E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 117 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

Vol. 167 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 No. 17 Senate The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was of Nevada, to perform the duties of the about it—he will be confirmed. This called to order by the Honorable JACKY Chair. dilatory action will not succeed, but it ROSEN, a Senator from the State of Ne- PATRICK J. LEAHY, will prevent the Senate from doing vada. President pro tempore. other important business. Ms. ROSEN thereupon assumed the It has become a point of pride for the f Chair as Acting President pro tempore. Republican leadership to say that they PRAYER Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I are treating President Biden’s nomi- nees more fairly than Mr. Trump’s, but The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- suggest the absence of a quorum. I remind my colleagues that former fered the following prayer: The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- pore. The clerk will call the roll. President Trump had his first DHS Let us pray. Secretary, Secretary Kelly, confirmed Lord, we look to You for refuge. You The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. on his Inauguration Day. are master of ocean, Earth, and sky. There is a reason that there has been Every good thing we have comes from Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order bipartisan cooperation in the past to You. Your wisdom is worth much more confirm the Homeland Security Sec- than silver or gold. Though troubles for the quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- retary. Whatever our differences on multiply in our Nation and world, You policy, both parties have agreed that simply need to speak to bring order pore. Without objection, it is so or- dered. the prolonged delay of these nomina- from chaos and harmony from discord. tions is no good—no good—for our na- Lord, use our lawmakers and instruct f tional security. them in Your precepts. Inspire them to RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY That is particularly the case right live for Your glory. Use them to hasten LEADER now. Our government recently suffered the day when Your will will be done on The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- an unprecedented cyber attack. In the Earth, even as it is done in Heaven. wake of January 6, the threat of vio- We pray in Your loving Name. Amen. pore. The majority leader is recog- nized. lence and domestic terrorism remains f a great concern. But because of the f tactics of some Republican Members— PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE NOMINATIONS particularly the junior Senator from The Presiding Officer led the Pledge Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, Missouri—Mr. Mayorkas’s nomination of Allegiance, as follows: over the past week, the Senate has is being needlessly stalled. My friends on the other side don’t I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the been confirming President Biden’s Cab- have to agree with Mr. Mayorkas on United States of America, and to the Repub- inet nominees with significant co- the final points of every policy. I am lic for which it stands, one nation under God, operation between both parties. Today, sure they don’t share the exact views indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. however, the Republican minority has of every appointment to a Democratic forced the Senate to jump through a f President’s Cabinet. But that is not a series of procedural hoops that will fur- sufficient reason to oppose a nomina- APPOINTMENT OF ACTING ther delay the confirmation of one of tion, especially one as important as PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE our country’s chief national security Homeland Security. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The officials, the Secretary of Homeland You don’t have to take my word for clerk will please read a communication Security. it; listen to Michael Chertoff, Presi- to the Senate from the President pro It has now been 8 days since Presi- dent Bush’s former DHS Secretary. He tempore (Mr. LEAHY). dent Biden was sworn into office, and said: as a result of an objection from one The senior assistant legislative clerk If members of Congress want to contest read the following letter: Member—just one Member from the elements of [Biden’s] proposal[s], they are U.S. SENATE, Republican minority—it will be an- free to do so. . . . But hostage taking is not PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, other 4 days until we can complete the an appropriate way to do this, particularly if Washington, DC, January 28, 2021. confirmation of Mr. Mayorkas to be a result of that is to put the lives of [the To the Senate: our next Secretary of Homeland Secu- American people] in jeopardy. Under the provisions of rule I, para- rity. What could have been the tidy Chertoff went on to say that actions graph 3, of the Standing Rules of the work of a few hours on President to thwart Mayorkas’s nomination were Senate, I hereby appoint the Honorable Biden’s first day will drag on for a ‘‘irresponsible and unconscionable.’’ JACKY ROSEN, a Senator from the State week and a half. Make no mistake ‘‘Irresponsible and unconscionable’’—

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

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A28JA6.000 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S182 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 28, 2021 that is President Bush’s former Sec- al financial crisis and it took years— radicalism of the modern Democratic retary of Homeland Security, not a years—for the economy to get out of Party seems dug in. Fortunately, polit- Democrat. recession. We must not repeat that ical dynamics change, but the moral Well, the Senate is not going to tol- mistake today. truth does not. Executive orders can’t erate this irresponsible and uncon- So the Senate, as early as next week, alter the basic science of human life. scionable delay. Despite the tactics will begin the process of considering a So I thank my fellow Kentuckians and from the Republican side, the Senate very strong COVID-relief bill. Our pref- all Americans who are participating. will begin work on this crucial nomina- erence is to make this important work We will see you in person next year. tion today, and he will be confirmed. bipartisan, to include input, ideas, and f f revisions from our Republican col- leagues or bipartisan efforts to do the BUDGET CORONAVIRUS same. But if our Republican colleagues Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, Mr. SCHUMER. Now on COVID, decide to oppose this urgent and nec- now, on a totally different matter, the Madam President, quickly, this Cham- essary legislation, we will have to country has waited to see whether the ber must also consider additional relief move forward without it. We have a re- new administration would follow a pro- for the American economy and the sponsibility to help the American peo- job, pro-worker, pro-working family American people suffering from the ple fast, particularly given these new approach or give in to the far left and prolonged effects of COVID–19. Con- economic numbers. The Senate will put ideological concerns before kitchen gress must pursue a bold and robust begin that work next week. table ones. Unfortunately, we didn’t course of action to defeat the disease, I yield the floor. have to wait long. recover our economy, and get our coun- I suggest the absence of a quorum. As recently as October, now-Presi- try back to normal. Again, our country The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- dent Biden said: ‘‘You can’t [legislate] requires bold and robust action. pore. The clerk will call the roll. by executive action unless you’re a dic- A trio of economic news items this The senior assistant legislative clerk tator.’’ Well, in 1 week, he signed more week has underlined the glaring needs proceeded to call the roll. than 30 unilateral actions, and working in the country. Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, Americans are getting short shrift. First, the Federal Reserve issued a I ask unanimous consent that the order The President abruptly canceled the sobering warning yesterday that the for the quorum call be rescinded. Keystone Pipeline, a massive setback pace of economic recovery is weak- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- for energy security in North America. ening, and as a result, they decided to pore. Without objection, it is so or- The Canadian leader called it ‘‘a gut leave interest rates low. dered. punch.’’ I imagine the 11,000 American Second, the unemployment report f workers, including 8,000 union workers this morning reminded us that jobless who were counting on that work, feel claims are still extremely high—at or RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY the same way. near 1 million per week. That is a lot LEADER We have headed back into an inter- larger than usual. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- national pact that would have us self- Third and maybe most astoundingly, pore. The Republican leader is recog- inflict serious pain on working fami- most striking, the Bureau of Economic nized. lies, has failed to curb China’s emis- Analysis this morning revealed that f sions, and without which our own emis- last year, the economy shrank by 3.5 sions have been dropping anyway. And percent—the worst year for economic MARCH FOR LIFE yesterday, the administration slammed growth since World War II and the first Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, the brakes on further domestic energy time our economy has contracted since normally, today and tomorrow, we development on the huge swaths of the great recession. would be welcoming many thousands of land owned by the Federal Govern- Given these economic numbers, the Americans to the Capitol for the an- ment: no new oil, gas, or coal leases on need to act big and bold is urgent. nual March for Life. Every year, the Federal land. Given the fact that the GDP sunk by march is one of the most important Our responsible use of these lands ac- 3.5 percent last year, we need recovery things that happens here in Wash- counts for more than a fifth—one- and rescue quickly. Everywhere you ington. Americans of all ages, diverse fifth—of our domestic production, look, alarm bells are ringing—mort- backgrounds, and many faiths speak up about 2.8 million barrels per day. That gage deferrals are increasing, busi- peacefully and powerfully for the most is almost the equivalent of Kuwait’s nesses are still closing, schools are fundamental human right. They make daily oil production from our Federal closed in many States, restaurants and our Nation confront the fact that even lands alone; plus, more than 10 percent bars and travel are in crisis. the most modest protections for inno- of domestic natural gas. Our new Secretary of Treasury, cent life are still not secure. And 2019 marked the first time in Janet Yellen, who was days ago con- The pandemic has taken this year’s nearly 70 years when U.S. energy ex- firmed with the support of 84 Members march online. That is a particular pity, ports outpaced imports. For the first of this body and a large majority of our given signs that the new administra- time since the 1950s, our Nation ran an Republican colleagues, just told us tion may be poised to steamroll even energy surplus, not a deficit. That has that ‘‘with interest rates at historic the most limited—limited—safeguards been great news, but some leftwing lows, the smartest thing we can do is for conscience, let alone for life itself. elites are not happy. The sources of act big.’’ That is what Yellen said. The new Washington needs to hear this affordable domestic energy are not ‘‘[T]he smartest thing we can do is act the marchers more than ever. A case in sufficiently trendy. big.’’ point, the word is out our new adminis- As John Kerry explained yesterday Given these numbers, given the tration is planning to rescind the Mex- on behalf of the administration, he weakening state of the economy, only ico City policy this very day, run over wants the large numbers of American big, bold action is called for. To cut the consciences of American taxpayers, workers in those sectors to find ‘‘better things dramatically at a time when the and put them back on the hook for choices’’—better choices than their economy needs a boost would be irre- funding abortions overseas. An admin- good jobs that feed their families and sponsible and hurt millions of people. istration that wanted to pursue unity strengthen our independence. Remem- We are in the midst of a once-in-a- might observe that 77 percent of Amer- ber, with the pipeline cancellation, the century crisis. It requires a once-in-a- icans—including a majority of Demo- President effectively closed the door on century effort to overcome it. The dan- crats—and 85 percent of Independents thousands of American jobs with the gers of undershooting our response are don’t want taxpayer dollars to fund stroke of a pen. far greater than overshooting. We foreign abortions. According to one news report, one should learn the lesson from 2008 and This and many other commonsense welder from Pipeliners Local 798, who 2009, when Congress was too timid and pro-life policies enjoy broad support had been working in Nebraska, says he constrained in its response to the glob- from the American people, but the has already had to lay off his whole

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G28JA6.002 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE January 28, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S183 team before losing his job himself. He fully throwing our own people out of about what happened here in this Cap- said he sat down in his truck and sim- work, reducing our domestic energy se- itol Building just 3 weeks ago on Janu- ply cried. curity, raising costs and prices for ary 6. Let me read what she said: This latest new prohibition will rep- working families—all for no meaning- In testimony yesterday, the acting chief of licate that heartbreak many times ful impact on global temperatures, just the Metropolitan Police Department in over. According to one study, the deci- to buy applause at those international Washington told the House Appropriations sion on Federal lands will leave us conferences, where the participants all Committee that at least 65 officers filed re- down nearly 1 million American jobs assemble by private jet. ports of injury after the January 6 attack. by next year alone—1 million lost jobs It shouldn’t be this way, not with a The chair of the Capitol Police officers’ union . . . put the number closer to 140. ‘‘I by next year alone. President who campaigned on pro- have officers who were not issued helmets It is a heck of a way to kick off a tecting the lunch-pail union jobs that prior to the attack [and] who have sustained Presidency: mass layoffs of our own his left flank wants to eliminate. The brain injuries. One officer has two cracked citizens, and working Americans in President was not elected to enact poli- ribs and two smashed spinal discs. One offi- other sectors will pay as well. One cies that prompt a certain young Con- cer is going to lose his eye, and another was analysis found this decision could in- gresswoman from New York City to stabbed with a metal fence stake,’’ he said. crease household energy costs by al- boast online that her radical ideas are One officer died of injuries sustained on Jan- most $20 billion over the next decade, shaping his energy policies. The last 4 uary 6. Two officers have since taken their own lives. and President Biden, John Kerry, and years proved that growing our pros- the whole gang appear to be just get- perity, reducing emissions, and expand- I want to put that in the RECORD be- ting warmed up. ing domestic energy are actually not in cause in a week, beginning with the Mr. Kerry admitted yesterday that tension. We can achieve all three. impeachment trial, we are going to re- even if the United States somehow There is nothing green about a tsu- flect, again, on what happened January brought our carbon emissions to zero, nami of pink slips for American work- 6. it wouldn’t make much difference in ers or carting Canadian crude around Some of my colleagues, and many the global picture. That is because our in trucks and trains instead of a pipe- people on their side, are saying we competitors, including China, have al- line. This piecemeal Green New Deal is shouldn’t spend time talking about ready gone roaring past us. the wrong prescription, wrong for the what happened on January 6. In the But there is one kind of cooling these environment, wrong for national secu- words of the former Governor of South policies will achieve. They will ice the rity, and most of all for the working Carolina, Nikki Haley, we ought to job market in communities all across Americans who will soon be formerly ‘‘get over it’’—‘‘get over it.’’ It is hard America. In the State of New Mexico, working Americans if this keeps up. to get over it when you consider the 65 percent of oil and gas production is facts that I just read into the RECORD. tied to Federal lands. By one estimate, f For the families of those officers who 16,000 jobs will be on the chopping RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME lost their lives and those who were se- riously injured, they won’t get over it block in that State alone—that State The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- alone—next year if President Biden’s for a long, long time. pore. Under the previous order, the I don’t know what the impeachment ban holds up. leadership time is reserved. In Colorado, it would cost another trial will find in terms of the role of 3,000 jobs and more than 40 percent of f the former President of the United the State’s natural gas production. MORNING BUSINESS States, but I believe it is an important As a Kentuckian, I am all too famil- milestone in America’s history for us iar with the way these Democratic The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- to stop and recount what actually hap- policies can hurt communities. Ken- pore. Under the previous order, the pened in this building on January 6, tucky paid dearly for the first round of Senate will be in a period of morning where a mob, incited by the President, these liberal policies under President business, with Senators permitted to stormed this Capitol, broke through, Obama. We have no desire to be sub- speak therein for up to 10 minutes smashing windows and doors, and lit- jected to a sequel, especially when each. erally took control of this Capitol John Kerry says we should take the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Building for several hours. Here in the rate at which coal is already declining pore. The assistant Democratic leader. Senate Chamber, we were evacuated. and quintuple it. f Thank goodness, we returned that In her confirmation hearing yester- same evening to complete our business day, the President’s nominee to be En- IMPEACHMENT and complete our work. ergy Secretary referenced ‘‘jobs that Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, this There is ample evidence of what hap- might be sacrificed.’’ Yeah, that is ab- morning as I came to work in the Cap- pened that day by video, photographs, solutely right. Well, she gets some itol, I saw our National Guard troops and testimony. I hope it is part of the points for honesty. That is what hap- outside. I wanted to thank them, record in this impeachment hearing so pened the last time these folks called again, on behalf of the Senate and the that this generation and future genera- the shots. Jobs were sacrificed, includ- people of America for coming to our as- tions will have no doubt what happened ing, ultimately, some of the jobs of the sistance during the inauguration cere- that day. Democratic politicians who backed monies. Some are still on the job, mak- Already, we have those who are in de- these policies. ing sure that we maintain order in the nial, who are arguing that this was There is a concept in sports that a streets of Washington, DC, and that we really some far-left group that was coach or a manager should never make conduct the business of the American taking over the demonstration—a ludi- a decision that will make the opposing people here in the Capitol Building. crous argument on its face. And we team happy. If they are torn about a I want to thank them again, particu- have many who are in complete denial risky play call or if they are over- larly the 270 National Guard forces that it happened or that it had any- thinking a pitching change, they from my State of Illinois—I had a thing to do with rightwing politics. should ask themselves which decision chance to meet many of them—sacri- They are wrong. We saw it. We re- their opponents would rather see and ficing time away from their families to corded it. We are going to put it, in do the opposite. Our new administra- serve their Nation. It was a job well part, as part of the record so that tion is failing that test on domestic en- done. America knows what happened on that ergy. For those who continue to do the day. China, Russia, and our other com- work, we stand by you, and we thank Yesterday, we got a warning that petitors must be thrilled, absolutely you again. this may not be the end of it, that thrilled that our new government is es- Heather Cox Richardson does a col- there may be more activity. Let me sentially declaring war on some of our umn each day that is really a source of say at the outset that I condemn extre- own economic foundations to satisfy a information that is important. She re- mism and violence on any part of the craving for symbolic gestures—will- minded us in her column this morning political spectrum. But yesterday, the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G28JA6.004 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S184 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 28, 2021 warning was to the right, who appar- has been promised. That is included in administration will need an all-hands-on- ently are going to continue in their ef- the Biden proposal. deck approach to get the economy back on forts to disrupt life in America and en- Unemployment insurance—we still track this year after the pandemic slammed on the breaks. danger the lives of fellow Americans are finding record numbers of people Rising infections and renewed restrictions and law enforcement officers. who are filing for unemployment; $290 on people and businesses put a damper on We need to stand up as a nation and billion extends the current benefits and hopes for the recovery in the winter months. say, ‘‘Enough.’’ Whatever your polit- eligibility and a $400 supplement per The first quarter of 2021 ‘‘is likely to be ical strife, there is no room for extre- week until the end of September. Rent- even weaker with little reason to expect a mism and violence in the exercise of a al assistance, SNAP benefits, childcare, sudden upswing in activity until Covid re- constitutional responsibility or right. relief to families, such as the child tax strictions are meaningfully eased,’’ said I wanted to make that as part of the credit—the list is lengthy, and I have James Knightley, chief international econo- mist at ING, even with more help for the un- RECORD as an opening statement. read through it carefully. employed in place. f Should we do it? There are some who Biden will need to bring the pandemic argue: No, we don’t need more stim- CORONAVIRUS under control first to get the recovery on the ulus. We have done all we need to do. right path. Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, now, I have to disagree with that conclu- WHAT’S HOLDING THE ECONOMY BACK? on another issue, this morning, I went sion. The news this morning that was Economists have been concerned about the on a radio show in Bloomington-Nor- alluded to by the Democratic leader state of the recovery for a while. Rising in- mal, IL, WJBC, Scott Miller. The topic suggests that we are not out of the fections in the fall and a renewed increase in de jour—no surprise—was the vaccines, woods by a long shot when it comes to weekly claims for jobless benefits pointed to the COVID–19 vaccines, and why so the state of the economy. another rough patch for the economy in the many people in that part of Central Il- CNN reported this morning that the winter. linois can’t get access to vaccinations. On the consumer and spending front, retail Donald Trump final economic report sales logged three straight months without I listened to the frustration of people card could be very underwhelming. any growth between October and December who called in to the announcer about [For example,] the U.S. gross domestic as big shopping events like Black Friday and waiting on the phone for hours, trying product, the broadest measure of economic Christmas failed to provide an adequate to get through, unable to make an ap- activity, is forecast to have grown at an boost. And the University of Michigan’s sur- pointment, and I called the Governor of annualized rate of 4% between October and vey-based consumer sentiment index re- Illinois, JB Pritzker, to ask him what December [of last year]. mained still far below its pre-pandemic level was happening. He gave me some num- In a normal year, that would be [cause for and declined again after its most recent peak bers in our part of the world, which celebration]—an A+. . . . But 2020 was no in October. Millions of Americans remain unemployed probably reflect our country’s status at normal year. America is still recovering from the worst because of the crisis, and in December, the the moment. economic shock in living memory. [Our gross economy shed 140,000 jobs—a major setback He said that we were receiving 120,000 domestic product] shrank [by] a record 31.4% for the recovery. It was the first net job loss first doses of COVID–19 vaccine each on an annualized basis in the second quarter. since April. week—120,000 a week. We have approxi- . . . [I]t came screaming back at a 33.4% The US economy runs on consumer spend- mately 10 million people eligible to be annualized pace in the third quarter, [but] ing and for as long as Americans don’t spend vaccinated in Illinois. Those under the that wasn’t . . . enough to make up for the the way they used to—be it because of unem- age of 16 are excluded for reasons deter- damage [that was] already done. ployment, lockdowns or plain caution—it will keep the recovery pace slow. mined by medical professionals, so we I ask unanimous consent that this ar- The rollout of vaccines and ultimate con- start with 10 million. We anticipate ticle be printed in the RECORD with my trol of the virus is what will truly transport that at least 50 percent are currently statement. the economy back to its pre-pandemic hoping to get a vaccine as quickly as a There being no objection, the mate- strength, economists believe. But only about possible. So we have to get 5 million rial was ordered to be printed in the 23.5 million vaccine doses have been adminis- people vaccinated in our State with RECORD, as follows: tered in the United States so far. Meanwhile, those who lost their jobs or two doses. There are 10 million doses, [From CNN, Jan. 27, 2021] had their hours or pay reduced because of and we are receiving 120,000 a week. Is DONALD TRUMP’S FINAL ECONOMIC REPORT the pandemic still require help from the gov- it any wonder that the new President, CARD COULD BE VERY UNDERWHELMING ernment. Joe Biden, has spoken up that we need (By Anneken Tappe) Trump signed a second stimulus package to obtain as quickly as possible new NEW YORK—Economists are grading on a into law in December, which extended var- sources of COVID–19 vaccine in large curve. That’s not a good thing if you’re ious programs to continue helping the job- numbers? I support that completely. former President Donald Trump. less. But many economists believe the delay As part of his request for the Amer- US gross domestic product, the broadest in getting more measures passed hurt the measure of economic activity, is forecast to pace of the recovery. ican Rescue Plan, which has come be- have grown at an annualized rate of 4% be- President Biden’s economic agenda in- fore the U.S. Senate and House of Rep- tween October and December. cludes more stimulus still, but whether his resentatives, in that request he spells In a normal year, that would be something $1.9 trillion plan will get passed in its origi- out what he thinks are the priorities in to celebrate—an A+ for Trump’s final eco- nal form remains to be seen. this country, and I believe he is cor- nomic report card. But 2020 was no normal Mr. DURBIN. The statistics are dev- rect. year. astating, as well, when it comes to the We talk about $160 billion to provide America is still recovering from the worst number of people filing for unemploy- the supplies, emergency response, test- economic shock in living memory. GDP ment—recordbreaking numbers—and ing, and workforce for our country to shrank a record 31.4% on an annualized basis in the second quarter. Though it came those are included in this article as stop the spread of COVID–19. Could screaming back at a record 33.4% annualized well. there be any higher priority? pace in the third quarter, that wasn’t nearly So we are counseled by the new There is $170 billion for schools and enough to make up for the damage already Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, ap- higher education so they can safely re- done. proved by this body, that we shouldn’t open and operate. Any parent or grand- So if 33.4% isn’t good enough, 4% sure ain’t take our foot off the accelerator for parent knows how urgent that need is. gonna cut it, either. It would get the nation fear that this economy will bog down There is $80 billion for paid leave. It only a small part of the way back to its pre- again. Businesses will find it difficult includes 14 weeks of paid family med- pandemic strength—underscoring just how to survive—even open—and their em- far we still have to go. ical leave through the end of Sep- It also doesn’t bode well for the recovery in ployees, of course, will be without tember. Certainly, people need to have 2021. The US economy’s recovery took a hit work. We need to get this economy that option available either because of in the last quarter of 2020 as Covid–19 infec- roaring back, and that means making their own illness or an illness in the tions spiked and various states reintroduced the investment that President Biden is family. lockdown measures. asking for. Direct payments—already $600 has A BAD SIGN FOR 2021 Similarly, we need to get our kids gone out to many families in direct President Joe Biden inherited an ailing re- back in school. I know most parents payments. Another $1,400 per person covery and a broken jobs market. The new would feel that is true, grandparents as

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G28JA6.005 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE January 28, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S185 well. And the sooner we do it, the bet- literacy.’’ Day laborers can’t find tunity to strengthen America as we ter, but do it safely—safely for the work. Campaigns to address malaria, help repair a damaged world. teachers, administrators, and everyone polio, AIDS, and malnutrition have Of course, our first priority is Amer- involved in that decision. been disrupted. It is estimated that ican families, and this effort would not It is hard to imagine what we have hundreds of thousands of children in take a single dollar away from buying been through in the last calendar year, the developing world will die from mal- the vaccines that are necessary to keep the year 2020. I am glad it is behind us. nutrition. Many who survive will face our Nation safe. But by using these We will still have many challenges lifetimes of disabilities. special drawing rights, we provide re- ahead, but it is hard to believe that A study by the International Cham- sources to some of the poorest nations just 1 year ago this week, in the State ber of Commerce found that the global around the world so that they, too, can of Illinois, we confirmed our first case cost of unequal global vaccine distribu- start vaccinating their population. of coronavirus—1 year ago. A patient tion will hit affluent countries almost This world got sick, we believe, be- had returned from China to suburban as hard as developing countries. cause of one person in China, and it Chicago and transmitted the virus to The study showed what would happen spread around the world. That is, at her husband. She was treated success- if wealthy nations were fully vac- least, the theory that has been backed fully, as was her husband. cinated by the middle of the year but up by evidence so far. So let’s make But in the 365 days since then that poor countries shut out, a likely sce- certain that, as we address this issue, transpired, 1.1 million COVID–19 cases nario. we do it on a global basis. occurred in my State of Illinois—from This week, the World Health Organi- I urge the Senate to support this one person a year ago, 1.1 million zation noted that only 1 of 29 low-in- measure as a way to not only do the cases—and almost 19,000 Illinoisans come countries has begun vaccination, right thing for our less fortunate have died. The story is repeated in and in that particular country of Guin- brothers and sisters around the world every State and every community. ea, only 55 out of 12 million people have but as a way to help our own pandemic What started as a worry ended up be- been reached. and economic recovery. coming a pandemic and one of the The study concluded that the global I yield the floor. economy could lose more than $9 tril- I suggest the absence of a quorum. deadliest in American history. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Last year, I came to the floor to ask lion, with nearly half of those costs ab- pore. The clerk will call the roll. unanimous consent for a resolution sorbed by the United States and other The senior assistant legislative clerk with a simple message, that the United wealthy countries. proceeded to call the roll. States should work with other nations We are already seeing how illness in Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask around the world to address the poor nations affects us. U.S. exports unanimous consent that the order for COVID–19 pandemic. It seemed like a have plunged by nearly 28 percent in the quorum call be rescinded. commonsense proposition. To think the last 6 months, resulting in lost jobs The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- that one case in Wuhan, China, has led here, lower profits, and lower wages. pore. Without objection, it is so or- us to where we are today tells us that So that is why I am reintroducing dered. legislation to direct the U.S. Treasury this is a shrinking world. f We need to tackle that deadly com- to use its vote at the International municable disease because it knows no Monetary Fund to release what are NOMINATION OF PETER PAUL boundaries. No nation is safe from known as special drawing rights. These MONTGOMERY BUTTIGIEG COVID–19 if it is raging in any part of are foreign exchange reserve assets Mr. THUNE. Madam President, yes- the world. Equally, no nation’s econ- maintained by the IMF that can be terday I voted to advance out of com- omy is immune from the impacts of the used by developing nations during se- mittee President Biden’s nomination of pandemic raging elsewhere. vere economic downturns, as done dur- Pete Buttigieg as head of the Depart- I am glad the Senate eventually ing the 2008 global financial crisis. ment of Transportation, and the full passed the resolution that I introduced, A release of these special drawing Senate will soon vote to confirm him. affirming the need to join with others rights would not cost American tax- I had a good meeting and discussion in fighting the pandemic. payers a single dollar, but they would with Mr. Buttigieg last week. We Now, the first priority is obvious: help developing nations purchase and talked about a number of South Da- Take care of the American people and distribute COVID vaccines and stem kota transportation priorities. American families and everyone who the pandemic’s economic impact over- Our Nation is due for another major lives in our Nation. That is the first seas. infrastructure bill, and I asked Mr. and highest priority for our elected of- This proposal is supported by a broad Buttigieg to commit to maintaining ficials at every single level. coalition, including American farm strong investments in rural highway We are now debating a measure to leaders, business leaders, and trade as- funding and other rural transportation help the American people gain access sociations, leading economists, faith priorities as part of any infrastructure to vaccines—the Biden rescue plan— groups, labor unions, and humanitarian legislation. A strong rural transpor- and the harsh economic impact it has groups. tation infrastructure benefits the en- had on America. President Biden un- I want to thank my cosponsors in tire national transportation system by derstands the immediacy of these this effort: Senators SANDERS, CARDIN, connecting major highways and rail- needs, and I hope that we in Congress REED, MERKLEY, and LEAHY. We are ways to the regions that produce so do as well. joined in the House by my colleague many of the agricultural and industrial As we respond to the COVID–19 crisis from Illinois, Congressman CHUY products that we rely on. It is key to in America, though, we cannot ignore GARCI´A. helping South Dakota farmers and the need for a global response. This Three-quarters of a century ago, ranchers and farmers and ranchers isn’t a matter of being charitable. It is much of the world lay in ruins as a re- around the country get their products in our national interest and a reflec- sult of a global war. The United States to market. tion of our values to ensure that poorer made an unprecedented commitment I also asked Mr. Buttigieg to work nations have access to vaccines and to help the nations of the world rise with me to improve Tribal transpor- tools to manage their impact. from the ashes of World War II and re- tation infrastructure. Right now, pros- The New York Times columnist Nick build. We did so because it was in keep- perous Tribes in populous areas receive Kristof chronicled this problem in a ing with our moral beliefs and it served a disproportionate amount of Tribal powerful piece earlier this month, enti- our political and economic interests. transportation funding, even though tled ‘‘Starving Children Don’t Cry.’’ He The Marshall Plan and other inter- their needs are often less pressing than noted that while some developing coun- national aid efforts by the United those facing large rural Tribes, like tries may have avoided high COVID States helped make America the most those in South Dakota. I am com- death tolls, the pandemic has led, in powerful Nation on Earth, politically mitted to ensuring that rural Tribes many places, to what he calls and economically. This global crisis, get their fair share of Tribal transpor- ‘‘pandemics of hunger, disease and il- COVID–19, gives us another oppor- tation funding, and I was pleased that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G28JA6.007 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S186 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 28, 2021 Mr. Buttigieg agreed to work with me MARCH FOR LIFE The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. on this issue. Mr. THUNE. Madam President, be- BOOKER). Without objection, it is so or- I also enjoyed discussing autonomous fore I close, I want to take a moment dered. vehicle legislation with him. He shares to recognize those South Dakotans par- f my interest in the technological, envi- ticipating in the virtual March for Life MARCH FOR LIFE ronmental, and safety benefits self- tomorrow. driving vehicles can offer, and I look We have gotten used to saying ‘‘it is Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, our Na- forward to working with him on this going to be a little different this year’’ tion was founded on an incredibly pow- issue. during the pandemic, and that applies erful and truly audacious idea. The Highway bills have always been a to the March for Life as well. Usually, idea was that every single human being place for bipartisan cooperation, and tens of thousands of Americans travel was created equal, with rights that the bill released last Congress by Sen- to Washington, DC, every January to come from your Creator, from God— ators BARRASSO and CARPER was no ex- participate in the march—Americans not from the government, not from the ception. I hope that bipartisan tradi- from every State in the union, of every laws, not even from the Constitution or tion will continue in this Congress and political persuasion, of every religion your leaders. You are born with those that Democrats and Republicans can or none at all—all united by their com- rights. Inherent in that is our powerful work together to deliver a significant mitment to defending the dignity and national commitment that I think re- infrastructure package in the near fu- value and humanity of the unborn mains to this day, the belief that ev- ture. child. eryone should have freedom and that This year the march will be virtual, everyone—because freedom comes with f but pro-life Americans will still be those rights—and that everyone be united in spirit. To all of those South treated fairly. CORONAVIRUS Dakotans virtually marching tomor- For 244 years, our story has been that row and to all those Americans every- of a nation on a continuous and a Mr. THUNE. Madam President, on where united in the pro-life cause, steady march to live up to those ideals. the subject of bipartisanship, I am dis- thank you. Thank you for standing— Tomorrow, thousands will come to turbed by the rumors that Democrats standing up every year on the anniver- Washington once again for a different plan to use reconciliation to force an- sary of the Roe v. Wade decision. march but one that I believe is tied di- other COVID bill through Congress on Most of all, thank you for everything rectly to this Nation’s ongoing quest to partisan lines before even giving good- that you do throughout the year, be- fulfill the promise of its founding. faith effort to bipartisan negotiations. cause the biggest work of the pro-life Almost half a century ago, the Su- Republicans are more than willing to movement happens outside of the preme Court of the United States de- work with Democrats on additional March for Life. It happens in churches cided that within our Constitution, targeted COVID relief legislation. around America, where congregations there was the implicit right to end the Now, I won’t pretend that we don’t collect money to support prenatal care life of an unborn child. Since then, have reservations about some of the for pregnant women in need or gather every single day in this country, un- measures that Democrats have pro- diapers and baby supplies to give to born human beings have had their life posed. For instance, I don’t think an struggling mothers. It happens on col- ended before they even drew their first emergency COVID relief bill is the lege campuses, where pro-life students breath. They are, in essence, denied the place to push through a change that educate their peers about the reality of freedom to live, not because they did would more than double the Federal abortion. It happens in crisis preg- anything wrong; they are denied this minimum wage and directly increase nancy centers, where moms and dads most basic of rights unfairly because of expenses on businesses that have been facing unplanned pregnancies are met circumstances they have nothing to do decimated by the pandemic. That is a with resources and love and support. It with and do not control. policy with a lot of economic con- happens at maternity homes, where That this occurs here is shameful sequences, and it shouldn’t be pushed single moms get the support they need enough, and I believe that is how his- through Congress in a hasty fashion. to have their babies and to build job tory will regard it; that we use tax- Republicans are also concerned about skills or get an education. payer money to promote it and export the enormous amount of money that Every day, you are building a culture it abroad is outrageous. Democrats want to spend. We have al- of life in this country with your work Before we even passed a bill to deal ready spent more than $4 trillion to ad- and your political action and your with the pandemic or to bring back dress this pandemic, and we need to be prayers. I know that is not always good jobs to the United States or any very careful—very careful—about addi- easy, but the race is not to the swift of the other major issues confronting tional spending and appropriate only nor the strong. It is to those who en- our country, in one of his first acts as what is necessary to respond to this dure, and I am confident that, sooner President, President Biden decided to pandemic and with an eye to the bur- or later, right and justice will prevail prioritize tearing up the so-called Mex- den that we are putting on the econ- because we have the truth on our side— ico City policy—a policy that right- omy and on young Americans as we in- the truth that every human being, no fully bans our taxpayer dollars from crease our national debt. matter how old or how young, no mat- being sent to organizations that use The higher our national debt, the ter the race or the color of their skin, them to perform or promote abortions greater the drag on economic growth no matter their religion or political overseas. and the more likely it is that young persuasion, is created in the image and Abortion is a very difficult and un- Americans will face increasingly bur- likeness of God and has infinite dignity comfortable topic. No one can pretend densome tax bills in the future to meet and worth. that if some 15-year-old girl is preg- So keep standing up for the babies, our debt obligations. nant and afraid—afraid of her parents, and tomorrow I will be joining my But let me be very clear. While Re- afraid of what others might think, prayers with yours that one day soon publicans certainly have concerns afraid for her future—that she faces an the right to life of unborn human about some of the Democrats’ pro- easy choice. It is not. beings will be protected in law. posals, we are committed to defeating It doesn’t feel fair, it doesn’t feel like May God bless you all. this pandemic and to getting Ameri- I yield the floor. freedom to have laws that tell people cans vaccinated, and we are ready to I suggest the absence of a quorum. what they can or cannot do with their work with Democrats on any necessary The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- body, but in this case, the challenge we COVID relief legislation that would pore. The clerk will call the roll. have is that it is a case that puts the achieve that objective. The senior assistant legislative clerk fundamental rights of two people into It would be very disappointing if proceeded to call the roll. direct conflict—the right, as most defi- Democrats decided to shove a partisan Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I ask nitely exists, of a mother to choose bill through Congress without even at- unanimous consent that the order for what to do with her body versus the tempting to work with Republicans. the quorum call be rescinded. right of an unborn child to live. It

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G28JA6.008 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE January 28, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S187 forces us to decide which one of these ents are or by the circumstances of where I found myself thinking: I am in two rights wins out in those cir- your conception, then we may remain, ‘‘Back to the Future.’’ I have heard cumstances. indeed, a rich and a powerful and an this before because I vividly remember I personally, for one, and those who important country, but we will no the empty promises of the past. march tomorrow have chosen life—not longer be a special one. This is a deeply personal issue for me because it is an easy choice but be- I suggest the absence of a quorum. because I have lived through this. I cause, to me, it is a clear one because The PRESIDING OFFICER. The have seen this playbook before. So we the right to live is the one right upon clerk will call the roll. are back to the future. which all the other rights we claim de- The bill clerk proceeded to call the The Obama administration said the pend. Without life, there is no speech roll. very same things to West Virginians. to protect, and there is no religion to Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I ask In fact, I remember the same people practice. Without life, frankly, nothing unanimous consent that the order for saying the same things, and I remem- else matters. the quorum call be rescinded. ber the utterly unachievable regu- I would point out that being pro-life The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without latory requirements that Gina McCar- is not just about the right to be born; objection, it is so ordered. thy created in her position as head of it also means the right to live and to f the EPA that decimated my State. thrive. Once a child is born, that child I remember the thousands of jobs BIDEN ADMINISTRATION depends on their parents or whoever lost—and still lost—and the hopeless- their guardians are who are raising Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, it is ness and then the succeeding opioid them, and they have a moral and legal nice to see you in the Chair, Mr. Presi- epidemic that followed. duty to care for them—not just to feed dent. I haven’t seen that for a while. I remember begging the Obama EPA them, not just to clothe them, not just Congratulations to you. to come to West Virginia to see how the regulations, with no time to transi- to house them, but also to promote a I feel like yesterday I was in the tion, were destroying more of our safe and stable home and the chance at movie ‘‘Back to the Future.’’ I rise State’s economy. They were destroying a good education and a better future. today to voice my deep concern with That is why I deeply believe that pro- the lengthy Executive order that Presi- our families. They really didn’t seem life must also mean being pro-parent. dent Biden issued yesterday pertaining to care. The only response I got in one of my hearings was, well, they will Being a parent is the most influential to climate, and my larger concerns come to Pittsburgh. Well, that is not role anyone will ever have. It is the about where the Biden administration coming to West Virginia. most important job any of us will ever is moving with regard to their energy and environment agenda. Look, I am not here to just put down have. That is why I worked to and we the Biden administration. I want to were successful in expanding the child President Biden, very passionately, as we sat out on the steps, called for work with the administration, and I tax credit 2 years ago. That is why I am going to be in a position to do that unity in his January 20 inauguration stand ready now to work with Presi- as ranking member on EPW. I want to speech. But as his first actions, Presi- dent Biden to expand it even further. be a part of the solution. I am not a cli- dent Biden managed to kill thousands I am concerned about some of the de- mate denier. We all need to take care of jobs and paralyze America’s indus- tails of the policies he has outlined. of our planet. We must be good stew- try—the energy industry. For example, his proposal appears to ards of our Earth, of our water. We His order yesterday put a morato- unfairly benefit parents who send their know it is the right thing to do. children to commercial childcare over rium on new oil and gas leases on Fed- The free market is already moving in stay-at-home parents or grandparents eral lands. This is an economic, energy, that direction, which was part of the or other caregivers. But this is an area and national security disaster, in my presentation yesterday. Private compa- where we have a common goal and one view. This order moves America from nies are cutting their emissions. That where I believe we can find a way to energy independence back to relying on is awesome. And as we see the emission work together. foreign sources for fuel—and a lot of figures, they have gone way down over It is also why I support creating the times these are the countries that have the last 15 years. opportunity for every parent in Amer- much more lax environmental policies Consumers moving toward greener ica to have access to paid family leave, than we have right here in the United products? That is great. I find myself because no one should be thrown into States. doing that in my everyday living, and welfare or debt or bankruptcy because The order also usurps our States’ it is great. I feel like, in some ways, I they got pregnant, because they had a rights—the States’ rights which are to am doing my small part at home. child. manage their own energy industries. But a national energy transition It is also, by the way, why I support As you know, I come from an energy- really needs time, and the Biden ad- school choice. In America, rich parents producing State. We have a proud her- ministration needs to be very clear can afford to send their kids to any itage of that. So what about the States about what their timetables really are. school they want, and they do. Upper that rely on tax revenues from the en- They also need to be very clear about middle class parents can move to ergy industry to fund education? We who is really in charge here. This is an- neighborhoods with good public see what has happened with education other one of my concerns. President schools. But it is unfair that the only now under the pandemic. More Biden’s nominees—Michael Regan; Jen- parents in America who are forced to headwinds into how do we deliver a nifer Granholm; Brenda Mallory, at send their children to the school the great education product is a question CEQ, Janet McCabe; and even Pete government tells them—even if that we are going to be answering over the Buttigieg—have all been tasked with school is failing their children—are the next several months and years. So any addressing climate. They are going to parents who don’t make enough money ideas? be tripping all over each other, before to have another option. I wonder if President Biden actually you even consider those avoiding Sen- For 21st-century America to move talked to any of the Governors of these ate confirmation, process all of this to- closer to fulfilling our founding prin- States to see what the impact of what gether—McCarthy, Kerry, and a whole ciple of equality, of freedom, of fair- he was doing might have. host of other czars who aren’t account- ness, every child deserves the right not But what we saw yesterday in the able to Congress. So who is really just to be born but also the right to press conference was President Biden going to be making the decisions? I live and to thrive, the right not just to and Gina McCarthy and John Kerry’s think, from yesterday’s press con- exist but the right to pursue and fulfill ultimate goal, which is to ban fossil ference, it is pretty clear what the an- their potential. fuels. They were pretty upfront about swer to that question could probably I believe that what is at stake is that. be. nothing less than our identity as a na- So my skepticism, when I hear that Will this Cabinet actually wield any tion. If we become a place where your the administration is going to give in- power or will the decisions be made in right to be born and your ability to dustry time to transition and give the White House in an effort to avoid succeed is determined by who your par- workers a clean energy job—that is public and congressional scrutiny?

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G28JA6.010 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S188 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 28, 2021 The American people really need to CORONAVIRUS the State is launching a mobile vaccine know. West Virginians need to know. Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, it pilot program to ramp up vaccination New Jerseyans need to know. I will has been more than a year now since efforts in rural parts of the State. definitely be asking those questions in the first COVID–19 case was confirmed Those vaccinations kick off today, and the upcoming hearing. here in the United States. As the war with the support of our incredible In closing, I would just like to say against this virus has been fought, it Texas National Guardsmen, more at- that America is a great and very proud has evolved over the last 12 months, risk Texans will be vaccinated against energy producer. West Virginia has and our country has been challenged this virus. powered the country for decades, and like never before in my memory. With currently two approved vac- we are incredibly proud of that fact. Healthcare workers across the coun- cines and potentially more on the way, Coal, natural gas, oil, solar, wind, nu- try have heroically battled this cruel we are beginning to see the light at the clear, biomass—our country has been virus, often with insufficient equip- end of the tunnel, and it is getting big- incredibly blessed with energy re- ment and personnel. Frontline workers ger and brighter every day. But we sources, and using all of them keeps in delivery trucks, grocery stores, and can’t take our foot off the gas—we all Americans safe and keeps our country other essential businesses have kept know that. Just as we led an aggressive running. the cogs of society running. effort to develop vaccines, it is time to Eliminating fossil fuels from our en- As a whole, we have hunkered down redouble our efforts to distribute those ergy mix will lead to higher utility and tried to stop the spread of the vaccines. costs and less reliability. So whom virus until enough Americans could get I worry we are not starting off on a does that really hurt? It hurts those in vaccinated. We all have come to realize strong footing. In December, President- the lower and mid-income category— that is really the gold standard in de- Elect Biden announced his administra- the ones that are hurting right now be- feating this virus. The Trump adminis- tion’s goals to get 100 million shots in cause of this pandemic. And you can tration launched Operation Warp Speed the arms of Americans within the first just ask California about the rising to accelerate the research and develop- 100 days of his Presidency. That an- cost and the rise in unreliability of the ment of therapeutics and vaccines to nouncement came about a week before grid. move us toward that goal as soon as the first doses of the vaccine were dis- Renewables can’t power our country tributed—before we had a real-world at 100 percent all the time right now. possible. Just last summer, when President test of the processes that had been in Maybe in the future, but right now Trump predicted we would have an ef- planning for months. they can’t, and battery technology fective vaccine by the end of the year, We are now several weeks into this hasn’t been able to fill that gap. nationwide vaccination campaign, and But we can address climate change there was some serious skepticism— and you might even call it blowback— the Biden administration has stuck by together through innovation and tech- this initial benchmark. The President nology. We already have new markets from some of the critics. One media outlet published a fact check saying it has repeatedly described this as an for coal and carbon products. We know ‘‘ambitious goal’’—a statement that investing in carbon capture and utiliza- would require nothing short of a ‘‘med- ical miracle’’ to have a vaccine by the has led to a fair amount of head- tion and storage is critical. For a lot of scratching, not because it is too ag- reasons it is a win-win on both sides. end of last year. Thanks to the leadership on a bipar- gressive, as some people thought Presi- We know new technologies are pro- tisan basis here and the marvels of dent Trump’s proposed vaccine deliv- gressing every single day, and we have science and human ingenuity, that so- ery date was, but because it is too mod- been working on this issue in a bipar- called miracle came true not once but est. tisan way. Senator WHITEHOUSE and I twice, and we are expecting more vac- One physician and public health ex- were the main proponents of the 45Q cines to eventually be approved in the pert described this as ‘‘a disappoint- credit for capturing carbon and reusing near term. The world’s brightest sci- ingly low bar.’’ An Associated Press it. headline evaluated the situation pretty But I am very concerned that Presi- entific minds used the foundation built well when it said: ‘‘Biden’s early ap- dent Biden’s Executive order yesterday by decades of vaccine research to craft proach to virus: Underpromise, over- really alienated some of the key play- lifesaving and, in fact, world-changing deliver.’’ ers in the conversation, and I don’t vaccines. Less than 11 months after the first The truth is, we were largely on think that is the way to build unity. COVID–19 case was discovered in the track to meet President Biden’s ambi- Here we go—back to the future, pick- United States, the very first vaccine tious goal even before he took the oath ing winners and losers. That is pitting was administered after it was ap- of office. On Inauguration Day, more American jobs against one and the proved—11 months. The number of than 1.6 million doses had been admin- other, and that can create and will cre- Americans who have been vaccinated istered, and over the last week, the av- ate resentment across the country. erage number of vaccinations has ex- So I urge the President—let’s tackle against COVID–19 is growing every day, ceeded 1.5 million a day. It is hard to these climate challenges together, not and so far, more than 24.5 million doses really frame this as a goal when in re- through overreaching Presidential or- have been administered nationwide. Nearly 2 million of those doses have ality you could throw the entire oper- ders and Federal regulations. This gone into the arms of my fellow Tex- ation on cruise control and surpass it. country has risen to every single chal- ans. Texas became the first State to On Monday evening, President Biden lenge that we have had. This climate administer 1 million doses—an accom- appeared to up the target to 150 million challenge is no different. I understand plishment that underscores the hard doses in the first 100 days, which would the urgency. I understand the issue. work of our State and local leaders and track with the 1.5 million doses we are But with our American ingenuity, we our public health officials, our private currently seeing administered. But the can find these solutions together. White House Press Secretary walked So let’s make our future one that we partners and healthcare workers. Every day, our public health experts back that claim the following day. build together. One hundred million doses in 100 days I yield the floor. are evaluating the current distribution I suggest the absence of a quorum. process to make improvements and is certainly catchy, and I have no The PRESIDING OFFICER. The speed up the vaccination process. The doubt the administration has tried to clerk will call the roll. State has now set up mass vaccination underpromise so it can be seen as over- The bill clerk proceeded to call the hubs to expedite distribution and ad- delivering. That is not altogether a bad roll. minister as many doses as they can as strategy. But the goal here is not to set Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I quickly as they can. a target you are almost certain to ask unanimous consent that the order While these sites are an efficient way meet. After all, we didn’t see the pre- for the quorum call be rescinded. to administer vaccines to Texans, we vious administration set a target of a The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. need to do more in rural parts of the successful vaccine by the summer of BALDWIN). Without objection, it is so country. I was glad to see in my State 2021, which is what many experts be- ordered. Governor Abbott’s announcement that lieved to be the most feasible. So I

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G28JA6.011 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE January 28, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S189 would urge the administration and all bomb dropped from the sky and hit this a slightly tenuous connection, but as of us to accede to a truly ambitious schoolbus. Not every child on that bus the war has dragged on, the Houthis vaccination schedule and motivate the died, miraculously, but 40 children on have had to become more and more re- newly assembled team at the White the bus and around the bus did. It was liant on Iranian assistance and Iranian House to achieve it and to provide the a war crime. expertise. Iran has grown stronger and resources that they may need from The Saudis, in the aftermath of the stronger inside Yemen and inside the Congress in order for them to execute incident, defended it saying that it was region as this war persists. In every that plan. There is no reason to stick a legal action. They were targeting way, it has been a nightmare, from a to a goal we were on track to meet be- enemy leaders who were responsible for security perspective, for the United fore President Biden was even sworn recruiting and training young children. States. in. They hit a schoolbus in the middle of But with the election and inaugura- President Biden, of course, ran a the day, right next to a crowded mar- tion of President Biden, our participa- campaign criticizing the previous ad- ketplace. It wasn’t on a lonely road. It tion in this national security cata- ministration’s handling of the COVID– was in a crowded area. It is why not clysm is coming to an end. I come to 19 virus, and he campaigned on the only people on the bus died, but chil- the floor today to thank the Biden ad- promise to lead us out of that crisis. dren and families surrounding the bus ministration and to thank the incom- But this modest goal is not going to died as well. ing Secretary of State, Tony Blinken, get us there fast enough. This was a military strike done, in for their recognition that it is no Researchers at Baylor College of part, as part of a coalition campaign of longer in our security interest to be a Medicine in Houston say we need to be which the United States is a member. part of this. vaccinating 3 million people a day. It is not just that we sold the bomb The Biden administration has made That is double the pace we are seeing that hit this bus. We participated and several very important decisions that right now and triple the Biden adminis- still do participate in this military they have announced at the outset of tration’s self-described ambitious plan. campaign in a myriad of ways. their term in office: one, the plan to The past year has been full of sci- For years, we flew planes in the sky withdraw from the military coalition; entific developments and bold action that put fuel into the Saudi and second, a decision to suspend arm sales by Congress and the administration to Emirati jets that dropped these bombs. to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who are develop and distribute vaccines to the We embedded U.S. personnel in the op- the primary participants in this coali- American people. We simply can’t af- erations center that planned these tion. UAE has dramatically scaled ford to put it in cruise control now. bombing campaigns, and maybe, most back their involvement—to their cred- Our only option is to mobilize every re- importantly of all, we lent moral au- it. The Saudis continue to fight this source and to push as hard and as fast thority to the Saudi-led campaign in- war on the ground and in the air. as we can to get the American people side Yemen. And lastly—and, perhaps, most im- vaccinated and to finally bring an end But over the course of our time as a mediately importantly—the Trump ad- to this pandemic. coalition partner with Saudi Arabia, ministration announced that they were I yield the floor. the war in Yemen has been a national reserving an eleventh-hour decision by I suggest the absence of a quorum. security apocalypse for the United the Trump administration naming the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The States. Our bombs and our planes have Houthis a terrorist group. clerk will call the roll. been used to kill thousands of civilians; Now, the Houthis are incredibly bad The senior assistant legislative clerk 17,000 civilians have died inside Yemen actors. The Houthis are also guilty of proceeded to call the roll. since the beginning of this war. war crimes in and around this conflict. Mr. MURPHY. Madam President, I The war has caused the world’s worst They recruit child soldiers. They delib- ask unanimous consent that the order humanitarian catastrophe on the erately hold up aid and don’t allow it for the quorum call be rescinded. ground inside Yemen. Over 100,000 chil- to get to the citizens in areas under The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without dren have died of starvation and dis- which they control. The Houthis have a objection, it is so ordered. ease. Yemen, since 2015, has been the lot to answer for as well. But by nam- f site of the world’s worst cholera out- ing them a terrorist group, what the break anywhere in the world during all Trump administration effectively did YEMEN of our lifetimes—likely caused by the was to stop the international aid com- Mr. MURPHY. Madam President, this targeting of water treatment facilities munity from being able to deliver any is a screen shot from a video taken dur- by the coalition, of which the United aid into Yemen because the Houthis ing a school field trip on August 9, 2018. States is a member. control some of the most important These are Yemeni schoolchildren going And inside this country, Yemenis ports, and 80 percent of the aid is com- to school in a northern governorate in- rightfully blame the United States for mercial food. That would have all side the country, and they are on their this cataclysm. They know that it is stopped if you couldn’t run aid through way either to or back from a picnic our equipment, they know that it is ports controlled by an organization that they were having with their class- our bombs, and they know that it is named at the eleventh hour by the mates. that moral authority that the United Trump administration as a terrorist As you can see, they are school- States gives to this war through our organization. children of elementary age—around 8, decision to continue to take part in it, The Biden administration has made a 9, 10 years old. They don’t look any dif- human rights crime after human rights decision to suspend that designation to ferent than what school children here crime. make sure that we are not going to end in the United States would look like on It has radicalized a generation of up with millions of people starving in- their way to a fun-filled school field Yemenis against the United States. It side Yemen because the United States trip. There is a little boy catching a has made us part and parcel of repeated makes the decision to eliminate the little nap somehow amidst all of the human rights violations, and it has ability of humanitarian groups to get den of the rest of his classmates so ex- created a chaotic environment on the food on the ground in Yemen. They are cited. ground in Yemen that has allowed for all incredibly important decisions that They are excited because there isn’t AQAP, the wing of al-Qaida with the the administration has made—deci- and there wasn’t a lot of fun to be had clearest designs to hit the United sions supported by a majority of this for schoolchildren in Yemen today or States, again, room to govern and body. in 2018. A civil war still plagues that room to grow. AQAP and ISIS are able We have voted here in the Senate, on country and plagues Yemeni children to operate and control territory inside a bipartisan basis, to end the U.S. par- who are too often facing starvation and Yemen because of the chaos created by ticipation in the war in Yemen. We disease, but on this day, there was fun this civil war. didn’t have a veto-proof majority. So to be had. Iran has grown stronger. At the be- we couldn’t overcome the President’s This is that schoolbus hours later. ginning, Iran and the Houthis, who are veto. But there is a bipartisan coali- Forty children died when a U.S.-made on the other side of this civil war, had tion that believes the United States

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G28JA6.013 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S190 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 28, 2021 shouldn’t have anything to do with are rampant in the EB–5 program, and proper oversight of the executive this, and President Biden is now effec- I have continually reintroduced bipar- branch. tuating that bipartisan consensus in tisan legislation with Senator LEAHY Furthermore, we now know that policy. to reform the program. So it shouldn’t many of the whistleblower allegations Lastly, let me say this. Saudi Arabia be a surprise to any of my colleagues made to my office were accurate. Many is an important security partner for that when I hear from 15 different whistleblowers who approached my of- the United States. The UAE is an im- whistleblowers anything about the EB– fice raised similar concerns with John portant security partner for the United 5 program, I would further investigate Roth, the Obama-appointed inspector States. We have an important counter- it. general at the Department of Home- terrorism relationship. The Saudis and I have also conducted consistent land Security at that time, who re- the Emirates have been part of this oversight of the EB–5 program across leased his office’s report detailing its groundbreaking detente with Israel, re- Presidential administrations, whether investigation into these matters way sulting in several recognition agree- they were Democrat or Republican. So back in 2015. ments. That is great for U.S. security when whistleblowers approach my of- In that 2015 report, Inspector General interests in the region. But it is time fice with these serious allegations, as I Roth found that ‘‘employees’ belief for us to reset those relationships to said before, I am determined to get to that Mr. Mayorkas favored certain po- make clear that if our Gulf partners the bottom of these matters. litically powerful EB–5 stakeholders are going to participate in actions in- One of the cases in which whistle- was reasonable.’’ That is the end of side the region that are terrible for our blowers said Mr. Mayorkas had inter- quote of the inspector general’s report. security interests, then we can’t join vened involved a company with ties to The IG also said that the number and them in those actions—a reset that in- former Secretary Clinton’s brother, variety of witnesses who came forward cludes an expectation that the Saudis Anthony Rodham. in his investigation was ‘‘highly un- and the Emirates address what is a Mr. Rodham’s company wasn’t happy usual.’’ Allegations didn’t come from very disturbing downward trend in the with the speed with which its applica- one or two disgruntled employees, ac- ability of individuals inside those tions were being conducted by the Cus- cording to the inspector general; they countries to have political space with toms and Immigration Service, so com- came from current and retired career which to contest grievances with the pany representatives made repeated in- and noncareer members of the Senior regimes. quiries to the Department of Homeland Executive Service, as well as all levels It is time for us to make sure that Security and Mr. Mayorkas. And they of supervisors, immigration officers, our relationships with our Gulf allies did this in an effort to get Mr. attorneys, and employees involved in are always consistent with U.S. na- Mayorkas to speed things up. fraud detection and in national secu- tional security endeavors, and the My investigation found that between rity. According to Inspector General Roth, Biden administration is off to a very 2010 and 2013, Mr. Mayorkas had nearly the fact ‘‘[t]hat so many individuals good start in resetting those relation- a dozen contacts with that company, were willing to step forward and tell ships by pulling ourselves out of a war including direct communications with . . . what happened [was] evidence of inside Yemen that has killed 17,000 ci- its attorneys. Mr. Mayorkas forwarded deep resentment about Mr. Mayorkas’s vilians, caused 100,000 kids to die of requests from the company along to his actions related to the EB–5 program.’’ starvation and disease, and ends up team, marking at least one of those That is the end of quote from the IG re- with our bombs doing this to a school forwarded messages as ‘‘high priority.’’ bus full of 8-, 9-, and 10-year-olds. port. He became heavily involved in the The IG also found that Mr. I yield the floor. process of revising a draft of a tech- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The sen- Mayorkas’s actions ‘‘created an ap- nical decision from his Division’s Ad- pearance of favoritism and special ac- ior Senator from Iowa. ministrative Appeals Office that was f cess’’ in some EB–5 adjudication mat- initially unfavorable to the company. ters and that he ‘‘created specific proc- NOMINATION OF ALEJANDRO So, because of his involvement, in the esses and revised existing policies in NICHOLAS MAYORKAS end, the opinion was rewritten in a the EB–5 program to accommodate spe- Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, manner that was much more favorable cific parties.’’ the Senate is considering the nomina- to Mr. Rodham’s company. In addition to the case involving Mr. tion of Mr. Mayorkas to serve as Sec- In 2013, I wrote Mr. Mayorkas five Rodham’s company, other cases re- retary of Homeland Security. I come to letters about his management of the viewed by the inspector general in- the floor at this point, before we vote EB–5 program. In those letters, I asked volved well-connected Democrats, in- on that motion today, to raise ques- him detailed questions in order to get cluding former Pennsylvania Governor tions about whether or not he should his side of the story, and when he Ed Rendell and then-Senate Majority be in that position as Secretary of didn’t answer my initial questions, I Leader Harry Reid. Homeland Security and the fact that I wrote him repeatedly to follow up. In each of the cases reviewed by the will be voting negative. At this point, it has been more than inspector general where Mr. Mayorkas I am familiar with Mr. Mayorkas 7 years, and I still have not received had intervened, the IG found that ‘‘but from my past oversight of the EB–5 in- answers to more than 25 specific ques- for Mr. Mayorkas’s intervention, the vestment visa program. From 2009 tions that I asked during that 2013 in- matter would have been decided dif- until 2013, Mr. Mayorkas served as Di- vestigation. ferently.’’ rector of the U.S. Citizenship and Im- Following his nomination to serve as Witnesses were also fearful, and some migration Services, which administers Department of Homeland Security Sec- only spoke to the IG after being as- that EB–5 visa program. retary, I wrote to Mr. Mayorkas again sured of anonymity. One whistleblower During that time, more than 15 whis- on January 15 to raise my concerns and told my office they were extremely un- tleblowers approached my office to to provide him yet another opportunity comfortable in meetings with Mr. raise questions about Mr. Mayorkas to answer my questions. He sent me a Mayorkas. and his management of the EB–5 pro- very short response on January 19 Mr. Mayorkas’s actions raised seri- gram. The whistleblowers allege that that—can you believe this?—still failed ous concerns in 2013 when he was nomi- Mr. Mayorkas was intervening in rou- to answer most of the questions that I nated to serve as Deputy Secretary of tine and technical matters that were was trying to get answers for. Homeland Security during President not typically handled by the Director It is very important for nominees Obama’s second term. It is why he of that Division. They also alleged that confirmed by this body to be responsive couldn’t be confirmed to that role until he was doing so at the request of well- to congressional oversight requests. after then-Majority Leader Harry Reid connected Democratic politicians and Mr. Mayorkas consistently refused to invoked the nuclear option on nomina- other politically connected stake- respond to my questions, and that tions. Not a single Republican Senator holders. should concern all of us in the U.S. was willing to support his confirmation As my colleagues are aware, I have Senate because no Senator should be then, and no Senator should support it long criticized the fraud and abuse that denied answers to his questions doing at this time.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G28JA6.014 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE January 28, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S191 Finally, I am concerned that Mr. years ago, the Supreme Court trag- fact, today, most Republicans and Mayorkas did not seem to express any ically ruled in Roe v. Wade, and since Democrats here in Congress are unified regret whatsoever for his previous ac- then, we have lost the lives of 62 mil- in their support for the Special Olym- tions during his recent confirmation lion people—62 million and counting— pics and for protecting individuals with hearing before the Homeland Security unborn babies, precious lives, by abor- disabilities. Yet many of my colleagues Committee. Instead, he appeared to tion. across the aisle will oppose this com- take the view that interfering in EB–5 I believe every human being is born monsense legislation to stop the most cases on behalf of well-connected poli- with God-given dignity and potential. lethal kind of discrimination imag- ticians and stakeholders was somehow No court, no legislature, no law can inable, and that is being singled out the same as casework help offered to take that away. Nevertheless, today, and brutally killed because of a Down Americans who experienced problems babies with Down syndrome are the syndrome diagnosis. It is shameful. with the international adoption sys- most endangered on Earth. As Henry Hyde famously said: ‘‘The tems. It was a baffling comparison. For me, this is very personal. Just promise of America is not just for the Now, every one of us Senators knows under 3 years ago, our world was privileged, the planned and the per- that when a nominee for the Cabinet or blessed with a sweet baby boy named fect.’’ Subcabinet comes before our com- Andrew. He has Down’s. His parents are It is our duty to protect every inno- mittee, they are always asked ques- very close friends. Andrew is a true cent life, no matter how small, no mat- tions by Senators—for sure, I do it: joy, and his family celebrates his life ter how many chromosomes they may Will you respond to our oversight let- every single day. Our world truly have. ters, phone calls, or appearing before would not be the same without him. I yield the floor. our committee? And every one of them But in the United States, 67 percent— The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- says yes, but not every one of them— 67 percent—of babies diagnosed with ator from Nevada. how would you say it? Not every one of Down syndrome are aborted, two out of f them keeps their word, I guess is what three. For every person with Down syn- drome alive today that you know or NOMINATION OF ALEJANDRO I should say. So I suggest to them, if NICHOLAS MAYORKAS you really want to be honest to take you meet—our friends, our family that oath to answer in an honest fash- members, loved ones—two more are Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I stand ion, maybe when you have that ques- gone from this world because of abor- before you and my colleagues today to tion asked, ‘‘Will you respond to re- tion. This is chilling. speak in support of the nomination of quests from committee members in our In Europe, the numbers are even Alejandro Mayorkas to serve as Sec- oversight work?’’ you ought to say worse. In fact, in Iceland, because of retary of the Department of Homeland ‘‘maybe’’ instead of saying ‘‘yes.’’ abortion, the population of individuals Security. Anyway, I think it is very clear that with Down syndrome is virtually being There is no question that Ali I strongly oppose Mr. Mayorkas’s con- eradicated. As prenatal screenings in- Mayorkas is qualified for this position. firmation, and I urge all of my col- crease in availability, mothers fre- He previously served as the Director of leagues to reject it as well. quently learn before birth if their baby U.S. Customs and Immigration Serv- Thank you. has Down syndrome. Rather than giv- ices, then as Deputy Secretary at DHS. I yield the floor. ing supportive resources, these vulner- Today, I want to tell you about Ali The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- able moms are often pressured to abort Mayorkas’s story. I want to tell you ator from Maine. the baby. We all too often hear of a why he is the right pick for this posi- f false compassion that it would be bet- tion. And I want to tell you why we can ter for unborn babies with Down Syn- achieve what we need to with Mr. UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREE- drome or other disabilities to not be Mayorkas leading the Department of MENT—EXECUTIVE CALENDAR brought into this world rather than Homeland Security. Mr. KING. Madam President, I ask live a life that might be different from During his hearing before the Senate unanimous consent that upon the con- other children. But that is not who we Homeland Security and Governmental clusion of morning business on Tues- are as Americans. Affairs Committee, my fellow com- day, February 2, the Senate proceed to I am deeply concerned that for babies mittee members and I had a chance to executive session to consider the nomi- born with Down syndrome, abortion hear from Mr. Mayorkas and hear his nation of Calendar No. 5, Peter has become ‘‘a tool of modern day eu- family history. Buttigieg, of Indiana, to be Secretary genics,’’ as Supreme Court Justice He told us the harrowing story of his of Transportation; further, that the Clarence Thomas has said. It pains me family fleeing persecution, traveling to time until 12 noon be equally divided to think about it. a new country in search of freedom, ac- between the two leaders or their des- But we can’t just think about this ceptance, and a safe place to call home. ignees and that at 12 noon, the Senate pain and the pain that it causes. We During the Holocaust, Mr. vote without intervening action or de- have to do something. We have to pro- Mayorkas’s mother lost her paternal bate on the nomination; that if con- tect those precious lives at all costs. It grandparents and seven of her uncles firmed, the motion to reconsider be is the duty of this body to end this in- simply for being Jewish—simply be- considered made and laid upon the justice. That is why I am joining my cause of the faith they practiced. His table, the President be immediately colleague from Oklahoma, Senator mother and his maternal grandparents notified of the Senate’s action, and the INHOFE, in introducing the Protecting fled, but they fled in order to survive. Senate resume legislative session. Individuals with Down Syndrome Act, But the story of Mr. Mayorkas’s fam- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without which will prohibit abortions that are ily was far from over. His parents fled objection, it is so ordered. sought because of a diagnosis that an Cuba during Castro’s revolution, bring- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. unborn child has or may have Down ing Mr. Mayorkas and his sister here to KING). The Senator from Montana. syndrome. the United States in 1960. They came f This effort has the overwhelming here as refugees searching for freedom, support of the American public. In fact, searching for acceptance, searching for ABORTION just yesterday, a new Knights of Co- safety. Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, tomor- lumbus-Marist poll found that 70 per- Ali Mayorkas is an American success row is the 48th annual March for Life. cent of Americans oppose aborting a story. He came here as a child. His Although this year’s march will pri- child on the basis that the child will be family made a life here. He pursued an marily be virtual, the importance of born with Down syndrome—70 percent. education. He dedicated his life to pub- standing together to protect the un- In fact, that includes over half of those lic service. He worked hard to give born, the most vulnerable, and all life, who identify as pro-choice. back to the Nation that gave his fam- is as important now as it has ever been. This issue also sadly exposes a ter- ily so much. Forty-eight years ago, our country rible hypocrisy we are seeing among And now, Mr. Mayorkas has volun- started down a dark path. Forty-eight supporters of abortion on demand. In teered to serve his country once again.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G28JA6.016 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S192 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 28, 2021 In this new role, he will work to keep confirmation so that he can get to him a unique perspective on the very our Nation safe and secure while ensur- work immediately for us and our coun- heart of the Department’s mission— ing that we treat all human beings try. I will vote for Ali Mayorkas, and I something that was certainly lost dur- with dignity and respect. urge my colleagues to do the same. ing the previous administration. Mr. Under the last Presidential adminis- I yield the floor. Mayorkas is uniquely qualified to tration, we saw unimaginable cruelty— The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- make sure the Department of Home- family members separated from each ator from Michigan. land Security is working to protect other, children taken from their moth- f people from all backgrounds, all com- ers’ arms. We saw a total disregard of munities, and all walks of life. the struggles of refugees facing perse- NOMINATION OF ALEJANDRO Mr. Mayorkas has the qualifications, cution in their home countries and NICHOLAS MAYORKAS the experience, and the record of ac- making the heartbreaking choice to Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise in complishments to provide steady lead- leave and make the dangerous journey support of Alejandro Mayorkas’s nomi- ership, to help restore trust in the De- to the United States. nation to be Secretary of the Depart- partment, and to safeguard our na- I know that under the leadership of ment of Homeland Security. tional security. That is why it is no Secretary Mayorkas, our Department As recent events have shown, our surprise that his nomination has been of Homeland Security will strive to up- country is facing dangerous threats to endorsed by four former Homeland Se- hold the values of our Nation. He will our security and to our national secu- curity Secretaries and a former Acting also bring much needed stability to the rity. Violence and domestic terrorism, Secretary from both Democratic and Department. He will work to reverse spurred on by White supremacist ide- Republican administrations. He also the cruel and heartless policies of the ology, anti-government sentiment, and has the support of a group of more than previous administration. He will work conspiracy theories, continue to rise. 30 cyber security experts, 34 former to protect Dreamers and TPS holders. We saw the tragic and deadly result of Homeland Security officials, and mul- He will work on smart solutions to se- that growing threat right here in the tiple law enforcement organizations, cure our border. And he will work with Capitol just 3 weeks ago, and just yes- including the Fraternal Order of Po- Congress to finally pass comprehensive terday the Department of Homeland lice. immigration reform. That is not all he Security issued a counterterrorism bul- Within this body, there are certainly will do at the DHS. letin, warning of possible further vio- very different views of the role of the Under Mr. Mayorkas’s leadership, he lence in the coming weeks. Federal Government, but one thing I will work to ensure the safety and se- Earlier this year, we learned that think we can all agree on as a top pri- curity of our homeland—the homeland hackers—likely backed by a foreign ad- ority is keeping Americans safe. It is he was brought to as a child, the home- versary—carried out the largest cyber our No. 1 job, and that is why I am ask- land that he and his family have made security breach of our Federal Govern- ing my colleagues to join me today in their own. I spoke of the persecution ment. We still do not have all of the supporting the confirmation of Mr. that Ali Mayorkas’s family faced dur- answers on how they were able to infil- Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland ing the Holocaust—a threat of anti- trate our networks or what informa- Security so that he can quickly begin Semitism and White supremacy. Well, tion they have access to. the important and essential task of it still persists today, and it is growing All this is happening while we are working to strengthen our national se- right here in the United States and ev- struggling to control a once-in-a-cen- curity and safeguarding all Americans. erywhere across the globe. tury pandemic that has, tragically, I ask unanimous consent that the Last year, a DHS assessment con- taken over 425,000 American lives so cloture vote begin immediately. cluded that ‘‘racially and ethnically far. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there motivated violent extremists—specifi- The Department of Homeland Secu- objection? cally white supremacist extremists— rity should be leading a forceful re- Without objection, it is so ordered. will remain the most persistent and le- sponse to these complex and significant f thal threat in the Homeland.’’ threats and protecting Americans, but We have seen that violent extremism CLOTURE MOTION the Department and its more than in action. We saw it on January 6 in 240,000 employees need a qualified, ex- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant this very city against this legislative perienced, and Senate-confirmed leader to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the body and in this very Chamber. When I at the helm—a leader like Alejandro Senate the pending cloture motion, asked Ali Mayorkas about this issue which the clerk will state. during our committee hearing, he made Mayorkas. Mr. Mayorkas has built an extensive The bill clerk read as follows: clear that he understands the threat national security record throughout CLOTURE MOTION that White supremacy, anti-Semitism, We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- and extremism pose to the health of his career in public service. He has been confirmed by the Senate three ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the our Nation and to the health of our de- Standing Rules of the Senate, hereby move mocracy. times, including twice for senior roles to bring to a close debate on the nomination If we are going to fight hatred and at the Department of Homeland Secu- of Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, of the Dis- violent extremism, we need someone rity. Not only did he help lead the trict of Columbia, to be Secretary of Home- leading the charge who understands Obama administration’s successful re- land Security. and takes seriously the threat to all sponses to the Ebola and Zika Charles E. Schumer, Gary C. Peters, epidemics, he also played a critical role Brian Schatz, Robert Menendez, Thom- Americans—the threats to our chil- as R. Carper, Sheldon Whitehouse, Ben- dren, to our schools, to our workplaces, in protecting the homeland from for- eign and domestic terrorism, strength- jamin L. Cardin, Tina Smith, Sherrod and to our places of worship. He is Brown, Patrick J. Leahy, Cory A. committed to addressing online ened our national cyber security, and Booker, Catherine Cortez Masto, Rich- radicalization and strengthening the increased cooperation between the Fed- ard J. Durbin, Jeanne Shaheen, Dianne Nonprofit Security Grant Program to eral Government and local law enforce- Feinstein, Jack Reed, Christopher Mur- ensure that houses of worship and ment agencies. phy, Martin Heinrich. other nonprofit organizations are kept Not only does he stand ready to lead The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- safe from potential terror attacks. the Department as it tackles serious imous consent, the mandatory quorum So whether it is combating extre- and challenging national security call has been waived. mism, foreign or domestic terrorism, threats, Mr. Mayorkas also under- The question is, Is it the sense of the cyber attacks, or adversaries from stands that the Department and its Senate that debate on the nomination abroad, Mr. Mayorkas expressed a clear mission have a real effect on people of Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, of the commitment to keeping our Nation and their families. His own family’s District of Columbia, to be Secretary safe and is fully prepared and qualified journey to the United States—first of Homeland Security, shall be brought to serve as the head of DHS. fleeing Nazi occupation in Eastern Eu- to a close? Ali Mayorkas is the right pick to rope and later immigrating to the The yeas and nays are mandatory lead this Department, and I urge swift United States from Cuba—has given under the rule.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G28JA6.018 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE January 28, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S193 The clerk will call the roll. LEGISLATIVE SESSION dogs, Heathcliff and Denver, are prob- The legislative clerk called the roll. ably as well-known and admired as he Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the is. With a gentle nature and a passion Senator from Virginia (Mr. WARNER) is MORNING BUSINESS for his work, Gary has made friends necessarily absent. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask and allies throughout Washington who Mr. THUNE. The following Senators unanimous consent that the Senate are eager to support APH’s inspiring are necessarily absent: the Senator proceed to legislative session and be in work. from South Carolina (Mr. GRAHAM) and a period of morning business with Sen- Gary has a lot of plans for his retire- the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. ators permitted to speak therein for up ment, but they don’t include slowing CRAMER). to 10 minutes each. down. He looks forward to pursuing The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 55, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without passions like biking around Louisville, nays 42, as follows: objection, it is so ordered. reading the books on his shelf, and [Rollcall Vote No. 10 Executive] f maybe even going back to school. His first goal is to spend more time with YEAS—55 TRIBUTE TO GARY MUDD his wife, Susan, their daughters and Baldwin Hickenlooper Reed Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, the Bennet Hirono Romney their grandchildren. He has earned Blumenthal Kaine Rosen American Printing House for the Blind, every minute of it. I encourage my Booker Kelly Sanders APH, has held a special place in Gary Senate colleagues to join me in thank- Brown King Schatz Mudd’s life since he was in the sixth Cantwell Klobuchar ing Gary for his leadership in Ken- Schumer grade. Over the last three decades, he Capito Leahy Shaheen tucky and to send him into retirement Cardin Lujan Sinema has become one of the leading voices with our best wishes. Carper Manchin Smith and most successful advocates for the Casey Markey f Stabenow Collins Menendez world’s largest nonprofit creating edu- Sullivan REMEMBERING BARBARA A. Coons Merkley cational products for people who are Cortez Masto Murkowski Tester blind and visually impaired. Now, Gary O’MALLEY Van Hollen Duckworth Murphy is closing that book and beginning a Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I Durbin Murray Warnock Feinstein Ossoff Warren well-deserved retirement. As he does, I rise today to pay tribute to a beloved Gillibrand Padilla Whitehouse would like to offer my congratulations figure in the Senate community, the Hassan Peters Wyden and recognize his many contributions late Barbara A. O’Malley, who passed Heinrich Portman to APH’s mission and its future. away on January 6. NAYS—42 As a student, Gary took classes next For three decades, Mrs. O worked in Barrasso Grassley Paul door to APH at the Kentucky School the office of our former colleague, Sen- Blackburn Hagerty Risch for the Blind in Louisville. His text- ator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland. Blunt Hawley Rounds books prominently displayed APH’s Boozman Hoeven Rubio She ran the front desk, which means I Braun Hyde-Smith Sasse name. His teachers spoke of the organi- had the pleasure of seeing her regularly Burr Inhofe Scott (FL) zation with the highest esteem. And at on the way to and from my nearby of- Cassidy Johnson Scott (SC) night in his dorm room, he could hear fice. Especially in the mornings, she Cornyn Kennedy Shelby Cotton Lankford Thune the churn of the braille printing press- and I would chat about the news, the Crapo Lee Tillis es. At this early age, Gary was sur- Senate, our families, and whatever Cruz Lummis Toomey rounded by the positive difference APH else. She always greeted me with tre- Daines Marshall Tuberville could make in a person’s life. Ernst McConnell Wicker mendous affection and kindness and Fischer Moran Young Of course, his path to APH wasn’t as baked some of the most delicious cook- easy as walking next door. Gary got his ies I and my staff have ever had. We NOT VOTING—3 start working in radio. After 4 years, will miss her greatly. Cramer Graham Warner he decided he wanted to join the print- Mrs. O deeply loved her family. She The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. VAN ing house. Anyone who knows Gary was married to her husband, Thomas HOLLEN). On this vote, the yeas are 55, could tell you that once he set his Martin, for 52 years until his death in the nays are 42. mind on the job, it was only a matter 2006. Together, they had six children: The motion is agreed to. of time before a new opportunity be- Peter, Paul, Patrick, Martin, Eileen, came available. To hear him tell it, and Bridgett; 15 grandchildren; and 8 f Gary badgered APH’s then-president great-grandchildren. EXECUTIVE SESSION until he got the chance to put his skills She also loved airplanes. While still to work as a marketing associate in in high school, she was among the first 1986. women to volunteer for the Civil Air Decades of Gary’s characteristic per- Patrol during World War II, earning EXECUTIVE CALENDAR sistence brought more opportunities her pilot’s license and taking to the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The and new responsibilities. At last, he skies. Later in life, she volunteered at clerk will report the nomination. got the chance to steer the organiza- the Smithsonian Air and Space Mu- The senior assistant bill clerk read tion as its vice president of govern- seum to bring her love for aircraft and the nomination of Alejandro Nicholas ment and community affairs. Through flight to all those who visited. Mayorkas, of the District of Columbia, books, tactile educational products, The saying goes, if you want a friend to be Secretary of Homeland Security. and ever improving technologies, Gary in Washington, get a dog. Mrs. O The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- helped APH drive inclusion and help proved that wrong. She treated every- ator from Vermont. students and adults achieve success. one with good will and offered an im- Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I suggest At every step, Gary has continued portant example of friendship to Sen- the absence of a quorum. learning and adapting to advance ators and staff alike. Mrs. O lived her The PRESIDING OFFICER. The APH’s mission. He has built strong re- life in service to her Catholic faith, to clerk will call the roll. lationships with educational experts her beloved State of Maryland, and to The senior assistant legislative clerk and community leaders. In 2011, he the Senate. I am proud to have called proceeded to call the roll. even had the chance to join Dolly her a friend. (Ms. CORTEZ MASTO assumed the Parton on stage as they announced a f Chair.) partnership with the music icon’s Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask Imagination Library. REMEMBERING SHIRLEY unanimous consent that the order for I have had the pleasure of working ABRAHAMSON the quorum call be rescinded. closely with Gary to deliver hundreds Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. of millions of Federal dollars to help I rise to recognize the distinguished KAINE). Without objection, it is so or- APH serve people throughout the coun- life of Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief dered. try. On Capitol Hill, Gary’s loyal guide Justice Shirley Abrahamson, who died

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G28JA6.021 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S194 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 28, 2021 on December 19, 2020, at the age of 87. vocates for victims of sexual assault create an editorial director job just as Justice Abrahamson was a consum- and domestic violence, she always un- most stations were eliminating their mate public servant who was passion- derstood that you can’t serve the peo- editorial departments. Neil delivered ately driven by the principle of fairness ple if you don’t walk in their shoes. more than 7,400 on-air editorials since when applying the law and serving the That is why the people of Wisconsin he first conveyed the station’s views in people of Wisconsin. Her unparalleled elected her to the supreme court four April of 1992. He also hosted a Sunday commitment to judicial independence times and she served 43 years on the morning public affairs program, ‘‘For and justice had an immeasurable im- court—serving the people. the Record,’’ that ran 1,500 episodes pact on Wisconsin’s judicial system The late Justice Ruth Bader Gins- over 30 years. and the countless women and men who burg said Justice Abrahamson was Perhaps Neil’s greatest legacy is his have been inspired to work in public ‘‘most courageous and sage, and ever leadership in guiding the growth and service by her leadership. She was the mindful of the people—all the people— creativity of Madison Magazine, which first woman to serve on the Wisconsin that the law exists or should exist to won countless awards for providing its Supreme Court and the first woman to serve.’’ nearly 170,000 readers with interesting serve as chief justice, but her legacy is Justice Abrahamson was cherished coverage of local people, entertain- even richer than those exceptional ac- and respected as a mentor, teacher, ad- ment, and issues. Neil’s contributions complishments. vocate, wife, mother, grandmother and included monthly columns on issues of Justice Abrahamson’s life had mod- friend. She was known for her strong importance to Madisonians and a est beginnings in New York City in work ethic, often the last person work- monthly food column he coauthored 1933, as the child of Polish immigrants. ing at night at the State capitol pre- with his wife, Nancy Christy. Madison Her passion for the law started at the paring for a case. Even as she faced readers particularly enjoyed his cover tender age of 6, when she decided she pancreatic cancer at the end of her last stories focused on leadership and vi- wanted to become a lawyer. Those who term on the State supreme court, Jus- sions for Madison’s future. knew her at all stages of life—from tice Abrahamson fearlessly continued Neil has been a familiar and trusted childhood to retirement—consistently working, noting, ‘‘On any day in this voice in many of Madison’s most im- commented on her thirst for learning. state, more than a quarter-million peo- portant events and controversial issues She was a voracious reader even at a ple are facing a cancer diagnosis.’’ She for the past 30 years. He is known for very young age and a dedicated stu- tried to make the law more accessible his support of major community dent, earning honors in high school and and understandable to clients and the projects such as the Monona Terrace college. general public and brought a caring Convention Center, the UW-Madison Justice Abrahamson graduated perspective to her professional and per- Kohl Center and Overture Center for magna cum laude with a bachelor’s de- sonal interactions. Her passion was the Arts. He helped launch We the Peo- gree from New York University in 1953. also seen outside of the courtroom in ple/Wisconsin, one of the most success- She earned a law degree with high dis- her travels and treasured relationships ful civic journalism projects in the tinction from Indiana University in with family and friends. country in the 1990s, and worked to 1956 and a doctor of law in American Justice Abrahamson was a true start Schools of Hope, an initiative to Legal History from the University of American hero. From her incomparable help close the achievement gap in Wisconsin Law School in 1962. Justice tenure on the Wisconsin Supreme Madison schools. Abrahamson began her career as a Court to her efforts as a pioneer for While Neil’s last day of work was this practicing attorney and distinguished gender equality, Justice Abrahamson past September 15, I know he will re- professor at the University of Wis- lived a life devoted to service and jus- main active in the community for consin Law School. tice for all. Her greatest legacy is the many years to come, lending his voice Justice Abrahamson’s career is an in- trail she blazed for countless young to complex community conversations spiration to all women who are fight- women, who can see themselves in a and championing causes that bring us ing forces that tell them they don’t be- courtroom or on a judicial bench be- together. I will be forever grateful for long because of their gender. She faced cause of the barriers she fearlessly Neil’s commitment to the Madison significant discrimination when she en- broke through. She will shine in Wis- community and for offering his wise tered the legal profession in the 1950s. consin’s history as one of the most in- perspective in critical times. From being denied employment at a fluential women who shaped not only f law firm after graduating first in her our judicial institutions but the State class at Indiana University, to the de- as a whole. ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS nial of jobs, clients, and even social f club memberships because of her gen- der, Justice Abrahamson remained un- TRIBUTE TO NEIL HEINEN TRIBUTE TO DALE HANKINS daunted by prejudice. She refused to Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today ∑ Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, this back down from those who stood in the I rise to honor Neil Heinen, editorial week I have the honor of recognizing way of a woman’s path to success in director for WISC-TV and Madison Dale Hankins of Chouteau County for the legal profession. She carried that Magazine, on his retirement. Through- volunteering countless hours to sup- steadfast commitment to fairness and out his remarkable career, Neil has port his fellow veterans. equality in her work on the court. been steadfast in his commitment to When Dale was 10 years old, a friend In 1976, Justice Abrahamson broke fair and honest reporting, clear-headed of his father, a WWII vet, carried a dia- the glass ceiling in Wisconsin’s judicial editorials and fascinating stories about mond willow cane. Dale was so in- system by becoming the first female the community he loves. trigued by the way the diamonds stood justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Born in Milwaukee, WI as the oldest out, he couldn’t take his eyes off of it. Court. She again changed the judicial of 11 children, Neil first attended St. At the age of 17, he made his first at- landscape in 1996 when she became the Norbert College in Green Bay in 1969. tempt at carving a cane, and soon real- first woman to serve as chief justice. He dropped out to spend 4 years work- ized and appreciated the effort it took For the chief, serving on the supreme ing in a mental hospital, where he said to create such beautiful craftsmanship. court meant serving the people of Wis- he received his real education. He By the time he finished, his hands were consin as an independent, fair, and im- worked as a bartender and actor in so full of blisters he decided to pursue partial justice because, after all, the Madison before deciding to study jour- other hobbies. court and our court system belong to nalism at the University of Wisconsin- Dale later joined the U.S. Army and the people, not powerful special inter- Madison. He began his career at WIBA served in Charlie Company, 160th Spe- ests. That is why she spent a lot of her radio station, spending 10 years on the cial Operations Aviation Regiment, as time traveling the State, meeting with air before joining the team at WISC-TV an airborne infantry soldier. After re- people. Whether it was meeting with News as a news assignment editor. ceiving his honorable discharge, he re- local judges, riding along with local It was there that Neil worked with turned to Montana and joined the Mon- law enforcement, or meeting with ad- longtime station manager Tom Bier to tana Army National Guard. Having a

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Each one is unique and personal- President of the Senate on January 5, 2021; and Assistant Secretary for Administration, ized for the veteran, and an American to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Department of Commerce, transmitting, pur- flag is included on the handle of each Urban Affairs. suant to law, a report entitled ‘‘FY 2020 cane. EC–123. A communication from the Sec- Agency Financial Report’’; to the Committee Dale hasn’t stopped since. He invests retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- 80 hours or more to make each cane ant to law, a six-month periodic report on fairs. beautiful and durable, all at no cost to the national emergency with respect to EC–135. A communication from the Direc- tor, Office of Management and Budget, Exec- the veteran. Veterans across the Na- North Korea that was declared in Executive Order 13466 of June 26, 2008; to the Com- utive Office of the President, transmitting, tion from Florida to Washington are mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- pursuant to law, a report entitled ‘‘2018 In- proudly using his gift which has aided fairs. formation Collection Budget of the United in their quality of life. EC–124. A communication from the Assist- States Government’’; to the Committee on It is my honor to recognize Dale for ant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Depart- Homeland Security and Governmental Af- his efforts to support and appreciate ment of State, transmitting, pursuant to fairs. our heroes for the sacrifices they have law, the Department’s Annual Report of EC–136. A communication from the Chief made for our great Nation. The com- Interdiction of Aircraft Engaged in Illicit Privacy Officer and Chief FOIA Officer, De- partment of Homeland Security, transmit- passion and commitment of these ex- Drug Trafficking; to the Committee on For- eign Relations. ting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ‘‘2019 traordinary veterans are an inspiration EC–125. A communication from the Vice Data Mining Report to Congress’’; to the to us all.∑ President, Office of External Affairs, U.S. Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- f International Development Finance Corpora- ernmental Affairs. tion, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report EC–137. A communication from the Chair- EXECUTIVE AND OTHER entitled ‘‘Annual Report on Development man, Board of Governors, United States COMMUNICATIONS Impact for Fiscal Year 2019 for the Overseas Postal Service, transmitting, pursuant to The following communications were Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)’’; to law, the Postal Services’ Semiannual Report laid before the Senate, together with the Committee on Foreign Relations. of the Inspector General for the period from EC–126. A communication from the Man- April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to accompanying papers, reports, and doc- aging Director, Congressional Affairs, U.S. the Committee on Homeland Security and uments, and were referred as indicated: International Development Finance Corpora- Governmental Affairs. EC–117. A communication from the Asso- tion, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report EC–138. A communication from the Chair- ciate General Counsel for Regulations and entitled ‘‘Report on Activities: Independent man of the Federal Laboratory Consortium Legislation, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Accountability Mechanism, Fiscal Year for Technology Transfer, transmitting, pur- Opportunity, Department of Housing and 2020’’; to the Committee on Foreign Rela- suant to law, the 2019 Annual Report to the Urban Development, transmitting, pursuant tions. President and Congress; to the Committee on to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Assess- EC–127. A communication from the Assist- Homeland Security and Governmental Af- ing a Person’s Request to Have an Animal as ant Legal Adviser for Treaty Affairs, Depart- fairs. a Reasonable Accommodation Under the ment of State, transmitting, pursuant to the EC–139. A communication from the Admin- Fair Housing Act’’ (FHEO 2020–01) received Case-Zablocki Act, 1 U.S.C. 112b, as amended, istrator of the National Aeronautics and in the Office of the President of the Senate the report of the texts and background state- Space Administration, transmitting, pursu- on December 31, 2020; to the Committee on ments of international agreements, other ant to law, a report entitled ‘‘2017 NASA Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. than treaties (List 2020–0104—2020–0107); to FAIR Act Inventory’’; to the Committee on EC–118. A communication from the Sec- the Committee on Foreign Relations. Homeland Security and Governmental Af- retary of the Securities and Exchange Com- EC–128. A communication from the Senior fairs. mission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Bureau Official, Legislative Affairs, Depart- EC–140. A communication from the Sec- report of a rule entitled ‘‘Disclosure of Pay- ment of State, transmitting, pursuant to retary of the Board of Governors, United ments by Resource Extraction Issuers’’ law, a report relative to the Chemical Weap- States Postal Service, transmitting, pursu- (RIN3235–AM06) received in the Office of the ons Convention and the Australia Group; to ant to law, the Board’s annual report rel- President of the Senate on December 31, 2020; the Committee on Foreign Relations. ative to its compliance with Section 3686(c) to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and EC–129. A communication from the Presi- of the Postal Accountability and Enhance- Urban Affairs. dent of the United States, transmitting, pur- ment Act of 2006; to the Committee on EC–119. A communication from the Pro- suant to law, a report relative to the Homeland Security and Governmental Af- gram Specialist, Office of the Comptroller of issuance of an Executive Order declaring ad- fairs. the Currency, Department of the Treasury, ditional steps to be taken concerning the na- EC–141. A communication from the Direc- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of tional emergency with respect to significant tor of the Peace Corps, transmitting, pursu- a rule entitled ‘‘Activities and Operations of malicious cyber enabled activities declared ant to law, the Corps’ Agency Financial Re- National Banks and Federal Savings Asso- in Executive Order 13694 of April 1, 2015, re- port for fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on ciations’’ (RIN1557–AE74) received during ad- ceived during adjournment of the Senate on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- journment of the Senate in the Office of the January 18, 2021; to the Committee on For- fairs. President of the Senate on January 5, 2021; eign Relations. EC–142. A communication from the Direc- to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and EC–130. A communication from the Board tor of Regulations and Policy Management Urban Affairs. Members, Railroad Retirement Board, trans- Staff, Food and Drug Administration, De- EC–120. A communication from the Sec- mitting, pursuant to law, the Board’s Per- partment of Health and Human Services, retary of the Securities and Exchange Com- formance and Accountability Report for fis- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of mission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the cal year 2020, including the Office of Inspec- a rule entitled ‘‘Uniform Compliance Date report of a rule entitled ‘‘Exemption from tor General’s Auditor’s Report; to the Com- for Food Labeling Regulations’’ (Docket No. the Definition of ‘Clearing Agency’ for Cer- mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- FDA–2000–N–0011) received during adjourn- tain Activities of Security-Based Swap Deal- mental Affairs. ment of the Senate in the Office of the Presi- ers and Security-Based Swap Execution Fa- EC–131. A communication from the Chair- dent of the Senate on January 8, 2021; to the cilities’’ (RIN3235–AK74) received in the Of- man, Federal Maritime Commission, trans- Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and fice of the President of the Senate on Decem- mitting, pursuant to law, the 21st Century Pensions. ber 31, 2020; to the Committee on Banking, IDEA 2020 report; to the Committee on EC–143. A communication from the Assist- Housing, and Urban Affairs. Homeland Security and Governmental Af- ant General Counsel for Regulatory Affairs, EC–121. A communication from the Sec- fairs. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, retary of the Securities and Exchange Com- EC–132. A communication from the Sec- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of mission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- a rule entitled ‘‘Allocation of Assets in Sin- report of a rule entitled ‘‘Custody of Digital ant to law, the Department’s Agency Finan- gle-Employer Plans; Valuation of Benefits Asset Securities by Special Purpose Broker- cial Report for fiscal year 2020; to the Com- and Assets; Expected Retirement Age’’ (29 Dealers’’ (17 CFR Part 240) received in the mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- CFR Part 4044) received in the Office of the Office of the President of the Senate on De- mental Affairs. President of the Senate on December 31, 2020; cember 31, 2020; to the Committee on Bank- EC–133. A communication from the Chair to the Committee on Health, Education, ing, Housing, and Urban Affairs. of the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Labor, and Pensions. EC–122. A communication from the Pro- Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, the EC–144. A communication from the Regula- gram Specialist, Office of the Comptroller of Board’s Agency Financial Report for fiscal tions Coordinator, Office of the General

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Counsel, Department of Health and Human fice, Department of Commerce, transmit- By Ms. LUMMIS (for herself, Mr. BAR- Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- RASSO, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mrs. CAPITO, report of a rule entitled ‘‘Department of titled ‘‘Rules of Practice to Allocate the Mr. CASSIDY, Mr. COTTON, Mr. COR- Health and Human Services Good Guidance Burden of Persuasion on Motions to Amend NYN, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. Practices’’ (RIN0906–AC17) received in the Of- in Trial Proceedings Before the Patent Trial CRUZ, Mr. DAINES, Mr. HOEVEN, Mrs. fice of the President of the Senate on Decem- and Appeal Board’’ (RIN0651–AD34) received HYDE-SMITH, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. KEN- ber 31, 2020; to the Committee on Health, in the Office of the President of the Senate NEDY, Mr. LEE, Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. Education, Labor, and Pensions. on December 31, 2020; to the Committee on TOOMEY, Mr. TUBERVILLE, Mr. RISCH, EC–145. A communication from the Regula- the Judiciary. Mr. ROMNEY, Mr. WICKER, Mr. BOOZ- tions Coordinator, Office of the General EC–154. A communication from the Agency MAN, Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. SULLIVAN, Mr. Counsel, Department of Health and Human Representative, Patent and Trademark Of- SCOTT of South Carolina, and Mr. Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the fice, Department of Commerce, transmit- LANKFORD): report of a rule entitled ‘‘Department of ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- S. 76. A bill to prohibit the President from Health and Human Services Good Guidance titled ‘‘Small Entity Government Use Li- issuing moratoria on leasing and permitting Practices’’ (RIN0991–AC17) received in the Of- cense Exception’’ (RIN0651–AD33) received in energy and minerals on certain Federal land, fice of the President of the Senate on Decem- the Office of the President of the Senate on and for other purposes; to the Committee on ber 31, 2020; to the Committee on Health, December 31, 2020; to the Committee on the Energy and Natural Resources. Education, Labor, and Pensions. Judiciary. By Mrs. HYDE-SMITH (for herself, Mr. EC–146. A communication from the Compli- EC–155. A communication from the Chief of BARRASSO, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. ance Specialist, Wage and Hour Division, De- the Regulatory Coordination Division, Citi- BOOZMAN, Mr. COTTON, Mr. CRAMER, partment of Labor, transmitting, pursuant zenship and Immigration Services, Depart- Mr. DAINES, Mrs. FISCHER, Mr. to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Tip ment of Homeland Security, transmitting, HAWLEY, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. LANKFORD, Regulations under the Fair Labor Standards pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled Ms. LUMMIS, Mr. MORAN, Mr. Act (FLSA)’’ (RIN1235–AA21) received during ‘‘Modification of Registration Requirement PORTMAN, Mr. RISCH, Mr. ROUNDS, adjournment of the Senate in the Office of for Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina, Mr. the President of the Senate on January 5, H–1B Petitions’’ (RIN1615–AC61) received CRUZ, Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. 2021; to the Committee on Health, Education, during adjournment of the Senate in the Of- KENNEDY, and Mr. LEE): Labor, and Pensions. fice of the President of the Senate on Janu- S. 77. A bill to amend the Public Health EC–147. A communication from the Acting ary 13, 2021; to the Committee on the Judici- Service Act to prohibit the Secretary of Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Se- ary. Health and Human Services from conducting curity Administration, Department of Labor, EC–156. A communication from the Sec- or supporting any research involving human transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of retary of the Judicial Conference of the fetal tissue that is obtained pursuant to an a rule entitled ‘‘Improving Investment Ad- United States, transmitting, pursuant to induced abortion, and for other purposes; to vice for Workers and Retirees’’ (RIN1210– law, a report entitled ‘‘Report On The Con- the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, ZA29) received in the Office of the President tinuing Need For Authorized Bankruptcy and Pensions. of the Senate on December 31, 2020; to the Judgeships’’; to the Committee on the Judi- By Mrs. HYDE-SMITH (for herself, Mr. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and ciary. BARRASSO, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. Pensions. EC–157. A communication from the Direc- BLUNT, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. CORNYN, EC–148. A communication from the Direc- tor, Administrative Office of the United Mr. COTTON, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. DAINES, tor, Administrative Office of the United States Courts, transmitting, pursuant to Ms. ERNST, Mrs. FISCHER, Mr. States Courts, transmitting, pursuant to law, an annual report to Congress concerning HAWLEY, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. LANKFORD, law, the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) intercepted wire, oral, or electronic commu- Mr. MORAN, Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. RISCH, for the report entitled ‘‘2019 Report of Statis- nications; to the Committee on the Judici- Mr. ROUNDS, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. SASSE, tics Required by the Bankruptcy Abuse Pre- ary. Mr. SULLIVAN, Mr. THUNE, Mr. vention and Consumer Protection Act of EC–158. A communication from the Man- BRAUN, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. HOEVEN, Mr. 2005’’; to the Committee on the Judiciary. agement and Program Analyst, Federal LEE, Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. PAUL, Mr. EC–149. A communication from the Attor- Aviation Administration, Department of SCOTT of Florida, Mr. WICKER, Mr. ney Advisor, Executive Office for Immigra- Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to YOUNG, and Mr. SCOTT of South Caro- tion Review, Department of Justice, trans- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend- lina): mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule ment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Las S. 78. A bill to amend the Federal Food, entitled ‘‘Appellate Procedures and Vegas, Nevada’’ ((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the ap- Decisional Finality in Immigration Pro- FAA–2020–0353)) received during adjournment proval of new abortion drugs, to prohibit in- ceedings; Administrative Closure’’ (RIN1125– of the Senate in the Office of the President vestigational use exemptions for abortion AA96) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on January 5, 2020; to the Com- drugs, and to impose additional regulatory of the Senate on December 31, 2020; to the mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- requirements with respect to previously ap- Committee on the Judiciary. tation. proved abortion drugs, and for other pur- EC–150. A communication from the Chief of f poses; to the Committee on Health, Edu- the Regulatory Coordination Division, Citi- cation, Labor, and Pensions. zenship and Immigration Services, Depart- INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND By Mr. BOOKER (for himself and Mr. ment of Homeland Security, transmitting, JOINT RESOLUTIONS DURBIN): pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled The following bills and joint resolu- S. 79. A bill to eliminate the disparity in ‘‘Temporary Changes to Requirements Af- tions were introduced, read the first sentencing for cocaine offenses, and for other fecting H–2A Nonimmigrants Due to the purposes; to the Committee on the Judici- COVID–19 National Emergency; Extension of and second times by unanimous con- ary. Certain Flexibilities’’ (RIN1615–AC55) re- sent, and referred as indicated: By Ms. ERNST (for herself, Mr. GRASS- ceived in the Office of the President of the By Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina (for LEY, Mr. SASSE, Mrs. FISCHER, Mr. Senate on December 31, 2020; to the Com- himself, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. CORNYN, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. COT- mittee on the Judiciary. BRAUN, Mr. WICKER, Mr. SASSE, Mr. TON, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. THUNE, Mr. LEE, EC–151. A communication from the Attor- SCOTT of Florida, and Mr. CRUZ): Mr. INHOFE, Mr. MORAN, Mr. SCOTT of ney Advisor, Executive Office for Immigra- S. 74. A bill to expand opportunity through Florida, Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina, tion Review, Department of Justice, trans- greater choice in education, and for other Mr. TILLIS, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, Mr. mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule purposes; to the Committee on Health, Edu- CRAMER, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. BLUNT, and entitled ‘‘Procedures for Asylum and With- cation, Labor, and Pensions. Ms. LUMMIS): holding of Removal’’ (RIN1125–AA93) re- By Mr. INHOFE (for himself, Mr. S. 80. A bill to require U.S. Immigration ceived in the Office of the President of the DAINES, Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. THUNE, and Customs Enforcement to take into cus- Senate on December 31, 2020; to the Com- Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. tody certain aliens who have been charged in mittee on the Judiciary. COTTON, Mr. RISCH, Mr. MARSHALL, the United States with a crime that resulted EC–152. A communication from the Attor- Mr. CRAMER, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, Mr. in the death or serious bodily injury of an- ney Advisor, Executive Office for Immigra- BOOZMAN, Ms. LUMMIS, Mr. HAWLEY, other person, and for other purposes; to the tion Review, Department of Justice, trans- Mr. ROUNDS, Ms. ERNST, Mr. SASSE, Committee on the Judiciary. mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule Mr. HOEVEN, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. SCOTT of By Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself, entitled ‘‘Executive Office for Immigration Florida, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. RUBIO, and Mr. WARNER, Mr. MARKEY, Ms. BALD- Review; Fee Review’’ (RIN1125–AA90) re- Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina): WIN, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. ceived in the Office of the President of the S. 75. A bill to amend title 18, United MENENDEZ, Mr. KING, Mr. BENNET, Senate on December 31, 2020; to the Com- States Code, to prohibit discrimination by Ms. WARREN, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, and Mr. mittee on the Judiciary. abortion against an unborn child on the DURBIN): EC–153. A communication from the Agency basis of Down syndrome; to the Committee S. 81. A bill to protect the privacy of Representative, Patent and Trademark Of- on the Judiciary. health information during a national health

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emergency; to the Committee on Health, whether their service-connected disabilities DUCKWORTH, Mr. HEINRICH, Mr. Education, Labor, and Pensions. were the principal or contributory causes of LEAHY, Mr. COONS, and Ms. STABE- By Mr. MARKEY (for himself, Mr. death, and for other purposes; to the Com- NOW): BLUMENTHAL, and Mr. WICKER): mittee on Veterans’ Affairs. S. 96. A bill to provide for the long-term S. 82. A bill to require a joint task force on By Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself, Mr. improvement of public school facilities, and air travel during and after the COVID–19 CARPER, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Ms. BALD- for other purposes; to the Committee on Fi- Public Health Emergency, and for other pur- WIN, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. KAINE, Mr. nance. poses; to the Committee on Commerce, CASEY, Ms. CORTEZ MASTO, and Mr. By Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Mr. Science, and Transportation. WYDEN): BROWN, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. VAN HOL- By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. S. 90. A bill to amend the District of Co- LEN, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, and Mr. BRAUN, Mr. CRAMER, Mrs. HYDE- lumbia Home Rule Act to repeal the author- CASEY): SMITH, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. MARSHALL, ity of the President to assume emergency S. 97. A bill to amend title XVIII of the So- Mr. ROUNDS, and Mr. TILLIS): control of the police of the District of Co- cial Security Act to provide for coverage of S. 83. A bill to amend title 18, United lumbia; to the Committee on Homeland Se- dental services under the Medicare program; States Code, to prohibit certain abortion curity and Governmental Affairs. to the Committee on Finance. procedures, and for other purposes; to the By Ms. SINEMA (for herself, Mr. COR- By Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Mr. Committee on the Judiciary. NYN, and Mrs. FEINSTEIN): PORTMAN, Mr. COONS, Mr. YOUNG, Mr. By Mr. PAUL: S. 91. A bill to amend the Social Security BROWN, and Mr. SCOTT of South Caro- S. 84. A bill to end the unconstitutional Act to include special districts in the lina): delegation of legislative power which was ex- coronavirus relief fund, to direct the Sec- S. 98. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue clusively vested in the Senate and House of retary to include special districts as an eligi- Code of 1986 to allow a credit against tax for Representatives by article I, section 1 of the ble issuer under the Municipal Liquidity Fa- neighborhood revitalization, and for other Constitution of the United States, and to di- cility, and for other purposes; to the Com- purposes; to the Committee on Finance. rect the Comptroller General of the United mittee on Finance. By Mr. PAUL (for himself, Mr. DAINES, States to issue a report to Congress detailing By Mr. WICKER (for himself, Mr. BAR- Mr. THUNE, Mr. ROUNDS, Mrs. BLACK- the extent of the problem of unconstitu- RASSO, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. BLUNT, BURN, Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. RISCH, Mr. tional delegation to the end that such dele- Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. BRAUN, Mrs. CAP- INHOFE, Mr. WICKER, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. gations can be phased out, thereby restoring ITO, Mr. CASSIDY, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. KENNEDY, the constitutional principle of separation of COTTON, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. and Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina): powers set forth in the first sections of the CRUZ, Mr. DAINES, Ms. ERNST, Mrs. S. 99. A bill to implement equal protection Constitution of the United States; to the FISCHER, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. GRASSLEY, under the 14th Amendment to the Constitu- Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- Mr. HAGERTY, Mr. HAWLEY, Mr. tion of the United States for the right to life ernmental Affairs. HOEVEN, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, Mr. of each born and preborn human person; to By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. KENNEDY, the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. PAUL: WYDEN, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mrs. GILLI- Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. LEE, Ms. LUMMIS, S. 100. A bill to provide guidance and prior- BRAND, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. DURBIN, and Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. MCCONNELL, Mr. ities for Federal Government obligations in Ms. DUCKWORTH): MORAN, Mr. PAUL, Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. the event that the debt limit is reached and S. 85. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue RISCH, Mr. ROMNEY, Mr. ROUNDS, Mr. to provide a limited and temporary author- Code of 1986 to repeal the limitation on the RUBIO, Mr. SASSE, Mr. SCOTT of Flor- ity to exceed the debt limit for priority obli- deduction for certain taxes, including State ida, Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina, Mr. gations; to the Committee on Finance. and local property and income taxes; to the SHELBY, Mr. SULLIVAN, Mr. THUNE, By Mr. MARKEY (for himself and Ms. Committee on Finance. Mr. TILLIS, Mr. TOOMEY, Mr. DUCKWORTH): By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mrs. TUBERVILLE, and Mr. YOUNG): S. 101. A bill to establish the Environ- LACKBURN, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. CORNYN, S. 92. A bill to prohibit taxpayer funded B mental Justice Mapping Committee, and for abortions; to the Committee on Finance. Mr. COTTON, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. CRUZ, other purposes; to the Committee on Envi- By Mr. CARDIN (for himself and Mr. Mr. DAINES, Ms. ERNST, Mrs. HYDE- ronment and Public Works. SMITH, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. MARSHALL, WICKER): S. 93. A bill to amend the Global By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: Mr. ROUNDS, Mr. SASSE, and Mr. S. 102. A bill to amend the West Los Ange- Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability THUNE): les Leasing Act of 2016 to authorize the use Act to modify the foreign persons subject to S. 86. A bill to prohibit discrimination of certain funds received pursuant to leases against the unborn on the basis of sex, and sanctions and to remove the sunset for the entered into under such Act, and for other for other purposes; to the Committee on the imposition of sanctions, and for other pur- purposes; to the Committee on Veterans’ Af- Judiciary. poses; to the Committee on Foreign Rela- fairs. By Mr. MARSHALL (for himself, Mr. tions. By Mr. PAUL: INHOFE, Mr. ROUNDS, Mr. DAINES, By Ms. ROSEN (for herself, Mr. MORAN, S. 103. A bill to preserve the constitutional Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. Mr. CRAMER, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. authority of Congress and ensure account- BRAUN, Mr. PAUL, and Mr. MORAN): DAINES, and Ms. BALDWIN): ability and transparency in legislation; to S. 87. A bill to prohibit the expenditure for S. 94. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue the Committee on Rules and Administration. an abortion of Federal funds authorized or Code of 1986 to provide the work opportunity By Ms. SMITH (for herself, Mr. MUR- appropriated for preventing, preparing for, or tax credit with respect to hiring veterans PHY, Mr. BROWN, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. responding to the COVID–19 pandemic, and who are receiving educational assistance WYDEN, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, for other purposes; to the Committee on Fi- under laws administered by the Secretary of Ms. KLOBUCHAR, and Mr. nance. Veterans Affairs or Defense; to the Com- BLUMENTHAL): By Mrs. BLACKBURN (for herself, Mr. mittee on Finance. S. 104. A bill to authorize the Director of RISCH, Mr. COTTON, Mr. PAUL, Mr. By Mr. LANKFORD (for himself, Mr. the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- ROMNEY, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. RISCH, Mr. BARRASSO, tion to carry out a Social Determinants of WICKER, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. BLUNT, Mrs. Mr. MORAN, Mr. THUNE, Mr. CORNYN, Health Program, and for other purposes; to FISCHER, Ms. ERNST, Mr. ROUNDS, Mr. Mr. CRUZ, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. BOOZMAN, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, HAWLEY, Mr. THUNE, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. Ms. LUMMIS, Mr. ROUNDS, Mr. RUBIO, and Pensions. MARSHALL, Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. Mr. COTTON, Ms. ERNST, Mr. SCOTT of By Mr. PAUL: DAINES, Mr. SASSE, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. South Carolina, Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. S. 105. A bill to amend title 31, United HAGERTY, Mr. SCOTT of South Caro- CRAMER, Mr. DAINES, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. States Code, to provide for automatic con- lina, Mr. CASSIDY, Mr. LEE, Mrs. SCOTT of Florida, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, tinuing resolutions; to the Committee on Ap- HYDE-SMITH, and Mr. CRAMER): and Mr. HAWLEY): propriations. S. 88. A bill to amend title X of the Public S. 95. A bill to amend title XIX of the So- By Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr. Health Service Act to prohibit family plan- cial Security Act to allow for greater State RUBIO, Mr. JOHNSON, Mrs. BLACK- ning grants from being awarded to any enti- flexibility with respect to excluding pro- BURN, Ms. LUMMIS, Mr. SCOTT of Flor- ty that performs abortions, and for other viders who are involved in abortions; to the ida, Mr. HAGERTY, Mr. SASSE, Mr. purposes; to the Committee on Health, Edu- Committee on Finance. CRUZ, and Mr. SCOTT of South Caro- cation, Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. BROWN, lina): By Ms. SINEMA (for herself, Mr. Mr. MERKLEY, Ms. CORTEZ MASTO, S. 106. A bill to allow a State to submit a TILLIS, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. CARDIN, Ms. SMITH, Mr. BOOKER, declaration of intent to the Secretary of Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Ms. WARREN, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. MURPHY, Ms. Education to combine certain funds to im- Mr. COONS): HIRONO, Ms. ROSEN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, prove the academic achievement of students; S. 89. A bill to require the Secretary of Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Ms. to the Committee on Health, Education, Veterans Affairs to secure medical opinions KLOBUCHAR, Mr. LUJA´ N, Mr. CASEY, Labor, and Pensions. for veterans with service-connected disabil- Mr. DURBIN, Ms. WARREN, Mr. By Mr. ROUNDS (for himself, Mr. KING, ities who die from COVID–19 to determine BLUMENTHAL, Ms. HASSAN, Ms. Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. CRAMER, Mr.

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DAINES, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. MANCHIN, By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself, Mr. PAUL, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. HAGERTY, Mr. Ms. LUMMIS, Ms. SMITH, Mr. TESTER, BLUNT, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. WICKER, ROUNDS, and Mr. SASSE): and Mr. THUNE): and Mr. CASEY): S. 125. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- S. 107. A bill to amend the Federal Meat S. 117. A bill to establish an Intercountry enue Code of 1986 to prohibit treatment of Inspection Act and the Poultry Products In- Adoption Advisory Committee, and for other certain distributions and reimbursements for spection Act to allow the interstate sale of purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Rela- certain abortions as qualified medical ex- State-inspected meat and poultry, and for tions. penses; to the Committee on Finance. other purposes; to the Committee on Agri- By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself, Mr. By Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Ms. ERNST, culture, Nutrition, and Forestry. HOEVEN, Ms. SMITH, and Mr. CRAMER): Mr. BRAUN, and Mr. INHOFE): By Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Mr. S. 118. A bill to establish the Rural Export S. 126. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- SCOTT of Florida): Center, and for other purposes; to the Com- enue Code of 1986 to make permanent the in- S. 108. A bill to authorize the Seminole mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- dividual tax provisions of the tax reform law, Tribe of Florida to lease or transfer certain fairs. and for other purposes; to the Committee on land, and for other purposes; to the Com- By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and Finance. mittee on Indian Affairs. Mr. CORNYN): By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. WHITE- By Mr. RUBIO (for himself, Mrs. HYDE- S. 119. A bill to authorize the Office on Vio- HOUSE, Mr. WYDEN, and Mr. SAND- SMITH, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. lence Against Women to improve the han- ERS): CRUZ, Mr. RISCH, Mr. INHOFE, Mrs. dling of crimes of domestic violence, dating S. 127. A bill to support library infrastruc- violence, sexual assault, and stalking by in- FISCHER, Ms. ERNST, Mr. LANKFORD, ture; to the Committee on Health, Edu- corporating a trauma-informed approach Mr. THUNE, Mr. BRAUN, Mrs. BLACK- cation, Labor, and Pensions. into the initial response to and investigation BURN, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. CASSIDY, Mr. By Mr. CASSIDY (for himself, Mr. of such crimes; to the Committee on the Ju- PAUL, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. SCOTT of South KELLY, Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina, diciary. Carolina, Mr. HAWLEY, and Mr. and Mrs. SHAHEEN): By Mr. SCHATZ (for himself, Mrs. CRAMER): S. 128. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- S. 109. A bill to amend title 18, United FISCHER, Mr. SCOTT of Florida, Mr. enue Code of 1986 to provide for the treat- States Code, to prohibit taking minors BLUMENTHAL, and Ms. ROSEN): ment of direct primary care service arrange- S. 120. A bill to prevent and respond to the across State lines in circumvention of laws ments as medical care, to provide that such misuse of communications services that fa- requiring the involvement of parents in abor- arrangements do not disqualify deductible cilitates domestic violence and other crimes; health savings account contributions, and tion decisions; to the Committee on the Ju- to the Committee on Commerce, Science, for other purposes; to the Committee on Fi- diciary. and Transportation. nance. By Mr. PAUL: By Ms. ROSEN (for herself and Mrs. S. 110. A bill to end the practice of includ- By Mr. TESTER (for himself, Ms. COL- BLACKBURN): ing more than one subject in a single bill by S. 121. A bill to amend the Workforce Inno- LINS, and Mrs. GILLIBRAND): S. 129. A bill to permit disabled law en- requiring that each bill enacted by Congress vation and Opportunity Act to establish forcement officers, customs and border pro- be limited to only one subject, and for other demonstration and pilot projects to facili- purposes; to the Committee on Rules and Ad- tate education and training programs in the tection officers, firefighters, air traffic con- ministration. field of advanced manufacturing; to the trollers, nuclear material couriers, members By Mr. JOHNSON (for himself, Mr. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and of the Capitol Police, members of the Su- SCOTT of Florida, and Mr. RUBIO): Pensions. preme Court Police, employees of the Cen- S. 111. A bill to establish the Federal Clear- By Ms. ROSEN (for herself and Mr. tral Intelligence Agency performing intel- inghouse on School Safety Best Practices, CRAMER): ligence activities abroad or having special- and for other purposes; to the Committee on S. 122. A bill to provide a credit against ized security requirements, and diplomatic Homeland Security and Governmental Af- payroll taxes to businesses and nonprofit or- security special agents of the Department of fairs. ganizations that purchase or upgrade ven- State to receive retirement benefits in the By Ms. SINEMA (for herself and Mr. tilation and air filtration systems to help same manner as if they had not been dis- ROMNEY): prevent the spread of COVID–19 and other abled; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- S. 112. A bill to require the Secretary of airborne communicable diseases; to the Com- rity and Governmental Affairs. Health and Human Services to award addi- mittee on Finance. By Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself, Mr. tional funding through the Sanitation Fa- By Mr. SASSE (for himself, Mr. BAR- CARPER, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Ms. BALD- cilities Construction Program of the Indian RASSO, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. BLUNT, WIN, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. Health Service, and for other purposes; to Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. BURR, CARDIN, Mr. KAINE, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. the Committee on Indian Affairs. Mr. CASSIDY, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. COT- CASEY, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Ms. CORTEZ By Mrs. BLACKBURN: TON, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. MASTO, Mr. HEINRICH, and Mr. WAR- S. 113. A bill to require providers of CRUZ, Mr. DAINES, Ms. ERNST, Mrs. NER): broadband internet access service and edge FISCHER, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. GRASSLEY, S. 130. A bill to extend to the Mayor of the services to clearly and conspicuously notify Mr. HAGERTY, Mr. HAWLEY, Mr. District of Columbia the same authority users of the privacy policies of those pro- HOEVEN, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, Mr. over the National Guard of the District of viders, to give users opt-in or opt-out ap- INHOFE, Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. KENNEDY, Columbia as the Governors of the several proval rights with respect to the use of, dis- Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. LEE, Ms. LUMMIS, States exercise over the National Guard of closure of, and access to user information Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. MCCONNELL, Mr. those States with respect to administration collected by those providers based on the MORAN, Mr. PAUL, Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. of the National Guard and its use to respond level of sensitivity of the information, and RISCH, Mr. ROUNDS, Mr. ROMNEY, Mr. to natural disasters and other civil disturb- for other purposes; to the Committee on RUBIO, Mr. SCOTT of Florida, Mr. ances, and for other purposes; to the Com- Commerce, Science, and Transportation. SCOTT of South Carolina, Mr. SHELBY, mittee on Armed Services. By Mr. JOHNSON (for himself, Mrs. Mr. SULLIVAN, Mr. THUNE, Mr. TILLIS, By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and FEINSTEIN, Mr. SCOTT of South Caro- Mr. TOOMEY, Mr. WICKER, and Mr. Mr. SASSE): lina, and Mr. BRAUN): YOUNG): S. 131. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- S. 114. A bill to amend the SOAR Act; to S. 123. A bill to amend title 18, United enue Code of 1986 to provide for lifelong the Committee on Homeland Security and States Code, to prohibit a health care practi- learning accounts, and for other purposes; to Governmental Affairs. tioner from failing to exercise the proper de- the Committee on Finance. By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself, Mr. gree of care in the case of a child who sur- By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself, Mr. BLUNT, Ms. ROSEN, and Mr. SCOTT of vives an abortion or attempted abortion; to SASSE, Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina, South Carolina): the Committee on the Judiciary. and Mr. BOOKER): S. 115. A bill to direct the Secretary of By Mr. LEE (for himself, Mr. THUNE, S. 132. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Commerce to conduct a study and submit to Mr. INHOFE, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. DAINES, enue Code of 1986 to establish a tax credit for Congress a report on the effects of the Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. SCOTT of Flor- training services received by individuals who COVID–19 pandemic on the travel and tour- ida, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. WICKER, Mr. are unemployed as a result of the ism industry in the United States, and for BRAUN, Mr. PAUL, Mr. COTTON, Mr. coronavirus pandemic; to the Committee on other purposes; to the Committee on Com- HAGERTY, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. SCOTT of Finance. merce, Science, and Transportation. South Carolina, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself, Mr. By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and SASSE, and Mr. MORAN): SULLIVAN, Mr. KING, Ms. SINEMA, Ms. Mr. MORAN): S. 124. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- ERNST, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. DAINES, S. 116. A bill to require the Consumer Prod- enue Code of 1986 to provide that amounts Mr. HEINRICH, and Mrs. CAPITO): uct Safety Commission to study the effect of paid for an abortion are not taken into ac- S. 133. A bill to assist States in carrying the COVID–19 pandemic on injuries and count for purposes of the deduction for med- out projects to expand the child care facili- deaths associated with consumer products, ical expenses; to the Committee on Finance. ties in the States, and for other purposes; to and for other purposes; to the Committee on By Mr. LEE (for himself, Mr. INHOFE, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. and Pensions.

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By Mr. MORAN (for himself and Mr. Mr. KAINE, Mr. KELLY, Mr. KING, Ms. nizing the 235th anniversary of the enact- TESTER): KLOBUCHAR, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. MARKEY, ment of the Virginia Statute for Religious S. 134. A bill to direct the Secretary of Vet- Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. MURPHY, Mrs. Freedom; to the Committee on the Judici- erans Affairs to carry out a retraining assist- MURRAY, Mr. OSSOFF, Mr. PETERS, ary. ance program for unemployed veterans, and Mr. REED, Ms. ROSEN, Mr. SANDERS, f for other purposes; to the Committee on Vet- Mr. SCHATZ, Mr. SCHUMER, Ms. erans’ Affairs. SINEMA, Ms. SMITH, Ms. STABENOW, ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself, Mr. Mr. TESTER, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. S. 35 YOUNG, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN): WARNER, Ms. WARREN, Mr. WHITE- At the request of Mr. VAN HOLLEN, S. 135. A bill to establish the Coronavirus HOUSE, Mr. WYDEN, and Mr. the name of the Senator from North Mental Health and Addiction Assistance Net- WARNOCK): Carolina (Mr. BURR) was added as a co- work, and for other purposes; to the Com- S. 142. A bill to prohibit the application of mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and certain restrictive eligibility requirements sponsor of S. 35, a bill to award a Con- Pensions. to foreign nongovernmental organizations gressional Gold Medal to Officer Eu- By Mr. WYDEN (for himself, Ms. CANT- with respect to the provision of assistance gene Goodman. WELL, Mr. CARPER, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of S. 59 MARKEY, Mr. SCHATZ, Mr. MURPHY, 1961; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. At the request of Mr. TILLIS, the Ms. WARREN, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Ms. By Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina: name of the Senator from Arkansas BALDWIN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. WHITE- S. 143. A bill to authorize the use of the ro- (Mr. COTTON) was added as a cosponsor HOUSE, Mr. BROWN, and Mr. VAN HOL- tunda of the Capitol for a memorial service LEN): of S. 59, a bill to provide a civil remedy in honor of United States Capitol Police Offi- for individuals harmed by sanctuary S. 136. A bill to amend the Help America cer Brian Sicknick for his courage and sac- Vote Act of 2002 to allow all eligible voters rifice at the United States Capitol on Janu- jurisdiction policies, and for other pur- to vote by mail in Federal elections, to ary 6, 2021, and for other purposes; to the poses. amend the National Voter Registration Act Committee on Rules and Administration. S. 60 of 1993 to provide for automatic voter reg- f At the request of Mr. TILLIS, the istration; to the Committee on Rules and name of the Senator from Arkansas Administration. SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND (Mr. COTTON) was added as a cosponsor By Mr. LEE (for himself, Mr. SASSE, SENATE RESOLUTIONS Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. MAR- of S. 60, a bill to provide for the effec- SHALL, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. The following concurrent resolutions tive use of immigration detainers to DAINES, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. SCOTT and Senate resolutions were read, and enhance public safety. of Florida, Mrs. FISCHER, Mr. KEN- referred (or acted upon), as indicated: S. 62 NEDY, Mr. TILLIS, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. By Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself, Mr. At the request of Mr. HAWLEY, the YOUNG, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. PAUL, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. DURBIN, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, name of the Senator from Arkansas COTTON, Mr. BURR, Mr. HAGERTY, Mr. Mr. MURPHY, Mr. BOOKER, Ms. SMITH, (Mr. COTTON) was added as a cosponsor SCOTT of South Carolina, Mr. Mr. REED, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Mr. of S. 62, a bill to implement rec- ROUNDS, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, and Mr. BROWN, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. PETERS, CRAMER): ommendations related to the safety of S. 137. A bill to restrict the availability of Mr. SANDERS, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. amphibious passenger vessels, and for Federal funds to organizations associated INHOFE, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. BARRASSO, other purposes. Mr. LANKFORD, and Mrs. CAPITO): with the abortion industry; to the Com- S. 68 mittee on Foreign Relations. S. Res. 19. A resolution recognizing Janu- ary 2021 as ‘‘National Mentoring Month’’; to At the request of Mr. PAUL, the By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: names of the Senator from South Caro- S. 138. A bill to waive certain pay limita- the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, tions for Department of Agriculture and De- and Pensions. lina (Mr. SCOTT) and the Senator from partment of the Interior employees engaged By Mr. PAUL: Missouri (Mr. HAWLEY) were added as in emergency wildland fire suppression ac- S. Res. 20. A resolution providing for suffi- cosponsors of S. 68, a bill to amend tivities, and for other purposes; to the Com- cient time for legislation to be read; to the chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- Committee on Rules and Administration. to provide that major rules of the exec- mental Affairs. By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself, Mr. utive branch shall have no force or ef- By Mr. PAUL (for himself, Mr. BRAUN, GRASSLEY, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Ms. fect unless a joint resolution of ap- ERNST, Ms. HIRONO, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. ROUNDS, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. proval is enacted into law. MARSHALL, Mr. TILLIS, and Mr. KEN- Mr. TILLIS, and Mr. CRAPO): S. RES. 12 NEDY): S. Res. 21. A resolution raising awareness S. 139. A bill to prohibit Federal funding of and encouraging the prevention of stalking At the request of Mr. BRAUN, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America; by designating January 2021 as ‘‘National names of the Senator from Oklahoma to the Committee on Health, Education, Stalking Awareness Month’’; to the Com- (Mr. INHOFE), the Senator from Ten- Labor, and Pensions. mittee on the Judiciary. nessee (Mrs. BLACKBURN), the Senator By Mr. WHITEHOUSE: By Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. from South Dakota (Mr. ROUNDS), the S. 140. A bill to improve data collection RISCH, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. Senator from Kentucky (Mr. PAUL) and KAINE, and Mr. CRUZ): and monitoring of the Great Lakes, oceans, the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. bays, estuaries, and coasts, and for other S. Res. 22. A resolution reaffirming the purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, partnership between the United States and HAGERTY) were added as cosponsors of Science, and Transportation. the Republic of Ecuador and recognizing the S. Res. 12, a resolution memorializing By Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Mr. restoration and advancement of economic re- the unborn by lowering the United BROWN, Mr. KING, Ms. HASSAN, Mr. lations, security, and development opportu- States flag to half-staff on January 22, WHITEHOUSE, Ms. BALDWIN, Mrs. nities in both nations; to the Committee on 2021. Foreign Relations. GILLIBRAND, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. f SANDERS, Mr. REED, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, By Mr. WARNOCK (for himself, Mr. Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Ms. WARREN, Ms. OSSOFF, Mr. SHELBY, and Mr. STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED HIRONO, Ms. SMITH, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. TUBERVILLE): BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS BENNET, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. S. Res. 23. A resolution honoring the life By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, MANCHIN, Mr. LEAHY, and Mr. KAINE): and legacy of Henry Louis Aaron; to the S. 141. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. WYDEN, Mr. MENENDEZ, enue Code of 1986 to deny the deduction for By Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr. Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. BOOKER, advertising and promotional expenses for LANKFORD, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. RISCH, Mr. Mr. DURBIN, and Ms. prescription drugs; to the Committee on Fi- INHOFE, Mr. HOEVEN, Mr. CRAMER, DUCKWORTH): nance. Mr. HAWLEY, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, Mr. S. 85. A bill to amend the Internal By Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Ms. TILLIS, Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina, Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the limi- COLLINS, Ms. MURKOWSKI, Mr. MENEN- Mr. COTTON, Mr. BRAUN, Mrs. BLACK- tation on the deduction for certain DEZ, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. BENNET, Mr. BURN, and Mr. ROUNDS): taxes, including State and local prop- BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. S. Con. Res. 4. A concurrent resolution af- BROWN, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. CARDIN, firming the importance of religious freedom erty and income taxes; to the Com- Mr. CARPER, Mr. CASEY, Mr. COONS, as a fundamental human right that is essen- mittee on Finance. Ms. CORTEZ MASTO, Ms. DUCKWORTH, tial to a free society and protected for all Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask Mr. DURBIN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mrs. people of the United States under the Con- unanimous consent that the text of the GILLIBRAND, Ms. HASSAN, Ms. HIRONO, stitution of the United States, and recog- bill be printed in the RECORD.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A28JA6.018 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S200 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 28, 2021 There being no objection, the text of gency, people often gather at their pub- struct, rehabilitate, retrofit, or repair the bill was ordered to be printed in lic schools for shelter, information, and school facilities. The Reopen and Re- the RECORD, as follows: resources. They are essential facilities build America’s Schools Act also sup- S. 85 and must be included in any new major ports American workers by ensuring Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- federal investment in infrastructure. that projects use American-made iron, resentatives of the United States of America in Safe, healthy, modern, well-equipped steel, and manufactured products and Congress assembled, schools are also essential for advancing meet labor standards. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. student achievement and ensuring that I would like to thank the broad coali- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Securing Ac- the next generation is prepared to meet tion of educators, community organiza- cess to Lower Taxes by ensuring Deduct- the economic, social, environmental, tions, unions, civil rights advocates, ibility Act’’ or the ‘‘SALT Deductibility and global challenges our Nation faces. and employers that have provided feed- Act’’. Yet, too many of the over 50 million back and support for this legislation, SEC. 2. REPEAL OF LIMITATION ON DEDUCTION students and six million staff who including the 21st Century Schools FOR STATE AND LOCAL, ETC. TAXES. learn and work in our public schools Fund, AASA The School Superintend- (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 164(b) of the In- ents Association, American Associa- ternal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by spend their days in facilities that fail to make the grade. In fact, the Amer- tion of School Administrators, Amer- striking paragraph (6). ican Concrete Pavement Association, (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment ican Society of Civil Engineers gave made by this section shall apply to taxable public school buildings across the American Concrete Pipe Association, years beginning after December 31, 2020. country an overall grade of D+ in its American Concrete Pressure Pipe Asso- latest report card. The 2016 State of ciation, American Concrete Pumping By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Our Schools report found that state Association, American Federation of BROWN, Mr. MERKLEY, Ms. COR- and local governments spend $46 billion Teachers, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employ- TEZ MASTO, Mr. CARDIN, Ms. less than what is required to update ees, Association of Educational Service SMITH, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. VAN and maintain their school facilities. HOLLEN, Mr. MURPHY, Ms. States and local communities cannot Agencies, Association of Latino Ad- HIRONO, Ms. ROSEN, Mrs. GILLI- bridge this gap alone, especially when ministrators and Superintendents, As- sociation of School Business Officials BRAND, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mrs. many struggle to simply keep teachers International, Association for Super- SHAHEEN, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. and staff on the payroll. We know the vision and Curriculum Development, LUJA´ N, Mr. CASEY, Mr. DURBIN, budget shortfalls will hit low-income BlueGreen Alliance, Build America’s Ms. WARREN, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, and minority communities the hardest. School Infrastructure Coalition, Cali- Ms. HASSAN, Ms. DUCKWORTH, The GAO report found high poverty Mr. HEINRICH, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. fornians for School Facilities, Coali- schools were more likely to rely on tion for Healthier Schools, Concrete COONS, and Ms. STABENOW): state funding to cover the cost of build- S. 96. A bill to provide for the long- Foundations Association, Concrete Re- ing repairs compared to wealthier inforcing Steel Institute, Council of term improvement of public school fa- schools, which were more likely to cilities, and for other purposes; to the Great City Schools, Green Building Ini- fund projects through local property tiative, Healthy Schools Network, Committee on Finance. taxes. The Federal government can and International Association of Sheet Mr. REED. Mr. President, among the should be a partner in upgrading our Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation many barriers to safely bringing stu- public school facilities. Workers (SMART), International dents, teachers, and staff back to Addressing this need is not only the Union of Bricklayers and Allied school for in-person instruction is the right thing to do for our students; it Craftworkers, International Union of condition of school facilities. A recent will also give a needed boost to our Operating Engineers, International Government Accountability Office economy, putting people to work in Union of Painters and Allied Trades, (GAO) report found that over half (54 family sustaining jobs. According to an National Association of Federally Im- percent) of school districts nationwide analysis by the Economic Policy Insti- pacted Schools, National Association need to update or replace multiple sys- tute, every $1 billion spent on con- of Elementary School Principals, Na- tems in their schools, such as heating, struction generates 17,785 jobs. tional Association of Federally Im- ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), The Reopen and Rebuild America’s pacted Schools, National Association or plumbing. These systems are espe- Schools Act of 2021 will create a Fed- of School Nurses, National Association cially critical to safeguarding public eral-State partnership for school infra- of Secondary School Principals, Na- health as we combat COVID–19. structure. It will provide, over ten tional Concrete Masonry Association, Now is the time to invest in school years, a total of $130 billion in direct National Education Association, Na- infrastructure. Doing so will improve grants and school construction bonds tional Precast Concrete Association, the resilience of our schools, improve to help fill the annual gap in school fa- National PTA, National Ready Mixed student learning, reduce carbon emis- cility capital needs, while creating Concrete, National Rural Education sions, and create jobs. That is why I am nearly two million jobs. Advocacy Consortium, National Rural proud to partner with Chairman SCOTT Specifically, the Reopen and Rebuild Education Association, National Urban in the House of Representatives in in- America’s Schools Act will provide $100 League, North America’s Building troducing the Reopen and Rebuild billion in formula funds to states for Trades Union, North American Con- America’s Schools Act to fix our local competitive grants for school re- crete Alliance, Organizations Con- schools. I would like to thank my Sen- pair, renovation, and construction. cerned About Rural Education, Parents ate colleagues who are joining in this States will focus assistance on commu- for School Safety, Portland Cement As- effort, including Senators BROWN, nities with the greatest financial need, sociation, Precast/Prestressed Concrete BOOKER, CARDIN, CORTEZ MASTO, encourage green construction prac- Institute, Public Advocacy for Kids, WHITEHOUSE, MERKLEY, HIRONO, GILLI- tices, and expand access to high-speed Rebuild America’s Schools Coalition, BRAND, VAN HOLLEN, ROSEN, SMITH, broadband to ensure that all students Rural School and Community Trust, MURPHY, SHAHEEN, KLOBUCHAR, LUJA´ N, have access to digital learning. Our Teach Plus, The Brick Industry Asso- CASEY, DURBIN, WARREN, BLUMENTHAL, legislation would also provide $30 bil- ciation, Tilt-Up Concrete Association, HASSAN, HEINRICH, DUCKWORTH, COONS, lion for qualified school infrastructure U.S. Green Building Council, and the LEAHY, and STABENOW. bonds (QSIBs), $10 billion each year United Steelworkers. Public schools play a vital role in from FY 2022 through FY 2024, and re- We have no time to waste in fixing every community across the Nation. store the Qualified Zone Academy our deteriorating school infrastruc- They play a central role in our democ- Bonds (QZABs) that were eliminated in ture. In the words of a student activist racy—educating the next generation, the Republican Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. in Providence, Rhode Island: ‘‘Students serving as polling places for our elec- The legislation also eases the matching cannot learn in a crumbling building, a tions, hosting community meetings requirements and expands the author- school that isn’t fit to uplift our and events, and so much more. When ity and eligible purposes of QZABs to minds.’’ We need to listen to our stu- there is a natural disaster or an emer- allow local education agencies to con- dents, strengthen our communities,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A28JA6.004 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE January 28, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S201 and improve our school buildings. I takes to get homeless Veterans into On top of this longstanding under- urge all of our colleagues to support housing. investment, the pandemic has forced li- the Reopen and Rebuild America’s BILL SUMMARY braries to adapt and innovate to meet Schools Act and press for its passage. The ‘‘West LA VA Campus Improve- the evolving needs of their commu- ment Act’’ would explicitly authorize nities despite limited financial re- By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: the VA to use any funds collected pur- sources. The American Library Asso- S. 102. A bill to amend the West Los suant to leases, easements or other use ciation projects billions of dollars in Angeles Leasing Act of 2016 to author- agreements at the West LA VA for the losses to libraries over the course of ize the use of certain funds received development of supportive housing and the pandemic, at a time when reliance pursuant to leases entered into under services on campus. on libraries from low-income, under- such Act, and for other purposes; to the The bill would also increase the time served, and Tribal communities is in- Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. period for enhanced use leases on the creasing. The pandemic’s outsized im- Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I campus from 75 to 99 years. Increasing pact on vulnerable communities only rise to speak in support of the ‘‘West the length of the leases would align heightens the urgency of investing in Los Angeles VA Campus Improvement with other leasing terms the VA has, libraries. Act,’’ which I introduced today. Rep- and help reduce the financing costs for The Build America’s Libraries Act resentative TED LIEU (D–CA) is intro- new housing. would make $5 billion available over ducing companion legislation in the CONCLUSION three years to support improvements House. Last year, the regional homelessness to library facilities and invest in new BACKGROUND ON THE WEST LOS ANGELES VA count reported that more than 3,900 library infrastructure to expand the CAMPUS Veterans are experiencing homeless- reach of library services and programs. In 1888, the 388–acre campus that is ness in Los Angeles. It is long past Priority is given to libraries that dem- now home to the West Los Angeles VA time for this land to be returned to its onstrate the greatest need and pre- Medical Center was deeded to the fed- intended purpose: to serve as a home dominantly serve underserved or dis- eral government by Arcadia Bandini de where Veterans can receive the care tressed communities. The legislation Stearns Baker and Senator John P. and treatment they deserve. also places emphasis on projects that Jones in order to establish a home for This bill will help move us closer to seek to enhance facility safety, high- disabled Civil War Veterans. that reality. speed broadband access, accessibility Until the 1970s, the land served pri- I hope my colleagues will join me in for those with disabilities, or energy ef- marily to house Veterans, and the cam- support of this bill. Thank you, Mr. ficiency. Library construction funded pus long represented the largest Vet- President, and I yield the floor. by this legislation will directly boost eran housing development in the na- our struggling economy by putting tion. By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Americans to work and strengthening Unfortunately, in 1972, 2,800 Veterans WHITEHOUSE, Mr. WYDEN, and the facilities that connect patrons with living on the West LA VA campus were Mr. SANDERS): educational and workforce training re- displaced after the Sylmar Earthquake S. 127. A bill to support library infra- sources and local economic opportuni- caused major damage on campus. Rath- structure; to the Committee on Health, ties. er than repair the housing units, the Education, Labor, and Pensions. Libraries have always anchored our Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am VA eventually leased portions of the communities, and as such, we should introducing legislation to address the property to non-VA tenants. ensure their ability to provide critical decades of underinvestment in our Na- Forty years later, homeless Veterans services for years to come. I am pleased tion’s libraries by reinstating Federal and advocates sued the VA for illegally to be joined by Senators WHITEHOUSE, support for library construction. leasing facilities on campus and for WYDEN, and SANDERS in introducing Libraries are essential community this bill, which has the support of failing to use the property to support institutions that give the public access Veterans, as required by the original many organizations, including the to information and services that ex- American Library Association; Amer- deed. pand learning and promote economic A U.S. District Court subsequently ican Indian Library Association; Amer- opportunity. When we invest in our li- ican Institute of Architects; American ruled that many leases on campus were braries, we are offering a helping hand illegal under the terms of the original Society of Interior Designers; Associa- and hope for the future. During natural tion of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and deed, and in 2015, the VA agreed to fa- disasters and economic upheaval, li- cilitate the development of 1,200 hous- Museums; Association for Rural & braries offer the resources and informa- Small Libraries; Chief Officers of State ing units for homeless Veterans on tion that help people get back on their campus. Library Agencies; Council of State Ar- feet. As the Rolling Stones’ Keith chivists; Education Market Associa- In 2016, Congress enacted legislation Richards reportedly said, ‘‘The public that I introduced with Senator Barbara tion; International WELL Building In- library is the great equalizer.’’ stitute; National Coalition for History; Boxer and Congressman TED LIEU, enti- Over the last year, COVID–19 and the National Coalition for Literacy; Na- tled the ‘‘West Los Angeles Leasing heightened attention to racial and eco- tional Digital Inclusion Alliance; Na- Act of 2016,’’ to set up an oversight nomic inequality have made clear that tional Summer Learning Association; framework for the housing develop- investment in our communities should Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband ment and to ensure that lease revenues be a national priority as we work to Coalition; and Urban Libraries Council. from ongoing leases stayed on campus. lift people up and bring the country I hope that our colleagues will join us NEED FOR LEGISLATION closer together. And that our invest- in cosponsoring the Build America’s In 2018, the VA selected a ‘‘Principal ment in infrastructure must encompass Libraries Act and work for its inclu- Developer’’ to complete housing ren- vital community assets like schools sion in any infrastructure package. ovation and construction projects on and libraries and not just roads, campus, allowing for a more stream- bridges, and highways. By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: lined and efficient building process. And while we know libraries are S. 138. A bill to waive certain pay However, the VA has determined that more than buildings with books and limitations for Department of Agri- current law restricts it from using on- computers, they are still buildings. For culture and Department of the Interior campus lease revenues for housing con- thirty years, the Federal government employees engaged in emergency struction, maintenance, or services. invested in the physical infrastructure wildland fire suppression activities, The VA has determined that clarifying of our libraries, but abandoned that and for other purposes; to the Com- language is needed to ensure that funds program in the early 1990s. The inter- mittee on Homeland Security and Gov- generated on campus can be used for vening years have taken their toll on ernmental Affairs. these purposes. library facilities. Indeed, the average Ms. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise Giving VA the flexibility to use lo- library building is now more than 40 to speak in support of the ‘‘Wildland cally-generated revenue in this way years old and many need large-scale Firefighter Fair Pay Act,’’ which I in- could significantly reduce the time it improvements and modernization. troduced today.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A28JA6.032 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S202 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 28, 2021 BACKGROUND SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS (2) 37 percent less likely to skip a class; Fueled by climate change, the annual Whereas youth development experts agree Western wildfire season has grown that mentoring encourages positive youth longer and more intense. Where the SENATE RESOLUTION 19—RECOG- development and smart daily behaviors, such as finishing homework and having healthy threat used to peak between August NIZING JANUARY 2021 AS ‘‘NA- TIONAL MENTORING MONTH’’ social interactions, and has a positive im- and November, we are now seeing mas- pact on the growth and success of a young sive wildfire events earlier in the Sum- Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself, Mr. person; mer and continuing through the end of BLUNT, Mr. DURBIN, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Whereas mentors help young people set ca- the year. Mr. MURPHY, Mr. BOOKER, Ms. SMITH, reer goals and use the personal contacts of Last year alone, California experi- Mr. REED, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Mr. BROWN, the mentors to help young people meet in- enced more than 9,600 fires which Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. PETERS, Mr. dustry professionals and train for and find burned more than 4.1 million acres, SANDERS, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. jobs; BRAUN, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. LANKFORD, Whereas each of the benefits of mentors de- consumed more than 10,000 structures, scribed in this preamble serves to link youth and Mrs. CAPITO) submitted the fol- and claimed 33 lives. to economic and social opportunity while It is imperative that we commit lowing resolution; which was referred also strengthening communities in the enough manpower and resources to to the Committee on Health, Edu- United States; and combat the threat that such dev- cation, Labor, and Pensions: Whereas, despite those described benefits, astating wildfire seasons pose to life S. RES. 19 an estimated 9,000,000 young people in the and property. Whereas the goals of National Mentoring United States feel isolated from meaningful Unfortunately, some of our most ex- Month are to raise awareness of mentoring, connections with adults outside the home, constituting a ‘‘mentoring gap’’ that dem- perienced Federal firefighters work so recruit individuals to mentor, celebrate the powerful impact of caring adults who volun- onstrates a need for collaboration and re- many overtime hours each year that teer time for the benefit of young people, and sources: Now, therefore, be it they reach an overtime pay cap and be- encourage organizations to engage and inte- Resolved, That the Senate— come ineligible for additional overtime grate quality in mentoring into the efforts of (1) recognizes January 2021 as ‘‘National compensation. Others are forced to pay the organizations; Mentoring Month’’; back money they have rightfully Whereas there are young people across the (2) recognizes the caring adults who serve earned fighting wildfires. United States who make everyday choices as staff and volunteers at quality mentoring that lead to the big decisions in life without programs and help the young people of the NEED FOR LEGISLATION the guidance and support on which many United States find inner strength and reach Federal firefighters from the Depart- other young people rely; their full potential; ments of Agriculture and the Interior Whereas a mentor is a caring, consistent (3) acknowledges that mentoring is bene- are paid on the General Schedule (GS) presence who devotes time to a young person ficial because mentoring supports edu- pay scale based on their seniority and to help that young person discover personal cational achievement and self-confidence, performance. They make a base salary strength and achieve the potential of that supports young people in setting career goals and are paid overtime when they ex- young person; and expanding social capital, reduces juve- Whereas quality mentoring encourages nile delinquency, improves positive personal, ceed eight hours a day. positive life and social skills, promotes self- professional, and academic outcomes, and However, there is an annual premium esteem, bolsters academic achievement and strengthens communities; pay cap that limits how many overtime college access, supports career exploration, (4) promotes the establishment and expan- hours for which these firefighters can and nurtures youth leadership development; sion of quality mentoring programs across be compensated. Whereas mentoring happens in various set- the United States to equip young people with This arbitrary pay cap places an un- tings, including community-based programs, the tools needed to lead healthy and produc- fair expectation on federal fire per- elementary and secondary schools, colleges, tive lives; and sonnel to work long hours for less or government agencies, religious institutions, (5) supports initiatives to close the ‘‘men- and the workplace, and in various ways, in- toring gap’’ that exists for the many young even no pay, and serves as a dangerous cluding formal mentoring matches and infor- people in the United States who do not have disincentive to respond to more fire in- mal relationships with teachers, coaches, meaningful connections with adults outside cidents, especially later in the fire sea- neighbors, faith leaders, and others; the home. son. California’s worst wildfires often Whereas mentoring programs have been f occur late in the fire season, further il- shown to be effective in helping young people lustrating the problem we face. make positive choices; SENATE RESOLUTION 20—PRO- The Forest Service estimates that up Whereas studies have shown that incor- VIDING FOR SUFFICIENT TIME to 500 senior-level firefighters either porating culture and heritage into men- FOR LEGISLATION TO BE READ toring programs can improve academic out- Mr. PAUL submitted the following stop participating or do not request comes and increases community engage- pay for hours worked once they reach ment, especially for Alaskan Native and resolution; which was referred to the the pay cap. This has a significant neg- American Indian youth; Committee on Rules and Administra- ative impact on federal wildfire re- Whereas young people who meet regularly tion: sponse capabilities. with mentors are 46 percent less likely than S. RES. 20 WHAT THE LEGISLATION WOULD DO peers to start using illegal drugs; Resolved, Whereas research shows that young people Our bill would create a statutory SECTION 1. TIME FOR READING OF LEGISLATION. who were at risk for not completing high (a) IN GENERAL.—It shall not be in order waiver for Federal firefighters respond- school but who had a mentor were, as com- ing to wildfire emergencies to ensure for the Senate to consider any bill, resolu- pared with similarly situated young people tion, message, conference report, amend- they receive fair compensation for all without a mentor— ment between the Houses, amendment, trea- (1) 55 percent more likely to be enrolled in overtime hours they work. ty, or other measure or matter until 1 ses- This waiver would apply to Forest college; (2) 81 percent more likely to report partici- sion day has passed since introduction for Service and Department of the Interior pating regularly in sports or extracurricular every 20 pages included in the measure or personnel engaged in emergency activities; matter in the usual form plus 1 session day wildland fire suppression activities. (3) more than twice as likely to say they for any number of remaining pages less than 20 in the usual form. CONCLUSION held a leadership position in a club or sports team; and (b) POINT OF ORDER.— For wildland firefighters, working (4) 78 percent more likely to pay it forward (1) IN GENERAL.—Any Senator may raise a long hours in dangerous conditions is by volunteering regularly in the commu- point of order that consideration of any bill, often considered a necessary part of nities of young people; resolution, message, conference report, the job. It is crucial that this demand- Whereas students who are chronically ab- amendment, treaty, or other measure or ing work be recognized, and that these sent are more likely to fall behind academi- matter is not in order under subsection (a). heroes be appropriately compensated cally, and mentoring can play a role in help- A motion to table the point of order shall for the critical service that they per- ing young people attend school regularly, as not be in order. (2) WAIVER.—Paragraph (1) may be waived form. research shows that students who meet regu- larly with a mentor are, as compared with or suspended only by an affirmative vote of I hope my colleagues will join me in the peers of those students— three-fifths of the Members, duly chosen and support of this bill. Thank you, Mr. (1) 52 percent less likely to skip a full day sworn. All motions to waive under this para- President, and I yield the floor. of school; and graph shall be debatable collectively for not

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A28JA6.034 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE January 28, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S203 to exceed 3 hours equally divided between ization, and a majority of stalking victims as a reasonable check against a history of the Senator raising the point of order and report their victimization first occurred be- corruption and abuse of power; the Senator moving to waive the point of fore the age of 25; Whereas the United States-Ecuador bilat- order or their designees. A motion to waive Whereas up to 75 percent of women in col- eral relationship has been historically char- the point of order shall not be amendable. lege who experience behavior relating to acterized by strong commercial and invest- (c) CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY.—This reso- stalking experience other forms of victimiza- ment ties through the Generalized System of lution is adopted pursuant to the power tion, including sexual or physical victimiza- Preferences, the United States-Ecuador granted to each House of Congress to deter- tion; Trade and Investment Council, and the Trea- mine the Rules of its Proceedings in article Whereas there is a need for an effective re- ty between the United States of America and I, section 5, clause 2 of the Constitution of sponse to stalking on each campus; the Republic of Ecuador Concerning the En- the United States. Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic has couragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment, done at Washington August 27, f heightened the risk of online stalking and harassment, particularly among school-aged 1993, which was terminated by Ecuador’s pre- SENATE RESOLUTION 21—RAISING individuals; vious government, effective May 18, 2018; AWARENESS AND ENCOURAGING Whereas victim service organizations and Whereas President Moreno’s administra- THE PREVENTION OF STALKING law enforcement entities have swiftly adapt- tion has committed to implement economic BY DESIGNATING JANUARY 2021 ed to the COVID–19 pandemic in order to policies that will lay the groundwork for sus- continue to serve victims of stalking; and tainable economic growth, while protecting AS ‘‘NATIONAL STALKING the poorest and most vulnerable people; AWARENESS MONTH’’ Whereas the Senate finds that ‘‘National Stalking Awareness Month’’ provides an op- Whereas, under President Moreno’s leader- Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself, Mr. portunity to educate the people of the ship, there have been significant advances in GRASSLEY, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Ms. ERNST, United States about stalking: Now, there- areas related to freedom of expression, in- cluding through the reform of the controver- Ms. HIRONO, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. fore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— sial Ecuadorian Communications Law; TILLIS, and Mr. CRAPO) submitted the (1) designates January 2021 as ‘‘National Whereas the Government of Ecuador has following resolution; which was re- Stalking Awareness Month’’; called for the peaceful restoration of democ- ferred to the Committee on the Judici- (2) applauds the efforts of service providers racy and the rule of law in Venezuela and Ec- ary: for victims of stalking, police, prosecutors, uador has been a generous host of approxi- S. RES. 21 national and community organizations, cam- mately 385,000 Venezuelan refugees; Whereas on May 15, 2019, the United States Whereas approximately 1 in 6 women in the puses, and private sector supporters to pro- mote awareness of stalking; Agency for International Development United States, at some point during their (USAID) and Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign lifetimes, have experienced stalking victim- (3) encourages policymakers, criminal jus- tice officials, victim service and human serv- Affairs and Human Mobility signed a Memo- ization, during which the women felt very randum of Understanding agreeing to the re- fearful or believed that they or someone ice agencies, institutions of higher edu- cation, and nonprofit organizations to in- turn of the USAID Mission to Ecuador after close to them would be harmed or killed; the 53-year program was forced to close in Whereas it is estimated that each year be- crease awareness of stalking and continue to support the availability of services for vic- 2014 due to tensions in the bilateral relation- tween 6,000,000 and 7,500,000 individuals in the ship; United States report that they have been tims of stalking; and (4) urges national and community organi- Whereas Ecuador has been one of the coun- victims of stalking; tries most affected by the COVID–19 pan- Whereas more than 85 percent of victims of zations, businesses in the private sector, and the media to promote awareness of the crime demic in Latin America, which has over- stalking reported that they had been stalked whelmed the country’s health care system by someone they knew; of stalking through ‘‘National Stalking Awareness Month’’. and aggravated the country’s already chal- Whereas nearly 70 percent of intimate lenging economic situation; partner stalking victims were threatened f Whereas in response to the COVID–19 pan- with physical harm by stalkers; SENATE RESOLUTION 22—RE- demic, USAID is providing Ecuador with Whereas 11 percent of victims of stalking AFFIRMING THE PARTNERSHIP technical support and training in reported having been stalked for more than 5 diagnostics, and technical assistance in clin- years; BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES ical management, risk communication, and Whereas two-thirds of stalkers pursue AND THE REPUBLIC OF ECUA- community engagement; and their victims at least once a week; DOR AND RECOGNIZING THE Whereas the United States and Ecuador Whereas many victims of stalking are RESTORATION AND ADVANCE- have agreed to advance security cooperation forced to take drastic measures to protect MENT OF ECONOMIC RELATIONS, on law enforcement, counternarcotics, themselves, including relocating, changing SECURITY, AND DEVELOPMENT anticorruption, and bilateral military train- jobs, or obtaining protection orders; OPPORTUNITIES IN BOTH NA- ing and assistance: Now, therefore, be it Whereas the prevalence of anxiety, insom- Resolved, That the Senate— nia, social dysfunction, and severe depres- TIONS (1) reaffirms its commitment— sion is much higher among victims of stalk- Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. (A) to the historic partnership between the ing than the general population; RISCH, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. United States and Ecuador; and Whereas many victims of stalking do not KAINE, and Mr. CRUZ) submitted the (B) to continue working to strengthen the report stalking to the police or contact a following resolution; which was re- relationship between the United States and victim service provider, shelter, or hotline; ferred to the Committee on Foreign Ecuador based on mutual respect and shared Whereas stalking is a crime under Federal democratic values and principles; law and the laws of all 50 States, the District Relations: (2) recognizes President Lenin Moreno and of Columbia, and the territories of the S. RES. 22 his administration for recommitting Ecua- United States; Whereas the United States and Ecuador dor to democratic values, anti-corruption ef- Whereas stalking affects victims of every have enjoyed a history of bilateral partner- forts, and the adoption of economic policies race, age, culture, gender, sexual orienta- ship and cooperation, and share the aims of that will benefit the people of Ecuador; tion, physical and mental ability, and eco- promoting democratic values, economic (3) commends the important steps that nomic status; prosperity, and the security of both nations; President Moreno and his administration Whereas national organizations, local vic- Whereas the United States and Ecuador have taken to protect freedom of expression tim service organizations, campuses, pros- have taken important steps to restore the bi- and freedom of the press in his country; ecutor’s offices, and police departments lateral relationship between the United (4) encourages the Republic of Ecuador to stand ready to assist victims of stalking and States and Ecuador, including by signing ensure that the rights of refugees and asy- are working diligently to develop effective various agreements to strengthen economic lum seekers are protected; and and innovative responses to stalking, includ- ties, security cooperation, and development (5) supports actions to strengthen the his- ing online stalking; opportunities; toric bilateral relationship between the Whereas there is a need to improve the re- Whereas President Moreno has signaled Ec- United States and Ecuador, including— sponse of the criminal justice system to uador’s commitment to promoting demo- (A) by strengthening economic relation- stalking through more aggressive investiga- cratic values and has advocated for greater ships with Ecuador to build mutual pros- tion and prosecution; government transparency; perity through greater transparency, adher- Whereas there is a need for an increase in Whereas in February 2018, more than 64 ence to the rule of law, and support for the availability of victim services across the percent of Ecuadorians voted, in a constitu- human rights; United States, and the services must include tional referendum, to reinstate a 2-term (B) stronger law enforcement and security programs tailored to meet the needs of vic- presidential limit, an effort that was carried cooperation between the 2 countries, includ- tims of stalking; out by President Moreno’s administration ing in cybersecurity, border management, Whereas individuals 18 to 24 years old expe- and which is indicative of the Ecuadorian addressing illegal, unreported, and unregu- rience the highest rates of stalking victim- people’s support for presidential term limits lated fishing, counternarcotics, anti-money

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A28JA6.024 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S204 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 28, 2021 laundering, military and civilian security Cincinnati Reds on his first swing of the sea- vote, the second-highest tally at the time professionalization, and criminal justice ca- son; only to Ty Cobb; pabilities; Whereas, on the evening of April 8, 1974, Whereas, on the 25th anniversary of Mr. (C) the return of the United States Agency Mr. Aaron made history by breaking Babe Aaron’s 715th home run, Major League Base- for International Development and the ex- Ruth’s record when he hit home run number ball created the Hank Aaron Award, given tension of the Peace Corps Program in Ecua- 715 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at At- annually to the players with the best overall dor; lanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, offensive performances in each league; (D) continued United States assistance for Georgia, cementing his place in history as Whereas, in 2002, Mr. Aaron received the Ecuador’s response to combat the COVID–19 the Nation’s home run king; Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s pandemic; Whereas, during the historic moment, vet- highest civilian award, from President (E) closer ties between Americans and eran baseball broadcaster Vin Scully an- George W. Bush, with the citation noting Ecuadoreans through English language nounced, ‘‘What a marvelous moment for that Mr. Aaron ‘‘embodies the true spirit of learning and teaching programs that foster baseball. What a marvelous moment for At- our Nation’’; and greater professional and educational oppor- lanta and the State of Georgia. What a mar- Whereas at the time of his passing, Mr. tunities; velous moment for the country and the Aaron was long renowned for having uplifted (F) continued efforts to protect freedom of world. A Black man is getting a standing the Black community and improved human expression and freedom of the press; and ovation in the Deep South for breaking a relations over his career through his tremen- (G) continued efforts to ensure that the record of an all-time baseball idol.’’; dous display of dignity and long record of rights of refugees and asylum seekers are Whereas Mr. Aaron went on to hit 755 home achievement in the face of racism and hate, protected. runs in his career, a home run record that cementing his legacy as a leading figure for went unbroken for more than 30 years, with civil rights: Now, therefore, be it f his final home run coming on July 20, 1976; Resolved, That the Senate— (1) honors the life and legacy of Henry SENATE RESOLUTION 23—HON- Whereas, at the time of his passing, Mr. Aaron held the Major League Baseball Louis Aaron for his accomplishments on and ORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY records for the most career runs batted in off the baseball field, and for defying racism OF HENRY LOUIS AARON (2,297), extra base hits (1,477), and total bases and breaking down racial barriers in the (6,856); fight for equality as one of the last Major Mr. WARNOCK (for himself, Mr. League Baseball All-Stars to have played in OSSOFF, Mr. SHELBY, and Mr. Whereas, at the time of his passing, Mr. Aaron was 1 of only 4 players to have at least the Negro leagues; TUBERVILLE) submitted the following (2) proclaims that Henry Louis Aaron in- 17 seasons with 150 or more hits, was in sec- deed embodied the true spirit and promise of resolution; which was referred to the ond place for most in home runs and at-bats our Nation, reflected the best of the deter- Committee on the Judiciary: (12,364), and was in third place for most mination and perseverance of the people of S. RES. 23 games played (3,298) and hits (3,771); the United States, and exemplified the in- Whereas, in addition to his records, Mr. Whereas Henry Louis ‘‘Hank’’ Aaron was domitable will of Black Americans to over- Aaron achieved numerous career highlights born 1 of 8 children on February 5, 1934, to come impossible odds to achieve greatness in and awards, including— Herbert Aaron Sr. and Estella (Pritchett) the face of relentless adversity and racism; Aaron in Mobile, Alabama; (1) becoming the ninth player to achieve and Whereas Mr. Aaron grew up during the the 3,000 hit milestone and the first player to (3) recognizes the life and legacy of Henry height of Jim Crow and segregation and achieve both 500 home runs and 3,000 hits; Louis Aaron as an important figure in the faced racism and discrimination from a (2) being a 2-time National League batting fight for civil rights, as well as one of the young age, including from the stands while champion; greatest and most prolific baseball players playing in the South as a minor league base- (3) winning the National League’s single- and professional athletes of the United ball player early in his baseball career; season home run title 4 times; States, of all time. Whereas Mr. Aaron began his baseball ca- (4) achieving a career batting average of f reer as a teenager in the Negro leagues, first .305; playing for the Prichard Athletics, then the (5) being voted an All-Star in all but his SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLU- Mobile Black Bears, before being signed by first and last seasons; and TION 4—AFFIRMING THE IMPOR- the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Amer- (6) winning 3 Gold Glove awards for his TANCE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ican League; play as a right fielder; AS A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN Whereas, in 1952, Mr. Aaron was signed by Whereas Mr. Aaron achieved these mile- the Boston Braves, who assigned him to play stones while bravely facing racism at every RIGHT THAT IS ESSENTIAL TO A in the minor league for their Northern stage of his historic career, including being FREE SOCIETY AND PROTECTED League farm team, the Eau Claire Bears, barred from hotels where his minor league FOR ALL PEOPLE OF THE where he made the Northern League’s All- white teammates stayed, receiving many UNITED STATES UNDER THE Star team and was unanimously named racist letters and threats, and even needing CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED Rookie of the Year; protection from law enforcement at games STATES, AND RECOGNIZING THE Whereas, in 1953, Mr. Aaron was promoted to protect against racist violence or harass- 235TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EN- to play for the South Atlantic League affil- ment; ACTMENT OF THE VIRGINIA iate of the Braves, the Jacksonville Braves, Whereas during his career Mr. Aaron be- as one of the league’s first Black players, came a national symbol for perseverance by STATUTE FOR RELIGIOUS FREE- where he immediately helped the team win demonstrating athletic greatness and DOM the league championship and won the South strength while enduring vicious racism and Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr. Atlantic League’s Most Valuable Player hate, helping advance the cause for civil LANKFORD, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. RISCH, Mr. Award; rights and becoming a civic leader in the INHOFE, Mr. HOEVEN, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. Whereas, in 1954, Mr. Aaron was invited to Black community. HAWLEY, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, Mr. TILLIS, attend spring training with the Milwaukee Whereas Mr. Aaron became the first Black Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina, Mr. COT- Braves and signed his first Major League American to hold a senior management posi- Baseball contract on the final day of Braves tion in Major League Baseball as a front of- TON, Mr. BRAUN, Mrs. BLACKBURN, and spring training, making his Major League fice executive with the Atlanta Braves, sup- Mr. ROUNDS) submitted the following Baseball debut against the Cincinnati Reds ported the National Association for the Ad- concurrent resolution; which was re- and hitting his first Major League Baseball vancement of Colored People (‘‘NAACP’’), ferred to the Committee on the Judici- home run on April 23, 1954; and founded the Chasing the Dream Founda- ary: Whereas Mr. Aaron won his first batting tion to support underprivileged youth S. CON. RES. 4 title in 1956 and was voted the National through mentorship and financial support; Whereas the democracy of the United League’s Most Valuable Player in 1957, help- Whereas, in April 1977, the Atlanta Braves States is rooted in the fundamental truth ing the Braves win their first pennant in Mil- retired Mr. Aaron’s Number 44, erected a that all people are created equal, endowed by waukee and leading the Braves to a 1957 statue in his honor in 1982, and named the the Creator with certain inalienable rights, World Series victory against the New York address of their second home, Turner Field, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of Yankees; as 755 Hank Aaron Drive; happiness; Whereas, in 1966, Mr. Aaron moved with Whereas Mr. Aaron is an integral part of Whereas the freedom of conscience was the Braves to Atlanta, Georgia and went on Mobile, Alabama history and has been recog- highly valued by— to play 23 seasons in Major League Baseball, nized by the city through the construction of (1) individuals seeking religious freedom all but his final 2 seasons with the Braves in a stadium, opening of a museum, and naming who settled in the colonies in the United Milwaukee and then Atlanta; of a park, in his honor; States; Whereas, on April 4, 1974, Mr. Aaron tied Whereas, in 1982, his first year of eligi- (2) the founders of the United States; and Babe Ruth’s home run record by hitting bility, Mr. Aaron was elected to the Baseball (3) Thomas Jefferson, who wrote in a letter home run number 714 in a game against the Hall of Fame, receiving 97.8 percent of the to the Society of the Methodist Episcopal

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:40 Jan 29, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A28JA6.026 S28JAPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE January 28, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S205 Church at New London, Connecticut, dated Whereas, for countless people of the United AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO February 4, 1809, that ‘‘[n]o provision in our States, faith is an integral part of every as- MEET Constitution ought to be dearer to man than pect of daily life and is not limited to the that which protects the rights of conscience homes, houses of worship, or doctrinal creeds Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, I have against the enterprizes of the civil author- of those individuals; a request for one committee to meet ity’’; Whereas ‘‘religious faith has inspired many during today’s session of the Senate. It Whereas the Virginia Statute for Religious of our fellow citizens to help build a better has the approval of the Majority and Freedom was— Nation’’ in which ‘‘people of faith continue Minority leaders. (1) drafted by Thomas Jefferson, who con- to wage a determined campaign to meet Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph sidered the Virginia Statute for Religious needs and fight suffering’’, as expressed by Freedom to be one of his greatest achieve- the 43rd President of the United States in a 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Sen- ments; Presidential proclamation on Religious Free- ate, the following committee is author- (2) enacted on January 16, 1786; and dom Day in 2003; ized to meet during today’s session of (3) the forerunner to the Free Exercise Whereas, ‘‘[f]rom its birth to this day, the the Senate: Clause of the First Amendment to the Con- United States has prized this legacy of reli- stitution of the United States; COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN gious freedom and honored this heritage by AFFAIRS Whereas section 2(a) of the International standing for religious freedom and offering Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. refuge to those suffering religious persecu- The Committee on Banking, Housing, 6401(a)) states that— tion’’, as noted in section 2(a) of the Inter- and Urban Affairs is authorized to (1) ‘‘[t]he right to freedom of religion national Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 meet during the session of the Senate undergirds the very origin and existence of U.S.C. 6401(a)); on Thursday, January 28, 2021, at 10 the United States’’; and Whereas Thomas Jefferson wrote— (2) religious freedom was established by a.m., to conduct a hearing on the nomi- (1) in 1798 that each right encompassed in the founders of the United States ‘‘in law, as nation of the Honorable Marcia L. the First Amendment to the Constitution of a fundamental right and as a pillar of our Fudge, of Ohio, to be Secretary, U.S. the United States is dependent on the other Nation’’; rights described in that Amendment, ‘‘there- Department of Housing and Urban De- Whereas the role of religion in society and by guarding in the same sentence, and under velopment. public life in the United States has a long the same words, the freedom of religion, of and robust tradition; speech, and of the press: insomuch, that f Whereas individuals who have studied the whatever violated either, throws down the democracy of the United States from an sanctuary which covers the others’’; and ORDERS FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY international perspective, such as Alexis de (2) in 1822 that the constitutional freedom Tocqueville, have noted that religion plays a of religion is ‘‘the most inalienable and sa- 1, 2021 central role in preserving the Government of cred of all human rights’’; Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask the United States because religion provides Whereas religious freedom ‘‘has been inte- unanimous consent that when the Sen- the moral base required for democracy to gral to the preservation and development of ate completes its business today, it ad- succeed; the United States’’, and ‘‘the free exercise of journ until 3 p.m., Monday, February 1; Whereas, in Town of Greece v. Galloway, religion goes hand in hand with the preserva- 134 S. Ct. 1811 (2014), the Supreme Court of tion of our other rights’’, as expressed by the further, that following the prayer and the United States affirmed that ‘‘people of 41st President of the United States in a Pres- pledge, the morning hour be deemed many faiths may be united in a community idential proclamation on Religious Freedom expired, the Journal of proceedings be of tolerance and devotion’’; Day in 1993; and approved to date, the time for the two Whereas the principle of religious freedom Whereas we ‘‘continue to proclaim the fun- leaders be reserved for their use later ‘‘has guided our Nation forward’’, as ex- damental right of all peoples to believe and in the day, and morning business be pressed by the 44th President of the United worship according to their own conscience, closed; further, that upon the conclu- States in a Presidential proclamation on Re- to affirm their beliefs openly and freely, and ligious Freedom Day in 2011, and freedom of to practice their faith without fear or in- sion of morning business, the Senate religion ‘‘is a universal human right to be timidation’’, as expressed by the 42nd Presi- proceed to executive session and re- protected here at home and across the dent of the United States in a Presidential sume consideration of the Mayorkas globe’’, as expressed by that President of the proclamation on Religious Freedom Day in nomination as provided under the pre- United States on Religious Freedom Day in 1998: Now, therefore, be it vious order. 2013; Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Whereas ‘‘[f]reedom of religion is a funda- resentatives concurring), That Congress— (1) on Religious Freedom Day on January objection, it is so ordered. mental human right that must be upheld by Mr. SCHUMER. For the information every nation and guaranteed by every gov- 16, 2021, honors the 235th anniversary of the ernment’’, as expressed by the 42nd President enactment of the Virginia Statute for Reli- of all Senators, the Senate will vote on of the United States in a Presidential procla- gious Freedom; and confirmation of the Mayorkas nomina- mation on Religious Freedom Day in 1999; (2) affirms that— tion at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. Whereas the First Amendment to the Con- (A) for individuals of any faith and individ- stitution of the United States protects— uals of no faith, religious freedom includes f (1) the right of individuals to freely express the right of an individual to live, work, asso- and act on the religious beliefs of those indi- ciate, and worship in accordance with the be- ADJOURNMENT UNTIL MONDAY, viduals; and liefs of the individual; (2) individuals from coercion to profess or (B) all people of the United States can be FEBRUARY 1, 2021, AT 3 P.M. act on a religious belief to which those indi- unified in supporting religious freedom, re- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, if viduals do not adhere; gardless of differing individual beliefs, be- there is no further business to come be- Whereas ‘‘our laws and institutions should cause religious freedom is a fundamental fore the Senate, I ask unanimous con- not impede or hinder but rather should pro- human right; and sent that it stand adjourned under the tect and preserve fundamental religious lib- (C) ‘‘the American people will remain for- erties’’, as expressed by the 42nd President of ever unshackled in matters of faith’’, as ex- previous order. the United States in remarks accompanying pressed by the 44th President of the United There being no objection, the Senate, the signing of the Religious Freedom Res- States in a Presidential proclamation on Re- at 4:33 p.m., adjourned until Monday, toration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq.); ligious Freedom Day in 2012. February, 1, 2021, at 3 p.m.

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