Congressional Record, Senate, June 15, 2020 — Great American Outdoors Act, Policing and Coronavirus
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated June 15, 2020, beginning at page S2960. Mr. McConnell speaks on the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, on the Great American Outdoors Act, which he says the Senate will complete this week, and on a law enforcement reform proposal being developed under Tim Scott. Mr. Schumer says the Supreme Court's decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia extends Federal employment discrimination protections to LGBTQ Americans, and urges a vote on the Equality Act and the Justice in Policing Act. The Senate resumes H.R. 1957, the Taxpayer First Act of 2019, with pending McConnell amendments, and the page prints Rollcall Vote No. 119, with 73 yeas and 24 nays, and Rollcall Vote No. 120, with 75 yeas and 23 nays.
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Cite this document
“Congressional Record, Senate, June 15, 2020 — Great American Outdoors Act, Policing and Coronavirus.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-06-15-crec-2020-06-15-pt1-pgs2960-4-822a4fc944/
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S2960 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 15, 2020
seen the local officials cede several efited from the Land and Water Con- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
blocks to a rag-tag band of demonstra- servation Fund investment; and for objection, it is so ordered.
tors who call themselves the Capitol Ohio, where the Cuyahoga Valley puts BOSTOCK V. CLAYTON COUNTY, GEORGIA
Hill Autonomous Zone. Fear of the far parkland in the backyards of millions Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, this
left has literally caused local officials of people. The list goes on and on. morning, the long march for equality
to let a chunk of their own city devolve Public lands hold a unique place in for LGBTQ Americans took a step for-
into a no-go zone for their own cops. the life of every State in America— ward. The Supreme Court handed down
Naturally, left-leaning media outlets from their natural beauty, to their use a landmark decision that Federal em-
have been quick to shower praise on for recreation, to their pivotal roles in ployment discrimination protections
this legacy and slow to amplify reports local economies. In the communities do, in fact, extend to LGBTQ Ameri-
of arson and other unchecked crimes. just outside of the gates, public lands cans. Believe it or not, before today, it
One story from the New York Times drive over $40 billion in economic ac- was not a settled legal matter that you
praised the ‘‘liberated streets’’—liber- tivity every year, and they play a big could sue your employer for firing you
ated, as if spray-painting a boarded-up part in the entire outdoor recreation solely on the basis of sexual orienta-
business were the equivalent of the industry that creates hundreds of bil- tion or sexual identity.
Normandy landings. lions of dollars in national prosperity In 2020, in America, it was still OK to
Amid all this, our Democratic coun- every year. discriminate against people because of
terparts in the House of Representa- Once again, I am grateful to our col- their sexual orientation or identity. Is
tives have mostly continued to keep leagues who have stewarded the Great that unbelievable that in the 21st cen-
their doors locked and their lights off. American Outdoors Act thus far; to tury it was still allowed? Well, now it
But here in the Senate, we came back Senator GARDNER and Senator DAINES isn’t because of the Supreme Court,
in over a month ago. We have taken for their leadership; and to Senators and they deserve credit for that case.
smart precautions, but we have not let ALEXANDER, PORTMAN, MANCHIN, and One of the cases that formed the
the people’s business come to a halt. WARNER for their efforts as well to basis of today’s ruling originated in my
Our committees have been overseeing steer this strong, bipartisan product home State of New York, where a sky-
the CARES Act and working on other toward the finish line. I look forward diving instructor was fired for admit-
essential business, like the National to continuing to advance this legisla- ting his sexual orientation. So, today,
Defense Authorization Act. tion today and passing it this week. the Supreme Court did the right thing
Our colleagues are considering what and ruled that workplace discrimina-
f
else might help the country reopen, tion on the basis of sexual orientation
like strong legal protections for RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME is just as unlawful as discrimination on
schools, colleges, employers, and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the basis of gender, race, or religion.
healthcare workers. the previous order, the leadership time Of course, the ruling in no way di-
Under the leadership of Senator TIM is reserved. minishes our efforts here in Congress
SCOTT, our conference is developing a to pass the Equality Act led by my col-
f
serious proposal to reform law enforce- leagues, Senators MERKLEY, BALDWIN,
ment in smart ways without lashing CONCLUSION OF MORNING and BOOKER, which would be a great
out needlessly and counterproductively BUSINESS leap forward on equality that we are
at the first responders who are a credit The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning all looking for. It passed the House
to their communities. business is closed. over a year ago, but it has been gath-
f f
ering dust in Leader MCCONNELL’s leg-
islative graveyard. Senate Republicans
GREAT AMERICAN OUTDOORS ACT LEGISLATIVE SESSION are still not in the 21st century. They
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, just must think it is OK to discriminate
this week, on the floor, we will com- against people because of their orienta-
plete a major piece of legislation that TAXPAYER FIRST ACT OF 2019— tion or identity. Unbelievable. But
will benefit generations to come. Resumed maybe now, the fact that even a few
Thanks to a number of our colleagues— The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Justices appointed by Republican
particularly the junior Senators from the previous order, the Senate will re- Presidents believe that it was against
Colorado and Montana—the Senate is sume consideration of H.R. 1957, which the law—maybe that will prick the
poised to take historic action for the the clerk will report. hearts of our Republican colleagues
future of the Nation’s public lands. The legislative clerk read as follows: and Leader MCCONNELL and they will
I haven’t been the only one coming A bill (H.R. 1957) to amend the Internal allow a vote on the Equality Act here
to the floor to highlight how my con- Revenue Code of 1986 to modernize and im- on the floor. Even without the Senate
stituents prize our State’s national prove the Internal Revenue Service, and for and its backward ways, it is clear that
parks, wildlife refuge, and other man- other purposes. the country is moving in the right di-
aged areas—for recreation and for Pending: rection.
many livelihoods. We Kentuckians are McConnell (for Gardner) amendment No. JUSTICE IN POLICING ACT
proud that our Commonwealth is home 1617, in the nature of a substitute. Mr. President, these are not ordinary
to one of the National Park Service’s McConnell amendment No. 1626 (to amend- times in America. For 21 straight days,
crowning jewels at Mammoth Cave. We ment No. 1617), to change the enactment hundreds of thousands of Americans
are proud of our historic sites like Mill date.
have taken to the streets to protest po-
McConnell amendment No. 1627 (to amend-
Springs Battlefield and our wildlife ref- ment No. 1626), of a perfecting nature. lice violence and racial injustice.
uges at the Clarks and Green Rivers. McConnell Amendment No. 1628 (to the Clashes between police and peaceful
And I am proud that the Senate this language proposed to be stricken by amend- protesters over the past few weeks, in
week will provide permanent, steady ment No. 1617), to change the enactment which some police departments have
support to maintain these treasures for date. responded with overly aggressive tac-
generations to come. McConnell amendment No. 1629 (to amend- tics, have only articulated further the
As we have heard, the same is true ment No. 1628), of a perfecting nature. need for bold and wide-reaching reform
for Colorado, where entire regional Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I of police practices.
economies are driven by outdoor recre- suggest the absence of a quorum. Being killed by police is now the
ation in alpine wonderlands; for Mon- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The sixth leading cause of death for young
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tana, where Federal and State manage- clerk will call the roll. Black men in America. Let me repeat
ment work hand in hand with local The legislative clerk proceeded to that. Being killed by police is now the
sportsmen and Native American Tribes call the roll. sixth leading cause of death for young
to preserve millions of acres of pris- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask Black men in America, and that is why
tine, Big Sky wilderness; for West Vir- unanimous consent that the order for the House and Senate have drafted leg-
ginia, where 54 of 55 counties have ben- the quorum call be rescinded. islation, the Justice in Policing Act,
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June 15, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2961
that will deliver comprehensive reform prehensive and strong approach, not to President Trump has also moved
to police departments, including a ban cherry-pick one or two items and say major parts of the Republican conven-
on choke holds, a ban on no-knock war- ‘‘See, we have done our job’’ and go tion out of North Carolina in order to
rants in Federal drug cases, a ban on home. avoid having to respect the most basic
racial profiling, and limits on the This has been a pervasive and deep precautions against the spread of
transfer of military equipment to po- problem in America for decades and coronavirus.
lice departments. Our bill would make centuries. To now give it short shift Today, amazingly enough, the FDA
it a lot easier to hold police account- and to try and get off the hook would withdrew the emergency authorization
able in court for misconduct and insti- be so wrong at the moment when of the use of hydroxychloroquine as a
tute several reforms to prevent that Americans are calling for it. The vast treatment against COVID. Remember
misconduct in the first place. majority of Republican voters are call- how the President of the United States,
Only a few months ago, the Justice ing for it. Do we have any courage here only a few weeks ago, was promoting
in Policing Act might have seemed or any strength to face the issue head- the use of hydroxychloroquine like a
controversial, but in the wake of such on at a time and at a moment when we pharmaceutical salesman, going so far
obvious injustice recorded on iPhones can do it? I hope our Republican as to take the drug himself despite not
throughout the country, there is now friends will summon that courage, that having the disease? Now the FDA says
broad and deep support for the policies strength, and that desire to bring real, that it is not reasonable to believe the
we Democrats are pushing in the Jus- strong, and comprehensive reform. The drug is effective against COVID or that
tice in Policing Act. time for waiting is over. its benefit outweighs the ‘‘known and
A recent Reuters poll reported—lis- CORONAVIRUS potential risks.’’ That is the Presi-
ten to this—82 percent of Americans, Mr. President, meanwhile, a global dent’s own department telling him to
including 7 in 10 Republicans, want to pandemic continues to assail our coun- stop it—to stop telling Americans lies
ban police from using choke holds; 83 try and our economy. The COVID–19 about the coronavirus and about what
percent of Americans, including 7 in 10 pandemic did not disappear while the is good and bad to treat it. It is amaz-
Republicans, want to ban racial Nation rightfully turned its attention ing. An agency like this one, which
profiling; 92 percent of Americans, in- to the issues of racial justice. In fact, knows they are not supposed to buck
cluding 9 in 10 Republicans, want Fed- just as the country was preparing for the President or face his wrath, still
eral police to wear body cameras; 91 the early stages of reopening, the num- felt the obligation to come forward and
percent of Americans, including 9 in 10 ber of cases began to spike again in a tell Americans the truth about
Republicans, support allowing inde- number of States. hydroxychloroquine.
pendent investigations of police de- Arizona has activated emergency This should be a warning to all
partments that show patterns of mis- plans to deal with the surge of new pa- Americans. You can’t listen to Presi-
conduct; and 75 percent of Americans, tients. Over the weekend, Florida re- dent Trump when it comes to
including 6 in 10 Republicans, support ported its highest single-day number of healthcare, whether it comes to
allowing victims of police misconduct cases. Twenty-two States are reporting hydroxychloroquine or anything about
to sue police departments for damages, increases in the numbers of confirmed the coronavirus itself, because the ex-
also known as qualified immunity re- cases of coronavirus after those num- perts in his own administration so
bers had been declining. The experts often contradict his advice. It
form.
Now is the time to seek bold and tell us that it is not simply because shouldn’t need saying that the Presi-
broadscale change, not change around there is more testing. There is also dent is not a doctor, yet he has been
the margins. Now is the time for more coronavirus in many of these issuing off-the-cuff medical advice
wholesale reform, not piecemeal re- States. from the White House podium only to
A headline in Time magazine sums it
form. The Justice in Policing Act takes have the experts scrambling to back-
up: ‘‘America Is Done With COVID–19.
a comprehensive approach, but, at the track weeks later. This is not how a
COVID–19 Isn’t Done With America.’’ It
moment, our Republican colleagues leader handles a crisis. This is not even
is our responsibility to deal with this
seem to be on a path toward taking a how a normal person handles a crisis.
problem. The trends are extremely con- Senate Republicans, meanwhile, have
much, much narrower, less inclusive cerning.
approach. That is wrong. relegated the COVID issue to the back
I have asked the White House to have
Some Senate Republicans have en- burner. As the expiration dates for sev-
members of the coronavirus task force,
dorsed individual proposals in our bill, eral of the programs established under
including Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx, give
like qualified immunity reform and Senate Democrats a briefing on these the CARES Act quickly approach,
bans on choke holds, but it looks like recent spikes. I have yet to hear back. Leader MCCONNELL has reportedly told
these policies may not be included in The White House continues to muzzle his caucus not to expect another emer-
the Republican bill. While our bill rec- the most knowledgeable people. gency relief bill until the end of July.
ognizes that a strong Federal response President Trump, haven’t you The emergency unemployment insur-
is necessary to bring change to every learned that when you don’t face the ance we passed in the CARES Act is
police department in America, the Re- truth, it hurts the country and hurts soon going to run out. The ban on evic-
publicans, it seems, are going to leave you? You tried to deny that this tions is soon going to expire. State and
much of the task up to the States. If coronavirus was real—it was a hoax; it local governments are preparing to
history has taught us anything, par- will go away in a few days; there are slash public services and are in dire
ticularly when it comes to civil rights, very few cases—and, of course, it rav- need of Federal support. Cliff after cliff
it is that progress on civil rights has aged our country. after cliff faces us. Economic trouble
been stunted, slowed down, and some- Now they are doing the same thing. after economic trouble after economic
times stymied by letting the States President Trump is doing exactly the trouble is looming upon us very soon.
take the lead. same thing—withholding the experts Yet all of these problems and all of
Let me repeat to my Republican col- and withholding the truth in hopes these deadlines seem to mean very lit-
leagues: We need comprehensive and that things will disappear. That is just tle to the Republican Senate majority,
bold reform, and we need a commit- not how science tells us things work. which is taking its sweet time to re-
ment from the Republican leader to President Trump now seems ready to spond to an urgent and multifaceted
consider broad, strong police reform— dismiss these issues entirely. It is ap- national crisis.
the Justice in Policing Act—on the palling. He is planning big campaign What are our Republican friends
floor of the Senate before July 4. rallies, asking reporters, amazingly, to going to tell people whose unemploy-
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Again, I ask our Republican leader— sign waivers not to sue if they contract ment insurance runs out? Tough luck?
I have asked before: Allow the Justice COVID from attending. I guess he wor- What are our Republican friends going
in Policing Act to be on the floor. We ries that they might get it, but he to tell people evicted from their
can debate it. We can amend it. Some doesn’t care. He wants to have his homes? Too bad? What are our Repub-
of you may not vote for it, but the Na- rally. That is the superficiality of this lican friends going to tell the many
tion is crying out for debate on a com- President. public servants fired because their
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S2962 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 15, 2020
States are running out of money and ities. We are all empowered here on the Floyd killing and racial injustice, we
we have refused to step up to the plate? Senate to propose bills and amend- have found the opportunity to work to-
What are they going to tell the Na- ments and to ask consent to speak for gether to support the people of Dallas
tion’s parents when schools will not be as long as we want, but only Leader through some incredibly difficult
able to open because we haven’t given MCCONNELL gets to decide which bills times.
them adequate resources to do so? reach the floor, and for the past 2 I asked him if he would help me con-
We are going to tell them that the months, as the economic pain from the vene a group of leaders in Dallas to dis-
Republican majority is asleep at the coronavirus deepens, as the disease cuss these issues, and by Friday we
switch during a major national crisis, starts to come back, as the economy were all socially distancing around a
but that will be of little solace. We runs into trouble after trouble after large table in city hall in Dallas, TX.
would much rather work together and trouble, as long-simmering issues of ra- The mayor and I were joined by Police
get things done. cial justice and police brutality propel Chief Renee Hall, Dallas County Sher-
Even on bedrock issues of democracy peaceful protesting in our biggest cit- iff Marian Brown, Dallas County Dis-
elections, the Republican majority has ies and smallest towns, the Republican trict Attorney John Creuzot, as well as
once again been absent. The COVID Senate majority has been out to lunch. union, community, and faith leaders.
pandemic has made our elections a This week, as Leader MCCONNELL asks We had a frank conversation about the
challenge, obviously. In Nevada, South us to consider more rightwing judges challenges we are up against as we
Carolina, Wisconsin, and, most re- for the Federal bench, it could not be work to repair the broken trust be-
cently and most glaringly in Georgia, more apparent. tween law enforcement and some of the
voters have had to overcome signifi- I yield the floor. communities they serve.
cant barriers to voting. Senators KLO- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I was able to spend some time talk-
BUCHAR, FEINSTEIN, and PETERS have ator from Texas. ing about the work we are doing here
been demanding that Republican chairs CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM in the Senate and the ideas that could
of their respective committees hold Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, across be included in any legislation. I talked
hearings on these election issues. That America, people of all ages, races, and about two specific proposals that I
would be the bare minimum the Senate backgrounds have continued to show have recommended—one being the es-
could do in response to widespread up on the streets to speak up and speak tablishment of a National Criminal
election issues. out against racial injustice. Of course, Justice Commission. This Commission
Police reform, racial injustice, vot- it is their right under the Constitution would review the criminal justice sys-
ing rights, a global pandemic, massive to do so. tem from top to bottom and provide
levels of unemployment—these are Galvanized by the tragic death of recommendations to us, something
huge issues that demand the attention George Floyd, they are marching in that has not happened at the national
of the U.S. Senate, but Leader MCCON- peaceful protests, signing petitions, level since 1965.
NELL and the Republican majority just and having frank discussions with their I also recommended taking steps to
can’t seem to find the time. On issues families. It is a moment characterized ensure more departments and agencies
like COVID, racial justice, the econ- by heartbreak and anger over the in- are providing deescalation training for
omy, voting, the Republican majority justices that many Black Americans their officers so, hopefully, officers will
is sadly missing in action. feel are perpetrated on them every day, know how to use these tactics to pre-
Instead, Leader MCCONNELL is push- but it is also a time for hope for the fu- vent similar tragedies from occurring
ing two rightwing judges onto the Na- ture as the issue has come front and in the first place.
tion’s circuit courts: Justin Walker center. Frankly, we have to do some- But mostly I was there to listen and
and Cory Wilson. thing about it. to learn from the men and women with
Mr. Walker is a man of limited judi- In city halls, State legislatures, and, decades of experience in protecting,
cial experience who has made it very of course, here in the U.S. Capitol, serving, and advocating for their com-
clear he personally opposes our there is a newfound sense of energy and munities.
healthcare law. He called the Roberts urgency behind the effort to pass Chief Hall talked about how policing
decision to uphold the Affordable Care meaningful reform. We have an oppor- strategies had created a wedge between
Act indefensible and catastrophic. tunity to create profound change in an law enforcement and some of the mi-
Mr. Wilson, by the same token, called area that, for too long, has just been a nority communities and the work it is
our healthcare law illegitimate and can kicked down the road, and I am op- going to take in order to repair that
perverse. That is right, folks. If you timistic we will succeed. trust and eliminate that wedge. She
need healthcare and you are suffering I told the Floyd family when I talked noted that Dallas is home to some of
because of COVID, well, our Republican to them before their son, their brother, the best officers in the country and
friends are nominating judges who was buried: My hope for you and my that the vast majority of them show up
think the law is illegitimate and per- hope for all of us is that something for work every day with all of the right
verse. In the middle of a public health positive will come out of this tragedy. intentions and attitude, but for the
crisis, the Republican majority is plan- Here in the Senate, we are working small number of officers who don’t, we
ning to confirm rightwing judges who on legislation to respond to these need to be able to identify them quick-
oppose our healthcare law. events, and the majority leader has ly and remove them from our police
Adding insult to injury, Mr. Wilson tasked our friend and colleague from forces.
has been one of the leaders in opposing South Carolina, Senator TIM SCOTT, to Thinking about the officer who was
and undoing voting rights. Here, at a lead the effort in our conference. I am directly responsible for George Floyd’s
time when people are protesting for ra- proud to have been working with him death, according to published reports,
cial equality, the Republican majority closely—and several other colleagues— he had at least 17 misconduct com-
has the temerity to put on the floor of to draft legislation that I think will plaints already lodged against him.
the Senate someone who has spent his help us begin the first step down that Now, that should be a red flag for any-
career trying to limit the rights of peo- path and support America’s police body.
ple, oftentimes minorities, to vote. Mr. forces. In any tragedy, you can’t help but go
Wilson has supported restrictive voter As we work through potential poli- through the what-ifs and wonder how
ID laws and expressed strong opposi- cies, it is important to hear feedback things might have played out dif-
tion to parts of the Voting Rights Act. from my constituents back home, and ferently. What if his supervisors had
That is right. In the middle of a na- last Friday I had the chance to do just taken action? What if he had been
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tional movement on issues related to that. I reached out to my friend, Dallas fired? What if he hadn’t been available
racial justice, Senate Republicans are Mayor Eric Johnson, whom I have got- to respond to the incident involving
trying to put a judge on the bench with ten to know pretty well during his first George Floyd because he was assigned
a hostile record on voting rights. year as mayor. Whether it be Dallas to some other duties?
We all know that when you have the tornadoes or the COVID–19 virus or, Well, these are difficult questions to
Senate majority, it is all about prior- now, discussions about the George ask because the outcome likely would
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June 15, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2963
have been different, but they are the My home State of Washington has of the brand names on, whether it is
types of questions we need to ask in been a leader on this issue for decades, REI or The North Face or Columbia
order to prevent history from repeating but—just think—until today, June 15, Sportswear Company—or just your
itself. 2020, we had no nationwide rules local fishing guide who does white-
The major theme of our conversation against firing an employee or harassing water rafting or fishing or other out-
was trust: How do we restore commu- someone at work for being gay, lesbian, door activities.
nities’ trust in law enforcement? Min- bisexual, or trans. That is just wrong, These lands are basically generating
ister Sammie Barry from Dallas West and LGBTQ+ Americans still face dis- billions of dollars in revenue. So, in my
Church of Christ made a great point crimination in far too many areas of mind, the fact that they are receiving
about ensuring that police agencies re- life: public accommodations, housing, oil and gas offshore leasing revenue,
flect the diversity of the communities education, and some federally funded along with getting the benefit of the
in which they serve. programs. public lands—and generating all of that
Texas is about as diverse a State as We have proposed legislation that revenue—to me, is very sound fiscal
they come. Our cities are a vibrant would be, I believe, comprehensive civil policy and a great investment.
blend of backgrounds, cultures, and rights and anti-discrimination legisla- So, to me, the issue isn’t the budget
skin tones, and our police departments tion to help protect this community. point of order as much as it is the ques-
should reflect that. The House has passed this legislation, tion of why this program has been
That is one topic of discussion here and I believe it is time that the Senate around for so long and the money
in the Senate, one I hope we can act on pass this legislation. wasn’t used in the program. Probably
in the coming weeks: How do we en- Leader MCCONNELL and the Repub- somewhere around $20 billion has been
courage police recruitment of the right licans should take the Equality Act used for other things instead of the in-
people who can reflect the commu- out of the legislative graveyard and get tended purpose of the Land and Water
nities in which they serve? it onto the Senate floor. Today I join Conservation Fund. Maybe it is be-
As Dallas County Sheriff Marian my colleagues Senators MERKLEY, cause not everybody was on board with
Brown said, we all recognize and ac- BALDWIN, and others who are calling spending that amount of money for
knowledge that we have a long way to for Senate action on this important public lands, but I think we are here
go, and unfortunately there is no issue. today to say there is a new coalition of
magic pill to help get us there. Instead, Again, I want to emphasize how im- people who are willing to say that, and
we are going to have to roll up our portant and fundamental I think this they do see the economic return.
sleeves and do the hard work of trying decision was and how challenging and We are specifically passing a law that
to build consensus and solve problems. disappointed I am that we have had says that you are going to spend those
As always, the first step in the proc- legislation to protect this community dollars for that and that the other pur-
ess is good communication. Honest and that we could have passed decades ago. poses Congress may have decided in the
frank discussions between community H.R. 1957 past are not the specific purpose but
leaders, law enforcement, and elected Madam President, I also rise to talk that public land is.
officials are a great start, but we are about the several votes we are going to So I am very happy we are making
going to have to do a lot more than have on public lands coming up, and this investment that, in my mind, is
talk in order to create palpable change. one of them is about a budget point of one of the smartest fiscal policies we
I will be the first to admit I don’t order. could ever make; that is, to spend
have all the answers. I don’t think any- In my mind, budget points of order money not from the taxpayer but from
one else does either, but these con- are about cost. Well, we are here to these private entities on offshore drill-
versations are key to helping each of talk about what a good investment ing that goes into something for the
us get closer to finding them. public land is. benefit of the taxpayer and that gen-
I want to thank Mayor Johnson and We have the Grand Canyon. We un- erates economic return to all of us.
everyone who took time out of their derstand that. It is a good investment. I can’t ask for a better tax policy or
busy schedules to participate in our Mt. Rainier, in my home State of fiscal policy than to use it to preserve
discussion last Friday. These men and Washington—a good investment—is an open space and public land and gen-
women have provided me with valuable iconic mountain, maybe, to some, but erate revenue and help all of us enjoy
insight and ideas about the changes we in the State of Washington also the outdoors.
that need to be made in order to re- know that it brings in millions of dol- As I said, revenue raising from off-
store public confidence in all of our law lars in revenue and millions of visitors. shore leasing and investing in public
enforcement agencies. That is just what our public lands do: land was exactly what Scoop Jackson
I have come back to Washington with They become icons. The preservation of had in mind when he authored the
new ideas based on their feedback, and the natural world is a good invest- Land and Water Conservation Fund
I am eager to continue to work with all ment—in my mind, better than roads more than 50 years ago, and it is actu-
of our colleagues to deliver real re- and bridges and buildings—because it ally what we should be doing. I am glad
forms for the American people and re- actually lasts for centuries. Places like my colleagues have realized this is the
store that trust which, unfortunately, the Grand Tetons or Denali—which are right fiscal policy. It is good for us, and
has been strained, if not broken, in in other States—literally are icons to it is good for America’s future.
some communities. all of us and help us from one genera- I know that Scoop Jackson would be
I yield the floor. tion to the next. very happy, and I know his son Peter,
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Besides being icons, they do pay for who just passed recently, would also be
ERNST). The Senator from Washington. themselves. That is, the economic re- very happy that this correction is
BOSTOCK V. CLAYTON COUNTY, GEORGIA turn of public lands is phenomenal. It being made.
Ms. CANTWELL. Madam President, does create, but it generates. It gen- This will be the first time that the
before I speak about the legislation we erates activity that generates income money is fully used for the intended
are going to be voting on shortly, I to county governments, to State gov- purpose of what the money and revenue
wanted to mention today’s significant ernments, and to the Federal Govern- was put into the fund to do. I am glad
Supreme Court decision to protect the ment—and lots of private entities are we are making this milestone happen,
LGBTQ community and Americans involved. and I encourage my colleagues to think
from discrimination in the workplace. So hundreds of billions of dollars are about this fiscal policy. The fiscal pol-
This is a very important step for- spent. In fact, $877 billion was part of a icy that benefits the United States by
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
ward. Gay and transgender Americans report that was issued a few years ago. having open space and public lands
should not face discrimination in the You might not think of that right off generates $877 billion.
workplace or live in fear of losing their the top of your head because you are Yes, if you want another reminder,
jobs simply because of who they are, thinking about some aspect of the out- this is a view of downtown Seattle
and it is an important step forward but doors, and you might not think of it as from a very famous park, Gas Works
is also long overdue. generating dollars, but, OK, try a few Park, in the north end of Lake Union.
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S2964 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 15, 2020
That park probably wouldn’t be there Outdoors Act, including a letter from thousands of businesses that support com-
if we didn’t have the Land and Water the outdoor recreation industry. I ask munities in all 50 states, support rural
Conservation Fund. The idea was, as unanimous consent that this letter economies, create jobs to carry out essential
work, and provide opportunities for millions
Scoop said, as America urbanized, we from the outdoor recreation industry
of Americans to recreate on our public lands
needed to preserve open space for the be submitted for the RECORD. and waters for generations to come. We
public to use it. Some of the most There being no objection, the mate- know this vital legislation is slated for a
iconic open spaces across the United rial was ordered to be printed in the vote in the coming weeks and we urge you to
States have been created for the public RECORD, as follows: move as quickly as possible to get this legis-
to enjoy. JUNE 8, 2020. lation across the finish line. Your support of
So let’s reaffirm our commitment DEAR LEADER MCCONNELL AND LEADER GAOA is a vote for American jobs and
that was always there. Let’s turn down SCHUMER: The outdoor recreation industry is health, community resiliency and the out-
the budget point of order and make extremely encouraged by recent announce- door recreation economy. Thank you for
sure that we are making the right in- ments that the Senate plans to hold a vote your leadership.
on the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Sincerely,
vestments and finish moving this legis- in June. As outdoor recreation business lead-
lation to its final passage. Airstream, Inc., Alta Planning + Design,
ers, we know investments in recreation ac-
I yield the floor. Inc., Arc’teryx Equipment Inc., Areté Struc-
cess and infrastructure are vital to the out-
I suggest the absence of a quorum. tures, LLC, Bass Pro Shops, Bell Helmets,
door recreation industry and economies
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The across the country.
Blackburn Design, Blue Springs Marine,
clerk will call the roll. Prior to the COVID–19 outbreak, the out- Boat Owners Association of the United
The bill clerk proceeded to call the door recreation industry contributed $778 bil- States, Boat Owners Warehouse, Boats Incor-
roll. lion in economic output, accounted for 2.2 porated, Brunswick Corporation.
Mr. GARDNER. I ask unanimous con- percent of United States Gross Domestic Cabela’s, CamelBak, Camperland of Okla-
sent that the order for the quorum call Product, supported 5.2 million jobs and was homa, Chaparral Boats, Inc., CHM Govern-
be rescinded. growing faster than the economy as a whole ment Services, Chris-Craft, Clark Marine,
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without in every indicator. Unfortunately, due to the Cleveland Boat Center, Correct Craft, Cre-
objection, it is so ordered. COVID–19 pandemic and shutdowns nec- ative Pultrusions, Crestview RV.
Mr. GARDNER. Madam President, essary to slow its progression, America’s Dee Zee, Inc., Delaware North Parks and
last week we had some great conversa- outdoor recreation economy was hindered Resorts, Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle, FERA,
tions on the floor of the Senate about when we needed the outdoors more than Forest River, Inc., Forever Resorts, Formula
ever. Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s April Boats, Fort Sumter Tours, Freedom Boat
the Great American Outdoors Act and survey of the sector shows that 79 percent of
the combination of two important Club.
outdoor businesses have had to lay off or fur-
pieces of legislation—the Land and lough employees, and 89 percent are seeing Galati Yacht Sales, Giro Sport Design,
Water Conservation Fund, first author- decreased revenue. However, we know there Glacier Guides & Montana Raft, Grand De-
ized 55 years ago, and the Restore Our is a bright future for outdoor recreation sign RV, Guest Services, Inc., Hagadone Ma-
Parks Act—both of which would be ahead, as several sectors of the industry are rine Group, Handout Gloves, Head USA,
already experiencing rapidly increasing de- Hellwig Products Company Inc., Hemlock
combined in the Great American Out- Hill RV Sales, Hipcamp, Hornblower Cruises
mand.
doors Act and the most significant These outdoor businesses are the backbone and Events.
piece of conservation legislation Con- of our industry and range from specialty re- Indian Lake Marina, Inc., Indmar Prod-
gress has passed in nearly 50 years or tailers, apparel, gear and vehicle manufac- ucts, K2 Sports, Kampgrounds of America,
more. turers, outfitters and guides to campground Inc., Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.,
The Land and Water Conservation and marina operators. They are often Lakeview Marine, Inc., LKQ Corporation,
Fund, of course, is funded by taking foundational to a community’s economy. Magic Tilt Trailers, Malibu Boats, Inc., Ma-
offshore oil and gas revenues, and that With rising unemployment and Americans rina Holdings, Marine Center of Indiana,
is how the Restore Our Parks Act eager to experience the outdoors, investment Maverick Boat Group, Inc., Mount Dora
would be funded as well. Both of them in our industry’s core infrastructure—public Boating Center.
lands and waters—will allow our businesses
would take dollars generated from off- to get back to what we do best: stimulate N3 Boatworks, Nantahala Outdoor Center,
shore oil and gas production. There are local economies, put people back to work, National Outdoor Leadership School,
a few other ways that it is funded, like and allow Americans to benefit from time Newmar Corporation, Patagonia, Petzl
boat fuel excise tax revenues and oth- spent outside. America, Plano Synergy, Polaris, Inc., Port
ers, but primarily that is the source of This is why we respectfully ask you to pass Harbor Marine, Priority RV Network, Pure
the Great American Outdoors Act as soon as Fishing.
funding, and, after a series of formula
distributions out of the Treasury, the possible. Quality Bicycle Products, Rapala USA,
GAOA will fully fund the Land and Water Reed’s Marine, Inc., Regulator Marine, Inc.,
Land and Water Conservation Fund is Conservation Fund (LWCF) at $900 million REI, Rendezvous River Sports, Rhino Mark-
appropriated about $1 billion, and even- annually, providing more recreation access ing & Protection Systems.
tually the Restore Our Parks Act, for communities across the country and fuel-
under this legislation, would be appro- ing more outdoor recreation economic activ- Santa Barbara Adventure Company, Seirus
ity. In a nutshell, if Congress invests the in- Innovative Accessories, Inc., Shimano North
priated dollars as well. America Fishing, Simms Fishing, Skyjacker
Ninety-nine percent of the dollars tended amount of $900 million into LWCF
recreation access projects on local, state and Suspensions, Smoker Craft.
used by the Land and Water Conserva-
tion Fund is used to purchase federal lands, it will create much-needed Spiritline Cruises, SRAM LLC, St. Croix
close-to-home recreation opportunities while Rods, Sun RV Resorts, Suzuki Motor of
inholdings to complete national parks revitalizing the outdoor recreation economy. America, Inc., The North Face, Tiara Yachts
and to work on wildlife refuges and Additionally, GAOA dedicates up to $9.5 & Tiara Sport, Trek Bikes, Turn 14 Distribu-
other types of important public land billion over the next five years to mainte- tion Inc.
designations across the country. nance backlog projects that have been dev-
VF Corporation, Vista Outdoor, Volvo
We all know that our national parks astating our public lands and waters. Invest-
Penta of the Americas, WARN Industries,
are suffering from the amount of visi- ing in these projects will improve outdoor
Westrec Marinas, WET River Trips,
tors that they receive. We are grateful recreation-related facilities such as docks,
restrooms, campgrounds, trails, roads and Wildwater River Guides, Winnebago Indus-
for the visitors, but that is a tremen- tries, Xanterra Travel Collection, Yamaha
more that have deteriorated significantly
dous strain on roads and trails and the from decades of underfunded maintenance. Rightwaters, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Parks,
visitor centers across the country. For As business leaders, we understand the need Zebco Brands.
instance, in Rocky Mountain National to make sure customers have good experi- This letter is written by a number of
Park, the third most heavily visited ences when they visit stores or facilities, it some of the most notable names in the
park in the Nation, there is an about ensures they come back again. Funding the
maintenance backlog will also ensure that outdoors that people around the coun-
$85 million backlog, including trail
adequate infrastructure for all types of try would recognize: Polaris, Pata-
maintenance, visitor centers, the sew-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
recreation on our public lands and waters ex- gonia, and Colorado’s own VF,
age systems, the campgrounds, and
ists so more people who are seeking the ben- headquartered now in Colorado.
some other challenges that they could efits the outdoors has to offer can get out-
help fix with the use of these dollars. In a State like Colorado, the outdoor
side safely and grow our industry
Last week I also talked about some sustainably. economy is a huge driver of our State’s
important letters we had received, let- Passing GAOA now would stimulate the economy, creating hundreds of thou-
ters of support for the Great American outdoor recreation industry made up of sands of jobs and billions of dollars of
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June 15, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2965
economic activity. This letter from the to protect our public lands and waters for all After that, $1.7 billion of this amount
outdoor recreation industry says they generations to come. of money went to the Reclamation
I write to you today to urge swift passage
are extremely encouraged by the Great Fund. To get this straight, there is
and enactment of the Great American Out-
American Outdoors Act, and they note doors Act (GAOA)—legislation that will pro-
funding that goes out to the States,
that this is an incredible opportunity vide much needed support to the outdoor funding that goes out to Tribal enti-
to invest in recreation access and in- places we all depend on. This bill will fully ties, and funding that goes to the Rec-
frastructure, both of which are vital to and permanently fund the Land and Water lamation Fund.
the outdoor recreation industry and Conservation Fund (LWCF), our nation’s Then fourth in line for this, $1 billion
economies around the country. most important conservation program, to went to the Land and Water Conserva-
Earlier today, we received another ensure protection and increased access to tion Fund.
very important letter—a letter that I public lands in every state and county in A curious thing happened on the way
America. Additionally, GAOA will fund pri- to the forum, as they say. Only $495
think a lot of people will find very im- ority repairs in our National Parks and on
portant. This letter, dated June 15, million got appropriated to the Land
other public lands to address an ever-grow-
2020, begins with this paragraph: ing backlog of maintenance needs.
and Water Conservation Fund. So $1
From east to west, America is home to in- This outstanding bipartisan legislation billion gets taken out of the money in
credible lands, waters, and cultural treas- will ensure every American has access to the 2019, the $11.6 billion, with $1 billion to
ures. Now, more than ever, we are relying on outdoors, no matter where they live. It will the Land and Water Conservation
our public lands to get outdoors, to connect also help our communities and nation re- Fund, but only $495 million gets appro-
with the world, to support jobs, and to cover by creating jobs and economic growth priated. That is because even though it
strengthen our communities. In this time of across the country—in both cities and rural was authorized to get more, that
uncertainty, we have been given a once in a areas. Nationally, outdoor recreation con- money has been syphoned off and spent
lifetime opportunity to protect our public tributes roughly $778 billion in consumer
spending and supports 5.2 million jobs. More-
on other things.
lands and waters for all generations to come. And $150 million went to the Historic
This letter was written by Theodore over, economic analysis shows that every $1
million invested in LWCF could support be- Preservation Fund.
Roosevelt IV. This letter in support for tween 16 and 30 jobs, while national park That is a total of $5.25 billion from
the Great American Outdoors Act funding in GAOA could support 100,000 jobs, 2019. That is what we accounted for so
comes from the great-grandson of $17.5 billion in economic output, and con- far out of that revenue: money to the
President Teddy Roosevelt. tribute $9.6 billion to the US GDP. At a time States, money to Tribal entities,
Passing the Great American Outdoors Act when small businesses are struggling, GAOA money to the Reclamation Fund, $1 bil-
would be taking a page from President Theo- would provide much needed stimulus to get lion to the LWCF fund even though
dore Roosevelt’s book: protecting the quint- Americans outdoors and back to work. only $495 million got appropriated, and
essence of who we are as Americans in the Passing the Great American Outdoors Act
would be taking a page from President Theo- $150 million to the Historic Preserva-
stewardship of our natural places, great and
dore Roosevelt’s book: protecting the quint- tion Fund. That left $5.35 billion that
small. President Roosevelt set conservation
as a priority—a duty—for a great and far- essence of who we are as Americans in the went directly into Treasury. That is
sighted nation in recognition that our na- stewardship of our natural places, great and the money that would be used—at least
tional bounty is the foundation for all else. small. President Roosevelt set conservation a portion of it—for the Restore Our
Without it, we cannot prosper. as a priority—a duty—for a great and far- Parks Act.
I am glad to see strong bipartisan support sighted nation in recognition that our nat- You can see this is paid for. Congress
for the GAOA in the House, Senate, and from ural bounty is the foundation for all else. just has bad habits that need to be cor-
the President. We are counting on you to Without it, we cannot prosper.
I am glad to see strong bipartisan support rected around here. We will have addi-
protect and preserve our public lands. And tional time to have that conversation
we need your continued leadership to secure for GAOA in the House, Senate, and from the
this monumental legislation. President. We are counting on you to protect this evening and obviously others
Sincerely, Theodore Roosevelt IV. and preserve our public lands. And we need about the merits of this legislation and
I have talked often about the legacy
your continued leadership to secure this what it means.
monumental legislation. There has been more and more talk
President Roosevelt left our country Sincerely, around the country about how this
when it comes to our lands and con- THEODORE ROOSEVELT IV. isn’t just about national parks and it
servation. In fact, the genesis of the Mr. GARDNER. I know tonight we isn’t just about national forests; it is
Great American Outdoors Act comes will have continued conversations about our urban parks and urban cen-
from a meeting Senator DAINES and I about the legislation and the cost of ters. Some of our colleagues made pas-
had, along with the majority leader, the legislation. There are some who sionate, eloquent statements about the
Senator MCCONNELL, talking to the will say that this bill isn’t paid for or need for access in all of our commu-
President in the Roosevelt Room at the perhaps that the revenues aren’t ac- nities, to make sure we have more ac-
White House about these two pro- counted for properly. I would like to cess for communities across the coun-
grams, which people like MARK WAR- speak to the contrary. Again, I will be try—our urban settings, our rural set-
NER, RICHARD BURR, ANGUS KING, JOE speaking about this later this evening. tings, whether it is a ballpark or some
MANCHIN, MARTIN HEINRICH, MARIA If you look at how this bill, the Great other kind of recreation activity at a
CANTWELL, ROB PORTMAN, and LAMAR American Outdoors Act, is funded, it park.
ALEXANDER worked so diligently on. doesn’t cost the taxpayer money. It This is the opportunity for us to get
We talked about the legacy Theodore comes from offshore oil and gas rev- to work, with no cost to the taxpayer,
Roosevelt has, and now we have this enue. That is revenue generated from to do something we can all be proud of.
letter from his great-grandson securing oil and gas production on Federal land I am grateful that Mr. Roosevelt would
that legacy for this country. in fiscal year 2019, which totaled $11.6 send a letter highlighting the work
Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- billion. This is just an example of one this Congress is doing that can stand,
sent to have this letter from Theodore of the years of funding. generations later, the test of Teddy
Roosevelt IV printed in the RECORD. In 2019, the revenue generated from Roosevelt’s leadership and the oppor-
There being no objection, the mate- oil and gas was about $11.6 billion; $11.6 tunity for us to build on the leadership
rial was ordered to be printed in the billion went into the Treasury. of President Roosevelt.
RECORD, as follows: Right off the top of that, $2.4 billion I yield the floor.
JUNE 15, 2020. went to the States. We don’t change I suggest the absence of a quorum.
DEAR MAJORITY LEADER MCCONNELL, that. The $2.4 billion goes to the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
SPEAKER PELOSI, MINORITY LEADER SCHUMER, States. This bill does not change that. clerk will call the roll.
AND MINORITY LEADER MCCARTHY: From east Another $1 billion of that $11.6 billion The senior assistant legislative clerk
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
to west, America is home to incredible lands,
from back in 2019—the same formula proceeded to call the roll.
waters, and cultural treasures. Now, more
than ever, we are relying on our public lands would apply every year—another $1 bil- Mr. PORTMAN. Madam President, I
to get outdoors, to connect with the world, lion went to Tribal entities right off ask unanimous consent that the order
to support jobs, and to strength our commu- the top. for the quorum call be rescinded.
nities. In this time of uncertainty, we have So $2.4 billion went to States, and an- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
been given a once in a lifetime opportunity other $1 billion went to Tribal entities. objection, it is so ordered.
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S2966 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 15, 2020
Mr. PORTMAN. Madam President, I is about stewardship. This is about en- do and we must. Our parks are more
am here on the floor today to talk suring that we take better care of what visited than ever, and it is important
about the legislation that is before the we have. I can’t think of a more fis- that we have parks that are ready, par-
Senate, which is a great opportunity to cally conservative idea than that. I ticularly when people start to go back
help our national parks. think it is important for us to realize to the parks this summer.
The bill does a number of things that that this legislation before us is not Some of my colleagues have come to
people have heard about to help with about expanding anything; it is about the floor and said: Well, isn’t there an-
regard to our public lands, with regard taking better care of what we have. other way to do this? I mean, I wish
to fishing access, and with regard to The annual appropriations from Con- there were, but this is a pretty good
community parks. Yet one thing it gress to the parks funds the rangers, funding source.
does that is absolutely essential is it the nature programs, and the basics to For those who say it is not paid for,
included the Restore Our Parks Act. continue to operate the parks. They do well, I am telling you what the funding
That is legislation which is necessary not fund these maintenance backlog source is. Is it is the royalties that
right now to fix our national parks. problems or these big projects. We have come off of these energy projects.
I say fix our national parks—they are been ignoring them for decades, by the By the way, this is for a good con-
our treasure. When people are asked way. This is not new. It has built up servation cause and a good fiscally con-
about the national parks, they usually and is getting worse and worse as the servative cause—to get these long-term
use that word. It is a treasure. It is a costs compound. maintenance problems under control so
great asset of the United States. I Let me give an example. Cuyahoga that they don’t continue to grow and
think Ken Burns said it is ‘‘America’s Valley National Park is in Ohio. We grow and grow.
best idea.’’ He did a great documentary love Cuyahoga Valley. It is the 13th I first started on the project over 13
on the parks, by the way. most visited national park in the coun- years ago, which is why it is kind of ex-
The point is, our national parks are try. You may never have heard of it, citing for me that is finally coming, I
spectacular. They are majestic. They but if you are in the Akron-Cleveland hope, to fruition here in the Senate, at
tell the history of our country. There area, I hope you go. It is spectacular. least.
are so many good things about them. Guess what. They have a maintenance I was the OMB Director for George
The problem is that right now, our backlog of just over $50 million. Their W. Bush—the Office of Management
parks are under a huge backlog of annual budget from the Park Service is and Budget—and in our budget in 2007,
maintenance projects—$12.5 billion. $11 million. That covers everything. we put in place a centennial project for
That is way more than the parks’ budg- That operates the entire park—the 13th the parks. The Park Service celebrated
et. They just can’t get out from under most visited park in America. It is a its 100th anniversary in 2016, and build-
it. It has been happening for years and beautiful park that extends basically ing up to that, we wanted to deal with
years and years. from Cleveland to Akron. It is beau- this long-term maintenance backlog
Think about people going back to our tiful along the Cuyahoga River. It is and provide some more funding for the
parks this summer after the beautiful. It has a tourism train that parks.
coronavirus hopefully gets better and goes through it, a single-track, narrow- I worked with the Secretary of the
people are able to go to these reopened gauge train. It is just a great place. Interior at the time—this was, again,
parks. We will probably have huge at- The train tracks are falling apart. That the George W. Bush administration, a
tendance. When they get there, they is a huge expense that can’t come out Republican administration. I worked
will find out that a trail is closed be- of this annual budget because you have with Democrats here on the Hill. We
cause of erosion, or the bathroom to replace the ties and so on. worked with all the outside groups con-
doesn’t work because the bathroom has There is a bridge that I saw that is cerned about the parks and came up
deteriorated, or they can’t go to the crumbling. It is not going to be able to with a creative way to get public-pri-
visitors center because the ceiling has be used soon by bicyclists or hikers to vate partnership money in it to provide
been leaking, which caused mold on the go over the river because it is falling more funding for this long-term main-
walls, which caused the floors to buck- apart. That bridge is a capital expense. tenance problem. We were not success-
le, or the highways and bridges are It takes a lot of funding to do that and ful in getting Congress to take it up
crumbling. This is what is happening in to do it right. So the legislation before and to appropriate those funds at the
our national parks. us says: Let’s take this on. Let’s get time, but I continued working on this.
As Members of Congress, we asked started on getting this backlog behind A couple years later when I was
them to give us a full list over the last us so that we can focus on having the asked to serve on the centennial com-
few years of this because we keep hear- most majestic and the most beautiful mission on the parks—I was not in of-
ing about this, and they have. They parks in the world here that we can fice at that time. I had left politics—
have talked about $6.5 million of high- continue to be proud of. thinking forever—but now I am back
priority projects and about $6 billion of The way we do it is really inter- here in the Senate. But on the centen-
priority projects, and the list continues esting. We say, OK, we are going to nial commission, we analyzed what was
to grow. continue to have the annual appropria- going on in the parks in connection
By the way, the costs continue to tions, and we are going to properly with the centennial coming up, in 2016,
compound. In other words, they get fund the parks that way, but for these and what was the No. 1 issue? Of course
worse and worse every year. Just think backlog problems, we are going to take it was this long-term maintenance
about your own home. If you don’t fix funding from offshore and onshore oil backlog and how do you deal with it
the leaky roof I have talked about, you and gas and other energy projects that and the great frustration people felt
will have all these other problems. If are currently going directly into the because we just couldn’t get on top of
you can get to it and fix it when it hap- government, and we are going to take it. So I have been at this for some
pens, you will have much lower costs. no more than half of that funding that time.
All of us as taxpayers should want to is unobligated—in other words, not ob- Again, I see that some of my col-
fix this maintenance backlog and be ligated to any other purpose—and we leagues are saying there must be other
able to say that not only are these are going to say: Let’s use that fund- ways to fund this, and some have sug-
parks a treasure, but these parks are ing, up to a cap every year, to reduce gested, well, let’s raise some fees.
open, everything is open, and we can do about half the backlog over the next 5 Well, I am the author of the Centen-
a better job in stewardship. This legis- years. It is the priority projects I nial Act, which was passed about 3
lation does that. talked about, the $6.5 billion. years ago—on the last day, practically,
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
Not a penny of the funding, by the To me, this makes all the sense in of session in 2016. That legislation ac-
way, can go toward expansion of the the world. Again, it is going to save us tually took the senior fee, which is the
parks. I have heard that from some of money over time—assuming we want lifetime senior pass, and increased it,
my colleagues—well, you all keep put- our parks to be working, we want the actually quadrupled it, to provide more
ting money into expanding the parks. trails to be open, we want the business funding for this very purpose and other
No, that is not what this is about. This centers to be open, which of course we purposes at the parks.
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June 15, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2967
That was not without controversy. I projects are infrastructure. We talk a to foot an even higher bill by not tak-
can show you some of the letters and lot about that around here and, typi- ing care of that leaky roof that then
emails that I got and some of the cally we don’t even think about paying causes the mold on the wall that then
phone calls that we received with re- for it. We just say we are going to do causes the floor to couple.
gard to increasing the senior pass. But an infrastructure stimulus project, as We are going to get this started. Will
we did it for the right reasons—because an example, as was done back in 2008 there be need for more funding? Abso-
we thought the senior pass was a rel- and 2009. lutely. Again, some of the ideas I have
atively good deal—which it still is, by In this case, these are shovel-ready talked to my colleagues about on how
the way. It is a tremendous deal for our and vetted projects. Again, we have re- to find additional funding, I am all
seniors. But we decided we were going quired, as Congress, for the Park Serv- ears. Again, I have done it. I have
to take some heat on this in order to ice to tell us what the projects are. So raised the fees in legislation. I have
provide more revenue for the park be- I can give you a list for your State. I looked at the private sector, and we
cause we were so frustrated because we have done that with my colleagues— brought in over $150 million of private
couldn’t find other sources. given them the list of what the top pri- sector money. But this $6.5 billion,
I am also the author of the Centen- orities are for their States, how much which is the amount in this legislation,
nial Challenge as part of that legisla- money it is, what the project is, how to deal with the highest priority infra-
tion, which allows for the private sec- you do it. You don’t have to go and get structure projects and problems at our
tor to provide funding to our parks. the permits that you might have to get parks is absolutely essential.
Again, we did this because we were on non-Federal land because these are Let’s not wait any longer. Let’s get
very interested in finding more fund- on national park property, and they this done now and ensure we can con-
ing. The Centennial Challenge Fund is just keep building up, higher and high- tinue to enjoy not just the beauty and
a public-private partnership. It re- er, but they are ready. They are ready the history of our national parks but
quires that every Federal dollar that to go. They are also vetted. They also also those economic benefits I talked
goes into the parks be matched at least don’t have to go through the same about and do so for generations to
one-to-one with a private sector dollar. process that some would if they were come.
And I have been involved with that. I on non-private land. I yield the floor.
have been involved in selling that pro- They create a lot of jobs. We just had The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
gram and encouraging the private sec- a report that has been approved by the ator from Louisiana.
tor to do more. Office of Management and Budget that Mr. CASSIDY. Madam President, it
Since we passed that in 2008—fiscal came out of the Park Service showing seems clear this body is prepared to
year 2008—Congress has provided $129 that the number of jobs that are direct pass the Great American Outdoors Act.
million in appropriations, which has jobs related to this national park res- It will be doing so without the bipar-
been leveraged by an additional $167 toration act we are voting on today is tisan language to strengthen coastal
million in non-Federal funding. In over 40,000 jobs when you do direct and resiliency around the country, sending
other words, it has been more than indirect, including suppliers to these a final message to the American people
one-to-one. There has been more than 1 projects. that the Senate cares more about
dollar of private sector funding that So you have the person who is fixing parks than it does about people.
has matched the 1 dollar of Federal the bridge I talked about or the rail- Let me just say a couple things first.
funding, so that has worked. But, folks, road tracks, but who provides the ma- My colleague has just said that this is
it has its limits. We are talking about terial to put in the new railroad ties? paid for. I almost burst out laughing. It
$12.5 billion in the backlog, and the It is over 100,000 jobs. So over 100,000 is paid for by taking dollars currently
numbers I just gave you—we were able jobs are created just from this legisla- obligated to go to the U.S. Treasury
to raise $167 million in non-Federal tion. and shuffling them over. That is paid
funding. So it is the right thing to do no mat- for like I am going to take money that
So I would just say to my colleagues ter what, but it also happens to be a is going for groceries and instead I am
who say ‘‘Gosh, why can’t you raise really opportune time for us to put in going to pay for the movie theater. We
fees and so on?’’—that has been done. place some funding that goes directly are going to take money that is spent
I will say also with regard to fees into good-paying, high-quality jobs— on essentials and spend it on some-
into some of our parks, it is not very average pay, $65,000 to $70,000 a year— thing that is wonderful, but no one
practical. At the Cuyahoga Valley Na- to be able to help with regard to the would say it is essential.
tional Park, as an example, there are post-coronavirus economic downturn And I say that one only needs to fol-
literally dozens of entrances to the we have seen and will see for some low the money—to follow the money—
park. I mean, the park is in a suburban time. to see that the Senate cares more
area through Akron and Cleveland, So this is good legislation for all about parks than it does about people.
that area, and you can get to the park these reasons. The Great American Outdoors Act
through all sorts of different roads and There has also been an analysis done will spend billions on deferred mainte-
avenues, and there is no grand en- recently about what happens if you nance—broken toilets, leaky roofs, et
trance to the park. There is a great don’t fix these parks and the parks cetera—in national parks, but, in fact,
visitors center, which people are en- aren’t able to open. 60 percent of this money is going to
couraged to go to as they enter the There is a $41 billion economic ben- seven States.
park, but there are bike trails through efit for communities around the parks. The Land and Water Conservation
it, and there is a railroad through it, as That is $41 billion a year. Think about Fund spending shows the disparity
I talked about, and there are lots of that. It supports more than 340,000 jobs. clearly, spending $17.66 per capita on
roads that come into it. So it is not These are not jobs in the parks them- inland States, while just $7.53 on coast-
like you are driving into Yellowstone selves but surrounding. So these are al States, and is spoken of as an eco-
Park and you have to go through a des- the restaurants and the hotels and the nomic development tool, raising $40-
ignated entrance. outfitters and so on. something billion for the communities
So is there more we can do in some of Our national parks are not only a in which the investment is made,
these areas to provide additional pay- great way for us to help create more which tells you why the Senators from
fors to the parks? I am sure there are, jobs with regard to the infrastructure these seven States are the cosponsors
and I will continue to work on that, needs that are overwhelming, with of the bill. Who wouldn’t want $40 bil-
and I will continue to look at ways to good stewardship—not expanding one lion in economic activity at the ex-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
do it. But $12.5 billion? It is not going acre but just taking better care of pense of everybody else?
to happen without a lot of controversy. what we have—but it is also an oppor- But who is it at the expense of?
So this is about being sure we are tunity for us to help our economy, to Forty-two percent of Americans live in
doing what is right for our parks. help ensure that we are putting people parishes or counties in coastal United
It is also, though, helpful in terms of back to work in good-paying jobs, and States; 85 percent of Americans live in
jobs, as you can imagine, because these help ensure that taxpayers aren’t going those coastal States; and zero percent
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S2968 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 15, 2020
of this money is going to address coast- where people live. This is the one true collapsed, we had flooding in New Orle-
al resiliency—areas increasingly thing: Folks are afraid that if the ans.
threatened by rising sea levels and coastal resiliency legislation is in- There you see a truck almost com-
flooding, lives being lost, communities cluded, the bill would not pass. For pletely submerged.
being upended by catastrophic flood some, it would be perceived as encour- There you see somebody who broke
events such as hurricanes can cause. I aging offshore drilling, that it would through their roof so that they could
have seen it in my State of Louisiana. raise issues of climate change, and, get on top of their roof so they could be
We have seen it on the news. We should again, that it would not pass. rescued. They are being pulled up be-
be painfully aware at this point of the Well, there are several responses. cause the people who wrote this bill
devastation hurricanes and other flood- First, if you don’t try, you fail. Henry said, No, if we include the coastal resil-
ing disasters can cause in our society. Ford said: Whether you say that you iency, our bill will not pass; therefore,
So the Great American Outdoors Act can or you say you cannot, you are cor- we aren’t going to try. Because they
spends billions on where people vaca- rect. Such is the case with this bill. said, By golly, we are in the life raft
tion but absolutely nothing on where If people say that we cannot include and being pulled up a ladder, there will
people live. legislation for coastal resiliency to be many more Americans who will be
I have been vocal in my opposition to protect parishes and counties where 42 pulled up a ladder, but they will be
the bill in its current form, and the percent of Americans live, we can’t do pulled up a ladder by the Coast Guard,
reasons for that opposition have been so because it would not be included in which will rescue them from a rooftop
misconstrued, so let me please now the first place. because of rising sea levels—and, there-
clarify. Secondly, it was said that the Great fore, flooding and hurricanes—in their
I heard one Senator say that I only American Outdoors Act is based on rev- hometowns. I would like to say that
wanted money for Gulf States. Yes, I enue from offshore drilling, and there- this would be a rare event. We have
do want money for Gulf States. Lou- fore folks would not vote for it—again, seen it increasingly, though. Again,
isiana has been the hardest hit by one of those things you have to almost since more and more Americans live in
coastal erosion. laugh at because if people really think coastal parishes and counties, this will
By the way, 90 percent of the funding that, it is either the epitome of hypoc- become a bigger and bigger issue. So
for the Great American Outdoors Act risy, or it just shows gross ignorance. this photo seems appropriate.
comes from energy production off the The Great American Outdoors Act is Folks didn’t want to try. They feared
gulf coast. But I want funding for all funded with revenue from offshore oil that caring for Americans and helping
coastal States. and gas production. So for someone to to prevent an incident such as this
Louisiana’s wetlands are eroding into say that, no, folks won’t vote for a would imperil the fixing of potholes in
the gulf at the rate of one football field coastal resiliency bill because it relies national parks located disproportion-
per hour, but we are not alone. Go to upon offshore oil and gas revenue, but ately in seven States. Again, because of
barrier islands on the eastern coast. Go they are to support the Great Amer- that, we will have more scenes like
to Alaska and see the communities ican Outdoors Act, which relies on off- this—more deaths, more devastation,
that are dissolving into the ocean. shore oil and gas revenue to pay for more lives in turmoil, and billions
Miami property values are falling as it—again, you just have to laugh. It is upon billions that will be spent on dis-
the Atlantic Ocean rises, threatening either hypocrisy, or it is gross igno- aster relief because this body will have
with greater flooding, causing rising rance. I actually think it is just not refused to have invested in coastal re-
insurance rates, and causing lower true; that the real reason the coastal siliency. If there were ever a case of a
property values. That is Miami Beach. resiliency bill is not included is that stitch in time could save nine, it would
Sea Island, GA; Cape Fear, NC; Rhode folks are afraid that if it is included, it be this.
Island; Maine; you name it—each has would not pass. Again, folks, ask: Well, what could
water coming higher than it ever has. One of my colleagues who agrees you do with coastal resiliency?
Wouldn’t it have been great if, as with me on this issue said that it is I will just speak of Terrebonne Par-
these bills passed out of the committee kind of like being in a lifeboat and you ish in South Louisiana, which borders
together, a coastal resiliency piece of say: We are in; pull up the ladder. Once the Gulf of Mexico. They recently put
legislation had been added to the Great we got this legislation in a form that in a flood wall. There was a high water
American Outdoors Act? But now the would pass, the folks who wanted it to event, and of the 10,000 homes that
42 percent of Americans who live on pass, whose States disproportionately would have been flooded—maybe with
the beach, live in a coastal parish or benefit from this, that they will recog- $1 billion or $2 billion in disaster re-
county, and the 85 percent who live in nize and realize the economic develop- lief—no flooding occurred because of an
a coastal State are waiting for some ment, they said: Let’s pull up the lad- investment in coastal resiliency.
help to come later. der. We don’t care about coastal resil- Now, we can do it if we try, but if we
Now, that said, some have said I am iency enough that we are going to ac- say we are not going to, then we are in
against giving any money to the na- tually include legislation that would the life raft that is being pulled up the
tional parks. Nothing could be further support it financially. So they had ladder, and we have our money, and
from the truth. I have stated before their money. They achieved their ob- potholes will be fixed in our home
from this very desk in speeches on this jective. The heck with those at risk States. In the meantime, if you are in
issue that I believe that national parks from rising sea levels. The heck with a parish or a State or a county, we will
are a vital part of the American experi- those 85 percent of people who live in be there afterward to give you money
ence. Just as one of my colleagues said, coastal States, the 42 percent who live through FEMA, but we will not be
they provide opportunities for Ameri- in a coastal parish or county. We will there beforehand to keep you from
cans to experience a natural environ- get our bathrooms fixed, the potholes flooding in the first place. This is what
ment and learn about our Nation’s his- done. Come visit us. You will abso- happens when you put parks over peo-
tory. lutely need to because, in the mean- ple. Perhaps this Senate should reverse
I would vote happily for the Great time, you will be flooding. this and put people over parks.
American Outdoors Act, giving it bil- So the idea of getting your funding At the outset, I said that the Great
lions, if only we would spend at least a and your bill in place—you are on the American Outdoors Act is going to
little bit—maybe a dime—on coastal life raft, and then pulling up the ladder pass. I see it. They have done their
resiliency for where people live. I am brought to mind this image. work, and it is going to pass. I will just
not against parks; I am just against Here you see folks being pulled up a go home tonight, frustrated, thinking
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
parks over people. ladder. Hurricane Katrina. The wet- of this picture and how many more we
As people misstated my opposition, lands south of New Orleans had eroded have. Yet, if the sponsors of this bill
they correctly stated the reason they into the ocean. When Katrina hit, it who have been all about ‘‘we will be
do not wish to include my language to was almost a straight shot to those with you next time’’ are truly, truly
provide protection—coastal resil- levees, and such a straight shot, even- wanting to prevent another incident
iency—for the parishes and counties tually they collapsed. Because they like this, then maybe they will join my
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June 15, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2969
bipartisan coalition that advocates for culated that the outdoor recreation lion toward deferred maintenance
either a coastal amendment or some economy generates almost $890 million projects on Federal lands, with 70 per-
legislation in the future. They will in annual consumer spending and sup- cent of that amount dedicated for our
show that they are as willing to fight ports over 7.6 million jobs. national parks. This legislation will be
as hard to save the lives of those who The Land and Water Conservation the most significant reduction ever in
live on our coastline as they are to se- Fund has been able to do wonderful eliminating a major portion of deferred
cure the funding to fix broken toilets things with the funds that have been maintenance backlog on our national
and potholes and leaky roofs. appropriated to date even though those parks and public lands.
I yield the floor. appropriations, in recent years, have The impact of failing to fund mainte-
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. averaged only about half of the author- nance for so long is clear to see for the
BOOZMAN). The Senator from West Vir- ized funding level. In previous years, hundreds of millions of visitors to our
ginia. they were even less than that. Just public lands each year. This includes
Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, we imagine what we can achieve for our the deterioration of historic buildings
have a series of votes today on the country with the full LWCF funding of at Independence Hall; the failing water
Great American Outdoors Act, includ- $900 million per year as the Great treatment facilities at Yosemite and
ing one to adopt the substitute amend- American Outdoors Act would provide. the Grand Canyon; the public access
ment. There are 60 of my Senate col- We need to secure this funding be- roads at our national parks and our
leagues who cosponsored this bill, and cause, since the Land and Water Con- forests that are in disrepair; and out-
20 more joined us last week, resulting servation Fund was established 55 dated and unsafe employee housing. We
in strong, bipartisan votes to begin years ago and despite the fact that need to do better in taking care of
consideration of the bill. These votes every State, every territory, and al- these very, very special places.
today will put us within 1 vote of pass- most every county in this country has The infrastructure projects that will
ing this important bipartisan legisla- benefited from the LWCF, it has only be funded through this bill are critical
tion. been fully funded twice. I say it has to protecting many of our national
Over the last week, many of my col- only been fully funded twice in 55 treasures, and like the LWCF funding,
leagues on both sides of the aisle have years. The passing of the permanent it will provide a significant benefit to
taken to the floor to talk about how LWCF authorization last year was an the outdoor recreation economy. The
the Great American Outdoors Act will important step, but securing a perma- Great American Outdoors Act will help
benefit the entire country, and they nent, dedicated funding source for the us to be good stewards of our public
have shared examples of how their multiple conservation programs funded lands while, at the same time, it will
home States have been positively im- by the LWCF is the ultimate goal. create thousands of new jobs. It is a bi-
pacted already by the Land and Water I would be remiss not to acknowledge partisan win-win.
Conservation Fund. It is a testament the many Democratic Senators and At the end of the day, this is an op-
to the importance of this historic con- Members of the House, both retired and portunity for us to pass down a legacy
servation legislation that has brought here today, who have been champions to our kids, to our grandkids, and to
so many of us together during such a for LWCF. They have helped to pave generations to come. I believe this will
toxic atmosphere. Yet that is the beau- the way of where we are today—within be the most impactful nationwide con-
ty of our Nation’s great outdoors. It striking distance of realizing the goal servation legislation since the Land
brings us all together—all walks and of permanent, mandatory funding. and Water Conservation Fund was first
shapes and political preferences. It I am incredibly proud, as ranking created over 50 years ago, and 50 years
makes no difference. We all love the member of the Senate Committee on from now, I know that this body will be
outdoors, and it is available for every- Energy and Natural Resources, as the remembered for getting this bill across
one to enjoy in any number of ways, sponsor of the LWCF Permanent Fund- the finish line. We have broad, bipar-
whether that be through hunting, hik- ing Act, and as the lead Democrat on tisan support with 60 Senators signing
ing, fishing, biking, or just simply by this bill, to be in good company of 43 of on, which is representative of how im-
soaking in nature. my Democratic colleagues who have portant these bills are to every State.
The Land and Water Conservation signed onto this legislation. We have support from the administra-
Fund has been responsible for helping As a member of the Committee on tion and unwavering support from over
to acquire many of our Nation’s most Appropriations as well, I have heard 900 conservation and sportsmen’s
iconic and scenic lands and to provide the concerns that this bill sidesteps the groups throughout the Nation.
wonderful outdoor recreational oppor- ability of the committee to oversee I know that not all of my colleagues
tunities, but it is important to remem- LWCF expenditures, so I want to take can support this bill and that others
ber that it is also used in many ways a moment to clarify that this isn’t the would have liked to have seen their pri-
that provide an economic boost to our case. The Great American Outdoors orities added. I also want to mention
States and counties, whether that be Act retains congressional oversight that I know it has been portrayed by
through an LWCF grant that allows and involvement in determining how some that we are doing one instead of
community spaces to be built, like the the mandatory funding is allocated. the other. We are taking care of recre-
47 community pools the LWCF sup- To quote from the bill: ‘‘Appropria- ation and outdoors. There might be
ported across my beautiful State of tions Acts may provide for alternate coastal deterioration, and we are very
West Virginia, or a baseball field in allocation of amounts made available, concerned about that. Yet I want you
Colorado. including allocations by account, pro- to know that, since there has been off-
It is also a job creator. A recent anal- gram, and project.’’ There is similar shore drilling, a tremendous amount of
ysis from Boston University shows language for deferred maintenance those resources have gone to the four
that, at the full funding of $900 million spending. coastal States of Mississippi, Alabama,
annually, the LWCF could support ap- The Great American Outdoors Act is Louisiana, and Texas. Louisiana is the
proximately 15,000 to 28,000 jobs at a necessary, however, to ensure that the only State that has used all of its funds
time when our country needs them full $900 million each year that is au- for coastal restoration, and I applaud it
most. thorized for the Land and Water Con- for that. I know how costly that has
The Land and Water Conservation servation Fund is spent so that we been and how costly it will be, and we
Fund is a major contributor to the rap- don’t end up with what has happened will help in any way we possibly can.
idly growing outdoor recreation econ- over the past 50 years, wherein over $21 It is not an either-or. It is not that
omy. According to the most recent in- billion has been deposited into the we are getting this and that they are
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
formation provided by the Bureau of Land and Water Conservation Fund but being punished for something else.
Economic Analysis, the U.S. outdoor has not been used for LWCF purposes. That is not the case whatsoever. We
recreation economy accounts for 2.2 It never will be. We will never see that. are finally getting the funds that were
percent, or $427 billion, of our Nation’s It is in the Treasury. Similarly, the basically dedicated 55 years ago that
gross domestic product. Likewise, the Great American Outdoors Act takes never did go to the LWCF, the Land
Outdoor Industry Association has cal- the necessary step of putting $9.5 bil- Water and Conservation Fund. We have
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S2970 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 15, 2020
over $9 billion in our park system that While my amendment did not address sections of that Act and applicable
needs to be for repairs, and we are it, I would also mention that many of budget resolutions for purposes of
using these funds in the most pru- my colleagues regularly express con- amendment No. 1617, and I ask for the
dently possible way we can. We would cern about how we increasingly have yeas and nays.
hope that everyone would look at it in moved discretionary spending to man- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a
the most positive way and pass some- datory spending. This bill does just sufficient second?
thing that we could all look back on that with the Land and Water Con- There appears to be a sufficient sec-
and be very, very proud of. servation provisions. ond.
I know that my commitment, as the Mandatory spending is always re- The yeas and nays are ordered.
ranking member of the Senate Com- newed and never voted on or evaluated The Senator from Colorado.
mittee on Energy and Natural Re- again. When the Land and Water Con- Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, just
sources, is to work with Senators on servation Fund was permanently au- to talk a little about bit how this bill
their priorities. It always has been, and thorized at the start of this Congress, is funded, again, the legislation relies
it always will be no matter what one’s we were told that its spending would on the use of the oil and gas revenues
party affiliation—Democrat or Repub- remain subject to appropriations and from both onshore for part of the bill
lican. When you are in a position of the oversight that goes with that. In- and offshore for other parts of the bill,
being a ranking member or of being stead, we are taking away that protec- and that has been the tradition of the
chairman of that committee, you work tion and increasing mandatory spend- legislation since its passage in 1965
with all of the committee members, ing even more without increasing rev- until 5 years ago, since we have had the
which helps to ensure the consider- enue. That means more additional na- Land and Water Conservation Fund. Of
ation of those committee bills on the tional debt each year without a single course, the new Historic Preservation
Senate floor. vote. Act provisions rely on these revenues
What we saw last week and that I an- So here we are today, asking future as well.
ticipate we will see again today is a generations to pay for what we are not To give you kind of a run-through or
shining example of Democrats and Re- even willing to consider paying for an example of how this would have pro-
publicans coming together to put poli- when we could have responsibly funded ceeded in 2019—and thanks to my col-
tics aside to do what is best for con- the maintenance provisions. We won’t league Senator ALEXANDER for really
serving the natural resources of this even consider my amendment that pointing this out and highlighting how
great Nation. So I urge all of my col- would have a modest charge to foreign this funding works—it would have been
leagues to join me in voting yes on visitors as part of their visa fees to the total revenues generated from off-
each of the three votes tonight. They help to address this issue, and that is shore production and the revenues that
are all very, very important. They will revenue that will be lost forever from the Federal Government would have re-
get us closer to the final passage of the the tourists because we can only col- ceived from that. This gives us, I
Great American Outdoors Act. lect the fees when they buy visas. The think, a good example of how this
I yield the floor. revenues cannot be collected retro- works.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- actively. If we won’t pay for even a The revenue generated from oil and
ator from Wyoming. part of the bill, what will we pay for? gas production on Federal land in fiscal
Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise to Congress must stop with gimmick year 2019 totaled about $11.6 billion. Of
speak on the Great American Outdoors spending, wherein we attempt to spend that $11.6 billion, $2.4 billion went to
Act and on the fact that this legisla- the same money twice. That is what the States. First out of the gate was
tion will add over $17 billion to our def- this bill does. If we keep adding new the $2.4 billion. Now, this may change
icit over the next 10 years. mandatory spending without adding from year to year, but the formula dis-
When I first rose to speak on this bill new revenue, Congress will be forced at tribution is the same. So $2.4 billion of
and on my amendment to it, I closed some point to eliminate mandatory that went to the States. Another $1 bil-
by saying that if we could not pay for spending or to get new funding streams lion went to Tribal entities. Then an-
even a portion of this bill, then we that survive well into the future. Man- other $1.7 billion went to the reclama-
were in worse trouble than I had datory spending is the portion of our tion funds.
thought. Sadly, I rise today, knowing bill that will be covered by this that we First, the money comes into the
that we, apparently, want such trouble. will not vote on. We will not take a Treasury. It goes out to the States.
During this fiscal year, we have al- look at it again. They say, yes, there Then it goes out to the Tribal entities.
ready run up a deficit of $1.9 trillion— will be oversight—not on whether we Then it goes out to the reclamation
more than twice the size of the deficit spend it, not on where the money fund. Then $1 billion goes to the Land
we ran at the same time last year. We comes from. There will not be another and Water Conservation Fund. In this
also just added $2.4 trillion to our debt opportunity on that. Therefore, I op- last year, Congress appropriated,
as the Nation necessarily responded to pose this legislation and oppose adding though, to the Land and Water Con-
the coronavirus pandemic. to the already massive debt burden servation Fund $495 million, and the
For the past 2 years, I have been being placed on future generations and rest of the money got siphoned off and
working on and consistently sug- the increase in mandatory spending went somewhere else. Then $150 million
gesting a way to responsibly pay for when the solution to charge foreigners went to the Historic Preservation
deferred maintenance at our national is available. Fund, which was a total of $5.25 billion
parks. I love our national parks and POINT OF ORDER in 2019 for this distribution. That left
have fond memories of visiting our Mr. President, the pending amend- about $5.35 billion to go directly to the
first national park, Yellowstone, and ment, No. 1617, would violate the Sen- Treasury.
many other parks when I was younger ate pay-go rule by increasing the on- These dollars that we are using help
and still today. That is why I offered budget deficit. Therefore, I raise a to fund the Restore Our Parks Act to
my amendment that would have cre- point of order against this measure catch up with deferred maintenance. I
ated a paid-for legacy restoration fund pursuant to section 4106(a) of H. Con. think our colleague Senator PORTMAN
that would have ensured permanently Res. 71, the Concurrent Resolution on has done an outstanding job of explain-
dedicated revenue for our parks and the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018. ing that this deferred maintenance is
their maintenance needs. I yield the floor. also considered debt. So we are actu-
For the longest time, I was told that The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ally using these dollars that have been
my spending concerns would be ad- ator from Colorado. collected from oil and gas revenues
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
dressed when the bill moved out of MOTION TO WAIVE A POINT OF ORDER that have gone to the Treasury and
committee. When the bill moved to the Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, pursu- have been distributed out to go to the
floor, I asked that my amendment be ant to section 904 of the Congressional debt and the deferred maintenance
included in the substitute or that it re- Budget Act of 1974 and the waiver pro- projects at national parks across the
ceive a vote. It was not included, and visions of applicable budget resolu- country: Colorado National; $85 million
we did not receive a vote. tions, I move to waive all applicable for Rocky Mountain National Park, $75
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June 15, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2971
million for Mesa Verde; $8 million for There are no mountains around us. of the reasons why this legislation is so
the Great Sand Dunes; $7 million for There are no ski areas around us. Yet important too. It is not just about the
Black Canyon National Park; and the this has helped us too. It helps all resources. It is not just about pro-
list goes on and on. That is not even in- Americans. It helps corner to corner tecting the public lands. It is about the
cluding the Forest Service, the BLM across this great Nation. jobs that can be created in these public
lands, and other efforts by the Bureau Tonight, we are going to be given a land communities that were hit hard-
of Indian Education. That is how this choice and a chance to vote on three est and first by that initial wave of
revenue would work. different efforts. I hope my colleagues coronavirus.
I also wanted to point this out again will join me in waiving the budget That is all the more reason I hope my
to my colleagues, some of whom may point of order, as I have laid out in my colleagues will join me in voting to
have heard this before and some may objection and in my request for a waiv- waive the budget point of order, as well
not have. Today, June 15, 2020, we re- er. I hope my colleagues will join me in as the procedural votes that we will
ceived a letter that was written to Sen- the next votes following that—one of have this evening and the eventual pas-
ator MCCONNELL, Senator SCHUMER, which will require a simple majority sage of the legislation itself, the Great
Speaker PELOSI, and Leader MCCARTHY and one of which will require, yet American Outdoors Act, which most
from Teddy Roosevelt IV. This is the again, a 60-vote threshold. likely will occur sometime Wednesday
great-grandson of President Teddy This is an opportunity for us to work morning, maybe around noon or so.
Roosevelt. I will read it here: together on a bipartisan basis—the I am grateful for the support of peo-
From east to west, America is home to in- House and the Senate, Republicans and ple like Teddy Roosevelt, great-grand-
credible lands, waters, and cultural treas- Democrats coming together, and with son of President Roosevelt. I am grate-
ures. Now, more than ever, we are relying on the White House. They have announced ful for the support of my colleagues
our public lands to get outdoors, to connect their support. The President an- and the work of Senators HEINRICH,
with the world, to support jobs, and nounced his support for this legislation
strengthen our communities. In this time of MANCHIN, CANTWELL, KING, and WAR-
several months ago. We come together NER, who have been so diligent across
uncertainty, we have been given a once in a
lifetime opportunity to protect our public to do something that we can build upon the past several months as this legisla-
lands and waters for all generations to come. for this country—the greatest ideas tion moves its way to passage, and of
I write to you today to urge swift passage this country has ever put forward—our RICHARD BURR, who has been an incred-
and enactment of the Great American Out- public lands, our public places, and ible stalwart champion of the Land and
doors Act (GAOA)—legislation that will pro- most special spaces in America. Water Conservation Fund. I thank Sen-
vide much needed support to the outdoor In Colorado, Wyoming, Louisiana,
places we all depend on. This bill will fully
ator ALEXANDER for his work.
California, New Mexico, and in every It goes to show you this didn’t hap-
and permanently help fund the Land and State, we see dollars coming in and
Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), our na- pen alone. It didn’t happen in a vacu-
tion’s most important conservation program,
jobs being created because of this legis- um. It didn’t happen because one per-
to ensure protection and increased access to lation—the land that this legislation son or one party decided to get behind
public lands in every state and county in represents and the policies that this it. It happened because of a group ef-
America. Additionally, GAOA will fund pri- legislation will cover. fort of people in both Chambers and at
ority repairs in our National Parks and on It is estimated that this legislation the White House to support it.
other public lands to address an ever-grow- will create 100,000 jobs—over 100,000
ing backlog of maintenance needs. Today, the U.S. Chamber of Com-
jobs, quite frankly—just in the na-
merce reiterated their support of this
The letter goes on and talks about tional parks section alone. And the
legislation. The American Petroleum
the principles of President Roosevelt way the economy is right now, every
Institute supports this legislation.
and the public lands protections that one of those jobs matters. For every $1
Countless environmental and conserva-
this Congress continues to build upon, million that is spent in the Land and
tion organizations support this legisla-
standing on the shoulders of those gen- Water Conservation Fund, it supports
tion. Some 850-plus groups support this
erations past so that we can preserve nearly 16 to 30 jobs. For every $1 mil-
legislation.
and protect our generations to come. lion, it supports another 16 to 30 jobs.
I know it has been said by some of We have an opportunity to do some-
I think one of the most important
the opposition to the legislation that thing good for our country, to do some-
factors in the jobs analysis is where we
there are no people who live in the thing good for future generations.
are at in the country with the eco-
areas where the Land and Water Con- nomic crisis we face. When the With that, I yield the floor.
servation Fund and Restore Our Parks coronavirus came into Colorado—that The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
Act helps, that this goes to protect first wave, the initial step—it hit our the previous order, all postcloture time
States that apparently don’t have Western Slope communities the hard- has expired.
enough people to merit it. est. You had a lot of international visi- The question is on agreeing to the
Look, every State in the Union has tors coming to ski the best skiing motion to waive the budget act.
benefited from legislation covered by areas in the country. You had a lot of The yeas and nays were previously
the Great American Outdoors Act. travelers from the Front Range coming ordered.
Every county—nearly every county— up to enjoy the weekend, and it created The clerk will call the roll.
across the country has benefitted from some big challenges from COVID–19 in The legislative clerk called the roll.
programs within the Great American those communities as a result. Some of Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is
Outdoors Act. It is not just national those towns have 20 percent, 22 per- necessarily absent: the Senator from
parks. My town in Colorado, in the cent, 23 percent unemployment in the Texas (Mr. CRUZ).
Eastern Plains, is 40 miles away from immediate aftermath of the pandemic Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the
the Kansas-Nebraska border. We don’t and the shutdowns of restaurants and Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. MAR-
have a national park in our county. It hotels, and the ski areas shut down a KEY) is necessarily absent.
is several hours to get to Rocky Moun- couple of months earlier than they nor- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there
tain National Park. But even that lit- mally would have. any other Senators in the Chamber de-
tle town that I live in, in that little Of course, it didn’t just impact the siring to vote?
tiny county in the Eastern Plains of winter ski season and the winter recre- The result was announced—yeas 68,
Colorado, has benefited from the Land ation season. It impacted the summer nays 30, as follows:
and Water Conservation Fund—wheth- recreation season. Outfitters who had [Rollcall Vote No. 118 Leg.]
er it was decades ago, the purchase of their trips canceled, who had their res- YEAS—68
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water rights that went along with the ervations yanked because you couldn’t Alexander Brown Collins
reservoir, called Bonny Reservoir in travel or you couldn’t go out, decided Baldwin Burr Coons
the Eastern Plains, to help protect it wouldn’t be right to stay at a hotel Bennet Cantwell Cornyn
those water rights or recreation oppor- or maybe the hotel was closed. If you Blumenthal Capito Cortez Masto
Blunt Cardin Cotton
tunity for youth. This is a farming were out camping, the parks were Booker Carper Cramer
community. We live in the High Plains. closed as well. I think that became one Boozman Casey Daines
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S2972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 15, 2020
Duckworth Leahy Schumer Loeffler Reed Tester Heinrich Murkowski Shaheen
Durbin Manchin Shaheen Manchin Roberts Thune Hirono Murphy Sinema
Feinstein McConnell Sinema McConnell Rosen Tillis Hoeven Murray Smith
Gardner McSally Smith McSally Rubio Udall Jones Perdue Stabenow
Gillibrand Menendez Stabenow Menendez Sanders Van Hollen Kaine Peters Tester
Graham Merkley Tester Merkley Schatz Warner King Portman Thune
Harris Murphy Tillis Murkowski Schumer Whitehouse Klobuchar Reed Tillis
Hassan Murray Udall Murphy Scott (SC) Wicker Leahy Roberts Udall
Heinrich Peters Murray Shaheen Loeffler Rosen Van Hollen
Van Hollen Wyden
Hirono Portman Perdue Sinema Manchin Rubio Warner
Warner Young
Hoeven Reed Peters Smith McConnell Sanders Whitehouse
Hyde-Smith Warren
Roberts Portman Stabenow McSally Schatz Wicker
Jones Rosen Whitehouse Menendez Schumer Wyden
Kaine Rubio Wicker NAYS—24 Merkley Scott (SC) Young
King Sanders Wyden Barrasso Hawley Paul
Klobuchar Schatz Young Blackburn Hyde-Smith Risch
NAYS—23
Braun Inhofe Romney Barrasso Inhofe Romney
NAYS—30 Cassidy Johnson Rounds Cassidy Johnson Rounds
Barrasso Inhofe Risch Crapo Kennedy Sasse Crapo Kennedy Sasse
Blackburn Johnson Romney Cruz Lankford Scott (FL) Cruz Lankford Scott (FL)
Braun Kennedy Rounds Enzi Lee Sullivan Enzi Lee Shelby
Cassidy Lankford Sasse Fischer Moran Toomey Fischer Moran Sullivan
Crapo Lee Scott (FL) Hawley Paul Toomey
Enzi Loeffler Scott (SC) NOT VOTING—3 Hyde-Smith Risch
Ernst Moran Shelby Markey Shelby Warren
Fischer Murkowski Sullivan NOT VOTING—2
Grassley Paul Thune The amendment (No. 1617) in the na- Markey Warren
Hawley Perdue Toomey ture of a substitute was agreed to.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Three-
NOT VOTING—2 CLOTURE MOTION
fifths of the Senators duly chosen and
Cruz Markey The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant sworn having voted in the affirmative,
The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the the motion is agreed to.
vote, the yeas are 68, the nays are 30. Senate the pending cloture motion, The Senator from Colorado.
which the clerk will state.
Three-fifths of the Senators duly cho- f
sen and sworn having voted in the af- The senior assistant legislative clerk
read as follows: MORNING BUSINESS
firmative, the motion is agreed to, and
the point of order falls. CLOTURE MOTION Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, I ask
The majority leader is recognized. We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- unanimous consent that the Senate be
ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the in a period of morning business, with
MOTION TO TABLE AMENDMENT NO. 1628
Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby Senators permitted to speak therein
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I move to bring to a close debate on Calendar
move to table amendment No. 1628. for up to 10 minutes each.
No. 75, H.R. 1957, a bill to amend the Internal
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Revenue Code of 1986 to modernize and im-
prove the Internal Revenue Service, and for objection, it is so ordered.
question is on agreeing to the motion.
The motion was agreed to. other purposes. f
Mitch McConnell, John Hoeven, John
MOTION TO TABLE AMENDMENT NO. 1626 ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Thune, Cory Gardner, Pat Roberts,
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Lindsey Graham, Susan M. Collins,
move to table amendment No. 1626. John Boozman, Kevin Cramer, Thom
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Tillis, Rob Portman, Roy Blunt, Lamar TRIBUTE TO DR. JIM ROLLINS
question is on agreeing to the motion. Alexander, Todd Young, Steve Daines, ∑ Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise
The motion was agreed to. Shelley Moore Capito, David Perdue
today to honor Springdale Public
VOTE ON AMENDMENT NO. 1617 The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- School District superintendent Dr. Jim
The question occurs on agreeing to imous consent, the mandatory quorum Rollins who will step down from his po-
the substitute amendment No. 1617. call has been waived. sition at the end of June after decades
The yeas and nays were previously The question is, Is it the sense of the of dedication to students, staff, and the
ordered. Senate that debate on H.R. 1957, a bill community.
The clerk will call the roll. to amend the Internal Revenue Code of He has spent his career improving
The bill clerk called the roll. 1986 to modernize and improve the In- education and scholastic opportunities
ternal Revenue Service, and for other for students for more than 39 years as
Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is
purposes, shall be brought to a close? superintendent. His dedication and pas-
necessarily absent: the Senator from
Alabama (Mr. SHELBY). The yeas and nays are mandatory sion for education grew in his years as
under the rule. a science teacher in North Little Rock.
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the
Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. MAR- The clerk will call the roll. At the same time, he continued to pur-
KEY) and the Senator from Massachu-
The senior assistant legislative clerk sue advanced degrees in education at
setts (Ms. WARREN) are necessarily ab- called the roll. the University of Arkansas. He knew
sent. Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the he wanted to help better the lives of
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. SUL- Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. MAR- students.
KEY) and the Senator from Massachu- During his tenure as superintendent
LIVAN). Are there any other Senators in
the Chamber desiring to vote? setts (Ms. WARREN), are necessarily ab- in Springdale, he oversaw tremendous
The result was announced—yeas 73, sent. growth in the district. Enrollment has
nays 24, as follows: The PRESIDING OFFICER. The yeas increased from 5,000 students in 1980 to
and nays resulted—yeas 75, nays 23, as more than 23,000 students today. He
[Rollcall Vote No. 119 Leg.]
follows: rose to meet the challenges of the
YEAS—73
[Rollcall Vote No. 120 Leg.] flourishing student population by sup-
Alexander Casey Gillibrand
YEAS—75 porting the construction of 22 schools
Baldwin Collins Graham
Bennet Coons Grassley Alexander Cantwell Daines and implementing innovative measures
Blumenthal Cornyn Harris Baldwin Capito Duckworth to provide the diverse student popu-
Blunt Cortez Masto Hassan Bennet Cardin Durbin lation tools to succeed.
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Booker Cotton Heinrich Blackburn Carper Ernst
Boozman Cramer Hirono Blumenthal Casey Feinstein
Dr. Rollins has always made students
Brown Daines Hoeven Blunt Collins Gardner a priority and emphasized this to
Burr Duckworth Jones Booker Coons Gillibrand teachers and staff with his motto ‘‘We
Cantwell Durbin Kaine Boozman Cornyn Graham Teach Them All.’’
Capito Ernst King Braun Cortez Masto Grassley
Cardin Feinstein Klobuchar Brown Cotton Harris He has distinguished himself as a key
Carper Gardner Leahy Burr Cramer Hassan voice in education at the local, State,
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