S1164 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 27, 2020 auto safety—which is why it has been a local clubs a curve ball—a curve that The senior assistant legislative clerk major priority of mine over the past would hurt baseball, hurt local econo- read the nomination of Travis Greaves, few years. mies, and the fields of dreams in my of the District of Columbia, to be a I am particularly motivated by the home State. That is three strikes right Judge of the United States Tax Court benefits that 5G could bring to my there. for a term of fifteen years. home State of South Dakota. The abil- I have got news. Don’t count us base- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ity to deploy precision agriculture on a ball fans out. These local communities ator from Wyoming. wide scale would have huge benefits for and this U.S. Senator aren’t going to HEALTHCARE South Dakota farmers. Better access to sit on the sidelines. Now, here is the Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I telemedicine could bring better news: Major League Baseball said that come to the floor today as the Demo- healthcare to thousands of residents in it may cut ties with as many as 42 crats continue to scare the American my home State and other rural areas. Minor League clubs, including three public when it comes to their To get to these benefits, we have to en- historic affiliates in Iowa: The Bur- healthcare. sure the telecommunications compa- lington Bees, the Clinton This week’s Democratic Presidential nies are able to find the workers they LumberKings, and the Quad Cities debate the other night in South Caro- need. River Bandits. lina was a free-for-all. Their I hope we can quickly advance this I have been in communication with frontrunner, a man I believe to be a legislation so the United States can the deputy commissioner of Major dangerous democratic Socialist, BER- continue her march into the 5G future. League Baseball, Dan Halem, both in NIE SANDERS, is in the spotlight, and he I yield the floor. letters and on the phone, about the im- seems to be in the lead. Socialist tax- I suggest the absence of a quorum. portance of these teams to Iowa. I am and-spend policies remain on full dis- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. sure a lot of my colleagues have made play. HYDE-SMITH.) The clerk will call the the same contacts. The top policy priority of the Demo- roll. I have also joined, with a bipartisan crats would destroy healthcare freedom The legislative clerk proceeded to group of my colleagues, in introducing in America. They are proposing a com- call the roll. a resolution today supporting all Minor plete government takeover of our Na- Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I League Baseball teams across the tion’s healthcare system—a complete ask unanimous consent that the order country. For generations of Iowans, government takeover. They call it for the quorum call be rescinded. these ball clubs are a vibrant source of Medicare for All, but let’s take a look The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without civic pride, a vibrant source of enter- at what that actually means. It means objection, it is so ordered. tainment, and—would you believe it— that 180 million Americans who get f also a vibrant source of economic de- their health insurance through work TRIBUTE TO LAURA DOVE velopment. would lose that insurance. They would While I have been to just a handful of lose that health insurance. Washington Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I bureaucrats would be in control of come to the floor for two reasons. I am Major League Baseball games, I have fond, fond memories of going to Minor healthcare. first going to recognize the good work The Sanders proposal has a price tag that the Secretary for the Majority, League Baseball games in Waterloo, IA. We call them the Waterloo White of $34 trillion—$34 trillion with a ‘‘t.’’ Laura Dove, has done for the entire It would bankrupt the country and ev- U.S. Senate, particularly for the ma- Hawks, a club team for the Chicago White Sox. I had an opportunity, as a eryone in it. The only way to even try jority but mostly for the smooth run- to pay for it is with massive, across- young person, to see Luis Aparicio play ning of the Senate. the-board tax hikes, and BERNIE SAND- there in Waterloo before he made it big Before I speak on another issue, I ERS said he is willing to do it. want to associate myself with the in the majors as a shortstop for the Do not be deceived when they first great comments that Leader MCCON- Chicago White Sox. talk about targeting the rich because You can see that I want Iowans to NELL made this morning about the the tax increases would hit working continue to have that same experience. work of the Secretary for the Majority, families and even people making $29,000 For the record, I am and will always go Laura Dove. Laura’s work in the U.S. a year. That is according to BERNIE to bat for Iowa. As Iowa’s senior Sen- Senate has been tremendous, with over SANDERS’ own math. And taxes are 20 years of service. Few know Senate ator, I will do what I can to ‘‘root, likely to double. Medicare for All procedures as well as Laura Dove. She root, root for the home team.’’ would deliver a crushing blow not only I yield the floor. keeps the Senate firing on all cyl- to family budgets but I believe to the I suggest the absence of a quorum. inders, working for the American peo- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The entire economy. It would end Amer- ple. clerk will call the roll. ica’s success story. I am a Senator who hasn’t missed a The senior assistant legislative clerk Thanks to Republican tax and regu- vote in almost 27 years. Laura Dove proceeded to call the roll. latory relief, we have a record-setting and the Republican cloakroom, Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask economy, record low unemployment, partnering with her and with me in my unanimous consent that the order for record job growth—7 million new jobs. commitment to not miss a vote—they the quorum call be rescinded. Wages are rising. Middle-class wages ensure that I am here when I am need- The PRESIDING OFFICER. (Mr. and blue-collar wages are going up. It ed for those votes. I thank Laura for SCOTT of Florida.) Without objection, is a worker windfall, a blue-collar helping me serve the people of Iowa ef- it is so ordered. boom. A record 61 percent of Americans fectively. say they are better off financially than I wish Laura all the best in her next f when President Trump took office. chapter. There is no doubt that we will CONCLUSION OF MORNING People are confident about the future, miss her sharp intellect and warm BUSINESS and the President’s job approval is at smile here in the Senate Chamber. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning an alltime high. f business is closed. Still, the 2020 Democrats don’t seem to get it. You don’t hear a positive f MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL word about the economy. Instead, Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, EXECUTIVE SESSION Democrats seem to attack one another as Iowa farmers count down the days to and try to move further and further to get into the fields, baseball fans are the Left. During the debate last week, counting down the days for that first EXECUTIVE CALENDAR the crowd actually booed a defense of pitch to cross the plate. As a farmer The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under free markets. and also as a baseball fan, hope springs the previous order, the Senate will pro- Some Democratic candidates are pro- eternal. ceed to executive session to resume posing a scaled-back version of Medi- However, we have gotten wind that consideration of the following nomina- care for All that they call a ‘‘public op- Major League Baseball is throwing tion, which the clerk will report. tion,’’ but this proposal would create a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:45 Feb 27, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27FE6.004 S27FEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE February 27, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1165 government health plan to compete common ground. I will tell you, taking a miracle. They were saved because of with work-sponsored health insurance. away health insurance from 180 million the bravery and the heroism of our Don’t be fooled—that public option Americans who get it through work is Coast Guard rescuers, who flew would hurt patients across the country, not common ground. There is no com- through gale force winds and 30-foot- especially people living in rural areas. mon ground. That is the direction of high swells to rescue these survivors. It would disrupt insurance coverage, the Democratic Party. We need to find Credit goes to all of the Coast Guard slash funding for doctors and hospitals, common ground. Taking insurance members throughout the country but and would force local hospitals and away from 180 million Americans who particularly to those in Kodiak and clinics to close. Simply put, a public get it from work and then giving free specifically to those who were on the option is a pit stop on the road to 100 health insurance to illegal immigrants flight—the pilot, LT Christopher Clark, percent government-run healthcare in and raising taxes from Americans to the copilot, LT Jonathan Ardan, and America. pay for it is not common ground. the mechanic, Jacob Dillon. Clearly, Democrats are ignoring their Let’s work together to give patients As I said, they are all heroes in this own voters. Union workers across the the high-quality care they need from a story, but I want to specifically high- country are telling Democrats: Don’t doctor they choose at lower costs. light the role of the rescue swimmer touch our hard-earned healthcare bene- I yield the floor. that evening of New Year’s Eve—25- fits. People don’t want radical I suggest the absence of a quorum. year-old PO Evan Grills. Now, Evan is healthcare schemes, which is what the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The a relative newcomer to the great State Democrats are proposing. People care clerk will call the roll. of Alaska, but his heroism in saving more about their pocketbooks. They The senior assistant legislative clerk two lives more than qualifies him to be want their own healthcare, but they proceeded to call roll. our Alaskan of the Week. want it at a lower cost. That is what I Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, I ask Before I get into the story of this hear every weekend at home in Wyo- unanimous consent that the order for perilous mission, let me tell you a lit- ming. the quorum call be rescinded. tle bit about the fishing community in Americans are struggling to pay for The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Alaska and why our Coast Guard is so insurance premiums for doctors, for objection, it is so ordered. very valuable. hospitals, and for prescription drugs. TRIBUTE TO PETTY OFFICER EVAN GRILLS Alaska’s seas are the most produc- According to a new POLITICO-Harvard Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, as ex- tive in the world and, by the way, the poll, 8 in 10 Americans—89 percent of pected, it is time for our ‘‘Alaskan of most sustainably managed in the Democrats and 76 percent of Repub- the Week’’ speech. One of the most ful- world. More than 60 percent of all sea- licans—want us to lower their filling things I get to do as Alaska’s food harvested in the United States of healthcare costs. Seventy-five percent U.S. Senator is to come down to the America comes from Alaska’s waters— say we must lower the costs of pre- floor of the Senate and talk about the 6–0. I like to refer to our State as the scription drugs. I agree. The Kaiser people in my State who are making a superpower of seafood, which we clear- Family Foundation reports that nearly difference in their communities, in the ly are, and our fishermen are probably one in four people is having trouble State, and in the country. It is a great the hardest working small business paying for their prescriptions. But So- opportunity in which to do that. men and women around the world. cialist policies are the wrong medicine. I always encourage people who are They work hard. They take huge risks. They will only worsen the problems. watching and listening to come to the And they produce a product that is sec- Republicans are listening to people’s great State of Alaska for a visit. You ond to none anywhere on the planet. concerns. We have commonsense solu- will love it. It will be the best trip you They face brutal conditions at sea and tions to lower out-of-pocket costs with- ever take. I guarantee it. sometimes very tough conditions in out lowering standards. I am a doctor, I know the pages enjoy this speech the market, but they love their work. the husband of a breast cancer sur- each week because it is a story of what They love the vital role they play in vivor, and the son of a 97-year-old real people are doing and, in many supplying the best tasting, most sus- mother. Let me assure you, Repub- cases, of humble heroes. Usually, these tainable wild fish products to America licans will always protect vulnerable are happy stories that I get to talk and the globe—literally, the best. Americans, especially people with pre- about, but sometimes they aren’t The industry used to be incredibly existing conditions. The Republican happy. The story I am going to tell dangerous, and it is still the Nation’s healthcare agenda is about giving pa- today is, in fact, a very, very tragic second-most dangerous profession. I am tients more choices and better one, but it contains the kind of her- sure a lot of the viewers have seen the healthcare. It is about improving oism and selflessness that can spring show the ‘‘Deadliest Catch,’’ but unlike healthcare access and affordability. from a tragedy and literally inspire a in previous decades, the culture has Working with President Trump, we State or a nation. trended more toward safety. Most Alas- are already providing much needed re- If you are listening, I think you are kan fishermen you will meet, though, lief from costly ObamaCare taxes. going to be inspired. will have a harrowing story of a time These unfair taxes hurt working fami- I have said on the floor before that at sea, and, of course, they will have lies, they hurt small businesses, they we are a State—an enormous State, a harrowing stories of rescues. hurt seniors, and we have ended them. big State in the country, by far—but Kodiak, AK, where the Scandies Rose Now we are working to drive down that we are also a family and that, is home-ported, is at the center of our drug costs. As part of this effort, in De- when something happens to members fishing community. Kodiak is one of cember, I joined six Republican Sen- of our families, we all grieve. This is the largest fishing ports in the entire ators to introduce the Lower Costs, particularly true of the town of Ko- United States, both in terms of value More Cures Act. This legislation would diak, AK, and of the fishing commu- and in terms of quantity. For those limit out-of-pocket drug costs for peo- nity, both of which suffered a tremen- who have never been there, they have ple with Medicare Part D plans. We dous loss on New Year’s Eve in the Gulf to go to Kodiak, AK. It is a magical, also ended the drug price gag rule to of Alaska when a crabbing boat, the beautiful place. It is an island—one of help patients find more affordable Scandies Rose, sank into the freezing the biggest islands in America. It is drugs. We are working to end surprise waters, taking with it five fishermen. about the size of New Jersey—with medical billings. These unexpected, un- Of the five fishermen—including Seth beautiful, wonderful people, with tough reasonable, and unaffordable bills un- Rousseau-Gano, Brock Rainey, and Ar- people. By the way, the biggest brown dermine families’ finances. It is an in- thur Ganacias—Captain Gary Cobban, bears on the planet all reside in Ko- tolerable practice, and it must stop. Jr., and David, his son, were both from diak. The heart of Kodiak beats fish, Republicans are delivering better Kodiak and perished with the crew. and when one of its own perishes at healthcare. Still, to make more Blessedly and remarkably, there were sea, the whole community mourns, as progress, we need Democrats to work two survivors—John Lawler, of An- it is still doing for Gary, Jr., and David with us. It is time to come together. It chorage, and Dean Gribble, of Wash- Cobban—two hard-working, fine fisher- is time to cooperate. It is time to find ington State. I mention that almost as men from a great family.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:45 Feb 27, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27FE6.007 S27FEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE S1166 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 27, 2020 Kodiak is also home to the largest waited to be rescued in these heavy, Kodiak, the community, the family, Coast Guard base in the United rough seas. It was a 4-hour wait. It was and the loved ones of the Cobbans are States—the 17th District. By the way, very, very cold. They were covered in beginning the long, slow process of we are making that base bigger, with ice. The seas were pitching their raft. healing. more assets and more aircraft coming They were hypothermic, it was pitch As for Evan, our Alaskan of the to Alaska, because we need it. As the black, and they had no idea if anyone week, he thinks a lot about those who chairman of the subcommittee in was coming. were lost, wishing he could have done charge of the Coast Guard, I am going Gribble told a reporter that during more, but he is grateful he was able to to continue to make that happen, for the wait, he talked to John. save two lives. He is also grateful for sure. In an average month in Alaska— We’re not going to die today, John. This his training and what the Coast Guard get this—the Coast Guard saves 22 isn’t our time. We’re not dying today. does and how what he had trained for lives, performs 53 assists, and conducts Even though, in his head, he knew as a rescue swimmer worked. So he 13 security boardings and 22 security they would die if a rescue didn’t come knows and now has the confidence that patrols. This is in 1 month. Think soon. Then they saw the lights from he can save others when they are in about that. That is daily heroism for the helicopter, with Evan Grills trouble. Alaska and for America. They do this aboard, hovering above like an angel ‘‘That’s the core of it,’’ Evan said. all in the largest geographic area of coming to save them. But it wasn’t a ‘‘Obviously, we don’t ever want any- any Coast Guard district in the coun- given that in those conditions, they body to get in trouble on the seas’’— try—nearly 4 million square miles—in could even conduct a rescue; that it particularly the rough seas of Alaska— some of the most challenging weather would be safe for the rescuer to jump in ‘‘but they do. And I’m happy I have the environments on the planet. That is 30-foot swells to save them. To even try skills and training to save them.’’ Spo- what the men and women of the Coast in these huge waves, in 40-knot winds, ken like a true, humble hero, which Guard do in my great State every sin- in icy conditions, was a danger to the this young man is. gle day. crew and the pilots. The flight from We are also glad you have the skills Now, being a rescue swimmer in the Kodiak in those conditions had taken 2 and training to save others, Evan, and Coast Guard is an elite assignment. hours, and the helicopter was short on we want to thank you. Being a rescuer in the Coast Guard sta- fuel. They only had minutes left to Petty Officer Grills. Semper Paratus. tion in Alaska is, according to our make the decision whether to try to Thanks for all you are doing. Thanks Alaskan of the Week, PO Evan Grills, rescue them or turn around and go for your courage, your example, your the ‘‘tip of the spear’’ of this elite as- back to Kodiak. That, combined with inspiration, and thank you for being signment. So let me tell you a little bit the extreme winds and seas and freez- our Alaskan of the week. about Evan. ing temperatures, made any attempt at I yield the floor. Raised in Stuart, FL—the home of deploying a rescue swimmer very, very The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- our Presiding Officer, Florida—the risky. ator from Ohio. military had always appealed to Evan. The pilots conferred with our Alas- TRIBUTE TO LAURA DOVE His grandparents and uncles were ma- kan of the week, Evan. They were nerv- Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I rines. As a Marine colonel myself, I say ous for his safety. They were hovering. would like to start this morning by ‘‘Semper Fi’’ to them. Some of his They had to hover high because they talking about a friend of ours who has older friends and mentors went on to didn’t want to be hit by waves. chosen to move on and leave the Sen- the academies, but going overseas ‘‘Are you good with the plan?’’ they ate and spend more time with her won- didn’t really appeal to Evan. Serving in asked. derful family. I certainly understand the United States and saving American ‘‘I guess so,’’ Evan said. that because the job she has, which is citizens at home did, as did the tough This was the first rescue of his ca- Secretary for the Majority, is more training required to be a Coast Guard reer. I don’t think there was much of than a full-time job; it is living, rescue swimmer. ‘‘It’s the most elite an option not to do it. A thousand dif- breathing, sleeping this place, and she [assignment],’’ he said, ‘‘and that’s ferent thoughts went through Evan’s does a great job at it. what appealed to me, [so I joined].’’ head when he leapt into the frigid Her name is Laura Dove. She has Evan had been in Alaska for less than waters in a gale-force storm in pitch been doing this particular job for 7 a year when, on New Year’s Eve—just 2 darkness, risking his life to save oth- years. Prior to that, she actually was months ago—the call came in that a ers. here on three different occasions, as I boat that was about 170 miles south- When he reached the first survivor, understand it, working for the Senate. west of Kodiak was in trouble. he said: She grew up with it. Her dad was the Having trained mostly in swimming I knew exactly what to do and how to do it. Parliamentarian here for 36 years. pools, this rescue—the one he was It was almost second nature. Laura is a consummate professional. being called upon—was going to be his His training kicked in. His great I work with her a lot on legislation. first. Think about that. Your first res- Coast Guard training kicked in. He ex- She helps me to get things through the cue—and I am going to describe condi- plained the hoist he had come down process here, which is not always easy, tions that would terrify anyone. Noth- with—that came down from the heli- but as significant, she works very ing prepared him for what he would copter to the first survivor and how it closely with her counterpart on the soon be undertaking. worked to be hoisted up into the heli- Democratic side of the aisle and figures Mr. President, let me transport you copter. And then to the second sur- out how to get stuff done, how to keep now to this crabbing boat, the Scandies vivor, he said, ‘‘We’re going to go up in this place operating so that the world’s Rose, in the Gulf of Alaska on New this hoist together. Relax. I’ve got you greatest deliberative body, as they call Year’s Eve. The winds are 40 knots. The covered.’’ Calm. Courage. Heroic. And the U.S. Senate, can meet its great po- seas are 30 feet. The boast is listing to he did. He had them covered. tential and expectation. the starboard side. It is 10 degrees out. These are the actions of a hero, a So, to Laura Dove, we are going to Everything is freezing. It is nighttime. true American hero, a true Alaskan miss you. As much as we understand It is very dark. hero. These are actions that need to be why you need some time with your It was clear the boat was going down, celebrated and known in our country. family right now and your great, great but the captain, heroically, with min- How many Americans or Alaskans, kids, we are going to miss you a lot. utes to spare, was able to get off a even, read about what this young man WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT mayday call and in doing so let the did to save lives on New Year’s Eve Mr. President, I am here on the floor Coast Guard know exactly where to when the rest of America was cele- today to talk about how this strong find them and, as a result of the cap- brating and having fun? Well, now they American economy has led to historic tain’s heroic actions, save two lives. know. workforce needs and how, if we do the The two survivors, Dean Gribble, Jr., But there are five, as I mentioned, right things to respond to that prob- and John Lawler, managed to get into who tragically couldn’t be saved. We lem, it can become an opportunity—an their survival suits and a life raft and know their memories live on. And in opportunity to bring Americans off the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:45 Feb 27, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27FE6.009 S27FEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE February 27, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1167 sidelines, who for too long have not are workers looking for work—22 Another issue that I think needs to been in the workforce or have been un- months, almost 2 years of that. So be looked at is this skills gap. This is deremployed, to bring them back in to there are a lot of openings out there. a big part of what is going on right work. One thing that is interesting is that now. There are jobs out there, but they It gives us the potential to do two even though the economy is strong and require a certain level of skill. So it is things. One is to strengthen the econ- we have unemployment at about 50- great that we have low unemployment. omy. It is already strong, but it would year lows, there still are people on the It is great we have all these openings be even stronger if we could fill this sidelines who aren’t coming in to work, right now, but we just don’t have gap. By the way, if we don’t fill this as they would normally. Economists enough skilled workers to fill those gap, if we don’t provide the workforce, call this a low labor force participation jobs that keep growing. the economy will weaken. Second, it is rate. What that means is, even though I visited dozens of factories and busi- to help millions of Americans who are we have a strong economy and lots of nesses over the past year, and I keep not working, on the sidelines, or who jobs out there, there are still millions hearing: We have this job for a welder, are underemployed to find meaningful of Americans who are on the sidelines. and we can’t find any welders. There employment with good pay and good It is estimated that there are about 8 are plenty of people looking for work benefits. million working-age men—this would out there, on the sidelines looking for Pro-growth Federal tax policies, reg- be between the ages of 25 and 55—who work, but there are no welders. There ulatory policies, and other policies are not looking for work today. is one company in Ohio that told me over the past few years have worked. This means the unemployment num- they can hire up to 100 welders. It is a Some of us have talked about the need ber which I mentioned earlier, at 3.6 big manufacturing company. In Ohio to reform the Tax Code and make it percent, which is a very low number— and across the country, there are lots almost a 50-year low—is not the real work better. A trillion dollars has been of these job openings for machinists, number. The real number is actually invested in the U.S. economy since tax medical technicians in hospitals, and higher than that if you assume a nor- reform. As an example, we have seen there are a lot of techs who are wanted mal labor force participation rate. In unemployment at low levels—3.6 per- right now—computer programmers, other words, if you had some of these cent unemployment today, which is people who know how to code. Coding people who are out of work—I men- just about a 50-year low in terms of un- is really important right now, particu- tioned the 8 million men—coming into employment. larly as you go into medical electronic the workforce, the unemployment rate The Congressional Budget Office has records, as an example. would be higher. In fact, if you go back told us through recent data that we If you look on ohiomeansjobs.com to what the normal labor force partici- have grown at a steady 2.3 percent rate this morning—and that is a website pation rate would be just before the in the past year. That is good. This un- that is up there showing what jobs are last great recession, the unemployment employment number is important, but available in Ohio—there are 187,000 jobs rate today would be about 7.6 percent, also important is that we are seeing this morning being offered in Ohio. so about double what it actually is. wage growth. In fact, we have now had When you look at what those jobs are, That is an opportunity. That is an op- you will see a lot of them require these 18 straight months of wage growth of portunity. skills we are talking about. They don’t over 3 percent. It is the first time we Now, why aren’t these folks working? require necessarily a college degree, by have had this in at least a decade. That Well, there are a number of reasons for the way. I am talking about technical is very important because you think that. Let’s be honest. We don’t really skills. I mentioned techs and welders. I about really, for the past decade, what know. We have done a lot of analysis of didn’t mention truckdrivers, but that we have had is flat wages or even de- it in our own office trying to figure it is one area where we need workers in clining wages relative to inflation. out, and part of it is the opioid crisis, Ohio. We are desperate for people who That is certainly true in my home I am convinced. have the skills to be able to drive a State of Ohio. It has been about a dec- I have come to the floor 60 times in truck. That requires getting a commer- ade and a half since we have seen any the last few years to talk about the cial truck driver’s license, a CDL. real wage growth. Now we have this opioid crisis. We are making progress These jobs are there, but they do re- steady wage growth. on that now. That is good. But when quire some level of skills training after In fact, among blue-collar workers— surveys are done by the Department of high school. what the Labor Department says—non- Labor or by the Brookings Institute, I think that skills gap, if it can be supervisory employees have seen the they show that a substantial number, closed, would make a huge difference highest percentage increase in wage as many as 45 to 50 percent of people right now for our economy. Obviously, growth. For blue-collar workers, there they survey, say they are taking pain we need these jobs, and if the work- has been a 6.6-percent wage growth medication on a daily basis who are force isn’t there, these businesses are over the past 2 years. By the way, that out of work altogether. So those, going to move. They are going to move is about $1.50 an hour on average. roughly, 8 million men, for example, in from Ohio, not just to Indiana but to It is a big deal, and it is very impor- one study, 47 percent say they are tak- India because that is where the jobs are tant because that was one of the great ing pain medication on a daily basis. going to be if we don’t provide this objectives we had in tax reform and tax Two-thirds have acknowledged it is level of skills training. cuts, was to ensure that we get the prescription pain medication. This goes Secondly, it is just a great oppor- economy moving and give people the to the issue of opioids—opioid prescrip- tunity for these individuals. Some are chance to earn more, to be able to have tion drugs, heroin, fentanyl, and so on. young people coming up, some are peo- a feeling that if they worked hard and When people are addicted, often it is ple midcareer. Getting skills training played by the rules, they could get impossible for them to get their act to- is so critical. Post-high school certifi- ahead. We are seeing that. That is gether to be engaged in work on a reg- cates are what we really need. great news for the American people and ular basis. So the opioid crisis defi- Deloitte and the Manufacturing In- great news for the folks I represent in nitely affects this. stitute have highlighted this with a Ohio who are finally benefiting from Another one, of course, is a lot of survey they do regularly. They say higher wages. people are in our jails and prisons. We there are roughly 360,000 unfilled man- At the same time, I am hearing from have a record number of people in pris- ufacturing jobs across the United small business owners all over the on. A lot of people are now getting out. States right now. They say it is going State of Ohio—in fact, businesses at The idea of the First Step Act and the to get worse. They say the skills gap every level—that although they are Second Chance Act, which is legisla- may lead to an additional 2.4 million able to move forward and add jobs, tion that is actually helping to get peo- manufacturing jobs unfilled over the they are looking for workers, and that ple back to work, is important, but, next 10 years with a negative economic workforce is their biggest single chal- frankly, if you have a felony record, it impact of $2.5 trillion. This is a big lenge. is tough to get a job. That is why we deal for our economy. We have now had 22 straight months often see these people are on the side- The basic training for the kind of of more jobs being offered than there lines. jobs I am talking about is called career

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:45 Feb 27, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27FE6.011 S27FEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE S1168 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 27, 2020 and technical education, CTE. For give people a certificate they can then The JOBS Act has now been endorsed those who are a little older, you might take to get a job that is industry rec- by the National Skills Coalition, the think of a vocational school. CTE is so ognized. For these kinds of post-high Association for Career and Technical impressive today. It is not your old vo- school training programs, I think the Education, the Business Roundtable, cational school, it is high-tech, using big opportunity comes in improving ac- and other groups. It is the No. 1 pri- much better equipment. The schools cess because programs are expensive ority, we are told, of the Association of that are taking it seriously are bring- and a lot of young people can’t afford Community Colleges and the American ing in excellent teachers from the out- them. A lot of midcareer people can’t Association of Community Colleges. side, from industry, to understand afford them. We heard the same thing from the Ohio what is needed in the real world. CTE One thing we can do immediately is Association of Community Colleges is a great opportunity for so many say: Let’s expand Pell grants to include when I met with them earlier this young people. these kinds of programs. You can get a month. A few months ago, I toured the Van- Pell grant if you want to go to a com- I must state that I am also very tage Career Center in Van Wert, OH. I munity college or go to a 4-year college pleased that the JOBS Act is included go to a lot of career centers. I love to or university. For some people, that is in the President’s budget this year, as go. I am very inspired when I go. In the right track, but, frankly, for a lot it was last year. I applaud President Van Wert, they have juniors and sen- of people, they are looking to get these Trump and his administration for pro- iors from more than a dozen school dis- technical skills and get a certificate moting this and on the work they are tricts coming into one CTE center. and get a job. There is no reason they doing in training, internships, appren- They are studying things such as auto- shouldn’t get the same help that the ticeships, and the JOBS Act, to provide motive technology, welding, nursing government is providing someone who this funding to encourage more Ameri- assistant training, carpentry, and wants to go to a 4-year college or uni- cans to get the skills training needed truckdriving. They are finding when versity for these programs to provide for them to have a better future. It is these students get out, they can typi- the skills that are so desperately need- the best proposal out there, I believe, cally get a job. Some are going on to ed. In fact, I would say we ought to to help fill the skills gap right away. further skills training. Some are going focus on that more. We ought to There are some alternative proposals on to community college, some are change our mindset and say: Let’s not out there that limit the kind of pro- going on to 4-year institutions, but for just focus on college, as important as it grams that would be eligible for this by young people in high school, look at is—and it is the right track for some requiring them to be a certain number CTE. It makes so much sense. students—but let’s put an equal em- of hours. Our community colleges in I cofounded and co-chair what is phasis on skills training. Ohio tell me that none of their short- We have legislation that is very sim- called the Senate CTE Caucus. When I term training programs would qualify ple. It says that for low-income fami- first got here in 2011, I started this for some of these alternatives that peo- lies, where the students are eligible for with Senator TIM KAINE of Virginia. We ple are talking about. For programs Pell for college or university, let’s started off having 3 of us in the caucus, like welding, precision machining, and make them eligible for one of these and now there are 29 people in the cau- skills training programs that are less electrical trades, we need to get the cus. Why? My colleagues go home, and than 15 weeks. It has to be a high-qual- funding into the short-term training they are hearing the same thing I am ity program and provide this industry- programs now. hearing, which is that we need to close As I said earlier, this is CTE Month, recognized certificate. the skills gap. Companies are looking Our legislation is called the JOBS Career Technical Education Month, so for people, and it is a great opportunity Act. It makes so much sense. It is bi- it is a good time to talk about all for people who are on the outside to get partisan and bicameral and we should forms of technical education. If we into the inside to get a job with good get it done. By the way, for those stu- make expanding these technical skills pay and benefits. dents who go through a technical programs a priority, if we enact the Our job is to increase awareness of training program and get that certifi- JOBS Act that I have been talking these skills programs as an education cate and end up getting a job, a lot of about today, we are going to address option. Our job is to get students who them do go to college, but guess who the No. 1 issue we hear from our em- are more interested in skills training pays for it? Typically, it is the com- ployers, and we are going to help mil- into these jobs. This month of Feb- pany who pays for it. So they don’t end lions of Americans have a better oppor- ruary is Career and Technical Edu- up having this big debt or burden that tunity. cation Month. We are putting together so many students have. There is momentum in Ohio right a resolution. We have 57 Senators who Student debt in Ohio is about $27,000 now. Businesses are expanding and signed on to the resolution so far, and per student; whereas, if you go to one seeking skilled workers, but, again, the if you haven’t signed on, let us know. of these programs and end up getting skills gap is still an impediment. We It is an opportunity to just raise visi- an associate’s degree or bachelor’s de- need to seize this opportunity, keep bility about what is working well in so gree or master’s degree, typically you our economy moving in a positive di- many of our States and the amazing aren’t paying anything because your rection, and help Ohioans develop the opportunities out there for our young employer is going to pay for you to get skills to grow in the career of their people. that additional training. choice and fulfill their potential in life. We passed some good legislation to My hope is that we can move this I yield the floor. help. In 2018, we passed the Educating legislation forward quickly. It is some- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, which is thing I hear from everyone back in ator from Oklahoma. working to improve the quality of CTE Ohio. Over the past few weeks, we held Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, first, let education programs, making sure we roundtables on workforce at manufac- me comment that the Senator from are using equipment and the standards turing businesses such as Stanley Elec- Ohio is right on target. I know that of today’s industry to make these pro- tric in Madison County and Fecon, when we did the authorization bills— grams even more effective. Inc., in Warren County, and we talked we actually have language now that we But skills training goes well beyond about this issue with businessowners, put in to try to encourage people while just these great high school programs. with community colleges, with workers they are still in high school to find out Industry-recognized, certificate-grant- who are actually on the job, and all what they want to do with their lives. ing technical workforce training pro- these groups agree the JOBS Act is One of the problems we have right grams post-high school are another key needed and needed badly. now is, we have a great economy—the to close the skills gap. Think of some What is more, we know that a lot of best economy we have had in my life- of the workforce training programs you businessowners who are getting en- time—but the bad side of that is, there have probably heard about in your gaged in this are willing to help these is a lot of competition out there, and community that are being offered by skills training programs to be more ef- we want to make sure that people are your community college or may be of- fective and to provide the skills train- directed into areas where they really fered by a local technical school. They ing that actually works for them. can enjoy life and where the market

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:45 Feb 27, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27FE6.012 S27FEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE February 27, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1169 will work in their favor. We are very are fortunate that Ana was not one of those City policy and stripped abortion pro- much concerned about that with the children. She survived. viders like Planned Parenthood from two bills we have done so far that has That was 1992. And today, we still using title X funding for abortions. new language in there to encourage don’t have explicit Federal protections And not just that, but under this Presi- people to use pilot programs in high for babies who survive the brutal abor- dent, we have also confirmed 193 new school to know what direction they tion process. As I said, this issue is not judges. That is the largest number of want to go with their lives. about abortion but about caring for a judges in this particular timeframe of ABORTION baby outside the womb. This baby is a new President. There are 193 new Mr. President, this week, we voted on alive. It is a baby who is living in the judges, the second highest total in his- two very important bills—the Pain-Ca- real world. tory at this point in a Presidency. pable Unborn Child Protection Act and The need for these protections has These judges actually understand and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Pro- become even clearer as we see States uphold the Constitution. I haven’t tection Act. Unfortunately, my col- like New York and Illinois allowing polled them myself, but I suspect the leagues on the Democratic side voted abortion for virtually any reason up to vast majority or maybe all of them are to block these bills, but I would like to the point of birth and supporting infan- very sensitive to the sanctity of human thank my colleagues, Senators GRAHAM ticide by removing protections for an life. and SASSE, for their leadership on infant born alive after a failed abor- The need to stand up for our babies is these bills. I would like to thank Sen- tion. as important today as it was when I ator MCCONNELL for his efforts to bring Just a few years ago, after that made this speech in 1992 and in 1997. I these bills to the floor. speech—and that would have been in am looking forward to building on the Now this short comment period I 1997—I was on the floor with my good successes under this President. have here does have a happy ending, friend Rick Santorum to try to pass a We have something happening that is and I am actually anxious to share partial-birth abortion ban and end the unusual now. We have a President who some things with people. When you practice of late-term abortions. Fortu- is very pro-life, and we also have a lot look at these two bills—first, Senator nately, we won—won the battle against of new judges whom we suspect will be SASSE’s bill, the Born-Alive Abortion partial-birth abortions and finally conservative, constitutional judges. We Survivors Protection Act—a bill I co- ended that practice in 2003. That ban will overcome evil with good by up- sponsored in the past—it would ensure was upheld by the Supreme Court in holding and affirming the dignity and that a baby who survives an abortion 2007. inherent worth of every human life, would receive the same treatment as We have yet to pass legislation ban- and we will seize the opportunity that any other child who was naturally born ning late-term abortion. Only seven we have today. at the same age. Now that is inter- countries allow abortion after 20 With that, I yield the floor. esting. How many people out there re- weeks, including the United States and I suggest the absence of a quorum. alize that if someone goes to an abor- North Korea. Now, that is horrific. The The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. tion and they were not successful in United States is supposed to be an ex- FISCHER). The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk proceeded to call the killing the unborn baby, when they ample in regard to global human roll. survive and they are out and they are rights, yet we are on par with North Mr. BLUNT. Madam President, I ask breathing, they don’t get the same Korea when it comes to protecting the unanimous consent that the order for treatment any other baby would get? unborn. Senator GRAHAM’s Pain-Capable Un- the quorum call be rescinded. People are not aware of that. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without So that is what this bill is all about. born Child Protection Act would help objection, it is so ordered. That is just morally right, and I don’t roll back the practice by prohibiting see why there would be any disagree- abortion after 20 weeks post-fertiliza- BLACK HISTORY MONTH ment about it. The bill is not even tion. The reason he is using this 20 Mr. BLUNT. Madam President, I about abortion. It is about infanticide. weeks is there is one agreement that want to talk today about Black His- It was 28 years ago that I came down no one takes issue with, and that is, tory Month and, specifically, about here in this very Chamber to tell the babies feel pain after that time. Most Black History Month and baseball. story of Ana Rosa Rodriguez. This is people say that babies feel pain greater This month marks the 100th anniver- what I said. Keep in mind this was 28 than adults do. That is why that 20 sary of the founding of the first suc- years ago. I said: weeks was used in the legislation. cessful, organized league for profes- sional African-American baseball play- Mr. Chairman, there is a big misconception This is another commonsense bill regarding abortion and the issue of women that should not divide us along par- ers. and their right to protect their bodies. It is tisan lines. A baby is a baby whether in On February 13, 1920, a group of eight not that right that I object to but the right or outside the womb, and each baby de- midwestern team owners got together that is given them to kill an unborn fetus— serves a chance to live as an individual at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, an unborn child. created in the image of God. MO, to form the Negro National I want to share with you a story that my There is still much more we need to League. Before then, these African- colleague CHRIS SMITH told me some time do to end the abortion-on-demand cul- American teams had a lot of great ago on this very floor. Ana Rosa Rodriguez is an abortion sur- ture, but, thankfully, we have the most players. They barnstormed around the vivor. . . . At birth she was a healthy 3 pro-life President we have had in his- country. They played sort of whomever pound baby girl, except for her injury; she tory. This January, President Trump they could and whenever they could. was missing an arm. Ana survived a botched became the first sitting President to But in 1920, these eight owners got to- abortion. attend the annual March for Life. It is gether and decided that everybody Her mother attempted to get an abortion a rally in Washington. Hundreds of pro- would benefit with more structure in in her 32nd week of pregnancy when she was life Oklahomans joined the President the league, and they established a perfectly healthy—8 weeks past what New and tens of thousands of Americans in league to see that we got that struc- York State [at that time would] legally [allow]. In the unsuccessful abortion at- the march. I had a chance to meet ture. tempt, the baby’s right arm was ripped off. many of these Oklahomans, many of In the first 10 years of the league, the However they failed to kill Ana Rosa. She them extremely young—as young as in Kansas City Monarchs won the pennant lived. Pro-life supporters agree that night- high school. They were here marching. four times. As the league thrived, other mare situations like the Rodriguez case are They asked me how to respond when leagues were formed for African-Amer- probably not common, but abortion-related the radical left attacks their views, ican players in the South and in the deaths and serious injuries occur more fre- and I told them to be kind but not to East. Over the years, some of the quently than most people are aware. greatest players in baseball played in It is amazing that we [and I am still be afraid to voice their opinions. After quoting from 28 years ago] can pay so much all, they are right. the Negro leagues. Jackie Robinson, attention to issues such as human rights Under President Trump’s leadership, Satchel Paige, and Kansas City’s own abroad and can allow the violent destruction we protected the Hyde amendment. We Buck O’Neil played there. There were of over 26 million children here at home. We reinstated and expanded the Mexico many others we would recognize who

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:15 Feb 28, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27FE6.014 S27FEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE S1170 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 27, 2020 then became part of the major leagues I have been certainly glad to take my to the commissioner of baseball. In following Jackie Robinson. son Charlie to the museum. I go there that letter he said: ‘‘After 12 years in There are lots of players you will with some frequency. A few years ago, the Major Leagues, I do not feel that I learn a lot about at the Negro Leagues I encouraged Major League Baseball to am a piece of property to be bought Baseball Museum in Kansas City. The have an event there when they were and sold irrespective of my wishes.’’ Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in having the All-Star Game in Kansas That began the challenge of the reserve Kansas City tells this story and tells it City. I don’t think there was a player clause in baseball. Maybe it is particu- well. They don’t just tell the story of who went to that event at the Negro larly significant here in Black History African-American organized baseball, Leagues Baseball Museum who wasn’t Month that an African-American play- but they really tell the story of a both impressed and touched by what er was the one who challenged the re- thriving community beyond that, they saw there. It is an important part serve clause. which is an important part of our leg- of our history. With the reserve clause in baseball, acy. Another part of our history that very you would play for your team’s owner Obviously, a more important part of closely relates to this is something I as long as you wanted to play unless our legacy is to bring everybody to- will be a part of later this afternoon. your team’s owner decided you would gether, but in those years, around the Congressman DAVID TRONE of Mary- play for someone else. Then you would time the Negro leagues were formed, land, over on the House side, and I, play for that person as long as they African-American communities in arts along with Senator DURBIN and Con- wanted you to play, unless you decided and entertainment and in businesses gressman CLAY from St. Louis and Con- you didn’t want to play baseball any- were significant. Part of that story is gresswoman WAGNER from St. Louis, more. told there as well. are sending a letter to the Baseball It was Curt Flood who challenged The 100th anniversary of the found- Hall of Fame telling them that they that. He lost his Supreme Court case. ing of the Negro leagues is an oppor- need to include Curt Flood in the Base- It was a 5-to-4 loss in the Supreme tunity for us to talk about that. These ball Hall of Fame. Court. But it didn’t take too many leagues had great talent. In fact, the Curt Flood was a great player and years before not only was the reserve Pittsburgh Grays would play here in should be part of the Baseball Hall of clause reversed but Curt Flood was rec- Washington half of the time. Half of Fame just on his playing skills alone. ognized in Federal legislation. their games—their so-called home He played with the Cardinals most of There is a copy of that single-page games—they played in Washington at his entire career—7 consecutive years. letter filed as part of the 1970 case at Griffith Stadium, where the Wash- That included two World Series pen- the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown. If ington Senators played. I don’t think nants in 1964 and 1967. He won seven there is a copy of Curt Flood’s letter in there is any argument that when the Gold Gloves in those 7 years and was the Hall of Fame, then, Curt Flood Grays played here—the African-Amer- designated the best center fielder in should be in the Hall of Fame. ican team, the Negro leagues team the National League. I hope those looking back at what is played here—there was a greater crowd I remember that team well. We were called the golden years of baseball look than there was when the Senators Cardinals fans in my house. In the late at players who didn’t get into the Hall played, and there was better baseball. 1950s and early 1960s, you didn’t have of Fame, take our advice, look at Curt These were great and exciting times in many sports on TV. We listened to vir- Flood, look at the difference he has baseball. I think that is well told at tually every Cardinals game we could made for players playing the game the museum. hear on the radio. My mom and dad today, and put him in the Hall of TIM KAINE, a Kansas Citian who now were dairy farmers. I remember being Fame. represents Virginia in Congress, and I out hauling hay at night, and whoever I yield back. are working together to commemorate was driving the truck should have been The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the centennial of the Negro Leagues almost deaf because if there was a Car- ator from Tennessee. with the minting of a new coin by the dinals game going on, the radio would IMMIGRATION Treasury. We are joined over in the be as loud as it possibly could be so Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Presi- House by Congressman EMANUEL those of us out tossing the bales on the dent, I come to the floor today to say CLEAVER, from Kansas City in my hay truck could hear the Cardinals that we have gotten some good news State of Missouri, and Congressman game. this week from our Southern border. STEVE STIVERS from Ohio. I also remember—and I checked my- We are making progress on the wall The way the minting of this coin self yesterday to be sure I was accu- that President Trump has fought so works, of course, is that there is no rate—but on that Curt Flood team, hard for, and that progress will be fur- cost to the taxpayers. You print a coin. that 1964 team, it was Bill White at ther supported by billions of dollars in Congress decides that this is an issue first base; Julian Javier at second base, new appropriations funding to reach worthy of recognizing, and you mint Dick Groat, short stop; Ken Boyer, the President’s goal of 450 miles by the coin. I think I said print. Mint is third base, and Tim McCarver catch- 2021. Think about it—450 miles that more accurate. Once all of the costs of ing. Most of the time, and always if have been secured. minting those coins have been met— available, Bob Gibson was pitching. In What we do know is that as a result and there is no taxpayer cost—then the the outfield was Lou Brock—the great of all of these ramped-up security ef- money goes to the recipient organiza- Lou Brock. Curt Flood was in center forts, border apprehensions are down 78 tion from that point on. There would field, and Mike Shannon in right field. percent from last May’s high of over be a gold coin and a silver coin and a By the way, Mike Shannon still an- 130,000. We have had falling—falling— bronze coin at different levels available nounces the Cardinals games on the numbers every single month for the for people to buy. radio and occasionally on television. last 8 months. This is a very good Now, 75 of our Senate colleagues, in- It was a great team, and Curt Flood thing. It shows the word is getting out cluding the Presiding Officer and me, was an important part of that team. that we are serious about our sov- have cosponsored this legislation. I Frankly, he should be in the Hall of ereignty, about securing our border, think we will get it passed very soon. Fame just because of that—the two about ending the access that traf- With any luck, we might even pass it World Series, Most Valuable Player, fickers—human traffickers, drug traf- right here in the next day or so during the best center fielder in baseball, at fickers—have had on that border. That Black History Month. least in the National League, for 7 is a good thing. I want to recognize Bob Kendrick, years straight. This good news is clouded a little bit the president of the Negro Leagues In late 1969, the Cardinals decided by the reality that all is still not well. Baseball Museum, for his support in en- they were going to trade Curt Flood to Border Patrol officials estimate that couraging us to see if we could make the Phillies. I don’t think Curt Flood nearly 1 million migrants—I want you this coin a reality and all that he and necessarily had anything against the to think about that number: nearly 1 his board have done to preserve the his- Phillies, but he didn’t want to be trad- million migrants—crossed our border tory of Negro leagues baseball. ed against his will. So he wrote a letter illegally and evaded apprehension in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:15 Feb 28, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27FE6.016 S27FEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE February 27, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1171 fiscal 2019. That is the severity of this rection and allowing dangerous, open- port or a consular card as proof of iden- problem. Think about it—1 million border-style policies. tity. people, additional people. Think about This month, I introduced the Stop Here is the kicker: If you do not have the size of a population of 1 million Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Ille- the right documents—meaning you people. That is the number that moved gal Immigrants Act, and its purpose is don’t have a passport, you don’t have a into our country. We do not know who precisely what the title of this bill says birth certificate, you don’t have a So- they are. We do not know where they it will do. You can see from the poster, cial Security number, you don’t have have come from. We do not know if there are some States in red. If you proof of residency, you don’t have proof they are traffickers. We do not know if live in one of those States, your of employment—these States are say- they wish us well or their intent for State—your State—has agreed to give ing: Never mind; doesn’t matter. We coming into our country. driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. are going to let you sign an affidavit— While things are trending in the Let me tell you a little bit more an affidavit—to say you are not able to right direction, I think it is fair to say about this. Once it is signed into law, secure a Social Security number. we are not out of the woods yet on this the bill will halt certain Department of What are these States doing? They issue of illegal immigration. Until we Justice grant funding to States that are creating, again, a vulnerability in get this influx of illegal aliens under defy Federal immigration law, non- the system. There are people who will control and manage the fallout of al- complying States—that means those go sign an affidavit. Guess what. All of a sudden, they have a REAL ID. These lowing so many people to come into States that say: We are not going to States say: Oh, we are going to stamp this country and live illegally, this is comply with Federal law. Oh, no, not it for State-use only. I think they say what we have. us. We are going to be a sanctuary for that with a wink-wink, nod-nod be- Every town is a border town and those who are illegally in the country cause they know they are putting a every State will remain a border State and are choosing to break the law. vulnerability in that system. They are because of the problems they have to They decided they are going to be a letting people that—we do not know sanctuary for illegal aliens. That is face every single day. who they are, we do not know their in- Let me give an example. On Decem- what you call a noncomplying State. tent for being in this country, but they Those States will no longer enjoy ac- ber 29, 2018, Knoxville, TN, fire chief D. are going to allow this reckless policy J. Corcoran and his wife Wendy’s lives cess to the Edward Byrne Memorial to go into effect. And it is reckless. It were changed forever, and their happy, Justice Assistance Grant Program. goes hand in hand with other broad healthy family was brutally trans- This is a program that was created to sanctuary rules that increase crime formed into a grieving Angel Family. fund local law enforcement and crimi- and that frustrate the efforts of our On that day, an illegal alien in Ten- nal justice initiatives. local law enforcement officials. nessee struck and killed their 22-year- In 2019, States that issued driver’s li- Here is another bit of good news: The old son, Pierce Corcoran. It was a head- censes to illegal immigrants received courts are coming down on the side of on car crash. Pierce died that day. A over $50 million from this program, so security. Yesterday, a Federal appeals few months later, that illegal alien was their choice to defy the law will result court—the Second Circuit Court in deported to Mexico. in no small sacrifice. It is their choice. New York—upheld President Trump’s I have to tell you, for me, as I have They can choose, if they want to, to authority to enact anti-illegal immi- worked with the Corcorans since this say: We refuse to comply with Federal gration, anti-sanctuary policies similar time and shared their grief, this is an law. They can make that choice, but to what would be codified in my legis- unsatisfying end to a tragic series of they are not going to get taxpayer lation. It would allow for those funds events that never should have hap- money through law enforcement to be restricted for those entities that pened because the man responsible for grants. This is common sense. are making a choice, taking a vote, and Pierce’s death never should have been I want to encourage my colleagues to deciding they don’t want to comply in Tennessee in the first place. think back to the fear and confusion with Federal law. That story is heartbreaking. Unfor- that we all experienced in the weeks I will tell you, I should not have to tunately, it is not unique. In 2019, an- after 9/11. I am sure you remember that stand on the floor of the Senate and other Tennessean, named Debbie Bur- time. I remember that time. I remem- beg our colleagues to support policies gess, was killed in a hit-and-run acci- ber that feeling of, what can we do? that stand with the rule of law and pre- dent caused by an illegal alien with a Not only had we known tremendous vent tragedies like the deaths of Pierce lengthy criminal record. loss, we had discovered that we were Corcoran and Debbie Burgess. Just last week in Sevier County, not nearly as secure as we thought we I ask my colleagues to join me in this TN—and this is something that has were in this country. effort, join me in standing with the shaken the entire community—two ele- One of the loopholes we discovered rule of law. Join me in standing with mentary school children walking to came about because people said: How in these Angel Families who know grief school were hit by an illegal alien who the world could these terrorists, hi- that I wish no one had to know and ex- fled the scene. Tragic. jackers, have so easily obtained a perience. Join me in supporting the Every Member of this body is well State-issued driver’s license that al- Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for aware that our country’s permissive lowed them to board those planes and Illegal Immigrants Act. attitude toward illegal immigration carry out those deadly attacks? People I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. said: How could this have happened? has real-life consequences. Our con- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The stant debate over policy and funding How could they have done this? clerk will call the roll. does not exist solely in the abstraction We found a loophole. What did we do? The senior assistant legislative clerk of politics. Starting right now, we We closed that loophole. We passed the proceeded to call the roll. must look internally and ask ourselves REAL ID Act. This isn’t done as a form Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, I ask what changes we can make to of repression; it is a practical way of unanimous consent that the order for disincentivize illegal entry into the managing a vulnerability that was the quorum call be rescinded. United States. What can we do? found in State agency paperwork. The The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. It seems so easy to people: Come REAL ID Act is something we are all YOUNG). Without objection, it is so or- across the border illegally. You might complying with now. You have to take dered. be able to get benefits. You can have a Social Security number. You have to (The remarks of Mr. GARDNER per- access to education. You can work. take proof of residence. You have to taining to the introduction of S. Res. There is a way to do this and live in take other documentation that shows 514 are printed in today’s RECORD under the shadows. you are who you claim to be. ‘‘Statements on Introduced Bills and How do we disincentivize this? Less than 20 years later, look at Joint Resolutions.’’) While Tennessee, along with a major- where we are. Thirteen States and the Mr. GARDNER. I yield the floor. ity of States, prohibits driver’s licenses District of Columbia have regressed RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER for illegal aliens, a growing number of into more lax policies—pre-9/11 poli- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The States are moving in the opposite di- cies. Often, they only require a pass- Democratic leader is recognized.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:15 Feb 28, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27FE6.025 S27FEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE S1172 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 27, 2020 CORONAVIRUS So let’s let the science and the facts freedom. Did the President stand up for Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, last guide us. The American people do not religious freedom and democratic val- night in California, an American was need or want uninformed opinions or ues? No. He didn’t even bring up the diagnosed with the first reported case spin from its leaders. They want the issue with the Prime Minister. of coronavirus unrelated to any travel truth. There are 4 million Indian Ameri- to an infected area—a sign that Now, the first step the Congress must cans. I am proud to say many are in coronavirus is here on our shores and take is to ensure that the government the New York area. They have done we must act swiftly and strongly to has the resources to combat this dead- and continued to do so much for this contain its spread. ly virus and keep Americans safe. I great country. Their history, music, Despite months of public warnings have made a request for $8.5 billion for culture, literature are woven into the about the danger of this disease, the this purpose—far more than the admin- very fabric of American life. Indian- President was caught completely flat- istration’s request of $2.5 billion, only American families form the backbone footed by the coronavirus. And now, in- half of which is new funding. The rest of so many strong communities in New stead of quickly marshaling the re- of the President’s proposed funding is York City, in Long Island and the sub- sources of the Federal Government to stolen from other accounts. urbs, and all over the country. They respond to this health crisis, President Any emergency funding supplemental deserve more than Presidential photo- Trump is intent on blaming everyone the Congress approves must be entirely ops in their native land. They deserve a and everything instead of solving the new funding, not stolen from other ac- President who takes the friendship be- problem. Instead of stepping up to the counts, and include, at minimum, tween the United States and India seri- plate, he is belittling the urgency of strong provisions that ensure, one, that ously and works to build a strategic al- this problem and telling people: Oh, it’s the President cannot transfer these liance. not very much. The experts say the op- new funds to anything other than But this President cannot seem to posite. coronavirus and American and global manage anything beyond reality-show As for blame, the President is blam- preparedness to combat epidemics and diplomacy, and that is why President ing the press for stoking concern about infectious diseases; two, vaccines that Trump will likely end his first term the virus; the President is blaming so- are affordable and available to all who bereft of any significant foreign policy cial media for magnifying those legiti- need them, not just to those who have achievement. mate concerns; and the President, typi- a good deal of money; three, interest- TRIBUTE TO LAURA DOVE cally, is blaming Democrats too. free loans be made available for small Mr. President, finally, on a different But who fired the global health secu- businesses impacted by the outbreak; note and a very happy note, I want to rity team at the National Security and four, State and local governments conclude my remarks by noting the de- Council and Department of Homeland be reimbursed for costs incurred while parture of a staffer who, although she Security and decided not to replace assisting the Federal response to the works for Leader MCCONNELL, is truly them? It wasn’t the press. It wasn’t the corona outbreak. Democrats. It was President Trump. Democrats in both Chambers will a resource for and a credit to the Sen- Who cut $35 million from the infec- work closely with Republicans to pass ate as a whole—Laura Dove. tious disease rapid response fund? a supplemental appropriations package It is a happy note for her. She is President Trump. with these criteria in mind. But in the moving on to even bigger and better Who cut $85 million from the emerg- meantime, President Trump must get things. But it is a sad note for all of us, ing infectious disease account? Presi- his act together: Stop blaming, stop be- Democrats and Republicans, in the dent Trump. littling, roll up your sleeves, unite Senate because she has done such a Who cut $120 million from public America, and start proposing real solu- good job. Laura is the Secretary for the Major- health preparedness and response pro- tions. grams? President Trump. After months of dithering, after tow- ity. As with many job titles in Wash- And who just proposed cutting 16 per- ering and dangerous incompetence, it ington, Laura’s title does not come cent of CDC’s budget—the agency in is time for President Trump to roll up close to capturing what she actually charge of fighting these kinds of vi- his sleeves and do the right thing. does, nor does it remotely reflect her ruses? Not the Democrats, not the INDIA importance to this Chamber. press—President Trump did that. Mr. President, on another matter, The two caucus Secretaries—Gary Of course Democrats want to work the President yesterday returned to Myrick for the Senate minority and quickly with the President to get a Washington from India. The United Laura Dove for the majority—literally handle on this problem. Lives are at States and India are natural allies. If make the Senate function. Their nego- stake, but the President cannot belit- the United States and India are close tiations determine when we come in tle the danger. It is real; it is looming; friends and partners, the world will be and out of session, which amendments it is serious. a safer, more prosperous place. India will be considered, and their par- To hear the President last night, has an amazing culture and great peo- liamentary expertise guides Senators when most of his speech was not a ple. So unifying America and India is a of both parties. Laura’s attention to sober speech calling America to unite very good thing. detail is such that even the dress code and fight this virus—it was mainly But did the President do anything on of the Senate does not escape her. name-calling, politics, blaming, and, in his trip that substantively advanced Laura has certainly been around this fact, belittling the problem and the that objective? No, he did not. Sadly, Chamber for as long as many of the danger. the President’s trip to India was typ- Senators she advises. The Senate is in The President must stop trying to ical of foreign policy in the Trump her blood. Her father, Bob Dove, was minimize the nature of the coronavirus era—a big spectacle with handshakes the Senate Parliamentarian. Dinner threat. His attempts at spinning the and photo-ops but without meaningful table conversations in the Dove house- facts are just not credible, and they are progress or accomplishment for the hold must have included the arcana of harmful to the Federal response. United States. Senate procedure, particularly because In order to prevent overreaction by There were real things for the Presi- some of those family dinners occurred the public, it is essential that the Fed- dent to accomplish in India. We are here in the Senate itself, as Mr. Dove eral officials—especially the President now India’s largest trading partner— worked the sometimes late hours of the and Vice President—level with the one of the largest markets for our agri- Senate. American people. Telling the American cultural products, medical devices, Both of Mr. Dove’s daughters served people the truth and then coming up even motorbikes. Did the President as pages, and now both of Laura’s chil- with solutions to solve it is the way to make any progress on a trade deal to dren have served as pages as well—a calm people down—not simply saying reduce the significant market access family tradition unique among family ‘‘Oh, don’t worry about it’’ and then barriers that American companies traditions. Few have done as much to spending time blaming others. That is face? No. support the page program as Laura. not going to calm people down; that is India is in the midst of fierce pro- She not only keeps a watchful and sup- going to make them more worried. tests over a law that restricts religious portive eye over their time on the

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Are there CLOTURE MOTION Senate floor looks like a forum for dis- any other Senators in the Chamber de- We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- agreement and sometimes for vocif- siring to vote or to change their vote? ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the erous debate. Few beyond this Chamber The result was announced—yeas 85, Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby appreciate how important it is for our nays 3, as follows: move to bring to a close debate on the mo- two parties to cooperate every day [Rollcall Vote No. 62 Ex.] tion to proceed to Calendar No. 357, S. 2657, amidst those disagreements to make YEAS—85 an act to support innovation in advanced geothermal research and development, and the work of the Senate come to life. Baldwin Graham Risch for other purposes. Though our parties have vastly dif- Barrasso Grassley Roberts Bennet Hassan Romney Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, Steve ferent opinions on everything, ranging Blackburn Hawley Rosen Daines, Bill Cassidy, John Barrasso, from policy to procedure, Laura has al- Blumenthal Hirono Rounds Martha McSally, Deb Fischer, Richard ways represented the position of her Blunt Hoeven Rubio C. Shelby, John Hoeven, Thom Tillis, caucus honestly and treated our staff Boozman Hyde-Smith Sasse John Thune, Pat Roberts, Richard Braun Inhofe Schumer Burr, Mike Rounds, Shelley Moore Cap- with civility and respect. Brown Johnson Scott (FL) ito, Roy Blunt, Mike Crapo. Burr Jones She even takes a bit of that work Scott (SC) Cantwell Kaine Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask unanimous home with her. Her husband, Dan Sol- Shaheen Capito Kennedy consent that the mandatory quorum omon, worked for someone—Senator Carper King Shelby Wofford—who was a good, strong, lib- Casey Lankford Sinema call be waived. eral Democrat, if there ever was one. Cassidy Leahy Smith The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Stabenow The Republican leader this morning Collins Lee objection? Coons Loeffler Sullivan Without objection, it is so ordered. gave a very personal and emotional Cornyn Manchin Tester tribute to Laura’s service. You could Cortez Masto McConnell Thune The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- see how much she means to him and Cotton McSally Tillis ator from Utah. the entire Republican caucus. I echo Cramer Menendez Toomey UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—S. 3173 Crapo Merkley Udall Mr. LEE. Mr. President, in a message those sentiments, and I would extend Daines Murkowski Van Hollen them to the Senate as a whole. Few Duckworth Murphy Warner to Congress on July 4, 1861, Abraham care more about this institution, its Enzi Murray Whitehouse Lincoln wrote that the leading object Ernst Paul Wicker of government was to ‘‘elevate the con- traditions, its history, and its future Feinstein Peters Wyden Fischer Portman dition of men, to lift artificial weights than Laura Dove, and few have worked Young harder to support the Senate in their Gardner Reed from all shoulders; to clear the paths of careers. NAYS—3 laudable pursuit for all; to afford all an Robert Duncan, Laura’s assistant, Booker Gillibrand Harris unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life.’’ will be taking her place today. He has NOT VOTING—12 big shoes to fill but is a really talented It is no coincidence that he gave this Alexander Heinrich Perdue message on the anniversary of our Na- guy who knows how this place works. Cardin Klobuchar Sanders All I can tell you, Robert, is if you lis- Cruz Markey Schatz tion’s birth. Lincoln was echoing the ten to Gary Myrick, you can’t go Durbin Moran Warren profound legacy of our founding—a leg- wrong. The nomination was confirmed. acy that shaped our Nation and there- Laura, we wish you nothing but the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under after rippled across not only the West- best for the next chapter of your life, the previous order, the motion to re- ern Hemisphere but the entire world. and we thank you profoundly for your consider is considered made and laid When the Founders broke off from service to the Senate. upon the table and the President will the yoke of British tyranny, they de- I yield the floor. be immediately notified of the Senate’s clared all men to be endowed with cer- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under action. tain inalienable rights—rights that the previous order, the question is, Will The majority leader. come not from the State, a church, any the Senate advise and consent to the f man or woman, or even from a govern- Greaves nomination? ment, but, rather, from God himself. LEGISLATIVE SESSION Mr. PAUL. I ask for the yeas and The first of these inalienable rights nays. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I was life. Never was any nation in the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a move to proceed to legislative session. history of human beings born of a high- sufficient second? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The er principle or a deeper connection to There appears to be a sufficient sec- question is on agreeing to the motion. human happiness and flourishing. Here, ond. The motion was agreed to. the people would rule. Here, govern- The clerk will call the roll. f ment would serve the people and not The bill clerk called the roll. ADVANCED GEOTHERMAL INNOVA- the other way around. Here, for the Mr. THUNE. The following Senators TION LEADERSHIP ACT OF 2019— first time ever, each person, no matter are necessarily absent: the Senator Motion to Proceed his or her station in life, was endowed from Tennessee (Mr. ALEXANDER), the with these rights and entitled to their Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Senator from Texas (Mr. CRUZ), the equal protection. move to proceed to Calendar No. 357, S. Senator from Kansas (Mr. MORAN), and Today, 159 years since Lincoln’s mes- 2657. the Senator from Georgia (Mr. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The sage to Congress and 244 years since PERDUE). clerk will report the motion. the Founders’ message to the world, Further, if present and voting, the The senior assistant legislative clerk here we stand sworn, still, to fulfill Senator from Tennessee (Mr. ALEX- read as follows: their promise. ANDER) would have voted ‘‘yea’’ and the Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 357, S. As far as we have come during that Senator from Kansas (Mr. MORAN) 2657, a bill to support innovation in advanced time period, we still have so far to go. would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ geothermal research and development, and Today, our government—founded to Mr. SCHUMER. I announce that the for other purposes. protect Americans’ rights to life, lib- Senator from Maryland (Mr. CARDIN), CLOTURE MOTION erty, and the pursuit of happiness— the Senator from Illinois (Mr. DURBIN), Mr. MCCONNELL. I send a cloture threatens unborn Americans on all the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. motion to the desk for the motion to three counts. The Supreme Court im- HEINRICH), the Senator from Minnesota proceed. poses and Congress subsidizes the most

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