E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 116 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION Vol. 166 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020 No. 96 House of Representatives The House was not in session today. Its next meeting will be held on Friday, May 22, 2020, at 11 a.m. Senate THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020 The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I lated, we confirmed nominees, we held called to order by the President pro ask unanimous consent to speak for 1 major hearings, and conducted over- tempore (Mr. GRASSLEY). minute in morning business. sight on the historic response to f The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without COVID–19. objection, it is so ordered. Yesterday, we learned that our Sen- PRAYER ate action will continue to contrast f The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- with our absentee neighbors across the fered the following prayer: NIGERIA Rotunda. While essential workers Let us pray. Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, across the country continue to clock Lord of our lives, make these mo- we all ought to be very concerned, as I in, the Democratic House of Represent- ments of prayer more than mere words, am, about the ongoing religious perse- atives has essentially put itself on paid but may this reverent pause fill our cution happening in Nigeria. It may be leave for months. Since the early days hearts with gratitude and love for You. happening in a lot of countries, but I of this crisis, the self-described ‘‘Peo- May our lawmakers appreciate the fact just want to mention Nigeria today. ple’s House’’ has been suspiciously that through prayer, they have the In the last 6 months, there have been empty of people. I understand they privilege of talking to You, the super- multiple attacks. This includes the have convened for legislative session a intendent of the universe. murder of 11 Christians by extremists grand total of 2 days in the last 8 Lord, inspire them to use this inter- identified as part of ISIS, and—can you weeks. At this point, I am wondering if cessory opportunity to seek Your wis- believe it—the beheading of a pastor by we should send Senators over there to dom and guidance, knowing that You Boko Haram militants. West Africa re- collect their newspaper and water the are eager to help them. Give us all the leased a barbaric video of a child of plants. It is not just their physical absence; wisdom to remember that You con- about 10 years old executing a Chris- it is House Democrats absent from any tinue to be our refuge and strength, al- tian. serious discussions at all. About the ways ready to help in times of trouble. The Nigerian authorities need to stop And Lord, as we approach Memorial only product to emerge from their this persecution right now, and our Day, thank You for the men and lengthy sabbatical has been a 1,800- own government, the U.S. Government, women who gave their lives for this page, $3 trillion messaging bill that needs to do what it can to support that Nation while serving in the U.S. mili- couldn’t even unite their own con- effort. For sure, those responsible must tary. We are grateful also for the great ference. be held accountable for their actions. sacrifices made by their loved ones. Yesterday, the Speaker announced I yield the floor. We pray in Your merciful Name. this arrangement will continue for an- Amen. f other 45 days at least, but there is a new wrinkle. House Democrats jammed f RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY through a precedent-breaking remote LEADER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE voting scheme that will let 1 Member The President pro tempore led the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- cast 10 additional votes—1 Member cast Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: jority leader is recognized. 10 additional votes. Actually, 1 person, I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the f 11 votes. Remember, these are the peo- United States of America, and to the Repub- ple who want to remake every State’s lic for which it stands, one nation under God, BUSINESS BEFORE THE SENATE election laws. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mr. MCCONNELL. All month, the There are several problems with this. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Senate has been on the job attending One of them happens to be article I, HYDE-SMITH). The Senator from Iowa. to the needs of our country. We legis- section 5 of the U.S. Constitution, ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. S2563 . VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:38 May 22, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21MY6.000 S21MYPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S2564 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 21, 2020 which says a majority of each House set up home offices and home schools UNANIMOUS CONSENT shall constitute a quorum to do busi- overnight. Community volunteers have AGREEMENT—S.J. RES. 72 ness. For about 231 years, Congress has found new ways to pitch in and help Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, managed to fulfill this job require- the vulnerable from 6 feet apart. I ask unanimous consent that the ac- Tens of millions of workers have kept ment. They worked through a Civil tions of the Senate with respect to S.J. collecting paychecks instead of pink War, two World Wars, terrorist threats, Res. 72 be vitiated. slips because of our Paycheck Protec- and a major pandemic without trying The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tion Program, which sent hundreds of to shirk this duty. The 12th Congress objection, it is so ordered. endured the War of 1812, including the billions of dollars to keep small busi- occupation of Washington and the nesses alive. f burning of this very building that we COVID–19 has killed nearly 100,000 RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME Americans. It has cost tens of millions are in right now without abandoning The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under in-person meetings. their jobs. This is a generational trag- edy. But in the midst of it, our country the previous order, the leadership time The Constitution requires a physical is reserved. quorum to do business. Normally, both is pulling together. Chambers may presume one. But any My home State of Kentucky is show- f House Member has a right to demand ing us how it is done. A glass producer CONCLUSION OF MORNING an in-person attendance check. The transformed its operation to make pro- BUSINESS Democrats’ new rule says one person tective shields for businesses. A high school principal, Evan Jackson, in- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning may mark himself and 10 others business is closed. present, even if they are nowhere in vented a virtual commencement so sight, which is a flatout lie. graduates didn’t go uncelebrated. Dr. f There will be enormous constitu- Erin Frazier, a pediatrician, somehow EXECUTIVE SESSION tional questions around anything the found the spare time to stand up House does if they fail to demonstrate brandnew food pantries. Restaurants a real quorum, but plow ahead anyhow. are spreading hope and hospitality by EXECUTIVE CALENDAR They have had 2 normal workdays in 8 donating meals to first responders. And one group of restaurants The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under weeks and one absurd, unserious pro- headquartered in Louisville called the previous order, the Senate will pro- posal. And now they are playing games Texas Roadhouse has gone to great ceed to executive session to resume with the Constitution so they can con- lengths to avoid layoffs. The founder consideration of the following nomina- tinue their never-ending spring break gave up his salary and put his own tion which the clerk will report. well into July. money into a worker assistance fund. The senior assistant legislative clerk Let’s come over here to the Senate. So far they have spent $17 million on read the nomination of JOHN L. In the past 3 weeks, we have filled cru- their workers, covering everything RATCLIFFE, of Texas, to be Director of cial posts at the National Counterintel- from healthcare premiums to bonuses. National Intelligence. ligence and Security Center, the Nu- These past few months have been try- Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, clear Regulatory Commission, and the ing indeed, but the American people I suggest the absence of a quorum. Department of Homeland Security. have been truly inspiring. This spring, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Today, we will confirm the next Di- the Senate wrote and passed the larg- clerk will call the roll. rector of National Intelligence. JOHN est rescue package in American history The senior assistant legislative clerk RATCLIFFE will lead the intelligence to try to help bridge this period. This proceeded to call the roll. community in countering threats from Nation of nearly 330 million people put Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I great powers, rogue nations, and ter- their lives on pause to protect our med- ask unanimous consent that the order rorists, and ensuring that work is un- ical system, and it worked. for the quorum call be rescinded. tainted by political bias. The American people did what Amer- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The Banking Committee heard from icans do: They got it done. We kept our objection, it is so ordered. Chairman Powell and Secretary healthcare system intact; we did not RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER Mnuchin on the workings of the let this virus break us; and as far as we The PRESIDING OFFICER.