April 14, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1923 An attack on one group in our coun- CLOTURE MOTION NAYS—6 try is truly an attack on all of us. By Cotton Hawley Paul The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant passing the COVID–19 Hate Crimes Act, Cruz Marshall Tuberville to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the we can come together on a bipartisan Senate the pending cloture motion, NOT VOTING—2 basis to show that the U.S. Senate will which the clerk will state. Rounds Tillis not be a bystander to the wave of rac- The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this ist, anti-Asian violence in our country. The senior assistant legislative clerk vote, the yeas are 92, the nays are 6. So let’s get it done together. read as follows: Three-fifths of the Senators duly cho- I yield the floor. CLOTURE MOTION sen and sworn having voted in the af- VOTE ON MALLORY NOMINATION We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- firmative, the motion is agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the f the previous order, all postcloture time Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby has expired. move to bring to a close debate on the mo- LEGISLATIVE SESSION The question is, Will the Senate ad- tion to proceed to Calendar No. 13, S. 937, a vise and consent to the Mallory nomi- bill to facilitate the expedited review of --- nation? COVID–19 hate crimes, and for other pur- COVID–19 HATE CRIMES ACT— poses. MOTION TO PROCEED Ms. HIRONO. Madam President, I ask Charles E. Schumer, Mazie K. Hirono, for the yeas and nays. Tammy Duckworth, Richard J. Durbin, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Cloture The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a Patty Murray, Jeff Merkley, Tammy having been invoked, the Senate will sufficient second? Baldwin, Elizabeth Warren, Robert proceed to legislative session to con- There appears to be a sufficient sec- Menendez, Bernard Sanders, Kirsten E. sider the motion to proceed to S. 937, ond. Gillibrand, Jacky Rosen, Chris Van which the clerk will report. Hollen, Ron Wyden, Richard The clerk will call the roll. Blumenthal, Amy Klobuchar, Chris- The senior assistant legislative clerk The bill clerk called the roll. topher Murphy. read as follows: Mr. THUNE. The following Senators Motion to proceed to Calendar No. S. 937, a are necessarily absent: the Senator The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- bill to facilitate the expedited review of from South Dakota (Mr. ROUNDS) and imous consent, the mandatory quorum COVID–19 hate crimes, and for other pur- the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. call has been waived. poses. TILLIS). The question is, Is it the sense of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- The result was announced—yeas 53, Senate that debate on the motion to ator from Maryland. nays 45, as follows: proceed to S. 937, a bill to facilitate the Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, Ameri- [Rollcall Vote No. 150 Ex.] expedited review of COVID–19 hate cans were horrified to witness a recent crimes, and for other purposes, shall be YEAS—53 series of mass shootings involving the brought to a close? Asian-American and Pacific Islander Baldwin Heinrich Portman Bennet Hickenlooper Reed The yeas and nays are mandatory community. On March 16, 2021, mass Blumenthal Hirono Rosen under the rule. shootings occurred at three spas and Booker Kaine Sanders The clerk will call the roll. massage parlors in the Atlanta metro- Brown Kelly Schatz politan area. Eight people were killed, Cantwell King The senior assistant legislative clerk Schumer six of whom were Asian-American Cardin Klobuchar Shaheen called the roll. Carper Leahy Sinema women, and one other person was Casey Luja´ n Mr. THUNE. The following Senators Smith wounded. The suspect was taken into Collins Manchin Stabenow are necessarily absent: the Senator Coons Markey custody that day and has been charged Tester from South Dakota (Mr. ROUNDS) and Cortez Masto Menendez with multiple counts of murder. The Duckworth Merkley Van Hollen the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. investigation is continuing as to Durbin Murphy Warner TILLIS). Feinstein Murray Warnock whether the suspect should be addi- Gillibrand Ossoff Warren The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there tionally charged with hate crimes, if he Graham Padilla Whitehouse any other Senators in the Chamber de- deliberately targeted Asian Americans Hassan Peters Wyden siring to vote? with this senseless violence. NAYS—45 The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 92, Unfortunately, this mass shooting is Barrasso Fischer Murkowski nays 6, as follows: not an isolated incident in the United Blackburn Grassley Paul [Rollcall Vote No. 151 Ex.] States in terms of hate speech, hate Blunt Hagerty Risch crimes, and violence against Asian Boozman Hawley Romney YEAS—92 Braun Hoeven Rubio Americans in our communities. Sadly, Baldwin Grassley Peters Burr Hyde-Smith Sasse some political figures have used the Barrasso Hagerty Capito Inhofe Scott (FL) Portman Bennet Hassan ongoing COVID–19 pandemic to fan the Cassidy Johnson Scott (SC) Reed Blackburn Heinrich Cornyn Kennedy Shelby Risch flames of hate by promoting stereo- Blumenthal Hickenlooper Cotton Lankford Sullivan Romney types, fear, and xenophobia. Irration- Blunt Hirono Cramer Lee Thune Rosen Booker Hoeven ally blaming Asian and Asian-Amer- Crapo Lummis Toomey Rubio Boozman Hyde-Smith ican neighbors for the pandemic is sim- Cruz Marshall Tuberville Sanders Braun Inhofe Daines McConnell Wicker Sasse ply wrong and reprehensible and can Brown Johnson Ernst Moran Young Schatz have deadly consequences. Burr Kaine Schumer Cantwell Kelly Let us remember that our Asian- NOT VOTING—2 Scott (FL) Capito Kennedy American brothers and sisters are an Scott (SC) Rounds Tillis Cardin King Shaheen integral part of the United Nations on The nomination was confirmed. Carper Klobuchar Casey Lankford Shelby so many levels. Our immigrant story The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cassidy Leahy Sinema and our diversity are some of our HICKENLOOPER). The majority whip is Collins Lee Smith unique strengths, not weaknesses, of Stabenow recognized. Coons Luja´ n the United States of America. Cornyn Lummis Sullivan Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask Cortez Masto Manchin Tester There are about 23 million Asian unanimous consent that the motion to Cramer Markey Thune Americans and Pacific Islanders in the reconsider be considered made and laid Crapo McConnell Toomey United States, constituting 7 percent upon the table and the President be im- Daines Menendez Van Hollen Duckworth Merkley Warner of the population of our country. mediately notified of the Senate’s ac- Durbin Moran Warnock There are approximately 2 million tion. Ernst Murkowski Warren Asian-American owned businesses that The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Feinstein Murphy Whitehouse generate over $700 billion in annual Fischer Murray Wicker objection? Gillibrand Ossoff Wyden revenue and employ millions of work- Without objection, it is so ordered. Graham Padilla Young ers.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:26 Apr 15, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14AP6.031 S14APPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S1924 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 14, 2021 Two million Asian Americans and Congresswoman GRACE MENG, of New Asian or Asian-American neighbors Pacific Islanders are working on the York, said: and random strangers is simply un- frontlines of the COVID–19 pandemic as We’ve gone from being invisible to being American. The Senate and every per- first responders and in healthcare, law seen as subhuman. We just want to be seen son in this country needs to call out enforcement, transportation, super- as American, like everyone else. the hate, bullying, and scapegoating markets, and other service industries. On April 9, 2021, the Washington Post whenever we see it and work together Our Asian-American brothers and sis- ran an article examining the effect of as one community to overcome COVID– ters are putting their lives on the line mass shootings on marginalized groups 19. every day to help protect our commu- and how trauma ripples through those In my home State of Maryland, I was nities during the pandemic. That is communities. pleased to see that, last week, Gov- why it is so despicable to see the rise of The article stated: ernor Larry Hogan announced the for- anti-Asian rhetoric and hate speech by March 16 marked a turning point for many mation of a statewide workgroup political leaders and others, which in- Asian Americans: It was the day their com- charged with developing strategies, evitably gives oxygen to extremist munity was stricken by a mass shooting, be- recommendations, and actions to ad- groups and individuals and gives li- coming the latest minority group to suffer dress the rise in violence and discrimi- cense to individuals to commit hate an attack that killed several of its own . . . nation targeting the Asian-American crimes and acts of violence. There’s a specific kind of grief that arises community. The use of anti-Asian terminology from being targeted, one that more and more Governor Hogan named the former marginalized people in the United States and rhetoric related to COVID–19, such U.S. attorney for the District of Mary- know too well. The shooting survivors and land, Robert K. Hur, to chair the as the ‘‘Chinese virus,’’ the ‘‘Wuhan victims’ family members span geographies, virus,’’ the ‘‘Kung flu’’—phrases often races and religions, but they are bonded by workgroup and spearhead the effort. used by former President Trump and the shared trauma they have experienced. Mr. Hur was the first Asian American to serve as our U.S. attorney in Mary- some of his followers—has perpetrated The article continues: an anti-Asian stigma. The use of anti- land’s history, and I had the pleasure These tragedies often leave many in those of working with him extensively on a Asian rhetoric has resulted in Asian communities who weren’t directly affected Americans being harassed, assaulted, feeling unsafe and traumatized. After a number of criminal matters and civil and scapegoated for the COVID–19 pan- shooting, many members of these commu- rights issues during his tenure. demic. nities say they felt hyper-aware of their race I also want to commend the work of Since January 2020, there has been a and an escalated sense of fear that the same our current acting U.S. attorney in dramatic increase in reports of hate could happen to them or those they love. A Maryland and our FBI Special Agent in crimes and incidents against those of mass shooting seems less senseless or inex- Charge, Jennifer C. Boone. They put Asian descent throughout the Nation. plicable when it’s directed at one of your out a recent statement which con- own. According to a recent report, there demned bigotry and hatred against the were nearly 3,800 reported cases of anti- I recall with sorrow that in 2018 a Asian-American and Pacific Islander Asian discrimination related to gunman killed 11 Jewish worshipers at community and encouraged members COVID–19 between March 2020 and Feb- the Tree of Life in Pittsburgh. of the public to report to law enforce- ruary 2021. The article continues: ment incidents of violence, threats, On April 3, 2021, the New York Times Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers said his and harassment. ran an analysis article on the rising synagogue practices the ‘‘ministry of pres- Shortly before the shootings in At- tide of Asian-American violence enti- ence’’. . . . After mass shootings, synagogue lanta, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for tled ‘‘Swelling Anti-Asian Violence: members reach out to the affected commu- Maryland, on March 10, 2021, launched nities and let them know that they’re its Civil Rights Unit to ensure that the Who is Being Attacked Where.’’ present, they’re listening. The article stated: full spectrum of criminal and civil The Georgia massacre ‘‘increases the Over the last year, in an unrelenting series statutes are employed in addressing of episodes . . . people of Asian descent have fear level now of all Asian Americans hate crimes and discrimination; to con- been pushed, beaten, kicked, spit on and who prayed, ‘‘Am I next?’’ I know how duct outreach to government, not-for- called slurs. Homes and businesses have been that feels to have your community profit, and private entities in Mary- vandalized. The violence has known no wonder, ‘‘Am I next?’’ said Myers, a land; and to help provide training and boundaries, spanning generations, income survivor of the deadliest attack against resources to local and State law en- brackets and regions. . . . Those cases in- Jews on American soil. forcement in Maryland. clude the fatal attack of a Thai man in Janu- In recent weeks, flyers have recir- Today, I rise in support of S. 937, the ary, as well as the assaults of a 91-year-old culated at Asian-American res- man in Oakland’s Chinatown and an 89-year- COVID–19 Hate Crimes Act, introduced old woman in Brooklyn. Those episodes, and taurants—posted in the synagogue’s by Senator HIRONO of Hawaii. I am other[s] . . . have terrified the Asian commu- Squirrel Hill neighborhood after the proud to be a cosponsor of this impor- nity. 2018 Pittsburgh shooting—to show their tant legislation. I urge the Senate to The article continues: support for the Jewish community. pass this legislation without further But there is no ambiguity about the cases One read: delay. The Times collected: These are assaults in Many of our business members have This legislation would direct the U.S. which the assailants expressed explicit racial thrived in this city, particularly in Squirrel Department of Justice to designate a hostility with their language, and in which Hill, and if we shared in this good fortune, DOJ employee to assist with the expe- nearly half included a reference to the then we bear the burdens. dited review of COVID–19 hate crimes coronavirus. It was a reminder that Asian Ameri- reported to Federal, State, and/or local This article pointed out some sober- cans and Jews share similar status as law enforcement. The legislation would ing statistics when it comes to hate minority communities in the United provide guidance for State and local crimes. Over the last year, hate crimes States and now as communities af- law enforcement agencies to establish as classified and reported by the police fected by mass shootings. the online reporting of hate crimes or rose at a faster pace against people of I was pleased that, shortly after tak- incidents and to have online reporting Asian descent than hate crimes overall. ing office, President Biden issued a available in multiple languages; ex- In New York City and Boston, hate Presidential memorandum, ‘‘Con- pand culturally competent and appro- crimes overall fell while anti-Asian demning and Combating Racism, Xeno- priate public education and the collec- hate crimes spiked. phobia, and Intolerance Against Asian tion of data and public reporting of In New York City alone, the number Americans and Pacific Islanders in the hate crimes; and issue guidance detail- of hate crimes with Asian-American United States.’’ ing best practices to mitigate racially victims reported to the New York Po- We need to stop the hate. Referring discriminatory language in describing lice Department jumped to 28 last year, to this global pandemic by anything the COVID–19 pandemic, in coordina- up from 3 in 2019, and so far this year, other than its appropriate, medical tion with the Secretary of Health and the Department is actively inves- names has inflamed the worst stereo- Human Services, the COVID–19 Health tigating or has solved 35 anti-Asian types, fear, and xenophobia in the face Equity Task Force, and community- bias crimes. of a health crisis. Irrationally blaming based organizations.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:48 Apr 15, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14AP6.035 S14APPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE April 14, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1925 In the 117th Congress, I was privi- gentleman afraid to go outside because of the Save Democracy Act—the Pro- leged to be named as the chairman of he would be cursed at, berated, even moting Election Integrity by Proving the Commission on Security and Co- spat upon. A young lady told me she Voter Identity Act—to require voter operation in Europe, also known as the would no longer take the subway to ID. Helsinki Commission. I additionally work because the stares at her were so It is pretty simple. If you want to serve as the Special Representative on angry and intense that it was just vote in person, you will need to bring Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intoler- unnerving. Then it is worse with as- your current and valid ID. If you want ance for the OSCE Parliamentary As- saults and violence and even a death. to vote by mail, you will need to pro- sembly. We need to do something, and I am so vide a copy of your ID. Like I said, it Over the past year, the world has suf- glad that our Republican colleagues is pretty simple and straightforward. fered the crippling impact of COVID–19, have voted with us to proceed with this We want 100 percent participation in which has disproportionately affected legislation. This was never intended as our elections and zero percent fraud. our most vulnerable citizens. Racist vi- gotcha legislation. It was always in- We want it to be easy to vote and hard olence has, once again, reared its ugly tended as bipartisan legislation, and to cheat. Voter ID helps us to meet head in many OSCE participating for the information of the Senate, we that goal. States, including our own. I pledge to are making good progress on reaching Of course, the Democrats will do any- continue working with the Helsinki a bipartisan agreement with sensible, thing to fight against these common- Commission and the OSCE to shine a germane, and constructive amend- sense reforms. It is absurd. You have to spotlight on discrimination, racism, ments coming from Republican col- have ID to drive a car, board a plane, and anti-Asian violence both at home leagues—the Senator from Kansas, the open a bank account, and pick up a and abroad as we work together with Senator from Maine—that, I believe, prescription. Do they object to that? Of our partners in the United States and make the bill even stronger. So we course not. These are much needed, around the world to share best prac- want to continue with this bipartisan commonsense reforms to our election tices and combat this scourge against process. systems. Just look at what is happening in our democracy and freedoms we hold so I intend the first amendment to the Georgia. Two recent news articles show dear. bill to be an amendment offered by In 2019, at the annual meeting of the Senators Moran and Blumenthal. We that President Biden and the Demo- crats spread lies to pressure companies OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Lux- are working with the Republican leader to boycott Georgia over commonsense embourg, I chaired a section dealing to determine if and how many other voting laws even though the Wash- with anti-Semitism. One of the key amendments to the bill there will be so ington Post gave President Biden four findings that came out of that section that we can consider them and vote on Pinocchios for his lies about the Geor- was that every community needs to final passage without any gotcha or not germane amendments, but we are gia law. work together. We are all in this to- I ask unanimous consent to have gether. An attack on one community is moving this bill forward because it printed in the RECORD the two articles does need to go forward with a sense of an attack on all of us and the freedom I have with me today which outline of all of us, and we must join in unity urgency. how much the Democrats have been The legislation will send a loud and to speak with a clear, strong voice grossly misleading the public. against any of these hate activities. clear message that racism and violence There being no objection, the mate- We now need an all-hands-on-deck against Asian Americans have no rial was ordered to be printed in the place—no place—in American society. approach to combat anti-Asian bias, RECORD, as follows: We should endeavor to finish our work prejudice, discrimination, hate crimes, [From the Washington Post, Mar. 30, 2021] as quickly as possible and without and violence. In working together—all BIDEN FALSELY CLAIMS THE NEW GEORGIA communities—with our local, State, delay. LAW ‘ENDS VOTING HOURS EARLY’ I yield the floor. national, and international partners, (By Glenn Kessler) along with our allies in the private sec- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ator from Florida. ‘‘What I’m worried about is how un-Amer- tor and faith community, we can stem ican this whole initiative is. It’s sick. It’s this dangerous trend and give a sense UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST sick . . . deciding that you’re going to end of peace and security back to our Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam Presi- voting at five o’clock when working people Asian-American brothers and sisters. It dent, the United States is a beacon of are just getting off work.’’—President Biden, starts with our taking up the legisla- democracy in the world, and our Na- in remarks at a news conference, March 25 tion was founded on free and fair elec- ‘‘Among the outrageous parts of this new tion before us and passing it promptly. state law, it ends voting hours early so work- I yield the floor. tions, but if the American people don’t ing people can’t cast their vote after their I suggest the absence of a quorum. have confidence in our elections, we shift is over.’’—Biden, in a statement ‘‘on The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. don’t have a sustainable democracy. the attack on the right to vote in Georgia,’’ SMITH). The clerk will call the roll. What we saw this past election was March 26 The senior assistant legislative clerk confusion and chaos caused by incon- During his first news conference, President proceeded to call the roll. sistent standards and last-minute Biden became especially passionate when Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I changes to established election laws by discussing a law being pressed by Republican State officials and activist judges. Yet lawmakers in Georgia that he said was in- ask unanimous consent that the order tended to make it harder for people to vote. for the quorum call be rescinded. it is not just the chaos from this past He reiterated those concerns the next day in The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without election that troubles Americans a written statement after Gov. Brian Kemp objection, it is so ordered. across the country. For more than a (R) signed the bill into law. Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, we decade, growing numbers of Americans The law has come under fire for restricting are very pleased that the Senate just have become less confident that their the distribution of food and water to people took an overwhelmingly bipartisan votes were accurately cast and count- standing in line, making it harder to cast ab- sentee ballots, reducing drop boxes for mail vote—92 to 6—to move forward with ed. If we want to continue as a thriving ballots, barring mobile voting places and for legislation to fight the surge of anti- democracy, we have to reverse this making significant procedural changes that Asian violence across our country in trend and take action so Americans potentially give more power to the GOP-con- the wake of the COVID–19 pandemic. trust in free and fair elections. There is trolled legislature in the election process. Anti-Asian bigotry and violence is a no other option. Biden has echoed many of those concerns. very serious issue that has deep roots That is why I have joined my col- But there was one line in both his news con- in our country’s history. Regrettably, leagues in introducing the Save De- ference and his statement that has kept us puzzling until our puzzler was sore. It also it has grown far worse over the last mocracy Act to restore faith in our puzzled experts who have studied the new year. It is something that affects con- Federal elections and guarantee that law. stituents in all of our States and has voters decide the outcomes of elec- Let’s take a look. proud Asian-American citizens fearing tions, not the courts, and that is why I THE FACTS for their safety. I have been told sto- am here today to ask my colleagues to On Election Day in Georgia, polling places ries that make me ache: an older Asian join me in passing one specific section are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and if you are

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:48 Apr 15, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14AP6.040 S14APPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S1926 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 14, 2021 in line by 7 p.m., you are allowed to cast person early voting in 2020. A law signed in However, neither provision made it into your ballot. Nothing in the new law changes 2019 will permit early voting starting in 2022. the final bill, as the 3.14 Action statement those rules. (Voting hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Elec- Warnock signed appeared to claim. However, the law did make some changes tion Day.) The law has been the subject of fierce con- to early voting. But experts say the net ef- We sought an explanation from the White troversy, with President Biden and other fect of the new early-voting rules was to ex- House for the reason for Biden’s remarks but Democrats likening it to racist ‘‘Jim Crow’’- pand the opportunities to vote for most did not receive an on-the-record response. era restrictions. Kemp and other state Re- Georgians, not limit them. THE PINOCCHIO TEST publicans have pushed back on the criticism ‘‘You can criticize the bill for many things, Biden framed his complaint in terms of a and said the reforms strengthen voting in- but I don’t think you can criticize it for re- slap at working people. The law would ‘‘end tegrity. ducing the hours you can vote,’’ said Univer- voting at five o’clock when working people Biden has also disseminated false informa- sity of Georgia political scientist Charles S. are just getting off work’’ or ‘‘ends voting tion about the law, getting Four Pinocchios Bullock III. He speculated that Biden may hours early so working people can’t cast from The Washington Post’s Fact-Checker have been briefed on an early version of the their vote after their shift is over.’’ for claiming the law limits voting hours. bill—‘‘there were 25 versions floating Many listeners might assume he was talk- The firestorm around the law has already around’’—and he did not get an update on ing about voting on Election Day, not early economically hurt Georgia. Bowing to lib- the final version. voting. But Election Day hours were not eral pressure and outrage from Georgia- For instance, at one point lawmakers con- changed. based corporations like Delta and Coca-Cola, sidered nixing all early voting on Sundays, As for early voting, the law made a modest Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob thus eliminating ‘‘souls to the polls,’’ a get- change, replacing a vague ‘‘normal business Manfred pulled the 2021 All-Star Game out of out-the-vote initiative popular with pre- hours’’—presumed to be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.—to Atlanta’s Truist Park, costing the area up to dominantly Black churches. But that idea a more specific 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. time period. an estimated $100 million in potential rev- was scrapped in the end. But that’s the minimum. Under the new law, enue. ‘‘One of the biggest changes in the bill counties have the option to extend the vot- Warnock said he was disappointed by would expand early voting access for most ing hours so voters can start casting ballots MLB’s decision but framed it as the fault of counties, adding an additional mandatory as early as 7 a.m. and as late as 7 p.m.—the Republicans, calling it an ‘‘unfortunate’’ Saturday and formally codifying Sunday same as Election Day in Georgia. Moreover, consequence of the voting bill. voting hours as optional,’’ Stephen Fowler of an additional mandatory day of early voting ‘‘It is my hope that businesses, athletes, Georgia Public Broadcasting said in an ex- on Saturday was added and two days of early and entertainers can protest this law not by cellent and comprehensive report on the im- voting on Sunday were codified as an option leaving Georgia but by coming here and pact of the new law. ‘‘Counties can have for counties. fighting voter suppression head on, and early voting open as long as 7 a.m. to7 p.m., One could understand a flub in a news con- hand-in-hand with the community,’’ he said or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at minimum. If you live ference. But then this same claim popped up in a statement. in a larger metropolitan county, you might in an official presidential statement. Not a The new Georgia lawmaker is a staunch not notice a change. For most other coun- single expert we consulted who has studied supporter of the For The People Act, a ties, you will have an extra weekend day, the law understood why Biden made this sweeping national voting bill which Repub- and your weekday early voting hours will claim, as this was the section of law that ex- licans have slammed as a massive federal likely be longer.’’ panded early voting for many Georgians. overreach and Democratic power grab. Charles Stewart III, an election expert at Somehow Biden managed to turn that ex- Mr. SCOTT of Florida. It just goes to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, pansion into a restriction aimed at working show you how out of touch the Demo- said: ‘‘I had also heard this generally re- people, calling it ‘‘among the outrageous crats really are. ported as expanding early voting, so I’m sur- parts’’ of the law. There’s no evidence that is prised by the characterization.’’ He studied All my Republican colleagues and I the case. The president earns Four want to see is more Americans vote, the precise language changes at our request Pinocchios. and said it indicated an expansion of hours, -- and I am thankful Senators BARRASSO especially in rural counties. [From Fox News, Apr. 12, 2021] and CRAMER are joining me in this ef- So where would Biden get this perception WARNOCK ADMITS TO SIGNING EMAIL WITH fort today. We want a vibrant democ- that ordinary workers were getting the shaft FALSE INFORMATION ABOUT GEORGIA VOTING racy in which citizens are engaged and because the state would ‘‘end voting at five LAW participating in government at every o’clock’’? We have one clue. The law used to say early ‘‘voting shall be (By David Rutz) level. conducted during normal business hours.’’ Sen. Raphael Warnock, D–Ga., admitted to Sadly, the Democrats are refusing to Experts said that generally means 9 a.m. to signing off on false information in a third- work with us to protect our voting sys- 5 p.m. The new law makes it specific—‘‘be- party advocacy group’s email that went out tems. Instead, the Democrats want to ginning at 9:00 AM and ending at 5:00 PM.’’ A about the Georgia voting law after it passed. make it easier to cheat and harder to Georgia election official said the change was The Washington Post flagged an email stop election fraud. That is why the made in part because some rural county elec- Warnock signed from the liberal nonprofit Democrats are pushing H.R. 1, which 3.14 Action as an example of Democratic mis- tion offices only worked part time during the would perpetuate distrust in our elec- week, not a full eight-hour day, so the shift information about the sweeping Georgia vot- to more specific times makes it clear they ing reforms, as it claimed the new law re- tions, impose anti-democratic man- must be open every weekday for at least stricted weekend early voting and ended no- dates, and further erode our country’s eight hours. excuse mail voting. institutions. H.R. 1 is the most radical But, as noted, the law also allows indi- ‘‘Sen. Raphael G. Warnock, one of two new piece of voting legislation this Nation vidual counties to set the hours anywhere Democratic senators representing Georgia, has ever seen at a time when restoring between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. So the practical ef- signed an email sent out by the advocacy confidence in elections has never been fect of the 5 p.m. reference in the law is group 3.14 Action after the law passed, which more important. minimal. claimed it ended no-excuse mail voting and During the 2020 election, for instance, vote- restricted early voting on the weekends— H.R. 1 removes the most basic safe- rich Fulton County, with a substantial Black also early proposals that did not become guards against election fraud. The population, set early-voting hours at 8:30 law,’’ the Post reported. Democrat solution to election security a.m. to 6 p.m. on most weekdays and two Those ideas were considered but did not is the same as their solution to all Saturdays, though the last weekdays had 7 make it into the final bill, which actually problems: a completely inept, big-gov- a.m. to 7 p.m. voting hours. Voting was al- expands early voting in Georgia to 17 days, ernment approach that fails at every lowed on two Sundays between 12 p.m. and 6 including two Saturdays. It also still allows level. p.m. no-excuse absentee voting, albeit with a Before continuing, I would like to Under the new law, Fulton County could shorter window of 67 days to apply. set the exact same hours for in-person early The statement went out on March 30, five yield to my colleague from Wyoming voting—or expand them from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. days after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Re- and thank him for his leadership on every day. publican, signed the final bill into law. this effort. Bullock noted that one change in the law A Warnock campaign spokesperson told The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- may impact early voting in runoff elections. Fox News it approved the text of the group’s ator from Wyoming. The law reduced the period between the ini- email before Kemp signed the bill, while the Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I tial election and the runoff election, from provisions were still under consideration. come to join my colleague from Flor- nine to four weeks, potentially shortening The spokesperson noted the Georgia Senate the period for early voting. passed a bill to end no-excuse absentee vot- ida, former Governor and now U.S. We were curious what the early-voting ing earlier in March, and the Georgia House Senator, and talk about the Save De- rules were in Delaware, Biden’s home state. originally proposed restricting weekend mocracy Act and the issues that are It turns out Delaware did not allow any in- early voting. facing our Nation today, and I want to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:40 Apr 15, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A14AP6.005 S14APPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE April 14, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1927 do that because over the past several number to register to vote. Under our pacted by this effort to erect a barri- weeks, Democrats, the media, their bill, you could still vote by mail, as cade between the voter and the ballot corporate allies have been misleading people have done year after year in Wy- box. the American people about our voting oming—done it very successfully. You I was thinking about how, when we laws. just need to request a ballot, say your were here on January 6, the boxes that Democrats have been pushing a false information is up-to-date, and then you had the electoral college votes—gor- narrative all around the country, try- get the ballot in the mail—basic com- geous, ornate, old wooden boxes were ing to scare Americans into pushing monsense measures to protect against here on the counter, and they are just and pressuring Congress into passing a fraud and against error. a symbol of the pulsating heart of our Federal election takeover. So the differences between what we Republic, the ability of every citizen to Federal election laws and State elec- propose and what the Democrats pro- participate in the vision for their coun- tion laws, as guided by our Constitu- pose could not be more clear. I believe try, how their country will operate, tion, say that it is States that should the Democrat bill makes it easier to how their children will have an oppor- be making the decisions about how we commit fraud; the Republican bill tunity to thrive—that ballot box. run our elections at home. But what makes it harder to commit fraud. So here is a bill designed to make it you see coming out of the Democrats If the Democrat bill were good, they harder to get your voice heard, harder in their H.R. 1—that is called S. 1—is a wouldn’t need to use scare tactics, to get your ballot counted, being asked law that changes things dramatically which they have been using all across to be considered by this Chamber with and takes decisions out of the folks at the country, and wouldn’t need to absolutely no process of committee de- home in Wyoming and puts them in the spread false information. liberation. hands of folks in Washington, DC. Peo- So the people of Wyoming tell me If we had such a process, it would be ple in Wyoming, as I talked to them they want elections to be fair. They pointed out that currently millions of the last 2 weeks, don’t want anything want them to be free from voter fraud. Americans don’t have the IDs required to do with that. They want it to be easier to vote, as I in this measure. Well, that makes it a Now, Democrats have this listed as said, harder to cheat, and just basically lot harder for millions of Americans to their No. 1 priority bill for the year; using an identification card or a means vote. It would also be pointed out in the otherwise, why would they have listed to identify yourself when you go to committee process that of those who it as No. 1? Not coronavirus, not pan- vote would make common sense. That don’t have those IDs, about three times demic, not infrastructure—no, taking is what we do in Wyoming, and it as many Black Americans don’t have elections away from the States, put- should be continued to be allowed so those IDs as White Americans, even ting them in the hands of Washington. when someone shows up to vote, they The bill is over 800 pages long. Vir- though Black Americans are a much can just confirm that they are who smaller percentage of the American tually every page would, I believe, they say they are. population, which means that this make it easier to cheat. That is not And that is why I am proud to stand measure is hugely discriminatory what the American people want. They here today with Senator SCOTT and against Black Americans. And it is just want to make it easier to vote and support him on the floor. wrong to engage in that type of dis- harder to cheat. I yield the floor. crimination in an effort to manipulate The bill, H.R. 1, now S. 1, expands The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the outcome of elections. ballot harvesting, which is where paid ator from Florida. Now, it would be quite a different political operatives, unsupervised, can Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam Presi- conversation if we had evidence that go door to door, nursing home bed to dent, we can and must pass common- there were an actual, real problem nursing home bed, picking up people’s sense reforms to restore confidence in being addressed. But, fortunately, this ballots and deciding which ballots to our elections. has been studied time and time and turn in and which ballots to destroy. The easiest thing we can do right time again. We had the Governor of The bill would register people auto- now is require voter ID. Americans Michigan testifying here on Capitol matically when they sign up for Med- agree this is a necessary step. Hill just a few days ago, and we asked icaid or assistance in other forms from If we are serious about working to- when they did the study—the inves- the government. It would force tax- gether to move our country forward, tigation because of the lawsuits that payers to fund political campaigns and restore public trust, and protect the were filed related to the last election— political operatives. Paying for cam- democracy our Nation cherishes, we how many people voted illegally in paign ads, your tax dollars would go for need to pass my bill today, and I look vote by mail. And that effort to find that and things that—a candidacy you forward to all my colleagues joining the evidence of fraud turned out, she are not for, and you would be paying me to protect our democracy. said, zero. Zero. for their ads and their computer time Madam President, I ask unanimous And I asked her a question because I and their web pages and their yard consent that the Senate proceed to the was stunned that it was zero. Certainly signs. People in Wyoming don’t want immediate consideration of S. 1130, in- one person who thought they were a that. troduced earlier today. I ask unani- citizen but wasn’t a citizen and voted When I describe each one of these to mous consent that the bill be consid- who was found? Zero. Zero. the people of Wyoming, they say: Don’t ered read a third time and passed and And there is study after study after let that happen to America. that the motion to reconsider be con- study. So we understand what this is, I think many Democrats haven’t read sidered made and laid upon the table. and that is what would be explored in the 800 pages, and I know if the Amer- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there committee. It is an effort to make it ican people read the 800 pages, they objection? harder for Americans to vote. would be just as upset as the people in The Senator from Oregon. It is not about security because there Wyoming who have heard what is in Mr. MERKLEY. Madam President, is not a security problem. It is about the bill. my colleagues have talked about free the fact that this disproportionately The American people want security and fair elections, but I am quite con- affects low-income Americans and in elections. We want integrity, ac- cerned that this bill does quite the op- Black Americans. countability, transparency in how it posite. So I stand here today considering all works, and that is why I am so I am really quite stunned that one whether to object because I believe in proud to be here and supporting Sen- would think that a bill that dictates that vision of Americans having a full, ator SCOTT and cosponsoring, along exactly how every State has to use an free, fair chance to be involved in their with Senator HYDE-SMITH and Senator ID law affects the access to the ballot elections, defending the ballot box for LUMMIS, a bill that gives confidence to box for every single American, that it every single American, and this bill people in elections, because our bill— would be requested that it would be does the opposite. overall bill bans voter harvesting. It passed with no process, no possibility I object. says no to automatic registration. It of a committee to examine the fact The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ob- requires at least a Social Security that every single American voter is im- jection is heard.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:40 Apr 15, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14AP6.036 S14APPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S1928 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 14, 2021 The Senator from Florida. lion to support its electric vehicle in- We put the world on wheels. We are ex- Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam Presi- dustry. That might be why they have tremely proud of our place in history dent, my goal is 100 percent participa- hundreds of companies making electric and extremely proud of the wonderful tion and zero percent fraud. It is not vehicles. workers, the skill and ability of our voter suppression or racist to prove You can’t build a competitive auto workers. But I also understand that we your identity for in-person voting. It is industry without electric vehicles, and would have been better off today if the not voter suppression or racist to prove you can’t build electric vehicles with- issues of carbon pollution had been ad- your identity for mail-in voting. It is out a whole lot of batteries and a whole dressed at the very beginning. not voter suppression or racist to re- lot of other component parts. They The good news is that we have the quire ballot boxes to be monitored. It could all be made here, but most of opportunity now to fulfill Ford and is not voter suppression or racist to them aren’t. Edison’s electric vision. Just last week, make sure your vote is in on time. Right now, none of the major electric I toured GM’s new Factory ZERO, My colleague wants to call any at- vehicle battery providers are American which soon will be building electric tempt to fight fraud in our elections companies. They could be if we helped Hummers and electric Chevy Silverado voter suppression. My colleague wants partner with them to make that hap- trucks. These are big vehicles, and to call any attempt to fight fraud in pen. they are going to be all electric. It is elections racist. That is just not accu- And we have seen what happens when very exciting. Stellantis has plans to rate. our automakers depend on semiconduc- build four new electric hybrid Jeeps in Voter ID should not be controversial. tors made overseas. Over the past few Detroit, and Henry Ford’s company is You need an ID to get on a plane, open months, a shortage of computer chips investing more than $22 billion to in- a bank account, drive a car—even an no bigger than a Kellogg’s cornflake troduce electric versions of its vehi- ID to get into the White House. But we have idled multiple plants and led to cles, including Mustangs, Ford F–150 shouldn’t have an ID to vote for the layoffs in Michigan and across the trucks, and commercial vans—all very President? It just doesn’t make sense. country. exciting. Americans believe in voter ID. It is a In fact, the Alliance for Auto Innova- These changes are what we need logical step to make our elections tion estimates that U.S. automakers right now, but our car companies can’t more secure, and it is a simple change will produce a million fewer cars this do it without a partnership with us, we can pass today. year because of this shortage of this with the Federal Government. Just as I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- little chip. companies around the world have not ator from Michigan. It is not enough to say we need to had to do it alone, we need to make build things in America. We all know sure we are partnering with them to AMERICAN MANUFACTURING that. But we can’t build things here Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, actualize this vision for the future. without first investing in our capacity You know, the oil companies like to first, I want to say I want to thank the say—whenever we talk about various Senator from Oregon for objecting to and having a national strategy to build the previous motion, and I share his things here in America. Thankfully, we incentives for wind or solar or electric concerns. have a President of the United States vehicles or batteries, they always like I rise today to speak about some big who understands that. He understands to say: We shouldn’t be picking win- choices our Nation has to make. Will the moment we are in and is ready to ners and losers in our country. But I we continue to limp along with an meet the moment. would argue that in 1916, with the first economy that works for only a few Now it is time for Congress to step fossil fuel subsidy, our country picked wealthy people or will we invest in up. Senate Democrats are excited and a winner, and they have been sub- making things in America and in our ready to take action, working with the sidized over and over again and win- infrastructure and, most importantly, President of the United States and ning the energy race ever since. In fact, in our people? hopefully working with our colleagues that subsidy is to the tune of at least Will we continue to allow other coun- across the aisle, in this moment for $20 billion every year. Even in the tax tries to outpace us on technology while America and America’s future. cuts in 2017, the Republican tax cuts remaining dependent on critical parts It is important to note that it won’t for the wealthiest and most well-con- made on the other side of the globe or be the first time that actions we have nected people in the country, there was will we seize a future that is made in taken here have had lasting con- even another new foreign oil tax break America? sequences. More than 100 years ago, in there. And will we continue to ignore the Henry Ford and Thomas Edison I would argue it is time to give equal climate crisis and leave it for the next partnered to build an affordable elec- opportunity to competing technology generation to deal with and leave an tric car. That was the first kind of car and level the playing field. At the same even bigger catastrophe or will we take they wanted to make—an electric car. time, we can create good-paying jobs action right now—right now—to put They even built several prototypes in here at home, revitalize American our Nation on a path to a future of Dearborn, MI. The challenge, Ford told manufacturing, and put America in the good-paying jobs fueled by clean en- the New York Times in 1914, was ‘‘to driver’s seat of the clean energy future. ergy? build a storage battery of light weight That, we can do—that is so exciting to I have often said that in Michigan we which would operate for long distances do—if we work with our President to don’t have an economy unless someone without recharging.’’ Sound familiar? get this done. makes something and somebody grows That is a challenge most of our auto- If we are going to build back better, something. That is what we do in makers are very familiar with. it is time to start building. The first Michigan. We make things and grow Interestingly, around the same time, thing we can do is to pass the Amer- things. And I know that my friend, the in 1916, Congress passed a change to the ican Jobs Plan, which invests in Amer- Presiding Officer from Minnesota, feels tax laws that in effect provided oil and ican manufacturing, creates an Amer- the same—making things, growing gas companies interest-free loans. It ican supply chain for products and things. That is how we have an econ- was America’s first fossil fuel subsidy. technologies, and strengthens ‘‘Buy omy. It has been the secret to our suc- Perhaps it is no surprise, then, that American’’ laws. This plan has been cess in Michigan and in so many other given the various issues and struggles long overdue, I can tell you, and it is places around the country. We need to and costs, Ford chose to focus on an in- just the start of what we need to do. make things, and we need to grow ternal combustion engine. My bipartisan American Jobs in En- things. Just thinking about it, more than 100 ergy Manufacturing Act, which I intro- Unfortunately, while we have been years later, we are still lighting pre- duced with Senator MANCHIN and Sen- talking about making things for a long historic plants and animals on fire to ator DAINES, would provide incentives time, the rest of the world has actually get to the grocery store and to get to for manufacturers to build and retool been acting. work. existing plants to make advanced en- It is estimated that the Chinese Gov- Now, it is true that my home State of ergy parts like semiconductors and ernment has invested at least $100 bil- Michigan benefited from these choices. batteries and retool for electric vehicle

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:40 Apr 15, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14AP6.038 S14APPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE April 14, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1929 facilities. It builds on the successful great capacity—intellect and resources—to Along with my colleague Senator 48C advanced energy manufacturing do something about them. COTTON, the ranking member of the tax credit, which I authored in 2009. There is no doubt that we face big Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and That helped boost U.S. manufacturing challenges, but Henry Ford was right: Counterterrorism, we are requesting a and create good-paying jobs then, and We do have great capacity, intellect, full or subcommittee hearing on the we can do it now. and resources to do something about issue, and we should do that after the On the Finance Committee, we are them. Now is the time to do that, to Attorney General’s review has been also working on legislation that would act. People in Michigan have been completed. provide an investment tax credit for waiting long enough, waiting way too We now have before the Senate S. 937, building American battery, semicon- long, and people across the country the COVID–19 Hate Crimes Act, being ductor, and solar cell plants and a cor- have waited far too long for us to act introduced before the Attorney Gen- responding tax credit for producing on what we know we can do to make eral’s review began and appears to be these key components. things in America, to remake things in duplicative or even in conflict with I am so pleased that President America, to build back better. We can some of the DOJ’s existing efforts. This Biden’s American Jobs Plan includes make this an American moment, or we does not seem to me to be the best electric charging stations as part of can sit back and wait for the future to path, but that is the path the Senate is our infrastructure investment—it cer- happen to us. on now, and I voted to proceed hours tainly is part of our infrastructure for This is the moment to invest in our ago to S. 937. I am thankful that it is the future, for today and tomorrow— workers who build our country’s infra- coming up. I know that Members of the and consumer incentives to purchase structure, including those things we Republican caucus have amendments electric vehicles. need today that they didn’t need 100 that will hopefully improve the bill and We also need to make sure that years ago, like high-speed internet and make it a very useful piece of American taxpayer dollars are spent on electric charging stations, and the legislation. American products. You know, that things that we will need to make us We hope these amendments will be sounds simple, but that is actually not successful and global leaders moving listened to and fairly considered by our what is being done in every case right forward. Democratic colleagues. This is too im- now, even though we have had laws on We need to rebuild our supply chains portant of an issue to get wrong. the books for decades and decades and in America so we are not being held up ELECTION SECURITY decades. because of a really important part that Madam President, now, on another My bipartisan Make It in America is made only in one country halfway point. Between Democrats who believe Act with Senator BRAUN makes it around the world. That is absurd. We Russia rigged the vote to elect Trump harder for Federal Agencies to use can do that. We can do that. We can do in 2016 and Republicans who believe waivers to get around ‘‘Buy American’’ that by deciding we are going to invest various theories questioning Biden’s rules to purchase foreign-made prod- in America. And we need to use the election victory, they all add up to ucts. Right now, there has not been power of American ingenuity to ensure what seems to be a bipartisan super- enough accountability and structure to a livable and prosperous future for ev- majority of Americans casting doubt make sure that waivers are not being eryone. about our elections. In fact, one promi- given so that purchases can be made of This is the moment to act. I am ex- nent claim by some Trump supporters foreign cars. That needs to stop. cited about that. I know that we have that a particular brand of voting ma- I also want to thank Senator TAMMY this moment right now to be able to chine switched Trump votes to Biden BALDWIN for her leadership on these jump-start the future, to be able to appears to have been plagiarized from ‘‘Buy American’’ issues as well. build our economy back better, to the Democratic Party’s playbook from The Federal Government is an enor- make things in America, and I hope we the election of 2004. mous consumer, and we are set to will seize this moment. I heard from many left-leaning make big infrastructure investments. I yield the floor. Iowans at that time who questioned ‘‘Buy American’’ rules means that The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- President Bush’s victory based on American dollars flow into local econo- ator from Iowa. claims that a particular brand of vot- mies when we purchase American-made COVID–19 HATE CRIMES ACT ing machine switched votes in Ohio. PPE and American-made iron and steel Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, That was 2004. It seems kind of similar, and great American-made electric ve- today I express my concern over the doesn’t it, today. hicles. These rules also create good rise in violent crime and in particular Those totally unsubstantiated claims jobs, and we will need highly trained the hate crimes against Asian Ameri- ultimately led Democrats to force a workers to fill them. By investing in cans and Pacific Islanders. vote in a joint session of Congress in our workforce, which is an important Every single one of us ought to be 2005 to reject Ohio’s electoral votes part of this plan, we will help the 18 horrified to see our fellow Americans cast for President Bush. There are still million Americans currently on unem- attacked because of their race or eth- Democratic Members of Congress in ployment find new opportunities—and nicity. We are united in our opposition both Chambers who voted to overturn others as well—new opportunities for to this hateful violence. We are united Ohio State’s certified election in 2004. good jobs and will ensure that our in seeing it investigated and pros- Now, after the 2018 gubernatorial young people are on a path for good- ecuted to the fullest extent of the law. election in Georgia, the losing Demo- paying jobs, including skilled trades, I introduced a resolution to this effect, cratic candidate refused to concede, after high school. and I will welcome all my Senate col- claiming, without evidence that would I am laser-focused on supporting our leagues to join me. stand up in court, that she, as a Demo- community colleges and uplifting and I am very happy to see that Attorney cratic candidate for Governor of Geor- expanding registered apprenticeship General Garland has turned his atten- gia, would have won but for voting programs because these institutions tion to this problem. On March 30, he irregularities. Now, rather than dis- and programs help build our middle directed the Department of Justice to tance itself from questioning a cer- class and ensure working people have engage in a 30-day review of the De- tified election in 2018, the Democratic the skills they need to thrive, not just partment’s response to hate crimes. I Party invited her to speak at their con- survive. These are great-paying jobs, hope the Senate will benefit from the vention in 2020. professional jobs, licensed, highly results of that review. However, our re- Two years later, the tables are now skilled jobs, and we need to be encour- sponses to the problem of hate crimes turned. Trump lost Georgia by a far aging more and more young people to must be guided by the facts and a pur- smaller margin than that Democratic be able to choose these jobs. suit of sound policy. I am not sure that candidate for Governor in Georgia in Henry Ford once said this, one of my we have done the legwork to arrive at 2018 did, but we are now told that to favorite quotes: a legislative solution that will make a suggest that there were flaws in the What’s right about America is that, al- difference to preventing, deterring, and 2020 Georgia election is somehow unac- though we have a mess of problems, we have punishing these crimes. ceptable and undermining democracy.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:40 Apr 15, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14AP6.043 S14APPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S1930 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 14, 2021 It is pretty obvious, after this his- So how does this bill, passing the and see what does that include, it in- tory, that we need to break the cycle of House, once again, over here in the cludes making greener lunches. It in- partisans questioning elections when Senate—how does that jibe with the cludes eliminating paper products in their side lost or it is OK to complain message from Democrats just a couple the cafeterias and making the cafeteria when their side lost, but if the other of months ago that State-run elections trays that people use to carry their side does the same thing, there is are beyond reproach? Don’t you re- food, makes each one of those into something wrong with it. So there is a member? Because all 50 States had trays that can be recycled. lesson for both Republicans and Demo- State-certified elections, that gave Call it what you will, this is not in- crats. Both parties must stop finger- Biden his win. frastructure. The largest spending part pointing, stop blaming, and stop the Now, it is pretty common sense. Ei- of the bill is $400 billion to expand Med- partisan accusations. We all need to ther State-run elections are fundamen- icaid. The list goes on and on. That is work together to restore Americans’ tally flawed and unfair, requiring mas- just the tip of the iceberg. faith in elections. sive Federal intervention and Ameri- Now, some of the spending in the So that brings me to something very cans who question the outcome are overall bill may have merit. That current because it passed the House of taking a moral stand, or State-run spending should go through regular Representatives. So that brings me to elections are, by and large, very fair, order, going through committees and the Democrats’ so-called For the Peo- and Americans can have confidence in coming to the floor of the Senate for ple Act. Incidentally, don’t you find the outcomes. amendments and then votes. that name a little creepy? So often in Either way, the same principle But it is still not infrastructure. This history, when people claim to speak for should apply to the last several elec- isn’t an infrastructure bill. Even the ‘‘the people,’’ they were just seeking tions whether Republicans or Demo- White House Press Secretary admitted power. crats were relatively more successful For the People Act was introduced it. She said this. She said it is partly in each case. I get it. I get it that hav- infrastructure—partly infrastructure. after the 2018 elections as a clear polit- ing unleashed this partisan tiger—the ical statement to build the Now, the bill includes another big bill that came from the House of Rep- payoff to the union bosses because it hyperpartisan narrative that Demo- resentatives—it is very hard to get cratic defeats were due to widespread forces long-term healthcare facilities that partisan tiger back in the cage. to unionize if they want to receive the voter suppression. But when this bill fails, as it must, Now, we always hear about voter sup- funding in the bill. There is Medicaid we need to tamp down the partisan ac- expansion. That would hurt States like pression before and since the 2020 elec- cusations and work across party lines tion, but just think of the historic Wyoming and others that protect and to restore faith in American elections. believe in the right to work. turnout—not only the historic turnout Now, the way the environment here is The bill would also hurt Wyoming be- that the losing candidate had but the in Washington and in Congress, it isn’t cause of its attack on American en- historic turnout that the winning can- going to be easy, but the alternative is didate had. And yet we have voter sup- ergy. Representative ALEXANDRIA unthinkable. OCASIO-CORTEZ has compared the bill pression. I yield the floor. H.R. 1 was then, and remains, a hast- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- to the Green New Deal. One Demo- ily cobbled together collection of every ator from Wyoming. cratic Senator admitted it. He said it is Democratic proposal for new election a way of accomplishing many of the INFRASTRUCTURE mandates. No care was taken to make goals of the Green New Deal. it cohesive or workable. It is evident Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I come to the floor today to oppose the Out of all the payoffs in the bill, one that State and local election officials of the biggest goes to the electric car were not consulted in its drafting. Democrats’ latest liberal spending spree. Just over a month ago, Demo- industry. The bill would spend more You know, just to consider the size of money on electric cars than it does on the bill, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, crats put $2 trillion onto America’s credit card. They said it was for roads, bridges, ports, airports, and wa- I think, was only two pages. For the terways combined—an astonishing People Act, the bill introduced—or coronavirus. That was false adver- tising, and that is because only $1 out amount of money. heard—before the Senate Rules Com- President Biden announced the bill in mittee is 800 pages. of every $11 in the $2 trillion being spent was actually going to public one of America’s greatest energy-pro- Now, that bill that I just talked ducing regions, which is Western Penn- about had actually passed the House in health. sylvania. Yet energy-producing States 2019 on party lines and was placed di- The bill turned out to be a big payoff like Pennsylvania and Wyoming have a rectly on the Senate calendar at Sen- to the people who run the Democratic lot to lose from this bill. ator SCHUMER’s request. Now, this is Party: the union bosses, the DC bu- The bill would spend $10 billion on very typical of political messaging reaucrats, and the bankrupt blue bills so the minority leader can force a States. Democrats crammed the bill something called the Civilian Climate vote to proceed. I assume, in 2019, that through the Senate with just 50 votes. Corps. These are taxpayer-funded ac- tivists who would advance environ- Senator SCHUMER did not force the Democrats haven’t even finished their Senate vote to take up the bill because victory lap. mental justice. That is what it says: partisan activists got more traction Yet, at this time, they want another $10 billion to Civilian Climate Corps to advance environmental justice. out of blaming Leader MCCONNELL for $2.3 trillion. They have already told us not bringing it up. Regardless, in 2019, they are going to cram it through with And then there is another $35 billion it was clearly designed as a messaging just 50 votes, once again, and, once on climate innovation and $27 billion in bill and not one designed to ever get to again, they are using more false adver- clean energy and sustainability accel- the President’s desk. tising. erator. It just seems that they are Now, in 2021, we are back at it again, President Biden calls this an infra- throwing money and names onto considering a totally partisan mes- structure bill. Well, that is a new defi- things. These are slush funds. They are saging bill that would radically rework nition of the word ‘‘infrastructure.’’ going to give government bureaucrats all States’ election systems, where it Only about $1 out of every $20 would go more power to pick winners and losers has been in the Constitution the pri- to roads and bridges. in our economy. mary concern of the State legislators Now, here are just a few other items We all remember the disaster called and Congress seldomly intervening. I that the Democrats call infrastructure: Solyndra. It was a Silicon Valley start- suppose the most obvious is that on a $100 billion for so-called workforce de- up. The last time Joe Biden was in the certain date in November we all have velopment and over $300 billion on White House, his administration, along Presidential elections and congres- housing and upgrading of Federal with Barack Obama, gave them $500 sional elections on the same date in all buildings—Federal buildings—the ones million—taxpayer dollars—for so- 50 States, but beyond that, it is pretty we work in. It includes $100 billion for called clean energy. We later found out much up to each State how they want something called the greening of that Solyndra lied on their loan appli- to conduct their elections. schools, which, when you go through cation form, and, apparently, no one in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:40 Apr 15, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14AP6.046 S14APPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE April 14, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1931 the administration caught it. The com- allow us to do things faster and better it was evident the knowledge and in- pany went bankrupt—500 million tax- and cheaper and smarter. If Democrats sight he possessed on these issues sur- payer dollars gone forever. want to do that, Republicans are ready passed even the best-educated lawyers President Biden is bringing back this to support it. in this town. kind of central planning. It is all in the Last Congress, I worked with Senator What made Alvin so remarkable, name, he says, of green energy. If we TOM CARPER of Delaware on a bipar- however, wasn’t the knowledge he ac- pass this bill, I will tell you that we tisan infrastructure bill in the Senate quired but what he did with it. As he are going to see another Solyndra and Environment and Public Works Com- learned more about unsolved civil another one after that and another one mittee. I chaired it in the last Con- rights crimes—the ones no one talked after that. gress. Our bill was so bipartisan that about, the ones no one looked into— So how are Democrats going to pay Senator BERNIE SANDERS voted for it, Alvin realized we needed a system in for this piece of legislation? Well, they and so did I. It passed the committee place to investigate those cold cases are going to cram through the largest unanimously, 21 to 0. When we went to and uncover the truth. tax increase of the century. They are work with Democrats in the House on I met Alvin Sykes in 2016 through going to use 15 years’ worth of tax in- the legislation, they ignored it and re- Senator Tom Coburn, a great and dear creases to pay for 8 years of spending. placed it with the Green New Deal. and missed friend today. Dr. Coburn So the spending is temporary, but the That is what President Biden is doing ran into Alvin Sykes and heard this tax increases will be permanent. right now as well. He is ignoring the story and built a relationship that If the bill becomes law, it will be bill we passed and trying to sneak the wasn’t just personal—it was profes- harder for American companies to Green New Deal into law. sional—because he wanted to help compete with companies in other coun- So I would urge my Democratic col- Alvin fix these wrongs. tries, and the concern is that means leagues to reverse course, to throw out Through Alvin’s advocacy and guid- more companies are going to move this liberal wish list, this slush fund of ance, I joined Congressman John overseas because taxes there will be liberal spending, and start over work- Lewis—a civil rights icon who, sadly, lower. When they do, they are going to ing in a bipartisan way with Repub- also passed away this last year—to in- take good American jobs with them. licans. troduce the Emmett Till Unsolved You know, with the Republican tax We should start with a bipartisan bill Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization cuts that we did in 2017, we saw $1 tril- that the Senate Committee on EPW Act. The legislation was named for 14- lion flow back into this country in just passed last year. Instead of paying off year-old Emmett Till, who was bru- 2 years. President Biden is ready to the unions and the climate activists, tally murdered in Mississippi in 1955 send all of that money back overseas. let’s rebuild our roads and our bridges and whose killers were acquitted. The official name of the bill is the and do it in a way that works for all After we introduced the bill, Alvin American Jobs Plan. Yet it is not Americans. did what he had been doing for years: much of a jobs bill. The jobs this bill Thank you. He went to work. He got in the arena. would allegedly create would cost I yield the floor. And he did not stop until there was leg- $800,000 each job. It is a lot to pay for The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. islation authorizing a Department of a single job when communities all OSSOFF). The Senator from North Caro- Justice unit dedicated to investigating across the country have outside of lina. and prosecuting cold cases that re- their businesses ‘‘Help wanted’’ signs. REMEMBERING ALVIN SYKES mained unsolved from the civil rights I saw one in Afton, WY, last week. A Mr. BURR. Mr. President, I rise era. small community in western Wyoming today to pay tribute to the life of a To date, the Justice Department has there is a convenience store, and the gentleman named Alvin Sykes, who investigated 152 cases under this pro- sign said: passed away on March 19, 2021, in Kan- gram. And while many others were Your father called. He said you need a job. sas City, MO. dedicated to making this a reality as We’re hiring. Teddy Roosevelt once famously said, well, Alvin’s expertise, his passion, and There are signs like that all over the in life, ‘‘The credit belongs to the man his persistence were second to none. country. Small businesses and small who is actually in the arena, whose Last year, Alvin reached out to me business owners I have talked to con- face is marred by dust and sweat and again, seeking to posthumously recog- tinue to say: We cannot find people to blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, nize Emmett Till and his mother hire. And yet the administration has a who comes short again and again . . . Mamie Till-Mobley for their role in jobs plan, they say, where it is going to but who does actually strive to do the starting the civil rights movement. His cost taxpayers $800,000 for each job to deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, advocacy led me to introduce legisla- create. At the same time, the bill is [the] great devotions; who spends him- tion with Senator BOOKER to award going to eliminate many good-paying self in a worthy cause.’’ Emmett Till and Mamie the Congres- energy jobs, and that is a real concern. Alvin Sykes was the man in the sional Gold Medal, the Nation’s highest Democrats are cramming this arena. He was a man who knew great civilian honor. I can’t think of two in- through at a time when our economy is devotion, who dedicated himself to a dividuals more worthy of it than them. already recovering. The pandemic is worthy cause, and who helped move This bill is also a worthy coda for coming to an end. The experts say we our Nation even closer to our founding Alvin Sykes’ life and his legacy. You are going to create 11 million more jobs promise of ‘‘liberty and justice for all.’’ see, Alvin was born only a year after over the next 4 years even if we don’t Alvin was born to a teenage mother. Emmett Till’s mother. And when he pass the bill. And there are jobs avail- He ended his public school enrollment first became involved in that case, he able today. after the eighth grade, but he never heard Emmett’s mother Mamie say she One analysis from the Wharton Busi- ended his education. In his own words, had been fighting to get justice since ness School said the bill would actually Alvin transferred from public school to 1956. slow down the economy. That is be- the public library. Alvin said he thought to himself: I cause the bill would discourage busi- In the coming decades, Alvin im- was born in 1956. That means she has nesses from investing. It is not an in- mersed himself in learning about civil been trying to do one thing my entire frastructure bill, not much of a jobs rights crimes and cold cases, becoming life. bill. It is a slush fund for more liberal an expert on an often overlooked issue. Now Alvin is no longer with us, but spending. That is what is on the minds He researched the history of these the pursuit of justice for the Till fam- of the Democrats who are pushing this tragic crimes, the relevant laws, and ily continues. My hope is that Congress bill forward. the statutes of jurisdiction. will soon pass this legislation to recog- It is not what the United States Alvin was so well versed, when he nize and honor their legacy. Today, needs right now. We need real infra- testified about such cases before Con- though, I want to give Alvin the credit structure improvements. We need a gress in 2007, one Member mistakenly and the honor he deserves. His passion, real infrastructure bill—one that will assumed he was an attorney. Alvin re- his advocacy, and his high achieve- build road, bridges, our waterways, and plied that he was not an attorney, but ments made our Nation a better place.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:40 Apr 15, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14AP6.048 S14APPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S1932 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 14, 2021 Personally, I learned from Alvin wise on matters within their respective ju- closed session to discuss only whether the Sykes. I admire Alvin Sykes. I mourn risdictions: matters enumerated in subparagraphs (a) his passing. I pay tribute to him today * * * * * through (f) would require the meeting to be closed followed immediately by a recorded and thank God that he created Alvin (n)(1) Committee on Rules and Administra- vote in open session by a majority of the tion, to which committee shall be referred Sykes. Members of the committee when it is deter- all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, I suggest the absence of a quorum. mined that the matters to be discussed or memorials, and other matters relating to the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the testimony to be taken at such meeting following subjects: clerk will call the roll. 1. Administration of the Senate Office or meetings: (a) will disclose matters necessary to be The bill clerk proceeded to call the Buildings and the Senate wing of the Cap- kept secret in the interests of national de- roll. itol, including the assignment of office fense or the confidential conduct of the for- Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask space. eign relations of the United States; unanimous consent that the order for 2. Congressional organization relative to (b) will relate solely to matters of the com- the quorum call be rescinded. rules and procedures, and Senate rules and mittee staff personnel or internal staff man- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without regulations, including floor and gallery agement or procedure; objection, it is so ordered. rules. (c) will tend to charge an individual with 3. Corrupt practices. crime or misconduct, to disgrace or injure f 4. Credentials and qualifications of Mem- the professional standing of an individual, or bers of the Senate, contested elections, and MORNING BUSINESS otherwise to expose an individual to public acceptance of incompatible offices. contempt or obloquy, or will represent a Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask 5. Federal elections generally, including clearly unwarranted invasion of the privacy unanimous consent that the Senate be the election of the President, Vice President, of an individual; in a period of morning business, with and Members of the Congress. (d) will disclose the identity of any in- Senators permitted to speak therein 6. Government Publishing Office, and the former or law enforcement agent or will dis- printing and correction of the Congressional for up to 10 minutes each. close any information relating to the inves- Record, as well as those matters provided for tigation or prosecution of a criminal offense The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without under rule XI. objection, it is so ordered. that is required to be kept secret in the in- 7. Meeting of the Congress and attendance terests of effective law enforcement; f of Members. (e) will disclose information relating to the 8. Payment of money out of the contingent trade secrets or financial or commercial in- SENATE COMMITTEE ON RULES fund of the Senate or creating a charge upon formation pertaining specifically to a given AND ADMINISTRATION LEGISLA- the same (except that any resolution relat- person if: TIVE ACTIVITIES REPORT ing to substantive matter within the juris- (1) an Act of Congress requires the infor- diction of any other standing committee of Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I mation to be kept confidential by Govern- the Senate shall be first referred to such ment officers and employees; or ask unanimous consent for the legisla- committee). (2) the information has been obtained by tive activities report of the Committee 9. Presidential succession. the Government on a confidential basis, on Rules and Administration during 10. Purchase of books and manuscripts and other than through an application by such the 116th Congress be printed in the erection of monuments to the memory of in- person for a specific Government financial or CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. dividuals. other benefit, and is required to be kept se- There being no objection, the mate- 11. Senate Library and statuary, art, and cret in order to prevent undue injury to the pictures in the Capitol and Senate Office rial was ordered to be printed in the competitive position of such person; or Buildings. (f) may divulge matters required to be kept RECORD, as follows: 12. Services to the Senate, including the confidential under the provisions of law or REVIEW OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY DURING THE Senate restaurant. Government regulations. (Paragraph 5(b) of 116TH CONGRESS 13. United States Capitol and congressional rule XXVI of the Standing Rules.) FOREWORD office buildings, the Library of Congress, the Rule 3. Written notices of committee meet- Smithsonian Institution (and the incorpora- ings will normally be sent by the commit- tion of similar institutions), and the Botanic tee’s staff director to all Members of the This report reviewing the legislative activ- Gardens. committee at least a week in advance. In ad- ity during the 116th Congress of the Com- (2) Such committee shall also— dition, the committee staff will telephone or mittee on Rules and Administration is sub- (A) make a continuing study of the organi- e-mail reminders of committee meetings to mitted pursuant to paragraph 8(b) of Rule zation and operation of the Congress of the all Members of the committee or to the ap- XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate. United States and shall recommend improve- propriate assistants in their offices. Paragraph 8 provides that standing commit- ments in such organization and operation Rule 4. A copy of the committee’s intended tees of the Senate shall review and study, on with a view toward strengthening the Con- agenda enumerating separate items of legis- a continuing basis, the application, adminis- gress, simplifying its operations, improving lative business and committee business will tration, and execution of those laws, or parts its relationships with other branches of the normally be sent to all Members of the com- thereof, the subject matter of which is with- United States Government, and enabling it mittee and released to the public at least 1 in their jurisdiction, and submit to the Sen- better to meet its responsibilities under the day in advance of all meetings. This does not ate, not later than March 31 of each odd- Constitution of the United States; and preclude any Member of the committee from numbered year, a report detailing the activi- (B) identify any court proceeding or action discussing appropriate non-agenda topics. ties of that committee for the preceding which, in the opinion of the Committee, is of Rule 5. After the Chairman and the Rank- Congress. The text of paragraph 8(b) of rule vital interest to the Congress as a constitu- ing Minority Member, speaking order shall XXVI is as follows: tionally established institution of the Fed- be based on order of arrival, alternating be- 8.(b) In each odd-numbered year, each such eral Government and call such proceeding or tween Majority and Minority Members, un- committee shall submit, not later than action to the attention of the Senate. less otherwise directed by the Chairman. March 31, to the Senate, a report on the ac- Rule 6. Any witness who is to appear before tivities of that committee under this para- * * * * * the committee in any hearing shall file with graph during the Congress ending at noon on RULES OF PROCEDURE the clerk of the committee at least 3 busi- January 3 of such year. MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE ness days before the date of his or her ap- AMY KLOBUCHAR, Chairwoman. Rule 1. The regular meeting dates of the pearance, a written statement of his or her JURISDICTION OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Committee shall be the second and fourth proposed testimony and an executive sum- AND ADMINISTRATION Wednesdays of each month, at 10:00 a.m., in mary thereof, in such form as the chairman may direct, unless the Chairman and the The jurisdiction of the Committee on Room 301, Russell Senate Office Building. Ranking Minority Member waive such re- Rules and Administration is set forth in Additional meetings of the Committee may quirement for good cause. paragraph 1(n)(1) of rule XXV of the Stand- be called by the Chairman as he may deem necessary or pursuant to the provision of Rule 7. In general, testimony will be re- ing Rules of the Senate. The following are stricted to 5 minutes for each witness. The excerpts from that paragraph. paragraph 3 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate. time may be extended by the Chairman, RULE XXV Rule 2. Meetings of the committee, includ- upon the Chair’s own direction or at the re- STANDING COMMITTEES ing meetings to conduct hearings, shall be quest of a Member. Each round of questions 1. The following standing committees shall open to the public, except that a meeting or by Members will also be limited to 5 min- be appointed at the commencement of each series of meetings by the committee on the utes. Congress, and shall continue and have the same subject for a period of no more than 14 QUORUMS power to act until their successors are ap- calendar days may be closed to the public on Rule 8. Pursuant to paragraph 7(a)(1) of pointed, with leave to report by bill or other- a motion made and seconded to go into rule XXVI of the Standing Rules, a majority

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