S3318 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 24, 2021 Adequate policing is not an enemy of bone of our competition with China— tics and government in the last 40 civil rights. Among other things, a re- the resources we allocate to our Armed years or if you have called my office in cent study by multiple university pro- Forces and national defense—was not Springfield anytime in the last 24 fessors confirmed that more cops lead neglected. years, there is a good chance you know to fewer murders: Make no mistake, supply chains, es- the fellow I am about to speak about Larger police forces save lives, and the pionage, intellectual property—those this afternoon. For those who haven’t lives saved are disproportionately Black are all important topics, but all the been lucky enough to meet him yet, let lives. policy tweaks in the world would not me tell you about my friend, one of the Police funding isn’t the only impor- amount to much help if we lose our best people I have ever known. His tant issue where the nominee’s judg- military edge with respect to China. name is Bill Houlihan. ment has missed the mark. Soft power isn’t much good without Bill came to work on my first Senate Three years ago, when the then-At- the hard power to back it up. campaign in 1996, and when we won, I torney General was standing up a task The Chinese Communist Party ap- asked him to be my staff director for force on religious liberty, Ms. Clarke pears to understand this quite clearly. downstate Illinois—all 96 counties. He said this was designed ‘‘to make it According to one watchdog, it has in- has been with me ever since, and now easier for people to use religion to creased military investment by 76 per- he is State director of the entire State. mask their discriminatory goals’’—an cent over the last decade. China has in- Whenever I can’t attend an event in Il- incredibly out-of-touch, far-left state- creased its military spending by 76 per- linois, Bill is the person I turn to. I ment. cent over the last decade. The same don’t have to write any speech for him, Finally, we are currently watching data show that our own U.S. defense and I don’t have to check on what he an alarming spike in anti-Semitic at- spending fell 10 percent over that pe- said. People know Bill speaks for me, tacks and violence across our country. riod, thanks to the approach of the last and I have complete confidence in his I introduced new legislation on Friday, Democratic administration, and now judgment and integrity. with Senator COTTON, to confront anti- President Biden has signaled that he Everybody seems to know him. Just Semitism head-on, but as a Harvard wants to cut defense spending after in- try going to a grocery store with Bill undergraduate, Ms. Clarke invited, wel- flation—exactly the wrong approach. Houlihan in Springfield, IL. Be pre- comed, introduced, and then defended a No serious strategy for our competi- pared for delays as everyone needs to famously anti-Semitic guest speaker tion with massive foreign powers could talk to him or to thank him for some- who had authored a book literally enti- leave the U.S. Armed Forces, their thing that he might have done: Thanks tled—now listen to this—‘‘The Jewish tools, and their resources out of the for helping my mom get her Social Se- Onslaught.’’ conversation in a meaningful way. I curity. Thanks for helping my dad with The nominee has stated recently that hope and expect we will have a number the Veterans Health Administration. she regrets that decision. Goodness, I of further votes on important amend- Thanks for helping to get that passport would certainly hope so. ments before there would be any at- so my daughter could go away to Yet she also claims that her op-ed tempt to shut off debate on this wide- school. Thanks for helping the local from just last year, which asserted ranging measure. union get the project that creates the three times—three times—that we f jobs here in our community. must invest less in police, was not ac- RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME Over the years, Bill has helped thou- tually suggesting that we invest less in sands of people find jobs and provide The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under police. for their families. He knows about the the previous order, the leadership time This is not the right nominee for a dignity of work. He does whatever he is reserved. crucial post at a crucial time so I can to help whomever he can, having would urge colleagues to vote no this f no expectation of any recognition. week. CONCLUSION OF MORNING Bill started his professional life in f BUSINESS 1981, fresh out of Eastern Illinois Uni- CHINA The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning versity. He was the class president. His first job was with the Illinois Edu- Mr. MCCONNELL. Now, Madam business is closed. cation Association. They sent him into President, on another matter, last f week, a bipartisan majority of Sen- a David-and-Goliath battle scene in Pe- LEGISLATIVE SESSION ators voted to proceed to floor debate oria, IL, where they were trying to about our Nation’s long-term competi- --- convince the local teachers to sign up with the IEA. They hired Bill 6 weeks tion with China. ENDLESS FRONTIER ACT—Resumed There is no disagreement that the before the crucial election and sent The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under People’s Republic’s strategic capabili- him into Peoria—his first campaign for the previous order, the Senate will re- ties and its growing influence beyond a union. You see, Bill had worked on sume consideration of S. 1260, which the Indo-Pacific pose a singular chal- political campaigns for his dad, and I the clerk will report. lenge to American strength and secu- will talk about those in a minute. The senior assistant legislative clerk rity. There is robust debate about the When he got down to Peoria—a place read as follows: right ways to address this challenge. where he had never lived—everybody The legislation before us arrived on A bill (S. 1260) to establish a new Direc- knew him, and whenever he went up torate for Technology and Innovation in the the floor incomplete, and it spans a and introduced himself as Bill National Science Foundation, to establish a Houlihan, they would say: Well, are number of huge issues that occupy regional technology hub program, to require multiple committees’ jurisdictions. It a strategy and report on economic security, you the son of Bill Houlihan? is a prime example of a bill that needs science, research, innovation, manufac- He would say: No, I am the son of a thorough, bipartisan amendment turing, and job creation, to establish a crit- John Houlihan. process here in the Senate. So far, we ical supply chain resiliency program, and for Bill didn’t understand for a while have had a few votes on important other purposes. why he kept getting that question. It amendments. There are a lot more that Pending: turns out that he had exactly the same need consideration, and we should not Schumer amendment No. 1502, in the na- name as Peoria’s longtime and vener- close debate on this bill until those ture of a substitute. able TV weathercaster Bill Houlihan. amendments are addressed. Cantwell amendment No. 1527 (to amend- When, as a young union organizer, Unfortunately, during one important ment No. 1502), of a perfecting nature. Bill showed up, puzzled teachers always vote last week, our Democratic col- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- said: Are you sure you are not related leagues sent a telling signal. They jority whip. to Bill Houlihan? voted down Ranking Member INHOFE TRIBUTE TO BILL HOULIHAN Our Bill Houlihan was no TV person- and Vice Chairman SHELBY’s amend- Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, if ality, but Peoria teachers quickly ment to make sure that the real back- you have been involved in Illinois poli- learned that he cared about them and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:42 May 25, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G24MY6.002 S24MYPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE May 24, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3319 that he knew his stuff. Just as impor- He left the Marines with a chest full with this big, wooden leg of his that he tant, he understands how to build po- of medals, including three Bronze would just swing forward as he made it litical organizations and campaigns Stars, a Marine Corps Medal, and, of with his cane and made his life despite and how to use that power to help ev- course, a Purple Heart. He went back that handicap. eryday people. Thank goodness for me to Chicago with one leg, an artificial Bill’s mom was a big influence on he knows how to win. The IEA won the leg, and a cane or a crutch. He went to him as well. She might have been election in a close, upset victory back a dance in the basement of St. Gabri- quieter than his dad but just as strong. in the day. It was the first of many el’s Catholic Church on the Chicago Think what kind of woman it was who election campaign victories for Bill South Side, and he met his future wife would marry John Houlihan, quickly Houlihan. Vernal. They had eight kids together. returning from war, trying to make a Bill and Cindy, his wife, are the par- Bill was the middle child, the fourth of life. Vernal Houlihan was a kind, gen- ents of four children, but they did it the eight kids. Amazingly, his dad, de- erous woman. No matter how tight the hard way—one set of triplets and a spite having that devastating injury, money was, there was always room for bonus baby born 22 months later. wanted to get involved in politics. He one more place at the Houlihan dinner Mariah, John, Grant, Neil are all moved to Park Forest, IL, just south of table. grown up now, but when they were Chicago, to raise his family in a larger Bill Houlihan is just like both his younger, at the start of every school house, as you can imagine, and decided parents, the same courage and deter- year, their teachers would often ask to run for the Illinois General Assem- mination and the same sense of caring. them: Is Bill Houlihan your dad? That bly in 1964. The heart of every congressional of- question was followed with the teach- I have a picture here I am going to fice is something called casework, ers telling stories about Bill and how show you. This is John Houlihan, Bill’s helping constituents untangle redtape he had helped them. This young, un- dad, and this is his brother Mike. Bill caused by government bureaucracy or known organizer had become a legend is over here at the age of 10. His dad to help solve everyday problems in in his own right. These stories were the was elected to the general assembly. their lives that mean the world to only way the Houlihan kids learned them. about what their dad did for a living. He served with some of the giants of Il- Bill Houlihan may be the only State He never bragged about himself; he was linois’ political history: my friend Paul director in this Senate who still does too modest. Simon, Adlai Stevenson, and Harold Driving around the State of Illinois Washington. John Houlihan fit right casework along with his colleagues in for over 20 years with Bill Houlihan, I in. addition to all his other duties. I can’t have heard a lot of stories, but I think As an amputee, at a time before the count the number of people whose bur- the thing that impressed me the most Americans with Disabilities Act, John dens have been made lighter by Bill was when he talked about his dad— Houlihan knew that they would ap- Houlihan. what a remarkable man. I was lucky to plaud you on Memorial Day and Vet- He logs every call he receives, and his know him. erans Day but that it was hard as heck day doesn’t end until he returns every John Houlihan was born in a section for a disabled vet—really severely dis- call. He treats every person with dig- of Chicago which describes where you abled like John Houlihan—to get a job. nity, compassion, and respect, and he might find it. It is called Back of the He fought for those disabled vets just always makes time for them. Yards; that is, the stockyards. In that like himself, so much so that, when he When we would drive around the section of the city, immigrant families came to the Illinois General Assembly State, thousands and thousands of got their start and worked in some of in Springfield, the Black Caucus in- miles, it reached the point where peo- the hardest jobs in Chicago. John’s fa- vited him to serve as a member. They ple would call him in his car. The ther was a slaughterhouse worker. knew that he appreciated what dis- phone never stopped. John himself grew up on the South crimination was all about. He accepted Many times I said to Bill: Why don’t Side of Chicago—in that area—and his the invitation as an honor. you pick up on that when we get back dream came true. As an Irish Catholic Years later, when his son Bill to Springfield tomorrow? kid, he was admitted to Notre Dame Houlihan was working in that same Il- No, he said. I knew he was going to University. Can I tell you what a big linois State Senate, the Black Caucus call, this buddy of mine. He calls me deal that is still today? For the kids in asked that he be assigned to them as a every day. He just wants to chat for those parishes to consider going to staff member because they knew of his just a few minutes. I will be done, Boss, Notre Dame was nothing short of a reputation—Bill Houlihan’s reputa- in just a minute. miracle. So John Houlihan, Bill’s fa- tion—for being willing to fight for the And he would take the call. ther, who was 6 feet 4, incidentally, underdog. Many people called him just to hear was going to try out for the basketball John Houlihan served in the general his friendly voice. He has fans the likes team at Notre Dame University, an ab- assembly for 8 years before turning his of which I wish I had some days. A lot solute dream come true. Yet there was full attention to veterans’ rights. of chiefs of staff would think twice an intervening event which the Pre- He served with the Illinois Depart- about that approach to the job but not siding Officer will appreciate. It was ment of Veterans’ Affairs, the Vet- Bill. That is just who he is. called Pearl Harbor. erans’ Administration here in Wash- Our office in Springfield is located in John Houlihan, Bill’s dad, had to ington, and the Cook County Veterans the same block as Abraham Lincoln’s drop out of Notre Dame University to Assistance Commission. His young son home. That neighborhood is part of the enlist in the U.S. Marines. He served in Bill was watching him throughout this National Park Service. When Bill many campaigns. As his 21st birthday life experience, and I know he came to walks down the block, he greets every approached, his mom and dad sent him appreciate his dad’s courage and deter- park ranger by name, and they know a little gift, a belt. It was small enough mination that he was going to build a him by name. It is like that wherever that it could make it through the mail, family and build a life despite his seri- we go. and at least he knew they were think- ous disability. Illinois is filled with young leaders ing of him on his birthday. He was em- He also knew what it was like for his all over the State—women and men, barking on the Battle of Bougainville dad. I remember his dad, a World War Black White, and Brown—who didn’t on his 21st birthday, an island in the II vet. We look today to amputees who know they could be a leader until they South Pacific. A grenade explosion have the good fortune, thank goodness, met Bill Houlihan. He is one of the best ripped through his left leg in that bat- of modern prosthetics, even computer- talent scouts and coaches I have ever tle. Lucky for him, he pulled off that driven devices to help them lead as known. He boosts the confidence of ev- belt and applied it as a tourniquet. It normal a life as possible. That wasn’t eryone who works for him or with him. saved his life, but it couldn’t save his the luck of the World War II vets. They He crisscrosses the State of Illinois leg. It was amputated at the hip. The were given some crude artificial legs, in his dark-blue minivan; they call it Allied forces won that battle, and John and they did their best. the Houli-van. The miles he puts on Houlihan spent a year and a half recov- I can still picture Bill’s dad John— that van every year might take him to ering in veterans hospitals. one-legged man, lumbering around life China or the Moon. He knows every

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 May 25, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G24MY6.003 S24MYPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S3320 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 24, 2021 mile marker on every highway in our Ms. HIRONO. Madam President, I ask feign outrage over a satirical letter Ms. State by heart. unanimous consent that the order for Clarke wrote as an undergrad at Har- He has, at last count, 47,000 contacts the quorum call be rescinded. vard in 1994, over 25 years ago. in his Palm Pilot—yes, he still has a The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. I don’t recall any comparable Repub- Palm Pilot—and I think he knows DUCKWORTH). Without objection, it is lican outrage when Michael Truncale, 20,000 of those telephone numbers by so ordered. then a practicing attorney for decades, heart. He has an encyclopedic mind for The Senator from Hawaii. disparaged President Obama as an ‘‘un- names, numbers, election results, NOMINATION OF KRISTEN M. CLARKE American imposter [who] bows to Arab sports stats, history—everything—and Ms. HIRONO. Madam President, I Sheikhs and other world leaders.’’ In- he shares everything he has learned rise today in support of the nomination stead, they confirmed him to a lifetime with anyone who might benefit from of Kristen Clarke to be Assistant At- appointment as a judge in the Eastern his knowledge. torney General for the Justice Depart- District of Texas. In between organizing for the IEA ment’s Civil Rights Division. Senate Republicans have also tried to and joining my staff, Bill worked as a In the 41⁄2 months since she was nom- paint Ms. Clarke as some sort of anti- legislative director the Illinois Senate inated, my Republican colleagues and Semite—again, reaching back 25 years Democrats and downstate director for their rightwing allies have engaged in to criticize a speaker Ms. Clarke in- Senator Carol Moseley Braun, the first a coordinated smear campaign to dis- vited to campus as an undergrad. They woman of color to serve in the Senate. tort Kristen Clarke’s record. It is past conveniently ignore that Ms. Clarke One of these pictures here is the time to set things straight. has addressed their concerns head-on early days when he was just getting Kristen Clarke is a supremely capa- and demonstrated a long track record started as an organizer, hair much ble and qualified nominee to lead the of defending religious rights through- darker than it is today. Civil Rights Division. I would argue out her career. that she is among the most well- Now, let me show you a more recent Her work in this area has earned her credentialed and qualified nominees appearance. This is Bill. He is speaking the support of the National Council of ever to serve in this role. at the Women’s March in Springfield in Jewish Women and the Anti-Defama- During her career, she has served as a 2017. tion League, among other organiza- Usually, he is very soft-spoken, until trial attorney in the Division’s voting tions. And if we needed any more evi- he gets in front of a microphone, and section; a prosecutor in the Division’s dence to rebut this outrageous claim, that is when he turns up the volume. criminal section; an assistant counsel we should all look to the words of At- Oh, there is one other time he turns up at the NAACP Legal Defense and Edu- torney General Merrick Garland, who the volume. If he is watching his Fight- cation Fund and later as the codirector forcefully said: ‘‘I’m a pretty good ing Irish play football and they score a of its Political Participation Group; as judge of what an anti-Semite is, and I touchdown, Bill will let out a scream the civil rights chief of the New York do not believe she is an anti-Semite.’’ that will rattle the windows. State Attorney General’s Civil Rights Always, always Bill Houlihan is the Bureau; and as president and executive Republicans are also trying to derail voice for people whose hopes and needs director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Kristen Clarke’s nomination by push- aren’t heard enough within the halls of Civil Rights Under Law, one of the Na- ing the lie that she supports defunding the Senate or the halls of power. He is tion’s preeminent civil rights organiza- the police. It doesn’t matter how many a voice of compassion, encouragement, tions. Kristen Clarke’s credentials for times they repeat the lie, it will never wisdom, and decency. this job are unimpeachable. be true. Ms. Clarke has clearly ex- Loretta and I are lucky to call Bill Unable to undermine her nomination pressed her support for shifting re- and Cindy some of our best and dearest on the merits, Senate Republicans have sources to social workers and mental friends. So it is hard to say, but this is engaged in a vicious smear campaign health professionals so that police offi- his last week on the job with the U.S. against Kristen Clarke because they cers are no longer called upon to ad- Senate. It hurts to lose a man who has are afraid she will actually do her job. dress every problem in society. This is given me such a big part of his life. It They are afraid she will enforce our not defunding the police, no matter is going to take its toll on my office, civil rights statutes, challenge dis- what twisted definition is used. my politics, and my life, but I can criminatory voting laws, combat sys- As the Senate Judiciary Committee guarantee you that I will be calling temic racism in policing, and protect prepared to vote on Ms. Clarke’s nomi- Bill just as often as I always have. He the LGBTQ community. nation, several Republicans took this may not be on the payroll, but I know This work is urgently needed after baseless criticism to a pathetic, ridicu- he will take my call. the Civil Rights Division endured 4 lous new low. The junior Senator from Bill and Cindy want to move on to years of intentional neglect and out- Texas claimed that voting for Ms. the next chapter in their lives. That is right hostility during the Trump ad- Clarke—and, previously, voting to con- understandable. I am sure it is going to ministration. During its 4 years in of- firm Vanita Gupta as Associate Attor- include some traveling and special fice, the Trump administration ney General—put ‘‘every single Demo- time with their kids and grandkids. brought only a single case—one—under cratic Member of the United States Bill, God bless him, just volunteered the Voting Rights Act, even as States Senate. . . . on record supporting abol- again to once again become the chair- like Georgia, Ohio, and Wisconsin ishing’’—abolishing—‘‘the police.’’ man of the Sangamon County, IL, worked to suppress the vote by tar- ‘‘Abolishing the police’’—that is what Democratic Party—a post he held geting people of color. he said—not defunding, not reforming, years ago. The previous administration also ef- abolishing. What a crock. Above all, I know that Bill will con- fectively ended the use of consent de- Unfortunately, we have come to ex- tinue to help everyone he can in every crees to bring police departments into pect these laughable exaggerations way he can because that is who he is compliance with the Constitution. It from our colleague from Texas. He and always has been. abandoned this critical tool at the would rather smear a nominee with Bill, I hope you are watching—Cindy worst possible moment, as the Nation baseless charges than engage with the too. Thank you. I couldn’t have done it watched Black Americans like George facts, because neither Kristen Clarke without you. Loretta and I wish you Floyd and Breonna Taylor killed by of- nor Vanita Gupta has ever supported and Cindy and your whole family good ficers sworn to protect and serve. abolishing the police. Neither of them health and happiness in all the years to President Biden nominated Kristen has said anything remotely close to come. Clarke to lead the Civil Rights Division this. If they had, I am sure it would I yield the floor. because she is precisely the leader we come as news to the Fraternal Order of I suggest the absence of a quorum. need at this critical moment. But for Police, the Major County Sheriffs of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The 41⁄2 months, my Republican colleagues America, and the International Asso- clerk will call the roll. have tried to tear down this highly ciation of Chiefs of Police, all of whom The legislative clerk proceeded to qualified woman of color with un- endorsed Vanita Gupta’s nomination. call the roll. founded smears and outright lies. They You might also want to ask the Major

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 May 25, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G24MY6.004 S24MYPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE May 24, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3321 Cities Chiefs Association and the Na- Civil Rights Division since it was es- The formation of the Commission is tional Organization of Black Law En- tablished in 1957. more important now than it has ever forcement Executives why they en- I look forward to confirming both been in the months since January 6. dorsed Kristen Clarke if she is looking nominees this week. Washington Republicans have tried to The Senate will also continue its to put their members out of work. The rewrite history and recast the attack work on the U.S. Innovation and Com- fact is, she is not. This smear is only on January 6 as little more than peace- one example of the baseless, personal petition Act—the largest stand-alone investment in American science and ful protests that got out of hand. One attacks Kristen Clarke has endured by Republican Member said the rioters those seeking to derail her nomination. technology in decades. With a once-in- a-generation investment in the Na- were more like a group of ‘‘normal This week, the Senate can and should tourists.’’ Did you see the tapes? Did repudiate the vicious rightwing smear tional Science Foundation, the Depart- ment of Energy, the Department of you see the films, America? Those were campaign against Ms. Clarke and con- normal tourists? Another went so far firm her as the next leader of the Civil Commerce, and other vital entities, this legislation will set our country on as to say the mob—not the staff who Rights Division. were terrorized or the police who were I yield the floor. a path to outinnovate, outproduce, and I suggest the absence of a quorum. outcompete the world in the industries brutalized—were the real victims of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The of the future. January 6. Give me a break. clerk will call the roll. As the week goes on, we will consider For the sake of our democracy, it is The bill clerk proceeded to call the a number of amendments from both crucial to establish an independent and roll. sides of the aisle, as well as a man- trusted record of what truly tran- Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I agers’ amendment, to bring together a spired. According to an Ipsos poll ask unanimous consent that the order package of bipartisan changes to the today, 56 percent of Republicans be- bill. This is regular order in action. for the quorum call be rescinded. lieve that the election was rigged, and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The bill itself is the product of at least six Senate committees and in- 53 percent of Republicans believe that objection, it is so ordered. Donald Trump is the true President, RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER cludes input from nearly every Member of the Senate. As promised, we are not Joe Biden. That is what the Big Lie The PRESIDING OFFICER. The has caused. The majority of one of Democratic leader is recognized. working in a bipartisan way and a much more open way than the Senate America’s two major political parties NATIONAL GUARD used to act to allow amendments and doesn’t believe our President is the ac- Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, debate. When a bill passes 22 to 4 out of tual President. yesterday was the last day that mem- one of its major committees and 21 to bers of the National Guard were sta- Now more than ever, both parties 1 out of another, it is truly bipartisan, tioned at the Capitol. In the wake of must stand up to the Big Lie and shine and we should be able to move this bill January 6, they have all done us an ex- a light on the truth of the 2020 elec- forward without any dilatory obstruc- traordinary service providing an addi- tions and what happened on January 6. tion. With so much cooperation hap- tional layer of security here. I want to Yet it seems our Republican colleagues pening, I see no reason why we can’t thank everyone on behalf of the Senate would rather avoid the subject en- finish the legislation by the end of the and the entire Capitol Complex. tirely. The Republican leader, after week. It was never our intention to have an So far, this bill has flown a bit under moving the goalposts week after week, element of the U.S. military on guard the radar, but it is an incredibly impor- announced his opposition to the Com- at the Capitol for an indefinite period. tant piece of legislation. At its core, mission, despite the fact that Demo- It was always a temporary solution to the U.S. Innovation and Competition crats agreed to every single request a temporary security threat caused by Act is about maintaining America’s made by the House Republican leader. the former President—a reality ac- role as the global economic leader. Few One Republican Senator said this knowledged by the House and Senate issues could be more important. Just weekend that it was ‘‘too early’’ to es- minority leaders in the immediate because it may have its effect 2, 3, 4, 5 tablish a Commission. Another admit- aftermath of January 6 but not much years from now and not the day after it ted that many Republicans opposed the since. passes doesn’t mean that it isn’t one of Going forward, we must establish and Commission because they feared it the most important pieces of legisla- maintain a critical balance between se- would hurt the Republican message in tion we could pass. curity and access. The Capitol is a the midterm elections. Talk about say- The next century will be won or lost ing the quiet part out loud. place that belongs to the people. We on the battleground of technological want visitors and tourists to be able to innovation. The country that leads the The prevailing view among Repub- come and go. We want constituents to world in science and tech will create a licans seems to be that we should be able to meet their representatives generation of millions of good-paying sweep the Big Lie and all of January 6 and make their voices heard. We also jobs, economic growth, and prosperity under the rug like it never happened. have an obligation to make everyone— for its citizens, with profound implica- Look, I am sorry that some Repub- Members, staff, media, employees of tions for national security as well. licans believe that a bipartisan inves- the Capitol—feel safe when they come We want American workers, Amer- tigation of the attack on our democ- to work. Our Senate committees and ican businesses, and American values racy is inconvenient for their midterm the new team at the Sergeant at Arms to lead the way in the 21st century, campaigns, but the Democratic-led are working very hard to strike that just as they did in the 20th century. Congress of the United States is not perfect balance. That is what the Innovation and Com- going to sweep January 6 under the We thank once again the National petition Act is all about. rug. We are going to vote on the Janu- Guard for helping us protect this place I look forward to working with Mem- ary 6 Commission in the Senate, and during a very difficult period for our bers from both parties to complete this the American people will see where democracy. legislation by the end of the week. every Member stands: on the side of BUSINESS BEFORE THE SENATE JANUARY 6 COMMISSION truth or on the side of Donald Trump’s Madam President, now on Senate Madam President, now on a final Big Lie. business, this week, the Senate will matter, the Senate will soon consider consider at least two nominations for bipartisan legislation passed by the I yield the floor. important positions in the executive House to create an independent Com- I suggest the absence of a quorum. branch: Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to be mission to investigate and report on The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the next Administrator of the Centers the January 6 attack on the Capitol. I clerk will call the roll. for Medicare and Medicaid and Kristen have already taken procedural steps to Clarke to be the next Assistant Attor- make the legislation available for con- The senior assistant legislative clerk ney General. sideration on the Senate floor. I will proceeded to call the roll. Ms. Clarke would become the first bring the bill forward for a vote very Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I woman and the first woman of color to soon. I will have more to say on that in ask unanimous consent that the order formally lead the Justice Department’s the coming days. for the quorum call be rescinded.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:42 May 25, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G24MY6.006 S24MYPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S3322 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 24, 2021 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without litem. These are volunteers assigned to Secretary Raimondo, Senator WAR- objection, it is so ordered. be a child’s advocate. NER, and I were given a behind-the- NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH For a system designed to protect scenes tour of how these advanced Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, children, often the child welfare sys- chips, or semiconductors, are made, each year, the month of May is recog- tem does not give much opportunity and we discussed some of the reasons nized as National Foster Care Month. I for a child’s voice to be heard, and it is why it is more expensive to build these thank my colleagues for once again a very important voice to listen to. facilities in the United States. unanimously passing a resolution rec- CASAs are often the only adults in the The average American uses countless ognizing and bringing awareness to the court proceedings who are exclusively products every day that could not func- experiences of youth and families in advocating for what the youth in foster tion without semiconductors. For ev- the foster care system. care wants. I am happy that this year, erything from cell phones, to tele- This month, organizations in Iowa for the first time, May 18 was labeled visions, to cars and dishwashers, chips and around the entire country have National CASA/GAL Volunteers Day to underpin our most-used technology. As been working to support youth in fos- honor the service of these volunteers. we become more technology dependent, ter care and the foster parents who I salute all those who work tirelessly it is going to get nothing but more im- open their homes to the kids in need. to support kids in foster care in Iowa portant. But it is not just consumer And they deserve this recognition. In and nationwide. products; cell towers, water treatment 2019, the most recent year for which When I founded the Senate Caucus on plants, agricultural equipment, our en- data is available, there were over Foster Youth in 2009, the special focus ergy grid—semiconductors make all of 426,000 kids in foster care in the United was to hear directly from the young that possible. States. In Iowa alone, there were al- people themselves. Older youth in fos- These tiny technologies also play a most 6,000. ter care and adults who experienced huge role in our national defense. When As stated in our resolution, Congress foster care as a child can speak to what we send our troops on a mission by must continue to work toward real so- worked for them and, of course, what land, sea, air, or even in cyber space, lutions for these young people because didn’t work. They should always have a they need the best equipment avail- they face trauma, abuse, and neglect. seat at the table. able. Now more than ever, the equip- Obviously, there are a lot of them who Over and over again, I have heard the ment can’t function without these get loving care as well. same thing from kids in foster care, so chips. In recent years, lots of changes have I am repeating what I said previously. Just look at Israel’s Iron Dome mis- been made to the way that child wel- They want a mom and a dad, they want sile defense system. This highly sophis- fare works. Congress passed the Family a family, and they want a place to call ticated system of rocket interceptors is First Prevention Services Act in 2018. home. For some kids, this goal can be a great example of the role that chips The goal of that act was to provide met by their family’s getting help with play in national security—not only more services to families before remov- mental illness, substance abuse, or ours but of our allies’ as well. We know ing children from the home, before that housing. For others, the dream of a that the number of civilian casualties action had to be taken. And that is family can be found through foster care that would be caused if not for the pro- where you ought to start—preserve the and eventually adoption. For others, tection of the Iron Dome for the Israeli family as much as you can, as long as kinship care provides an opportunity people would be significantly higher. I the children are not being mistreated. for stability and permanency. asked my staff to find out how many This bill also seeks to help kids who There is no one-size-fits-all approach, semiconductors are actually in one of age out of foster care have access to no silver bullet that can help all kids those interceptors that knock out one more support and successfully transi- the same way, but there is one common of those rockets coming from Hamas. tion to adulthood and to independence. outcome that we can strive for. We What I found out is that every single I was glad to support this legislation, should be wary of attempts to undo one of these interceptors contains more and I hope that, as it is implemented, progress that has been made in speed- than 750 different semiconductors. we see positive outcomes for these ing up adoptions and providing perma- So it is not hyperbole to say that young people and their families. All nency for these children. The goal there are life-and-death consequences children, no matter what their cir- should always be to protect kids from to a reliable semiconductor supply cumstances, deserve a permanent, lov- neglect and abuse and, at the same chain, but right now, we are in a seri- ing home and consistent, caring adults time, improve their well-being. ously vulnerable situation. Over the in their life. Moving ahead now, Congress must last two decades, the United States has When you visit with these young peo- continue to work to find better solu- gone from producing roughly a quarter ple, some of them tell us about being in tions and secure better outcomes for of the world’s semiconductors to about two or three school systems in a year youth in foster care. 12 percent. At the same time, China, so obviously probably in two or three Once again, I thank my colleagues our rival, our competitor that we are different homes in a year. And what for passing this resolution recognizing talking about a lot this week and last, you hear from them is ‘‘I would like to May as Foster Care Month. has gone from manufacturing zero have a mom and dad. I would like to I yield the floor. chips to now 16 percent of the world’s have a home. I would like to go to the I suggest the absence of a quorum. supply, and it plans to invest another same school for the whole year.’’ They The PRESIDING OFFICER. The $1.4 trillion in semiconductor tech- want some consistency and some per- clerk will call the roll. nologies. manency. I guess that is what it all The senior assistant legislative clerk Right now, China is building 17 fabs, adds up to. proceeded to call the roll. or manufacturing facilities, in China. Research has shown that the pres- Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I We are maybe thinking about building ence of just one caring adult who is ask unanimous consent that the order one, through Taiwan Semiconductor in available for advice, for support, and for the quorum call be rescinded. Arizona, but it depends on our willing- for guidance can make a meaningful The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ness and ability to support that domes- difference for children in foster care. objection, it is so ordered. tic manufacturing whether or not they For some young people, this may be a S. 1260 actually complete that currently foster parent who maintains a relation- Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, a planned manufacturing facility. But ship with a child even after temporary few hours ago, I had the pleasure of when we are looking to our adversaries placement is over. For other kids, this joining Secretary Raimondo and Sen- to supply the technology to power our may mean an aunt or an uncle, a fam- ator WARNER of Virginia for a tour of most critical devices and systems, it is ily member who is willing to shoulder the Micron Technologies manufac- a huge problem. the responsibilities of providing a lov- turing plant just outside Washington, The global shortage we are seeing ing home. Others may benefit from a DC, in Manassas, VA. This is one of the right now is a glimpse of what things court-appointed special advocate, what great companies with facilities that could look like and worse. The lack of we know as CASA, or a guardian ad produce semiconductors on U.S. soil. supply has forced companies across the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 May 25, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G24MY6.011 S24MYPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE May 24, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3323 full range of impacted industries to some roadblocks on the way to passage what they couldn’t do under the Su- scale back production or hit pause al- of this final legislation. preme Court’s decision, they are trying together. We have seen that particu- So last week I introduced the amend- to do now by holding our healthcare larly in the car manufacture business. ment to strike this unnecessary and di- hostage in order to force the expansion This shortage has led to some serious visive provision and to protect the of Medicaid into our State. That is a consequences. If companies have to broad bipartisan support this legisla- choice left up to the Governor and our shut down production, which is hap- tion has already received. A controver- elected legislature, not one to be made pening right now, due to lack of supply sial provision that doesn’t even enact by bureaucrats with the Department of of semiconductors, there are hard- any real change is hardly a reason to Health and Human Services or CMS. working Americans who aren’t able to let the funding go down the drain, and While patients in Texas may be the earn a paycheck. This impact, as I have it really is just an unnecessary distrac- first ones caught in this political game, suggested, is now being felt by auto- tion. We don’t need any other speed I have no expectation that they will be workers across the country. bumps in our ability to pass this im- the last. As a matter of fact, there are But we have every expectation that portant bipartisan legislation. only four States that don’t have ap- in a few months things will get back to I hope our colleagues will continue to proved or pending 1115 waivers, which normal. Those production lines will work with us in good faith to reach a is what we are talking about—four. start back up, workers will be back on compromise that will earn broad bipar- There are only four that don’t have the job, and life will carry on hopefully tisan support. those. So every other State beyond as normal. Last year the CHIPS for America those four could be in the same situa- But the bigger question we need to Act, as I said, passed with a vote of 96 tion my State is in, in the coming ask is how would we fare if our supply to 4, and there is no reason why this months. Whether it is Florida, Ten- chain to advance semiconductors was critical funding that we will be voting nessee, North Carolina, South Caro- cut off entirely. Let’s say it is another on this week should be politicized now. lina, Missouri, Idaho—the list of States pandemic or a natural disaster or, NOMINATION OF CHIQUITA BROOKS-LASURE that could be impacted by this life-and- heaven forbid, a military conflict in Finally, Madam President, on an- death game of political chicken is a the South China Sea. other matter, this evening the Senate long one. Nearly 90 percent of the world’s chips will take up a procedural vote on the Of course, this all comes at a time are made in Southeast Asia. If that President’s nominee for the Centers for when our healthcare system is already supply was cut off for any reason, what Medicare and Medicaid Services. in fragile condition after more than a would we do? The consequences CMS, as we all know, plays a vital year of battling COVID–19. And the pa- wouldn’t be limited to a few bells and role in providing healthcare to our tients whose healthcare relies on the whistles on new cars. It would impact most vulnerable populations. More stability of the Medicaid system are our missile defense systems, the F–35— than 4 million Texans, including half of those who have faced the biggest chal- the fifth generation Joint Strike our children, depend on the stability of lenges during the pandemic. Fighter—advanced weapons systems, our State’s Medicaid Program to pro- I have asked the Biden administra- quantum computing, and the full range vide healthcare for them and their tion to work with the State to ensure of equipment and technologies our na- families. And in States across the that millions of impacted individuals tional defense depends on. If we don’t country, Medicare funding is vital to won’t lose access to healthcare, but so have the ability to provide our troops the health of our most vulnerable far there has been little or no progress. with the technology they need to be friends and neighbors for everything The administration has been unable to successful, what would we do? from an emergency room visit to men- provide me any assurance that an Well, the risks of carrying on busi- tal healthcare. But that could soon agreement could be reached before the ness as usual are far too high for us to change. end of this fiscal year—something that even contemplate that scenario. There The Biden administration has taken would have dire consequences on our is a clear need to invest in domestic the unprecedented step of rescinding an providers and especially those in be- semiconductor manufacturing and se- agreement with my State and the pre- havioral and mental health. cure perhaps our most vulnerable sup- vious administration to maintain the To state the obvious, the nominee to ply chain. As we continue to debate the stability of our State’s Medicaid Pro- lead CMS, Ms. Brooks-LaSure, did not most effective ways to confront threats gram. Under this agreement, Texas was personally rescind the Texas Medicaid from China and bolster our national set to receive approximately $11 billion waiver. As a matter of fact, she hasn’t and economic security, there is no a year over the next decade to provide been confirmed yet; so she couldn’t. question that funding to shore up do- healthcare for our underserved popu- But before her nomination could ad- mestic semiconductor manufacturing lation. Low-income individuals and vance, Members of the Senate deserve is a must-do. those in rural areas are especially reli- a commitment from the administra- Last year, Senator WARNER, the sen- ant on this funding, as are those who tion that it won’t try to force the hand ior Senator from Virginia, and I intro- need mental healthcare. Mental and of other States, including Texas, by duced the CHIPS for America Act, and behavioral health providers alone re- putting the healthcare of millions of it was adopted by an amendment to the ceive about $300 million a year. vulnerable citizens on the line. National Defense Authorization Act When asked for the reasoning behind If we don’t stand up now and push with broad bipartisan support on a vote this dangerous and frankly shocking back on this reckless move, who will be of 96 to 4—a rare thing these days. That move, rescinding a prior agreement ex- next? Which State will be next? How bill became law earlier this year, and tending our 1115 waiver, CMS said it far will the administration go to force now we have the important job of pro- was to correct their administrative States into enacting laws that they do viding the funding for it, something I error—their error. But two anonymous not want to enact? hope we can achieve through the legis- Federal healthcare officials, I believe, CMS funding is vital to the lation that is before the Senate today. did something that is all too rare here healthcare of millions of my constitu- During the committee consideration in Washington: They actually said the ents and to the stability of our entire of the bill, an amendment was added truth. They explained the real rea- healthcare system. CMS cannot be used that would apply the controversial pre- soning to the Washington Post. They as the administration’s strong arm to vailing wage language to this portion said it was done ‘‘to push state officials coerce States into accepting its polit- of the bill. Considering the current toward accepting the Affordable Care ical demands, which is all this is. wages of U.S. semiconductor manufac- Act’s Medicaid expansion.’’ I appreciate Ms. Brooks-LaSure’s ex- turing companies, it really is a So, in effect, the administration is perience in working with States to de- nonissue. But what is an issue is expan- doing something that the Supreme velop these types of waivers and her sion of Davis-Bacon prevailing wage Court of the United States said it can- willingness to meet with me on this provisions, not for public works but to not do, which is to hold a gun to the issue, but frankly this is a decision private companies. And I believe the head of the States and force them to being made above her in the food chain. inclusion of this provision includes accept Medicaid expansion. So now But my State has not so far received

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 May 25, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G24MY6.014 S24MYPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S3324 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 24, 2021 an assurance that this action will be men and women who gave their lives to began deploying soldiers to help with rectified, and it looks like the adminis- defend their country. Their sacrifices COVID–19 response operations across tration is intent on pulling the rug out created the most free and prosperous the Northeast, including members from from under our poorest and most needy country in the history of the world. the 501st Medical Company, the 531st patients. We are not perfect, far from it, but Hospital Center, and the 101st Division For that reason, I cannot support our unique system of government is Sustainment Brigade. this nominee, and I urge my colleagues distinguished from any other—‘‘of the Boston and New York City were to stand with me and, in doing so, people, by the people, and for the peo- among the most severely affected areas stand up for the healthcare of their ple.’’ That is why I stand for the flag in the country. And if you ask the most vulnerable constituents, too, and and for our national anthem because healthcare workers and city officials in pushing the administration to find an for the last 250 years, men and women those areas if Tennessee servicemem- alternate and satisfactory path for- have given their lives for all this flag bers made a difference, they will tell ward. If the administration will take represents. They gave their lives to de- you, yes, without a doubt. aim at the healthcare of 4 million vul- fend our right to make our country Last year, many of our Tennessee nerable Texans, they will do it to any- better. National Guard members also joined one. The continued service of our military the fight against COVID–19. The 164th I yield the floor. allows us to have that barbecue this Airlift Wing transported desperately The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- weekend. Their service allows us to needed PPE all the way from Italy to ator from Alabama. gather freely with family and friends, healthcare workers across the entire MEMORIAL DAY to think, to worship, and live how we country. The 118th ISR Group, along Mr. TUBERVILLE. Madam Presi- want to. Memorial Day reminds us that with five other Air National Guard tar- dent, a week from today, we will be our freedom and prosperity comes at a geting units, produced over 70 percent celebrating Memorial Day. I know cost. of the U.S. Air Force’s targeting mate- folks back home probably have some So for this upcoming Memorial Day rials, all while providing continuity to fun things planned for the long week- weekend, I would encourage all of us to Activity-Duty units. end—cookouts, family gatherings, take a moment to remember what we I want to keep bragging on our Guard maybe even a trip to the beach. are celebrating: the brave men and members because they really have But while Memorial Day is a joyous, women who laid down their lives for made an impact, especially when it carefree weekend for many families, it ours. Let’s honor our soldiers’ sacrifice comes to getting testing and vaccine is a reminder of what they lost—a fa- by keeping our country strong and up- centers up and running. They set up ther, a mother, husband, or a wife, a holding the values they gave their lives more static vaccine sites than any son, daughter, brother, sister, a family to defend. other State. As of March of this year, member, a friend that cannot be re- I suggest the absence of a quorum. they have set up double the number of placed. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The sites that were running in the next Our Gold Star families have given a clerk will call the roll. most successful State. Job well done. great sacrifice to our country. I have The senior assistant legislative clerk They directly helped more than 1 been there myself. My father served in proceeded to call the roll. million Tennesseans stay healthy World War II, driving a tanker across Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Presi- through the pandemic. It was a great Europe. He earned five Bronze Stars dent, I ask unanimous consent that the effort, and we thank them for that. and a Purple Heart. After the war, he order for the quorum call be rescinded. I am sorry to say that the pandemic died on Active Duty. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without And I still miss him today. I am for- wasn’t the only natural disaster Ten- objection, it is so ordered. ever grateful that he, like so many nesseans had to deal with over the past folks from his generation, put on that MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH year. But when tornados destroyed uniform. They enlisted, not knowing Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Presi- multiple counties across West and Mid- whether they would ever come home. dent, this month is Military Apprecia- dle Tennessee, the National Guard was Many of them—hundreds of thou- tion Month. It is a month when we let right there to help. And when blizzards sands—did not. our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines shut down half the State, the Guard But they knew what they were doing know just how grateful we are for their kept water flowing in Memphis, re- was worth the danger. They knew the service. Madam President, we are paired communications infrastructure United States of America and all she grateful for the service that you gave for first responders in Rutherford stood for was worth defending. They our Nation in uniform. We thank you County, and found shelter for displaced earned the title of the ‘‘greatest gen- for that. families in Lynchburg and Manchester. eration.’’ Tennessee is home to three major When you are on the outside looking I will be introducing a resolution this military installations and numerous in on a natural disaster, the last thing week honoring the immense sacrifice other Guard installations. For us, Mili- you want to hear is that local officials of the ‘‘greatest generation’’ and not tary Appreciation Month actually lasts had to call in the National Guard. But just those who put on the uniform. all year long. I will tell you, when you are sitting in This resolution recognizes the millions I would like to start off by wel- the aftermath, there is no more hopeful of Americans who worked in the fac- coming the 101st Airborne Division’s sight than a vehicle full of guardsmen tories, bought war bonds, and donated 2nd Squadron, 17th Calvary Regiment pulling into town ready to help. their pots, pans, and more to a war ef- back stateside following a 9-month ro- That peace of mind, of course, comes fort. We owe the ‘‘greatest generation’’ tational deployment to Korea. We are at a cost. Our servicemembers go where a debt we can never fully repay. so happy to have them back home. they are told to go and do the jobs they I want to take a moment to thank In more exciting news out of Fort are told to do without hesitation. Why? Mr. Sam Romano from Vestavia Hills, Campbell, this Thursday, SGM Because they have accepted that the AL, for advocating on behalf of the Veronica Knapp will become the first cost of freedom is more important than ‘‘greatest generation’’ and his con- woman to serve as a command sergeant the freedom they sacrificed when they tributions to this resolution. major of a U.S. Army division. She will put on the uniform. Their families have Today, we have more than a million assume responsibility as the senior en- accepted this too. And when you are a Active-Duty service men and women listed adviser of the 101st Airborne Di- military family, the uniform comes who continue to defend our freedoms. vision. first. This is why every year when we They, too, stand ready to answer the On behalf of the entire Tennessee del- re-up defense funding, we put special call when evil threatens America. egation, I offer my congratulations and focus on military families and their They, too, stand ready to give their wish her success in all that is yet to needs. lives to defend their country, if need come. For example, 2 years ago, we estab- be. The servicemembers stationed at lished a pilot program to offer profes- The United States stands on the Fort Campbell have really had a very sional licensed reciprocity for military foundation of generations of service busy past year. Starting last March, we spouses who want to continue working

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 May 25, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G24MY6.015 S24MYPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE May 24, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3325 after moving across State lines. Last sible, and blocking this nomination as any Member of the Senate working year, we increased funding for that pro- slows down important work that needs on the issue that the Senator from gram. to be done. Senators on the other side Texas is concerned about, and that is We also continued our support for the have objected to moving forward with the process for granting waivers. I au- Preservation of the Force and Families the nomination. So I am going to talk thored what is called section 1332 of the Program, which helps special operators for just a few minutes about these con- Affordable Care Act that was designed process the aftereffects of their mis- cerns—but, first, a little bit more to say that progressive States that, for sions. about Ms. Brooks-LaSure. example, wanted to pursue a public op- Last month, the Presiding Officer Starting out, she worked at the Of- tion or aggregate Medicare and Med- and I introduced a bill called the Mili- fice of Management and Budget on icaid money would have a chance to do tary Hunger Prevention Act. This is an Medicaid policy and the CHIP program, it as long as they would adhere to the incredibly important piece of legisla- the Children’s Health Insurance Pro- guardrails. Conservative States that tion that would create a basic needs al- gram. So she was, long ago, focused on sought to try their own approaches lowance for low-income military fami- trying to improve healthcare for the based on their ideas of a conservative lies. millions of Americans who every single approach to healthcare could do it as The reason this is so important is day walk an economic tightrope in bal- long as they met the coverage require- that existing benefits programs like ancing the food bill against the fuel ments of the Affordable Care Act. SNAP and free school lunches include bill and the fuel bill against healthcare I want to state again to Senator COR- housing allowances and other military costs. She was there for them. NYN, as I did in the Senate Finance benefits in revenue calculations. Al- She then moved to the House Ways Committee, that I am going to work though it is obvious that this only cre- and Means Committee as a senior staff very closely with him, after we confirm ates the appearance of higher income, member. She helped to write portions this nominee, to address the issues the programs aren’t designed to allow of the Affordable Care Act dealing with that he discussed in the committee an exception. Once we pass this bill— expanding coverage and updating the that have concerned him. and I am sure that we will—these fami- Medicare guarantee. To every Member who has issues with lies will be able to use their allowances When the Affordable Care Act be- respect to waivers, I want each to to buy groceries instead of relying on came law, she went to Health and know that there will be bipartisan in- food pantries to put dinner on the Human Services, and there she played terest in trying to bring people in their table. an important role in implementing the States together and adhering to the This is what we should all be think- law. She was the leader in the effort to ideas in the Affordable Care Act, which ing about during Military Appreciation create marketplaces for health insur- states that States are free to pursue Month—renewing the commitment we ance with strong, built-in consumer their own ideas for expanding coverage have made to take care of our service- protections. She has been a leader as long as they stay within the guard- members both on and off the battle- when it comes to defending and ex- rails of the program. field. panding women’s healthcare under the We understand that Democrats and We need to ask ourselves: What are Affordable Care Act and other essential Republicans aren’t going to agree on we doing to meet their practical needs? programs. After leaving HHS, she went every health policy question. What I do What are we doing to support their to the private sector and continued to know is that Ms. Brooks-LaSure is families? What are we doing to right work on policies that expanded cov- going to be the kind of CMS Adminis- unintended wrongs? erage and made healthcare more af- It is the most important way we can trator who can bring two sides to- fordable. gether exactly as we envisioned in the recognize their extraordinary service Ms. Brooks-LaSure has the qualifica- Affordable Care Act with the waiver to our Nation. tions, the experience, and the know- law and exactly as I have committed to I yield the floor. how to run Medicare and Medicaid, and working with Senator CORNYN on. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- there are absolutely no questions about The Finance Committee has dem- ator from Oregon. it. onstrated that it can work together on NOMINATION OF CHIQUITA BROOKS-LASURE Now, our colleague from Texas, Sen- big issues. In 2017, the committee Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, the ator CORNYN, has raised objections to Senate is now debating the nomination moving the nomination forward. His passed the CHRONIC Care Act, which of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to head the objections relate to a decision by the was a fundamental transformation of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Biden administration to rescind a Med- Medicare. Services. icaid policy waiver that the Trump ad- I have told my colleagues that back This is clearly one of the most impor- ministration rushed to grant the State when I was director of the Gray Pan- tant healthcare jobs in America. Ms. of Texas in mid-January. There are a thers, Medicare was about acute care. Brooks-LaSure brings decades of few key points Members ought to un- There was Part A, which was for hos- health policy experience to the Centers derstand about this issue. pitals, and Part B, which was for doc- for Medicare and Medicaid Services, First, nothing is going to change for tors. That was it. That was Medicare. and I think it would be fair to say that health providers and patients in Texas When I taught gerontology, the first she has worked on healthcare from just for more than a year as a result of this question on an exam was, What is the about every angle short of scrubbing decision. That means there is plenty of difference between Part A and Part B? into the operating room herself. I am time to work out a solution that That isn’t Medicare anymore. Medi- going to talk, in a minute, about her doesn’t get rushed and follows the care, today, is primarily about chronic qualifications, but I also want, as we right process with public comment. disease: cancer and diabetes and heart start this discussion, to recognize that Second, Ms. Brooks-LaSure had noth- disease and stroke and chronic pul- this is a job that requires urgent, ing to do with the decision that Sen- monary disease. hands-on professionalism—exactly the ator CORNYN is unhappy about. She The Finance Committee wrote the kind Ms. Brooks-LaSure brings to this. wasn’t on the job when it was made. CHRONIC Care Act on a bipartisan We are, obviously, still working Third, she made clear in her Finance basis. At that point, Chairman Hatch through enormous challenges on the Committee hearing that she is com- was chairman of the committee, and I COVID–19 pandemic. There are efforts mitted to working on a bipartisan basis was the ranking Democrat. We worked by colleagues on both sides of the aisle with State officials, and she said that in a bipartisan way, but the Trump ad- on healthcare, and we, in particular, on to Senator CORNYN and to other Repub- ministration, after the retirement of this side want to expand healthcare lican members on this issue as well. Chairman Hatch, basically put every- coverage, bring down the cost of pre- She has the track record and the expe- thing on the back burner. scription medicine, and bring the Medi- rience to get that done. When we confirm Ms. Brooks- care guarantee into the 21st century. I want to state again to our colleague LaSure—and I am convinced that she is The American people need a chief of from Texas and to every Member of the going to be confirmed—she will work Medicare and Medicaid as soon as pos- Senate: I probably spent as much time with Democrats and Republicans to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 May 25, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G24MY6.017 S24MYPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S3326 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 24, 2021 make sure we are updating the Medi- Charles E. Schumer, Patty Murray, Alex The legislative clerk read the nomi- care guarantee for this century. In par- Padilla, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jeff nation of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, of ticular, what that involves is making Merkley, Jack Reed, Debbie Stabenow, Virginia, to be Administrator of the sure that there are more opportunities Benjamin L. Cardin, Patrick J. Leahy, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Elizabeth Warren, Jacky Rosen, Rich- for those who receive traditional Medi- ard Blumenthal, Tina Smith, John Services. care to get the benefits of the CHRON- Hickenlooper, Michael F. Bennet, Tim The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- IC Care Act. Already, the CHRONIC Kaine, Brian Schatz. ator from New York. Care Act works well for what is called The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—S. 1520 Medicare Advantage. We need to do imous consent, the mandatory quorum Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, I more to make sure it is available for call has been waived. rise today to address the need to re- those who receive traditional Medi- The question is, Is it the sense of the form our military justice system. care. Senate that debate on the nomination Just this month, the Department of Now, there are other issues the Fi- of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, of Virginia, Defense released its annual report on nance Committee is working on that to be Administrator of the Centers for sexual assault in the military. That re- Ms. Brooks-LaSure will play an impor- Medicare and Medicaid Services, shall port and more than a decade of data on tant role in—one being improving men- be brought to a close? sexual assault in the military show a tal healthcare because mental The yeas and nays are mandatory clear and disturbing trend. Reports of healthcare has gotten short shrift in under the rule. sexual assault have increased virtually America for far too long. We know that The clerk will call the roll. every single year and remain at record Americans feel like they are getting The legislative clerk called the roll. highs, while prosecution and convic- mugged when they walk into a phar- Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the tion rates have declined, including a macy and go to the window to get their Senator from Washington (Mrs. MUR- shocking 10 percent point decline in prescription medicines. Look, for ex- RAY) is necessarily absent. the prosecution rate from last year. By ample, at insulin. Insulin prices have Mr. THUNE. The following Senators every measure that you can imagine, gone up twelvefold in recent years. The are necessarily absent: the Senator we are moving in the wrong direction. drug is not 12 times better. It is the from Texas (Mr. CRUZ), the Senator Congress has given the military more same drug, but they are getting clob- from Louisiana (Mr. KENNEDY), the than $1 billion—$500 million in fiscal bered because the pharmaceutical com- Senator from Kansas (Mr. MORAN), and year 2019 alone—enacted hundreds of panies can get away with it. So those the Senator from Indiana (Mr. YOUNG). provisions, and chartered special pan- are the kinds of practices that Ms. Further, if present and voting, the els, Commissions, and advisory com- Brooks-LaSure is going to take on, and Senator from Texas (Mr. CRUZ) would mittees to address this problem. Not she is going to do it in a bipartisan have voted ‘‘nay’’ and the Senator from one of these steps has reduced the prev- way. Indiana (Mr. YOUNG) would have voted alence rate of sexual assaults within The Centers for Medicare and Med- ‘‘nay.’’ the ranks. We are still getting reports icaid Services is right at the center of The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 52, like the one we got from Fort Hood, taking on these and other important nays 43, as follows: which found that the world’s largest healthcare challenges. This critical [Rollcall Vote No. 200 Exe.] Army base was ‘‘a permissive environ- Agency—one of the most important YEAS—52 ment for sexual assault and sexual har- places in American healthcare—needs a Baldwin Heinrich Reed assment.’’ We are right where we start- leader, and it needs one now. She is, in Bennet Hickenlooper Rosen ed. Nothing has changed. my view, an excellent nominee. She is Blumenthal Hirono Sanders I have heard from too many survivors Blunt Kaine Schatz who have barely come forward in going to work with both sides here in Booker Kelly Schumer the Senate, including on the issue our Brown King Shaheen search of justice, only to have their colleague Senator CORNYN has raised. I Cantwell Klobuchar Sinema cases outright declined by the chain of Cardin Leahy Smith want to restate my interest in working Carper Luja´ n command and then face more harass- Stabenow with both Ms. Brooks-LaSure and Sen- Casey Manchin ment and retaliation for reporting Tester Collins Markey ator CORNYN on this matter my col- Van Hollen their assailant. We owe it to our serv- league from Texas has raised. Coons Menendez icemembers to do more to prevent Cortez Masto Merkley Warner We are going to be voting in a couple Duckworth Murkowski Warnock these crimes and properly prosecute of minutes, colleagues, and I urge a Durbin Murphy Warren them when they occur. strong vote for an eminently qualified Feinstein Ossoff Whitehouse Our bill, the Military Justice Im- Gillibrand Padilla Wyden provement and Increasing Prevention nominee, Ms. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. Hassan Peters I yield the floor. Act, would ensure that, when these NAYS—43 f crimes are committed, justice is deliv- Barrasso Grassley Romney ered. It does so by taking the same ap- EXECUTIVE SESSION Blackburn Hagerty Rounds proach to these cases that the military Boozman Hawley Rubio --- Braun Hoeven Sasse takes in almost every other area of op- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Burr Hyde-Smith Scott (FL) eration. It puts highly technical work Capito Inhofe Scott (SC) in the hands of trained specialists. Thereupon, the Senate resumed con- Cassidy Johnson Shelby This bipartisan and commonsense re- sideration of the nomination of Cornyn Lankford Sullivan Cotton Lee form moves the decision on whether to Thune Chiquita Brooks LaSure, of Virginia, Cramer Lummis Tillis prosecute serious crimes to inde- to be Administrator of the Centers for Crapo Marshall Toomey pendent, trained, and professional mili- Medicare and Medicaid Services. Daines McConnell Ernst Paul Tuberville tary prosecutors while leaving mis- CLOTURE MOTION Fischer Portman Wicker demeanors and uniquely military The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant Graham Risch crimes within the chain of command. to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the NOT VOTING—5 In other words, it will let prosecutors Senate the pending cloture motion, Cruz Moran Young prosecute and commanders command. which the clerk will state. Kennedy Murray By moving this work off of the com- The legislative clerk read as follows: The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. mander’s plate, it will empower com- CLOTURE MOTION HEINRICH). On this vote, the yeas are mand to focus on mission-critical ac- We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- 52, the nays are 43. tivities and on rebuilding the trust ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the among their ranks that we know is Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby The motion is agreed to. move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- f critical to military readiness. This bill is not political. It is about nation of Executive Calendar No. 117, EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, of Virginia, to be doing the right thing for our service- Administrator of the Centers for Medicare The PRESIDING OFFICER. The members who do so much for this Na- and Medicaid Services. clerk will report the nomination. tion.

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