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Congressional Record—Senate S6011

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Congressional Record—Senate S6011 October 1, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6011 consciences. These nuns did not manu- of the most significant issues facing There is something that we can do that facture their lengthy legal battle for the security of our Nation. It is a ques- will show we are prepared to respond to the fun of it. It was the secularizing tion of domestic terrorism, specifically this threat to law and order, to this left that went on offense. the threat of violent White suprema- threat of violent White supremacists. Churches all across America did not cists. I am the lead sponsor of the Domes- go looking for one of this cycle’s In Tuesday’s Presidential debate, tic Terrorism Prevention Act, bipar- Democratic Presidential contenders to moderator Chris Wallace asked Presi- tisan legislation that would address suggest places of workshop should lose dent Trump to condemn White su- the threat of violent White suprema- their tax exempt status if they preach premacists and rightwing militia. cists and other domestic terrorists. or practice traditional teaching. It was President Trump refused. Instead, he Our bill would establish offices to the secularizing left that went on of- replied—and I quote—‘‘Proud Boys, combat domestic terrorism at the De- fense. stand back and stand by.’’ partment of Justice, the FBI, and the If parts of the elite American left The Proud Boys, a far-right group Department of Homeland Security. It have become this out of touch with that promotes and engages in violence, would require these offices to regularly mainstream religious beliefs held by viewed President Trump’s words as a assess the domestic terrorism threat millions and millions of their fellow call to action. The group’s leader Joe and focus their limited resources on citizens, it will take more than victim Biggs said he took the President’s the most significant threats. Criti- blaming to dig out of it. They could words as a directive to ‘‘[F] . them cally, they would provide training re- start this week. They could start up.’’ sources to assist State, local, and Trib- today. I was appalled, but not surprised, by al law enforcement in addressing the They could commit to evaluating the President’s words. He has a long domestic terrorism threat. The House Judge Barrett on her credentials and history of inflammatory, racist re- companion to my bill was introduced her qualifications, and they could stop marks. Now, President Trump claims by my colleague and friend Congress- gawking at deeply religious Americans that violence is a ‘‘left-wing problem, man BRAD SCHNEIDER of Illinois. Just last week, the House of Rep- like they have encountered extra- not a right-wing problem’’—his words. resentatives passed our bill on a unani- terrestrial life or bought a ticket for a Let me be clear. I join Vice President mous voice vote. The Senate should safari. Biden in condemning all violence, but we know that White supremacists pose pass it today. f a great threat. An unclassified May In a few moments, staff will provide MEASURES PLACED ON THE 2017 FBI-DHS joint intelligence bul- me with the language to ask for a CALENDAR—S. 4773, S. 4774, S. 4775 letin found that ‘‘white supremacist unanimous consent. I am waiting so extremism poses [a] persistent threat there is an opportunity for both sides Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, to discuss the procedure moving for- of lethal violence.’’ This was a finding I understand there are three bills at ward. In the meantime, several of my by the lead law enforcement agencies the desk due for a second reading, en colleagues have asked to come to the of the Trump administration. They bloc. floor and address the issue. I would went on to say that White suprema- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The lead- yield to them for comment or question, cists were responsible for more homi- er is correct. through the Chair, with the hopes that cides from 2000 to 2016 than any other The clerk will read the bills by title when the procedural language arrives, I domestic extremist movement. The di- for the second time. might be able to make the unanimous rector of the FBI, Christopher Wray, in The senior assistant legislative clerk consent request. read as follows: response to a question I posed in the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- A bill (S. 4773) to establish the Paycheck Senate Judiciary Committee last year, ator from Connecticut. Protection Program Second Draw Loan, and said that the majority of domestic ter- Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam Presi- for other purposes. rorism arrests involved White suprema- dent, we are here today on probably A bill (S. 4774) to provide support for air cists. one of the most serious national secu- carrier workers, and for other purposes. Now, for years, I have urged the rity issues that we will confront. I say A bill (S. 4775) to provide continued emer- Trump administration to respond to gency assistance, educational support, and that as a member of the Armed Serv- the ongoing threat of violent White su- ices Committee, having received a vari- health care response for individuals, fami- premacists and other far-rightwing ex- lies, and businesses affected by the 2020 ety of classified briefings on threats to coronavirus pandemic. tremists. Instead, they have repeatedly this country. Some of them regarding downplayed this very lethal and real Mr. MCCONNELL. In order to place ongoing foreign interference in our threat. election are truly chilling. But the the bills on the calendar under the pro- Attorney General Barr has never re- visions of rule XIV, I would object to threat to our national security from sponded to the multiple letters I have White supremacists, now operating so further proceedings, en bloc. sent, asking what the Department of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- openly that the Director of the FBI has Justice was doing to combat White su- said they are one of the paramount tion being heard, the measures will be premacist violence. placed on the calendar, en bloc. threats and an ongoing security threat Unfortunately, as we have learned to our Nation, demands that there f from former Trump administration of- should be action now. PROTECT ACT—MOTION TO ficials themselves, the Trump adminis- The bill that my colleague Senator PROCEED tration has downplayed the threat of DURBIN is offering passed unanimously violent White supremacists. POLITICO by the House of Representatives within Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, recently reported that a draft home- recent days. Let me repeat. It passed I move to proceed to Calendar No. 554, land threat assessment report from unanimously by the House of Rep- S. 4675. DHS was edited to weaken language on resentatives. It reflects the real and ur- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the threat posed by violent White su- gent danger of this threat. clerk will report the motion to pro- premacists. And a DHS whistleblower The President has refused to de- ceed. alleged that DHS officials, including nounce White supremacists. The Presi- The senior assistant legislative clerk Ken Cuccinelli, requested the modifica- dent has told one of the most promi- read as follows: tion of the report to make the threat of nent of those groups to stand by. That Motion to proceed to S. 4675, a bill to White supremacists ‘‘appear less se- failure—an abject failure on the part of amend the Health Insurance Portability and vere’’ and add information on violent the Commander in Chief—to respond to Accountability Act. leftwing groups. an ongoing security threat demands The PRESIDING OFFICER. The as- It is not enough to just stand here this action now. We must stand up for sistant Democratic leader. and condemn the President’s remarks the integrity of our elections, the secu- UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—H.R. 5602 at the infamous debate. The American rity of our Nation, and the funda- Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I people sent us to Congress to act. mental freedoms that we prize as come to the floor today to speak to one There is something we can do now. American people. VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:43 Oct 02, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G01OC6.003 S01OCPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S6012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 1, 2020 We will not allow this cancer to me- I yield the floor. ate that we will not stand for this. Sup- tastasize in this country and thwart The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- port this bill. the will of Americans who are going to ator from Alabama. I yield the floor. the polls, in effect, right now. The bal- Mr. JONES. Thank you, Senator The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- lots are being cast. The threat to our DURBIN for this bill. Thank you for the ator from New Jersey. electoral will is ongoing. colleagues who are on here. Mr. BOOKER. I am really grateful, I am proud to join my colleagues who I was struck when Senator KAINE Madam President. are here on the floor who represent an rose in honor of those who died in Vir- It has been said, and it is quite true, ideological spectrum, as did the House ginia. The list goes on and on. You can that the only thing necessary for evil of Representatives in unanimously ap- go to Emmett Till. You can go to the to be triumphant is for good people to proving this bill. The paramount four girls, Addie Mae Collins, Carole do nothing. threat to our Nation and the integrity Robertson, Denise McNair, and Cynthia Here we are at a time where we know of our elections is White supremacy, Wesley.
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