed the world spin- early. numbered and facing record-low tem- Following World War II, the Belgium ning toward climate catastrophe—the peratures and dwindling supplies, but, people raised money to build a memo- forests burning, the seas rising, the still, the men on the frontlines dug in rial to show their appreciation for the ocean water acidifying, the glaciers to defend against the enemy. selfless sacrifice of Americans troops. melting? How can you miss that? Arkansan Bill Strauss was one of the The Mardasson Memorial was dedi- To the liars, the deniers, the con- brave men who faced the bitter cold cated in 1950. The walls of the star- nivers, and the stooges, I predict 2020 is and dire conditions. With lack of sleep shaped structure commemorate the going to be a bad year for you. The and shortage of food, he and his fellow battle, paying tribute to the units that sand beneath your castle of lies is erod- troops endured this extreme test of will fought there and representing the ing fast. Now, 2019 was a tough year for and resolve. States where those wounded or whose you, and 2020 will be worse. We are I met with Bill in 2019 to help him lives were lost hailed from. going to bring down your castle of lies. celebrate his 100th birthday and This memorial is in need of repairs. The fossil fuel industry campaign of thanked him for his service and contin- That is why I support legislation that obstruction hides behind an armada of ued commitment to sharing his experi- Senator TILLIS introduced that would phony front groups. In 2020, we will out ences with others. It has been 75 years, let experts at the American Battle you and your fossil fuel funding, too. but Bill’s recollection of the details of Monuments Commission oversee its To big oil companies that pretend to the unimaginable circumstances he restoration. want progress, while still using that faced was still very clear. He talks Maintaining this memorial is critical climate denial and obstruction appa- about his memories as part of the Bat- to making sure what the monument ratus to attack the very progress you tle of the Bulge in order to honor his stands for: the service and the sac- claim to want, we will out that truth. fellow soldiers who weren’t so fortu- rifices made by Americans at the Bat- We will expose your two-facedness. nate, as well as to teach succeeding tle of the Bulge, and that will continue The fossil fuel industry spoons up the generations about the realities of war to be remembered for generations to biggest subsidy in the history of the and the remarkable perseverance of come. I encourage my colleagues to planet. The International Monetary American troops. support this bill so future generations Fund estimates their global subsidy in The 6-week battle demonstrated the can reflect on the heroism and bravery the trillions of dollars every year— commitment, courage, and resilience of of our troops. globally. In the United States alone, Bill and all the American soldiers. It We can be proud of the unwavering the fossil fuel industry was subsidized was the largest battle ever fought by bravery of the American servicemem- to the tune of $650 billion in 2015—the the U.S. Army. British Prime Minister bers and the Allied forces whose efforts last year the IMF has calculated. We Winston Churchill called it ‘‘the great- defeated the German attack and led to will out that massive subsidy and their est American battle of the war.’’ It the end of the Nazi regime. dark money schemes to protect it.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.041 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S52 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 The fossil fuel industry’s biggest Really? Did they know it? Did they Happily, there are some things the schemers against climate action in know the chamber—their own organi- crooked fossil fuel industry apparatus Congress are the big corporate trade zation—was secretly getting fossil fuel can’t stop. Even with its massive sub- associations. The worst two are the money to become a top climate sidy for fossil fuel, renewables are U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Na- obstructer? starting to win on price. New green en- tional Association of Manufacturers. If they did know, by God, they have ergy technologies are powering up, like The watchdog InfluenceMap outed got some explaining to do. If they did offshore wind and battery storage. NAM and the chamber in a virtual tie not know, what standard of governance Electric vehicles are driving cost down as the two most obstructive forces on makes it OK for a board member to not and performance up for consumers. Old climate change in America. That is even know who is funding your organi- coal plants are closing—546 since 2010. some prize. zation? So, look out, board members. New coal plants are unfinanceable, and The chamber works its evil in legisla- We are not letting that go either. The 2019 saw Murray Energy become the tion, through regulatory action, in year 2020 is when we intend to get to eighth coal company in a year to file courts, in elections, even fighting the bottom of all of this nasty mess. for bankruptcy and the biggest drop in State-level progress on carbon pollu- The real test for the chamber—not coal consumption ever. tion. baby steps—will be whether it puts its Another trend the industry couldn’t The chamber funded the phony de- back into passing a real comprehensive stop was economists, central bankers, bunked report that President Trump climate bill. Will the chamber stop Wall Street, real estate professionals, used to disparage the Paris Agreement. scheming with climate denial organiza- and asset managers waking up to the The chamber stooged for the fossil tions? Will the chamber stop opposing crash risks that climate change poses fuel industry for years and got away climate action candidates? Those are to the global economy. It is not just with it, but 2019 saw an end to that. the tests. This, by the way, is not a PR that it is wrecking our atmosphere and My colleagues and I took to social test. It is not a PR test of how little oceans and climate. Our economy media, to op-ed pages, and to the Sen- you can get away with. This is a stands on those pillars, and at some ate floor to out the chamber for its dis- science test. It is a science test of how point there will be economic crashes. graceful record on climate change. We we keep our planet below 1.5 degrees Climate crash warnings used to be pushed on chamber members to de- Celsius, global warming. If we fail the scarce. Now they are everywhere. mand change within the organization. science test, how well we did on the PR Freddie Mac warns that rising sea lev- We countered the chamber with amicus test is going to look pretty silly. els will prompt a crash in coastal prop- briefs, laying out its dirty history, Help us meet that 1.5 degrees Celsius. erty values worse than the housing when its evil little head popped up in We will be talking, gladly. I look for- crash that caused the 2008 financial cri- climate lawsuits. ward to working with you. Until then, sis. Senator WARREN and I lodged a com- First Street Foundation found that expect the pressure on you to rise in plaint with the Clerk of the House and rising seas have already resulted in $16 2020. the Secretary of the Senate over the billion in lost property values in coast- chamber’s refusal to disclose who is be- We called out one other miscreant in 2019: Marathon Petroleum. This gaso- al homes from Maine to Mississippi. hind its lobbying activities—disclo- Moody’s warns that climate risk will line refiner orchestrated the Trump at- sures, by the way, required by law. trigger downgrades in coastal commu- tack on fuel economy standards for Senators even got hashtag nities’ bond ratings. BlackRock esti- ‘‘ChamberofCarbon’’ trending on Twit- automobiles. As I laid out in testimony mated that, by the end of the century, ter, and I made a little yearend visit to in a House Oversight Subcommittee climate change will cause coastal com- the chamber to make, for no charge, a hearing last year, Marathon pressured munities annual losses that could aver- little correction to their sign out front, Members of Congress, Governors, and age up to 15 percent of local GDP—av- so that it says ‘‘Welcome to the U.S. the Trump administration. The corrupt erage up to 15 percent of local GDP— Chamber of Carbon.’’ So we have been Trump administration was only too with the hardest hit communities hit after them. eager to oblige, issuing an error-riddled far worse. Look out, Florida. By the By year’s end, there were signs of dis- proposal to freeze the fuel economy way, Louisiana is not too far from comfort over at the chamber. Up standards. Florida. popped a post on its website that said The Trump administration went The Bank of England, the Bank of that on climate ‘‘inaction is not an op- after California’s authority under the France, the Bank of Canada, and the tion.’’ Hell, for years, inaction had Clean Air Act to set fuel standards. European Central Bank—backed by been their purpose. Now they say it is Trump’s DOJ cooked up a bogus anti- top-tier, peer-reviewed economic pa- not an option. trust investigation, I believe, to punish pers—are all warning of systemic eco- The chamber formed a new internal the automakers that had worked with nomic risk—‘‘systemic economic risk’’ climate change working group. The California to hammer out a separate is economist-speak for risk to the en- ‘‘Chamber of Carbon’’ even quietly deal on fuel economy standards that tire economy—from stranded fossil fuel posted that it reversed itself on the defeated Marathon’s scheme. assets, the so-called carbon asset bub- Paris Agreement and now was for stay- It looks like the Trump administra- ble. On top of that, the Commodity Fu- ing in—OK, baby steps but in the right tion also pressured automakers to sup- tures Trading Commission here in the direction. port the administration’s legal battle United States has launched a climate I think the chamber and NAM be- with California, and 2020 is the year I risk review. Even the Trump Fed is came America’s two worst climate ob- hope we expose all this. starting to echo those warnings with structors because they were paid with In 2019, investors started noticing reports out of local Federal Reserve fossil fuel dark money, and in 2020 I in- Marathon’s bad behavior on climate. In banks. tend to find that out. If the chamber is fact, in September, 200 investors with It is not just big institutions that are still taking fossil fuel money, it is hard $6.5 trillion in assets under manage- grasping the risks of climate change. I to take those baby steps very seri- ment sent a letter to 47 U.S. compa- visited Louisiana, Wyoming, and Colo- ously. They are probably just PR to nies, including Marathon, to urge those rado last year to hear about climate placate the chamber members who are companies to align their lobbying with change and see what red- and purple- embarrassed that their organization the Paris Agreement 2 degrees Celsius State Americans are doing about it. got caught and outed as a top climate climate goal and to warn that their The answer is: plenty. obstructor. lobbying against that goal is an invest- In Louisiana, sea level rise and sub- For that prize, by the way, chamber ment risk. sidence are megathreats. I met a hun- members have a lot to be embarrassed Well, the four biggest shareholders in ter and fisherman whose personal ef- about. Allstate, MetLife, IBM, FedEx, Marathon are BlackRock, JPMorgan, forts to restore marshland have al- Bayer, Ford Motor, United Airlines, State Street, and Vanguard. They lowed his local delta wetlands to re- Delta, American—they all funded and claim to care about climate. We will bound from mismanagement. A sci- directed a top climate obstructor. see, in 2020, if they keep condoning all entist with the National Wildlife Fed- Really? this Marathon misbehavior. eration counted over 30 species of birds

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.043 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE January 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S53 just while we were standing around tions have spent years piling up their ministrator of the Office of Informa- waiting to board the boat. crooked apparatus of climate obstruc- tion and Regulatory Affairs, Office of The sights and sounds of a healthy tion. Increasingly, their evil behavior Management and Budget. marsh were an encouraging reminder of is facing blowback from the public and CLOTURE MOTION nature’s ability to find a way to not from regulators and from investors. Mr. MCCONNELL. I send a cloture only survive but to flourish if we give Alarm bells are ringing ever louder motion to the desk. her a chance. from all quarters about the economic The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- In Wyoming—well, don’t get me risks. ture motion having been presented wrong—climate change isn’t always a Renewable energy and other green under rule XXII, the Chair directs the popular subject. The State is basically technologies are ever more cost com- clerk to read the motion. run by the fossil fuel industry, but petitive. Awareness of climate change The bill clerk read as follows: there I met a younger generation that dangers is ever growing among the CLOTURE MOTION really gets it. I will not forget the de- American people. These are all signs We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- termination of leading winter sports that the thaw, the whumpf, is near, and athletes in Jackson fighting to pre- ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the 2020 could be the moment. Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby serve their winters; nor, in Lander, the I know things in Washington can move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- impassioned argument for climate ac- seem hopeless, but 2019 gave me some nation of Paul J. Ray, of Tennessee, to be tion from a young outdoor instructor reasons to hope. For 2020, well, it is Administrator of the Office of Information from NOLS, National Outdoor Leader- game on to tear down the crooked cas- and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Manage- ship School; nor, out at their campsite, tle of climate denial and solve this ment and Budget. the fire-lit, passionate faces of Central problem while still we can. Mitch McConnell, John Boozman, James Wyoming College students on their M. Inhofe, John Barrasso, Roy Blunt, I yield the floor. Todd Young, Shelley Moore Capito, Mi- way up to take glacier measurements, I suggest the absence of a quorum. who well understand the stakes of cli- chael B. Enzi, Lisa Murkowski, John The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Cornyn, Steve Daines, Lindsey Gra- mate change for their future and the clerk will call the roll. ham, Chuck Grassley, Josh Hawley, future of the State they love. The senior assistant legislative clerk Roger F. Wicker, Marsha Blackburn. Typically, these climate road trips proceeded to call the roll. that I do land me in States where the Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, fight for climate change may need a consent that the mandatory quorum I ask unanimous consent that the order little, say, boost. The opposite was true call be waived. for the quorum call be rescinded. in Colorado. It is a State on a major The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. climate winning streak: a State of good objection, it is so ordered. MCSALLY). Without objection, it is so climate bills passed during the last leg- f ordered. islative session; their biggest public LEGISLATIVE SESSION utility transitioning to renewable en- ORDER OF BUSINESS ergy, building impressive renewable en- Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, ergy and electric vehicle infrastruc- I ask unanimous consent that notwith- MORNING BUSINESS ture; and leading research institutes standing the provisions of rule XXII, at 11 a.m. tomorrow, the Senate vote on Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, bringing new renewable energy tech- I ask unanimous consent that the Sen- nologies to the marketplace. the motions to invoke cloture on Exec- utive Calendar Nos. 329, 462, and 525, in ate proceed to legislative session for a The year 2019 also showed polling period of morning business, with Sen- that showed climate action was becom- the order listed; further, that if cloture ators permitted to speak therein for up ing a top issue for American voters ev- is invoked on the nominations, all to 10 minutes each. erywhere. A big part is young voters— postcloture time be expired at 5 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without and especially young Republicans. tomorrow and the Senate vote on con- objection, it is so ordered. More than three-fourths of all firmation of the nominations with no millennials and a majority of millen- intervening action or debate; finally, f nial Republicans agree on the need for that if confirmed, the motions to re- VOTE EXPLANATION climate action. Last year, a Republican consider be considered made and laid Ms. HARRIS. Madam President, I former Member of Congress wrote upon the table and the President be im- was absent but had I been present, I about climate change: My party will mediately notified of the Senate’s ac- would have voted no on rollcall vote never earn the votes of millennials un- tion. No. 416 the confirmation of Executive The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without less it gets serious about finding solu- Calendar No. 465, Anuraag Singhal, of tions. objection, it is so ordered. Florida, to be United States District It is not just younger voters. Ameri- f Judge for the Southern District of cans of all ages and political stripes favor many of the solutions that sci- LEGISLATIVE SESSION Florida. Madam President, I was absent but entists and economists say are needed Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, to tackle climate change. An October I move to proceed to legislative ses- had I been present, I would have voted 2019 Pew poll found that two-thirds of sion. no on rollcall vote No. 417 the con- Americans believe the Federal Govern- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The firmation of Executive Calendar No. ment needs to do more to combat cli- question is on agreeing to the motion. 466, Karen Spencer Marston, of Penn- mate change. The same poll showed 77 The motion was agreed to. sylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Penn- percent of Americans believe the f United States ought to prioritize devel- sylvania. oping alternative energy over fossil EXECUTIVE SESSION Madam President, I was absent but fuels. had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 418 the con- So the decades-long fossil fuel cam- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR paign of obstruction and lies and denial firmation of Executive Calendar No. will not be tolerated much longer. Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, 480, Daniel Mack Traynor, of North Da- In New England, in the springtime, a I move to proceed to executive session kota, to be United States District moment comes when the roof of your to consider Calendar No. 554. Judge for the District of North Dakota. house warms up enough to send the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Madam President, I was absent but snow sliding down off the roof in a big question is on agreeing to the motion. had I been present, I would have voted whumpf. The snow may have piled up The motion was agreed to. no on rollcall vote No. 419 the con- slowly, over weeks and months, but it The PRESIDING OFFICER. The firmation of Executive Calendar No. comes down all at once in a whumpf. clerk will report the nomination. 481, Jodi W. Dishman, of Oklahoma, to The fossil fuel industry and its net- The bill clerk read the nomination of be United States District Judge for the work of front groups and trade associa- Paul J. Ray, of Tennessee, to be Ad- Western District of Oklahoma.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:00 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.045 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S54 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 Madam President, I was absent but the ‘‘who’s who’’ of the nuclear energy visits. Subsequently, the Pittsburgh de- had I been present, I would have voted supply chain, including technology de- parted Groton, CT, for Bremerton, WA, no on rollcall vote No. 420 the con- velopers, fuel cycle companies, and for her final homeport change. On this firmation of Executive Calendar No. others that demonstrate the impor- final voyage, she became the first sub- 490, John M. Gallagher, of Pennsyl- tance of maintaining the nuclear in- marine of her variant to complete an vania, to be United States District dustry. These companies working in arctic transit. She is now undergoing Judge for the Eastern District of Penn- conjunction would not have been pos- the months-long decommissioning and sylvania. sible without the dedicated effort of inactivation process that will cul- Madam President, I was absent but David Blee. In July of last year, I was minate in a ceremony on January 17, had I been present, I would have voted honored to be presented with the U.S. 2020. I send everyone involved in the no on rollcall vote No. 422 the con- Nuclear Energy Distinguished Leader- ceremony the best of wishes. firmation of Executive Calendar No. ship Award by USNIC. The coalition of After 35 years of distinguished serv- 354, Mary Kay Vyskocil, of New York, groups attending that award ceremony ice, I commend the USS Pittsburgh and to be United States District Judge for personified the great unifying effect her crew for their sustained commit- the Southern District of New York. that David had on the nuclear indus- ment to upholding our Nation’s de- Madam President, I was absent but try. He was a leader and a motivator, fense. I ask all of my colleagues to join had I been present, I would have voted and his advocacy for the nuclear indus- me in recognition of the USS Pittsburgh yes on rollcall vote No. 423 the con- try will be remembered. I am grateful upon her inactivation from the Navy. firmation of Executive Calendar No. for the work that he completed during f 383, Kea Whetzal Riggs, of New Mexico, his lifetime and his lasting legacy as a ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS to be United States District Judge for respected leader in the nuclear field. the District of New Mexico. f Madam President, I was absent but REMEMBERING ROBERT L. ‘‘RED’’ had I been present, I would have voted RECOGNIZING THE USS MCKINNEY yes on rollcall vote No. 424 the con- ‘‘PITTSBURGH’’ firmation of Executive Calendar No. Mr. TOOMEY. Madam President, I ∑ Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam Presi- 234, Robert J. Colville, of Pennsyl- wish to recognize the service of the dent, I rise today with a heavy heart to vania, to be United States District USS Pittsburgh and her crew for our pay tribute to Robert ‘‘Red’’ McKin- Judge for the Western District of Penn- country since the ship’s commissioning ney, an outstanding friend and public sylvania. on November 23, 1985. servant. Sadly, Mr. McKinney passed away on December 24, 2019, at the age f A Los Angeles-class, fast-attack nu- clear submarine, the Pittsburgh served of 72. He will be remembered for his de- RMEMBERING DAVID BLEE for 35 years as an anti-submarine, votion to East Hampton and his bright, Mr. RISCH. Madam President, I wish strike, and anti-surface ship warfare loving nature. to commemorate the life of David Blee, vessel that also specialized in surveil- Born in Hartford, CT, Red spent his who tragically passed away on Decem- lance and reconnaissance. The Pitts- entire life in East Hampton. He earned ber 29, 2019, at the age of 66. David was burgh deployed during Operation his higher education degrees in the the founder and president of the United Desert Storm in 1991 and again during State, as well, with an associate’s de- States Nuclear Industry Council, Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2002, con- gree from Mitchell College and a bach- USNIC. During his long and distin- ducting Tomahawk missile strikes in elor’s degree from Central Connecticut guished career in the nuclear industry, both campaigns. While most of the ves- State University. Red spent five dec- David concentrated on nuclear supply sel’s missions remain classified, the ades as a chemical specialist, focused chain and reactor technology and ac- Pittsburgh logged over 1,000 dives all in metal working fluids. For 40 years, tively worked to increase support for over the world, including in the Arctic, he and his wife, Anne, co-owned a com- nuclear power in the United States and Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. mercial and residential property acqui- abroad. David also worked with the Na- The Pittsburgh was the U.S. Navy’s sition and management company, HTA, tional Laboratories, including Idaho fourth ship to be named after the Steel LLC. National Laboratory, often running City and during its time in service re- Outside of his work, Red dedicated conferences in conjunction with them. tained a number of connections to its himself to supporting his community. At the time of his passing, David held namesake. Over the years, multiple Giving back to those around him an appointment to the U.S. Depart- civic organizations have used the ship brought Red an unparalleled joy, dat- ment of Commerce’s Civil Nuclear for outreach efforts, fundraisers, and ing back to his role as a member of Trade Advisory Committee, CINTAC, crew visits to increase the public’s ap- East Hampton Parks and Recreation in an achievement that spoke to his in- preciation for the Navy and the sub- the 1970s. He was the youngest member credible expertise. marine service. Local groups, such as of the East Hampton Board of Select- David graduated from Dickinson Col- the Pittsburgh Council of the Navy men ever elected and proudly served lege in Pennsylvania with a degree in League and the Leetsdale, PA, chapter for 4 years. Notably, Red also served as economics, but he soon began working of the U.S. Submarine Veterans Incor- chairman of the East Hampton Demo- in politics and public service. After porated, have kept in regular contact cratic Town Committee for 10 years managing several political campaigns, with the ship’s crew. Another local or- and remained a member for his entire David became chief of staff to former ganization, called the Pittsburgh Foun- life since 1974. Representative and Senator Connie dation, even administers a scholarship That same year, he joined the East Mack while Mack served in the House fund for the Pittsburgh’s crew and their Hampton Rotary Club, making him the of Representatives. David then served families. longest tenured member. His impres- as a Deputy Assistant Secretary and, The vessel’s motto, ‘‘Heart of Steel,’’ sive level of involvement is also evi- later, Director of Public Affairs for the paid homage to the city’s cultural and dent through his over four-decade-long U.S. Department of Energy during the industrial roots. The slogan is apt role as a charter member of the Old Reagan administration. He also served given that researchers at the Bettis Home Days Association. The associa- as the executive vice president for NAC Atomic Power Laboratory in West tion coordinates the annual East International, a U.S.-based energy Mifflin, PA, just outside of Pittsburgh, Hampton Old Home Day parade—a sig- services and technology company, are credited with designing portions of nature celebratory tradition attended where he directed the company’s world- the nuclear technology outfitted on nu- by hundreds of people. As a regular wide consulting group and marketing clear-propelled Navy vessels, including participant in the parade, I saw first- and business development portfolios. the Pittsburgh. hand the professionalism and dedica- One of David’s best attributes was his On February 25, 2019, the submarine tion that Red brought to that event. He ability to work with people and bring completed her final deployment, during was always a joy to talk with. organizations together. Composed of which she traveled over 39,000 nautical Red was especially pleased to have over 80 companies, USNIC represents miles and conducted three foreign port the opportunity to celebrate the people

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07JA6.005 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE January 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S55 of his town and surrounding commu- Electric for being selected as the Idaho Dr. Delica and her team’s dedication nities. He treasured the residents of Small Business of the Month for Janu- to quality dental services and commu- East Hampton the same way he valued ary 2020. You make our great State nity service, both in the United States his close friends and family. proud, and I look forward to your con- and abroad, makes Delicate Periodon- Through his active role in these orga- tinued growth and success.∑ tics and Implant Dentistry an integral nizations and many others, including f member of the South Florida economy. the Middle Haddam Library and Mid- Congratulations to the entire team at dlesex Hospital, Red positively im- RECOGNIZING DELICATE PERI- Delicate Periodontics and Implant pacted countless members of his com- ODONTICS AND IMPLANT DEN- Dentistry. I look forward to watching munity. His commitment to supporting TISTRY your continued growth and success.∑ ∑ those around him was recognized Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, as f through three Paul Harris Fellow chairman of the Senate Committee on EXECUTIVE AND OTHER Awards and numerous other honors. Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Red’s remarkable legacy of service is each week I highlight a small business COMMUNICATIONS an inspiration to all of us and sets a that exemplifies the value of dignified The following communications were model of service that will continue in work and the unique entrepreneurial laid before the Senate, together with East Hampton for years to come. spirit of our Nation. It is my privilege accompanying papers, reports, and doc- My wife, Cynthia, and I extend our to recognize a Florida small business uments, and were referred as indicated: deepest sympathies to Red’s family that is dedicated to its patients, as EC–3589. A communication from the Acting during this difficult time, particularly well as the surrounding community. Principal Director, Defense Pricing and Con- to his wife, Anne, along with their chil- Today, I am proud to honor Delicate tracting, Department of Defense, transmit- dren and grandchildren. May their Periodontics and Implant Dentistry of ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Wellington, FL, as the Senate Small titled ‘‘Defense Federal Acquisition Regula- many wonderful memories of Red pro- tion Supplement: Review of Defense Solicita- vide them solace and comfort.∑ Business of the Week. tions by Procurement Center Representa- f Founded in 2017 by owner Dr. J’Nelle tives’’ ((RIN0750–AK43) (DFARS Case 2019– Delica, Delicate Periodontics and Im- D008)) received during adjournment of the RECOGNIZING POCATELLO plant Dentistry is a friendly, wel- Senate in the Office of the President of the ELECTRIC coming dental practice that provides Senate on January 2, 2020; to the Committee ∑ Mr. RISCH. Madam President, as a quality dental care with a specializa- on Armed Services. member and former chairman of the tion in laser periodontics. A first-gen- EC–3590. A communication from the Direc- tor, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protec- Senate Committee on Small Business eration Jamaican-American and native tion, transmitting, pursuant to law, the An- and Entrepreneurship, each month I Floridian, Dr. Delica dreamed of open- nual Report on the Truth in Lending Act, recognize and celebrate the American ing a dental practice since she was 13. the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, and the entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting Years later, Dr. Delica has achieved Credit Card Accountability Responsibility the success of a small business in my her dream and has dedicated her career and Disclosure Act; to the Committee on home State of Idaho. Today I am to treating patients and educating in- Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. pleased to honor Pocatello Electric lo- dividuals on dental health. In addition EC–3591. A communication from the Direc- tor, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protec- cated in Pocatello as the Idaho Small to services such as exams and tion, transmitting, pursuant to law, the An- Business of the Month for January 2020. cleanings, Delicate Periodontics pro- nual Report of the Consumer Financial Pro- Max Schaefer opened Pocatello Elec- vides surgical and laser periodontal tection Bureau on College Credit Card Agree- tric in 1902 and sold the business to Ed therapy, soft tissue and bone grafts, ments; to the Committee on Banking, Hous- Hall in the 1930s. The business became dental implants, and sinus lifts. With ing, and Urban Affairs. well known for its ‘‘free air and water the help of her staff, Dr. Delica ensures EC–3592. A communication from the Sec- at the curb,’’ which meant air for auto- that each patient receives personalized retary of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant mobile tires and water for horses. Al attention. When faced with large and to law, a report relative to the export to the People’s Republic of China of items not det- Vigliaturo began working at Pocatello complicated cases, Dr. Delica ensures rimental to the U.S. space launch industry; Electric in 1947 and eventually bought that the process remains collaborative to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and the business from Hall in 1973. so patients feel at ease. Urban Affairs. Vigliaturo’s son and daughter-in-law, Delicate Periodontics is also involved EC–3593. A communication from the Sec- Mike and Suzie Vigliaturo, bought the in giving back to the community retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- business in 1989 and continue to run through events like health fairs where ant to law, a six-month periodic report on daily operations. Dr. Delica provides dental screenings the national emergency with respect to Pocatello Electric offers a wide range for Palm Beach County residents. The Belarus that was declared in Executive Order 13405 of June 16, 2006; to the Committee on of home appliances, accessory items, dental practice has also been a dedi- Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. and mattresses for purchase in its cated sponsor for events in the Wel- EC–3594. A communication from the Sec- 7,500-square-foot showroom in historic lington community such as the Meet retary of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant Old Town Pocatello. For more than 117 Me at the Race Sunset Stride Family to law, a report on the continuation of a na- years, the business has remained com- 5K. Additionally, Dr. Delica has dedi- tional emergency declared in Executive mitted to providing exceptional cus- cated much of her time to educating Order 13222 with respect to the lapse of the tomer service. Employees assess the local middle and high school students Export Administration Act of 1979; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban needs of each customer to ensure buy- about careers in dentistry as part of an Affairs. ers select products that will fit their annual health symposium. EC–3595. A communication from the Pro- unique needs. The delivery team pro- Dr. Delica’s passion for educating gram Specialist, Office of the Comptroller of vides professional delivery and instal- others on dental hygiene has extended the Currency, Department of the Treasury, lation, and the service team provides far beyond the walls of Delicate Peri- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of continued service and repairs for all odontics. As a student, Dr. Delica a rule entitled ‘‘Regulatory Capital Treat- products purchased in-store. Pocatello partnered with the Jamaican Ministry ment for High Volatility Commercial Real of Health to educate families on dental Estate (HVCRE) Exposures’’ (RIN1557–AE48) Electric has received the Idaho State received during adjournment of the Senate Journal’s Readers’ Choice Award for health in early childhood. After earn- in the Office of the President of the Senate best appliance store each year since ing her degree in dentistry, Dr. Delica on December 30, 2019; to the Committee on 2004 and its best customer service maintained her relationship with Ja- Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. award 3 years in a row. The business re- maica and currently serves as an ad- EC–3596. A communication from the Coun- cently hosted a No Child Hungry event, junct faculty member at the University sel, Legal Division, Bureau of Consumer Fi- which brought the Pocatello commu- of West Indies Dental School. In recent nancial Protection, transmitting, pursuant years, Dr. Delica has brought her den- to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Home nity together to pack 10,000 meals that Mortgage Disclosure (Regulation C) Adjust- were delivered to local food pantries, tal expertise to Saint Ann, Jamaica, ment to Asset-Size Exemption Threshold’’ homeless shelters, and soup kitchens. where she and other health profes- (12 CFR Part 1003) received during adjourn- Congratulations to Mike Vigliaturo sionals volunteer their dentistry skills ment of the Senate in the Office of the Presi- and all of the employees at Pocatello for patients in need. dent of the Senate on December 30, 2019; to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G07JA6.035 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S56 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 the Committee on Banking, Housing, and of the President of the Senate on December Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Urban Affairs. 23, 2019; to the Committee on Environment ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- EC–3597. A communication from the Direc- and Public Works. titled ‘‘Alabama; Approval of Plan for Con- tor of Legislative Affairs, Federal Deposit EC–3606. A communication from the Direc- trol of Emissions from Commercial and In- Insurance Corporation, transmitting, pursu- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, dustrial Solid Waste Incineration Units’’ ant to law, the report of a rule entitled Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- (FRL No. 9996–80–Region 4) received during ‘‘Regulatory Capital Treatment for High ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- adjournment of the Senate in the Office of Volatility Commercial Real Estate (HVCRE) titled ‘‘Partial Approval, Partial Dis- the President of the Senate on December 30, Exposures’’ (RIN3064–AE90) received during approval and Promulgation of State Plans 2019; to the Committee on Environment and adjournment of the Senate in the Office of for Designated Facilities and Pollutants; Public Works. the President of the Senate on January 2, California; Control of Emissions from Exist- EC–3614. A communication from the Direc- 2020; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, ing Municipal Solid Waste Landfills’’ (FRL tor of the Regulatory Management Division, and Urban Affairs. No. 10000–52–Region 9) received during ad- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- EC–3598. A communication from the Acting journment of the Senate in the Office of the ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- General Counsel of the National Credit President of the Senate on December 23, 2019; titled ‘‘Idaho; Final Approval of State Un- Union Administration, transmitting, pursu- to the Committee on Environment and Pub- derground Storage Tank Program Revisions, ant to law, the report of a rule entitled lic Works. Codification and Incorporation by Ref- ‘‘Delay of Effective Date of the Risk-Based EC–3607. A communication from the Direc- erence’’ (FRL No. 10003–28–Region 10) re- Capital Rules’’ (RIN3133–AF01) received dur- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, ceived during adjournment of the Senate in ing adjournment of the Senate in the Office Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- the Office of the President of the Senate on of the President of the Senate on January 2, ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- December 30, 2019; to the Committee on En- 2020; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, titled ‘‘Tennessee; Approval of Plan for Con- vironment and Public Works. and Urban Affairs. trol of Emissions from Commercial and In- EC–3615. A communication from the Direc- EC–3599. A communication from the Sec- dustrial Solid Waste Incineration Units’’ tor of the Regulatory Management Division, retary, Securities and Exchange Commis- (FRL No. 9997–01–Region 4) received during Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- sion, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re- adjournment of the Senate in the Office of ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- port of a rule entitled ‘‘Risk Mitigation the President of the Senate on December 30, titled ‘‘Protection of Stratospheric Ozone; Techniques for Uncleared Security-Based 2019; to the Committee on Environment and Adjustments to the Allowance System for Swaps’’ (RIN3235–AL83) received during ad- Public Works. Controlling HCFC Production and Import, journment of the Senate in the Office of the EC–3608. A communication from the Direc- 2020–2029; and Other Updates’’ (FRL No. President of the Senate on January 2, 2020; tor of the Regulatory Management Division, 10003–80–OAR) received during adjournment to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- of the Senate in the Office of the President Urban Affairs. ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- of the Senate on December 30, 2019; to the EC–3600. A communication from the Sec- titled ‘‘2020 Annual Adjustment: Federal Committee on Environment and Public retary, Securities and Exchange Commis- Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment’’ (FRL Works. sion, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re- No. 10003–77–OECA) received during adjourn- EC–3616. A communication from the Assist- port of a rule entitled ‘‘Rule Amendments ment of the Senate in the Office of the Presi- ant Secretary of Defense, transmitting, pur- and Guidance Addressing Cross-Border Appli- dent of the Senate on December 30, 2019; to suant to law, a report relative to a consoli- cation of Certain Security-Based Swap Re- the Committee on Environment and Public dated budget justification display that in- quirements’’ (RIN3235–AM13) received during Works. cludes all programs and activities of the De- EC–3609. A communication from the Direc- adjournment of the Senate in the Office of partment of Defense combating terrorism tor of the Regulatory Management Division, the President of the Senate on January 2, program (OSS–2019–1354); to the Committee Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- 2020; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, on Armed Services. ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- EC–3617. A communication from the Assist- and Urban Affairs. titled ‘‘Air Plan Approval; Yolo-Solano Air ant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Depart- EC–3601. A communication from the Presi- Quality Management District; Stationary ment of State, transmitting, pursuant to dent of the United States, transmitting, pur- Source Permits’’ (FRL No. 10002–05–Region 9) law, a report consistent with the Authoriza- suant to law, a report relative to the des- received during adjournment of the Senate tion for Use of Military Force Against Iraq ignation as an emergency requirement all in the Office of the President of the Senate Resolution of 2002 (P.L. 107–243) and the Au- funding so designated by the Congress in the on December 30, 2019; to the Committee on thorization for the Use of Military Force Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, pur- Environment and Public Works. Against Iraq Resolution of 1991 (P.L. 102–1) suant to section 251 (b) (2) (A) of the Bal- EC–3610. A communication from the Direc- for the September 10, 2019 to November 9, anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control tor of the Regulatory Management Division, 2019 reporting period; to the Committee on Act of 1985, for the enclosed list of accounts; Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Foreign Relations. to the Committee on the Budget. ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- EC–3618. A communication from the Assist- EC–3602. A communication from the Presi- titled ‘‘Air Plan Approval; Indiana; Limited ant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Depart- dent of the United States, transmitting, pur- Maintenance Plans for the 1997 Oxone ment of State, transmitting, pursuant to suant to law, a report relative to the des- NAAQS; Evansville, Fort Wayne, Greene section 36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act, ignation for Overseas Contingency Oper- County, Jackson County, Muncie, and Terre the certification of a proposed license for the ations/Global War on Terrorism all funding Haute areas’’ (FRL No. 10003–54–Region 5) re- export of defense articles, including tech- (including the rescission of funds) and con- ceived during adjournment of the Senate in nical data and defense services, to the United tributions from foreign governments so des- the Office of the President of the Senate on Kingdom for the support and installation of ignated by the Congress in the Consolidated December 30, 2019; to the Committee on En- the MK 45 mod 4 naval gun system, type 26 Appropriations Act, 2020, pursuant to section vironment and Public Works. ammunition handling system, and ammuni- 251 (b) (2) (A) of the Balanced Budget and EC–3611. A communication from the Direc- tion lift on the type 26 Maritime Indirect Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, for tor of the Regulatory Management Division, Fire System (MIFS) frigates in the amount the enclosed list of accounts; to the Com- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- of $100,000,000 or more (Transmittal No. mittee on the Budget. ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- DDTC 19–067); to the Committee on Foreign EC–3603. A communication from the Sec- titled ‘‘Air Plan Approval; South Carolina; Relations. retary of the Interior, transmitting, pursu- Interstate Transport for the 2008 8-hour EC–3619. A communication from the Execu- ant to law, an annual report related to the Ozone NAAQS’’ (FRL No. 10003–56–Region 4) tive Secretary, U.S. Agency for Inter- Colorado River System Reservoirs for 2020; received during adjournment of the Senate national Development (USAID), transmit- to the Committee on Energy and Natural Re- in the Office of the President of the Senate ting, pursuant to law, two (2) reports relative sources. on December 30, 2019; to the Committee on to vacancies in the U.S. Agency for Inter- EC–3604. A communication from the Assist- Environment and Public Works. national Development (USAID), received ant Secretary of the Army, Department of EC–3612. A communication from the Direc- during adjournment of the Senate in the Of- the Army, Department of Defense, transmit- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, fice of the President of the Senate on Janu- ting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ‘‘The Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- ary 2, 2020; to the Committee on Foreign Re- Innovative Materials and Advanced Tech- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- lations. nologies Report’’; to the Committee on Envi- titled ‘‘Air Plan Approval; Tennessee; Infra- EC–3620. A communication from the Chair, ronment and Public Works. structure Requirements for the 2015 8-hour Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access EC–3605. A communication from the Direc- Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Stand- Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, tor of the Regulatory Management Division, ard’’ (FRL No. 10003–55–Region 4) received a report entitled ‘‘Oversight of Institutions Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- during adjournment of the Senate in the Of- for Mental Diseases’’; to the Committee on ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- fice of the President of the Senate on Decem- Finance. titled ‘‘Extension of Photochemical Assess- ber 30, 2019; to the Committee on Environ- EC–3621. A communication from the Direc- ment Monitoring Stations Compliance Dead- ment and Public Works. tor, Office of Regulations and Reports Clear- line’’ (FRL No. 10003–87–OAR) received dur- EC–3613. A communication from the Direc- ance, Social Security Administration, trans- ing adjournment of the Senate in the Office tor of the Regulatory Management Division, mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07JA6.006 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE January 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S57 entitled ‘‘Setting the Manner for the Appear- spector General for the period from April 1, Act’’ ((21 CFR Part 1308) (Docket No. DEA– ance of Parties and Witnesses at a Hearing’’ 2019 through September 30, 2019; to the Com- 472a)) received during adjournment of the (RIN0960–AI09) received in the Office of the mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- Senate in the Office of the President of the President of the Senate on December 18, 2019; mental Affairs. Senate on December 30, 2019; to the Com- to the Committee on Finance. EC–3630. A communication from the Chair- mittee on the Judiciary. EC–3622. A communication from the Chief man, Federal Maritime Commission, trans- EC–3639. A communication from the Assist- of the Publications and Regulations Branch, mitting, pursuant to law, the 21st Century ant Administrator of the Diversion Control Internal Revenue Service, Department of the IDEA 2019 report; to the Committee on Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Department of Justice, transmitting, pursu- report of a rule entitled ‘‘Guidance under fairs. ant to law, the report of a rule entitled Section 355(e) Regarding Predecessors, Suc- EC–3631. A communication from the Chair- ‘‘Technical Correction to Regulation Regard- cessors, and Limitation on Gain Recogni- man of the Council of the District of Colum- ing Registration’’ ((21 CFR Part 1301) (Dock- tion; Guidance under Section 355(f)’’ bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report et No. DEA–511)) received during adjourn- ((RIN1545–BN18) (TD 9888)) received during on D.C. Act 23–278, ‘‘Sense of the Council ment of the Senate in the Office of the Presi- adjournment of the Senate in the Office of Supporting the Protection of Immigrant dent of the Senate on December 30, 2019; to the President of the Senate on December 20, Families Resolution of 2019’’; to the Com- the Committee on the Judiciary. 2019; to the Committee on Finance. mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- EC–3640. A communication from the Direc- EC–3623. A communication from the Chief mental Affairs. tor, Office of Regulation Policy and Manage- of the Publications and Regulations Branch, EC–3632. A communication from the Sec- ment, Department of Veterans Affairs, trans- Internal Revenue Service, Department of the retary of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the law, the Department’s Semiannual Report of entitled ‘‘Contracts and Provider Agree- report of a rule entitled ‘‘Interim Guidance the Inspector General for the period from ments for State Home Nursing Home Care’’ on Income Tax Withholding from Retirement April 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019; to (RIN2900–AO57) received in the Office of the and Annuity Distributions’’ (Notice 2020–3) the Committee on Homeland Security and President of the Senate on December 19, 2019; received during adjournment of the Senate Governmental Affairs. to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. EC–3633. A communication from the Offi- in the Office of the President of the Senate EC–3641. A communication from the Direc- cer, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Lib- on December 20, 2019; to the Committee on tor, Office of Regulation Policy and Manage- erties, Department of Homeland Security, Finance. ment, Department of Veterans Affairs, trans- transmitting, pursuant to law, the fiscal EC–3624. A communication from the Chief mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule year 2018 annual report for the Department’s of the Publications and Regulations Branch, entitled ‘‘Reimbursement of Qualifying Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties; to Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Adoption Expenses for Certain Veterans’’ the Committees on Homeland Security and Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the (RIN2900–AQ01) received in the Office of the Governmental Affairs; the Judiciary; and Se- report of a rule entitled ‘‘Extension of the President of the Senate on December 19, 2019; lect Committee on Intelligence. Phase-in Period for the Enforcement and Ad- to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. EC–3634. A communication from the Direc- ministration of Section 871(m)’’ (Notice 2020– EC–3642. A communication from the Assist- 2) received during adjournment of the Senate tor of the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action, Bureau of Indian Af- ant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and in the Office of the President of the Senate Reserve Affairs), transmitting, pursuant to on December 20, 2019; to the Committee on fairs, Department of the Interior, transmit- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- law, a report on the mobilizations of selected Finance. reserve units, received during adjournment EC–3625. A communication from the Chief titled ‘‘Rights-of-Way on Indian Land; Bond of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Publications and Regulations Branch, Exemption’’ (RIN1076–AF20 and RIN1076– of the Senate on January 3, 2020; to the Com- Internal Revenue Service, Department of the AF37) received during adjournment of the mittee on Armed Services. Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Senate in the Office of the President of the EC–3643. A communication from the Sec- report of a rule entitled ‘‘Dividend Equiva- Senate on December 30, 2019; to the Com- retary of the Commodity Futures Trading lents from Sources within the United mittee on Indian Affairs. Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, States’’ ((RIN1545–BN76) (TD 9887)) received EC–3635. A communication from the Direc- the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Public Rule- during adjournment of the Senate in the Of- tor of the Office of Regulatory Affairs and making Procedures’’ (RIN3038–AE90) received fice of the President of the Senate on Decem- Collaborative Action, Bureau of Indian Af- during adjournment of the Senate in the Of- ber 20, 2019; to the Committee on Finance. fairs, Department of the Interior, transmit- EC–3626. A communication from the Regu- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- fice of the President of the Senate on Janu- lations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare titled ‘‘Tribal Energy Resource Agreements ary 2, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, and Medicaid Services, Department of under the Indian Tribal Energy Development Nutrition, and Forestry. Health and Human Services, transmitting, and Self Determination Act’’ (RIN1076–AF47) EC–3644. A communication from the Chief pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled received during adjournment of the Senate Counsel, Federal Emergency Management ‘‘Patient Protection and Affordable Care in the Office of the President of the Senate Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Act; Exchange Program Integrity’’ (RIN0938– on December 30, 2019; to the Committee on transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of AT53) received during adjournment of the Indian Affairs. a rule entitled ‘‘Suspension of Community Senate in the Office of the President of the EC–3636. A communication from the Regu- Eligibility’’ ((44 CFR Part 64) (Docket No. Senate on December 30, 2019; to the Com- latory Documentation Specialist, Bureau of FEMA–2019–0003)) received in the Office of mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, the President of the Senate on December 19, Pensions. transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of 2019; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, EC–3627. A communication from the Dep- a rule entitled ‘‘List of Courts of Indian Of- and Urban Affairs. uty Assistant General Counsel for Regu- fenses; Future Publication of Updates’’ EC–3645. A communication from the Dep- latory Affairs, Pension Benefit Guaranty (RIN1076–AF46) received during adjournment uty Assistant Secretary for Export Adminis- Corporation, transmitting, pursuant to law, of the Senate in the Office of the President tration, Bureau of Industry and Security, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Allocation of of the Senate on December 30, 2019; to the Department of Commerce, transmitting, pur- Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Benefits Committee on Indian Affairs. suant to law, the report of a rule entitled Payable in Terminated Single-Employer EC–3637. A communication from the Assist- ‘‘Addition of Software Specially Designed to Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and ant Administrator of the Diversion Control Automate the Analysis of Geospatial Im- Paying Benefits’’ (29 CFR Parts 4022 and 4044) Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, agery to the Export Control Classification received during adjournment of the Senate Department of Justice, transmitting, pursu- Number 0Y521 Series’’ (RIN0694–AH89) re- in the Office of the President of the Senate ant to law, the report of a rule entitled ceived during adjournment of the Senate in on January 2, 2020; to the Committee on ‘‘Schedules of Controlled Substances: Place- the Office of the President of the Senate on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. ment of Cyclopropyl Fentanyl, January 2, 2020; to the Committee on Bank- EC–3628. A communication from the Regu- Methoxyacetyl fentanyl, ortho- ing, Housing, and Urban Affairs. lations Coordinator, Administration for Fluorofentanyl, and para-Fluorobutyryl EC–3646. A communication from the Direc- Children and Families, Department of Fentanyl in Schedule I’’ ((21 CFR Part 1308) tor of Legislative Affairs, Federal Deposit Health and Human Services, transmitting, (Docket No. DEA–507)) received in the Office Insurance Corporation, transmitting, pursu- pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled of the President of the Senate on December ant to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Head Start Program’’ (RIN0970–AC78) re- 30, 2019; to the Committee on the Judiciary. ‘‘Community Reinvestment Act Regula- ceived during adjournment of the Senate in EC–3638. A communication from the Assist- tions’’ (RIN3064–AF20) received in the Office the Office of the President of the Senate on ant Administrator of the Diversion Control of the President of the Senate on January 3, December 30, 2019; to the Committee on Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, 2020; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Department of Justice, transmitting, pursu- and Urban Affairs. EC–3629. A communication from the Chair- ant to law, the report of a rule entitled EC–3647. A communication from the Sec- woman, U.S. Election Assistance Commis- ‘‘Schedules of Controlled Substances: Exten- retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- sion, transmitting, pursuant to law, the sion of Temporary Placement of FUB–AMB ant to law, the six-month periodic report on Commission’s Semiannual Report of the In- in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances the national emergency with respect to the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07JA6.008 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S58 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 Western Balkans that was declared in Execu- and second times by unanimous con- HIRONO) was added as a cosponsor of S. tive Order 13219 of June 26, 2001; to the Com- sent, and referred as indicated: 685, a bill to amend the Inspector Gen- mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- By Ms. CORTEZ MASTO (for herself, eral Act of 1978 relative to the powers fairs. Mr. ROMNEY, Mr. BOOZMAN, and Mr. of the Department of Justice Inspector EC–3648. A communication from the Sec- MANCHIN): retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- General. S. 3151. A bill to amend the Secure Rural ant to law, the six-month periodic report on S. 839 Schools and Community Self-Determination the national emergency with respect to Act of 2000 to allow counties to use certain At the request of Mr. KAINE, the North Korea that was declared in Executive funds to provide or expand access to name of the Senator from North Da- Order 13466 of June 26, 2008; to the Com- broadband telecommunications services and kota (Mr. CRAMER) was added as a co- mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- other technologies; to the Committee on En- sponsor of S. 839, a bill to extend Fed- fairs. ergy and Natural Resources. EC–3649. A communication from the Direc- eral Pell Grant eligibility of certain By Ms. ROSEN (for herself, Mrs. FISCH- tor of Congressional Affairs, Office of Nu- short-term programs. ER, Mr. YOUNG, and Mr. SCHATZ): clear Material Safety and Safeguards, Nu- S. 1074 S. 3152. A bill to require the Federal Com- clear Regulatory Commission, transmitting, munications Commission to incorporate data At the request of Mr. SCHATZ, the pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled on maternal health outcomes into its names of the Senator from North Da- ‘‘Criteria for Preparation and Evaluation of broadband health maps; to the Committee on kota (Mr. CRAMER) and the Senator Radiological Emergency Response Plans and Commerce, Science, and Transportation. from Connecticut (Mr. MURPHY) were Preparedness in Support of Nuclear Power Plants’’ (NRC–2012–0026) received in the Of- f added as cosponsors of S. 1074, a bill to reinstate Federal Pell Grant eligibility fice of the President of the Senate on Janu- SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND ary 3, 2020; to the Committee on Environ- for individuals incarcerated in Federal SENATE RESOLUTIONS ment and Public Works. and State penal institutions, and for EC–3650. A communication from the Chief The following concurrent resolutions other purposes. of the Publications and Regulations Branch, and Senate resolutions were read, and S. 1677 Internal Revenue Service, Department of the referred (or acted upon), as indicated: Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the At the request of Ms. CORTEZ MASTO, By Mr. MARKEY (for himself, Ms. report of a rule entitled ‘‘Opening of the the name of the Senator from Mary- WARREN, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. REED, Mr. third six-year remedial amendment cycle for land (Mr. VAN HOLLEN) was added as a BOOKER, Mr. WYDEN, and Ms. KLO- pre-approved defined benefit plans’’ ((Rev. cosponsor of S. 1677, a bill to amend the BUCHAR): Proc. 2020–10) (RP–117256–19)) received during S. Con. Res. 32. A concurrent resolution ex- Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to pro- adjournment of the Senate in the Office of pressing the sense of Congress that attacks vide authority to postpone certain the President of the Senate on December 20, on cultural sites are war crimes; to the Com- deadlines by reason of State declared 2019; to the Committee on Finance. mittee on Foreign Relations. disasters or emergencies. f f S. 1757 At the request of Ms. ERNST, the PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS name of the Senator from Oklahoma The following petition or memorial S. 283 (Mr. INHOFE) was added as a cosponsor was laid before the Senate and was re- At the request of Ms. COLLINS, the of S. 1757, a bill to award a Congres- ferred or ordered to lie on the table as name of the Senator from Arizona (Ms. sional Gold Medal, collectively, to the indicated: MCSALLY) was added as a cosponsor of United States Army Rangers Veterans POM–173. A petition from a citizen of the S. 283, a bill to amend title XVIII of the of World War II in recognition of their State of Delaware relative to the Delaware Social Security Act to improve access Constitution; to the Committee on the Judi- extraordinary service during World ciary. to, and utilization of, bone mass meas- War II. urement benefits under part B of the S. 1764 f Medicare program by establishing a At the request of Ms. DUCKWORTH, REPORTS OF COMMITTEES minimum payment amount under such the name of the Senator from Con- part for bone mass measurement. The following reports of committees necticut (Mr. BLUMENTHAL) was added were submitted: S. 460 as a cosponsor of S. 1764, a bill to By Ms. MURKOWSKI, from the Committee At the request of Mr. WARNER, the amend the Communications Act of 1934 on Energy and Natural Resources: name of the Senator from California to require the Federal Communications Report to accompany S. 2714, a bill to (Ms. HARRIS) was added as a cosponsor Commission to ensure just and reason- amend the America COMPETES Act to reau- of S. 460, a bill to amend the Internal able charges for telephone and ad- thorize the ARPA–E program, and for other Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the ex- vanced communications services in the purposes (Rept. No. 116–195). clusion for employer-provided edu- correctional and detention facilities. Report to accompany S. 2556, a bill to cation assistance to employer pay- S. 1820 amend the Federal Power Act to provide en- ments of student loans. ergy cybersecurity investment incentives, to At the request of Mrs. GILLIBRAND, establish a grant and technical assistance S. 505 the name of the Senator from Nevada program for cybersecurity investments, and At the request of Ms. DUCKWORTH, (Ms. CORTEZ MASTO) was added as a co- for other purposes (Rept. No. 116–196). the names of the Senator from Mary- sponsor of S. 1820, a bill to improve the Report to accompany S. 2657, a bill to sup- land (Mr. VAN HOLLEN) and the Senator integrity and safety of horseracing by port innovation in advanced geothermal re- from New Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ) were requiring a uniform anti-doping and search and development, and for other pur- added as cosponsors of S. 505, a bill to medication control program to be de- poses (Rept. No. 116–197). Report to accompany S. 2799, a bill to re- ensure due process protections of indi- veloped and enforced by an independent quire the Secretary of Energy and the Sec- viduals in the United States against Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medica- retary of the Interior to establish a joint unlawful detention based solely on a tion Control Authority. Nexus of Energy and Water Sustainability protected characteristic. S. 1908 Office, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 116– S. 525 At the request of Mrs. GILLIBRAND, 198). At the request of Mr. PAUL, the name the name of the Senator from Oregon Report to accompany S. 2702, a bill to re- quire the Secretary of Energy to establish an of the Senator from Arizona (Ms. (Mr. WYDEN) was added as a cosponsor integrated energy systems research, develop- MCSALLY) was added as a cosponsor of of S. 1908, a bill to amend the Richard ment, and demonstration program, and for S. 525, a bill to preserve and protect the B. Russell National School Lunch Act other purposes (Rept. No. 116–199). free choice of individual employees to to improve the efficiency of summer f form, join, or assist labor organiza- meals. tions, or to refrain from such activi- S. 1918 INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND ties. At the request of Mr. BOOZMAN, the JOINT RESOLUTIONS S. 685 name of the Senator from Arizona (Ms. The following bills and joint resolu- At the request of Mr. LEE, the name SINEMA) was added as a cosponsor of S. tions were introduced, read the first of the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. 1918, a bill to amend the Richard B.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:22 May 26, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD20\JANUARY\S07JA0.REC S07JA0 sradovich on DSKJLST7X2PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 7, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S59 Russell National School Lunch Act to of S. 2941, a bill to require the Adminis- SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS require alternative options for summer trator of the Environmental Protection food service program delivery. Agency to establish a consumer recy- S. 2054 cling education and outreach grant SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLU- At the request of Mr. MARKEY, the program, and for other purposes. TION 32—EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT AT- name of the Senator from New Hamp- S. 2998 shire (Mrs. SHAHEEN) was added as a co- TACKS ON CULTURAL SITES ARE At the request of Mr. BRAUN, the sponsor of S. 2054, a bill to post- WAR CRIMES name of the Senator from Kansas (Mr. humously award the Congressional Mr. MARKEY (for himself, Ms. WAR- MORAN) was added as a cosponsor of S. Gold Medal, collectively, to Glen REN, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. REED, Mr. BOOKER, 2998, a bill to amend the Internal Rev- Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Mr. WYDEN, and Ms. KLOBUCHAR) sub- enue Code of 1986 to clarify that pay- Stevens, and Sean Smith, in recogni- mitted the following concurrent resolu- ment of taxes on deferred foreign in- tion of their contributions to the Na- tion; which was referred to the Com- come in installments shall not prevent tion. mittee on Foreign Relations: credit or refund of overpayments or in- S. 2321 crease estimated taxes. S. CON. RES. 32 At the request of Mr. BLUNT, the Whereas attacking cultural sites is illegal names of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. S. 3072 under the Geneva Conventions and the 1954 RISCH), the Senator from North Caro- At the request of Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, Hague Convention for the Protection of Cul- tural Property in the Event of Armed Con- lina (Mr. TILLIS), the Senator from the name of the Senator from Florida flict; and North Dakota (Mr. CRAMER) and the (Mr. RUBIO) was added as a cosponsor of Whereas, on January 6, 2020, Secretary of Senator from Kansas (Mr. MORAN) were S. 3072, a bill to amend the Federal Defense Mark T. Esper expressed that the added as cosponsors of S. 2321, a bill to Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to pro- United States would not target Iranian cul- require the Secretary of the Treasury hibit the approval of new abortion tural sites, as the United States ‘‘follow[s] to mint a coin in commemoration of drugs, to prohibit investigational use the laws of armed conflict’’: Now, therefore, the 100th anniversary of the establish- exemptions for abortion drugs, and to be it ment of Negro Leagues baseball. impose additional regulatory require- Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- resentatives concurring), That attacks on cul- S. 2546 ments with respect to previously ap- tural sites are war crimes. At the request of Ms. MURKOWSKI, the proved abortion drugs, and for other name of the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. purposes. f HIRONO) was added as a cosponsor of S. S.J. RES. 63 AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO 2546, a bill to amend the Employee Re- MEET At the request of Mr. KAINE, the tirement Income Security Act of 1974 names of the Senator from Wisconsin Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I have 2 to require a group health plan or (Ms. BALDWIN), the Senator from Con- requests for committees to meet during health insurance coverage offered in necticut (Mr. BLUMENTHAL), the Sen- today’s session of the Senate. They connection with such a plan to provide ator from Ohio (Mr. BROWN), the Sen- have the approval of the Majority and an exceptions process for any medica- ator from Maryland (Mr. CARDIN), the Minority leaders. tion step therapy protocol, and for Senator from Illinois (Ms. DUCKWORTH), Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph other purposes. the Senator from New York (Mrs. 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Sen- S. 2715 GILLIBRAND), the Senator from Hawaii ate, the following committees are au- At the request of Mr. BLUNT, the (Ms. HIRONO), the Senator from thorized to meet during today’s session names of the Senator from Pennsyl- Vermont (Mr. LEAHY), the Senator of the Senate: vania (Mr. CASEY) and the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. MARKEY), the COMMITTEE ON FINANCE from Maine (Mr. KING) were added as Senator from Oregon (Mr. MERKLEY), The Committee on Finance is author- cosponsors of S. 2715, a bill to develop the Senator from Vermont (Mr. SAND- ized to meet during the session of the and implement policies to advance ERS), the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Senate on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at early childhood development, to pro- SCHATZ), the Senator from New York 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing. vide assistance for orphans and other (Mr. SCHUMER), the Senator from Mon- SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE vulnerable children in developing coun- tana (Mr. TESTER), the Senator from tries, and for other purposes. The Select Committee on Intel- New Mexico (Mr. UDALL), the Senator ligence is authorized to meet during S. 2748 from Maryland (Mr. VAN HOLLEN), the the session of the Senate on Tuesday, At the request of Mr. MARKEY, the Senator from Oregon (Mr. WYDEN), the January 7, 2020, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct name of the Senator from Maryland Senator from New Mexico (Mr. HEIN- a closed briefing. (Mr. CARDIN) was added as a cosponsor RICH) and the Senator from Minnesota f of S. 2748, a bill to repeal the section of (Ms. KLOBUCHAR) were added as cospon- the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job sors of S.J. Res. 63, a joint resolution PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR Creation Act of 2012 that requires the to direct the removal of United States Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, I ask Federal Communications Commission Armed Forces from hostilities against unanimous consent that floor privi- to reallocate and auction the T-Band the Islamic Republic of Iran that have leges be granted for the first 6 months spectrum. not been authorized by Congress. of this calendar year for a list of in- S. 2761 S. RES. 410 terns in my office. At the request of Mr. RUBIO, the At the request of Mr. JONES, the The interns on that list are: Aileen names of the Senator from Florida (Mr. name of the Senator from Delaware Murphy, Rilind Abazi, Parker Baird, SCOTT) and the Senator from Con- (Mr. COONS) was added as a cosponsor Julia Cortina, Shanelle Jones, Chris necticut (Mr. BLUMENTHAL) were added of S. Res. 410, a resolution establishing O’Brien, and Megan Brown. as cosponsors of S. 2761, a bill to amend a McCain-Mansfield Fellowship Pro- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without the Elementary and Secondary Edu- gram in the Senate. objection, it is so ordered. cation Act of 1965 to provide that chil- Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask dren who have relocated from Puerto S. RES. 463 unanimous consent that Garrett Beer, Rico to the States are fully considered At the request of Mr. HAWLEY, the a defense fellow in my office, be grant- for purposes of State allotments under names of the Senator from Kentucky ed floor privileges throughout the re- the English Language Acquisition (Mr. PAUL) and the Senator from Geor- mainder of this Congress. grants. gia (Mrs. LOEFFLER) were added as co- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without S. 2941 sponsors of S. Res. 463, a resolution objection, it is so ordered. At the request of Ms. STABENOW, the amending the Rules of Procedure and Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, I ask name of the Senator from Minnesota Practice in the Senate When Sitting on unanimous consent that floor privi- (Ms. SMITH) was added as a cosponsor Impeachment Trials. leges be granted to J.C. Jain, a State

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:15 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07JA6.015 S07JAPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE S60 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 2020 Department fellow in my office, and plus decades ago, I have voted no in Speaker PELOSI and Senator WYDEN— Mark Ewachiw, a Navy fellow in my of- these trade agreements. I never voted the senior Democrat of the Finance fice, for the duration of the 116th Con- for a trade agreement because, frankly, Committee—and unions and organized gress. every trade agreement coming in front labor to secure the Brown-Wyden pro- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without of the House or Senate has been a cor- visions that now, with USMCA, amount objection, it is so ordered. porate trade agreement. It has been to the strongest labor enforcement in a Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, I ask written by corporate lobbyists to serve U.S. trade agreement ever. unanimous consent that Omar Bashir, corporate executives to serve their big- It means that wages will go up in a legislative fellow in my office, be gest stockholders. That is what these Mexico, which is good news for Amer- granted floor privileges for the remain- trade agreements are about. In every ican workers because fewer jobs will der of this session. case, it was an attack on the middle move to Mexico. A worker in Mexico The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without class. In every case, it undermined objection, it is so ordered. worker protections. It depressed wages. now will be able to report a company that violates her labor rights or worker f It meant loss of jobs. I know what these corporate trade rights. Within months, we can deter- ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, agreements did to my hometown of mine whether worker rights have been JANUARY 8, 2020 Mansfield. I know what it did in Mans- violated and can take action against that company. Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, field, OH. I know what they have done I ask unanimous consent that when the to my adoptive city of Cleveland, OH, Now, for the first time in my whole Senate completes its business today, it and I know what they have done to the career, I will vote for a trade agree- adjourn until 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan- entire industrial Midwest—well beyond ment. I wouldn’t have voted for the uary 8; further, that following the that, too, in places like Arizona and Trump trade. I didn’t vote for NAFTA, prayer and pledge, the morning hour be elsewhere. I have seen what these cor- the Central American Free Trade deemed expired, the Journal of pro- porate trade deals do. Agreement, PNTR with China and ceedings be approved to date, the time So Candidate Trump is elected Presi- South Korea, and all these other trade for the two leaders be reserved for their dent. He then says he is going to do agreements. I would not have voted use later in the day, and morning busi- away, back out, or renegotiate NAFTA. against the Trump USMCA because it ness be closed; finally, that following I looked at that with optimism. I didn’t look out for workers. leader remarks, the Senate proceed to talked to the U.S. Trade Representa- tive, Ambassador Lighthizer, a number Instead of putting workers at the executive session and resume consider- center of trade agreements, which is ation of the Solomson nomination, of times. I spoke with the President what we should do, it was a trade under the previous order. about it. I offered my assistance, and agreement written by and for corporate The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without then, lo and behold, about a year ago, interests. What Senator WYDEN and I objection, it is so ordered. the President came out with a renego- tiated NAFTA. It was the same old, did and others is we are now about to f same old. It was another corporate pass a trade agreement that puts work- ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT trade agreement that served his cor- ers in the center of the trade agree- porate interests, that served the drug ment, meaning a stronger middle class Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, companies, and that served those com- and meaning workers will get a fair if there is no further business to come panies that are looking for cheap labor shake. It means that Ohio workers will before the Senate, I ask unanimous across the Rio Grande River. be able to compete. consent that it stand adjourned under Under the President’s new NAFTA— We know why companies took advan- the previous order, following the re- he called it USMCA—United States- tage of these corporate trade agree- marks of Senator BROWN. Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement— ments. They shut down production in The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without under the President’s new NAFTA, it Ohio and moved to Mexico so they can objection, it is so ordered. was the same corporate template, the pay lower wages and they can take ad- Mr. MCCONNELL. I suggest the ab- same corporate trade agreement that sence of a quorum. helps corporate investors, that under- vantage of workers who don’t have The PRESIDING OFFICER. The mines workers, that gives incentives to rights. American workers can’t com- clerk will call the roll. companies to shut down production in pete with that when it is a race to the The bill clerk proceeded to call the Zanesville, in Gallipolis, in Marietta, bottom on wages. Brown-Wyden will roll. in Cleveland, in Lima, in Toledo, and in work to stop that, and for the first Mr. BROWN. Madam President, I ask Bryan and move their jobs to Mexico. time ever, as I said, it will put workers unanimous consent that the order for So what did we do? Instead, initially, in the center of a trade agreement. the quorum call be rescinded. I continued to talk to the U.S. Trade We must be straight with American The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Representative, as did some of my col- workers. This isn’t a perfect trade objection, it is so ordered. leagues, knowing this first NAFTA agreement. One trade deal the Demo- f draft was unacceptable and was not crats fixed—even though the President nearly what the President said he resisted it, finally gave in—a trade deal UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA would do for workers. In fact, it was TRADE AGREEMENT that Democrats fixed will not undo the more than that. It was another be- rest of Trump’s economic policies that 1 Mr. BROWN. Madam President, 3 ⁄2 trayal of workers. This same President puts corporations over workers and ap- years or so ago, I live in Cleveland, and has betrayed low-income workers by points judges who put their thumbs on I was in my State watching the Presi- refusing to raise the minimum wage. It the scales of justice to support corpora- dential campaign. I heard Candidate has been more than a decade. This tions over workers and to support Wall Trump repeatedly talking about re- same President took away the new Street over consumers. I voted yes. I negotiating NAFTA or getting rid of overtime rule, costing at least 50,000 voted yes today in the Finance Com- the North America Free Trade Agree- Ohioans—that is just 50,000 in my mittee. It is the first time I ever have ment. While I did not support his can- State, thousands in Arizona, probably on a trade deal because, by including didacy and have generally disagreed 100,000 in California, tens of thousands Brown-Wyden, Democrats have made with most of what he has said and around the country and different this agreement much more pro-worker, done, it was a bit of music to my ears States—cost them their overtime pay, and, equally as important, we set an to hear Candidate Trump talk about meaning they would work 50 hours a important precedent that Brown- renegotiating or getting rid of NAFTA. week, and they would only get paid for Wyden must be included in every fu- I have voted, in my time in the Sen- 40. We saw that this President again ture trade agreement that comes in ate and before this, every single trade was betraying workers. agreement starting with the North It has taken us months and months front of this body. America Free Trade Agreement of two- and months of fighting alongside I yield the floor.

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