November 14, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6581 EXECUTIVE SESSION serving as a Sunday school teacher and SD. Mike and Kim have a tremendous a Presbyterian Church elder. heart for children. They have five bio- In 2008, Kay ran for and won a U.S. logical children, but as they learned EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Senate seat, becoming the Senate’s more about the plight of children in The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under first female Democratic Senator. With poverty, they were drawn to adoption. the previous order, the Senate will pro- her family’s military background, it God put the country of Ethiopia on ceed to executive session to resume surprised no one that Kay fought hard their hearts in a particular way. In consideration of the following nomina- in the Senate for military families and 2008, they adopted a daughter from tion, which the clerk will report. veterans. When she heard about 9-year- Ethiopia—Eva. Within a few years, The senior assistant legislative clerk old Janey Ensminger—daughter of a re- they had adopted three more children— read the nomination of Steven J. tired marine—passing away from leu- Selena and Amanuel from Ethiopia and Menashi, of New York, to be United kemia because of contaminated water Shakira from Uganda—making them a States Circuit Judge for the Second on the base of Camp Lejeune, she family of 11. The story doesn’t end Circuit. worked to pass the Janey Ensminger there. Seeing the poorest of the poor in Mr. MCCONNELL. I suggest the ab- Act to help those affected receive Ethiopia deeply moved them, and in sence of a quorum. healthcare. addition to adoption, they sought ways The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Kay also introduced a bill that was to help communities stuck in poverty. clerk will call the roll. close to my heart. It would ban for- The needs of children were particu- The senior assistant legislative clerk profit colleges from using the phrase larly close to their hearts. In 2013, proceeded to call the roll. ‘‘GI bill’’ in their aggressive marketing Mike and Kim agreed to take over two Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask efforts aimed at separating veterans schools in Ethiopia when the agency unanimous consent that the order for and servicemembers from their hard- running them was forced to pull out of the quorum call be rescinded. earned education benefits. the country. The Adams family formed The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Kay was fearless with her voting. She the Adams Thermal Foundation to sup- objection, it is so ordered. made the toughest votes count, know- port the schools. Today the foundation REMEMBERING KAY HAGAN ing the consequences to her own ca- supports more than 1,000 students in Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, last reer. As long as it helped people of two schools in Ethiopia. The schools’ month, we lost Kay Hagan after a long North Carolina and the United States, mission is to serve children most in illness. she was always a crucial partner. The need—those who might otherwise miss Kay was always a fighter, starting Affordable Care Act and the 2009 eco- out on the opportunity for an edu- with her days in the North Carolina nomic stimulus package were politi- cation. In addition to academic in- State Legislature and continuing to cally difficult for many, but Kay structions, schools provide other re- when she answered the call of serving stepped up and supported them. She sources in an effort to alleviate some of was brave to the highest degree. Histo- the Senate during the perilous days of the effects of poverty and to make it rians will remember that bravery. She the great recession. Kay was the right easier for the children to stay in stepped up when America needed her. person to fight for North Carolina school. when she was needed the most. Today, because of it, America is To name one example, at the end of She came from a family who knows stronger and better. last year, the foundation completed a We will all remember Kay Hagan for service and sacrifice. Her uncle was project to provide a permanent source her friendship and that we had the Lawton Chiles, a Korean war veteran of clean water to its school in Ottoro, privilege to call her a friend and col- and former Representative, Senator, Ethiopia, as well as to seven local vil- league. and Governor of Florida. Her father She is survived by her husband Chip, lages. In addition to providing essen- and brother served in the Navy. Her fa- her three children—Jeanette Hagan, tial health and sanitation benefits, the ther-in-law was a major general in the Tilden Hagan, Carrie Hagan Stewart— new pipeline also frees children from Marine Corps. Her husband is a Viet- her father Joe P. Ruthven, two broth- the hours-long task of fetching water nam veteran who used his GI bill to ers, and five grandchildren. for their families, meaning more chil- pay for law school. When Kay talked It was my honor to serve with Kay dren can attend school. about veterans’ issues, she spoke from Hagan and to memorialize her service In learning Mike and Kim’s story, I the heart. to North Carolina and the United was struck by how love multiplies and Kay was born into politics. As a States in this statement today. expands. Mike and Kim’s willingness to young girl, she was putting bumper I yield the floor. open their hearts has led not only to stickers on cars for her uncle. Her fa- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- four children finding a forever home ther won an election to become mayor jority whip. but to hope and opportunity for hun- of Lakeland, FL. While interning for NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH dreds more. I feel privileged to have her uncle, Kay learned about the ups Mr. THUNE. Madam President, No- learned their story and to be able to and downs of Congress, literally. She vember is National Adoption Month. nominate them for an Angels in Adop- operated the Senators-only elevator in Later this morning, I will be spending tion Award this year. this building. time with a family I nominated to re- National Adoption Month is a chance North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt ceive an Angels in Adoption Award this to honor all those who, like the Adams, first encouraged Kay to run for office year. The Angels in Adoption Program chose to welcome a child in need of a when she served as his Guilford County is designed to bring recognition to indi- home. Sadly, not every child is born campaign chairman. In 1998, she un- viduals and organizations who are, in into a safe and loving home. Some are seated a Republican incumbent and the words of the program, ‘‘making ex- born to parents who are unable to take won a seat in the North Carolina State traordinary contributions to adoption, care of them. Some lose their parents Senate. For 10 years, Kay Hagan permanency, and child welfare.’’ to war, accident, or illness, and, trag- earned a reputation as a commonsense Angels in Adoption is a program in ically, some are born to parents who hard worker, interested in results, not the Congressional Coalition on Adop- refuse to take care of them or actively partisan fighting. As cochair of the tion Institute, and each year Members seek to damage the great gift in their State budget committee, she increased of Congress are invited to nominate an care. the State’s rainy day fund and bal- individual or family to receive an An- Thankfully, there are parents out anced five straight budgets. She helped gels in Adoption Award. I have been there eager to receive these children. make record investments in education, making these nominations for more Across our country, there are countless raised the pay for teachers, and in- than a decade now. It has been a privi- parents whose homes and hearts are al- creased the minimum wage. lege and an inspiration to meet South ready prepared to welcome a child in She was one of the most versatile Dakota families who have opened their need. They may not yet know the women in her State. She juggled Girl hearts and homes to children in need. names of their future sons or daugh- Scout events, winning reelection four This year, I nominated Mike and Kim ters, but they are ready and waiting to times, raising her growing family, and Adams, fellow residents of Sioux Falls, meet them.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:09 Nov 15, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14NO6.003 S14NOPT1 Sspencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE S6582 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 14, 2019 National Adoption Month is a good the States. The States are the ones of stifling progress. Instead, he should time to rededicate ourselves to caring that have the say. The bottom line is take a hard look in the mirror. for children in need and helping them they think we need to do more, and the IMPEACHMENT find loving families to receive them. experts think we need to do more. Only Madam President, in the House im- In the gospel of Mark, Jesus says, Leader MCCONNELL doesn’t. Again, he peachment inquiry into President ‘‘Whoever welcomes one of these little is blocking that. If Russia interferes in Trump, public hearings began yester- children in my name welcomes me.’’ 2020—and I hope it will not—all eyes day with the testimony of George Kent There are few actions more worthy of will be on the Republican leader, who and William Taylor. admiration than a decision to welcome has repeatedly prevented us from mov- Ambassador Taylor, who is a career a child in need and to create for that ing forward on bipartisan legislation to public servant and a war hero who has child a secure and loving home. make our elections safer. long served Presidents of both parties, I am so grateful for all of the gen- To show another example of the leg- provided a startling new revelation— erous families across this country who islative graveyard, in a few minutes, that his aide overheard a conversation have opened their hearts and found the two Senators from Connecticut— between President Trump and Ambas- sons and daughters through adoption. I MURPHY and BLUMENTHAL—will be sador Sondland, during which the am also thankful for all of the birth moving forward on bipartisan back- President made clear he cared more mothers who have chosen adoption for ground checks, H.R. 8. It is overwhelm- about Ukraine’s investigating the their children to give them better lives ingly supported by the American peo- Bidens than he did about helping in loving families. ple. Senator MURPHY and Senator Ukraine. The aide is reportedly set to I am honored to recognize the Adams BLUMENTHAL will ask for unanimous appear before the House for a deposi- family today for their embrace of their consent, and the Republicans will ob- tion later this week, and Mr. Sondland own adopted children, as well as every- ject. So, while the Republican leader is set to appear before the Intelligence thing they have done to make life bet- accuses the Democrats of being too dis- Committee for a public hearing next ter for children in Ethiopia. tracted to make progress, he has week. I yield the floor. turned the Senate into a legislative All Senators will have an obligation I suggest the absence of a quorum. graveyard, where we hardly ever vote to seek and review the full facts that The PRESIDING OFFICER. The on legislation, where we hardly ever will be developed by this inquiry to be clerk will call the roll. have an open amendment process, able to render impartial justice. How- The senior assistant legislative clerk where we hardly ever debate major ever, some of my Republican friends in proceeded to call the roll. issues. This is despite commitments the Senate have said they are not even Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I that have been made by the Republican paying attention to the hearings in the ask unanimous consent that the order leader in the past. At one point, he House. The distinguished chairman of for the quorum call be rescinded. said—and I am sure my colleagues from the Committee on the Judiciary—a The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Connecticut will point this out—yes, former House manager of an impeach- objection, it is so ordered. we ought to do something on back- ment case, who, at the time, repeatedly RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER ground checks. Yet nothing has hap- urged Senators not to make up their The Democratic leader is recognized. pened—nothing. minds before the case was in—recently SENATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA You don’t even have to ask me. My said that he has made up his mind, that Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, friend the Republican Senator from there is nothing there. This is before a for the past few weeks, including this Pennsylvania, Mr. TOOMEY, said some- single bit of evidence has been pre- morning, the Republican leader has thing last week that caught my atten- sented in the Senate. Alice in Wonder- amazingly accused the Democrats of tion. He and I may not agree on much, land: First is the verdict, then the being uninterested in making progress but here is what he said: ‘‘Our Demo- trial. That is not becoming for the for the American people because we are cratic colleagues have frequently criti- chairman of the Committee on the Ju- so distracted by the impeachment in- cized the Republican leadership and diciary. quiry into President Trump. It is a lu- Republican majority for not legis- While my Republican colleagues may dicrous charge, not the least because lating. Sometimes they have a point.’’ not have been paying attention, I have Leader MCCONNELL has shuttered the Those are his words, not mine. been paying attention, and my Demo- Senate when it comes to legislative I was here on the floor yesterday cratic colleagues in the Senate, who business. with the senior Senator from Texas, know they might have to act as judges The House has passed over 250 bills and we talked about how the Senate and jurors in this case, are paying at- that Leader MCCONNELL has taken no might go about trying to lower the tention. America is also paying atten- action on here in the Senate. Leader costs of prescription drugs. I disagreed tion. The evidence we all heard from MCCONNELL proudly called himself the with the Senator’s unanimous consent Mr. Taylor and Mr. Kent has cast a Grim Reaper and blocked just about request, as it was too narrow a rifle troubling portrait of a President who is everything that came through the shot. We need to do a whole lot more. trying to use the powers of his office House long before impeachment was Yet we agreed we could work through for personal political gain. As the pub- even being talked about. So this idea the issues if the Republican leader lic hearings continue, we have a re- that impeachment is blocking us from would only allow a debate on the floor sponsibility here in the Senate not to doing things belies Senator MCCON- whereby both sides could offer amend- prejudge the case but to examine the NELL’s record. Let me repeat it. The ments and receive votes. We Democrats evidence impartially. At the very least, House has passed 250 bills, and Senator very much want to vote on legislation Senators should be paying attention. MCCONNELL has taken no action on that would maintain protections for NOMINATION OF STEVEN J. MENASHI them from January forward. the people who have preexisting condi- Madam President, the Senate will There are lots of these bills we could tions. We Democrats very much want vote today on the confirmation of Ste- have put on the floor this week, but to have a vote on allowing Medicare to ven J. Menashi to serve on the Second there has been not a one. The Repub- negotiate with the drug companies to Circuit Court of Appeals. licans just block and block. They block dramatically lower drug prices. Let’s In all my time in this body, Mr. legislation to protect Americans with have a debate on all of these. Who is Menashi has been one of the most con- preexisting conditions, to reauthorize stopping that? It is not the Democrats. temptible nominees to have come be- the Violence Against Women Act, and It is the Republican leader. fore the Senate. He would be a disgrace even to secure our elections from for- The fact of the matter is, the kinds to the seat once held by the great eign interference. of open debates for which we wish and Thurgood Marshall. A few minutes ago, I heard Leader the American people wish have not While sitting before the Committee MCCONNELL say that everything was happened in Leader MCCONNELL’s legis- on the Judiciary, Menashi refused to fine with the elections and that we lative graveyard. The man who proudly answer simple questions. He showed a don’t need any more legislation. Go called himself the Grim Reaper goes breathtaking contempt for Senators on talk to the election officials around far too far in accusing the Democrats both sides of the aisle. His record on

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:09 Nov 15, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14NO6.006 S14NOPT1 Sspencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE November 14, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6583 race, women’s equality, LGBTQ rights, that OMB Director and Acting White mother devastated by how the gun vio- and the rights of immigrants should be House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney lence epidemic is tearing apart our disqualifying. At the Department of blocked funding for these new health families and ravaging our communities Education, he helped to cook up an il- benefits because of what it would cost. in every State. legal scheme to use the Social Security Think about that. Mick Mulvaney, who I am furious at Republican leaders data of students who had been swindled thought adding $1.5 trillion to our def- who continue to stand by and do noth- by for-profit colleges in order to deny icit was an acceptable cost for tax cuts ing while more and more lives are lost, them debt relief. A judge ruled this to the rich, believes the cost of health just as I was after Newtown, Parkland, scheme violated Federal privacy laws. benefits for sick veterans is just too Sutherland Springs, and Marysville in At the very least, a candidate for a high. So wrong. So wrong. It is shame- my home State of Washington. I could judgeship should show respect for the ful that Mulvaney could actually be in go on. law. That is the lowest possible bar. A the position he is. We don’t have to continue this cycle judge is supposed to revere the law, up- The next time the President claims of violence, heartbreak, and inaction, hold it, and apply it with an even hand. to be a champion for our Nation’s vet- and we are here today to emphasize How can anyone trust Mr. Menashi to erans, the American people should re- that there is action we can take right come even close to doing that? Mr. member what he is doing here—deny- now because earlier this year, the Menashi is a textbook example of ing benefits to men and women who House passed H.R. 8—meaningful, bi- someone who does not deserve to sit on were in our Armed Forces, exposed to partisan gun safety legislation—to ad- the Federal bench, particularly with a Agent Orange, and are now sick. It is dress this terrible crisis through uni- lifetime appointment. too expensive to help them but not too versal background checks and other My Republican colleagues, in my expensive to give tax cuts to the popular reforms. But in the 260 days view, have rubberstamped too many of wealthiest of Americans. Shame on the since H.R. 8 passed the House, it has these extreme, unqualified nominees— administration, shame on Mulvaney, languished here in the Senate despite repeated calls from myself and my nominees, in Mr. Menashi’s case, who and shame on President Trump. have been almost craven, but on few What about our farmers? It is no se- Democratic colleagues for a vote. That is why 58 days ago, following occasions, a small group has stood up cret that America’s farmers have the tragic events at El Paso, Dayton, and said: Enough. This is too far. struggled as a result of President and Midland, I joined my Senate Demo- Well, my colleagues, if there were Trump’s trade policies and retaliatory cratic colleagues here on the floor to ever anyone who was too far, it is tariffs from other countries. The ad- try to break the cycle and demand that Menashi. There is no reason President ministration even created a new pro- we address the scourge of gun violence Trump couldn’t find a more suitable gram through USDA to help offset the in this country by taking a vote here nominee for the Second Circuit Court losses farmers were facing. in the Senate on H.R. 8, which would of Appeals. I urge my Republican col- Well, now it turns out that the install universal background checks—a leagues to do the right thing today and Trump administration has grossly mis- policy that, by the way, is supported by reject the Menashi nomination. handled that program. A report by the an overwhelming majority of Ameri- TAX RETURNS Democratic minority on the Agri- cans. On tax returns, yesterday a Federal culture, Nutrition, and Forestry Com- In the face of Republican apathy, appeals court ruled that Congress can mittee, led by its ranking member, people across the country raised their seek 8 years of the President’s tax re- Senator STABENOW, revealed that the voices even louder, demanding action turns. No doubt, the President will ap- lion’s share of Federal aid has gone to to end the endless wave of gun tragedy, peal the ruling to the Supreme Court large agricultural conglomerates scat- so much so that after this summer’s in an effort to keep hidden what the tered across the South, not to small string of horrors, President Trump President has been hiding for as long as family farms in the Midwest who have bowed to public pressure and made a he has been in public life—his tax re- suffered the most. Ninety-five percent commitment to finally act to address turns. of the largest per-acre payments have the gun violence epidemic. Why the President has engaged in gone to Southern States, while the After months and years of inaction such an astounding breach of trans- lowest payments have disproportion- and far, far too many lives lost, it was parency is still unknown. ately gone to the farmers who are suf- the first sliver of hope in a long while— President Trump, what are you hid- fering in the Midwest. The administra- that the President and Senate Repub- ing? tion lifted the limits on aid to row licans would finally put the safety of The DC Circuit’s decision—an 8-to-3 crops but kept the limits for other our families over their allegiance to ruling—was clearly the correct legal crops, meaning that more aid has gone the NRA and do something substantive result. It should be upheld. into the pockets of the largest and about ending this Nation’s gun vio- FARMERS AND VETERANS wealthiest farms in America. The re- lence epidemic, working with Demo- Last but not least, on farmers and port even showed that tens of millions crats toward commonsense reforms to veterans, President Trump has long of dollars have gone to foreign-owned end gun violence and keep people safe. fashioned himself a champion of every- entities, including a beef factory in Now, more than 2 months later, day Americans—workers, farmers, vet- Brazil. President Trump has betrayed his erans. This week has been a grim re- President Trump has claimed to look pledge to address this tragic epidemic minder that despite the President’s after our farmers, and he has claimed as if the past summer never even hap- promises, almost every week his ad- to look after our veterans, but he has pened. Once again, he has chosen to ab- ministration undermines the very peo- instead turned his back on them. More dicate his responsibility to keep our ple he claims to champion. and more Americans—farmers, vet- families and our communities safe and Take our veterans whose service we erans, others—are starting to notice. has broken yet another promise he commemorated earlier this week on I yield the floor. made to the American people, kow- Veterans Day. The Department of Vet- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. towing to the NRA and its unpopular, erans Affairs decided in 2017 to help SCOTT of Florida). The Senator from hard-right agenda to stymie common- Vietnam-era veterans who were ex- Washington. sense gun reform as soon as mass posed to Agent Orange by expanding H.R. 8 shootings were out of the headlines. the list of diseases that were eligible Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I want Well, I can assure you, Senate Demo- for health benefits to include bladder to thank Senators MURPHY and crats and I are going to keep fighting cancer, hypertension, Parkinson’s-like BLUMENTHAL for their tremendous lead- for commonsense gun safety reforms, symptoms, and hypothyroidism. ership that we are here on the floor like universal background checks, even There are tens of thousands of vet- today to speak about. when gun violence isn’t making a head- erans whose lives would be changed by I come today not just as a Member of line that day, because while President this decision. It was the right decision the Senate representing my home Trump continues carrying water for based on research done by the VA. Un- State of Washington but as a former the NRA and Senate Republicans con- fortunately, it was recently revealed educator, as a mother, and as a grand- tinue hiding behind President Trump,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:09 Nov 15, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14NO6.007 S14NOPT1 Sspencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE S6584 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 14, 2019 Democrats here understand that Con- UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—H.R. 8 news that I can convey to her is that gress has a duty to act to protect lives, Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, as Sen- my Republican Senate friends who and that the President’s cowardice ab- ator MURRAY noted, 100 people die from want to have some impact into the solutely should not set Congress’s gunshot wounds every single day. We consideration of the future of Amer- agenda. can’t go 24 hours without news of an- ican gun laws have ample opportunity While President Trump’s back- other mass shooting somewhere in to do that because they are in the ma- tracking on this serious issue is dis- America. My kids and millions of oth- jority. graceful, I ask my Republican col- ers hide in corners of their classrooms Senate Republicans control the Judi- leagues to remember that we are not or in their bathrooms preparing for a ciary Committee. Senator MCCONNELL beholden to the President or to the gun mass shooting at their school, and this can decide to bring any measure to the lobby and that we do not need Presi- body does nothing about it. floor. If the concern is that there dent Trump’s permission to vote on The good news is, we have a piece of hasn’t been enough Republican input bills or to act to save lives. legislation that enjoys 95 percent sup- into the question of whether criminals In fact, in States across the country, port in the American public and will or terrorists or people who are seri- we have been able to take on the gun undoubtedly make an enormous impact ously mentally ill get guns, then, con- lobby and make meaningful progress to on gun violence rates in this country. vene a discussion on this, bring a de- address this crisis. I will give more extensive remarks bate to the floor, have a process in the In my home State of Washington, we after I make this unanimous consent Judiciary Committee. Don’t just stay have closed background check loop- request, but my request will be that silent. It doesn’t pass the straight-face holes, and we have enacted extreme the Senate immediately take up H.R. 8, test to come down here and say: Well, risk protection orders. We were able to the universal background checks bill we can’t take up H.R. 8, despite the accomplish those things because of the which was passed in a bipartisan way fact it has 90 percent public approval advocacy of groups like Moms Demand in the House of Representatives and because we haven’t had input on it. Action across my State, the Wash- which has received no action, no debate You are in the majority. You have the ington State Alliance for Gun Respon- here in the U.S. Senate since that ability to pass legislation that you sup- sibility, Everytown for Gun Safety, time. port and that Democrats can support March for Our Lives, and so many As in legislative session, I ask unani- as well. more, as well as the dedicated volun- mous consent that the Senate proceed The idea that we are just going to sit teers and activists behind those organi- to the immediate consideration of Cal- here and twiddle our thumbs week zations, the brave people who have endar No. 29, H.R. 8; further, that the after week as 100 people are killed by been out making their voices heard and bill be considered read a third time and guns through suicides and homicides putting pressure on lawmakers to do passed and the motion to reconsider be and accidental shootings is an abdica- their jobs to end this senseless epi- considered made and laid upon the tion of our basic responsibility as U.S. demic, people like Jane Weiss, who table with no intervening action or de- Senators. There is nothing that mat- lives in Mill Creek, WA. After she trag- bate. ters more to our constituents than ically lost her niece to gun violence, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Jane joined the fight to pass lifesaving their physical safety. an objection? There are kids who are walking to legislation in Washington State by put- The Senator from Mississippi. school in cities in every single State in ting pressure on her State lawmakers Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, this Nation who fear for their lives, and won. There are people like Jane all across reserving the right to object, legisla- whose brain chemistry is changed by the country who are speaking up and tion that would affect the rights of the trauma they go through because of fighting back, even when it means re- American citizens under the Second that fear for their safety, and they living some of the hardest moments of Amendment should not be fast-tracked can’t learn, they can’t cope, and they their lives, in order to prevent others by the Senate. Efforts to criminalize can’t build strong relationships. from suffering as much as they have. otherwise lawful conduct with firearms My kids go through active shooter That is hard and brave work to do, but by law-abiding gun owners should not drills at school because they, in fact, there is absolutely nothing hard or be exempt from consideration by the expect that someday someone will brave about simply having a vote on bi- appropriate committee of jurisdiction. walk through their doors and start fir- partisan, House-passed legislation to It should not be exempt from debate on ing a military-style assault weapon in ensure universal background checks. the Senate floor. one of their classrooms. To the contrary, it is the height of If this so-called commonsense, bipar- I get it that there is a difference of cowardice not to hold that vote while tisan legislation was indeed crafted opinion on exactly how we should ex- families across the country wonder with strong bipartisan input, it pand background checks. I understand which movie theater or shopping mall shouldn’t have any problems advancing that maybe my Republican colleagues or synagogue or mosque or church or by regular order. don’t want to support H.R. 8. But you community space is next and while stu- Many questions about this legisla- are in the majority. You have the abil- dents spend their time in school on ac- tion need to be answered before it is ity to lead a conversation that can find tive shooter drills while they should be forced upon law-abiding gun owners. If that common ground on expanding learning. Unfortunately, cowardice is I wanted to give my best friend’s son or background checks. what we are seeing from far too many grandson my hunting rifle, would we I am not going to accept this argu- Republicans here in the Senate and in first have to appear before a licensed ment that we can’t bring H.R. 8 to the the White House when it comes to pro- gun dealer and go through a lengthy floor because we have some concerns tecting families from this scourge of and potentially expensive background about it. I can’t get a piece of legisla- gun violence. check? This is my understanding. We tion to the floor any other way than to I want to be clear. I hope my Repub- have many questions like this. offer this motion. lican colleagues allow this legislation My constituents would like to have The American public is not going to to pass today, but if they don’t, for an opportunity to weigh in on meas- accept silence from this body week Jane and so many others, Senate ures like these, which is why we can’t after week, month after month, in the Democrats are going to keep shining a fast-track legislation that affects face of this epidemic carnage that is spotlight on the inaction on gun vio- America’s Second Amendment rights. happening across this country. Parents lence here in the Senate and the bro- I object to this unanimous consent. know their kids aren’t safe, and they ken promises coming out of the White I yield the floor. expect us to act. House. We are going to keep making The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- The President’s Attorney General the case, building support, and we will tion is heard. said the other day that we made some not give up until this is done. The Senator from Connecticut. progress on the issue of background I yield the floor. Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, I appre- checks over the summer, but now we The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ciate the good-faith objection from my have the impeachment proceedings, ator from Connecticut. friend from Mississippi, but the good and so that stops all of this discussion.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:09 Nov 15, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14NO6.009 S14NOPT1 Sspencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE November 14, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6585 That is not true. The impeachment This will not be the last time we responsibility. It is a moral impera- proceedings right now are in the House come down to the floor to try to force tive. The unconscionable loss of life is of Representatives. The discussion on a debate, to force a conversation in our responsibility. the future of a background checks bill this body so that we can find bipar- This problem is one that we can was in the Senate. It was happening be- tisan consensus on an issue that enjoys solve. We may not be able to prevent tween myself and Senator MANCHIN and 95 percent public support, 80 percent all the deaths that occur—all 100 every Senator TOOMEY. We are still at the support from gun owners, and 70 per- day in America—but we can save lives. table, ready to negotiate a compromise cent support from NRA members. Our goal has to be to save as many version of the Background Check Ex- There is almost nothing else that is lives as quickly as possible. pansion Act. We, frankly, have lots of less controversial in America today I have been hopeful for the first time time on our hands in the Senate be- than the issue of universal background in a long time, as I have talked with cause we are not doing anything other checks, and we will continue to press my colleague Senator GRAHAM. He and than approving an appointee here, a that case on behalf of the American I have worked together conscientiously judge there. We have plenty of time. people. and closely on ‘‘extreme risk protec- We have plenty of bandwidth in the I yield the floor. tion order’’ legislation. There have Senate to negotiate with the White The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- been a series of encouraging conversa- House over a universal background ator from Connecticut. tions with the White House, and all checks bill. Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, seemed to be proceeding well, until You can’t say that we can’t take up we ought to be aggrieved, we ought to there was a report of the President H.R. 8 because we haven’t had input. be angry, and we ought to be furious— talking to Wayne LaPierre of the NRA. Republicans are in charge. You have not just frustrated but furious—at this Apparently, it takes only a phone the ability to have as much input as sad, even pathetic, objection to moving call—or a couple of them—with the you want. The White House can’t say forward with a bill that is supported by NRA to turn around the White House the impeachment is stopping a debate 95 percent of the American people. The and stop the progress we have been on background checks from happening. simple fact is that our Senate col- making and throw out the window all I am ready to talk. Senator TOOMEY is leagues have been talking to us in good the good work we have done. ready to talk. Senator MANCHIN is faith, not only about a background Over these past several months, Sen- ready to talk. checks bill but also about emergency ator GRAHAM, the White House, and my We have evidence from this summer risk protection orders, because we office have made important strides on about how important universal back- know there is no single solution, no emergency risk protection. We know ground checks are. On the last day of panacea, and that emergency risk pro- that they work. They enjoy broad pop- August, a gunman fled from police in tection orders are the other side of the ular support. At least 70 percent of the Odessa, TX. He hijacked a U.S. Postal coin to background checks. American people support some type of Service van. He killed its driver and Last week, the Washington Post re- ‘‘extreme risk protection’’ legislation, then randomly fired on people as he ported that President Trump has given including two-thirds of Republicans drove through the streets. During his up on passing lifesaving gun violence and 60 percent of gun owners. shooting spree, the gunman killed legislation. The reason is fierce lobby States like Connecticut, which was seven people and wounded over 20 oth- by the NRA. the first to adopt them, have shown ers—a reign of terror throughout the Let’s face the stark truth here. The they have a palpable, tangible, measur- streets of this Texas town. The current background checks law objection on the floor today is not the able effect. They are a crucial tool for worked as it was intended to work. The result of any lack of clarity about the law enforcement. The full implementa- shooter tried to buy a gun in January need for background check legislation. tion of Connecticut’s ‘‘emergency risk 2014, but he was denied. Why? Because It is the result, purely and simply, of protection order’’ law was associated he had been found to be so seriously the President saying no. with a mere 14-percent decline in fire- mentally ill when he was committed to We need to do our job. We have con- arm suicide rates, and the passages of an inpatient institution that his name tinued talks, in fact, with members of Indiana’s law in 2005 is associated with was placed on the list of individuals the White House staff after the im- a 7.5-percent decline in the firearm sui- who were prohibited from buying weap- peachment proceedings began. My hope cide rate. ons. is that the Washington Post article is We know these laws work. In the 17 The problem is, Texas doesn’t have untrue. I believe it, certainly, in no jurisdictions that have passed them, universal background checks, meaning way forestalls or prevents these discus- there has been a decline in suicides and that it was as easy as pie for the shoot- sions from continuing. I think there is homicides and domestic violence shoot- er, after he got denied a gun purchase a reason to hope, but it will take cour- ings. We can save lives. We can put to- at a brick-and-mortar store, to just go age and strength to do it. gether a measure that combines back- find a private seller who would sell him The President said yesterday that he ground checks, emergency risk protec- a military-style weapon without a was too busy doing his job meeting tion orders, and other sensible steps. background check. In this case, it re- with the President of Turkey—an indi- We can work through this body. The sulted in 20 people getting hurt and vidual who has potentially enabled war objection that we are bringing it to the seven people being wounded—this easy crimes in northern Syria. If he wasn’t floor precipitously is absolutely ridicu- way to find loopholes through the Na- too busy to do that kind of meeting, he lous. There is no reason we have to tion’s background check system. But shouldn’t be too busy to do gun vio- give up now and throw away all our that happens every single day. Every lence prevention. work simply because the House is single day, somebody buys a gun at a The fact is that the stakes are simply doing something unrelated, on im- gun show or online or through a pri- too high for there to be delay, and peachment. vate sale because that is the way they 36,000 Americans are killed every year, There has been too much good work can get a gun without having to go or more. That is 100 every day. Gun as well by groups doing the grassroots through a background check. deaths are, in fact, rising, not declin- task of mobilizing public support— I am deeply troubled. I am pro- ing. Moms Demand Action, Students De- foundly aggrieved by my body’s reluc- The trends are absolutely alarming mand Action, and all of the groups that tance to even take up a conversation and appalling, and we are complicit in have rallied around for gun safety. In about the future of gun policy in this these deaths if we fail to act. As I Connecticut, the Newtown Action Alli- country. I wish there wasn’t an objec- speak on the floor right now, there is a ance, Connecticut Against Gun Vio- tion. I wish we had an opportunity to school shooting in Santa Clarita, CA. lence, and Sandy Hook Promise show be able to discuss the future of back- How can we turn the other way? How us the way. ground checks and the future of our can we refuse to see that shooting in In the last election, gun violence was gun laws on the Senate floor. Our con- realtime, demanding our attention, re- on the ballot. Gun violence prevention stituents expect us to have that de- quiring our action? We are complicit if won. That is the reason the House has bate. we fail to act. It is not just a political passed H.R. 8. That is the reason why

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:09 Nov 15, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14NO6.010 S14NOPT1 Sspencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE S6586 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 14, 2019 we should do it here. History will judge to be nonpartisan has to be the is a return to where we used to be, my Republican colleagues harshly if politicalization of the Violence Against where the Violence Against Women Act they fail that, and the voters will judge Women Act, or VAWA. For 25 years, enjoyed broad support on both sides of them even more immediately equally this program has supported survivors the aisle and was truly not just bipar- harshly. of domestic violence and sexual assault tisan but nonpartisan. It is a shame The NRA is imploding. Its vice-like through a range of critical programs that something as urgent and undeni- grip should be crumbling in this body. and resources. ably important as combating domestic They may have the ear of the Presi- As a longtime victims’ rights advo- violence and sexual assault has some- dent, but they should not have the ear cate myself, I am a proud supporter of how fallen prey to Washington, DC, of my Republican colleagues. the Violence Against Women Act, and I politics. To the President, I say: The NRA is have consistently fought not only to I hope our colleagues will reconsider telling the American public they own continue it but to strengthen it as and return to the negotiating table so you and that all they have to do is snap well. we can reach a compromise and finally their fingers, and you fall into line. I think there is more we can and reauthorize the Violence Against Prove them wrong. All you need to do should do to support victims, and I Women Act. is take the final steps on this legisla- know folks on the other side of the E-CIGARETTES tion. Give us a green light. Tell us that aisle feel the same way. It is safe to Mr. President, on another matter, in we can move forward and that you will say, though, that we have had our fair recent months, there has been a lot of sign this bill. share of disagreements on how exactly coverage in the news and in social To the majority leader I say, whether to accomplish that. media about the health consequences or not the President gives us that Earlier this year, our Democratic of e-cigarette use. The ‘‘e’’ stands for green light, we need to do our job. colleagues allowed VAWA to get electronic—electronic cigarette use. Please do your job. Let us have this caught in the crosshairs of a funding We have seen alarming headlines vote. debate when they insisted we should about vaping-related illnesses that Thank you. not fund this vital program because it have led to severe health consequences I yield the floor. is overdue for updates. This is a rash and dozens of deaths. I find it particu- f move, to be sure. It lines up with the larly concerning that an increased ‘‘my way or the highway’’ legislative DIRECTING THE CLERK OF THE number of children in middle school strategy sometimes deployed by our HOUSE TO MAKE A CORRECTION and in high school are using these friends on the other side, but that IN THE ENROLLMENT OF H.R. products, even though it is incon- hasn’t stopped my Republican col- 2423 sistent with the law. It is against the leagues, led by Senator JONI ERNST law. Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask from Iowa, from pursuing a com- The National Youth Tobacco Survey unanimous consent that the Senate promise. estimates that more than 5 million proceed to the immediate consider- For many months now, Senator middle and high school students cur- ation of H. Con. Res. 72, which was re- ERNST has been working with DIANNE rently use e-cigarettes, up from 3.6 mil- ceived from the House. FEINSTEIN, the Senator from Cali- lion last year. Five million middle and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The fornia, to find ways to make improve- high school children are using this clerk will report the concurrent resolu- ments that both sides can agree on. product that the law says they should tion by title. That is the way things get done around not be using. The legislative clerk read as follows: here: You try to build consensus, and Folks at home are certainly dealing A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 72) maybe you don’t get everything you with the fallout. Last year, 19 percent directing the Clerk of the House to make a want, but if you can get 80 percent of of Texas high school students had used correction in the enrollment of H.R. 2423. what you want, you ought to take it an e-cigarette in the last 30 days, and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there and run. news reports lead me to believe the objection to proceeding to the meas- Last week, unfortunately, Democrats number has done nothing but go up. ure? walked away from the negotiating Certainly, there are negative health There being no objection, the Senate table when it came to the Violence consequences associated with it. A teen proceeded to consider the concurrent Against Women Act. Rather than con- in Michigan was recently hospitalized, resolution. tinuing the discussions with people of as my colleague from Michigan well Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask opposing views, they took the easy way knows. He was recently hospitalized unanimous consent that the resolution out and simply walked away and intro- after vaping and then had to have an be agreed to and that the motion to re- duced their own partisan reauthoriza- incredibly rare double lung transplant consider be considered made and laid tion—one they know has no chance of because of the damage done to the upon the table with no intervening ac- passing. lungs. tion or debate. Just like the version that passed the This is causing alarm for parents, for The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there House earlier this year, this is a mes- educators, for health professionals, and objection? saging document, worth no more than just about everybody else who has Without objection, it is so ordered. the paper it is written on. It is not heard about it. It certainly caught my The concurrent resolution (H. Con. going to reauthorize VAWA or make attention. Res. 72) was agreed to. the program better, and it is not going Yesterday the HELP Committee—the VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT to support victims because it stands no Health, Education, Labor, and Pen- Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, unfor- chance of becoming law. sions Committee—in the Senate held a tunately, this Congress has been de- I am truly disappointed that our hearing to look into the government’s fined by previously unprecedented po- Democratic colleagues, once again, lackluster response to these public litical antics. Things that used to be have chosen to play politics rather health concerns. I am seriously con- far above the political fray are now than deliver real results, this time for cerned with how, compared to tradi- getting roiled in controversy. the victims of domestic violence and tional cigarettes, this industry is able One example is yesterday, when the sexual assault. to evade countless government regula- minority leader blocked the bipartisan Despite the games being played here, tions, especially through online sales. bill that I introduced to reduce drug my Republican colleagues and I are Consumers are able to purchase tra- prices—a bill that received unanimous working to put in the hard work it ditional cigarettes online, but there support in the Judiciary Committee. I takes to actually accomplish some- are clear guardrails in place to prevent recognize my friend from Connecticut thing and legislate. minors from using online purchases to Senator BLUMENTHAL, who is the chief Senator ERNST said she will soon be skirt the age restrictions. Democratic cosponsor of that bill. introducing a good-faith proposal that At the time of delivery, if you buy I think the most egregious example actually has the chance to become law. cigarettes online, you have to sign and of politicalization of things that used It is not a partisan document. It really show an ID proving your age. That just

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