June 10, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2861 Government of the People’s Republic of What is happening in America that ment, we should expect high standards China. someone—let alone police officers— and accountability for meeting those (b) RESTRICTIONS ON CONFUCIUS INSTI- thought this was OK? Of course, we standards. We have a right to expect TUTES.—An institution of higher education know it was not OK. It was not OK. It the best from our police officers. or other postsecondary educational institu- Firing dozens of bullets into a Louis- tion (referred to in this section as an ‘‘insti- was a crime. It was murder. tution’’) shall not be eligible to receive Fed- Watching those images has awakened ville apartment under a no-knock war- eral funds from the Department of Education something deep in the souls of Ameri- rant, killing a 26-year-old emergency (except funds under title IV of the Higher cans across the country. We know that medical technician and aspiring nurse Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) racial disparities in every part of our who grew up in Michigan, did not meet or other Department of Education funds that society—from healthcare, to housing, the high standards we have a right to are provided directly to students) unless the to jobs, to education, to the air we expect. Breonna Taylor deserved the institution ensures that any contract or breathe and the water we drink—have best from our police. She did not get it. agreement between the institution and a existed in our country since its very Shoving a 75-year-old man at a pro- Confucius Institute includes clear provisions beginning. We have known for a long test in Buffalo hard enough that his that— head cracked open while hitting the (1) protect academic freedom at the insti- time that experiences with the police tution; are different for Black Americans than ground, creating a pool of blood, and (2) prohibit the application of any foreign for White Americans. Yet, despite all of then watching officer after officer law on any campus of the institution; and the other times, this time—this time— walking past him without offering any (3) grant full managerial authority of the there the violence was, right in front of help does not reflect the high standards Confucius Institute to the institution, in- us, in a way that people have decided we have a right to expect. Martin cluding full control over what is being cannot and will not be ignored. Gugino deserved the best from our po- taught, the activities carried out, the re- There is much to do. For each of us, lice, and he did not get it. search grants that are made, and who is em- Kneeling on the neck of a man who is ployed at the Confucius Institute. we have a personal journey—a personal journey to take concerning our own be- lying on the ground for 8 minutes 46 Mr. KENNEDY. Thank you. havior with one another, and then we seconds, as he cries out for his mother I suggest the absence of a quorum. have a public journey to take together, and the life leaves his body, is not The PRESIDING OFFICER. The to change laws and policies and work meeting the high standards he had the clerk will call the roll. together toward the day when what right to expect. George Floyd deserved The legislative clerk proceeded to happened in Minneapolis and across the best from our police. He did not re- call the roll. our country never happens again. That ceive it. Ms. STABENOW. I ask unanimous The U.S. Senate needs to pass the is the goal of the Justice in Policing consent that the order for the quorum Justice in Policing Act now. I would Act. I am honored to cosponsor it, and call be rescinded. love it if there was strong bipartisan I want to thank my friends Senator The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without support. Wouldn’t that send a wonder- BOOKER and Senator HARRIS for leading objection, it is so ordered. ful message across our country if we us in this introduction. f could do that? The Justice in Policing Act takes im- However, holding law enforcement to TAXPAYER FIRST ACT OF 2019— portant steps to improve transparency high professional standards is only the Continued by collecting better and more accurate first step in becoming the Nation we data on police misconduct and the use JUSTICE IN POLICING ACT all want to be. Racism has been with us of force. This will help ensure that since slaves were brought on ships to Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, problem officers aren’t simply getting something is happening in America. this country. It is an immoral thread a job with a police department in an- that is woven deep in the fabric of our People across our country and in my other city or State to avoid being held home State of Michigan are coming to- Nation’s history. accountable for their previous actions. It is simply not enough to end racial gether for the cause of racial justice in The legislation improves police inequalities in policing because the in- a way that we have not really experi- training and practices by ending racial equalities in our society don’t end enced in a generation. and religious profiling, requiring offi- there. The pandemic has shone a brutal From Holland, to Bad Axe, to Mar- cers to receive training on racial bi- light on this truth. quette, to Detroit, people of all ages ases, banning no-knock warrants in Our Democratic caucus released a re- and faiths and backgrounds have been drug cases, limiting the transfer of port on April 30 that showed that Black marching together, singing together, military-grade equipment to police de- Americans are more than twice as like- praying together, and kneeling to- partments, and banning chokeholds ly as White Americans to die from gether. In one voice, people are de- like the one that ended George Floyd’s COVID–19, and in some communities, manding change, imploring our Nation life. It finally makes lynching a Fed- this disparity is even greater. In Michi- to finally be that place where all men eral crime—something that I would gan, 14 percent of our citizens are Afri- and women are truly created equal. Un- have thought we would have done a can Americans. Yet African Americans fortunately, we know that, far too generation ago. It makes important make up 41 percent—41 percent—of the often throughout our history and even changes within our criminal justice deaths from COVID–19. It is not hard to today, our Nation has failed to live up system to hold police officers and de- see why, if you look. Because of gen- to our highest ideals. partments accountable for their ac- erations of structural racism, Black Eight minutes forty-six seconds— tions. Americans are less likely to have that is how long a Minneapolis police This legislation is not about health insurance, more likely to have officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on the defunding the police. It is not about preexisting health conditions and high- neck of George Floyd, an unarmed, defunding law enforcement. It is about er risks for Black moms during labor handcuffed Black man lying on the funding the right kind of law enforce- and delivery, more likely to be exposed pavement. For 8 minutes 46 seconds, ment, the kind of law enforcement that to air pollution because of where they George Floyd pleaded for his life. He protects all of our neighborhoods and live, and less likely to live in housing said, ‘‘I can’t breathe.’’ He cried out for the people who live in them; the kind where social distancing is even pos- his mother. He suffered. Then he was of law enforcement that officers I know sible. silent. in Michigan—including in my own fam- Black families also face challenges in Millions of Americans watched the ily, across Michigan—do every day; the accessing healthy food. While around 12 video in shock and horror. Why didn’t kind of law enforcement I know the percent of American families overall the officer just lift his knee off of Mr. majority of police officers believe in. are food secure, we know that more Floyd’s neck? Why didn’t he just lift In short, this legislation is about than 22 percent of African-American his knee up for just a minute—just lift treating people as professionals, with families are food insecure—more than it up? Why didn’t one—just one—of the high standards, and expecting them to one out of every five families. other officers push his knee off of Mr. meet those standards. In any profes- At the same time, in this health cri- Floyd’s neck? sional setting, including law enforce- sis Black Americans are more likely to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Jun 11, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JN6.014 S10JNPT1 CTELLI on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE S2862 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 10, 2020 be the ones working on the frontlines— needs to be passed immediately. It is eral Government. That is the amount these are the frontline jobs that can’t another piece of what is happening in just owned by the Federal Government. be done at home—even though their terms of the racial inequality in this That 28 percent of all the property in children are home from school or country. the United States that is owned by the childcare because they have had to Racial disparities are not in the past. Federal Government doesn’t take into close. They have more costs, but they Racism is not in the past. We are see- account the 27 million-plus acres that are on the frontlines, and they are the ing it every day right in front of our are also controlled by the Federal Gov- ones still working. In fact, 41 percent eyes. Now is the time to keep our eyes ernment. Those are areas where they of our essential workers are people of open. Now is the time to lift America do conservation mitigation. Those are color. The majority are women. That is up to the best we can be. We need to areas where they have land in trust for exposing them to both COVID–19 and pass the Justice in Policing Act, and other aspects. now layoffs. we need to pass the Heroes Act to put All told, around 30 percent of the While more than 12 percent of White people ahead of profits in this pan- United States is owned or controlled by Americans are out of work, nearly 17 demic and close the gaps in invest- the Federal taxpayer, by the Federal percent of Black Americans have lost ments in our communities that have Government. That would all be fine their jobs so far. No single piece of leg- created the racial disparities we see and good if we were managing it well, islation, no matter how good, is going today in every part of our society and but we are not. On those properties to solve these systemic issues all at in every community, and we need to right now, we have almost $20 billion in once. We know that, but our con- pass the Voting Rights Advancement deferred maintenance backlog. That is tinuing actions can do that, if we are Act right now. That would be a great almost $20 billion just in things that aware and our eyes are open and we are thing to get done this week. haven’t been done and where the Fed- paying attention and we are doing the There is not much happening on the eral Government has proved to be a bad best we can on everything that we do. Senate floor right now. It would be land manager. That is why we need to pass the He- great if we could come together and all There is a bill that is coming this roes Act, passed by the House, as soon stand behind something as basic as week. It is on the floor now being de- as possible. It has been weeks now making sure that everybody fully has bated. The conversation is about this: since the House took action, and it is the right to vote in this country. How do we get better at maintaining critically important that we get that One of George Floyd’s high school the land that we have and how can we done. This bill gives premium pay to friends, Jonathan Veal, remembered actually purchase additional property? our frontline workers, so we are not that on their last day of 11th grade, There is something that has been just applauding them. That does not George turned to him and said: ‘‘I want around a long time called the Land and pay for their childcare while they are to touch the world.’’ Water Conservation Fund. The Land George Floyd has touched the world. working or for food or for keeping a and Water Conservation Fund has dol- He has touched the hearts of people roof over their own heads. We need to lars set aside from offshore oil revenue around the world. His horrific murder to be able to purchase areas of prop- provide hazard pay, premium pay, for has inspired a worldwide movement erty. That has happened for decades the people who are working when we against systemic racism and police now. The problem is we haven’t main- have the luxury of working at home. brutality. I know that is cold comfort tained that. Even with the property The House bill extends unemployment for his family and his friends who are that we buy that has maintenance benefits that are critical, strengthens missing him so much. issues, we don’t fix the maintenance emergency paid leave, and offers food It is time for us—all of us—to set issues when we purchase the property. and rent and mortgage assistance to high standards for law enforcement and The proposal on the table this week families who need it. the quality of life we want for all of is to double the amount of land acqui- That is why it is so important to pay our families. It is time to hold each sitions that we have and to be able to attention every time legislation comes other accountable to live up to our solve the maintenance issue that we to the floor and that we evaluate highest and best ideals as Americans. have had for a long time. This con- through the lens of how this affects ev- George’s last breath cannot be the last versation about the backlog and main- eryone. How does this affect the poor? word. tenance has been an ongoing issue. How does this affect communities of I yield the floor. There is finally a resolution to it. color? Are we doing everything we can The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Here is the resolution. After years to make sure we are not adding to the ator from Oklahoma. and years of debating a resolution racial disparities or economic dispari- H.R. 1957 about how to reduce spending in one ties that have lived with us for way too Mr. LANKFORD. Mr. President, the area so we can make sure we can do the long? Federal Government currently owns maintenance we need to do, the final Senate Democrats, looking at every about 640 million acres of land in the decision was made to be able to put a piece of legislation, paid attention on United States, which means 640 million bill together that just says: Forget it; the Paycheck Protection Act, and we acres is owned by the American people, let’s just all add it to debt. Let’s just were successful in amending it to en- and that is about 28 percent of all the completely do debt purchasing of all of sure that minority-owned businesses land mass of the United States. If you our maintenance stuff. We will figure and underserved communities would round the number up, let’s say, a quar- out some decades in the future how to receive the same business help and the ter of all the property in the United be able to pay for that, rather than dis- same access to capital as majority- States is owned by the Federal tax- cerning how to pay for it now because White businesses. payers. When you can break that down, there is not an offset on how to be able It was a real fight to get that done. It people immediately think it is all the to pay for the maintenance. was a struggle. It should not have been. National Park Service. Actually, the The maintenance needs to be done. It When people say racial disparities are National Park Service is a small is not a shock to anyone. I brought pro- in the past, I say it is right here, right amount of that. posals to this years ago, saying: Why now. When we look at moving forward The Bureau of Land Management don’t we split the dollars we have in on legislation, we need to see who is holds about 244 million acres, followed the land and Water Conservation Fund, helped, who is impacted, is it fair, and by the U.S. Forest Service with 192 use half of those dollars to purchase does everybody have a fair shot? million acres, Fish and Wildlife Service new properties and half of it just to be Today, once again, we see in Georgia with 89 million acres, and then the Na- able to work on maintenance? why it is outrageous that MITCH tional Park Service right at 80 million That was denied. They said: No, that MCCONNELL has been blocking a vote acres. The Department of Defense and is an irrational approach. We want to on the Voting Rights Advancement Act some other agencies hold another 34 buy more land and figure out later how that the House passed 187 days ago. It million acres. All together, there are to maintain it. was 187 days ago that they passed a bill 640 million acres and growing. We are at that point where we have to restore the Voting Rights Act, with This doesn’t even account for all of to figure out how to maintain it be- no action here in the Senate. This the land that is controlled by the Fed- cause an almost $20 billion backlog in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Jun 11, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JN6.054 S10JNPT1 CTELLI on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE June 10, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2863 maintenance is rising up and scream- Defense or Department of Education or us to purchase new properties, but to ing at us all over the country. Instead Health and Human Services, to take it make sure that we are actually man- of actually deciding how we are going out of that area and move it toward aging the properties that we purchase. to do it, this is a punt saying we will mandatory. Then they still left the It is a frustration for me that we are figure it out later. funds over in the appropriated side and not having amendments in this proc- Here is the fiscally responsible por- said: We are also going to spend those ess, that we are not having the oppor- tion of it. We are not going to do this dollars as well. tunity to be able to fix some of the forever just to work on maintenance The gimmick that this sets up is it things that are wrong with this bill— backlog. This is just for the next 5 allows those funds that were spent last because we do need to have Federal years that we will have additional year to be spent on the mandatory side lands, we do need to maintain the lands debt. Every single year we will spend this year and leaves a big hole on the that we have, but we do need to honor about $2 billion, all in debt money, to normal side that will just plus-up to our budgets for the future, as well. be able to do this, and then we will fig- spend for other things. Why would we say we really need to ure out in the sixth year how to be able My second idea is this: If we will not maintain all of this and purchase this, to take care of the rest. The fiscally re- split the dollars we normally use for but we don’t have a plan for how to do sponsible portion of this is to say we half of the purchase and half to main- it now and so we will just wait 6 years? are not doing infinite amounts of debt. tain, at least dedicate the dollars that We will have 5 years of debt spending, It will just be the next 5 years. were left and aren’t spent on some- and then we will somehow figure it out The problem is that in the sixth year thing else and spend those on mainte- 6 years from now. we will still have a maintenance back- nance, because then we will only have Five years ago we were talking about log. We will still have issues, and there half a billion dollars of new deficit this very same issue. We haven’t come is still not a plan to pay for the first rather than what this does at $2.5 bil- up with an answer in the past 5 years $20 billion for what is still coming. lion of new deficit spending. because no one has been willing to say My challenge is figuring out what we The first challenge is to split it. we have to do less so we can take re- can do with a bill that we need to fix. The second challenge is take the dol- sponsibility for what we have. We just We need to be better managers of our lars that were ‘‘left over’’ in appro- want to do more and not have the ac- land, but we are managing our land by priated dollars and just dedicate that countability. So from 5 years ago to 5 not managing our debt and not making to only doing the maintenance funds years later now, to 5 years from now, the hard decisions that people have to that need to be done. when this bill ‘‘expires,’’ we will still make. At your home, you can’t just The third idea is pretty simple, as have maintenance issues. We need to start making hard deci- say: Everything needs to be fixed, but I well. This has a 5-year tail on it on the sions. Some of those hard decisions can’t afford it; so I will take out more maintenance, at about $2 billion a year deal with the budget and making debt, and I will fix everything. of additional debt spending. I would choices and saying that there aren’t We have to make decisions on what is just say that if we are only going to do any options to instead saying: There going to have to wait so we can do this maintenance for 5 years, we should are options that I may not like as well because it is more important. That is only do the purchasing, which is the as the ‘‘just do everything all at once’’ the kind of thing I would like to be big chunk of this, for 5 years, as well, option. so that we sunset both of them. We are able to see with this. But there are options on how to do Let me run through basic ideas. They not going to have this big plus-up and this, and we should have this debate to are all amendments that were already more and more purchasing at the same be able to figure out how to manage brought up that say: Here are logical time we have no plan to maintain it these dollars better. Maybe we will 5 ways to be able to fix this, beginning long term. As long as we are going to years from now. with the most basic of them. Take part maintain it, we will also do purchasing. I yield the floor. of the money that already exists for Just sunset it. That seems common The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the Land and Water Conservation Fund sense as well. ator from Arkansas. to purchase new land, and then split it, Here is a fourth idea. When you pur- UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST saying we are going to dedicate dollars chase new properties, make sure that Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, a free to maintenance and also have dollars with the dollars that are used to pur- society depends on the rule of law, to buy new properties. We will not be chase it, there are also dollars set aside which is the foundation for public able to buy as many as fast as we want. to fix what is broken on it. order and peace. Police are the indis- We will not be able to fix as many We often find that when people want pensable guardians of that law. We things as we want, but we are not add- to sell property to the Federal Govern- rightfully honor them for the risks ing additional debt spending to do it. ment, it is because there are major they assume every morning when they These are the same decisions that fam- problems on the land already, and they put on the badge and sometimes the ilies make all the time. I would love to can’t get another private seller. So bulletproof vest, knowing they may have the nicer car. I can have the nicer they want to sell it to the Federal tax- not come home at night to take them car if I just save up for several years to payer, knowing there are problems in off. get it. infrastructure on that property. But the police have a sworn duty to That is one recommendation. We buy property with major mainte- wield their power with justice. They There is a second recommendation to nance needs already on it, and it just take an oath never to betray their this. There is a portion of this that backs up our backlog of maintenance character or the public trust. They gets into the budget scheming of every- even more. Put a requirement in that must hold themselves to the highest thing that goes on. Part of what is hap- says when we buy property, part of the standard and overwhelmingly do so. pening to the Land and Water Con- purchase of it is also setting aside dol- But in the cases when they do not, servation Fund is moving it—brace lars for maintenance, so we have to fix the consequences can be devastating. yourself from budget gimmicks here— it right then, rather than add it to the What happened last week to George to what is called appropriated dollars backlog of maintenance issues. That Floyd in Minnesota was horrific. He that we vote on every year to manda- makes common sense. was killed by police officers—dying at tory dollars you only vote on once and That also is not getting a hearing the hands of men who pledged to pro- every year it keeps going. Think of it right now. I think that is a problem. tect and serve their communities. like Social Security. Social Security There are commonsense things that I am glad that justice appears to be was voted on a long time ago and keeps don’t drive us further into debt, that moving swiftly in George Floyd’s case. going year after year. We don’t vote on aren’t going to cause years and years The officers who participated have it each year. It happens because it is of problems in our budget, that main- been terminated from the department, mandatory. tain the properties that we have— and the criminal process is well under- The idea in this bill was to move the maybe not as fast as we want to, but way. spending from being appropriated each its starts getting after our backlog of But this is little consolation to many year like we do with the Department of maintenance—that continue to allow Americans, including many Black

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Jun 11, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JN6.055 S10JNPT1 CTELLI on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE S2864 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 10, 2020 Americans, who feel they have experi- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, there word of that resolution itself—a resolu- enced unjust, unequal interactions are millions of people in America tion which, I will say again, calls for with law enforcement. Many have pro- marching in the streets to reform our justice for George Floyd and for all vic- tested peacefully for change in the fin- police practices, to ask for equality, to tims of excessive force, as well as op- est tradition of our country. And in ask for racial justice. poses radical efforts to defund the po- sharp contrast to the rioters and We have seen in the savage death of lice. looters, who have exploited this trag- George Floyd, we have seen with So I will only conclude that the mi- edy for their own purposes, we must Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric nority leader is here to speak on behalf now seek to reveal national unity from Garner, and in so many other instances of the Democratic Party and defend the wreckage of broken trust and bro- that our police departments need real this radical idea to defund the police, ken glass on our streets. To do this, we reform. since he is unwilling to cite what part will need to be guided by our Nation’s There is a demand of Americans that of that resolution he opposes. noblest principles, while rejecting the we act—and act soon. The resolution And now, Mr. President, I yield the anti-American suggestions of radicals my colleague offers is rhetoric, not ac- floor. who want a revolution. tion, and the great worry so many Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, as the Every American deserves to be treat- Americans have is that so many on the gentleman heard, we need action, not ed equally by their government, as other side will feel rhetoric and then rhetoric. That is the objection because guaranteed by our Constitution and try to let this go away. we believe that too many on that side our country’s most fundamental prin- We demand action, and we demand it of the aisle will not want to act and, ciple that all men are created equal. now—real action, not rhetoric—to re- therefore, for them to be content with There is no greater bulwark to tyranny form our police departments in a fair rhetoric will not serve any good pur- and injustice than that old, simple and comprehensive way. That is what pose. proposition. But we must reject efforts the Justice in Policing Act does. We We can debate all of these issues to scapegoat and demonize all police need it on the floor now, as soon as the when we have a real bill on the floor for the actions of a few, and we must House passes it. and we are moving forward to bring reject radical proposals to dismantle Very few of us believe that Leader justice. My resolution does just that. It and defund police departments, as some MCCONNELL will put it on the floor, but says very simply—very simply—that have suggested. we want him to. We demand he does. the minute the House passes the Jus- These proposals are offered in the Again, the resolution by my friend tice in Policing Act, the pending busi- spirit of revenge that would lead only will do nothing—nothing. It is rhetoric. ness here in the Senate is that act, so to more crime, more lives lost, and We demand action. we can debate it and we can hopefully more sorrow. The communities that And so in a minute, I will be asking pass it. Some may choose to modify it would be hit the hardest by the dis- unanimous consent that upon receipt in whatever way they choose, but rhet- appearance of police would be the most of H.R. 7120, the Justice in Policing Act oric is no substitute for action when disadvantaged. When police are under- of 2020, the pending business here in the American people, overwhelmingly, staffed and undertrained, there is the Senate, after it passes the House, in the streets, peacefully, proudly, greater risk of mistakes and mis- be that bill, so that we are forced and strongly demand action. conduct, not to mention higher rates of required to debate it. UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST crime. And at that point, my friend from Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- By contrast, a well-staffed, well- Arkansas or anyone else can do what- sent that the Senate proceed to the im- trained, and well-respected force is a ever they want, but not in an empty mediate consideration of a resolution blessing to its community and a field of rhetoric and no action, when at the desk that would make H.R. 7120, scourge to criminals who threaten it. Americans demand action. the Justice in Policing Act, the pend- Defunding the police would be deadly. We need justice. We need racial ing business upon receipt from the It isn’t a solution but an insult to good equality. I object. House. I further ask that the resolution officers, and a threat to law-abiding The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- be agreed to and that the motion to re- citizens. tion is heard. consider be considered made and laid Americans are not blind to injustice. The Senator from Arkansas is recog- upon the table with no intervening ac- We all understand the hard work that nized. tion or debate. is needed to repair trust in this coun- Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, if the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there try, but defunding the police is not the Senator from New York would like to objection? answer. We need the rule of law and enter into a colloquy, I did not hear an The Senator from Arkansas is recog- equal just under law. We need them objection to a single sentence of that nized. both. resolution, to a clause of that resolu- Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, reserv- I urge my colleagues to join with us tion, to a word in that resolution, ing the right to object, I am a bit mys- in passing this resolution, which calls which calls for justice for George Floyd tified about what has happened here. for justice for George Floyd and other and other victims of excessive force We had a resolution on the floor, a cou- victims of excessive use of force, while and also says that the Senate opposes ple of pages, calling for justice for also honoring the law enforcement offi- radical ideas to defund the police. George Floyd and victims of excessive cers who keep us safe. So if the Senator from New York use of force, as well as condemning the Therefore, Mr. President, I ask unan- would like to explain to the Senate radical idea of defunding the police. imous consent that the Senate proceed what part of that resolution he opposes Now, the minority leader wants to to the immediate consideration of a and why he is objecting, I would wel- offer a resolution that would imme- resolution that is at the desk, calling come to hear his answer. diately make the pending business of for justice for George Floyd and oppos- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I have the Senate—at some distant, specula- ing calls to defund the police. I further a resolution at the desk. tive time in the future—a piece of leg- ask unanimous consent that the reso- Mr. COTTON. Reclaiming my time, I islation which, if I am not mistaken, lution be agreed to, the preamble be have not yielded the floor. hasn’t even been written and filed yet agreed to, and that the motions to re- So I would just point out this. Let’s in the House of Representatives. Now, consider be considered made and laid be clear what just happened here. We maybe it has been written in the last upon the table with no intervening ac- have a resolution. It is a couple of day or two and I am not aware that tion or debate. pages long. The Democrats have had it they filed that bill, but it certainly The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there for 24 hours. Until just moments ago, hasn’t been debated and voted on in the objection? we had no indication that they planned House of Representatives. Mr. SCHUMER. Reserving the right to object or that they had any other There is all the time in the world to to object. contrary resolution. decide what is going to be the pending The PRESIDING OFFICER. The We have heard objection from the business in the U.S. Senate when the Democratic leader is recognized. Senator from New York not to a single Senate acts, but we have a resolution

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Jun 11, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JN6.048 S10JNPT1 CTELLI on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE June 10, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2865 right in front of us that condemns the H.R. 1957 Land Tawny with the Backcountry unjustified killing of George Floyd, Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, it is an Hunters and Anglers said this: calls for justice for his death and all honor to stand here today in support of Sportsmen and women have been the lead- those victims of excessive use of force, one of the most historic pieces of con- ing voices in this effort to fully fund the and also—since the Senate opposes the servation legislation in decades—some Land and Water Conservation Fund as well radical idea—of defunding the police. are saying 50 years. as providing maintenance funding for the agencies that manage places critical for pub- Yet, the Democratic leader, on behalf The Great American Outdoors Act lic access and fish and wildlife. Our public of his party, objected to that without will have a lasting impact on genera- lands and our waters have traditionally been citing a single word, a single clause, a tions to come. That is why, as Mon- places of refuge, of solace, and of adventure. single sentence that he finds objection- tana’s voice in the Senate, I am stand- Never has this been truer than right able. I assume it is because they do, in ing here today to make the Great now when we need to recenter and get fact, want to defund the police. American Outdoors Act a reality. our minds right. Now is the most stra- I know he keeps talking about rhet- Over the last few days, we have seen tegic time for investing in these places oric versus action. I will just remind very strong bipartisan support both of refuge by funding shovel-ready you that the Senate, on almost every here in the Senate and around the Na- projects that sustain important habi- day we are in business, passes multiple tion. Senators from both sides of the tat, increase public access opportuni- resolutions by unanimous consent. If I aisle, representing States all across our ties, and get people back to work. am not mistaken, I think the Demo- great Nation, have been coming down Mayor Bill Cole of Billings said: cratic leader was on the floor last week to the floor to share stories and photos Over the years, Billings has received al- trying to pass a resolution condemning and to show support for the bill. It is a most $2 million to fund construction repairs the President once again. So the idea very personal piece of legislation be- on our parks. The Great American Outdoors that we don’t pass resolutions express- cause we all love the outdoors. Act will be a great help as we plan future projects that address the backlog of mainte- ing the sense of the Senate or, for that At this point, plenty of us have spo- nance needs. Parks and trails are critical to matter, there is a choice between pass- ken in support of this bill, but today I our Western quality of life, they attract visi- ing such a resolution and taking action want to share some quotes from Mon- tors, and they support our economy. is simply foreign to the way the Senate tanans who are also in support of the The city manager of Great Falls, acts every single day. Great American Outdoors Act. Greg Doyle, said this: I will just say again that what we are David Brooks from Montana Trout For many years, the city has utilized the seeing here is the Democratic leader Unlimited says: LWCF appropriations to complete a wide va- apparently objecting on behalf of the As the Senate takes up the legislation this riety of projects. These projects help support Democratic Party in defense of the rad- week, we are also excited to see progress on and develop park land and recreational fa- ical idea that we should defund the po- addressing decades of maintenance backlogs cilities for Great Falls residents and visitors. lice. I object to the Democratic leader. on our public lands that benefit our wild and Alex Kitchens with the Mystery The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ob- native fish and their habitat. Ranch. The Mystery Ranch—that jection is heard. Speaking of trout, this picture was sounds kind of mysterious, doesn’t it? The Democratic leader. taken at the Yellowstone River. The They actually make some of the best Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, the main channel is over here. There is a backpacks in America. In fact, when gentleman from Arkansas has made my little side channel as well. That is Emi- my wife and I and children get out in point. He talks about business as usual. grant Peak. That is in a valley called the wilderness area every summer, we This is not business as usual. The typ- Paradise Valley. It is appropriately all are carrying Mystery Ranch ical rhetoric, the kind of avoiding ac- named. It is south of Livingston—be- backpacks. They are some of the very tion which has been so, so endemic in tween Livingston and Gardiner. If you best. In fact, in the early days of this this Republican Party is showing itself were to come visit Yellowstone Na- company, back in the seventies when I again. If they wanted to act, they could tional Park, one of the entrances is in was going to high school in Bozeman, I have supported our resolution. They Gardiner, and that would be on the way had a Kletterworks pack. Kletterworks are trying to avoid it. We will not let to Yellowstone Park. was the precursor to Mystery Ranch. In that happen. As I mentioned before, that is, in fact, the book bag that I then took to I yield the floor. fact, where in 1979 we had our high Montana State University and carried Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, if the school homecoming dinner, and I my books in throughout my college ex- Democratic leader, again, would like to proudly took a date in a Griswold sta- perience in Bozeman—I took that same engage in a colloquy, I will ask him, is tion wagon with some couples, and we pack to the top of Granite Peak, our the bill that he wants to make the im- drove down to Chico’s. It is right by highest point in Montana, and the sum- mediate pending business of the Senate where this picture was taken. There mit of the Grand Teton, just south of even written in the House of Rep- are a lot of memories when I see a pic- Montana there—beautiful country out- resentatives? ture like that. There was a lot of fish side of Jackson, WY. It was a small Since he has departed, I guess the an- caught as I fished that river many, pack. We went very ultralight with swer to my question is, no, that bill is many times. I do it several times a bivy bags, kind of a sense of a quick up not even written and filed in the House summer. and down because of weather. We want- of Representatives, and certainly it has Ben Horan with Mountain Bike Mis- ed to get up there quickly on both not been voted upon in the House and soula says: peaks, and we made it. That was the precursor to the Mystery Ranch, which sent to the Senate for us to make it There is a good reason the Land and Water the pending business. Conservation Fund has enjoyed bipartisan are the packs we have today. They are So the objection you just heard, support since the 1960s. It is just good policy. larger packs. You can carry more again, didn’t object to a single word in For more than 55 years, LWCF has supported weight into the backcountry. our resolution, much less a clause or a and funded open spaces and public lands that Alex said this: The Great American sentence—a resolution that calls for we in Montana rely on for our work, for our Outdoors Act is landmark conservation justice for George Floyd and the vic- play, and for our way of life. to protect our public lands. The full tims of the excessive use of force, while Kyle Weaver from the Rocky Moun- funding of the LWCF is a benefit to our at the same time opposing radical tain Elk Foundation had this to say: parks and our forests at the local and Democratic proposals to defund the po- This important conservation program al- State level. We have Glenn Marx with the Mon- lice. I can only infer, since I didn’t hear lowed the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation tana Association of Land Trusts. I will a single objection to the language of to complete more than 80 land protection quote Glenn: our resolution, that the rub of the mat- and access projects that conserved more than 152,000 acres of habitat for elk and other ter is that the Democrats really do Passage of the Great American Outdoors wildlife. RMEF strongly urges Members of Act means LWCF funding and tremendous support defunding the police. the Senate and House to rally alongside Sen- rural community, national park, and out- I yield the floor. ator DAINES, pass this measure, and forward door recreation economic benefits for Mon- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- it to President Trump’s desk so it can be tana and the nation. More legislative steps ator from Montana. signed into law. to go. Let’s finish the journey.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Jun 11, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JN6.049 S10JNPT1 CTELLI on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE S2866 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 10, 2020 I couldn’t agree more, Glenn. Thank you. Officer has a lot more in his. Once Finally, I want to highlight a letter. I yield back. every year, a month or so before the It is a letter signed by every former The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- tax-filing deadline, usually March, I Secretary of the Interior, from Sec- ator from Delaware. would host townhall meetings in each retary Babbitt, who served in 1993, to FREE FILE PROGRAM of our counties, and we would invite Montana’s very own Secretary Ryan Mr. CARPER. Good afternoon, Mr. the IRS to come, along with the State Zinke. President and colleagues. I rise today Division of Revenue, to participate. We In fact, Ryan and I were Boy Staters to highlight some recent work that we would offer to the people of Delaware together back in 1979. Ryan was a jun- have done on the Senate Permanent the opportunity to ask questions not ior, soon to be a senior, at Whitefish Subcommittee on Investigations that just of me and my staff but of the IRS High School, and I was a junior, soon could help not hundreds, not thou- and the State Division of Revenue to be senior, at Boozman High in 1979. sands, not tens of thousands, not hun- about tax returns that were being filed. Little did we know when we were Boy dreds of thousands, but millions of It was something I loved. I love helping Staters then that Ryan, after a distin- Americans save some money when fil- people, and I know the Presiding Offi- guished military career in the U.S. ing their Federal income tax returns cer does as well. It was a real chance to Navy as a Navy SEAL, would go on to this year and in future years. help people in a timely way. be our Secretary of the Interior. As the ranking member of the sub- If you take that idea—and that was The letter says this: ‘‘The Great committee called the Permanent Sub- an idea for, I will say, the 20th century, American Outdoors Act will help en- committee on Investigations in the a 20th century idea, and it was a good sure a better, brighter future for na- Senate, my staff and I worked closely idea. But we have a 21st-century idea, ture and for all of us.’’ with a fellow named ROB PORTMAN of and it is called the Free File Program. By the way, if you look at those Sec- Ohio, who is the chairman of our sub- That is what I want to focus on now. retaries, those are Secretaries who committee, and with his team. He put Some people might be asking: What served under Democratic Presidents us all in a room together—Senator in the heck is the Free File Program and Republican Presidents. PORTMAN’s team, Republicans; our anyway? Going back to 1998—I was Needless to say, Montana has its fair team, Democrats—and wonder who is Governor then, and I think our Pre- share of support for the Great Amer- who and whose side they are on. You siding Officer might have been a House ican Outdoors Act, and the list of sup- wouldn’t know one side from the other. Member. I am not sure. But Congress port goes on. It is sort of like the Presiding Officer directed the IRS to work with the tax Montanans know what it takes to and I working together on recycling preparation industry to create a way conserve their public lands. Ensuring issues, with his team and mine. for Americans to file their taxes elec- full mandatory funding for the Land Senator PORTMAN and I, along with tronically. and Water Conservation Fund will our staffs, studied big problems and big This is around the time when the make sure our public lands are man- challenges facing Americans in Amer- first version of search engines like aged correctly and that Montanans and ica. We tried to identify commonsense Yahoo! and Google were being devel- Americans around the country will solutions in a truly bipartisan, almost oped and coming forward. Email ad- have better access to share public nonpartisan approach. That has char- dresses and web portals, like America lands. acterized the work of the sub- Online, were rapidly expanding the Dealing with the $12 billion mainte- committee not just for a couple of availability of internet services not nance backlog in our national parks years but for decades. just for homes but for schools and will be so beneficial for the employees For years, I have heard the following other places too. Suddenly, it was pos- who are working so hard in national question over and over again back sible to do a whole lot of things on the parks. We are seeing record visitation home, and the Presiding Officer prob- internet for the first time, including levels in many of our parks, but our ably has too. People in Delaware and I filing our taxes electronically. employee housing in many cases is ter- am sure in the Presiding Officer’s State Free File is the program that grew rible—crumbling infrastructure, waste- asked this question: Why can’t you all out of a mandate Congress issued, and water treatment systems that are in work together in Washington and get taxpayers were first able to take ad- desperate need of repair and upgrades. something done? That is what we do on vantage of the program in 2002. So my That maintenance backlog needs to be our Permanent Subcommittee on In- guess is the mandate from Congress to addressed, and that will improve the vestigations. We work together, and I the IRS to make this program avail- visitor experience. think we get a lot done. It is our bread able was about two decades ago, and When I think about our national and butter. I want to talk for a few the first time taxpayers were able to parks, I think of these parks as the of- minutes today about some of the work take advantage of that was a couple of fice of first impression. For visitors here on the Senate floor. years later, in 2002. who come to our great country from Over the past year, our sub- The program is really a partnership around the world, when they visit our committee has examined a whole between the IRS on the one hand and national parks, they leave with a pro- bunch of issues, and one of those issues tax preparation companies, like H&R found impression. It is what sets Amer- is relating to the IRS Free File Pro- Block and Intuit, to offer complete and ica apart from any other country—our gram. Earlier this week, we released a free online tax preparation and filing national parks, our outdoor heritage, short staff memorandum laying out services—not to all Americans but to and preserving and protecting that for our findings. most. Sixty percent was the original generations to come. Over the next couple of minutes, I goal, the original target. Today, it is The Great American Outdoors Act want to explain the genesis and the im- available to about 70 percent of all will directly impact everybody who portance of the Free File Program, Americans. visits, who recreates, and who enjoys what our subcommittee learned about This year, most taxpayers earning our public lands. This will be truly one it, and some of the things Congress and less than $69,000 could use Free File to of those defining moments for con- the IRS could do to improve the pro- file their taxes for free. That is why we servation that so many will remember gram and better serve taxpayers. call it Free File. I will say that again. for generations to come. It is one of I say to the Presiding Officer, I don’t This year, most taxpayers earning less these laws that we will pass, and when know if back in your home State you than $69,000 could use Free File to file the President signs it, it will truly be do townhall meetings, but I guess you their taxes for free. a legacy for future generations. It have done a bunch of them. I did a A lot of times, when you hear some- makes me smile just knowing that so bunch of them especially when I was a body offer you something for nothing, many others will be able to have our Congressman—hundreds of them—and for free, you say: Well, I am not sure I public lands to enjoy, just as my wife as Governor and even now. would want to do that. This is one that and I and my children all have done When I was a Congressman, every a whole bunch of taxpayers—about 100 and continue to do, once we pass the year we used to—we only have three million of them, in fact—can take real Great American Outdoors Act. counties in my State. The Presiding advantage of because according to the

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The website—I am look- mercial products and continuing to in- There is also the fact that the IRS ing to see where that website is listed. novate. There is nothing wrong with has not had a marketing budget for the I don’t see it here. Maybe it is on the that. I am told there are legitimate Free File Program in more than 6 back. I don’t think it is back there ei- reasons someone might want to pre- years. When we asked IRS officials to ther, but I will just say it. Here it is. vent a website from appearing in a explain the lack of marketing, they All they have to do is visit this website Google search result. However, it is im- told us a couple of things. Here is one to get started: IRS.gov/FreeFile. That portant that we make sure not to con- of the things we heard. They said: is it. That is a mouthful, isn’t it? That fuse taxpayers any more than they ‘‘Well, it may have been an IRS budget is IRS.gov/FreeFile. might already be confused when it decision as part of the broader reduc- As much as I do it—it is this close. comes to preparing their tax returns. tion in spending the agency received There it is: IRS.gov/FreeFile. I am It is also imperative to Senator over the last several years.’’ He said blind. There it is. PORTMAN, his staff, and my staff that ‘‘as part of the broader reduction in To my staff who prepared this for us, the lowest income taxpayers are able spending.’’ Actually, it was the broader thank you. to access the free filing services that reduction in appropriations the Agency From there, whoever clicks on this Congress wanted to be sure were avail- received over the last several years. address can choose to visit the indi- able for them. It is too easy for a tax- The Treasury Inspector General for vidual Free File website of one of sev- payer to click on a search result that Tax Administration came to pretty eral companies offering this service looks like a free filing option and wind much the same conclusion. Here is and choose the one that works best for up being charged for extra services what we got from the Inspector Gen- them. It sounds pretty simple, even to they didn’t want and, frankly, didn’t eral of the Treasury: The IRS was try- me. But only a few million taxpayers need. ing to ‘‘save money and be more effi- out of 100 million who are eligible use In fact, the Treasury Inspector Gen- cient.’’ the program every year. Clearly, we eral for Tax Administration estimates Well, we should make sure that we can do better than this. that more than 14 million taxpayers save American taxpayers money, no On our subcommittee, we started who qualified for the Free File Pro- doubt, especially at a time when every looking into Free File about a year gram used commercial software offered dollar counts for our family and, frank- ago, after reading news reports alleging by a Free File partner company and ly, for our government. With that said, what can Congress that some of the companies that par- may have paid a fee to file their 2018 do? What is our role here in the Senate, ticipated in the program were making Federal tax return when they did not in the House, in the Congress, and in it harder, not easier, for taxpayers to need to do so. Just think about that. the White House, in the executive find their Free File websites. This is Fourteen million taxpayers could have branch of our government and Treas- important, colleagues. This is impor- filed their Federal tax returns com- tant because very few taxpayers go di- ury? pletely free but instead ended up pay- As senior members of the Finance rectly to the IRS.gov address that I ing a fee. Committee, Senator PORTMAN and I mentioned right here—website. In- While it is entirely possible that have listened to former IRS Commis- stead, when most taxpayers are ready some of those 14 million people knew sioner John Koskinen, a great leader, to file their taxes, they use search en- they were using a commercial product and to the Government Accountability gines like Google, and they type in and chose to pay more, many simply Office led by Gene Dodaro, a wonderful phrases like ‘‘free online tax filing’’ or didn’t know they might have a better Comptroller General. We listened to ‘‘free tax return.’’ For search terms option. We have an obligation to make them lament the fact that, for years like these, Google might return thou- sure they know about it. Both Congress Congress has appropriated the IRS sands, maybe millions, of results. and the IRS need to do more to make with far less money than it needs to Those results could oftentimes be con- certain that taxpayers who are eligible provide adequate tax enforcement and fusing. Imagine that you are trying to for a free product and want a free prod- good customer service, as well as to get some information, and you get uct don’t end up paying for something better ensure that all Federal tax- thousands of ideas from searching on they should not have to pay for. It is payers are paying their fair share to Google. That can often be very con- that simple. fund our government and meet our fusing or just too much for a lot of us So how did this happen? Well, we many obligations. to try to wade through. have learned that part of the blame be- Despite a recent bump up in funding On top of that, we were able to con- longs to the IRS, which apparently has for the IRS in the past year, since fis- firm that 5 of the 12 companies that designated only three full-time em- cal year 2010—so over the last decade— participated in the Free File Program ployees—think about that—for how funding for the IRS overall has de- in tax year 2018, 2 years ago—that in- many people we have in this country? clined by $3.1 billion, after accounting cludes H&R Block, Intuit, TaxHawk, Three hundred-plus million? The IRS for inflation, while the number of indi- Drake Software, and TaxSlayer—ap- has designated only three full-time em- vidual taxpayers has increased by 13 parently took steps to actually prevent ployees to work on Free File and, I am million. That makes no sense to me. their Free File websites from even ap- told, has not conducted sufficient over- My guess is it doesn’t make much pearing in search results. So when sight over the program for years. For sense to most people. Let’s listen to someone searched on Google last year example, our Subcommittee on Inves- that again. Funding for the IRS—our for free tax help, they were likely to tigations learned that the IRS has not job is to appropriate money, among land on the website for one of the heav- completed a customer satisfaction sur- other things. Funding for the IRS, ily advertised commercial tax filing vey for the Free File Program since overall, has declined by over $3 billion, products. 2009. That is 11 years. That is right— after accounting for inflation, while Some of those commercial products since 2009, even though the Treasury the number of individual taxpayers have names that are similar to the Department’s Inspector General for who need to be served, who have ques- names companies have given their Free Tax Administration recommended tions to ask and tax returns to sub- File offerings. For example, H&R Block greater use of customer satisfaction mit—that number has gone up by 13 has a commercial product called Free surveys not last year or the year before million people. Online, and Intuit has one called Turbo that but as far back as 2007. These IRS budget cuts have impaired Tax Free Edition. These names sound a Despite Americans’ growing tendency both tax enforcement and taxpayer lot like the names given to the IRS to use search engines like Google to service operations. For example, re- Free File products, but they are not navigate the internet, the IRS and its duced funding has led to a reduction in

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To tens of mil- weren’t a human being’s life being less frustrations from the people we lions of American taxpayers. taken—this shocked us. and the IRS are serving, the people I want to encourage all eligible tax- By now, we all know how George who have sent us here to work for payers to visit IRS.gov/freefile—right Floyd called out, calling out for his them. here—IRS.gov/freefile—to ensure that mother, who had passed years ago, a All of this was before the coronavirus they have access to the free resources mother who loved him, whom he must pandemic forced the IRS to send thou- that are available to them. have seen coming to him in his final sands of its employees home. I would also ask everyone to help moments. ‘‘I can’t breathe,’’ he said— So as I prepare to wrap up here spread the word. Talk to your friends. the last words of a man on a street in today, let me say to all of our col- Talk to your family. When you are Minneapolis that have rocked the Na- leagues, those who are gathered here cooped up at home and you can’t go tion. They are three simple words that and those who are not—our colleagues anyplace, you are still locked down in mean so much and have so much reso- both here in the Senate and in the quarantine, what will you talk about? nance throughout our history; words House of Representatives at the other Talk about Free File; say: Here is a that, at their very heart, have helped end of this building—while it is impor- way we maybe could save some money, to define the moral issue of our coun- tant that we ask why the IRS didn’t do and our friends could too—instead of try, and that is slavery and the strug- a better job of overseeing the Free File taking a different course. gle—the long struggle for civil rights. Program and make clear that it must That is it. I will close with this. I The freedom to breathe and your life do more, it is equally important that like movies. I know the Presiding Offi- as your own are what were taken from we in the legislative branch of govern- cer likes movies. One of my alltime fa- men and women and their children ment and in the administration—this vorite movies and our colleague who when they were ripped from their coun- administration and future administra- has joined us, from Alaska, one of his tries and brought, in slavery, into this tions—provide the IRS with the tools alltime favorite movies—he has talked Nation. That is what was taken away and resources it needs to do the impor- about it many times—is ‘‘Back to the from Native Americans and Alaska Na- tant job it does. Future.’’ This is, in a way, back to the tives when they were forced off their The last time the IRS had a mar- future. lands. Back when I first got to the House, keting budget for their Free File Pro- The freedom to take the full breath we used to do this—as I said before gram, it spent between $750,000 and $1.5 of life is what is taken away from peo- Senator SULLIVAN and Senator CRUZ million marketing the program annu- ple when they are denied a quality edu- came to the floor—I talked about how ally to, gosh, probably 200—over 100 cation or housing in safe neighbor- every year, in every county in Dela- million—we will say close to 200 mil- hoods; when they are denied jobs or ware, we would do—there are only lion taxpayers. That sounds like a lot promotions when they get those jobs; three counties—we would actually do of money, but when you are talking when they are viewed, because of the townhall meetings, and we would have about over 100 million taxpayers, it color of their skin, as less deserving or folks in from the IRS and from the doesn’t go that far. I am not sure that as less able. State Division of Revenue to actually is a big enough budget given the large I applaud those who have peacefully help people prepare and file their taxes. number of taxpayers who seem to be taken to the streets throughout our We don’t do that anymore. Actually, unaware of Free File. Even a modest communities to protest against racism, we have something that is even better, amount of funding would go a long way and I also applaud the brave police offi- a whole lot better, and it is this Free toward ensuring that millions of eligi- cers and National Guardsmen all across File Program that the IRS has. It is ble taxpayers do not have to pay a the country who are protecting those available, if people just knew about it. dime to file their taxes online. I will close with these words. I wish I who need protecting and reaching out Well, colleagues, my staff and my could claim this as well. I wonder who to constructively engage peaceful pro- other colleagues often hear me say said this. Maybe one of our smart testers. The vast, vast majority of these—I think they are called apho- pages—if our pages were here, I would these law enforcement officers are hon- risms. One of my favorites is, find out ask one of the pages to figure it out. orable and risk their lives daily for what works and do more of that. Think Have you ever heard the saying: If a their fellow citizens, and we need to re- about it. Find out what works. Do tree falls in the forest and there is no- member that. more of that. Well, we found out on our body there to hear it, is there really a We are witnessing something that I subcommittee how we can strengthen noise? believe is an important moment, one and support this Free File Program. Think about that. If a tree falls in that has potential to move our country Let’s do it. Let’s not just talk about it. the forest and there is nobody there to in a direction toward a more perfect Let’s not just complain about it. Let’s hear it, is there really a noise? Well, if Union. This moment has promise. do it. Let’s begin by doing our part to we have a great program through the Senators are discussing with each provide—this year and in the years IRS to help millions and millions of other what kind of legislative action that follow—the IRS with the re- people file their taxes for free and they should be taken. For example, we had a sources it needs and, where necessary, don’t know about it, is there really a very good discussion on these issues the additional guidance it needs to benefit? I think, arguably, not. We can just yesterday led by my friend and make Free File work the way we in- do something about that. Let’s do it. colleague Senator TIM SCOTT of South tended it to work almost two decades I yield the floor to my friend from Carolina. State and community leaders ago. Alaska. are also having these discussions. Another thing I would like to say is The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Of course, we are a big country, and that in adversity lies opportunity. CRUZ). The Senator from Alaska. what might seem to be a good idea in Think about that. I wish I could claim RACISM one place wouldn’t be a good idea in that as my own. That is Einstein. In Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, there some other place. For example, one of the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, is no doubt that there is a lot of anger the enormous challenges in the great the filing deadline for taxpayers has in our country right now. We have seen State of Alaska that I have been fo- been pushed back, as we know, to July that anger being given voice all cused on for years is not enough law 15—not April 15, a month or a month throughout our communities and small enforcement, particularly in our rural and a half ago, but July 15. Here is towns and big cities. We have seen it in and Native communities, dozens of what that means. It means we have— our households, among our families, which don’t have any law enforcement taxpayers have—we have more time to our children, our friends. officers at all. So this is a huge prob- get the word out, the IRS has more The killing of George Floyd has lem in Alaska that can create horrible time to get the word out to eligible shocked us all. The video of a police of- situations, particularly when it comes

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Jun 11, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JN6.064 S10JNPT1 CTELLI on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE June 10, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2869 to violent crimes like sexual assault and what they want us to do and to see third Hispanic. My platoon sergeant and domestic violence. and hear from us. was an African-American marine So I am not a proponent of defunding Perhaps most importantly, named Willis Towns. He was out- the police, but something else that is Condoleezza Rice, in her op-ed, empha- standing in every way, Sergeant happening in America right now at this sizes something seemingly so obvious Towns. I learned so much from him moment are discussions—not just in but not spoken much: individual action about leadership. the halls of government but around and responsibility. She ends her piece His dream in life was to be the first dinner tables, among families and par- with this challenge that I put up here African-American sergeant major of ents and their kids and their friend on the posterboard. It is a really im- the entire Marine Corps. He never groups—on what can or should be done portant challenge for every American: reached that goal. A few weeks after I at the individual level, the individual So I ask my fellow Americans: What will attended a Martin Luther King, Jr., American level. This is certainly hap- each of you do? My personal passion is edu- ceremony with him in which he re- pening, for example, in my family. cational opportunity, because it is a partial ceived an award for his leadership in That was the main point of a power- shield against prejudice. It is not a perfect the community, he was killed in a ful and wisdom-filled op-ed by my shield, I know, but it gives people a fighting training accident. That was the worst chance. In my conversations, I want to dis- day of my life. Just a few years later, former boss, friend, and mentor, Sec- cuss why the learning gap for black kids is retary of State Condoleezza Rice last so stubborn and what can be done about it. the Marine Corps named another out- week, in the Washington Post. What is your question about the impact of standing African American to be Ser- Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- race on the lives of Americans? And what geant Major of the entire Marine sent that this op-ed be printed in the will you do to find answers? Corps. I remember thinking when the RECORD following my remarks. Those words in her op-ed—the chal- announcement came out: Congratula- It is entitled ‘‘This Moment Cries lenge—really struck me, and I have tions, Willis. You did it. You did it. Out for Us to Confront Race in Amer- thought long and hard all week about I believe that the military—deseg- ica.’’ Condoleezza Rice was the daugh- them since reading those words in the regated in 1948, nearly 20 years before ter of the segregated South, raised in Washington Post. the passage of civil rights legislation Birmingham, AL, during the height of Of course, as a Senator, I, with many by this body—is one of the most impor- the struggle for civil rights, with sit- of you, my colleagues, am taking part tant civil rights organizations in ins, riots, and even bombings hap- in discussions which I hope will lead to America. I am passionate about our pening in her city. collective action by our Federal Gov- U.S. military, but it can improve in When she was 8 years old, the Ku ernment to address some of the chal- terms of race. There are questions that Klux Klan bombed a local church in lenges our Nation certainly continues need to be asked about the record of Birmingham, killing four school-aged to have regarding race. But our military on these important issues. girls. One of those girls, Denise Condoleezza Rice’s question and chal- Yesterday was an important day in McNair, was a friend of Condi’s. They lenge is about personal passion and ac- the Senate with the unanimous vote to used to play dolls together. tion, and it is a question for every confirm Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., to Over five decades later, through hard American to consider. be Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. work, grace, dignity, and supreme in- I have an amazing Alaska Native wife For a whole host of reasons, I was prob- telligence, she rose to become one of from whom I have learned much about ably more involved in his confirmation the most powerful people in the world the serious issue of racism in my State than any other Senator. I had the op- as Secretary of State of the United against indigenous Alaskans and portunity to come to the floor yester- States, and I had the honor of a life- among the first peoples in our great day to speak strongly in support of his time to work for her for 5 years. Nation, but I have never experienced Senate confirmation. She recounts some of her journey in the kind of racism that many across I have had many discussions with this op-ed, which I encourage all of my our country have. General Brown over the past year, but colleagues and all Americans to read. I am a colonel in the Marines, an in- what surprised me was that I learned She reminds us: stitution I am very proud to be a part recently that yesterday’s vote was ac- Our country has a birth defect: Africans of, an institution that—like the Army, tually a historic vote for America. His and Europeans came to this country to- Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard—at confirmation, 98 to 0, was so historic gether—but one group was in chains. In its very heart, it isn’t supposed to mat- because General C. Q. Brown was just time, the very Constitution that counted ter what the color of your skin is, what confirmed yesterday by this body as slaves as three-fifths of a man became a pow- religion you practice, or what part of our first African-American service erful tool in affording the descendants of the socioeconomic ladder you come chief in the history of the United slaves their basic rights. That work has been from. The fundamental ethos of the States of America. long and difficult, but it has made a dif- Let me explain a little bit more ference. We are better than we were. Marine Corps and our military is sup- posed to be this: It doesn’t matter what about that. The Joint Chiefs of Staff She notes one harsh indicator of race you are. You are just a U.S. ma- consists of the service chiefs, the top progress. In Jim Crow Alabama, in her rine. four-star generals of the Army, Navy, youth, she says: Now, of course, the Marines and the Air Force, Marine, and Coast Guard, as [N]o one batted an eye if the police killed rest of the military don’t always meet well as the Chairman of the Joint a black man. There wouldn’t have been even Chiefs, with the notable exception of a footnote in the local press. this ideal, but they strive for it, even in ways that might seem puzzling to GEN Colin Powell, who was Chairman Yet now we are seeing hundreds of those who haven’t served. of the Joint Chiefs in the early 1990s. thousands across America take to the There is the story of the tough Ma- General C. Q. Brown, whom we con- streets peacefully to protest such in- rine Corps drill instructor shouting at firmed yesterday, will be the first Afri- justice. his raw recruits on day one of boot can-American service chief ever for In her piece from last week, she em- camp: any military service. Of course, this is phasizes that finger-pointing at this There is no racial bigotry here. In my eyes, good news in terms of racial progress moment will not help the cause: every one of you are equally worthless. My for America, but it also begs an impor- And if we are to make progress, let us vow orders are to weed out all non-hackers who tant question: Why did it take so long to check the language of recrimination at cannot serve my beloved Marine Corps. Do for this to happen, especially in one of the door. you maggots understand that? America’s institutions with probably Very wise words. We all need to focus That is the drill instructor. Again, it one of the best, longest records on posi- on emphasizing unity and empathy at is the ideal—equality in the U.S. mili- tive civil rights in our Nation? this moment—all of us. Senators, Gov- tary—but it is not always met. Some of the answers are surely hint- ernors, the President, the media—all of I remember how the first rifle pla- ed at in General Brown’s very moving us have this responsibility, and it is toon I commanded as a young second video address that he gave last week what the vast majority of our fellow lieutenant was literally about one- when he talked about what was on his Americans want. It is what they want third White, one-third Black, and one- mind in the wake of the horrible

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Jun 11, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JN6.065 S10JNPT1 CTELLI on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE S2870 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 10, 2020 George Floyd death. I would rec- portunities at the highest ranks of our emotions can be overcome—and often are— ommend that everybody take a look at military, then we need to know why with the respect that builds when people that. In the Air Force, he says he was and we need to work on addressing it know one another as human beings—as often the only African American in his friends, neighbors, co-workers and team- together. As a matter of fact, I just mates. squadron, and as a senior general offi- came from a full day of marking up the Still, we simply must acknowledge that so- cer, the only African American in the NDAA with Democratic and Repub- ciety is not color-blind and probably never entire room. What is he thinking about lican Senators, and we will be trying to will be. Progress comes when people treat during these challenging times? ‘‘I’m look at this issue, which we had a great one another with respect, as if we were color- thinking about wearing the same flight discussion on in our markup today. We blind. Unless and until we are honest that suit with the same wings on my chest need our military—like we need the race is still an anchor around our country’s as my peers and then being questioned neck, that shadow will never be lifted. Our rest of the country—to be a place country has a birth defect: Africans and Eu- by another military member, are you a where everyone who joins can breathe ropeans came to this country together—but pilot?’’ freely. This is one of the ways I am one group was in chains. In time, the very What else is he thinking? going to take up Condoleezza Rice’s Constitution that counted slaves as three- ‘‘I’m thinking about my mentors and challenge to her fellow Americans— fifths of a man became a powerful tool in af- how rarely I had a mentor who looked this important challenge—and I hope fording the descendants of slaves their basic like me.’’ my fellow Americans will find their rights. That work has been long and dif- ‘‘I’m thinking about the pressure I ficult, but it has made a difference. We are own individual ways to do this, as well. better than we were. felt to perform error-free, especially There being no objection, the mate- for supervisors I perceived had ex- I grew up in segregated Jim Crow Ala- rial was ordered to be printed in the bama, where no one batted an eye if the po- pected less of me as an African Amer- RECORD, as follows: lice killed a black man. There wouldn’t have ican.’’ [From the Washington Post, June 4, 2020] been even a footnote in the local press. So it He continues saying he was thinking is a source of pride for me that so many have about the conversations he was having THIS MOMENT CRIES OUT FOR US TO taken to the streets—peacefully—to say that with his sons and the immense respon- CONFRONT RACE IN AMERICA they care: that they, too, are sick and tired sibility that comes from his historic Condoleezza Rice was secretary of state of being sick and tired. Yet protests will nomination. He was thinking about from 2005 to 2009. She is a professor at Stan- take our country only so far. The road to how with this confirmation, he could ford University’s Graduate School of Busi- healing must begin with respectful but hon- ness and a senior fellow on public policy at make things better in the Air Force est and deep conversations, not judgments, the Hoover Institution, where she will be- about who we were, who we are and who we and America. come director on Sept. 1. want to become. Let us talk with, not at, Here is how I am going to take up Words cannot dull the pain of George each other—in our homes, schools, work- Condoleezza Rice’s challenge, as she Floyd’s family. Like many black families be- places and places of worship. And if we are to put forth for each individual American. fore them, they find themselves in the spot- make progress, let us vow to check the lan- I am going to ask questions—as she light for reasons that every parent, sibling guage of recrimination at the door. As prods us to do in this piece—on why, and spouse dreads. While his death has cata- united Americans, we can then turn our fears until yesterday, no African-American lyzed a symbolic call to action, he was not a into faith, hope, compassion and action. And four-star had ever been confirmed to be symbol to his loved ones—he was a father, then we can accept and carry out our shared a service chief in the U.S. military in brother and son. I can only pray that they responsibility to build ‘‘a more perfect find the ‘‘peace that passes understanding.’’ union.’’ the history of our country. In the wake of Floyd’s death, Americans Yet, any call to action will be empty if it We are introducing an amendment to and people around the world are experiencing does not move us to individual responsi- this year’s NDAA to get data on mi- shock, grief, outrage—a set of emotions that bility. We all have a role to play in moving norities and senior enlisted and officer too often are repeated. If the past is a guide, our country forward, in ensuring that our de- billets in the military—African Ameri- these feelings will fade and we will return to mocracy delivers not just for those who have cans, Alaska Natives, Native Ameri- our lives. but also for those who seek and for those in cans, Hispanic Americans and others. But something tells me—not this time. need. We know these are very patriotic seg- Floyd’s horrific death should be enough to fi- So I ask my fellow Americans: What will ments of our population. For example, nally move us to positive action. each of you do? My personal passion is edu- Perhaps this is like the moment in 1955 cational opportunity, because it is a partial Alaska Natives and American Indians when Rosa Parks refused to move to the shield against prejudice. It is not a perfect serve at higher rates in the military back of the bus. Or perhaps this is like that shield, I know, but it gives people a fighting than any other ethnic group in the fateful Sunday in September 1963, quite per- chance. In my conversations, I want to dis- country—what I refer to as special pa- sonal to me, when a bomb in a Birmingham cuss why the learning gap for black kids is triotism. church killed four girls from my neighbor- so stubborn and what can be done about it. Is this patriotic service reflected at hood and shook our nation to its core. Some What is your question about the impact of the highest leadership ranks of our six decades later, perhaps all of us—regard- race on the lives of Americans? And what military? If not, then, why not? less of skin color—are, to quote Mississippi will you do to find answers? I suspect that a lot of our military sharecropper and civil rights activist Fannie Mr. SULLIVAN. I yield the floor. leaders who have risen to the general Lou Hamer, ‘‘sick and tired of being sick and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- tired.’’ ator from Ohio. officers ranks—like General Brown or Our country has often moved forward and CORONAVIRUS other outstanding African-American been made better through peaceful protests. generals whom I have gotten to know But our cities must stop burning. Innocent Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I have or have the privilege of serving with, people, including many minority and immi- been thinking about the last time I was like Army GEN Vincent Brooks, grant business owners, are watching their in an airplane. It was mid-March. One former CENTCOM Commander GEN livelihoods go up in smoke. There is no ex- of the many great things about my Lloyd Austin, and Marine Corps Lt. cuse for looting and criminality, and offend- State is I can drive back and forth in Gen. Ron Bailey—will have insightful ers must be stopped. But a call for calm is the car for 6 hours. The last time I was not enough, either. This time, we must re- in an airplane was mid-March. That views on these important matters. main vigilant and maintain our determina- Our military is something I am very tion to make a difference. day in mid-March, South Korea had 90 passionate about, not only because it Beyond justice for Floyd, systemic change diagnosed cases of coronavirus. On the protects and defends our Nation, but is necessary to make our institutions more other side of the world, in the United because for decades, it has provided just. Yet all the structural reforms in the States of America, we had 90 cases of Americans of all colors and creeds with world are insufficient to remove the shadow coronavirus. the opportunity to rise up individually hanging over every incident of this kind. To Since then, fewer than 300 South Ko- and as a collective force for good in our be black is to be forced to overcome implicit reans have died. Their unemployment society and to enable members of the and explicit reactions to the color of your rate is under 4 percent. More than skin. It might be dismissiveness or under- 110,000 Americans have been killed by military to achieve their full potential estimation or presumption of how you think. and have a promising future after their In some circumstances, it might be fear. We this virus, and our unemployment rate service is completed. encounter these responses even among de- is the worst since the Great Depres- If there is some kind of obstacle for cent people who sincerely do not want to sion. This isn’t because South Korea minority advancement that stifles op- react that way. The good news is that these has smarter scientists or because

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Jun 11, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JN6.060 S10JNPT1 CTELLI on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE June 10, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2871 South Korea has better doctors or be- ludicrous in the middle of a pandemic to see reform and you will not tolerate cause South Korea has harder workers. than that people are put on the streets racism. All of you wish the President It is because of leadership. or people are forced to move in with a would stop tweeting. But those words Of course, Mr. President, you know cousin in an already-crowded second aren’t good enough. People are dying. because you ran against him. You floor apartment? Do you think that is Platitudes and press releases don’t get know the President is going to deny re- not going to spread this pandemic even us very far. They are not enough. You sponsibility. He is going to point fin- worse? need to put actions behind your words. gers. He is going to blame others. It is We have to have a rental assistance It is time for colleagues to join us to what he did as a failed businessman. It bill. We have a plan to put more money pass real solutions. It is time to stand is what he did as a TV celebrity. It is in people’s pockets so they can stay up to Leader MCCONNELL and say: Let what he did as a Presidential candidate afloat and keep spending in our com- us do our jobs. running against you, and it is what he munities. We have a plan to actually President Trump is not doing his job; has done as President. It is his whole protect workers on the job so they feel that is for sure. Leader MCCONNELL is life. He has denied responsibility. He safe going back to work. not doing his job; that is for sure. It is pointed fingers. He has blamed others. Yesterday, in committee, the Sec- time for all of us in this body to do our My colleagues all know that the buck retary of Labor told us there have been job. never stops in this Oval Office. 5,000 workplace complaints against em- It is time to stand up to the Presi- But what is disappointing is the ployers by employees saying their dent, to use every ounce of leverage we whisper-in-the-woods silence and feet- workplace wasn’t safe. Do you know all have to stop the racism, to stop the in-concrete inaction on the part of so how many citations the Department of division, to stop inciting violence. many of my friends this side of the Labor issued? One. There were 5,000 There is a leadership void in this coun- aisle. We know the President’s play- complaints and 1 citation. The Depart- try. I am waiting for my colleagues to book is to divide, to distract, to play to ment of Labor is supposed to rep- join us to fill it. I yield the floor. race, to divide the country and distract resent—surprise—labor, not corporate I suggest the absence of a quorum. from his failed leadership. So far, it has interests who have corporate leaders The PRESIDING OFFICER. The marginally been ‘‘like President, like who have no interest in keeping their clerk will call the roll. Senator.’’ workplace safe. The legislative clerk proceeded to Yesterday, the President started at- We have a plan to truly scale up test- call the roll. tacking a private citizen whom he is ing in this country so we can begin the Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, I ask supposed to serve, spreading conspiracy real test-trace-isolate plan we need to unanimous consent that the order for theories about a 75-year-old man peace- reopen safely. Leader MCCONNELL, the the quorum call be rescinded. fully protesting for change. What was leader of this body, the Republican The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. my colleagues’ reaction? It was the leader—elected, I assume, unanimously CRAMER). Without objection, it is so or- same whisper-in-the-woods silence, the by his Republican caucus—says he sees dered. same feet-in-concrete inaction, the hid- no urgency. Those are his words. He H.R. 1957 ing behind a column, behind a desk, sees no urgency on any of this. Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, right hiding behind a post, hiding from the We also have solutions to begin to fi- now we are debating the Great Amer- media. When the free press tried to ask nally tackle systemic racism that puts ican Outdoors Act, which would be them about it, when one journalist Black and Brown American lives at great if only it were balanced. My prob- even printed out a copy of the Presi- risk. This week my Democratic col- lem with the Great American Outdoors dent’s statement, some of my col- leagues and I joined Senator BOOKER Act is that it spends billions on places leagues physically refused to look at it. and Senator HARRIS to introduce legis- where we vacation, but the authors of You might be able to escape to your lation to make real meaningful re- the bill would not allow a few million office in this building, but you can’t ig- forms on how we do policing in this to be spent to protect the places where nore the people in cities and towns and country. Americans of both parties we live and we work and we help create neighborhoods in your State—in all of agree we need to rethink the role of the livelihoods for many. our States—who are demanding police and how we invest our tax dol- There is an amendment that would change. You can’t ignore the people lars in education, healthcare, and hous- do that that is bipartisan and that whom we serve. I implore my col- ing, and so much else. would not take any money away from leagues to listen to the calls for I am also introducing a resolution de- the billions that the bill is already al- change. The President may ignore claring racism a public health emer- locating for those places where we va- them. When he is not dividing, he is ig- gency. Let’s be clear: This pandemic cation. noring what citizens want to do, but we and racism in America are not separate First, let me kind of make my point. can do better in the Senate. We can problems. They are intimately con- Forty-two percent of Americans live in step in to fill that leadership void. We nected. A headline in the Atlantic put a county or parish adjacent to a coast- can answer those calls for change. We it well: ‘‘The Coronavirus Was an line—42 percent. Eighty-five percent of can tackle the problems we face as a Emergency Until Trump Found Out Americans live in a coastal State. But country. Who Was Dying.’’ of the billions that go into the Great We can start with the proposed solu- It is disproportionately Black and American Outdoors Act, of those bil- tions my colleagues and I have intro- Brown Americans dying of this virus. lions, 50 to close to 60 percent are spent duced to help people get through this It is Black and Brown workers who in seven States, seven localities, and if pandemic. We have a rental assistance have been on the job for months, expos- you exclude Washington, DC, and areas bill to help people pay their bills and ing themselves to the virus so grocery around Washington, it is not spent on stay in their home. Can you imagine stores stay stocked and packages keep coastal areas. anything worse than when the unem- getting delivered and hospital linens We are spending billions on places ployment benefit runs out at the end of keep getting changed. It is Black and where we go to vacation, but the au- July? Brown communities grieving the losses thors of the bill will not allow millions In the State of Texas, there are twice of their friends and neighbors. to be spent to protect where we live. as many. In my State alone, there are Here is what I wish more of my col- That is foolish public policy. We should more than a million people unem- leagues would understand: They are be investing in coastal resiliency. ployed. They are not all going to get our neighbors too. Breonna Taylor was Now, of course, the irony is, we are called back to work by the end of July. our neighbor. George Floyd was our going to spend billions on the coast. If the unemployment benefit stops, as a neighbor. The 110,000 Americans who Why? We have seen it. Harris County number of people and Senator MCCON- have died of this virus were our neigh- flooded—that is Houston; Florida flood- NELL seem to want it to, there will be bors. ed, the panhandle, other parts of Flor- evictions. There will be a wave of evic- Some of you expressed words of sym- ida; Puerto Rico; the American Virgin tions and people losing their apart- pathy. Thank you for that. Some of Islands; North Carolina; South Caro- ments. Can you imagine anything more you issued statements saying you want lina; Georgia; Hurricane Sandy in New

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Jun 11, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10JN6.061 S10JNPT1 CTELLI on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE S2872 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 10, 2020 Jersey and New York; Hurricanes Rita By the way, some of my fiscal con- ment of State for promotion within the Sen- and Katrina on the coast of Louisiana; servative colleagues—and I consider ior Foreign Service of the United States of also Mississippi and Alabama. myself a fiscal conservative—have America, Class of Minister-Counselor: We are going to spend billions. We weighed in against the Great American Michael J. Adler, of Maryland are going to spend billions, but we are Outdoors Act, saying that we are not Aruna S. G. Amirthanayagam, of New going to spend those billions in the paying for it; we are pretending to pay York Assiya Ashraf-Miller, of Virginia wrong way. We are going to spend for it. We are taking dollars that would Amber Michele Baskette, of the District of those billions on the coast repairing otherwise go to the Treasury—other- Columbia damage that could have been prevented wise go to the Treasury—and pre- Mark J. Biedlingmaier, of Virginia if we had spent millions now. tending like they are new dollars. That Joseph Bookbinder, of Virginia I draw attention to a flood wall, a is actually true. But what we can also Scott Douglas Boswell, of the District of levy, in Terrebonne Parish, LA, which say is that if we add the amendment, Columbia was recently completed. So we had a the Coastal Act, which I worked on Matthew Gordon Boyse, of the District of Columbia high-water event where flooding came with Senator SHELDON WHITEHOUSE—he off the Gulf of Mexico. Ten thousand Natalie E. Brown, of Virginia has been a great partner to work Mark Joseph Cassayre, of Virginia homes were not flooded because that with—we actually would be paying for Carol-Anne Chang, of Virginia flood protection had been erected. Ten it. We would be paying for it by putting Karen K. W. Choe-Fichte, of Washington thousand homes were not flooded. in the coastal resiliency that will pre- Eric Scott Cohan, of Florida All I am asking is for the authors of vent the future billions from having to Robin Lisa Dunnigan, of Virginia this bill to allow a few million to be be paid to pick up the pieces after a Jewell Elizabeth Evans, of Mississippi spent where people live, where people hurricane hits a populated area. Steven H. Fagin, of the District of Colum- work, where people help others earn I will speak again on the floor tomor- bia their living, and they can still have row, but I just want to make the point Eric A. Fichte, of Washington Karen A. Finer, of the District of Columbia their billions to spend on the places that the Great American Outdoors Act Jonathan Fritz, of Virginia where we vacation. spends billions where we vacation, fix- Joshua D. Glazeroff, of Virginia I don’t want to minimize the need to ing things that we don’t wish to get Richard Harris Glenn, of Virginia take care of our national parks. When worse. The Coastal Act does not take John T. Godfrey, of Virginia someone speaks of a leaky roof, and if away from these billions—these bil- Jennifer Hall Godfrey, of Virginia you fix it early, then fixing it early lions that are spent on places where we Ralph A. Hamilton, of Texas keeps the damage from getting great- vacation; these billions spent where Michael P. Hankey, of the District of Co- er—that makes sense. We should find a people do not live—it just spends mil- lumbia way to pay for it, but it makes sense Michael G. Heath, of Virginia lions, a paltry few million trying to Robert B. Hilton, of Michigan that you would do that. How much add resiliency to where we do live, to Colleen Anne Hoey, of Virginia more so when we are speaking about where we do work, to where we do cre- Paul D. Horowitz, of Virginia coastal resiliency? ate livelihoods not just for ourselves Edgard Daniel Kagan, of Virginia I was told recently that the Army but for others, and that is a fiscally Kristin M. Kane, of California Corps of Engineers wants to build a $3.5 sound, fiscally conservative way to Lisa S. Kenna, of Maryland billion floodgate in Miami to prevent spend dollars. That would save Treas- George P. Kent, of Virginia Miami from flooding—$3.5 billion. We ury money, and it would save lives and Yuri Kim, of the District of Columbia are going to spend billions on the Adam Duane Lamoreaux, of Virginia maybe give people a little extra money Kathleen G. Lively, of Virginia coast; it is just a question of whether to spend in these parks we are spending Theodore J. Lyng, of Virginia we do it in reaction, or whether we do billions to fix up. Meredith Clare McEvoy, of Virginia it in kind of ‘‘we have to fear the Mr. President, I thank you, and I Alan D. Meltzer, of Virginia worst,’’ or whether we do it like in yield the floor. Manuel P. Micaller, of California Terrebonne Parish—building a flood The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- Mitchell R. Moss, of Texas wall now so that 10,000 homes don’t jority leader is recognized. Virginia E. Murray, of Maryland Courtney Robin Nemroff, of New York flood. f It is my disappointment that the au- Robert W. Ogburn, of Maryland thors of this legislation will not allow EXECUTIVE SESSION Kevin M. O’Reilly, of Virginia Sandra Springer Oudkirk, of Virginia this bipartisan amendment to be added. Matthew A. Palmer, of Virginia By the way, we have heard that EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Woodward C. Price, of Virginia Democrats are OK with the amend- David Jeremy Ranz, of Maryland Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ment, but for whatever reason, the au- Joel Richard Reifman, of Florida ask unanimous consent that the Com- thors will not allow it. David Dale Reimer, of Virginia Let me show you one other thing, mittee on Foreign Relations be dis- Hugo F. Rodriguez, of Virginia just to make the point. The Great charged and the Senate proceed to ex- Dominic A. Sabruno, of Virginia American Outdoors Act actually has ecutive session for the consideration of Micaela A. Schweitzer-Bluhm, of Cali- fornia two pots of dollars, if you will. One is PN1704, with the exception of Aziz Younes; that the nominations be con- Behzad Shahbazian, of Maryland for deferred maintenance—again, 50 to Greg Alan Sherman, of Virginia 60 percent of that goes to seven States. firmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the Jefferson D. Smith, of Virginia But this shows where the Land and James Broward Story, of Florida table with no intervening action or de- Water Conversation money goes. Ronald W. Stuart, of Virginia These are the coastal States. This is bate; that no further motions be in Gavin A. Sundwall, of the District of Co- where people live, and these States, on order; that any statements related to lumbia average, per capita, get $7.53 from the the nomination be printed in the Tracy Jo Thomas, of Virginia Land and Water Conservation Fund. RECORD; that the President be imme- Gregory Dean Thome, of Virginia Jennifer S. Tseng, of Colorado These blue States in the interior—some diately notified of the Senate’s action and the Senate resume legislative ses- Heather Catherine Variava, of Virginia of them populated, some of them not— Steven Craig Walker, of Virginia on average get $17.66 per capita. We are sion. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Robert Patrick Waller, of Maryland sending money to where people don’t Jan Liam Wasley, of the District of Colum- objection, it is so ordered. live to fix vacation spots, which are bia The nominations considered and con- important, but it is not where we live, Matthew Alan Weiller, of Virginia firmed are as follows: and we are not spending money where Scott Weinhold, of Virginia PN1704 people do live, where their homes are, Eric Paul Whitaker, of the District of Co- lumbia where their cities are, and where, if we Ordered, That the following nominations be referred to the Committee on Foreign Rela- Edward Anthony White, of Virginia don’t enhance resiliency, we are going tions: Thomas Kavon Yazdgerdi, of Virginia to spend billions when the hurricane The following-named Career Members of Hugo Yue Yon, of Maryland hits. This is foolish public policy. the Senior Foreign Service of the Depart- Joseph Michael Young, of California

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