Congressional Record — Senate, May 5, 2020
Summary
Pages S2235 and S2236 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for May 5, 2020. A Senator states an objection to a request, and the objection is heard. Schumer and Blumenthal speak about transparency and oversight of the Paycheck Protection Program and the CARES package. Grassley, under the heading Coronavirus, says the World Health Organization is not serving member nations as it should and describes the timing of China's and Taiwan's reports about the virus. Cramer recognizes North Dakota's delegates to the Senate Youth Program.
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“Congressional Record — Senate, May 5, 2020.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-05-05-crec-2020-05-05-pt1-pgs2235-1c9c2f9609/
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May 5, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2235
have. What data points does the SBA payer dollars. I also join Senator SCHU- a hammer, which will be essential to
have at their disposal and see if we can MER in the sentiment that our col- deter wrongdoing, preserve resources,
get them to do what they should be league from Florida has been both sin- and conserve credibility.
doing already, which is producing it on cere and bipartisan in his efforts on Strong scrutiny is required to make
a regular—maybe not on a daily basis. this program. sure that aid reaches the right hands. I
What I don’t want to see is an already The fact is that this program, the know that all of us believe, for exam-
overburdened agency that is small to Paycheck Protection Program, cries ple, that conflicts of interest should be
begin with and struggling to get all out for stronger oversight as does the barred; that retaliation against whis-
these programs running having to pull entire CARES package. We will now be tleblowers should be prevented; and
people off getting people money to fill spending an authorized $3 trillion—the that the firing of the inspector general
out this information. Federal budget and then half again— without just cause should be stopped,
We have to understand that in the with little or no oversight. Yet we which means keeping an eye on these
end, it is not the Administrator or the know that this program meets a need programs—not just a wandering eye
Treasury Secretary who will have to among small businesses that is abso- but one of focused, strict scrutiny that
write these things up and collect it. It lutely critical. I have traveled my will assure transparency and make
is going to be people who, in many State via video conference and have sure this program serves the needs it
cases, are working from home, living in had telephone calls and communica- was intended to.
this region under all the restrictions tions of all kinds with small businesses The only people who feel threatened
that are there. around Connecticut, and I have seen by that kind of oversight are the ones
I think this agency is already strug- and heard firsthand how they are hang- who are trying to game the system or
gling to manage this massive program, ing by a thread—struggling to keep hide something. The rest of us, which
and to add an additional requirement their doors open and stay alive. This means the workers, their families, and
without thinking it through would program gives them a lifeline. small businesses, demand oversight.
have an unintended consequence of po- It has, in fact, provided many power- This bill is a good way to begin. It is a
tentially slowing the program down. ful success stories, as my colleague start, not a finish, to the task of the
It is my view that we are going to Senator SHAHEEN said, but it has also oversight ahead of us.
find out all of this information, and we produced some horror stories about big I yield the floor.
are going to know it in a timely fash- customers of big banks who have re- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
ion so we can do something about it. I ceived favored treatment to the det- ator from Iowa.
do not believe that passing this today riment of the smaller businesses that CORONAVIRUS
is the right approach, given the fact were supposed to have been the bene- Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President,
that we first need to know what data ficiaries of this program. We need to when it comes to the virus pandemic
they have at their disposal before we make sure that these funds go to the that faces the world, the World Health
can ask them to produce it. Otherwise, small businesses, which really need it, Organization is not serving its member
I fear they are going to stop or they and we should make sure that this pro- nations the way it should. The World
are going to slow down, and real busi- gram is adequately and effectively ad- Health Organization’s mission is to
nesses, small businesses, and not-for- ministered. We need to make sure promote worldwide health, to reduce
profits will be delayed. I will object to there is transparency and disclosure the burdens of disease and poverty, and
this request. about who is receiving these loans that to provide access to healthcare, espe-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ob- can be converted and forgiven so that cially for the world’s most vulnerable
jection is heard. they can become grants and so that the populations. The World Health Organi-
The Democratic leader. real needs of those businesses can be zation states as its guiding principle
Mr. SCHUMER. I want to thank my met and their employees can continue that all people should enjoy the high-
colleague from Florida. I believe he is to be employed. Those kinds of impera- est standard of health regardless of
sincere and has the best of intentions tives we must assure. race, religion, economics, social condi-
to want to make this program work. We know that the ripple effect of the tion, or political belief. It serves pri-
I want to make two quick points. The closures of these businesses is tragic marily as a coordinating body to share
first point is, the more data we have and traumatic. That is why we need to information and best practices by con-
and the sooner we have it, the better continue this program, but we need to necting experts in different countries.
we can make the program. It will not do so with the oversight that assures The virus that emerged in Wuhan,
slow it down. It will improve it and that its purposes are met. For the busi- China, which has caused the disease
make it better—the sooner the better. nesses that have told me, for example, now known as COVID–19, has had a dev-
Second, about demographic informa- that they need more flexibility, those astating impact on the health of people
tion, I understand the problem, but needs need to be met. Numbers of them worldwide as well as the global econ-
there are a lot of ways to skin that cat. have indicated they would like to ex- omy. Nations, including the United
If we looked at ZIP Codes, we might tend the time provided to them to hire States, have been scrambling to deal
very easily be able to tell demographic back their employees past the time in with the impact of the virus since the
information. which the State is likely to allow them beginning of the year. Without a doubt,
I thank my colleague. I regret that to open. They also need more funding worldwide efforts to combat COVID–19
we cannot move this legislation—the for fixed costs. Basically, they need would have been greatly benefited from
only COVID legislation that will be some flexibility because every business independent, unbiased, and informative
talked about on the floor thus far, even is different, and the oversight in this data from the world’s leader in health,
though we were asked by the majority bill will help to alert the SBA and Con- the World Health Organization. Unfor-
leader to come back during the crisis, gress to those needs. tunately, information coming from
and I hope we can move forward quick- Finally, the oversight needed here is this organization since the beginning
ly in the future to get the kind of in- simply one example of the account- of the year has left much to be desired
formation we need. ability that should be imposed on the in its often providing information that
With that I yield the floor. I yield to entire CARES Act. Real accountability we know now to be inaccurate or at
the Senator from Connecticut. demands a watchdog, not a lap dog, in least incomplete. The American people
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- order to stop the waste, fraud, and fa- and the citizens of every country—all
ator from Connecticut. voritism that seems all too common in of whom rely on direct and truthful in-
Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam Presi- this administration. That is why I have formation—deserve better from Dr.
dent, I thank my colleagues Senator been working with my colleagues— Tedros and his team who lead the
CARDIN, Senator SHAHEEN, and Senator most prominently, Senator WARREN— World Health Organization.
SCHUMER for their leadership on this in the strengthening of the oversight of China, which is where the current
issue of seeking better transparency programs created by the CARES Act crisis began, has not done its part ei-
and oversight with regard to a program during this pandemic. We need to make ther in its seeking of or in providing
that involves now almost a trillion tax- sure there is effective enforcement and that very crucial information that, had
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S2236 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 5, 2020
it come out sooner, would have saved tion stymied information about a more Chinese Government talking points,
many lives. As an example of China’s effective response to the pandemic. It and it did it all to the rest of the
not cooperating, a doctor in Wuhan, was during these critical days back in world’s detriment. We now know that
China, by the name of Dr. Li Wenliang, January when the spread of the virus there was a continued flow of misin-
raised concerns about the growing pan- could have been greatly slowed or even formation that came from the Chinese
demic in early January. Dr. Li tried to contained and could have saved a lot of Government since the onset of the pan-
blow the whistle on the spread of one of lives. demic with there being little to no
the world’s deadliest diseases. Do you The World Health Organization’s pushback from the World Health Orga-
know what he got for doing that? He mandate is to coordinate responses and nization as to whether that informa-
was punished by the Communist Chi- facilitate information sharing to all of tion was accurate.
nese Government for ‘‘spreading ru- its members on a health emergency— In mid-February, officials from the
mors.’’ members which include probably al- World Health Organization—yet again,
Tragically, Dr. Li passed away in most every country on this globe. This uncritically—parroted Chinese Govern-
early February due to this virus, gross mishandling of the organization’s ment propaganda by stating that there
COVID–19. After the death of Dr. Li, he most important mandate has cost were signs that confirmed and sus-
actually became a rallying point for countless lives around the world. pected cases of COVID–19 had declined
Chinese citizens who were very upset While China covered up the extent of in China. The U.S. intelligence commu-
about their government’s coverup of the virus’s spread, the World Health nity has, in fact, asserted that China
this virus. Only then, after he died and Organization continued to praise China misrepresented both the number of
after the public outroar, did the Chi- for its so-called proactive response and cases and its death toll from the virus,
nese Government apologize to his fam- transparency. General Secretary Xi concealing the real extent of the out-
ily and posthumously drop Dr. Li’s rep- waited a crucial 6 days, until January break in its country, and that China
rimand. Throughout this time, the 20, before announcing the findings by intentionally hid or even destroyed
World Health Organization dem- China’s National Health Commission evidence of the virus’ outbreak.
onstrated no interest in the accurate about the danger of the widespread In a dossier that was leaked to the
and verifiable information on the true human-to-human coronavirus con- Australian Daily Telegraph, it is al-
dangers of this virus. tagion. Now, just think for a while of leged that China began censoring infor-
We now know that, in late December the time lost between Taiwan’s warn- mation as early as December 31, 2019—
2019, Taiwanese officials sounded the ing to the World Health Organization precisely when Taiwan, in its caring
alarm directly to the World Health Or- in late December 2019 and General Sec- about the whole world as it knew what
ganization about the human-to-human retary Xi’s admitting on January 20 of might be going on, was sounding that
transmission of the virus. Prior to its human-to-human transmission. alarm to the World Health Organiza-
that, it was only thought there was an That time lost could have saved the tion.
animal-to-human transmission, but whole world thousands of lives because Previously, Chinese leaders came
Taiwanese officials blew the whistle. they could have been on top of the situ- under incredible scrutiny by the World
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Con- ation as to how bad it was, which was Health Organization back in 2003 for
trol sent an email to the World Health much more than anybody knew at that the SARS outbreak. China was not
Organization—an email that has now particular time. transparent with SARS, just like they
been forwarded to my office and has General Secretary Xi’s government weren’t transparent until too late in
been widely reported. It warned of ‘‘at also delayed an access request for the regard to this virus pandemic that we
least seven atypical pneumonia cases World Health Organization’s experts to are fighting today. Back then, the Chi-
in Wuhan, China.’’ Additionally, this visit affected regions at the end of Jan- nese Government made sure that infor-
email communication noted that those uary by almost 2 weeks—another 2 mation regarding the outbreak was not
individuals had been isolated for treat- weeks lost. He has also continually fed made public. At that point, the World
ment, which we now know is said to be disinformation to foreign citizens via Health Organization did what they are
the standard operating procedure for several misleading tweets by his for- responsible for doing: They publicly
preventing human-to-human trans- eign ministry and multiple unfounded reprimanded China back in 2003 on the
mission, but still, at that time, it was claims that have been posted on state- SARS outbreak. Chinese leaders then
considered to be animal to human. run media websites. quickly fell in line with the rest of the
Taken together, this information Despite this and also other evidence world in sharing its data with the
should have been very much a red flag that China actively silenced whistle- World Health Organization member
to the World Health Organization’s blowers and doctors domestically and countries. If the World Health Organi-
leadership that the virus was capable that the Communist Party’s officials zation had been doing its job on this
of having human-to-human trans- were aware of the spread well before re- pandemic, then maybe China would
mission. Unfortunately, the World porting it, the World Health Organiza- have been quicker admitting that its
Health Organization chose to ignore tion’s officials continued to praise Chi- spread was human-to-human and how
these warnings and, thus, failed to pass na’s response and transparency. The bad it was even in their own country.
on this critical information to other World Health Organization lauded However, we are seeing a very dif-
countries. Instead, what did the World China for releasing the virus’s genome ferent approach now to the organiza-
Health Organization do? It was in mid-January while it neglected to tion’s handling of China’s information
complicit in the Chinese Government’s mention that it took China at least 14 suppression campaign, with the World
coverup. It stated the opposite—that days to do this even as the virus con- Health Organization often praising
there was not human-to-human trans- tinued to spread across Europe and China for its information sharing, but
mission. In fact, the World Health Or- reach America. make no mistake, China has been noth-
ganization even retweeted Chinese Dr. Tedros said in early February ing but deceptive in its handling of
propaganda on January 14—that there that there was no need for measures COVID–19.
was ‘‘no clear evidence of human-to- that unnecessarily interfered with We must remember that China has a
human transmission,’’ which is con- international travel and trade in try- long history of not being transparent
trary to the information that the ing to halt the spread of that with respect to the outbreaks of vi-
World Health Organization got from coronavirus. Now, early February was ruses, and there is little to no evidence
the Taiwanese. a few days after President Trump suggesting we should start believing
It ought to be very clear that mis- stopped travel from China except for China now—meaning, of course, the
leading the public like this is simply American citizens who were coming Chinese Communist leaders. Nobody in
egregious. By sidelining Taiwan’s par- home. Yet, during that period of time, this world is going to hold the Chinese
ticipation, which has one of the lowest Dr. Tedros thought it was unnecessary people responsible for this.
known COVID–19 infection rates per to interfere with international travel. Global leaders are now coming to re-
capita, despite its proximity to Main- Time and again, the World Health Or- alize that China is responsible for this
land China, the World Health Organiza- ganization endorsed and also repeated pandemic, with global sentiment
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May 5, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2237
against the Chinese Communist Party global pandemic. Americans deserve to Opportunistic lawyers are already ad-
at its highest since the 1999 Tiananmen know what the World Health Organiza- vertising, and they are targeting the
Square crackdown. tion leaders knew and when they knew healthcare workers and small busi-
It is important that world leaders, it. nesses that we have assisted during the
including President Trump, keep pres- I yield the floor. crisis. Ironically, the relief money
sure on China to finally be transparent The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. could end up lining the pockets of
with its data so we can join together in BLACKBURN). The Senator from Wyo- greedy trial lawyers.
combating this deadly disease. We have ming. As businesses bravely begin to re-
a report from the Department of Home- Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I open, class action lawsuits are being
land Security that says that China ‘‘in- come to the floor today as the Senate planned nationwide. Ambulance chas-
tentionally concealed the severity’’ of returns to help the country recover ers are running recruitment ads right
the pandemic from the world. To make from coronavirus. This global pan- now that read ‘‘receive a free
matters worse, the report further demic is hopefully a once-in-a-lifetime, coronavirus lawsuit review.’’ They go
states that while China continues to once-in-a-century shock, but it has on to say: Call if you or a loved one has
downplay the pandemic, it began to in- been an earthquake that continues to been diagnosed with COVID–19 and you
crease imports and decrease exports of shake the world to its core. Tragically, believe another party’s negligence
medical supplies. This report from the we have lost tens of thousands of caused the exposure.
Department of Homeland Security sug- Americans to the disease, and our Nursing homes appear to be the
gests that China was beginning to hearts and prayers go out to each of prime target. One lawyer who described
hoard these medical supplies from the those impacted and all of their loved himself as a ‘‘coronavirus exposure
rest of the world. So they knew how ones. lawyer’’ encouraged action for nursing
bad this was in their own country. Sec- More than 30 million Americans have home negligence. That is why nurses,
retary Pompeo recently stated that lost their jobs in the last 6 weeks due doctors, and hospitals are counting on
there is a significant amount of evi- to the virus and the State lockdowns Congress to pass commonsense liability
dence that this virus came from the that have been put in place as a result reform.
laboratory in Wuhan, China, contrary of the virus. People want and need to Yet Speaker PELOSI and Senator
to what Chinese Communist Party get back to work as soon as possible. It SCHUMER say they oppose this critical
propagandists have been pushing is vital we reopen America smartly and liability protection. Instead, Demo-
throughout the world. safely and we do it as soon as we can. crats are demanding more aid for
On April 9, I wrote to the World Many States are starting to open. States and local governments. They
Health Organization seeking answers Wyoming did this past Friday. We want American taxpayers to bail out
to several questions regarding the or- must all be prepared and alert for any States with long histories of financial
ganization’s handling of COVID–19. I likely aftershocks that will occur from mismanagement. That is already on
wanted to know what the World Health the virus. top of the $150 billion that the States
Organization knew and when they The economy could not reopen had it have just received within the last 2
knew it. I asked that my questions be not been for the major medical weeks. NANCY PELOSI now wants a lot,
answered no later than May 1. Much to progress we have been experiencing. lot more.
my dismay, the World Health Organiza- Our heroic nurses, doctors, and others We put the full force of the American
tion has refused to answer my ques- on the frontlines have saved many Government in this fight against the
tions about its handling of the virus. It lives. Testing in the United States has coronavirus. We cannot afford to allow
would seem that the organization is been dramatically expanded, and we an avalanche of abusive lawsuits to
much more focused on covering for are producing promising treatments. crush our awakening economy. Repub-
China than it is in answering questions The American people deserve a lot of licans will insist on a legal shield for
that every single American has a right credit for their tremendous sacrifices essential workers and for businesses
to know. to contain the spread of the virus. Ev- before spending another dime. It is our
Not only does the United States have eryone in my home State of Wyoming job to do everything that we can to get
the right to know this information for is suffering from the economic fallout, people back to work and back to work
the benefit of the world, because trans- as are Americans all across the coun- safely.
parency brings accountability, but be- try. The best way to help these people The physical and economic health of
cause we give about $400 million a year is to push the start button on the econ- our country is at stake today. We are
to support the World Health Organiza- omy. continuing to deliver financial support
tion. I believe we are the largest con- The Senate is in session and will con- plus medical help to all people across
tributor to it, and I believe China gives sider taking targeted temporary and the country. One thing is clear: trial
about 10 percent of what the U.S. tax- bipartisan relief measures. We are now lawyers should not profit from our Na-
payers put in. I want to state that I assessing the relief money that has al- tion’s pain. Together, America will
will continue to push the World Health ready been spent. We know what has come back and Americans will come
Organization for answers. There are worked—the Paycheck Protection Pro- back and it will be stronger and better
probably a lot more questions that gram funds that go to mom-and-pop or- than ever.
ought to be asked in addition to the ganizations that are part of the CARES I yield the floor.
questions in my letter. Act has saved 30 million jobs. Small I suggest the absence of a quorum.
Ultimately, the primary responsi- business is the backbone of our econ- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
bility for this pandemic lies with the omy, the engine of job creation. In Wy- clerk will call the roll.
Chinese Communist Government au- oming, the program has been very suc- The legislative clerk proceeded to
thorities who actively concealed the cessful and very popular. Before the call the roll.
outbreak since the fall of 2019 and sup- pandemic, the United States had record Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President,
pressed the spread of accurate informa- job growth and record low unemploy- I ask unanimous consent that the order
tion about the virus, but the World ment. Our economy will bounce back, for the quorum call be rescinded.
Health Organization also bears respon- there is no question in my mind. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
sibility for aiding and abetting the Chi- As we look to the future, in terms of objection, it is so ordered.
nese Communist Party’s coverup. That recovery legislation, what we need to Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President,
is why I support a full congressional in- do is to prevent a second epidemic. I we are here in the U.S. Senate on this
vestigation into how the World Health am very concerned that the second epi- Tuesday. We had a vote yesterday
Organization has bowed to Chinese demic will be that of frivolous evening, the first that we have had in
pressure with the COVID–19 outbreak. coronavirus lawsuits. Any future legis- some 6 weeks here. As I walked over to
The leaders of the World Health Orga- lation must focus on the virus and the Chamber just now from the Hart
nization need to be held accountable must include reasonable liability pro- Building, at 4 o’clock on a Tuesday
for their role in promoting misinforma- tections for the hard-hit healthcare afternoon, the only individuals whom I
tion and helping China cover up this workers and for American employers. saw were the extraordinary men and
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S2238 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 5, 2020
women of the Capitol Police here in the tics that have really just been allowed women is at least seven times greater
building. to accumulate for too long to remain than of non-Native females.
Suffice it to say, these are strange, as statistics. Every single one of these Again, I will just say these are un-
unusual, challenging, and difficult women was her own person, each story precedented proportions. So, when we
times as we face the COVID–19 pan- her own life story, each a member of designate a day as a day of awareness—
demic and as we address the challenges her community. In addition to their an awareness of those who have gone
that our constituents, our friends, and being someone’s lost daughters, wives, missing and who have been murdered
our families are dealing with at home, mothers, sisters, we should mourn the as being indigenous women and girls—
whether it be the impact of the virus promise that these missing and mur- it has to be about more than aware-
itself on our health and our health fa- dered women meant to our commu- ness. It has to be about action. This is
cilities or whether it be the impact— nities—their being the next genera- where Senator CORTEZ MASTO and I
truly, the economic devastation—that tions of mentors, role models, and have picked up on this work. She and I
we are seeing in all corners of the Na- changemakers. have worked together on several pieces
tion. When women are murdered or ab- of legislation that have helped to pave
So the opportunity to be together as ducted, when women are trafficked— the way for greater collaboration and
a body to address these challenges is when individuals are left missing, dis- data collection between Federal agen-
important. It is challenging for us as carded, or discounted—there is an in- cies—our law enforcement and elected
we adapt to this time and this situa- justice that is being done, and we can- Tribal officials—to not only under-
tion of wearing protective masks, of not let that continue. By raising stand the extent of the issues but to
being separated from one another, of awareness of the epidemic, by giving develop methods with which to end
teleworking as we are. We are adapt- these women their faces, their names, these horrible crimes.
ing. We are facing that challenge. We and by telling their stories, we are There are two bills. The first one is
rightly must be doing this because, as shining a light on a problem, and we Savanna’s Act. It combats the epi-
the Nation deals with these matters re- are giving hope. demic of murdered and missing Native
lated to the COVID–19, there are other I acknowledge the work of a former women and girls by improving the Fed-
matters that are taking place every colleague of mine here in the Senate, eral Government’s response in address-
day—issues that need to be addressed, Senator Heidi Heitkamp, who came to ing the crisis. We do this through the
problems that must be tackled, and this floor often as a strong, strong ad- coordination among all levels of law
matters of governance that we must be vocate for those Native women who enforcement by increasing data collec-
engaged in. have been dismissed and discounted. tion and information sharing and by
NATIONAL DAY OF AWARENESS FOR MISSING AND She shared pictures, gave names, and empowering Tribal governments with
MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS went beyond the statistics. She re- the resources they need in the cases in-
Madam President, I woke up this minded me—encouraged me—that this volving missing or murdered indige-
morning and looked at my little news is an effort that, together, we must ad- nous women and girls wherever they
caps with which to focus on the day, dress. may occur.
this Tuesday, and they noted that Unfortunately, we all have the sto- The second piece of legislation is
today is Teacher Appreciation Day. We ries—the stories that sicken you and called the Not Invisible Act. It is aimed
thank all of our teachers. Our teachers just literally break your heart. The one at addressing the crisis of missing,
are certainly in an unusual situation that, perhaps, touches me most imme- murdered, and trafficked Native
now, as all of our students are. It is diately and directly is the life of Ash- women by engaging law enforcement,
also Cinco de Mayo. It is also Giving ley Johnson Barr. She was a beautiful Tribal leaders, Federal partners, and
Tuesday. For many, it feels like 10-year-old girl who was taken from service providers and by improving the
Groundhog Day every day because of, the children’s playground in her home- coordination across the Federal agen-
again, this strange time in which we town of Kotzebue, AK, which is a Na- cies. The more we have reviewed this,
are living. For so many, it just seems tive village on the northwest coast. we have learned that so much of the
that every day is more and more of the She was brutally raped and murdered. data is lacking. We have gaps. We just
same. Again, she was taken from the kids’ haven’t been able to get the data that
Today, May 5, is also a day that we playground to just outside her town. we need in order to do a better job of
have recognized for several years now Her death and the tragedy around the coordinating with our agencies.
as being the National Day of Aware- circumstances of how she left the world The good news from all of this is that
ness for Missing and Murdered Indige- are still open. It is still raw and has both of these bills have passed this
nous Women and Girls. It is a matter left a permanent scar on Alaskan com- body, and I thank my colleagues here
that I would like to speak briefly to munities. in the Senate for their support of the
this afternoon. I recognize the devasta- What happened to Ashley is a re- measures. We advanced them unani-
tion that so many families have seen minder that, in my State, unfortu- mously on March 11, which was just a
when it comes to those they love who nately, there is a darkness that is still, little while before we left to deal with
have gone missing or who have been to this day, very, very hard to talk the COVID pandemic. I truly want to
found murdered, and I recognize the about, but we must. We have to talk thank the Senate for helping to
dark reality that many, we know, are about it. We have to act on it. We can- prioritize these measures to protect in-
still missing. not turn a blind eye simply because it digenous women.
Unfortunately, for far too long, there is difficult to talk about. We have to In addition to these measures that
has been silence on this issue. There because we are seeing the stories that we have passed in the Senate, we have
has been a failure to act in the face of represent these statistics in unprece- done more on the appropriations side.
what we know and sometimes in the dented proportions. Let me give you We have worked through the commit-
not knowing of what we are dealing some numbers to just put that into tees, and for the first time in the ap-
with because we haven’t asked the perspective. propriations bill that President Trump
questions, which is equally problem- Alaska Native women are 21⁄2 times signed in December, there was funding
atic. It tears at my heart to hear the more likely to be victims of domestic specifically directed to address the cri-
stories of those whom I have come in violence. In Tribal villages and Native sis of missing, murdered, and traf-
contact with in Alaska—a woman’s communities, domestic violence rates ficked indigenous women—$6.5 million
story, a family’s story—in that their are up to 10 times higher than in the included for the BIA to take a really
words have been discounted. They have rest of the Nation. In 2015, it was esti- comprehensive look at the issue across
been dismissed because the woman who mated that 40 percent of sex-traf- BIA and IHS, the Indian Health Serv-
went missing or the woman who was ficking victims were Native Ameri- ice.
murdered was a Native American cans. Almost 40 percent of those who It covers everything for the funding
woman. have been trafficked have been Native of cold casework, background checks,
We have to change that. We cannot Americans. The rate of sexual violence equipment needs, training, and a direc-
accept that. We cannot let the statis- victimization among Alaska’s Native tive to the IHS with regard to forensic
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May 5, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2239
training. It also includes language that that we know are with us—not only the iors. Since 1963, the U.S. Senate Youth
does more for the coordination and levels of domestic violence but the im- Program has selected two students
data collection amongst Tribal, local, pact that we know is present when it from each State who rank high aca-
State, and Federal law enforcement. So comes to mental and behavioral health, demically, excel in leadership and vol-
that is significant. The Executive order when people are fragile and yet are unteerism, and have a passion for pub-
that was issued by the Trump adminis- afraid to seek help because of the expo- lic service. They also receive a $10,000
tration late last year was very impor- sure to something else. We have work college scholarship.
tant in this effort. to do in this area, and that is some- These young delegates have come to
I personally acknowledge the good thing I intend to focus on in the days Washington, DC, every spring for a
work that Tara Sweeney has done, the and weeks ahead. week of education and tours high-
Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. I was encouraged to hear my friend, lighting all three branches of govern-
She has pulled together the agency co- the Senator from Texas, Mr. CORNYN, ment. Unfortunately, like so many
ordination to respond to these cases. speaking to just these issues yesterday other programs and events, this year’s
She has shown extraordinary heart— on the floor. We have much to do. trip to Washington was cancelled as
real heart—in responding to the calls These are challenging times on many our Nation faces the coronavirus
from Tribes and advocates to address different levels. threat. This is only the second time in
the crisis of missing and murdered Na- As we recognize this day of aware- the program’s nearly 60 years that the
tive women. So there has been so much ness for those who have gone missing— delegates have not gathered in Wash-
at play that has come together. for those women and girls who have ington for this memorable week.
What we need now is for the House to been murdered—know that this is more As one of the eight Senators serving
act on these legislative measures that than just raising awareness. It is up to on the Senate Youth Program’s Advi-
we have moved through the Senate so us. We owe it to them, their families, sory Committee, I want to congratu-
that the President can sign them into and their loved ones to act as well. late all who were selected to be dele-
law. With that, I yield the floor. gates this year and assure them we
I think we recognize that as we are I suggest the absence of a quorum. share their disappointment they could
dealing with these matters that are di- not be with us this month. I also want
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
rectly related to the day-to-day re- to recognize North Dakota’s two dele-
clerk will call the roll.
sponse to COVID, as we have seen our gates, Megha Bharadwaj and Rachel
The senior assistant legislative clerk
economies slowed, as we have moved Goven.
proceeded to call the roll. Megha is a junior at St. Mary’s Cen-
indoors to telework, the work that is Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I
required for us to help protect the most tral High School in Bismarck. Her
ask unanimous consent that the order leadership positions include being the
vulnerable among us continues. We for the quorum call be rescinded.
know that work continues. State treasurer for the North Dakota
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. CAS- Future Business Leaders of America
As we have worked aggressively SIDY). Without objection, it is so or-
across the country and in Alaskan and a board member and publicity di-
dered. rector for AchieveWE. Megha has re-
communities to flatten the curve out
f ceived top honors participating in
there as it relates to the coronavirus,
we know, unfortunately, that we have LEGISLATIVE SESSION school, district, and State competi-
seen an uptick in domestic violence. tions in Voices of Democracy, debate,
Unfortunately, and truly sadly for so speech, and Science Olympiad. In addi-
many, the order to shelter in place— MORNING BUSINESS tion, she reports for her school news-
‘‘safer at home’’ is the terminology paper, sings in the jazz choir, and
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I
used in some communities, and safer at speaks at community events. She plans
ask unanimous consent that the Sen-
home doesn’t necessarily mean safe at to attend law school and enter the
ate proceed to legislative session for a
home for far too many. Shelter in place world of politics.
period of morning business, with Sen- Rachel is a senior at Turtle Lake
is not a safe shelter. We are seeing in- ators permitted to speak therein for up Mercer High School, where she is the
creased calls to police departments to 10 minutes each. vice president of her senior class and
during this time, but, interestingly The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without involved in Student Council and Na-
enough, we are not seeing an increase objection, it is so ordered. tional Honor Society. She attended
in those who are seeking help or shel- f North Dakota Girls State and is a
ter in our women’s shelters. North Dakota rural electric coopera-
It was just a couple of weeks ago that IOWA SAFE SCHOOLS ANNUAL
GOVERNOR’S CONFERENCE tive youth leader. Rachel enjoys band
I had a phone call with representatives
and choir, yearbook, cheerleading, and
from the various women’s shelters Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, Iowa basketball. In her church, she is a
around my State, with probably a Safe Schools is holding its 15th annual youth band member and camp coun-
dozen or so women on the line, and I Iowa Governor’s Conference on May 11, selor and is a willing volunteer for
asked specifically: How are we doing in this time as a virtual conference, given other community events.
the shelters? What are we seeing? Their the circumstances. I understand this I congratulate both Megha and Ra-
numbers are down, and if you look at it has been an annual tradition starting chel for receiving this honor and wel-
from just a numbers perspective, you in 2006. It is an effort to help end bul- come them to an alumni group of Sen-
would say ‘‘Good.’’ But we know that lying in our schools and to create lead- ate Youth Program delegates who are
domestic violence doesn’t disappear or ership opportunities for LGBTQ youth 5,500 individuals strong. Many of them
go away at times like the ones we are students from not just Iowa but from have gone on to distinguish themselves
facing now; it just goes underground. I States across the Midwest. I wish all in every area of public service, includ-
think what we are seeing is that con- the participants a successful con- ing two of my colleagues, Senator
cern and fear. As difficult as the situa- ference. I hope you have a good time. SUSAN COLLINS of Maine and Senator
tion may be at home, it might be more f CORY GARDNER of Colorado. I fully ex-
frightening to go to a shelter where pect that I will meet up with Megha
one may be exposed to this invisible ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS and Rachel in the future as they con-
threat of the virus. tinue to excel in academic and profes-
I wish I could say that, as a con- sional arenas throughout their lives.∑
sequence of what we are seeing, our RECOGNIZING NORTH DAKOTA’S
DELEGATES TO THE SENATE f
shelters are better off, but I fear that
those who would seek shelter are not YOUTH PROGRAM MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
better off. So to make sure we are pre- ∑ Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, one of At 11:20 a.m., a message from the
pared to address these needs is yet an- the outstanding programs offered in House of Representatives, delivered by
other challenge for us in this body: to the U.S. Senate recognizes the best of Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an-
come together to address these issues America’s high school juniors and sen- nounced that pursuant to section
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