Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., June 22, 2020)
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated June 22, 2020, at page S3122. It begins with the end of a State Department letter saying that Mr. Linick, who was placed on administrative leave on May 15, repeatedly violated instructions about contacting the inspector general's office and describing a pattern of leaks. Mr. Grassley then speaks on a Black Revolutionary War Patriots memorial on the National Mall, saying between 5,000 and 10,000 Americans of African descent volunteered to serve. Mrs. Shaheen speaks under Coronavirus about State and local needs, nursing homes and PPP loans, and Mr. Gardner speaks before the Senate takes up cloture motions.
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Cite this document
“Coronavirus (Cong. Rec., June 22, 2020).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-06-22-crec-2020-06-22-pt1-pgs3122-2-3d917c96ae/
, SHA-256 66e60e9038b00b47b839f4ba540aa382cee845cac8933c81cb946379f197afc3.Full text
S3122 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 22, 2020
We understand that Mr. Linick may have stand that Mr. Linick has repeatedly re- Among those who risked life and
received the initial report noting his im- turned to his former office without seeking limb for our Nation’s founding prin-
proper usage of personal email as early as authorization from his Department superi- ciples were between 5,000 and 10,000
late 2019 or early 2020, and it is the Depart- ors, also contrary to the clear instructions
ment’s understanding that he never shared he received. Mr. Linick should follow the
Americans of African descent who vol-
the written report with any person at the same rules that apply to other government unteered to serve as soldiers and sail-
State Department (including in his own of- officials who are placed on administrative ors during the American Revolution.
fice), despite repeated requests by Depart- leave in such circumstances; he is not enti- Their patriotic sacrifices at the very
ment leadership for a copy of the report. tled to a different set of rules. beginning of our Nation contributed
Likewise, he never informed State Depart- A Pattern of Leaks Continues. Even immeasurably toward laying the foun-
ment leadership that the report found that though no one at the State Department dation of the freedoms we enjoy today.
he did not comply with OIG email practices. other than Mr. Linick appears to have had a
copy of the DOD Inspector General’s report
The civil rights movement was later
Allowing the head of an investigated office
to determine the manner and scope of the re- (not even his Deputy) before June 2, 2020, able to build on that solid foundation
lease of a report that addresses his own con- CNN ran a story on May 28, 2020 that the by calling on America to, as Dr. King
duct is inappropriate, which is presumably DOD OIG report had exonerated Mr. Linick said, ‘‘live out the true meaning of its
why CIGIE’s own guidelines would have re- of leaking. Kylie Atwood, Fired State De- creed.’’ Dr. King was absolutely right
quired the results of a CIGIE review to be partment inspector general was cleared in in pointing out that Black Americans
shared with appropriate officials in his su- leak inquiry prior to his removal, sources have every right to fully claim our
pervisory chain. say, CNN, May 28, 2020. These reports raise
shared heritage as Americans, having
OIG Launches Questionable Parallel Inves- additional concerns as to this disturbing pat-
tigation Under a Possible Conflict of Inter- tern of leaks, further warranting CIGIE re- helped build and shape American insti-
est. At the same time that the DOD IG was view. tutions and society from the beginning,
conducting its review, Mr. Linick reportedly Last fall, the Department had serious con- as shown by the very sacrifice they
opened a parallel investigation of other cerns with the leak of a draft State Depart- made in the Revolutionary War. This
State Department employees for the same ment OIG report and recommended that re- proud history is part of who we are as
potential misconduct for which his own of- view by CIGIE was the appropriate step for Americans, but it is too little under-
fice was being investigated. See Kylie At- an independent review. Unfortunately, Mr.
Linick’s failure to follow through on that
stood and, hence, fully not appreciated.
wood, Fired State Department inspector gen-
eral was cleared in leak inquiry prior to his course—or to seek agreement from his re- That is why I was proud to colead
removal, sources say, CNN, May 28, 2020. This porting chain on any change in course—has legislation that authorized the estab-
decision, if accurately reported, seems un- only confirmed the Department’s rec- lishment of a National Liberty Memo-
usual because the September 2019 media leak ommendation and has raised even further rial on the National Mall to honor the
was specifically attributed to ‘‘two govern- concerns about Mr. Linick’s judgment and underappreciated contributions of
ment sources involved in carrying out the in- conduct. Black Revolutionary War veterans and
vestigation’’ (emphasis added), not to Depart- Therefore, we ask CIGIE to investigate not
patriots, as they are.
ment employees who may have been fact wit- only the original unauthorized disclosure,
but the conduct described in this letter.
I am proud to say that Iowa can
nesses (and were clearly not responsible for
Sincerely, claim at least one of those patriots,
‘‘carrying out’’ any investigation).
Mr. Linick’s decision also raises the ques- BRIAN BULATAO, Cato Mead, who was born in Con-
tion of whether this parallel investigation Under Secretary for Management, necticut and is listed in Revolutionary
was intended to divert attention from the U.S. Department of State. War pension court records as a ‘‘free
DOD IG’s own investigation into the State BLACK REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS person of color’’ who lived out his twi-
OIG. Indeed, public reporting suggests that Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, light years in Southeastern Iowa. He is
State OIG was continuing its own investiga- as Americans, our understanding of buried in the Montrose Cemetery in
tions of other Department employees before
history has a tremendous impact on Montrose, IA.
the DOD OIG report was even finalized. See
id. It should have been obvious to Mr. Linick our sense of who we are and where we The National Mall Liberty Fund is
that launching a parallel investigation into are headed. That is why it is so impor- now in the process of raising money for
the same misconduct for which he and his tant for Americans to have a good un- an environmental assessment to com-
own office were being investigated created derstanding of our history—all of our plete final site selection for this very
both a real and apparent conflict of interest history. important memorial.
and risked interfering with the DOD OIG in- Slavery is a great stain on our coun- Now, more than ever, Americans
vestigation into his own office. An investi- try’s history, and its legacy impacts us need this monument as a tangible re-
gator who is still working to clear his or her yet today. We must not flinch from minder that despite the lingering leg-
own name has a motive to shift the blame to
recognizing the suffering inflicted on acy of slavery, the promise of liberty
another person.
Inappropriate Contacts with OIG Staff in so many Americans, contrary to our and equality is a shared heritage of all
an Apparent Attempt to Obtain Department highest ideals as a nation. Americans from the founding genera-
Records, Contrary to Instruction. When Mr. Still, our Nation is unique in human tion to this very day.
Linick was removed from his position on history in that it was founded not on I yield the floor.
May 15 and placed on administrative leave, the basis of some sort of common eth- I suggest the absence of a quorum.
his physical access was terminated, and he nic identity but on certain enduring The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
was clearly instructed by Department offi- principles that are the equal heritage BOOZMAN). The clerk will call the roll.
cials not to contact OIG staff members about The senior assistant legislative clerk
of all Americans. Those principles are
official matters or return to his former of-
fice, without authorization by Department best articulated in the simple but elo- proceeded to call the roll.
officials, who would facilitate any such con- quent words of the Declaration of Inde- Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I ask
tacts. pendence. I don’t have to put quotes unanimous consent that the order for
However, it has come to the Department’s around these because everybody knows the quorum call be rescinded.
attention that he has violated these instruc- these words: ‘‘We hold these truths to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
tions on multiple occasions while he was on be self-evident, that all people are cre- objection, it is so ordered.
administrative leave. For example, we un-
ated equal, that they are endowed by CORONAVIRUS
derstand that, in the days before his Con-
gressional testimony, he sent a text message their Creator with certain unalienable Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President,
to the Deputy Inspector General, Diana Rights, that among these are Life, Lib- States across this country, including
Shaw, requesting a copy of the DOD IG re- erty, and the pursuit of Happiness.’’ New Hampshire, are beginning to re-
port. Without informing her own chain of Our patriot forefathers concluded open after this pandemic, although, the
command, we understand that Ms. Shaw that these principles were worth fight- pandemic isn’t really over. The ongo-
then contacted the DOD Office of Inspector
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
ing for, and, indeed, they took up arms. ing economic and public health fallout
General to request a copy of the report on The odds were stacked against them, from COVID–19 continues to affect fam-
Mr. Linick’s behalf. It is not clear what Mr. and they happened to know that, but ilies and businesses in my State of New
Linick’s motivation was, but it was not his
they, nonetheless, risked everything Hampshire and across this country.
decision (nor his former Deputy’s) to make
this request for release given that he was, at because they believed so deeply in Every day, community leaders, pub-
the time, on administrative leave pursuant those fundamental truths that were lic health professionals, and frontline
to the President’s decision with a new Act- stated in the Declaration of Independ- workers tell me about what they are
ing Inspector General in place. We under- ence. facing. They have raised concerns
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June 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3123
about the massive reduction in local We need to provide support to all of ready laid them off. They have kept
tax revenue and the very difficult deci- our essential workers who are still on their lights on. Now it is time—when
sions that will soon need to be made if the frontlines getting out there every they are beginning to reopen their
Federal assistance doesn’t arrive soon. day, despite the health risks; that in- businesses, and they are still running
I have heard from teachers and cludes grocery store workers, short because those loans are about to
school administrators about the chal- healthcare workers, and first respond- run out, they need more help. If we
lenges they have encountered trying to ers who are sacrificing so much for our don’t provide it, they are going to lay
educate their students during the pan- health and safety. off all those workers again. For many
demic and the difficulties they are an- We should provide investments in our small businesses, they are going to be
ticipating as they begin to plan for the Nation’s infrastructure, like forced to close their doors.
school year coming in September. broadband, to make sure we have bet- Last week, I was pleased to work
The shift to remote learning has ex- ter access to telehealth and education with Senators CARDIN and COONS to in-
posed the disparities in broadband ac- opportunities. troduce the Prioritized Paycheck Pro-
cess across New Hampshire and across We should provide support for sectors tection Program, the P4 Act. That is
this country that leaves behind many of our economy that have taken major legislation that would provide a second
students and makes it extremely dif- losses, like the clean energy sector, round of PPP funding for smaller busi-
ficult for teachers to deliver a quality which has lost more than 600,000 jobs nesses and particularly for those in the
education, especially for students with over the past few months. restaurant and hospitality industries
disabilities. We should provide help for food and which have been hit especially hard in
So many small businesses, while they rental assistance for those who have recent months. They were the first to
are very grateful for the Paycheck Pro- lost income and are struggling to make be closed down by government order,
tection Program and the loans and ends meet. and they are the last to be able to open
grants that have been made available We should support the Postal Service back up.
through the Economic Injury Disaster so it can continue to serve our commu- I am hopeful that, once again, we can
Loan Program, are telling me it is not nities and small businesses. In New work in a bipartisan way to make a
enough; that revenues for many of Hampshire, we have so many small proposal that will have support on both
these small businesses are still at towns that depend on the Postal Serv- sides of the aisle and that will ensure
unsustainable lows, particularly for ice for prescription drugs. Families in that more businesses can stay afloat as
those in tourism, entertainment, and those towns depend on the Postal Serv- we reopen our economy.
hospitality—in New Hampshire, tour- ice for prescription drugs and to com- Our country is still hurting, and the
ism is our second largest industry—and municate with the outside world. Espe- coronavirus isn’t going to go away
that they need help if they are going to cially now, when so many people are without a vaccine. It is going to take a
weather this storm. still feeling so isolated, they need to while for us to get back on our feet as
So I can’t understand why this body know they can count on the Postal a nation.
and why Majority Leader MCCONNELL Service and that it is not going to get The devastating health and economic
doesn’t feel a sense of urgency to pass into a financial crisis this summer. effects from COVID–19 will not be alle-
legislation that will continue to help Finally, we need to support our viated just because we pretend the
Americans during this time of crisis. States and our local communities. coronavirus is going away. It will not
It has been more than 1 month since They have been on the frontlines fight- be alleviated unless Congress acts. It
the House of Representatives sent to us ing this pandemic. As the cost of was the decisive action that we took
the Heroes Act to continue to provide COVID–19 response efforts continue to back at the end of February and March
assistance to Americans who are in rise, mayors, town administrators, and that has allowed so many businesses to
need. In the time since, we have not county officials are all grappling with stay afloat, so many families to con-
taken up any proposal that would pro- whether they are going to have to lay tinue to feed their kids and to pay
vide comprehensive relief for the sec- off first responders, firefighters, police, their rent. It is going to be critical for
tors of our economy that are still hurt- teachers, and municipal workers—all of us to continue to take action to pro-
ing. those people who continue to provide vide that assistance.
We just can’t wait until the end of services in our communities and with- We can’t wait. We can’t take a wait-
July, when we know that there will be out whom people are going to face even and-see approach. We know that people
so many families, workers, and busi- more dire consequences. States and are hurting right now. So I urge the
nesses across the country who will be communities need help now. They Senate to take up and pass legislation.
in an even more dire position than they should not have to cut essential serv- Let’s negotiate what we don’t like
are now. ices and frontline workers. about the Heroes Act. Let’s make
Americans are urging Congress to In Congress, we must also provide ad- changes, but let’s take up that relief
act, and we should work together in a ditional support to small businesses. bill and continue to provide the help
bipartisan way, just as we did with the PPP, the Paycheck Protection Pro- Americans are calling for. We have no
first three—really, four, if you count gram, by any measure, despite some of more time to waste.
the second count of the small business the challenges, has been the most sig- Thank you.
assistance. Those four bills all passed nificant small business assistance pro- I yield the floor.
with strong bipartisan votes. Now it is gram in our Nation’s history. It has de- I suggest the absence of a quorum.
time for us to do that again, to provide livered over $500 billion in aid in a very The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
Americans with the relief they so des- short time. clerk will call the roll.
perately need. I am proud to have worked with a bi- The legislative clerk proceeded to
Congress has taken some very impor- partisan group of colleagues to offer call the roll.
tant bipartisan steps to provide assist- that provision, but when we first sat Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, I ask
ance to the Nation, but the conversa- down to design it just over 3 months unanimous consent that the order for
tions I have had with Granite Staters ago, none of us had any concept of the the quorum call be rescinded.
on the frontlines are a very powerful magnitude of this crisis or what would The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
reminder of how much work still lies be its duration. Since then, we have objection, it is so ordered.
ahead. learned just how devastating this dis- CLOTURE MOTION
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
We should provide assistance for our ease is and how terribly difficult it is The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant
hospitals and healthcare providers, es- to defeat. to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the
pecially for nursing homes and long- I have heard from so many Senate the pending cloture motion,
term care facilities because, in New businesspeople in New Hampshire who which the clerk will state.
Hampshire, they have accounted for took a PPP loan. They used the pro- The legislative clerk read as follows:
more than 70 percent of COVID–19 ceeds just as we had intended: They CLOTURE MOTION
deaths, and across the country, for a kept their employees on the payroll or We, the undersigned Senators, in accord-
very high percentage. they hired them back if they had al- ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the
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