Senate Record, March 2, 2020 — Congressional Record
Summary
Opening pages of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for Monday, March 2, 2020, Volume 166, No. 41, which runs to a very long text of proceedings. The Senate met at 3 p.m. with Mr. Grassley presiding, heard a prayer from the Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, and resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 2657, a geothermal innovation bill. A speaker says six Americans had now died from the coronavirus and argues the administration had hollowed out health security teams, which is that speaker's view. Mr. Grassley's remarks on dairy farmers and a printed essay on character education follow.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
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“Senate Record, March 2, 2020 — Congressional Record.”
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Congressional Record
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116 th CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
United States
of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE
Vol. 166 WASHINGTON, MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020 No. 41
Senate
The Senate met at 3 p.m. and was ADVANCED GEOTHERMAL INNOVA- that now six Americans have died from
called to order by the President pro TION LEADERSHIP ACT OF 2019— the coronavirus—the first fatalities in
tempore (Mr. GRASSLEY). MOTION TO PROCEED the United States.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under At this critical moment, we need an
f administration that acts with per-
the previous order, the Senate will re-
sume consideration of the motion to sistent and unrelenting transparency
PRAYER and decisiveness, and that leans on the
proceed to S. 2657, which the clerk will
The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- report. expertise of our scientists and doctors.
fered the following prayer: The senior assistant legislative clerk But this administration, unfortu-
Let us pray. read as follows: nately, has spent years hollowing out
Eternal God, our refuge and strength, the domestic and global health secu-
Motion to proceed to S. 2657, a bill to sup-
You reminded us in Romans 8:26 that port innovation in advanced geothermal re- rity teams in the executive branch. It
we do not even know how we should search and development, and for other pur- has proposed cutting funding from the
pray or for what we should pray. You poses. infectious disease rapid response fund,
then promised that if we request it, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the emerging infectious disease ac-
Your Holy Spirit will pray for us with ator from Iowa. count, and public health preparedness
groaning that cannot be expressed in Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask and response programs. Undoubtedly,
words. We claim that promise that unanimous consent to speak for 1 the Trump administration would have
Your Spirit will pray for us. minute as in morning business. been better prepared to respond to the
Lord, guide our Senators through the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without coronavirus if the President had
power of this celestial intercession. In- objection, it is so ordered. prioritized these programs rather than
spire our lawmakers to earnestly seek ANTI-DAIRY ACTIVISM
urged them to be cut.
to fulfill Your purposes. Enable them The administration’s early response
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, our
to find unity with each other because efforts have not instilled much con-
U.S. dairy farmers have had a tough
of their experiential relationship with fidence either. Testing kits were not
decade. Margins are thinner than ever,
Your intervening love. promptly sent to the hospitals and
and new milk substitutes can be found
We pray in Your marvelous Name. medical labs around the country, polit-
in every grocery store. While dairy
Amen. ical personnel have overruled the rec-
farmers scored a major victory in the
ommendations of the CDC, and the ad-
f U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement with
ministration was slow to appoint any
increased market access to Canada,
single official with public health exper-
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE there is a scary new trend that is very
tise to coordinate our government’s re-
disturbing.
The President pro tempore led the sponse.
Hollywood jokers have taken a stand
Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: Even now, President Trump seems to
against raising cows with the so-called
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the be spending more of his time blaming
hashtag ‘‘mootoo’’ movement. This is
United States of America, and to the Repub- the media and blaming the Democrats
udderly irresponsible. U.S. dairies
lic for which it stands, one nation under God, than being constructive. In fact, he
produce the highest quality milk and
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. blames everyone not named Donald
cheese in the world under the highest
Trump. The President is downplaying—
f standards of care. Drink and eat dairy
he is downplaying—the threat of the
products. It is good for you—especially
coronavirus to a dangerous degree, and
RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME ice cream. Help our dairy farmers.
his Chief of Staff, amazingly, said to
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. I yield the floor.
Americans: ‘‘Turn off your tele-
HAWLEY). Under the previous order, the RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
visions.’’
leadership time is reserved. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The We know the history of how these vi-
Democratic leader is recognized. ruses spread and work. When you deny
f CORONAVIRUS them, when you don’t let people know
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, over what is happening and what to do
CONCLUSION OF MORNING the weekend, cases of the coronavirus about it, things get worse. Yet the
BUSINESS have been confirmed in New York, President, being as self-centered as he
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning Rhode Island, and Florida. Officials in is, only cares about himself and his
business is closed. Washington State have also reported image. As usual, instead of solving the
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∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.
S1239
.
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S1240 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 2, 2020
problem, he tries to blame somebody tration and our colleagues in the Sen- diplomat, a Senator, and a sergeant in
else. ate must be ready to do the same. the Army before assuming the post.
The deflection and finger-pointing ENERGY BILL Representative RATCLIFFE, on the
and denial must stop. President Trump Mr. President, on the Energy bill, to- other hand, is a three-term tea party
must take responsibility to ensure that night the Senate will vote on a motion Congressman. He has shown extreme
everyone in the public health commu- to proceed on a bill that will make partisanship in the House. He lacks the
nity has the authority and the re- changes to our Nation’s energy policy. experience required to lead a commu-
sources needed. We need the President Ranking Member MANCHIN and I have nity of 17 intelligence agencies.
and his team to level with the Amer- had several discussions with Chair- The experience Mr. RATCLIFFE does
ican people and get a handle on the sit- woman MURKOWSKI and the Republican have in Congress has been alarmingly
uation. leader about having a fair amendment partisan. He was a fierce critic of the
Later this week, appropriators will process on this legislation. As a result Mueller investigation and earned
put together an emergency supple- of these conversations, I will be voting praise from deep-state conspiracy theo-
mental package to surge resources into yes on the motion tonight as a show of rists. During the Mueller hearings,
the domestic and global response and good faith. RATCLIFFE badgered the former special
to help local communities quickly pre- Democrats want amendments to the counsel with baseless lines of ques-
pare for the coronavirus. I have said Energy bill so we can make real tioning—highly partisan and not at all
that we need about $8.5 billion, and, progress on climate change. That is related to fact. He didn’t seem to care.
from all reports, the appropriators are what we are hoping to achieve this He showed little regard for the serious-
very close to that number, rather than week. Few pieces of legislation offer ness of Putin’s interference in our elec-
the $2.5 billion the President talked more opportunity for progress on cli- tions and the need for election secu-
about early on. That is good because mate than those that concern our en- rity.
when it comes to Americans’ health, ergy policy. We cannot miss this oppor- Since World War II, since OSS, and
when it comes to our safety, and when tunity to make real, substantive since the formation of the CIA, the in-
it comes to dealing with this problem progress on climate change. I am hope- telligence agencies have, by and large,
head-on, skimping doesn’t make any ful that our amendments this week and been immune from politics. Like he
sense at all. If there was ever some- the potential progress we can make on does with everything else, this Presi-
thing that is pennywise and pound fool- climate change this week can be bipar- dent seems to make them the arm of
ish, that is it. tisan. his likes and dislikes, of what is good
As this package comes together, I am For months, Republicans have been for him and what is not good for him,
going to have more to say, but, at a trying to adjust their posture on the even if he denigrates these fine men
minimum, any package needs to have most pressing issue facing our planet— and woman. He doesn’t seem to care
provisions that ensure that the Presi- the climate crisis. This bill provides a that we need intelligence agencies who
dent cannot transfer these new funds real test for Senate Republicans. Will find the truth and tell the Congress
to anything other than the coronavirus they join Senate Democrats in fighting and the American people the truth.
and American and global preparedness for and passing bipartisan legislation Now he appoints a rank partisan to
to combat epidemics and infectious dis- that will address climate change in a this agency, someone he probably sees
eases. significant way, or will our Republican on FOX News mouthing the conspiracy
Vaccines must be affordable and friends continue to do what they have theories that only the President and
available to all who need them. Yester- done for the last several years—do the his avid supporters seem to believe.
day, I called for vaccines, when devel- bidding of corporate polluters and Big It is such a decline in America when
oped, to be fully covered by Medicare, Oil and block amendments with bipar- this great agency, where people have
because seniors who need the vaccines tisan support? risked their lives for America quietly,
most should not have to worry if they DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE is made into a political football to
can afford it once it is available. Mr. President, finally, on the DNI, on serve one man, Donald Trump, who we
There should be interest-free loans Friday, after dismissing Acting Direc- all know doesn’t really have a pench-
made available for small businesses im- tor of National Intelligence Maguire ant for truth, for honor, and for de-
pacted by the outbreak, and State and and replacing him with Rick Grenell, a cency.
local governments should be reim- partisan loyalist with no experience, With this nomination, President
bursed and provided new grants for re- President Trump proposed installing as Trump has again shown a lack of re-
sponse activities. In the meantime, the a permanent Director of National In- spect for the rule of law and for the in-
administration needs to keep working telligence Representative JOHN telligence community, which Repub-
with local communities—including RATCLIFFE of Texas. lican and Democratic Presidents have
schools, universities, and local agen- Replacing one highly partisan opera- all shown in the past.
cies—on the steps they must take to tive with another does nothing to keep Republicans must join Democrats in
prepare for an increase in coronavirus our country safe. At a time when swiftly rejecting the nomination of the
cases. Vladimir Putin is once again inter- partisan Mr. RATCLIFFE.
Specifically, the administration fering in our elections, we need a non- I yield the floor.
needs to do the following: First, issue partisan leader with a high level of ex- I suggest the absence of a quorum.
coherent guidance on what school dis- pertise and trust on both sides of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
tricts should do in the event the virus aisle, someone who sees the world ob- clerk will call the roll.
is detected in a community; second, es- jectively and speaks truth to power, at The senior assistant legislative clerk
tablish a uniform screening policy for the helm of the intelligence commu- proceeded to call the roll.
airports and ports of entry, as our nity. Neither Acting Director Grenell Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I
frontline transportation professionals nor Representative RATCLIFFE comes ask unanimous consent that the order
at TSA and CBP need clear guidance on close to that standard. Representative for the quorum call be rescinded.
the coronavirus; and, third, make it RATCLIFFE, in particular, falls short of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
clear that our Federal scientists and that high bar. objection, it is so ordered.
medical experts can speak out freely John Negroponte became DNI after CORONAVIRUS
and be heard by the American people— decades of working in the Foreign Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, the
no gag rule, no downplaying this be- Service. Former Directors Dennis new coronavirus, or COVID–19, contin-
cause that makes things worse when Blair, James Clapper, and Mike McCon- ued to capture headlines over the
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people don’t know the facts. nell—whatever you think of them indi- weekend. News of the first American
Democrats are ready to work on a bi- vidually—came from both parties, and deaths related to the disease confirm
partisan basis to make sure Federal, all had decades of experience in and this is a public health challenge that is
State, and local officials are ready for working with the intelligence commu- upon us.
whatever scenario the coronavirus pre- nity. Dan Coats, the President’s last The Senate’s immediate role is clear:
sents. The President and his adminis- nominee to this position, served as a We need to support the Federal, State,
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March 2, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1241
and local public health officials and American presence would stabilize with he intends to nominate Representative
healthcare professionals who are work- 8,600 troops for the time being. Having JOHN RATCLIFFE of Texas to serve as
ing overtime to blunt, delay, and miti- heard from our commanders, I agree Director of National Intelligence. I am
gate the spread of the virus. I am that presence will remain an important glad the President has elected to nomi-
grateful that our colleagues Chairman tool as we combat the ongoing threats nate a permanent DNI so the Senate
SHELBY and Senator LEAHY, along with posed by the likes of al-Qaida and ISIS can provide our advice and consent on
their appropriations counterparts in and support for the Afghans’ ability to this crucial position.
the House, worked through the week- fight terrorism themselves. As I mentioned last week, the men
end on a bipartisan, bicameral agree- Since further drawdowns would re- and women of the intelligence commu-
ment to provide supplemental appro- quire even further progress and co- nity fulfill a wide array of sensitive
priations for the coordinated response. operation from the Taliban, I look for- and critically important missions. The
It goes without saying that a chal- ward to hearing from administration Office of the DNI is central to coordi-
lenge like this leaves no time for mov- officials, intelligence analysts, and nating these efforts in a strong fashion.
ing goalposts or performative outrage. military officers about how they will It gives no quarter to politicization or
The American people deserve for their judge compliance and determine partisan bias. I am glad the adminis-
Congress to meet this subject head-on, whether the conditions are, in fact, tration will seek Senate confirmation
with a bipartisan and collaborative ap- met. For my part, I believe the intra- for the position.
proach, and I am confident that is ex- Afghan negotiations are especially President Trump has a strong track
actly what can and will happen. critical to the future of that country record of sending the Senate impres-
I am glad our prospects for supple- and to our own significant security in- sive nominees for national security
mental appropriations rest in the terests over there. We should do what posts who are well prepared to protect
hands of a bipartisan group of nego- we can to help the Afghans achieve a our Nation and defend our interests.
tiators. I would encourage my Demo- peaceful solution to their conflict. The impressive leadership of Sec-
cratic colleagues in both Houses to let I am glad to hear there are no secret retary Esper at the Department of De-
them do their work. It will be impor- annexes to this agreement which Con- fense, Director Haspel at the CIA, Gen-
tant to pass this first benchmark and gress will be denied, as there were with eral Nakasone at the National Security
supply these important funds within President Obama’s Iran deal. The se- Agency, and other leaders have proven
the next 2 weeks. cret documents detailing implementa- that President Trump has an eye for
TALIBAN tion arrangements are available for the talent and confirms that the Senate’s
Mr. President, on another matter, on review of all Senators in Senate Secu- trust in each of them was well placed.
Saturday, President Trump announced rity, and I encourage our colleagues to I hope Congressman RATCLIFFE will
a new agreement with the Taliban that review the full details. impress Senators just as did the other
is designed to promote a peaceful end Republicans spent much of the members of the President’s team and
to the civil war in Afghanistan. Obama administration reminding our earn a bipartisan confirmation vote. I
First and foremost, we must recog- colleagues that hope—hope—is not a trust Chairman BURR and our col-
nize the brave men and women of the strategy. We argued President Obama’s leagues on the Permanent Select Com-
U.S. Armed Forces. Hundreds of thou- reckless withdrawal from Iraq would mittee on Intelligence will oversee a
sands of U.S. troops have deployed to set the stage for chaos and a resur- prompt and fair confirmation process,
Afghanistan since our national secu- gence of terrorism. Unfortunately, the and I look forward to meeting the
rity compelled us in 2001 to confront rise of ISIS proved us correct. nominee myself.
the terrorist threats emanating from That is why, more than a year ago, I The Trump administration has
that failed state that Afghanistan had offered an amendment so the Senate worked overtime to unwind the failures
become. More than 2,400 American could affirm that withdrawing from of the 8 years that preceded it. We have
servicemembers have given their lives Syria or Afghanistan the wrong way taken big strides to renew America’s
in Afghanistan. More than 20,000 have could strengthen the hand of terrorists national security and our strength on
been wounded. Our coalition partners, and competitors such as Russia and the world stage. We must keep up this
such as the United Kingdom and Can- Iran while weakening our own vital in- crucial work.
ada, sustained casualties as well. terests. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
Obviously the worst burden of all has I believe from my conversations with The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
fallen on the Afghan people. Tens of senior administration officials that clerk will call the roll.
thousands of Afghan security forces they went into these negotiations with The legislative clerk proceeded to
and civilians have been killed during their eyes wide open about the call the roll.
this long, long war. Taliban’s duplicitous nature. I expect Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I ask
It is largely due to these brave, he- Members of both parties will have unanimous consent that the order for
roic, and sustained efforts to keep pres- many questions about this agreement the quorum call be rescinded.
sure on the terrorists that Afghanistan and look forward to briefings from the The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs.
has not come roaring back as an inter- administration about the path forward BLACKBURN). Without objection, it is so
national headquarters for terrorists. to protect American interests in Af- ordered.
Thanks to these efforts, the United ghanistan and ensure this war ends on TRIBUTE TO JOSH SPEIDEL
States and its Afghan partners are terms favorable to those interests. Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, every-
hopefully in a position to bring about a Our fight against ISIS, al-Qaida, and body has a story. Actually, everybody
negotiated end to the conflict. other radical Islamic terrorists is not has a journey, when you think of life.
After nearly 20 years, two basic prin- over. As my colleagues and I have said Some are heartbreaking, but some are
ciples are clear: No. 1, we should wel- for years, even if the United States uplifting, and some are hopeful. To-
come any serious opportunity to bring were to choose to walk away from the morrow night, during senior night, the
greater stability to that land, but, No. conflict, the conflict would not walk University of Vermont men’s basket-
2, we must make certain that the away from us. We learned that on Sep- ball team is going to celebrate one
progress won through great sacrifice by tember 11. We relearned it with the rise story that is all of these things: heart-
Afghans and Americans is not under- of ISIS. I hope we never need to learn breaking, uplifting, and hopeful. They
mined by a precipitous rush for the it again. will celebrate that when senior Josh
exits. So the war is not over, but this Speidel takes the court for the first
I do not trust the Taliban, so I am agreement may foster the negotiations time—and what will be the only time—
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grateful the linchpin of the agreement and discussions within Afghanistan in his college career.
is a conditions-based approach that that would be necessary to bring it to Josh is a native of Columbus, IN. He
will provide our commanders with le- a close. dreamed from a very young age of play-
verage to test the will and the capacity JOHN RATCLIFFE ing college basketball. At Columbus
of the Taliban to abide by the agree- Mr. President, on one final matter, North High School in Indiana, Josh
ment. If all goes well at first, our on Friday, President Trump announced was the basketball team’s all-time lead
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S1242 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 2, 2020
point scorer and an Indiana All-Star. There being no objection, the mate- parents), thank coach (John Becker) for all
In November of 2014, just before his rial was ordered to be printed in the he’s done—it will be pretty emotional. It’s
senior basketball season, he committed RECORD, as follows: hard to put into words.
‘‘For four years I’ve been hearing the
to play for the University of Vermont, [From the Burlington Free Press, Mar. 1, starting lineup and I’ve always envisioned
and he accepted a scholarship at the 2020] my name said. I think that’ll be something.’’
university to play for the team. UVM’S JOSH SPEIDEL AND HIS REMARKABLE Speidel’s parents, Dave and Lisa, have also
Here is the heartbreaking part. Just JOURNEY SET FOR EMOTIONAL STAGE ON waited—and hoped—for a day like this to ar-
a few months later, in February of 2015, SENIOR NIGHT rive.
‘‘It’s a moment we believed would happen.
Josh’s dream was derailed when he suf- (By Alex Abramif)
We never wanted Josh to give up,’’ Lisa
fered a traumatic brain injury, result- Fruit was a big part of Josh Speidel’s diet Speidel said. ‘‘Without basketball, Josh
ing from a devastating car crash. Josh when he first arrived at the University of wouldn’t be where he is. Without UVM, Josh
would go on to spend the next 4 months Vermont in the summer of 2016. wouldn’t be where he is.’’
in the hospital and in rehab. But just a ‘‘He just loved bananas, it was his main DETERMINATION, FAITH DRIVE RECOVERY
food,’’ said Everett Duncan, Speidel’s dorm
few days after the accident, the Univer- roommate that year, ‘‘I’m personally OK
About six months after the accident, a doc-
sity of Vermont’s head coach, John tor’s evaluation didn’t forecast a favorable
with bananas, but I was wondering, ‘Where
Becker, went to Indiana and visited outcome for Speidel’s reading comprehen-
are we getting all these fruit flies?’ And at
Josh there with a simple message for sion.
the time Josh was leaving them in this little ‘‘He said Joshua wouldn’t be above a
him: You are still welcome at UVM. trash can that he had on the right side of his fourth-grade level, ever,’’ Lisa Speidel said.
Your scholarship will be honored, and desk.’’ ‘‘I told him that you are not going to tell
we will help you in any way we can. A brief argument ensued. Joshua that and he agreed,’’ she said. ‘‘I still
That is, after all, the Vermont way. ‘‘I was like, ‘You are not eating bananas in have those results in an envelope, but I have
here anymore, just keep it at the dining yet to open it.’’
Josh would ultimately arrive at UVM hall,’ ’’ Duncan recalled. ‘‘But then I realized Not long after that, Josh Speidel began an
in August of 2016. While he hasn’t suit- that I’m yelling at this man for eating ba- online course at a community college and
ed up with the team, he has worked nanas. It’s funny now when we think about started seeing noticeable gains in his recov-
with trainers; he has improved his it.’’ ery.
physical condition; and he has re- The next year, Speidel roomed with an- ‘‘Things really started clicking for Joshua
mained active on the court. What is so other teammate, Ben Shungu. The duo would then, it was really amazing,’’ Lisa Speidel
inspiring, his team was at his side take advantage of the 5-minute walk from said. Positivity was a must. There was no
their University Heights dorm to Patrick room for negative vibes or prognoses that
throughout. He has been a constant fix-
Gym, routinely setting the alarm clock be- didn’t align with the Speidels’ confidence for
ture of the team, on the sidelines at fore 6 a.m. for workouts. Most mornings the a full recovery.
games, cheering his teammates on. I UVM men’s basketball players had the gym Josh Speidel and his parents also relied on
have been at games and have seen him to themselves. their religious beliefs for strength and direc-
doing that. On one end of the court, there was Shungu tion.
Off the court, Josh has been working working on his jumper with a shooting ma- ‘‘Faith has always been instrumental in
chine. And on the other end, there was my well-being and having that relationship
toward a degree through the College of with God has always been first in my life,’’
Speidel putting up layups and doing his exer-
Education. He is choosing a self-de- Josh Speidel said. ‘‘Sticking with that
cises.
signed major to prepare him to work ‘‘We would get up and do our thing,’’ through the ups and downs, my parents
with children through sports, with a Shungu said. never wavered in their faith, they never took
double minor in behavior change and Fast-forward to the past two years: Speidel a step back and questioned God. Seeing how
coaching. moved into an off-campus house with Dun- they handled it, I think helped me and con-
can, Shungu and the rest of his upperclass- tinues to help me.’’
He has been a committed student Becker, in his ninth year as bench boss of
throughout his time at UVM. He is set men teammates on the UVM men’s basket-
ball team, the sort of thing college student- the Catamounts, flew out to Indiana during
to graduate this May. After gradua- a snowstorm just a couple days after
athletes everywhere do.
tion, Josh hopes to use both his life ex- Except none of it was guaranteed for Speidel’s accident. Becker told the Speidels
perience and his education to work Speidel when he stepped onto the Burlington that their son had a scholarship waiting for
with children. campus in 2016. him when he was ready (the NCAA later
granted UVM a scholarship waiver).
Tomorrow night, the University of Already committed and signed with the
‘‘You could see the qualities that made
Vermont men’s basketball team will Catamounts when he was a senior at Colum-
him a great player, just really determined
celebrate senior night. In a special ar- bus North High School in Indiana, Speidel and hardworking and competitive,’’ Becker
rangement with their opponent, Al- was in a car accident on Super Bowl Sunday said. ‘‘He’s just a wonderful person off the
in 2015—one that caused a traumatic brain court and takes time with people.
bany, Josh, wearing number 32, will
injury, left him in a coma for weeks and ‘‘Only a special person can come as far as
suit up, take the court, and notch the nearly took his life. he has in just a couple years.’’
night’s first basket after the tip-off. The 6-foot-8, 215-pound star forward went UVM has reached the NCAA Tournament
I so wish I could be there because from averaging 25.6 points and 9.3 rebounds a twice, produced the America East Con-
when Josh steps off the court, it will game to learning how to walk and talk ference’s first unbeaten season and garnered
surely be to the standing ovation of again. Basketball, his passion, remained a the league’s top seed in four straight seasons
this young man—the personification of guiding light on his road to recovery, on his during Speidel’s time in Burlington—
perseverance, determination, dedica- path back to being an independent person. achievements Becker believes are forever
‘‘It’s unbelievable what’s he’s gone tied to Speidel.
tion, and hope he so richly deserves. I through,’’ Shungu said. ‘‘To see him stand on ‘‘I told Josh that the (four) years he’s been
know my fellow Vermonters who are at his own two feet and just living his life—it’s here are the best years of this program’s his-
these games, and I know there will be just incredible, an incredible story. tory arguably. I don’t think that’s a coinci-
very few dry eyes in the house. ‘‘His story definitely inspires.’’ dence,’’ Becker said. ‘‘It’s hard to know why.
We are, all of us, the product of our And more than five years after that acci- I just think there’s something that you can’t
life experiences, of the community that dent, Speidel will finally fulfill a dream he’s really explain and you don’t know what it is,
supports us, and of the will we carry to had since he was a little kid: Play in a Divi- but there’s something there—he’s been in
sion I college basketball game. some way a big part of it and he’ll always be
press on. Josh Speidel is a remarkable linked to this program’s history in my
The Catamounts’ senior night on Tuesday
young man. At the packed gym tomor- has afforded Speidel the chance to suit up mind.’’
row night, there is going to be an emo- and start for the first and only time in his SPEIDEL CONTINUES TO INSPIRE UVM TEAM
tional and vibrant celebration. career. In a pre-game arrangement, Speidel UVM associate head coach Kyle Cieplicki
Josh, from the floor of the U.S. Sen- and Albany, UVM’s opponent, will trade bas- was the lead recruiter on getting Speidel to
ate, I congratulate you on a recogni- kets after the opening tip. Then Speidel will commit to UVM back in Aug. 2014. Cieplicki
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
tion so richly deserved. exit, surely to a lengthy standing ovation spent about a year on the recruitment trail
from the Vermont faithful. of a rising star from a hoops-crazed state
Madam President, I ask unanimous
‘‘I didn’t get to experience my senior night who was fielding more than a dozen D–1 of-
consent to have printed in the RECORD in high school, I didn’t get to walk out with fers and had drawn interest from Mark Few
an article from the Burlington Free my parents,’’ Speidel said. ‘‘I don’t think it’s of Gonzaga.
Press highlighting Josh’s journey, hit me fully yet, but just being able to walk ‘‘We’ve never recruited a kid harder than
dated March 1, 2020. them out and embrace them and thank (my when we recruited Josh. He went on a limb
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March 2, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1243
to choose us,’’ Cieplicki said. ‘‘His commit- Lisa Speidel: ‘‘We love UVM and every- are Americans, and we are U.S. Sen-
ment was really special to me and the rest of thing they have meant and done for us. It’s ators. The Senate has so often set the
the staff.’’ amazing.’’ standards for the rest of the country.
The accident and how Speidel approached Josh Speidel is 24 years old. He said he
his life on a daily basis revealed a side could write a book of all the things he’s been We can do it here. I hope that as soon
Cieplicki had yet to see. through and learned over the last five years. as we can vote on this, we will.
‘‘He’s shown me and all of us how to handle If anything stood out above it all, if there I commend Senator SHELBY. He is the
adversity,’’ Cieplicki said. ‘‘To have to work was anything Speidel wanted others to ab- chairman of the committee. I am the
as hard as he did to get back and then to deal sorb from his story, it was this: Don’t give
with the emotional component, the mental
vice chairman of the committee. We
up on your dreams.
component of physically not being what he ‘‘I tell this to people: Always have an end
have worked together. I also commend
once was and to see him deal with that every goal in your head and chase after it as hard all the other Senators, both Repub-
day and maintain his work ethic and work as you can,’’ Speidel said. ‘‘And whenever licans and Democrats, who have
habits—that’s the biggest inspiration. you need help, ask the people around you be- worked with us.
‘‘A lot of things have changed for him but cause I think there are more people than you
it’s never allowed him to slow down.’’ While I hope this body will be able to vote,
think who are there to help you. ideally this week—if not this week, the
senior night can’t replace a playing career ‘‘I’ve held on to that and really tried to
that didn’t come to fruition, Speidel can live by that.’’ very first part of next week. This is an
soak in the achievement of earning this mo- important matter. Cancel the weekend,
Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I
ment in front of hometown fans. if need be. Stay here and get it done.
‘‘To see him out there and participating, want to do this because in an era where
it’s going to be a crazy thing,’’ Everett Dun- we hear so much bad news, it is won- I yield the floor.
can said. derful to hear inspiring news. This is I suggest the absence of a quorum.
Duncan’s the lone player left on the team an inspiring young man. I congratulate The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
when Speidel was honored before a Jan. 2016
him and the University of Vermont for clerk will call the roll.
game vs. Stony Brook. Duncan said his fel-
low Indiana native continues to motivate the what they have done. The legislative clerk proceeded to
Catamounts. I yield the floor. call the roll.
‘‘I think he’s meant everything. I know I suggest the absence of a quorum.
that every single guy in the locker room The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Mr. CRUZ. Madam President, I ask
wants him to play,’’ Duncan said. ‘‘There are clerk will call the roll. unanimous consent that the order for
days we see him on the sidelines watching The legislative clerk proceeded to the quorum call be rescinded.
every single second of practice. For some of call the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
us like Benny, Anthony and me, we’ve Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I ask objection, it is so ordered.
known him for such a long time, he’s one of unanimous consent that the order for
our best friends. TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY
‘‘Even now, this is our last go-round, Josh the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Mr. CRUZ. Madam President, today
is with us. He’s more a part of this senior
objection, it is so ordered. is Texas Independence Day. One hun-
class than me or Anthony. He’s a big part of
this senior class who’s done a lot for us.’’ Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I note dred eighty-four years ago today, Tex-
SPEIDEL WILL GRADUATE IN MAY that somebody else is not waiting to ans declared our independence—de-
Driven to return to the game he loves, speak. When somebody does, I, of clared our independence from Mexico
Speidel came to grips with one harsh reality: course, will yield the floor. and fired a shot for liberty that was
He wasn’t going to play basketball for UVM. CORONAVIRUS heard around the world.
Though that didn’t make it any easier to ac- Madam President, I want to bring my As I have a number of years in the
cept. past, I am going to read the letter from
‘‘It’s a tough question but I’ve battled with colleagues up to date on where my
that for a while. Obviously, I’m OK with that head is as vice chairman of Appropria- the Alamo that LTC William Barret
I’m not able to play and I’m not back to tions. All of us worked very hard Travis wrote calling for help. It is a
where I was,’’ Speidel said. ‘‘That was a throughout the weekend and all last letter that energized the Texans across
tough pill to swallow, but when I think week—Republicans and Democrats to- our great State, that energized lovers
about all that I’ve gained, maybe I didn’t get gether—along with our counterparts in of liberty. It is also a letter that I read
back to playing, but I’m still bettering my- the very first time I spoke on this Sen-
the other body.
self by working out every day and being in ate floor, and these are words to in-
the best shape physically and basketball has
Each one of us looks with some trepi-
helped me with that.’’ dation to the latest report on the virus spire everyone.
Speidel put his focus and much of his en- attacks, including the serious ones in Commandancy of the Alamo
ergy into his classes and becoming more the United States, and the deaths that Bejar, Feby. 24th, 1836
independent away from school. He learned to have occurred around the world. We are
cook for himself—a crockpot came in To the People of Texas & All Americans in
trying to put together an appropria- the World—
handy—and manage his money.
And when it came to living off campus, it tions bill that will give our administra- Fellow Citizens & compatriots—
was Speidel who pushed for it. tion the tools they need to protect I am besieged, by a thousand or more of
‘‘I told my parents that I just wanted to America and to help our allies, not the Mexicans under Santa Anna—I have sus-
test myself. I wanted to see if I was able to only to protect us from having what tained a continual Bombardment & can-
take care of myself,’’ Speidel said. has come to our shores but what is al- nonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man.
In school, Speidel has earned a 3.40 grade-
point average, the highest on the team, ready in our shores, the coronavirus— The enemy has demanded a surrender at dis-
that we be able to protect Americans cretion, otherwise the garrison are to be put
through an individualized major in education
from it. to the sword, if the fort is taken—I have an-
and social services. He also has a double
I want to compliment those who have swered the demand with a cannon shot, &
minor in behavior change and coaching.
‘‘Josh has always had a knack for working and our flag still waves proudly from the
been working on it in both parties. As walls. I shall never surrender or retreat.
with kids and relating to kids. To see that often happens in the Appropriations
more amplified after his accident is just awe- Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty,
Committee, we pretty well leave our of patriotism & everything dear to the Amer-
some,’’ said Lisa Speidel, an elementary
school principal.
labels at the door. We work together— ican character, to come to our aid, with all
Speidel will graduate this May—in four both Republicans and Democrats—to dispatch—The enemy is receiving reinforce-
years’ time. How remarkable is that? get a good bill. I urge both the major- ments daily & will no doubt increase to three
Speidel shied away from praising himself. ity leader and the Democratic leader or four thousand in four or five days. If this
‘‘It’s kind of hard to say that for myself be- call is neglected, I am determined to sustain
cause I’m living it. But I love when people
that, once we have it and as soon as the
myself as long as possible & die like a soldier
say, ‘Oh Josh, you’ve come so far’ or ‘Josh, House acts, there will be an appropria- who never forgets what is due to his own
you are walking so much better,’ ’’ Speidel tions bill. They will go first, but we honor & that of his country—Victory or
said. ‘‘It’s those little things that go such a move very quickly. Death.
long way and it gives me a sense that all this Frankly, when I look at the dangers
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
William Barrett Travis, Lt. Col. Comdt.
hard work is doing something.’’ facing America, I am perfectly willing P.S. The Lord is on our side—When the
The network of support at UVM—from aca- to stay here throughout the weekend,
demic advisors, teachers, teammates, coach- enemy appeared in sight we had not three
if need be, as many of us did last week- bushels of corn—We have since found in de-
es and athletic trainers—hasn’t been lost on
Speidel and his mother. end, to get this passed and on the serted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the
‘‘I can’t put into words how thankful and President’s desk. We are not Repub- walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.
how blessed and lucky I am,’’ Speidel said. licans or Democrats in this matter. We Travis
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S1244 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 2, 2020
The brave men and women of the the package that is in front of them allow for a level of transition that will
Alamo gave their lives for liberty. But and realize that we have worked hard help protect the environment. These
shortly thereafter, in the Battle of San to address what more we could be doing are the steps that we are taking today
Jacinto, the Texans were victorious, to modernize our energy policy. to focus on innovation in the energy
and the Republic of Texas was formed, I have been framing this American space and the security of supply, eco-
an independent nation from 1836 to Energy Innovation Act into two buck- nomic security for the workforce, and
1845. For 9 years, we were our own na- ets, if you will—innovation and secu- physical security, when it comes to our
tion. Then Texas joined the United rity. Innovation includes everything energy grids.
States of America. We are proud Amer- from the renewables to vehicle tech- The American Energy Innovation Act
icans, but we are proud of the history nologies, to carbon capture utilization, is a good bill. You are going to hear me
of the brave Texans. to efficiency. Then you have the secu- say that a lot this week. It is a good
I yield the floor. rity side, which is the security of your bill. It was developed the right way,
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. supply chain and what that means to through regular order—something that
BOOZMAN). The senior Senator from make sure you have access to minerals we don’t see often enough around here.
Alaska. that allow you to build out your renew- It is one of those things that the En-
S. 2657 able energy projects. You view that se- ergy Committee has developed a rep-
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I curity from a defense perspective. How utation for—using regular order—and
am here on the floor this afternoon be- do we ensure that our grids are secure we will see that regular order dem-
cause we will very shortly have a vote and modernized and, again, secure from onstrated here on the floor.
on the motion to proceed to S. 2657. the perspective of economic security, This measure deserves to advance
This is the vehicle for our bipartisan when we ensure good jobs for Ameri- through the legislative process and to
American Energy Innovation Act. cans, from Alaska to Arkansas. become law. We have an opportunity to
I am here today to kick things off So our bill promotes energy effi- legislate in a meaningful way for the
and just let colleagues know some of ciency, renewable energy, energy stor- American people. I think all of us have
the highlights of this measure that my age—this is what so many of us have a little bit of pent-up energy, if you
colleague and ranking member on the been speaking about for so long—ad- will, to get to legislating. We will have
Energy Committee, Senator MANCHIN, vanced nuclear, industrial and vehicle that opportunity in just a little bit.
and I have been working on for some technologies, carbon capture utiliza- I would strongly encourage every
time. When I say ‘‘some time,’’ I think tion and storage. Member to vote in favor of the motion
those here in the Senate know that We review a number of broad-based to proceed to this important legisla-
when you take up substantive energy support programs, including weather- tion.
bills, whether they are focused on en- ization assistance. In so many of our Mr. President, I see that my friend,
ergy or whether they are focused on communities, especially in our cold the Senator from West Virginia, the
lands, we spend a lot of time giving States, which we are thinking about ranking member, has come to the floor.
good committee process to bring these right now—but also during the summer I know he is going to give more ex-
matters to the floor. months, when it is hot—weatherization tended remarks about the measure,
The measure that we have in front of assistance programs are a key for so speaking to some of the priorities.
us is the American Energy Innovation many of the people whom we work for. After we complete the vote here in
Act. You will hear it referred to by its We also renew ARPA-E. ARPA-E is about 15 minutes on the motion to pro-
acronym, AEIA, which makes you want that innovation hub within the Depart- ceed, I will have an opportunity to
to do a joke about the vowels—a, e, i, ment of Energy that has really helped speak more fully about some of the de-
o, u, and sometimes y. I can give you to build out so much in energy innova- tails, but, again, I want to repeat,
that, but I am not going to do that tion. while my friend is here with me, that
today. We have also included timely provi- this opportunity to really shape legis-
The reality is that we have been sions to strengthen our Nation’s min- lation in a space that is so needed is
working on energy reform now for al- eral security and cyber security, as we one that he embraced from the minute
most a dozen years. Twelve years is a modernize the electric grid and bolster he assumed the role as ranking mem-
long time, since we have last refreshed workforce development. ber. The two of us asked: What is it
and updated our energy policies. This What we have worked to build are that we can build?
act contains priorities from more than consensus policies that will help this We are not interested in messaging.
60 Members of the Senate. So to sug- country maintain its status as a global We are not interested in having hear-
gest that it is a bipartisan bill—it is energy leader—and we are a global en- ings to have hearings for hearings’
more than bipartisan. It has Repub- ergy leader. sake. We are interested in making a
lican priorities and Democratic prior- We also want to ensure that we are difference when it comes to our Na-
ities and priorities from urban and providing affordable energy for our tion’s policy, and I think that we have
rural areas. It is a package that really families and businesses and know that done it. We have done it because of a
does help move the ball forward when all of this helps to strengthen our na- good, cooperative process. So I want to
we think about energy and energy in- tional security and increase our global thank my colleague.
novation and energy security. competitiveness. With that, I yield the floor.
I want to extend my particular These policies will also lead to the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
thanks to my good friend and ranking development of low- and zero-emissions ator from West Virginia.
member on the Energy and Natural Re- technologies that will help us address Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, before
sources Committee, Senator MANCHIN climate change and protect our envi- my colleague leaves, I want to thank
of West Virginia. He is going to be on ronment. the Senator from Alaska, my chair-
the floor in just a couple of minutes to Now, you are going to have some peo- man, for all the hard work, because it
speak, as we take up this motion to ple who might say: Well, this measure has been a labor that both of us have
proceed. From the start of this Con- doesn’t solve climate change. You worked on together. It is something
gress, he and I have really been focused haven’t worked to reduce emissions to our country needs very desperately,
on modernizing our Nation’s energy zero. and it is something that we have been
policies, and this bipartisan package I will stand before you and acknowl- working on for some 12 or 13 years. So
that we have assembled will do just edge that is the case, but what we are the time has come.
that. So, again, I credit my ranking doing is recognizing that this is a nec- With that, I am pleased that we are
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
member. essary first step to update, to refresh, starting the process of turning to the
I also credit the great work that both and to modernize energy policies that American Energy Innovation Act,
of our teams have brought to this very haven’t seen an upgrade, if you will, in which last year Senator MURKOWSKI
important national discussion. It has a dozen years, and to help incentivize and I kicked off in the 116th Congress
been a long process but one where I these technologies that will get us to with a hearing on the outlook of en-
think Members will look critically at that cleaner energy future and really ergy innovation.
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March 2, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1245
Over the course of the last 14 months, that can help us reduce emissions at DOE that have already helped trans-
we have heard from experts who have across sectors of the economy that ac- form our energy landscape in large and
come before the committee to testify count for 90 percent of current U.S. small ways; that is, wind and solar
on the importance of advancing a broad greenhouse gas emissions. technologies. The bill focuses these
range of technologies. Where we stand This piece of legislation will put us programs on new materials, enhanced
today, we have no silver bullet to solve on the path to reduce 90 percent of the efficiency in design and operation, and
the problems that we face—namely, current greenhouse gas emissions. That their full life cycle from manufac-
maintaining our affordable, reliable en- includes energy storage, renewable en- turing to recycling. I want to make
ergy and reducing greenhouse gas emis- ergy, energy efficiency, carbon cap- sure these clean energy technologies
sions, while also making sure that ture, advanced nuclear, vehicles, and are aiding the grid and the commu-
hard-working families and commu- provisions to help get those tech- nities that need distributed or
nities are not left behind. nologies out of DOE and into the mar- microgrid connections to them from
It is for this reason that I say we ket. Alaska to Puerto Rico.
need to innovate, not eliminate. I re- As I have said before, there is no sil- Of course, storage is a key enabling
peat that—innovate, not eliminate. ver bullet, and this bill alone will not technology for a low-carbon, modern
There is a misconception that all these solve climate change, but it is critical. grid that will help us achieve our emis-
emissions are coming from just the It is a critical step in the right direc- sion reductions and address climate
power industry, just one source. It is tion, not just here in the United States change all while keeping energy reli-
all we hear about. It is not true. but also for the rest of the world. I am able and affordable. Our bill builds on
The facts are these: In 2017, the power going to take a few minutes to touch DOE’s existing energy storage R&D ef-
sector was responsible for 27.5 percent on a few of these now. forts but with additional focus on ad-
of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The Let me start with our existing zero- vancing long-duration energy storage
power industry—coal-fired powerplants carbon, baseload generation, nuclear. technologies and with a fivefold in-
and natural gas plants now are deter- Unfortunately, the U.S. nuclear indus- crease in authorizations from current
mined—was responsible for 271⁄2 per- try has been losing ground to inter- levels.
cent. Twenty-nine percent of our emis- national competitors, especially those The bill will also help to shore up our
sions come from transportation. How with state-funded nuclear programs supply chain of critical minerals be-
we come to work and what we use in like China and Russia. That is why I cause we are currently depending on
everyday life—29 percent comes from worked with Senator MURKOWSKI to imports from other countries—namely
that. Twenty-two percent comes from create a robust R&D program that will China—for many of the mineral com-
industry—the jobs that we do, the in- develop new technologies to not only modities required to manufacture ev-
dustries we have that we need, jobs usher in a new era of nuclear but also eryday items like our phones, security
that are provided, and the products reduce the operating costs of the cur- assets like satellites, and emissions-re-
rent nuclear fleet that will be required ducing technology like electric vehi-
they produce. Then 111⁄2 percent was
to operate into the middle of this cen- cles and wind turbines.
commercial and residential sectors—
tury if we as a nation are to meet our It is important to strike the right
the buildings we are in, commercial
emission-reduction objectives. balance between supply chain concerns
and residential, but basically a lot of We also included my EFFECT Act,
government buildings. and environmental stewardship, and I
which invests in research and develop- appreciate Senator MURKOWSKI work-
With that in mind, we focused on an
ment and, just as importantly, dem- ing with me to remove a provision that
‘‘all of the above’’ approach. We didn’t
onstration and deployment for each as- was concerning to some in our caucus
leave any rock unturned. Our bill will
pect of carbon capture, utilization, and and outside groups.
help reduce emissions in all of these
storage. This includes coal and natural Of course, the energy package also
sectors, except for agriculture. Agri- gas technologies, utilization, storage, has a robust energy efficiency title
culture represents about 9 percent of and even atmospheric CO2 removal. that would promote efficiency in com-
the greenhouse gas emissions, and that Fossil fuels are projected to continue mercial and public buildings, homes,
was not in our jurisdiction. to be a significant source of electric industry, and the Federal Government.
Innovation is a critical step to help generation in the near future, not just Energy efficiency really is the low-
us reliably meet tomorrow’s energy here in the United States but around hanging fruit, and 40 percent of the Na-
needs while reducing emissions, not the world. We need to get ahead of the tion’s energy is consumed in buildings.
just in our energy sector but also in in- curve and invest in the technologies I will repeat that again—40 percent of
dustry, buildings, and vehicles. We all that will allow us to continue using the Nation’s energy is consumed in
know greenhouse gas emissions are a them but in the cleanest way possible buildings. The Department of Energy
global issue, and investing now in these so we are reducing greenhouse gas estimates that efficiency improve-
technologies will position the United emissions. ments can save U.S. consumers and
States as a global leader and maintain We also included provisions to target businesses 741,000 gigawatt hours of
our competitive edge. industrial emissions that are particu- electricity between 2016 and 2035, which
It is time to seek practical solutions larly hard to get to with existing tech- is equal to 16 percent of electricity use
to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions nologies. in 2035. We can reduce the amount of
and find ways to ensure that our en- With all of this, we need to continue demand by 16 percent while not deter-
ergy sector, the environment, and to create quality jobs in this ring quality of life.
workers can all benefit. Once we vote transitioning energy landscape. All of Multiple studies have shown that en-
to proceed to S. 2657, we will be laying these provisions will protect and create ergy efficiency is cheaper than invest-
down the American Energy Innovation jobs while addressing carbon emis- ing in any other type of new genera-
Act of 2020 as a substitute amendment. sions—a win-win for communities in tion. It is truly the cheapest kilowatt.
This legislation brings together the West Virginia and rural communities It is also readily available. There are
strong, bipartisan work of our com- across this country. lots of opportunities to improve effi-
mittee over the past year and draws The American Energy Innovation Act ciencies in buildings, industry, and
from 53 bills. And I will repeat—39 of also covers a lot of territory when it transportation.
those are bipartisan. Once it is en- comes to renewable energy, from the These investments in policy changes
acted, it will provide the first com- skies and hilltops to the rivers and can and will have a real, positive im-
prehensive Senate energy policy up- oceans. The bill includes incentives for pact on the lives of everyday Ameri-
date in 13 years. small hydropower facilities and an ex- cans while saving both energy and
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
This bill represents an important pansion of the Department of Energy’s money. I call that a win-win, which we
downpayment on research and develop- work on marine renewable energy. It don’t have many of.
ment at the Department of Energy for also tackles expanding geothermal en- I hope we have the opportunity to
a range of technologies to reduce ergy beyond the Western States. vote on an amendment to add vol-
greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, it Lastly, the energy package reauthor- untary building codes back into the ef-
would advance innovative technologies izes two incredibly successful programs ficiency title of this bill, both to help
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S1246 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 2, 2020
consumers save on energy bills and to ator from Texas. (Mr. CORNYN), the ward with energy security, grid mod-
really advance carbon savings. Senator from South Carolina (Mr. GRA- ernization, cyber security, workforce
Finally, the electric grid is under- HAM), the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. security. We are at a good place this
going a rapid transformation. It is be- INHOFE), the Senator from Arizona (Ms. evening.
coming more complex, more flexible, MCSALLY), the Senator from South Da- As I mentioned in my very brief re-
and more diverse in terms of energy re- kota (Mr. ROUNDS), the Senator from marks before the vote, it has now been
sources. That means we have to con- South Dakota (Mr. THUNE), the Sen- more than 12 years—more than a dozen
tinue focusing on shoring up our vul- ator from North Carolina (Mr. TILLIS), years—since Congress enacted com-
nerabilities and anticipating future and the Senator from Pennsylvania prehensive legislation to update our
weaknesses in the ever-changing envi- (Mr. TOOMEY). energy laws. When you think about
ronment. Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the what has happened in a time period of
Our bill supports investments in pro- Senator from Alabama (Mr. JONES), the a dozen years—12 years ago, we didn’t
grams that are of vital importance to Senator from Minnesota (Ms. KLO- have iPads. Twelve years ago we
securing and protecting our critical en- BUCHAR), the Senator from Vermont weren’t even thinking about this shale
ergy infrastructure. As I said before, (Mr. SANDERS), the Senator from Ari- revolution and what that would mean
this bill represents a critical step in zona (Ms. SINEMA), and the Senator to America, turning us into an energy
the right direction. I believe this pack- from Massachusetts (Ms. WARREN) is superpower. Over the course of 12
age is well balanced with many of my necessarily absent. years, the costs of renewable resources
colleagues’ priorities on both sides of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there have come down dramatically. New
the aisle. It is truly a bipartisan bill. It any other Senators in the Chamber de- technologies are emerging.
represents a true effort. I thank Chair- siring to vote? What hasn’t kept pace are our poli-
man MURKOWSKI and the other mem- The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 84, cies. When they don’t keep pace, we
bers of the Energy and Natural Re- nays 3, as follows: miss out on opportunities to further
sources Committee for their work over [Rollcall Vote No. 63 Leg.] our energy leadership, and we are fail-
the last 14 months to provide the basis YEAS—84 ing to adequately address what I think
of this package. are some very significant challenges.
Alexander Enzi Murphy
I encourage my fellow Members to Baldwin Ernst Murray That is why the innovation package
vote yes today, and I look forward to Barrasso Feinstein Perdue that Senator MANCHIN and I have put
working with you this week on this im- Bennet Fischer Peters forward is so important at this time.
Blackburn Gardner Portman
portant piece of legislation. Blumenthal Gillibrand Reed
What we are seeking to do is to mod-
I suggest the absence of a quorum. Blunt Grassley Risch ernize our energy laws to ensure that
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Booker Harris Roberts we remain a global energy leader. We
clerk will call the roll. Boozman Hassan Romney seek to keep energy affordable, to
The senior assistant legislative clerk Braun Hawley Rosen
Brown Heinrich Rubio strengthen our security, and to in-
proceeded to call the roll. Burr Hirono Sasse crease our competitiveness. We do all
Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I ask Cantwell Hoeven Schumer of this while making our energy clean-
unanimous consent that the order for Capito Hyde-Smith Scott (FL)
Cardin Johnson Scott (SC)
er and cleaner, to protect the environ-
the quorum call be rescinded.
Carper Kaine Shaheen ment and to reduce the impacts of cli-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Casey Kennedy Shelby mate change. Within this measure—
objection, it is so ordered. Cassidy King Smith this American Energy Innovation
CLOTURE MOTION Collins Lankford Stabenow
Coons Leahy Sullivan Act—we have included more than 50 re-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant
Cortez Masto Loeffler Tester lated measures that reflect the prior-
to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Cotton Manchin Udall ities of more than 60 different Sen-
Senate the pending cloture motion, Cramer Markey Van Hollen
Crapo McConnell Warner
ators.
which the clerk will state. What we have done is gone through
Cruz Menendez Whitehouse
The senior assistant legislative clerk Daines Merkley Wicker this committee process, and, as I men-
read as follows: Duckworth Moran Wyden tioned, it has been a very robust, very
CLOTURE MOTION Durbin Murkowski Young
thorough committee process. We have
We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- NAYS—3 arranged these 50-some-odd measures
ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby
Lee Paul Schatz into two titles. The first is focused on
move to bring to a close debate on the mo- NOT VOTING—13 technological innovation, and the sec-
tion to proceed to Calendar No. 357, S. 2657, Cornyn McSally Tillis
ond title is focused on security and
a bill to support innovation in advanced geo- Graham Rounds Toomey workforce development.
thermal research and development, and for Inhofe Sanders Warren Starting with the first title, which is
other purposes. Jones Sinema innovation, we really start with the
Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, Steve Klobuchar Thune
first fuel. First fuel is energy effi-
Daines, Bill Cassidy, John Barrasso, The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this ciency, which has tremendous poten-
Martha McSally, Deb Fischer, Richard vote, the yeas are 84, the nays are 3.
C. Shelby, John Hoeven, Thom Tillis,
tial to lower energy bills and to meet
Three-fifths of the Senators duly cho- growing demand. We certainly know
John Thune, Pat Roberts, Richard
Burr, Mike Rounds, Shelley Moore Cap- sen and sworn having voted in the af- and understand that in a place like
ito, Roy Blunt, Mike Crapo. firmative, the motion is agreed to. Alaska, a cold State. It helps our fami-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- The Senator from Alaska. lies, our businesses, and the environ-
imous consent, the mandatory quorum Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, ment alike when we can be more effi-
call has been waived. here we are; we have successfully voted cient in our energy consumption.
The question is, Is it the sense of the to proceed to S. 2657, which is our vehi- I think we recognize that efficiency
Senate that debate on the motion to cle for the American Energy Innova- is often the easiest and often the
proceed to Calendar No. 357, S. 2657, a tion Act. We are now at the point that cheapest option. That is why, within
bill to support innovation in advanced many of us have been waiting for for our bill, we take steps—reasonable
geothermal research and development, some time; that is, the opportunity to steps—to improve the efficiency of ev-
and for other purposes, shall be debate, to offer amendments, and to erything from schools to data centers.
brought to a close? pass this measure, hopefully on a I mentioned also that we will renew
The yeas and nays are mandatory strong bipartisan basis. vital programs like Weatherization As-
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
under the rule. I want to encourage all Members to sistance. Again, that is so key to so
The clerk will call the roll. look at the bill that is now before us many in States that are cold or very
The senior assistant legislative clerk and to ask those questions and look at warm in the summertime.
called the roll. how, with this update to our energy The second subtitle in the bill is fo-
Mr. BARRASSO. The following Sen- policies, we will be moving forward cused on renewable energy. When you
ators are necessarily absent: the Sen- with innovation; we will be moving for- think about what has happened in the
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March 2, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1247
energy sector in a 12-year period, the renew the popular ARPA-E program, things. We checked with the Depart-
progress we have made with renewable and we improve the Office of Tech- ment of Energy during both the last
energy is remarkable. With this provi- nology Transitions. administration and this one to ensure
sion, we focus on resources like wind, Then the second title of the bill is they agree these are outdated or dupli-
solar, geothermal, hydropower, marine, more broadly focused on security and cative.
and hydrokinetic energy, which offer workforce development. We start off As proud as I am of the substance of
the potential of virtually unlimited en- with focusing on supply chain issues as our innovation package, I am equally
ergy. Again, as I mentioned, the costs they relate to minerals themselves. I proud of the process that we followed
of these technologies have come down have included the American Mineral to put it together. I mentioned earlier
in recent years. What we aim to do Security Act, which recognizes that that, on the Energy Committee, we de-
with our bill is to keep that going so our foreign mineral dependence is real- veloped somewhat of a reputation for
that as we make our energy cleaner ly our Achilles’ heel. Right now in the doing things the old-fashioned way,
and more renewable, it is also more af- United States, we import at least 50 through regular orders, spending some
fordable. percent of 46 minerals, including 100 time in committee, and really trying
The third subtitle in the innovation percent of 17 of them. to build consensus products so that,
package focuses on energy storage. We What we have seen is a foreign de- when we can come to the floor, we have
talk a lot about energy storage, and pendence that has grown significantly measures that enjoy broad support
folks look at that as being the holy over the recent years. What we seek to from both sides of the aisle.
grail. It really is critical to over- do is to take some real steps to reverse I think our bill is a textbook example
coming the variability of certain re- that and rebuild our domestic supply of the benefits of working together
newable resources. chain. If we can do that, everyone from across the aisle in a regular order proc-
I want to recognize a colleague, my our military to our manufacturers will ess. It is not quick to do it this way.
friend here, Senator COLLINS, from the benefit. This is the result of a full year’s worth
State of Maine. She has been a real When we think about the securities of hearings, business meetings, and bi-
leader on this issue. We have taken her space, we also have to focus on cyber partisan negotiations. I think that it
legislation and called it the Better En- security. We all understand a success- shows what is possible when we focus
ergy Storage Act, the BEST Act. We ful cyber attack against our Nation’s on what most of us agree on, rather
took the BEST Act and included four critical infrastructure, including the than those things that will serve to di-
other bipartisan bills, all focused on electric grid, could have devastating vide us.
storage, to advance these technologies. and far-reaching consequences. To I am certainly aware that, even with
Another subtitle within the innova- guard against that, we provide new the strong vote that we just had to
tion space is carbon capture, utiliza- mechanisms and incentives to protect move to proceed to this bill, not all
tion, and storage—technologies that our cyber security and modernize the Members plan to support the measure.
reduce, and even eliminate, greenhouse domestic grid. Some think it has gone too far; others
gas emissions from coal and natural Then again, when we think about se- think it doesn’t do enough. I heard
gas plants. Within this subtitle, we re- curity, we think about economic secu- from Members who want to add energy
flect both the EFFECT Act, which was rity through good jobs. We recognize tax provisions. I will have an oppor-
sponsored by Senator MANCHIN, as well the importance of a well-trained, high- tunity to have that discussion, but I
as the LEADING Act from Senators ly skilled workforce. That is essential will remind colleagues that, when we
CORNYN and CASSIDY, and this will help to our ability to produce energy, to de- originate here in the Senate—if there
us build on the work that Congress has velop clean technologies, rebuild our are any tax measures—that results in a
done to promote CCUS through the Tax domestic supply chain, and ultimately blue slip from the House and effec-
Code. remain a global energy superpower. tively kills our bill. This is too good a
Another area of great focus within To address workforce challenges, we bill to kill.
the bill is nuclear energy, which is have incorporated several bills from A few would like to reduce its au-
clearly our largest source of emissions- colleagues that will meet the needs of thorization levels, while others would
free energy. Here in this country, we companies and our national labs alike. have us multiply them by 10 times. I
created nuclear energy. American inge- We are going to focus almost all of the think by doing either of this, what you
nuity created nuclear energy, but con- debate on title I, ‘‘Innovation,’’ and lose is the balance that we have
ventional reactors are closing. What title II, ‘‘Security.’’ worked very hard to achieve with this.
has happened is we have ceded our Title III is really my favorite. It is Last point I am going to raise—and
global leadership in recent decades. the last title. We call it ‘‘Cleaning up just very briefly because I will have
Through my Nuclear Energy Leader- the Code.’’ That is not very fancy, but plenty of time on the floor and I see we
ship Act, called NELA, the Nuclear En- we are working to repeal a number of have colleagues here. One criticism I
ergy Renewal Act from Senator COONS, sections of law that are either dupli- find disappointing is that we are not
as well as the Integrated Energy Sys- cated by the American Energy Innova- doing enough in this bill to tackle cli-
tems Act from Senator RISCH, we seek tion Act or simply outdated. We don’t mate change. I think what is impor-
to restore that leadership for next-gen- do this often enough. We need to take tant for Members to know is this pack-
eration reactor concepts. the old stuff off the books. There are age, without question, is a good step, a
We also support innovation and reports that are no longer required strong step, a necessary step in the
smart manufacturing for industrial and that are parts of provisions of law that right direction to continue to reduce
vehicle technologies, which will help are just not in place; yet somebody out our Nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.
create good jobs in America’s heart- there still does the reports because we When you say we need to tackle cli-
land. These are some of the toughest haven’t taken them off the books. Let’s mate change, you can’t get there with-
sectors for emissions reductions. So in get rid of things that are redundant or out innovation. You can’t get there
this space, particularly, innovation is outdated. without technology. That is exactly
really key. We repeal old studies. One of the what this bill promotes. To say that
I want to thank our colleague from items that we repeal is a requirement perhaps we should not pass a good bill
Rhode Island, Senator WHITEHOUSE, for motorists to purchase at least $5 because it doesn’t go far enough, in my
who just left the floor, for his leader- worth of gas; we actually have on the view, is a mistake that will result in
ship on the Clean Industrial Tech- books a requirement that motorists absolutely nothing happening, and that
nologies Act. have to purchase at least $5 when you is not good for anybody.
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
The last part of our first title will go to the fuel tank. We are getting rid I am excited to be here. I am proud to
provide updated direction and author- of that. be managing a strong bill with the Sen-
ity to the Department of Energy, We have some other provisions in ator from West Virginia. It is a strong
which is really at the heart of Federal there that we believe are no longer bill that will benefit our economy, our
efforts to promote energy innovation. needed. We did this very carefully. It security, our competitiveness, and our
To give a couple of examples here, we was not just quickly going through environment. I want to thank all the
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S1248 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 2, 2020
Members who have contributed to it bought his book and brought in a num- color spend 30 percent or more on their
and who will help us move this for- ber of Senators to listen to him. When housing, making them much more like-
ward. I think we have a lot to be proud inscribing his book, he wrote: ‘‘Home ly to have a high housing cost burdens
of. I hope that we will have a produc- equals life.’’ If you don’t have a decent, than White seniors have had. That
tive week in front of us as we begin to safe, clean, affordable place to live, means Black and Latino families have
work through possible amendments. your life is so often turned upside less to spend on healthcare, less to
I yield the floor. down. The housing crisis affects dif- spent on food, less to spend on trans-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ferent families in different ways, but it portation. It is not just about dif-
ator from Ohio. touches pretty much everyone. ferences in income, which are all very
Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I applaud A safe, stable home is the foundation real.
the work of Senator MURKOWSKI, who is for opportunity. It determines where More than 50 years after we passed
perhaps uniquely qualified here to find your kids go to school. It determines the Fair Housing Act to prohibit dis-
ways of doing bipartisan work. I ap- how far you have to travel to get to crimination in housing, African Ameri-
plaud her for her efforts on this bill work. It determines where you go shop- cans make up 13 percent of the popu-
and other things. ping. It determines whether you feel lation, and 21 percent of the people ex-
HOUSING safe walking around at night. periencing poverty in this country are
Mr. President, for too many people, We know where you live, maybe most African American, but 40 percent of the
hard work isn’t paying off. Even people importantly, affects the quality of people experiencing homelessness are
with supposedly middle-class jobs don’t your healthcare. It affects your edu- African American.
feel stable. Wages are flat, the cost of cation, your job opportunities—where Think about that. There are 21 per-
everything is up: healthcare, childcare, you live affects your life expectancy. cent of people who are experiencing
college, prescription drugs, and espe- Housing stress affects people with all poverty, but there are 40 percent of
cially housing. When you love this kinds of jobs in all parts of the coun- people who are experiencing homeless-
country, you fight for the people who try. That is why I have been holding ness. That tells you this isn’t just
make it work. You fight for dignity of roundtables all over my State, begin- about income. We have talked to peo-
work, but you can’t talk about dignity ning over the past 2 weeks, to talk ple who are homeless, but none of us
of work without tackling the biggest with Ohioans about their struggle with gets out as much as we should, as
item in most family’s budget: housing. housing and what we can do to make it President Lincoln said, to get our pub-
Dignity of work means living with easier for everyone to find and afford a lic opinion bath. We don’t talk to peo-
dignity, whether you write a rent home. ple like that enough, but when we do,
check or pay a mortgage, whether you So far, I have done roundtables in To- we learn that so many people who are
are saving for a down payment or just ledo and Youngstown, Western Ohio, homeless have jobs. The jobs don’t pay
looking for a safe place to lay down and Eastern Ohio. I heard from Ohioans much, and they may be part time. Peo-
your head at night, whether you live in about the challenges that too many ple may also cobble together two jobs,
a city or a suburb, in Hamilton County people face. We heard about how inter- but they are still homeless.
where my colleague, Senator PORTMAN, connected housing is with other issues We see the same thing when we look
who is in the Chamber, lives, in Rich- in people’s lives. We heard about wages at homeownership. The African-Amer-
land County, where I grew up, a me- that don’t keep up with the cost of liv- ican homeownership rate is 30 percent
dium-sized city or a rural community. ing, how housing instability can affect below the White homeownership rate.
Fundamentally, we all pretty much your stress levels and your health, and Analysts have tried to explain this
want the same thing: a place that is how hard it can be to get financing to with income and education, but that
safe in a community where we care buy a house or start a business in doesn’t tell the whole story. Something
about, where we can get to work and neighborhoods that have been left be- more troubling is going on. With every-
our children have a chance to have a hind. thing else being equal, similarly situ-
good school with room for our family, In Youngstown and Toledo, we heard ated African Americans are less likely
whether that is three kids, an aging about the power shady landlords have to own homes than their similarly situ-
parent, or beloved pet—in our case, our on tenants and predatory lease-to-own ated White counterparts. That is a leg-
dogs Franklin and Walter. You should land contracts. People also talked acy of redlining, and that is a legacy of
get to define what home looks like for about how up-front costs aren’t just an racial exclusion at work. It may be in
you. You should be able to find it. You issue about the down payment you Arkansas, and it may be in Ohio. It is
should be able to afford it without crip- make on buying a home to get a mort- all over this country.
pling stress every single month when gage, but if you rent, you often have to From 1934 through 1962—get this—98
the rent check is due or when your have the first month’s rent, last percent of all FHA mortgages went to
mortgage payment is due. month’s rent, and a security deposit. White homeowners. We were a country
People feel like that is out of reach, That could be a huge obstacle to so that was, probably, 85–87 percent
even when they work hard and do ev- many moderate and low-income fami- White, but 90 percent of all FHA mort-
erything right. Right now, a quarter of lies. gages went to White homeowners. That
renters, one out of four renters, spend Forty percent—this number is stun- is not just a problem of the past. Hous-
more than half their income on hous- ning—40 percent of Americans say they ing is how people build wealth for gen-
ing. Think of that. One out of four can’t come up with $400 in an emer- erations. Yet, with there being millions
renters pay more than half of their in- gency. Forty percent of Americans of families struggling to afford hous-
come on housing. If one thing goes can’t come up with $400 in emergency. ing, with the massive disparities and
wrong in their life—their car breaks When it is that hard for so many people access to housing, this administration
down, their child gets sick, they get to save, a deposit could seem just im- is turning its back on families, commu-
laid off from work for 1 week, they possible. nities, and communities of color.
need to repair the roof—one thing goes We can’t untangle many of these For 3 years, President Trump has
wrong and their life turns upside down. issues from the legacy of redlining and been trying to undermine the Fair
Seven out of the ten fastest growing decades of bad public policy decisions Housing Act of 1968. I spoke about this
jobs in this country don’t pay enough by Members, I would acknowledge, on the floor last week with MITT ROM-
for a two-bedroom apartment. We know from both parties, at all levels of gov- NEY, the Senator from Utah. Senator
housing is central to every aspect of ernment that have systemically denied ROMNEY’s father was President Nixon’s
family’s lives. people of color the ability to choose Secretary of Housing and Urban Devel-
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
Matthew Desmond is the author of where they live and build wealth for opment, and he worked very hard to
‘‘Evicted,’’ a book I have spoken about homeownership. implement the Fair Housing Act. He
on this floor in the past and to people More than half of African Americans made a lot of progress in 1969 and 1970,
all over my State and around the coun- and Latino renters are spending more but so much of that progress is now
try. Matthew Desmond’s book is than 30 percent of their income on being scaled back. That landmark civil
‘‘Evicted.’’ I asked him to come in. I housing. More than half of people of rights law made discrimination of the
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March 2, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1249
sale, rental, and financing of housing roundtables, we have gotten hundreds and businesses, large and small, that I
illegal for the first time. It was sup- of many heartbreaking stories and in- represent.
posed to set us on the path of being a structive stories and ideas for changes. It accomplishes all this by improving
country in which everyone could find a We need to hear your struggles, and energy efficiency in three key sectors.
safe, stable home—regardless of one’s we need to hear your ideas. One is buildings, commercial buildings
gender and regardless of one’s race— Congress cannot ignore these chal- and residential buildings. The second is
and have access to opportunity. lenges. Whether people are in small in the manufacturing sector, the indus-
Yet, instead of getting us closer, the towns or big cities, we cannot just let trial sector, of our economy. Then the
Trump administration is making the administration take away the tools third is with regard to our U.S. Govern-
things worse. It is trying to make it that we have and that we have used for ment.
harder to root out policies and prac- years to try to make this better and to Residential and commercial build-
tices that have a hidden discriminatory make people’s lives better. If we want ings, by the way, account for, roughly,
effect on people by its cutting the dec- to make this country work better for 40 percent of the total U.S. energy con-
ades-old disparate impact standard. everyone, we cannot shrink from these sumption, which is why it is so impor-
The administration is rolling back the challenges. When work has dignity and tant we have these sections with re-
2015 HUD rule that would have finally when people live their lives with dig- gard to buildings.
implemented the Fair Housing Act’s nity, everyone can find and afford a With regard to our industry sector,
requirement that we affirmatively fur- safe place to call home. manufacturers are excited about this
ther fair housing throughout our com- I yield the floor. legislation because it makes them not
munities. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. SUL- just more efficient in terms of energy,
President Trump’s budget will only LIVAN). The Senator from Ohio. but it makes them more competitive
make the affordable housing crisis S. 2657 globally. That is why the Chamber of
worse for families who are struggling Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I am Commerce and the National Associa-
in every community in this country. here on the floor to talk about the leg- tion of Manufacturers and other groups
The administration would eliminate islation that is now before this body. are strongly supportive of the legisla-
the funds that communities use to cre- We just passed the motion to proceed tion, as are well over 100 businesses.
ate and preserve affordable housing and to the energy legislation, and we just The Federal Government’s part of
that make homeownership possible for heard about the legislation from my this bill is also important. Guess what
working families. The Community De- colleague from Alaska and the Pre- entity uses the most energy in this
velopment Block Grant is an example, siding Officer’s colleague from Alaska: country—the Federal Government. It is
as is the HOME Investment Partner- Senator MURKOWSKI, who chairs the the No. 1 consumer of energy in the
ship Program. Committee on Energy and Natural Re- United States. We think it is probably
The administration wants to cut the sources. The legislation is a good pack- the No. 1 consumer in the world. This
already insufficient Federal rental as- age. may not surprise you, but it is not ter-
sistance we have. It wants to get rid of As she said very well, it both helps in ribly efficient. Our Federal Govern-
the funding for the housing trust fund terms of the economy and jobs and in ment sometimes preaches to the rest of
and capital magnet fund—even though terms of the environment. Who us to be efficient, but our own Federal
this funding comes from the GSEs, the wouldn’t be for that? It also has a Government is lacking in that.
government-sponsored enterprises, and whole series of proposals with which to So this legislation focuses on those
not the Federal budget—to make it do it. The ones I am going to talk three areas and makes a real dif-
still harder to build homes and apart- about tonight are the energy efficiency ference. It moves the needle, as they
ments that people can actually afford. proposals that she talked about. In par- say. It makes smart improvements to
To add insult to injury, the Trump ticular, I am going to talk about a con- energy efficiency across these sectors.
administration proposes to make mort- cern I have that the legislation that A recent analysis of Portman-Sha-
gages more expensive for working fam- was offered tonight took out part of heen found that, over the lifetime of
ilies in order to reduce the deficit that our energy-efficiency package, which the legislation, the bill will save con-
it created. We know we have trillion- we hope to add later by amendment, sumers $51 billion on their energy bills.
dollar deficits now, even in times of but I want to talk about why it is so It will result in an energy savings that
growth with the economy, because of important to add it back in. is equivalent to the total energy use of
the tax cut that went overwhelmingly The legislation on energy efficiency all U.S. industry in 1 year, and it will
to the rich. The administration made is something I have introduced with reduce the carbon dioxide emissions—
these mortgages more expensive for Senator SHAHEEN, of the great State of these are CO2 emissions—by the equiv-
working families in order to reduce the New Hampshire, for 9 years now, going alent of taking nearly 4 million cars off
deficit it created and to supposedly back to 2011. Some of it has gotten the road every single year until 2050.
level the playing field for Wall Street, passed over time, but most of it has As Senator MURKOWSKI said very well
as if Wall Street doesn’t have enough not, so we are, once again, bringing it earlier today, this is about reducing
advantages without our continuing to up. The legislation is entitled the En- emissions. For those who are concerned
shovel money to it. ergy Savings and Industrial Competi- about climate change and who want to
We need to fight back. Any economic tiveness Act, which is why we com- reduce emissions, energy efficiency is a
policy that doesn’t put housing front monly call it Portman-Shaheen, be- great way to do it—and, by the way, by
and center ignores a family’s biggest cause it is shorter. creating jobs not eliminating jobs. Pre-
expense and biggest need. We see hous- Our legislation has been voted on by vious studies have shown that our leg-
ing problems in Appalachian Ohio or in this body before. Back in 2016, it passed islation will also add more jobs to the
Toledo or in big coastal cities or in the U.S. Senate. It has also passed out economy. As I say, 100,000 jobs is our
small towns. It is clear this is a na- of the Senate Energy and Natural Re- estimate.
tional problem that needs a national sources Committee five separate times I must tell you that I am supportive
response. with bipartisan votes. In 2016, the vote of the package, and I am supportive of
I will keep hosting roundtables was 85 to 12. Again, it was part of a what Senator MURKOWSKI said tonight.
around Ohio so as to hear directly from larger package at that time. My disappointment is that the under-
Ohioans about the struggles they face. There is a reason this legislation has lying legislation we are debating does
I invite Ohioans to go to my website, received such broad, bipartisan support not include two provisions in the
Brown.senate.gov, to share their sto- over the years. It lowers energy bills, Portman-Shaheen legislation. Those
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
ries about housing. They can do it with which is a good thing. It reduces emis- two provisions are two of the most im-
their names attached, or they can do it sions, and it creates new jobs. It does it portant ones, for they result in the en-
anonymously, but we value these sto- all without putting any new mandates ergy savings I talked about, in the ad-
ries. We have already gotten hundreds on the private sector. It provides incen- ditional jobs I talked about, and in the
just out of these two roundtables, and tives but not mandates, and that is savings to the taxpayers I talked
with the attention around the great news for the working families about.
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S1250 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 2, 2020
The first one is what is known as the Some of you might not know that Then, at the end of the day, the tar-
SAVE Act. Now, the SAVE Act allows these model building codes for com- get itself is nonbinding on the model
the energy savings of an energy-effi- mercial and residential buildings are code process. DOE makes a determina-
cient home to be considered when de- developed and updated not through our tion on whether the target was met,
termining the loan amount that a government but through an inde- and then this group, the ICC, sends
home buyer is qualified for when he pendent organization outside of the their options, which they can choose to
goes to get a mortgage. In other words, Federal Government. For residential adopt in order to meet the target. They
it helps to immediately offset the cost buildings codes, it is called the Inter- do not have to accept the changes, nor
of a more energy-efficient home by rec- national Code Council, or the ICC. does this model code have to meet the
ognizing the reduced energy bill, which Every 3 years, this group, the ICC, con- target. So it is not mandatory even at
is often the second biggest expense a ducts a process to update the residen- that stage. They set a target, but it is
homeowner will incur after the mort- tial model building energy code. Every not mandatory for the ICC to adopt it.
gage payment. 3 years, it does it. It is also important to again note
This bipartisan legislation was first During that process, many stake- that the proposed model building code
authored by our friend and former col- holders, including industry, builders, at the end that is ultimately published
league Johnny Isakson, along with developers, State code officials, and by the ICC is not an automatic man-
Senator MICHAEL BENNET, of Colorado. the Department of Energy, can all date for new buildings. States are en-
As a real estate person himself, Johnny weigh in with proposals or amend- couraged to take a look at the new pro-
championed this legislation over many ments. Then they vote to approve the posed code and to let DOE know that
years, and I thank him for his efforts. inclusion of the proposals in the up- they have considered the proposed code
It is in our Portman-Shaheen bill. I dated code. They all have a vote, in- and determined whether to adopt it or
was pleased to work with Senators cluding home builders. not. Again, some States adopt it, and
Isakson and BENNET and include it in Today, the Department of Energy some States don’t.
Portman-Shaheen. I am sorry it is not plays a role in the code development So, as you can see, this whole process
part of the energy bill tonight, but it is process just like other stakeholders. It is one where the recommendation is
not the only important provision that has general authorities to offer and made, but it is not mandated.
has missed the boat on this package. support proposals and to vote on the Just as in the current law today, our
Another important section of my en- proposals. It has the authority to set bill authorizes DOE to provide funding
ergy-efficiency legislation that has targets to reach a certain percentage of and technical assistance to States to
been left out of the energy bill is energy savings during a code update. incentivize them to update their code.
known as the building codes section. Since 1992, the DOE has had the au- But, ultimately, the updated code and
This section focuses on providing best thority to provide technical assistance whether the States want to consider
practices on how to make homes more and funding for States, local govern- the updated model code or not is com-
energy efficient. We know that one of ments, and Tribes that want to update pletely nonbinding and voluntary.
the most effective ways to ensure that their building codes. I have heard concerns that our legis-
a homeowner’s energy bills are afford- So that is the current practice. It is lation will make new homes
able is to build a home that is more en- not mandatory. The DOE can set tar- unaffordable. However, DOE’s analysis
ergy efficient to begin with. gets and can provide technical assist- found that, for example, if the 2015 code
It is important to note at the outset ance. However, there have been con- was fully adopted—so that was the 2015
that the building codes we are talking cerns from some stakeholders that the code we talked about earlier that Ohio
about tonight are and will remain DOE has not been transparent enough has partly adopted—it would result in
under this legislation as voluntary. or has not adequately considered the a 33-percent reduction in energy use for
You are going to hear that a lot to- costs of proposals and targets. That is that home and cost $2,787 per new home
night. There are no mandates in this why, in this legislation, in addition to compared to the 2006 code. So, remem-
legislation of any kind for new homes. codifying much of what the DOE was ber, this is a recent model code, 2015.
It is up to States, local governments, already doing, our legislation estab- They do it every 3 years. If it had been
and Tribes to adopt the building codes lishes a rulemaking process that re- fully adopted, it would result in a 33-
on their own that they deem fit for quires, for the first time, the DOE to percent reduction in energy use for
their communities. work with States, Tribes, local govern- that family, and yet only an additional
In fact, some States have building ments, and other interested stake- cost of $2,787, compared to the previous
energy codes. Some States don’t. Some holders to set these energy savings tar- code.
States adopt part of what is called the gets in advance of the model building We also know that these upfront
model code, which we will talk about code update. We require the DOE to do costs are typically financed entirely by
in a minute, and some States have no that. these energy savings through the life of
model code at all that they are going The purpose of the target is to set an the mortgage, which is typically 30
to adopt. In my home State of Ohio, for energy savings percentage improve- years. So you know there is a little
example, we have adopted parts of the ment from one model code to the next. more upfront cost, but a 33-percent re-
2009 model building energy code and It is intended to be a benchmark for duction in energy use would more than
parts of the 2012 model building energy stakeholders to consider when pro- finance that over the time that the
code. So, instead of mandates or a posing, supporting, and voting on person owned the home.
heavy-handed government approach, amendments, but it is not mandatory. So, ultimately, our legislation is
this provision we are talking about is In response to stakeholders’ concerns going to ensure that energy efficiency
an incentive-based, opt-in program that the target might not be cost effec- features of a home will continue to
that is open, transparent, and cost-ef- tive—in other words, that DOE would save homeowners money throughout
fective. establish a target that wasn’t cost ef- the life of the building.
It is not that the mandates haven’t fective for homebuilders, as an exam- This incentive-based approached to
been tried before. Mandated building ple—or that it wasn’t transparent and improving energy efficiency in new
energy codes and mandated energy sav- that what they were doing wasn’t open, buildings has bipartisan support from a
ings were included as part of the 2009 our bill also requires DOE to publish broad group of stakeholders. In par-
energy bill that passed out of the its methodology and provide a ‘‘return ticular, my colleagues on this side of
House of Representatives. There was on investment’’ analysis, not pre- the aisle support an incentive-based ap-
even legislation introduced today over viously required, and the estimated proach rather than a mandated ap-
in the House that would impose man- cost and savings as a result of the tar- proach.
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
dates. Our legislation does not. It takes get. Our legislation has the support of the
a much more commonsense approach, So we are forcing DOE to do much National Association of Manufacturers,
in my view, and leaves it up to the more than they do now—to be more the American Chemistry Council, and
States to adopt which, if any, of the transparent, to look at the cost benefit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It has
model building codes work best for here, and to come up with a cost-effec- the support of commercial and real es-
them. tive analysis. tate developers, like BOMA and the
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March 2, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1251
Real Estate Roundtable. It has the sup- and the United States. As a young offi- Federation of Teachers, proposed this an-
port from efficiency advocates and the cer, Major General Shoffner deployed swer: ‘‘The public school was created for the
environmental community, like the Al- with the 1st Cavalry Division in sup- purpose of teaching immigrant children
reading, writing, and arithmetic and what it
liance to Save Energy, the ACEEE, port of OPERATION DESERT STORM. means to be an American with the hope that
NRDC, and the BlueGreen Alliance. Major General Shoffner commanded they would then go home and teach their
There is not a lot in Washington, DC, 2nd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery parents.’’ The reason to read this book is to
these days that has that broad group of Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division judge for yourself whether the twenty-two
stakeholders—strange bedfellows, you during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. conservative luminaries who wrote its chap-
might say—but this bill does because Later, he served as deputy chief of ters have produced a better answer today to
what we do here makes sense. It staff, communications, Resolute Sup- Malloy’s question than Albert Shanker did
thirty years ago.
doesn’t take a heavy-handed govern- port Mission, North Atlantic Treaty Shanker was a patriot—an old-fashioned,
ment approach, but it takes an incen- Organization, during OPERATION anticommunist, Hubert Humphrey—liberal
tive-based approach, not mandated but FREEDOM’S SENTINEL in Afghani- Democrat union organizer whose parents had
providing the information so States, stan. immigrated from Poland. So he and this
localities, and communities can make As a general officer, Major General book’s conservative writers agreed on one
their own decision and can help to en- Shoffner served as the deputy chief of thing: In coeditor Chester Finn’s words,
sure that the best practices out there staff, G–3/5/7, for the Army’s Training ‘‘Schools should inculcate a solid under-
standing of and appreciation for why Amer-
in energy efficiency are known, and and Doctrine Command. He served as
ica exists and what it stands for, to transmit
where people want to use it, they can the director of the Army’s Talent Man- history and civics and, yes, a positive atti-
use it. agement Task Force under the Army tude toward its strengths as well as a rea-
If my colleagues are serious about G1 and then as the director of oper- soned commitment to addressing its weak-
both protecting the environment and ations for Rapid Equipment Fielding ness.’’ Or, in Shanker’s words, ‘‘Public
growing the economy and increasing under the Office of the Assistant Sec- schools played a big role in holding our na-
jobs, I believe this is the right legisla- retary of the Army, Acquisition, Logis- tion together. They brought together chil-
dren of different races, languages, religions,
tion for them and that the voluntary tics, and Technology. Major General
and cultures and gave them a common lan-
business code language in the energy Shoffner’s career culminated as the guage and a sense of common purpose. We
bill has to be included. commanding general of the United have not outgrown our need for this; far from
So I urge my colleagues on both sides States Army’s Fires Center of Excel- it.’’
of the aisle to help us with regard to an lence and Fort Sill, where he helped Today, there is elite disdain for such
amendment we plan to offer later in forge the future of the Army’s Field Americanism. But this is not a popular atti-
this process to ensure that we do have Artillery and Air Defense Artillery tude. Most audiences applaud and some come
to their feet when I say, ‘‘We should teach
the ability to both create jobs, improve branches.
more United States history in our schools so
the economy, and improve the environ- Major General Shoffner is an excep-
our children can grow up knowing what it
ment. tional leader, an American patriot means to be an American.’’ There is bipar-
I yield the floor. committed to our Armed Forces, our tisan support for this sentiment. After Sep-
I suggest the absence of a quorum. National Security, and our Nation, but tember 11, 2001, George W. Bush and Al Gore
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The most importantly, Major General both reminded the nation that principles cre-
clerk will call the roll. Shoffner is a great man of character. It ate the American character—not consider-
The legislative clerk proceeded to is for MG Al Shoffner, a soldier, leader, ations of race, religion, or national origin. In
call the roll. and selfless servant, whom we, with my first address to the US Senate, I intro-
duced a bill to create summer academies for
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I profound admiration and deep respect,
outstanding students and teachers of U.S.
ask unanimous consent that the order pay tribute to for all he has done for history. Within a day, Senator Ted Kennedy
for the quorum call be rescinded. the defense of our Nation for over three had rounded up nearly twenty Democratic
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without decades. cosponsors without my asking. Especially in
objection, it is so ordered. We thank Major General Shoffner, today’s internet democracy, an era Peggy
f his wife Carron, and their daughter, Noonan calls ‘‘The Great Estrangement,’’
Kristin, for their dedication and sac- Americans are hungry for institutions that
MORNING BUSINESS rifice, and we wish them well in the unite. I suspect that most would agree that
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I years to come. it would be a good idea to begin each school
day with a student leading the Pledge of Al-
ask unanimous consent that the Sen- f legiance and then giving his or her version of
ate be in a period of morning business, what it means to be an American.
REFORMING EDUCATION THE
with Senators permitted to speak According to education historian Patricia
AMERICAN WAY: STATE BY
therein for up to 10 minutes each. Graham, ‘‘Schools in America have danced
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without STATE, COMMUNITY BY COMMU- to different drummers through their long
objection, it is so ordered. NITY history’’—and schools have a very long his-
Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, tory. Hunter-gatherer ‘‘play schools’’ helped
f
last week Templeton Press published children learn to survive. Sumerian schools
TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL an important new book, ‘‘How to Edu- taught scribes to help a culture survive. Dur-
WILSON A. SHOFFNER ing the Agricultural and Industrial Revolu-
cate an American: The Conservative
tions, schools taught youngsters to work and
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise Vision for Tomorrow’s Schools.’’edited got them out from under their parents’ feet.
today to honor MG Wilson A. Shoffner, by the Fordham Institute’s Michael J. Sociologist James Coleman said that in
commanding general of the U.S. Army Petrilli and Chester E. Finn, Jr., and early America, schools helped parents do
Fires Center of Excellence and Fort published by Templeton Press. I ask what parents could not do as well. That was
Sill, OK. Major General Shoffner is one unanimous consent to have printed in especially true for teaching literacy. Gra-
of our Nation’s finest military officers. the RECORD the preface I wrote for the ham says, ‘‘Now the drumbeat demands that
Major General Shoffner will relinquish book. all children achieve academically at a high
There being no objection, the mate- level and the measure of that achievement is
command and conduct his retirement tests.’’
ceremony on 6 March 2020, bringing to rial was ordered to be printed in the This book’s conservative writers would
a close 32 years of distinguished service RECORD, as follows: temper that drumbeat with a second great
to our great Nation. REFORMING EDUCATION THE AMERICAN WAY: conservative goal—in the coeditors’ words,
In 1988, Major General Shoffner com- STATE BY STATE, COMMUNITY BY COMMUNITY ‘‘to restore character, virtue, and morality
missioned as a second lieutenant of I was participating in a humdrum edu- to the head of the education table where
dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with SENATE
field artillery upon graduation from cators’ roundtable in Buffalo, New York, in they belong.’’ This is no new thought. Plato
1988 when ‘‘Monk’’ Malloy, president of the said schools should create good men who act
the U.S. Military Academy at West
University of Notre Dame, asked this ques- nobly. Thomas Jefferson believed that a de-
Point. He commanded units at every tion: ‘‘What is the purpose of a public mocracy granting broad liberties needed in-
echelon, from platoon to the Fires Cen- school?’’ stitutions instilling moral restraint. But
ter of Excellence, with duty in Saudi There was a long silence until finally Al- Yuval Levin’s essay suggests why character
Arabia, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan, bert Shanker, president of the American education does not rise so easily on a liberal
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