Congressional Record, Senate, June 23, 2020 (S3140) — United States Senate
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated June 23, 2020, beginning at page S3140. The Senate recesses at 12:29 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. and reassembles with Mrs. Capito presiding. Under Nomination of Cory T. Wilson, Mrs. Hyde-Smith speaks in support of Judge Wilson of Mississippi for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. Klobuchar makes a unanimous consent request on S. 4033, urging Federal funding to protect voters and poll workers from the coronavirus, saying 16 States postponed primaries or moved to voting by mail and that election officials in Kentucky, New York and Virginia are putting more than $36 million of Federal funding to use. The page ends with a related exchange about holding a hearing.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, June 23, 2020 (S3140) — United States Senate.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-06-23-crec-2020-06-23-pt1-pgs3140-4-ba0c8dce3f/
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S3140 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 23, 2020
RECESS disruptions in the daily lives of Ameri- they are the most vulnerable to the
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under cans. coronavirus. This is common sense.
the previous order, the Senate stands In order to protect voters and poll This is why you see Republican Gov-
in recess until 2:15 p.m. workers, this pandemic has forced us to ernors and Republican secretaries of
Thereupon, the Senate, at 12:29 p.m., make changes to how we vote. Sixteen state joining Democratic Governors
recessed until 2:15 p.m. and reassem- States postponed their Presidential and Democratic secretaries of state all
bled when called to order by the Pre- primaries or have transitioned their across the Nation to ask for help from
siding Officer (Mrs. CAPITO). primaries to almost entirely voting by Washington.
mail. We have seen Democratic and Re- Today, in Kentucky, New York, and
f
publican Governors across the country Virginia, election officials are putting
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR—Continued issue waivers allowing all voters to more than $36 million of Federal fund-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- cast their ballots by mail during the ing to good use—funding to recruit and
ator from Mississippi. pandemic. This includes States like train new poll workers, to provide
NOMINATION OF CORY T. WILSON
New Hampshire, with a Republican those workers with protective equip-
Governor, and States like Ohio, where ment and sanitizing supplies; funding
Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam Presi-
they have a Republican Governor who to pay for postage for mail-in ballots,
dent, it is an honor to speak on behalf
is focused on vote by mail, and States purchase additional equipment, and
of Judge Cory Wilson of Mississippi and
like Maryland, where the Governor has cover the costs of moving poll loca-
in support of his nomination to the
been devoted to vote by mail, and tions to accommodate more people. I
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
States like Missouri. am proud of having fought to secure
I have known Judge Wilson for many
While it is important that individual that funding.
years. His experience and legal knowl-
States are taking action to protect I appreciate Senator BLUNT, my col-
edge make him an excellent choice to
voters during this pandemic, we must league, who I know is going to be here
serve on the appellate court. Numerous
remember that, in the end, this is a na- shortly and is the chair of the Rules
colleagues of Judge Wilson’s from dif-
tional pandemic. It is not just a pan- Committee, for assisting in making
ferent backgrounds and political affili-
demic in Vermont or in Utah; it is na- sure that funding was designated, as
ations have risen in support of his
tional. well as Senator SHELBY, Senator
nomination and spoken to his personal
It is the responsibility of this Nation, LEAHY, Senator COONS, and so many
qualities.
of this Nation’s government, and of others who have worked on this impor-
After his impressive nomination
this Congress to ensure that States tant issue.
hearing and an outpouring of support It is a good first step, but let us re-
have the funds they need to make our
from Mississippians, who know him member these are still the primaries in
elections more resilient and to make
best, there is no question that Judge a few States. If you talk to election of-
sure voters don’t have to risk their
Wilson will be a fair and impartial ficials across the country, they will
health to cast their ballots.
judge who follows the rule of law. When we have a national threat or tell you that it wasn’t enough and that
Judge Cory Wilson will serve on the international conflict, we do not expect they desperately need more resources
Fifth Circuit with honor, dedication, an individual State to be able to re- for the general election when so many
and distinction. spond. In World War II, when Pearl more people vote. Support from the
I am also pleased a judge from Mis- Harbor was bombed, we didn’t say: Oh, Federal Government is vital because
sissippi will mark a historic day as the Hawaii, you go deal with that yourself. we have seen States struggle when it
200th Federal judge to be confirmed by We, in this Congress, have acknowl- comes to administering elections dur-
the U.S. Senate during the Trump ad- edged that this pandemic has national ing the pandemic. We also know it is
ministration. Judge Wilson’s confirma- consequences in how we responded with not as if they have a reservoir of fund-
tion represents a pivotal point in the the CARES Act and how the House has ing right now to deal with, which is
President’s work to ensure there are responded with the Heroes Act, which I one of the reasons we want to pass the
more smart, conservative jurists in the hope we will consider very soon in this Heroes Act.
Federal judiciary. Under the leadership Congress, and just the fact that, when Many of our State and local govern-
of President Trump and Leader MCCON- it comes to voting, this Congress, with ments are struggling right now. That is
NELL, the Senate has prioritized con- bipartisan support—this Senate voted why it is so important to designate
firming bright, well-qualified men and to give over $400 million originally to funding as we move forward—and I
women who will serve our country for the States. hope we will soon discuss the Heroes
years to come. There were some issues with how Act—to be able to help pay for elec-
I am proud to support Judge Cory that money was given out that we are tions.
Wilson and urge my colleagues to ap- trying to fix, but, nevertheless, it was Support from the Federal Govern-
prove his nomination. a downpayment on the fact that even ment is vital because we have seen
I yield the floor. in the beginning of the pandemic, based States struggle when it comes to ad-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- on what we had seen in Wisconsin, we ministering elections. With fewer than
ator from Minnesota. anticipated that there were going to be 6 months left before the general elec-
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—S. 4033 problems for voting and that there was tion, Congress must act now to ensure
Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President, going to be a massive change in how that States have the resources and
I come to the floor today to urge the our elections were held. funding that they need.
Senate to address the threat the You have States like New York State A lot of times you hear: Well, it is
coronavirus poses to our elections and where only 5 percent of people have only 6 months, so why would we do
to take immediate action to pass my voted by mail in the past few Federal funding now? Look at the fact that we
legislation to ensure voters do not have elections and States like my own State were able to at least assure the States
to choose between their right to vote of Minnesota where, despite having the that the money was going to be out
and their own health. highest voter turnout in the country, there for them a few months ago for
Today is Election Day in Kentucky only 25 percent of people on average the primaries, and they were able ei-
and in New York and in Virginia. There voted by mail. Now you are seeing ther to spend their own money because
are runoff elections in North Carolina switch overs where 50 percent, 60 per- they knew that money was coming or
and in Mississippi, as well. As we cent of the people in every single State to spend designated money. That is
speak, voters in the States are experi- in the Nation are asking to vote from how this works.
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encing what it is to vote in the middle home or, in the alternative, they are We are no longer in a normal situa-
of a global pandemic. If the past few asking for safe voting places by keep- tion. We are in a situation where
months are any indication, for many, ing voting places open longer for early States are having to rearrange how
casting a ballot today will not be safe, voting, by training poll workers so we they do elections all over the country
and it will not be easy. The do not depend on our senior citizens to to make it safe and to allow people to
coronavirus has caused unprecedented be staffing the polling locations when vote from home. We have seen the
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June 23, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3141
chaos and disenfranchisement that will and a number of people have voted noted that nearly everyone, in what he
happen if we don’t act soon. from home. called his very Republican State of
The Wisconsin primary will forever I think we also know, just based on Utah, votes by mail, and, in his words,
be etched in the memory of our Nation. what we have seen in these other it works very, very well.
Voters stood for hours in the cold and States—this is just based on facts, not Now is the time to reject efforts to
rain, wearing garbage bags and home- on partisanship—that 200 polling loca- undermine our political system and
made masks, just to be able to exercise tions in a State of that size will not be mostly undermining people’s attempts
their right to vote. In Milwaukee, enough in the primary and certainly to exercise their fundamental right to
there were just five polling locations will not be enough in a general elec- vote safely. What are you going to tell
open instead of the usual 180. Almost tion. In order to protect the right to a veteran who has a preexisting condi-
600,000 people live in Milwaukee, in- vote, we have to learn from States that tion, like the guy who wrote me who
cluding one-third of that State’s Afri- are taking steps to make voting safe served in Vietnam and said what is he
can-American population. The closure and easy. supposed to do now? We have to allow
of so many polling places made it even Primary turnout this year has bro- them to vote from home.
harder for people without easy access ken records in many States, especially In the midst of this pandemic, we
to transportation to get to a polling lo- when it comes to voting by mail. need to make sure no voter has to
cation, and it caused unnecessary States like Nebraska, Iowa, South Da- choose between their health and exer-
crowding, with lines to vote wrapping kota, New Mexico, Idaho, West Vir- cising their right to vote. That is why
around blocks. As a result, voters were ginia, and North Dakota have all held I am urging my colleagues to support
disenfranchised, and some even con- successful elections this year by rely- my legislation with Senator RON
tracted the coronavirus. According to ing heavily on voting by mail. Again, WYDEN, which is cosponsored by 35
local health officials, nearly 70 people that is in a primary where some of other Senators, the Natural Disaster
in Wisconsin who either voted in per- these States have fewer voters—not all and Emergency Ballot Act, to help
son or served as poll workers con- of them—because they are smaller pop- State election officials meet this pan-
tracted the virus as a result of that ulation States, and many of them are demic head-on.
election. not dealing with a general election. Our legislation doesn’t require us to
Earlier this month in Georgia, thou- In West Virginia, mail-in ballots in- reinvent how we vote. Instead, our bill
sands of people went to the polls and creased from just 25,000 in 2018 to over would overcome the challenges posed
were also met with long lines and con- 200,000 this year. In Pennsylvania, the by the coronavirus by expanding exist-
fusion. Reports from Atlanta indicate number of mail-in ballots cast in- ing election practices like voting by
voters faced malfunctioning machines, creased from 80,000 in 2018 to over 1.5 mail and early voting. It starts with
and some voters never received the million this year. Voters and election guaranteeing every American the op-
mail-in ballots they requested. Instead officials across the country in Red tion to vote by mail. Sixteen States re-
States and Blue States are turning to quire voters to provide an excuse if
of being able to safely vote from home,
casting a ballot from home. they want to cast a ballot by mail. But
many were forced to show up in person
In addition to the five States that al-
on election day. I was particularly during the pandemic, 13 of these States
ready hold their elections mostly by
struck by the words of Anita Heard, an are allowing all voters to cast a ballot
mail, which are Utah, Oregon, Colo-
80-year-old woman from Atlanta who rado, Hawaii, and Washington—and I by mail without needing to provide an
actually marched with Dr. King. She note that those States are not all Blue excuse—Democratic and Republican
was the first person in line at her poll- States, including, particularly, Utah, Governors and secretaries of states.
ing location at 6 a.m. waiting to vote and Colorado, which is known as a Pur- That is progress.
this year. Anita called the long lines I would say, while we still have three
ple State—three States, including Cali-
and waits unfair and ridiculous. She is fornia, Nevada, New Jersey, and also States that are still denying all voters
right. the District of Columbia have decided the option to vote by mail—forcing
In Fulton County, one voter, who is a to send all voters absentee ballots for them to choose between their health
mom, sat on a lawn chair holding her elections this year. There are 13 States and their constitutional right and go
infant son in one hand and umbrella in that have decided to send all voters ab- through these hoops to do it—why not
another. She waited more than 3 hours sentee ballot applications. put a standard in place on the Federal
to vote. She wasn’t leaving because it These decisions weren’t made, as I level? That is what our bill does.
was important to her and her son that note, on a partisan basis. Both Repub- Our legislation would also get help to
one day she would be able to tell him lican and Democratic officials in the States. Again, my friend, Senator
she waited to vote for him. States have decided to implement BLUNT, is here, and I appreciate—while
In America, people should not have these policies to protect their voters. he hasn’t put a dollar amount on it, his
to wonder if voting machines will be I will also note that none of the five interest in looking at funding for this
operational or if they are going to be States that held their elections pri- beyond this bill, I think, is very help-
able to receive their ballot on time to marily by mail this year have had ful.
make it count. major voter fraud scandals since Our bill called for $3.6 billion, which
Jose Andres—the remarkable chef transitioning to vote by mail. As the is what is in the Heroes Act, of funding
who helps feed people in areas struck New York Times editorial board an- to safely administer elections. It would
by natural disasters—announced a plan nounced, States who use vote by mail knock down barriers, this bill, to safely
to provide food, water, and resources to encountered essentially zero fraud. vote, like the requirement to have your
help people standing for hours in line Oregon, the pioneer in this area, has ballot signed by a witness or a notary.
on election day. He is doing his part to sent out more than 100 million mail-in These are requirements that dispropor-
address this issue, as are so many peo- ballots since 2000 and has documented tionately hurt minority voters—people
ple across this country, including, as I only about a dozen cases of proven without as much money.
mentioned, Democratic and Republican fraud. Rounded to the seventh decimal There is one story of a person sitting
secretaries of state and Governors. point, that is 0.0000001 percent of all in a hospital room trying to get some-
I appreciate that Senator BLUNT, the votes cast. one to notarize a primary ballot
chairman of the Rules Committee, is We have all seen the President’s through a glass window—someone who
here. As I said, he worked to help us tweets on this. We know these tweets has coronavirus. Are we really going to
get that initial funding. Experts have are meant to hurt our democracy, and require them to do that? Are we really
warned that today in Kentucky we may people shouldn’t fall for it because I going to do that? That is what you
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see a repeat of the chaos that we have just gave you the facts: 0.000001 percent have to ask yourself, colleagues. The
seen in early primaries. Reports indi- of all votes cast in the States that have bottom line is, it shouldn’t be this hard
cate fewer than 200 polling places are been using this forever involved any to vote.
open in the entire State, down from the fraud. I am proud that this bill has been en-
3,700 in a typical election year. We are We must set the record straight. I ap- dorsed by more than a dozen organiza-
glad that Kentucky has voted by mail preciate that Senator ROMNEY recently tions, including the group founded by
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S3142 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 23, 2020
former First Lady Michelle Obama, in- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there have changed their law to allow more
cluding Voto Latino, including the an objection? access to absentee ballots in some
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, The Senator from Missouri. States—and as a matter of fact, not
the National Urban League, Common Mr. BLUNT. Madam President, re- even absentee ballots. I got corrected
Cause, the Leadership Conference for serving the right to object and with by that with one of our election offi-
Civil and Human Rights. great consideration for Senator KLO- cials the other day. Really, now we call
As I noted, the CARES Act included BUCHAR’s dedication on these issues, them mail-in ballots. In Missouri, up
funding. It didn’t include the standards many of which, as she has pointed out, until now, we always called them ab-
that I think are necessary but included we have worked together on, and I sentee ballots. Though, one of the ab-
the funding. That is just the beginning. think we will continue to, I just don’t sentee excuses had always been ‘‘un-
That was a downpayment—negotiating think this is the time to make this able to get to the polls because of
in the middle of the night. I know that kind of fundamental change. health.’’ But in the mail-in ballot abil-
because I was talking to my colleagues I will admit that at its very first leg- ity, in our State, to eliminate, for
back then. islation after the 2018 elections, the some ballots because of COVID–19 or
This is the real deal, to be able to House passed a bill, but, again, it was a health—eliminate the notary require-
help States in the general election. bill that would provide the Federal ment, States have done this. They had
This money was included in the Heroes Government with unprecedented con- a lot of time. They had a lot of notice.
Act. Public health experts have warned trol over elections in this country, de- Most of them dealt with this. More im-
over and over again of the possibility spite the fact that for almost 250 years portantly, if it works, they get the
of a new wave of this virus in the fall. now, the States have been responsible credit. If it doesn’t work, they don’t
We have to be ready. States are having for this particular government respon- have anybody else to blame. They are
this happen anyway, and we should sibility. To quote yet another time, working really hard because of that to
make sure that they have the funding Senator and then-President Obama, in make it work.
to do it. October of 2016, pointed out that the The House bill was offered the first
I know we are going to be discussing very strength of our system was the di- time in this body not long after it
the National Defense Authorization
versity of the system. I think one of passed. In March of 2000, I objected,
Act in the next few weeks, at some
the strengths of the system is the again, to the federalization of the elec-
point. I think about that. Our defense
amount of local responsibility and tion process—not the assistance, not
is important, but, remember, this is
local answerability, frankly, for how the help but the federalization of the
about the defense of our democracy.
the system works on election day. process.
The simple idea that this was a democ-
Senator KLOBUCHAR pointed out that In May of 2020, the House passed yet
racy; that it is not a dictatorship; that
we are fewer than 6 months until the another bill. I think that is the bill we
people should be able to go out there
election. As a matter of fact, in our are talking about today or something
and exercise their right to vote no mat-
committee, I intend to hold a hearing like it. This time, it was a bill that
ter how they are going to vote, no mat-
next month on the problems we have Democrats said would assist States
ter what party they are going to vote
seen develop with this move toward with the pandemic. First, we were
for, and this is the moment—and be-
more people wanting to vote not at the going to assist States because of ballot
cause of this pandemic, we need to do
polling place on election day and how security. Now we are going to assist
it.
The last thing I will mention, three some States have dealt with those States because of the pandemic.
polls released in the last couple of problems effectively and how others There has been a real desire at the
months show an overwhelming major- haven’t. Federal level to take over the election
ity of voters—over 80 percent favor I will also say, to follow up on one of process again. I don’t think that is a
measures to make voting safe and easy. Senator KLOBUCHAR’s points, I think good idea. If it was a good idea, it
One of the polls conducted in six bat- funding is one thing. Helping the wouldn’t be a good idea 6 months be-
tleground States showed that 74 per- States help themselves is something I fore the election.
cent of voters wanted their Senators to think we can still do. We have done a The provisions in the new bill are
support legislation in Congress to im- considerable amount of that up until about the same as the provisions in the
plement voting reforms, including a now, since the 2016 elections, with a big old bill. They would provide the Fed-
majority of Republican voters. Think commitment in the CARES Act to eral Government with unprecedented
about that. Voters across party lines make money available for States to control over elections in this country.
want Congress to pass legislation that regulate their elections and be able to This bill represents a one-size-fits-all
would guarantee the right to vote by afford to do that. I think we can, will, Federal answer to a problem that I
mail and provide funding to States and and should take another look at that, think the Federal Government is not
make sure it is safe to vote. That is but 6 months before an election is a the best place to answer.
what this is about. dangerous time to change responsi- The estimated money needs of the
Again, I thank my colleague, Senator bility. States are something I am willing to,
BLUNT, for all he has done and the fact I think, to be absolutely clear, that and think we should, continue to talk
that he was able to work with us when at any time, this is a responsibility about. But funding to accept the new
we did negotiate the CARES Act to that is better done at the local level. situation they find themselves in is dif-
make sure there was some funding in- But when you implement a new voting ferent than centralizing the process.
cluded, as well as I mentioned Senator system with a big first election, that is Instead of providing States with
SHELBY, Senator COONS, Senator a problem. flexibility to deal with emergency situ-
LEAHY, and others. Now is the time to We saw that in Georgia recently. ations, for instance, this bill does just
prepare for what we have ahead; that Georgia was complying with the re- the opposite. This bill tells States how
is, making sure everyone can vote safe- quest that both Senator KLOBUCHAR to run virtually every aspect of their
ly. and I and others had made to get a sys- election. It takes away authority to
Madam President, as in legislative tem in place that has an auditable bal- the States to determine their own
session, I ask unanimous consent that lot trail—an absolutely worthy goal. process for voter registration. In fact,
the Rules Committee be discharged Georgia followed up, but even then, it it requires all States to institute on-
from further consideration of S. 4033, might have been better if they could line voter registration at a time when
the Natural Disaster and Emergency have followed up on an election that we are more concerned than we used to
Ballot Act of 2020, and the Senate pro- wasn’t quite the same high-profile, be about what can happen to elections
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ceed to its immediate consideration. I high-turnout election that their first online.
further ask that the bill be considered experience had. This bill tells States how many days
read a third time and passed and the The responsibility for changing the of early voting they must have and
motion to reconsider be considered system is hard enough in the best of where the early voting locations need
made and laid upon the table, with no times. I think the States have had lots to be. It requires that all States accept
intervening action or debate. of time. My State and other States online absentee ballot requests. You
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June 23, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3143
have online voter registration. Then have expanded absentee balloting; they priations Committee the funding as we
you have online absentee ballot re- have expanded early voting; they have go into November. I think that is real-
quests and offers the requirement for altered polling place procedures to en- ly going to be important for all voters,
no-excuse absentee ballots, which I sure cleaning and sanitizing; and they whether in red, blue, or purple States.
guess, according to my friend, the elec- have worked to recruit more workers. We know that so many people vote by
tion administrator, would be mail bal- This bill, in my view, doesn’t ac- mail, including the President of the
lots. I am going to get better at ex- knowledge the important responsi- United States with a ballot from Palm
plaining that phrase. It tells States bility and answerability that local and Beach, FL. We all want to have that
how and when their ballots must be de- State officials have on election day. ability and make sure people in our
livered. It tells them when they have That was a job I had for about 20 years, States have an ability to either vote by
to be counted. It requires States to per- part of that as the chief election offi- mail or vote safely at the polling
mit ballot harvesting. cial in the State. I will just state that places this fall.
Ballot harvesting is the only thing, I on election day nothing is more impor- Thank you very much.
think in a decade, that a candidate tant than voters feeling like their vote I yield the floor.
elected to the House of Representatives was cast in the right way and counted The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
was not seated because the House—this in the right way, and there was nobody ator from Wyoming.
House, the current House of Represent- THE JUSTICE ACT
but me to blame at the county level
atives—decided that ballot harvesting and then again at the State level if Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I
was the reason that person shouldn’t be that didn’t happen. come to the floor today on the eve of
seated; that people went around, col- So I think my friend Senator KLO- what should be a routine vote in the
lected ballots, apparently decided BUCHAR’s comments are well-intended U.S. Senate. Tomorrow the Senate is
which ballots they were going to mail and well-motivated. I just think we scheduled to vote on a motion to pro-
in and which ballots they were not have a fundamental difference on who ceed to the justice reform legislation
going to mail in—if you look at the makes these decisions. I would rec- that we ought to be considering in the
House determination that this person ommend to all of my colleagues that if U.S. Senate.
we ever make these kinds of changes, It is important to point out to the
wasn’t lawfully elected. But this bill
we should make them long before 6 American people what that means.
actually requires States to allow indi-
months before a Presidential election. This isn’t a vote yet on passage of the
viduals to go and collect ballots and
bill. It is not a vote to end debate. It is
turn them in, in groups rather than If this bill were law, State and local of-
not a vote to amend the debate. Any
some other way. ficials would not only lose the flexi-
If States want to do that, they can do Senator can amend, vote no, or offer
bility they now have, but they would
that. But apparently, it was not good different substitutes for the bill. This
have a new place to pass the buck.
This is one of the desks that Harry isn’t any of those things. The motion
enough to seat a Member of the House
to proceed is a simple and rather rou-
of Representatives from my party. It Truman used on the Senate floor, and
tine agreement to begin debate on a
tells States how they must authen- he didn’t have a ‘‘pass the buck’’ sym-
bill. Yet, here we are. It has turned out
ticate their ballots. It prohibits them, bol yet, but he famously had behind his
to be anything but routine.
however, from using any form of voter desk, as President, a sign that said Senators on the other side of the
identification to authenticate who the ‘‘The buck stops here.’’ On these issues, aisle in this very Chamber are threat-
person is. It tells States what kind of the buck stops with the person you ening to filibuster the motion to pro-
envelopes they have to use to put their have chosen locally and statewide to ceed—filibuster even allowing us to de-
ballots in. run your elections. I think that con- bate a bill of great importance to the
What doesn’t it do? It doesn’t recog- tinues to be the best course for us to Nation.
nize, again, that for almost 250 years, follow. In terms the American public might
States have successfully run elections Madam President, I object. better recognize, the Democrats are
in this country. If the returns were in The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. threatening to filibuster the very
question, the people who were the local HYDE-SMITH). Objection is heard. issue—the very issue—that they claim
election officials and the State election The Senator from Minnesota. to care about. If you listen to them on
officials were the people who were Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President, television, if you see them in the
questioned. There was no ability to say I want to thank my colleague for his streets, talking to groups, they claim
‘‘Well, that is out of our hands’’ or work and his friendship. We obviously to care about it. Welcome to the bi-
‘‘Well, we don’t really have anything to don’t agree on every aspect of this. I zarre world of partisan politics and
say about that. Some person in Wash- did enjoy hearing his desk story. I bankrupt leadership on that side of the
ington tells us what we have to do didn’t know he had Harry Truman’s aisle.
about that.’’ desk. When I got to the Senate, I asked On the same day that the minority
States have successfully run elec- for the desk of Hubert Humphrey, the leader will come to the floor to urge
tions during national disasters. States ‘‘happy warrior,’’ and about 8 months the Senate to pass justice reform legis-
have successfully run elections during later, the desk arrived, and they had lation, he will also attempt to rally his
pandemics. States have successfully accidentally given me the desk of Gor- Democratic caucus to block even start-
run elections during wartime. don Humphrey, the former Senator ing a debate, and they seem to be fol-
On March 3, 2020, on Super Tuesday, from New Hampshire, and I had it for lowing him, refusing to even debate an
early that morning, a tornado struck quite a while. In a new Senate, I one issue which is so key in the minds of
three counties in Tennessee. Election day opened up the desktop and saw the American people. He is telling his
officials were able to use the flexibility that they had replaced it with the desk Members to filibuster the bill.
they had as State officials to, No. 1, ad- of Hubert Humphrey. So I would give Madam President, the JUSTICE Act
just the polling location and, No. 2, these comments in the spirit of the deserves a debate. It deserves a debate
move election equipment and carry out ‘‘happy warrior’’; that is, while you and for the American people to see and to
the primary election successfully and I disagree on setting these standards, hear and to watch on television. The
without challenge. None of that, in my at this moment I think we should; I American people deserve that. What
view would have been allowed if this think if not now, when? they don’t deserve is partisan obstruc-
bill had been in effect. When it comes to things such as not tion. What they don’t deserve is a fili-
Similarly, in response to the pan- having notaries for getting a ballot and buster. They need a debate. Amend the
demic, many States, as I suggested things like that, I am heartened by the bill if necessary and then pass it. We
ctelli on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE
Missouri has, have changed their law fact that, No. 1, we have a hearing, want to try to stop what happened to
and looked for ways to make this proc- which has been asked for—I think it is George Floyd—a murder that we all
ess work. They have had a chance to really important, and I appreciate witnessed—from ever happening again
try—in most cases already in the pri- that—on this upcoming election. in America.
mary or in some other elections, States No. 2, you continue to be open to dis- The American people know that.
have changed their primary dates; they cussing with me and with the Appro- They took to the streets, and now they
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