Senate Record, June 29, 2020 — Congressional Record
Summary
Page S3630 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for June 29, 2020, headed Senate Record, in interleaved columns. A speaker urges Republican colleagues and Leader McConnell to hear States demanding relief, and says a pandemic is killing tens of thousands of Americans monthly while unemployment is very high, which is that speaker's view. Another speaker warns that a defense authorization provision would wrestle away control of the nuclear arsenal from the Secretary of Energy and give it to the military. Mr. McConnell then makes a unanimous consent request on the Senate's schedule, and a speaker says public health systems were hammered.
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“Senate Record, June 29, 2020 — Congressional Record.”
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S3630 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 29, 2020
any future emergency relief bill will be Republican colleagues, please listen today to see that we are at a provision
written in his office. to those words. Leader MCCONNELL, that would wrestle away control of our
Assess the conditions of the country please listen. These are your own nuclear arsenal and give it to the mili-
when we have more unemployment States that are included here. They are tary. These provisions are dangerous
than any time since the Great Depres- demanding relief. To say we still don’t because, one, they would strip from the
sion? When a pandemic is killing tens see an urgent need, to say maybe we Secretary of Energy the power over his
of thousands of Americans monthly, ig- will get around to it in a month, to say own budget by requiring that he agree
nore that and assess the conditions? the legislation will be written in Mc- to a sub-Cabinet member group of the
And then for Leader MCCONNELL to say Connell’s office—all setting up for fail- Nuclear Weapons Council to approve
the bill will be written in his office, has ure and the desperately needed lack of the National Nuclear Security Admin-
he learned any lessons on COVID 2, relief that America needs. istration’s budget.
COVID 3, COVID 3.5, the Justice in Po- I yield the floor. That is right. That is why the cur-
licing Act? When you try to do some- f
rent Energy Secretary and past Energy
thing major on a partisan basis, noth- Secretaries oppose this language. They
ing happens, and America desperately CONCLUSION OF MORNING oppose it because it basically tells the
needs something to happen. BUSINESS Energy Secretary what the majority or
Leader MCCONNELL knows he has to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning a big chunk of his budget will be, and
negotiate if he wants to pass legisla- business is closed. it would allow DOD, then, to prioritize
tion. He has been around here a long f
things within the Energy budget as
time. He knows that. His refusal to en- they saw fit for making nuclear weap-
gage in bipartisan talks on policing re- LEGISLATIVE SESSION ons instead of focusing on our Federal
form shows that maybe our Republican priorities of nuclear waste cleanup,
friends are not interested in passing bi- R&D that we want to see in our Na-
partisan legislation, but that is what NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- tional Labs, or other issues that we
needs to happen—bipartisan negotia- TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR want to see an investment in that En-
tions on policing reform and bipartisan 2021—Motion to Proceed—Resumed ergy is already doing.
negotiations on COVID. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under I just can’t even believe that this
This morning, Speaker PELOSI and I the previous order, the Senate will re- shift in control away from the Sec-
sent a letter to Leader MCCONNELL urg- sume consideration of the motion to retary of Energy into this sub-Cabinet
ing him to join Democrats at the nego- proceed to S. 4049, which the clerk will so that the nuclear weapons complex
tiating table for the next round of report. would be moving away from civilians
COVID–19 relief legislation. The legislative clerk read as follows: to the military is actually in this legis-
We are on the precipice of several Motion to proceed to S. 4049, a bill to au- lation. I do not believe the Nuclear
deadlines: For millions upon millions thorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for Weapons Council understands the De-
of Americans, another rent payment is military activities of the Department of De- partment of Energy’s priorities. How
due this week. States are planning fense, for military construction, and for de- could they? Do they sit in on any of the
their budgets right now before the new fense activities of the Department of Energy, meetings for the National Labs or the
to prescribe military personnel strengths for waste cleanup?
fiscal year on July 1. The emergency such fiscal year, and for other purposes.
boost in unemployment will run out by I do believe the DOD and the Nuclear
the end of next month. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Weapons Council know there is a long
This week, Senate Democrats will ator from Washington. history of raiding the nuclear waste
force action on the floor on some of the Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I cleanup budget, and other administra-
most urgently needed measures to help come to the floor as we start further tions have tried this. These same indi-
working Americans, starting this consideration of the National Defense viduals tried this in 2018, only to be
evening, when Democrats will ask con- Authorization Act and ask my col- shot down by our colleagues in the
sent to pass crucial Federal support for leagues to pay close attention to what House of Representatives. The NNSA,
State, local, and Tribal governments. is included in this legislation. No one is or the National Nuclear Security Agen-
I will have more to say about this going to be surprised that the National cy, was created in 2000 to be part of the
issue this evening, but I do want my Defense Authorization Act might in- Department of Energy, to manage both
Republican colleagues to hear the clude something that had not gotten the nuclear weapons complex and the
words of State and local officials the bright light of day shown on it, but nonproliferation activities. Congress
across the country. I am here to say to my colleagues, made them a part of the Department of
Today, the Big 7 national associa- what is in this act is really egregious, Energy, not a part of the Department
tions representing Governors, mayors, and we need to correct it before we of Defense. We did that because we
State legislatures, counties, and city continue to move forward. wanted to maintain a longstanding ci-
managers—all bipartisan groups, with This legislation—mostly done behind vilian control over the country’s nu-
many Republican Members coming closed doors—is not unusual for the clear weapons. Giving the DOD now
from the deepest red States to the Senate Armed Services Committee, but control over the Nuclear Weapons
darkest blue—wrote the Senate a letter when you think about the billions of Council and their complete power over
pleading—pleading for Federal support dollars that we are spending, we need this budget gives control of our nuclear
and warning of dire consequences of to make sure this policy out here on weapons to the military.
delay. These are the seven organiza- the Senate floor is not just another I can’t believe that we are here with
tions representing Governors and legis- rubberstamp. all the things we have to deal with—a
latures and counties and towns and cit- We are here to look at particular pro- COVID–19 crisis, an economic crisis,
ies. visions that I think are troubling, par- justice reform—and now we have to
Here is what they write: ticularly because it wrestles away ci- worry about people, in the dark of
Previous federal bills responding to vilian control of our nuclear arsenal night, changing control of our Energy
COVID–19 provided important support . . . and gives it to the military—provisions budget and turning it over to the DOD
yet none allow for the replacement of bil- that, in the future, would allow the De- and giving them control of our nuclear
lions of lost revenue due to COVID–19. More fense Department to raid dollars used arsenal, to say nothing of the concerns
robust and direct stimulus is needed for by the Department of Energy for clean- I have for what they will do to short-
State and local governments to both rebuild up of nuclear waste, R&D for our Na- change the Hanford cleanup budget,
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the economy and maintain essential services tional Laboratories, or maybe other in- which is a challenge to the Nation. It is
in education, health care, emergency oper-
frastructure investment. an obligation that needs to be met
ations, public safety and more.
Months have gone by and our communities I am aware that the Presiding Officer every year, and I guarantee you there
continue to suffer. Americans have a history knows how much the quadrennial re- are always people looking at the nu-
of standing together in times of crisis and view called for in investment in energy clear waste cleanup budget and think-
must do so now. infrastructure. So I find it troubling ing they can either do it on the cheap,
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June 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3631
cut some of the funds early, or just This isn’t like an issue of saying: Here It has been more than 150 years since
skip the obligation. It is a national ob- are some things we want you to better the end of the Civil War, but 10 U.S.
ligation, and this bill undercuts it. consider. Army posts around this country cur-
Yet not only does it undercut it, it This is a total jam by the DOD, rently bear the names of officers of the
would be giving the Department of De- neutering the Department of Energy on Confederate States of America. Think
fense greater say over building new nu- almost half of its budget, to basically about that. These bases were named to
clear weapons. That is literally like ob- say: We know better what to do. honor individuals who took up arms
literating some of the people here who I hope my colleagues will speak loud- against our Nation in a war that killed
have a say in the budget process be- ly and clearly about this. This is a bi- more than half a million Americans.
cause, basically, it is getting rid of the partisan issue. This is about the people They took up arms to defend an insti-
checks and balances that we have and, we should have listened to in the first tution that reduced Black people to
instead, putting this incredible process place. I know some of my colleagues property.
in place. are going to say: Wait, wait, wait. No, The Defense bill now before us in-
So it is no surprise that my col- this is just a bureaucratic budget cludes language I wrote that would re-
leagues, the ranking member and the change. It is an interagency thing. It is quire the Secretary of Defense to re-
chair of the Energy Committee, sent a just accounting. It doesn’t really mean move Confederate names from all mili-
letter in opposition to the Armed Serv- anything. tary assets. The Senate Armed Serv-
ices Committee about this last week. I No, this is a very big change. That is ices Committee, which has a long his-
am pretty sure they have been ignored. why I oppose subtitle B of the budget tory of bipartisan leadership within
They were ignored before this and are of the National Nuclear Security Ad- this body, adopted this language with
continuing to be ignored. The letter ministration and why my colleagues the support of Senators from both par-
says: should work in a very aggressive way ties, recognizing that this is an oppor-
to stop this legislation with this lan- tunity to correct longstanding historic
Most immediately, Section 3111 would em-
power sub-cabinet level officials, primarily
guage in it. They should take this lan- injustice.
from DOD, to make potentially sweeping de- guage out now or work with our col- This bill covers more than military
cisions about DOE’s budget. We believe this leagues to basically protect the De- bases. It also requires name changes
goes against good governance and is con- partment of Energy and the Depart- for Federal buildings and streets on
trary to the Department of Energy’s Organi- ment of Energy’s budget and stop turn- those military bases and at other in-
zation Act of 1977. ing over to DOD something that the stallations that celebrate the traitors
It is clear that my colleagues on the U.S. Congress never had an intent to
who took up arms against the United
Energy Committee don’t support this. I turning over from civilian control of
States to defend slavery.
don’t know what the fake act of the our nuclear weapons to the Depart- The USS Chancellorsville, for exam-
NDAA bill is that somehow you con- ment of Defense. ple, is named for a Confederate battle
sulted with members of the Energy I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- victory, a defeat for the United States
Committee, because I guarantee you of America. The ship’s crest pays hom-
didn’t consult with them. And now ator from Massachusetts.
Ms. WARREN. Mr. President, I rise age to Confederate Generals Robert E.
every member of the Energy Com- Lee and Stonewall Jackson.
to speak about the Fiscal Year 2020 Na-
mittee has to worry about whether Defenders of these symbols of oppres-
tional Defense Authorization Act. For
their priorities are going to be set by sion speak often in generalities,
the 60th consecutive year, the Senate
some sub-Cabinet person over at DOD glossing over the details of the Confed-
stands poised to pass legislation that
or whether they will be questioning an eracy, the Civil War, and the specifics
authorizes funding for national defense
Energy Secretary who will be able to about the individuals whose names are
and sets the course for the Department
give them an answer instead of saying: attached to American military instal-
of Defense’s policies.
Senator, I don’t know; I have to go This year, we consider this legisla- lations.
check with the Department of Defense. tion during a moment of deep reflec- Let’s begin with the truth about the
This is unacceptable. I know my col- tion and anguish, as Americans reckon men for whom some of these bases are
league, Senator MANCHIN, has worked with our ugly history of systemic rac- named. Fort Benning, GA, ‘‘Home of
on this and is trying to get a change to ism and the original sin of chattel slav- the Infantry,’’ is named for Brigadier
this legislation. I hope that we are suc- ery. For weeks, all across this Nation, General Henry L. Benning. Benning led
cessful in either just pulling it out Americans have taken to the streets to Georgia’s secession from the Union and
right now, admitting it is the wrong call for justice and call for an end to commanded the Confederate soldiers at
approach and has not been discussed the racist violence that has stolen far Gettysburg. He was a leader of the se-
with the committee of jurisdiction, or too many Black lives. We say the cessionist movement. Why? Because,
at least having our colleagues have a names of George Floyd, Breonna Tay- according to Benning’s own words, he
vote on this. lor, Ahmaud Arbery, Atatiana Jeffer- had a ‘‘deep conviction that a separa-
It is unbelievable that we would be son, and so many other Black men and tion from the North was the only thing
changing this big of national policy women to reaffirm the simple but pow- that could prevent the abolition of
stuck into the NDAA bill without the erful truth that they mattered. Their [Georgia’s] slavery.’’
bright light of day shone on it. These lives mattered. Black lives matter. He was fearful that the end of slavery
provisions would allow the Nuclear This moment is about ending police would lead to ‘‘Black Governors, Black
Weapons Council—as I said, made up of brutality once and for all. It is also legislatures, Black juries, Black every-
a sub-Cabinet officials, primarily from about ending systemic racism and dis- thing. Is it to be supposed that the
DOD—to require significant modifica- mantling White supremacy in every as- White race will stand for that?’’
tions to the DOE budget. Likely, as I pect of our economy and our society. It Fort Gordon, GA, is named for Major
said, where else are they going to get is about building an America that lives General John Brown Gordon. Histo-
the money but at the expense of other up to its highest ideals. rians believe he led the Georgia chap-
critical DOE projects? I have already The Defense bill we are debating ter of the Ku Klux Klan’s murderous
told you why that is so important to today takes an important step in this terrorists in years after the Civil War.
me. direction by addressing the honors that Fort Pickett in Virginia is named for
But let’s read from their report lan- our Nation continues to bestow on Con- Major General George Pickett. During
guage. Basically, they are saying in federate officers, who took up arms the war, Pickett ordered the execution
their report language: The Secretary against the United States in defense of of 22 former Confederate soldiers, men
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would be required to transmit a pro- chattel slavery. This bill denies those whose crime was declaring their alle-
posed budget request of the NNSA to honors to military leaders who killed giance to the Union, the United States
the nuclear council, and submit it to U.S. soldiers in defense of the idea that of America. For this despicable act, he
the Office of Budget Management. That Black people are not people, but in- was later investigated for war crimes
isn’t like saying: Consider this. This stead, are property to be bought and and forced to flee to Canada after the
isn’t like saying: Let’s discuss this. sold. war.
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S3632 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 29, 2020
Fort Bragg, NC, is named for Major erate flag in all U.S. installations in long time. They have done so knowing
General Braxton Bragg. Bragg was a that country. they might be called upon to give what
slave owner and, like the others, Bragg Commandant of the Marine Corps Lincoln called the last full measure of
chose to take up arms against the Gen. David Berger has banned the Con- devotion, and they have done so despite
United States and kill U.S. soldiers. federate battle flag from Marine bases being surrounded by these visceral re-
But with an infamously poor record as worldwide because ‘‘this symbol has minders that the military in which
a military commander, he wasn’t very shown it has power to inflame the feel- they serve honors men who fought to
good at it. Widely regarded as the most ings of division.’’ kill fellow Americans and to keep their
disliked man in the Confederate Army, The Chief of Naval Operations, ADM ancestors enslaved. We can tear those
Bragg commanded forces that were so Michael Gilday, also issued an order visceral reminders down, and we will.
badly defeated at the Battle of Chat- last month prohibiting the Confederate The Confederate soldiers who be-
tanooga in 1863 that he ultimately re- flag from all public spaces and work trayed the United States to fight for
signed. Those are just a few examples, areas aboard Navy installation ships, the Confederacy were fighting for the
as are Fort Hood, Fort Lee, Fort A.P. aircraft, and submarines, saying that institution of slavery—plain, simple,
Hill, Fort Polk, Camp Beauregard, Fort the step was necessary ‘‘to ensure unit ugly. It is time to put the names of
Rucker. cohesion, preserve good order and dis- those leaders who fought and killed
American military bases that carry cipline, and uphold the Navy’s core val- U.S. soldiers in defense of a perverted
the names of Confederate generals are ues of honor, courage, and commit- version of America where they belong—
not named for heroes, and they are not ment.’’ as footnotes in our history books, not
named for men who risked their lives It is time to follow the example of plastered on our Nation’s most signifi-
defending the United States and its sol- these military leaders and to take cant military installations.
diers. They are named for men who steps to remove all forms of commemo- The tens of thousands of Americans
took up arms against the United States ration of the Confederate States of protesting the appalling killings of
of America and killed American sol- America from all of our military as- Black men and women are calling upon
diers in the defense of slavery. They sets. us—on all of us—not just to say the
are the names of men who were di- Senate Republicans have suggested words ‘‘Black lives matter’’ but to take
rectly responsible for the deaths of that Congress should simply study the a tangible step toward making it true
hundreds of thousands of Americans in issue. They suggest forming a commis- by breaking apart the systems that
the defense of slavery. sion that prioritizes the wishes of have stolen countless Black lives and
Those who complain that removing State and local officials but that denied Black Americans opportunity
the names of traitors from these bases doesn’t make any decisions. Let me be and equal treatment.
ignores history ought to learn some completely clear. The current bill al- Being race-conscious is not enough.
history themselves. These bases were ready includes a commission charged It never was. We must be anti-racists.
not named in the years following the with thoughtfully executing the re- Removing the names, symbols, dis-
Civil War. No. They were named dec- quirement to remove these names from plays, monuments, and paraphernalia
ades and decades later—during the Jim U.S. military installations, and it re- that honor or commemorate the Con-
Crow era—to strengthen a movement quires consultation with local officials. federacy and anyone who voluntary
that tried to glorify the Confederacy The intent of the Republican amend- served it from military property is, in
and reinforce White supremacy. ment is simply to erase the require- the broader scheme, only one step to-
As the Nation prepared to fight in ment currently in the bill that requires ward addressing systemic racism in our
World War I, the Army needed more the Confederate names to be elimi- society, but it is an important step. It
bases to train new draftees. The mili- nated—not studied, eliminated. will bring us closer to acknowledging
tary decided to establish half of the It has been 150 years since Lee sur- the truth of that ugly past, and it will
new bases across the Southern States. rendered at Appomattox and the rebel- give us a firmer foundation on which to
Only 40 years had passed since the end lion against the United States in de- build a better future for everyone.
of Reconstruction, and putting Federal fense of owning human beings was fi- I suggest the absence of a quorum.
troops back into the South was a sen- nally put down. We know whom these The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
sitive matter. Choosing Confederate bases were named for. We know why clerk will call the roll.
commander names for these bases cur- they were named. There is nothing left The bill clerk proceeded to call the
ried favor with the same local politi- to study. We are long past the time for roll.
cians who were devoted to maintaining action. Mr. REED. Madam President, I ask
the brutal regime of White supremacy. The Senate Committee on Armed unanimous consent that the order for
The strategy was successful. In Au- Services has declared that the time for the quorum call be rescinded.
gust 1917, the magazine Confederate honoring the legacy of men who cham- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms.
Veteran noted: ‘‘For the first time pioned the cause of slavery and White ERNST). Without objection, it is so or-
since the War between the States, the supremacy on military installations is dered.
United States government officially now over. The committee voted to re- S. 4049
paid tribute to the ‘military genius’ of name the installations where millions Mr. REED. Madam President, I rise
noted Confederate war chieftains in of servicemembers of color have lived, to further discuss the fiscal year 2021
naming four of the training camps.’’ trained, and deployed abroad in defense national defense authorization bill.
Naming these bases after Confederate of our country. Now the entire Senate Senator INHOFE will be speaking later
rebels was wrong. After years of resist- has an opportunity to add its voice to today on the bill, and I again want to
ance and denial, the Department of De- the chorus, and I am certain that the thank him for his leadership and bipar-
fense is finally recognizing that it is House will join us soon. tisanship throughout the drafting of
time for our military to stop paying President Trump has already de- this very important legislation.
homage to individuals who betrayed clared his opposition to this provision. As I noted last week, the Committee
the United States and who took up He has, instead, chosen the well-worn on Armed Services adopted this bill
arms against it to defend slavery. path of hatred and division. So, despite with the strong bipartisan support of 25
Secretaries Esper and McCarthy have the fact that the Department of De- to 2. I am hopeful that we can have a
both said they are ‘‘open to a bipar- fense already has the statutory author- productive consideration of this bill on
tisan discussion on the topic.’’ ity it needs to change those names, it the floor this week, with votes on
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has hesitated to take action in defiance amendments and packages of cleared
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Mark Milley also ‘‘fully supports the of the Commander in Chief. amendments, so that we can conduct
discussion and Secretary McCarthy’s Congress has the power and the re- further efforts to improve and amend
efforts . . . to explore this issue.’’ sponsibility to end decades of injustice. this legislation.
GEN Robert Abrams, commander of Servicemembers of color have been The bill authorizes $662.3 billion in
U.S. Forces Korea, announced on June pledging to support and defend the base funding for the Department of De-
15 that he is prohibiting the Confed- Constitution of the United States for a fense and Energy’s nuclear programs
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June 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3633
and an additional $69 billion for over- Turning to personnel matters, the nating drinking water in 33 States na-
seas contingency operations, which bill authorizes the active and reserve tionwide, including my State of Rhode
align with the caps established in the component end strengths necessary to Island. PFAS has been linked to a vari-
Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019. meet national defense objectives, pro- ety of cancers, weakened immunity,
I want to applaud the chairman for vides a 3-percent pay raise for the and other serious health problems.
providing the Department with the re- troops, and reauthorizes a number of Senator SHAHEEN’s amendment would
sources it needs while remaining with- bonus, special, and incentive pay au- have also codified Secretary Esper’s
in the constraints we set under the thorities necessary to recruit and re- PFAS task force; required blood test-
Budget Control Act. The bill before us tain the highest quality individuals for ing of PFAS in servicemembers and
will provide much needed stability and military service. their dependents as part of their exist-
predictability to the Department of De- Further, the bill includes a number ing annual checkups; stopped inciner-
fense. of additional provisions that support ation of PFAS substances by DOD until
For the Army, the bill supports many quality of life for our military per- final guidance following EPA rules are
modernization objectives, including sonnel. It authorizes $75 million for the published; reported on remaining in-
critical priorities such as Long Range services to conduct better oversight of stallations not yet tested for PFAS and
Precision Fires and the Future privatized housing and hire more staff all DOD locations of PFAS inciner-
Vertical Lift Program. It also fully in the housing arena. It also requires ation; and also added $25 million in
funds critical legacy platforms such as the Department of Defense inspector O&M for Air Force environmental res-
the M1 Abrams tank that the Army general to conduct an audit of the med- toration.
needs until new systems are fielded in ical conditions of servicemembers and I will continue to work with Senator
the future. Further, the bill includes their families who lived in unhealthy SHAHEEN and other colleagues to gain
resources for active protection systems military privatized housing. acceptance of this legislation. I think
for combat vehicles, as well as addi- I am particularly pleased that this it is vitally important that we do so as
tional funding for the Army’s Multi- bill authorizes $50 million for supple- we debate this bill on the floor.
Domain Task Force, which is critical In the area of science and tech-
mental impact aid and $20 million in
to the Army’s efforts in the Pacific. nology, I am pleased that the bill in-
impact aid for severely disabled mili-
For the Navy and Marine Corps, the creases funding for important research
tary children, and it rejects a proposal
bill would add roughly $900 million to activities and includes provisions to
by the Department to cut 172 teachers
authorize a number of unfunded prior- support Pentagon efforts to develop
from DOD schools.
ities identified by the Chief of Naval and deploy artificial intelligence,
In addition, the bill includes a provi-
Operations and the Commandant. quantum computing, and emerging bio-
sion, sponsored by Senator GILLIBRAND,
I am disappointed that we could not, technologies to protect our national se-
which would allow victims of sexual as-
however, fully fund the CNO’s top un- curity. It also includes several provi-
sault to report incidents without fear
funded priority—the 10th Virginia class sions that continue our efforts to re-
of being disciplined for minor mis-
submarine in the current multiyear form antiquated Pentagon procure-
conduct that was collateral to the sex-
procurement program. However, I am ment practices and strengthen our do-
ual assault. It further includes a provi-
pleased that this bill provides suffi- mestic manufacturing and industrial
sion to improve the tracking and re-
cient funds to keep open the option for base, including in critical sectors such
sponse to child abuse on military in-
the 10th boat in fiscal year 2022 or 2023. as microelectronics, pharmaceuticals,
It also mandates changes in the over- stallations.
Turning to readiness, the bill author- and rare earth materials.
sight and execution of shipbuilding and In the area of spectrum management,
unmanned systems development pro- izes an additional $79 million in Army
this bill includes a provision sponsored
grams—changes that should help instill operations and maintenance to replace
by Senator WICKER, along with Chair-
more rigor and discipline within the child development center playground man INHOFE, Senator CANTWELL, and
Navy. equipment, which will address safety myself. I am pleased by the provision’s
Turning to air power, the bill helps issues and provides an additional $47 inclusion, which would aid develop-
improve oversight of the Department million in Army operations and main- ment of a common database to allow
by requiring the Secretary of Defense tenance for six key Child and Youth executive branch agencies to share fi-
to submit an annual 30-year plan for Services Program improvements across nite spectrum resources efficiently.
the procurement of the aircraft in the multiple installations. This is an example of bipartisan work
Department of the Navy, the Depart- To help counter the effects of climate between two important committees—
ment of the Air Force, and the Depart- change, the bill authorizes $50 million the Armed Services Committee and the
ment of the Army. This is similar to in planning and design for military in- Commerce Committee—and I hope we
the 30-year shipbuilding report that is stallation resilience for climate change can continue to build upon it.
already in statute. adaptation projects. It also adds $8 mil- Turning to cyber security, I am
The bill also supports the Depart- lion to the Navy’s direct air capture pleased that this bill adopts 11 of the
ment’s efforts to achieve reduced oper- and seawater carbon capture program. recommendations from the Cyberspace
ating and support costs of the F–35 pro- To reduce fuel use, the bill adds $65 Solarium Commission, which was co-
gram and perhaps motivates the De- million to the Operational Energy Ca- chaired by Senator KING. I want to
partment to lower costs in other weap- pability Improvement Fund to pursue commend Senator KING on extraor-
ons systems overall, which will be a promising innovations to weapons plat- dinary work. His insight, his ability to
critical factor going forward. forms like hybrid electric drive for work with others, his grasp of not only
In the area of special operations, our ships or improved turbine engines for the present situation but what is
forces remain heavily engaged around aircraft that improve combat capa- emerging quickly in the future is ex-
the world, and I am pleased that the bility with less fuel. The bill also in- traordinary and commendable. He has
bill authorizes funding at the requested creases Air Force operational energy done a remarkable job.
level of $13 billion, including increased programs which reduce fuel, such as The Commission took on a tough
funding for high-priority requirements using smaller fins and streamlining the issue and did a very, very thorough job.
identified by the commander of U.S. C–130 fuselage. While we were able to include rec-
Special Operations Command nec- I am disappointed, however, that the ommendations in the Armed Services
essary to reconstitute capabilities lost committee did not accept an amend- Committee’s jurisdiction in our bill,
in combat over the past several years. ment, offered by Senator SHAHEEN, the Commission has many more
Further, the bill also includes provi- which would have deemed the chemi- thoughtful recommendations that span
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sions designed to enable the Assistant cals PFAS and PFOA as hazardous and across many committee jurisdictions,
Secretary for Special Operations and a pollutant under the DOD Environ- and I hope we can work together on the
Low-Intensity Conflict to more effec- mental Restoration Program. Elevated floor in this bill to incorporate those
tively fulfill advocacy and oversight levels of PFAS, a class of manmade provisions.
responsibilities with regard to the Spe- chemicals that have been manufac- The bill also requires the Department
cial Operations Forces. tured since the 1950s, may be contami- to present a strategy to the White
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S3634 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 29, 2020
House and Congress to revive the man- oversight of such funds. It requires an and specialty doctors to Guantanamo
ufacture of advanced microelectronics assessment of the progress made on would be cost-prohibitive. However, I
in the United States. issues such as anti-corruption, recruit- was very disappointed that this year
This Defense authorization bill in- ment and retention of security forces, the medical transfer amendment was
cludes a number of provisions that en- and commitments made by the Afghan- defeated for the first time. Allowing
hance the United States’ ability to istan Government in support of peace detainees to be transferred to the
compete with near-peer competitors, negotiations. It also includes a specific United States for medical treatment is
and we are actively seeking ways in reporting requirement should the De- the most cost-effective and humane
which we can prevent these competi- partment elect to withhold any secu- way forward to ensure we treat detain-
tors from undermining our national se- rity assistance to Afghanistan. ees with dignity and in accordance
curity and, indeed, the international In addition, the bill includes a sense with our obligations under the Geneva
order. of the Senate provision, which I was Conventions. This is a problem that
With regard to Russia, this bill en- proud to cosponsor, expressing concern can only get more urgent as time
hances our deterrence capabilities, in- that a precipitous withdrawal of U.S. passes, and I hope we can find a way
cluding by fully funding the request for military, diplomatic, and intelligence forward on this issue.
the European Deterrence Initiative. personnel from Afghanistan without ef- Finally, it is impossible to discuss
In addition, the bill requires a report fective, countervailing efforts to secure this bill without discussing the many
on Russian support to racially or eth- gains in Afghanistan may allow violent crises facing our Nation. The crisis af-
nically motivated violent extremist extremist groups to regenerate. These fecting every citizen is the exponential
groups in Europe and the United conditions would threaten the security spread of COVID–19, and our military is
States. The problem of racially and of the Afghan people and create a secu- not immune. As of today, 11,770 mili-
ethnically motivated violent extremist rity vacuum that could destabilize the tary personnel are infected. Adding in
groups is an emerging national secu- region and provide ample safe haven DOD families and civilians, the number
rity threat, not simply a law enforce- for extremist groups seeking to con- is closer to 17,000. That number in-
ment problem, as Russia and Russian duct external attacks. creased by over 1,500 individuals in the
agents or entities are working to ad- It also requires a report on current last 48 hours and continues to trend up-
vance Russian strategic objectives by and projected threats to the United ward. That is a startling growth in
co-opting, supporting, and amplifying States homeland and that of our allies these cases. Our National Guard mem-
these groups to sow divisions and emanating from Afghanistan. bers are most heavily impacted be-
threaten our democratic institutions. Further, the bill includes a provision cause they are on the frontlines of the
The bill also maintains strong sup- sponsored by Senator SHAHEEN to re- pandemic.
port for Ukraine through the Ukraine fine and clarify expectations for the These infections affect the readiness
Security Assistance Initiative and re- Department on the implementation of of our force in their ability to train
quires a 5-year plan for helping the Women, Peace, and Security Act, and deploy and to do so without wor-
Ukraine build the capabilities it needs which was adopted by unanimous con- rying about the health of their fami-
to defend itself from Russian aggres- sent during the committee’s markup. lies. The administration’s response to
sion. Turning to nuclear testing, I have the pandemic has been woefully inad-
Turning to China, the bill establishes concerns about the addition of a provi- equate, and immediate steps must be
the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, a sion sponsored by Senator COTTON taken to aid civilians and military per-
new authority for the Department of which holds $10 million to cover costs sonnel alike.
Defense modeled after the European of reducing the time to conduct nu- Our Nation has also been engulfed by
Deterrence Initiative, and authorizes clear tests if they are deemed nec- protests over the senseless murders of
$200 million in funding. essary. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor,
The bill also increases funding for The United States has not conducted Rayshard Brooks, and others at the
the Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Ini- a nuclear test since 1992. Each year the hands of police officers and some civil-
tiative to ensure that our partner three lab Directors of our National ians. These deaths magnify centuries of
countries in South and Southeast Asia Laboratory give a written assessment injustice and brutality against African
are able to respond effectively to Chi- of the stockpile and whether it needs Americans.
nese coercion in the South China Sea testing. For 22 years, they have said These protests have been occurring
and beyond. that weapons do not need to be tested across the country and have been over-
The bill also includes a provision as long as we continue the Stockpile whelmingly peaceful, although there
that was adopted during markup, ex- Stewardship Program. In addition, it have been isolated exceptions. Our Na-
pressing the sense of the Congress that would realistically take over 2 years tion is in pain, but rather than call for
the USS Mercy and the USS Comfort and hundreds of millions of dollars to unity and calm, President Trump has
should conduct port calls in Taiwan to actually be ready for a test. I don’t be- threatened to bring military troops
collaborate on COVID–19 response and lieve we should be even signaling that against peaceful protesters. While the
best practices. the Nation is considering doing this President does have the authority to
While I applaud Taiwan’s efforts on without a full and lengthy debate of call up military personnel under the
COVID–19, Taiwan is not a sovereign the issues by Congress, and that was Insurrection Act, it does not mean he
state, and conducting port calls is a one of the reasons I opposed the should. It is used quite rarely as an ex-
larger policy issue that should be more amendment. ception to the broad principle embed-
fully discussed and debated. For those For 18 years, the Senate Armed Serv- ded deeply in American democracy and
reasons, I voted against the amend- ices Committee has honestly struggled history that the Active Armed Forces
ment. over the Defense Department’s de- should not be used to enforce State
With respect to countering the con- tainee policy, particularly regarding laws or to exercise police power re-
tinued threat by ISIS, the bill extends the detainees at Guantanamo Bay. For served to the States unless absolutely
the Iraq and Syria Train and Equip many years, the policy remained un- necessary and as the very last resort.
Programs at the requested funding lev- changed, but for the past several years, Therefore, I am pleased that this bill
els, while ensuring appropriate con- the committee has adopted an amend- includes a provision that was over-
gressional oversight of the use of such ment in markup that would allow de- whelmingly adopted during the markup
funds. Specific to Iraq, the bill con- tainees to be transferred to the United to prohibit the use of DOD funds to
tinues efforts to normalize security as- States for emergency medical treat- take actions against U.S. citizens that
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sistance to Iraq by transitioning fund- ment and then returned to the deten- would infringe on their First Amend-
ing to enduring authorities. tion facility at Guantanamo. ment rights to assemble peaceably and
For Afghanistan, the bill extends the This is an aging population of detain- to petition the government for redress
authority to train and equip Afghan ees, and there are certain conditions of grievances.
Security Forces at the requested fund- that cannot be treated at Guantanamo, Senator KAINE of Virginia was instru-
ing level and enhances congressional and moving all the medical equipment mental in that bill, and Senator
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June 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3635
BLUMENTHAL of Connecticut has addi- Governor Abbott discussed the con- We know it predominantly affects el-
tional legislation that is worthy of cerning picture painted by these grow- derly people over the age of 80 and
consideration. ing numbers. We went from 2,000 cases younger people with underlying
In addition, the bill includes an a day to 5,000, and the positivity rate comorbidities for the disease. Almost
amendment adopted by voice vote that soared from 4 percent to more than 13 everybody else will recover from the
requires the Defense Department with- percent. Some of our largest cities virus. But because more and more peo-
in 3 years to implement the rec- have experienced single-day records of ple are turning up with no symptoms
ommendations of a commission on how new cases. themselves, they are a risk to the peo-
to remove all names, symbols, displays, We have relied on our growing test- ple with the highest risk of mortality.
monuments, and paraphernalia from ing capability and capacity to under- So I also believe we need to remind
DOD assets that honor or commemo- stand how quickly this disease is ourselves of the simple lessons we were
rate the Confederacy. Such legislation spreading. In several Texas cities, com- told at the beginning. We were actually
is long overdue. Senior Department of- munity-based testing sites have been pretty good at it. Dr. Carson said: We
ficials have all indicated they are open integral as part of this effort. These lo- know what to do; we just quit doing it.
to changing these names. There is bi- cations are a partnership between the We know we need to maintain social
partisan cooperation on this issue. This Department of Health and Human distance. Mask when we can. We need
is the right thing to do, and DOD needs Services, local public health authori- to wash our hands. If you feel sick,
to lead the way. ties, and pharmacy and retail compa- stay home. Those are the sorts of
To conclude, let me again commend nies, and have been a major driver of things we do here in the Senate, which
Chairman INHOFE for his efforts in get- our large-scale testing increase. Many have allowed us to safely operate these
ting us to this point. Let me thank my Texans have gone to locations and re- last couple of months.
colleagues especially for all of their ceived no-cost coronavirus testing, and I also think we need to come up with
hard work on getting this bill out of this information has been crucial to a different strategy when it comes to
the committee. understanding the community spread testing. We not only need more testing,
I look forward to an open debate on of the virus. we need a strategy for testing, because
the floor, voting on amendments, and As case counts have recently until now, we have depended on people
getting this legislation passed. I look climbed, the concern has only been to show up and raise their hand and
forward—in fact, look back at the days magnified by an approaching deadline. say: I want to be tested. But if you are
when that was a routine procedure, Federal support for these testing sites asymptomatic, why would you go in for
when our Defense bill was a way in was set to end tomorrow. The goal, of a test? You would have no indication
which many people from different com- course, is to eventually shift these
that you have the virus or were poten-
mittees and different aspects of the from Federal to State and local part-
tially a risk for community spread to
Senate could come forward and offer ners, but, to be frank, Texas was not
the most vulnerable part of our popu-
legislation. We could debate legisla- yet ready to make that transition.
lation.
tion, vote, move forward, and at the Until we are, shutting down these sites So talking to Dr. Birx and others, I
end have a piece of legislation that this would leave us without valuable infor- think this is something that we all
entire Senate was extraordinarily mation about the growing number of ought to think more about and that
proud of, and that is my hope for this infections.
the administration—I know I talked to
year. Last week, Senator CRUZ and I sent a
the Vice President about this as well—
With that, I thank you. letter to the administration to urge
I yield the floor. continuing Federal support for commu- not only come up with a strategy for
I suggest the absence of a quorum. nity-based testing in Texas. Our cities more testing but a better strategy to
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The need more time to prepare to take on make sure we are hitting as many peo-
clerk will call the roll. the financial responsibility of these ple as we can so we can find those
The senior assistant legislative clerk testing sites, and it would have been a asymptomatic carriers because that is
proceeded to call the roll. tremendous risk and an unnecessary primarily what we are finding out now
Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I risk to cut off funding before that tran- with more testing in Texas. But we
ask unanimous consent that the order sition was complete. also know that, whether it is a com-
for the quorum call be rescinded. On Friday, we got some good news. bination of Memorial Day or the open-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The administration agreed to extend ing of bars, where it is hard to socially
objection, it is so ordered. these operations in Texas for at least 2 distance—and there is not a whole lot
CORONAVIRUS more weeks, with an ongoing evalua- of that going on in the bars—our Gov-
Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, as tion period after that. This will make ernor has now tapped the brakes, has
the whole country knows now, in my sure we can maintain the testing ca- closed the bars, and has stopped the
State of Texas, we have recently lost pacity our public and private partners gradual reopening of our economy until
some ground in our war against have worked hard to establish. Now we we get a handle on this worrisome
COVID–19. After seeing serious are roughly at about 1.9 million tests spread of new cases.
progress in flattening the curve, we taken, but more testing will be the key If you look at the demographics of
have taken what Governor Greg Abbott to navigating this surge. I thank Presi- the new cases, it is people between the
has called a ‘‘swift and dangerous dent Trump and his administration for ages of 20 and 59. More and more, there
turn.’’ taking swift action following our re- are those who have underlying health
Over the last couple of weeks, the quest to ensure that these critical test- problems who are ending up in our in-
data has trended in the wrong direc- ing sites will remain operational. tensive care units, and as we know
tion. We have seen an increase in daily Each day, we are learning more and from before, when we wanted to flatten
new cases, hospitalizations, and overall more about this virus. That is maybe the spread so as not to impose an un-
positivity rates. In response to these one of the most maddening things controllable surge on ICU beds, we
growing numbers, I have been working about it. When we started, we had no have to get our house back in order.
with leaders at every level of govern- idea what the trajectory of this virus For the most part, that means that
ment to ensure we have the resources would be. We have models, to be sure, not only does the Federal Government
necessary to continue to win this fight. but many of those models proved to be have to do its part, but the State and
Yesterday, I was privileged to travel wildly wrong. People were necessarily local governments have to do their
back to Texas with Vice President and understandably anxious and some part, and we have to do our part, each
MIKE PENCE for a briefing on Texas fearful about exactly what we were of us. Each American has to do their
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coronavirus response efforts. We were dealing with. I know we all manage part to follow the guidelines, and we
joined by Dr. Deborah Birx and HUD risk in our daily lives, but uncertainty will defeat this virus.
Secretary Dr. Ben Carson—two is hard to manage, and that is what we I know, in listening to Secretary Car-
Coronavirus Task Force members—for had at the very beginning. son yesterday, that I told him he must
a meeting with Governor Abbott at UT So we have learned a lot, Dr. Birx have some Texas in his background be-
Southwestern Medical Center. pointed out yesterday, about the virus. cause he made these comments, which
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S3636 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 29, 2020
I thought were so appropriate. He said: U.S. SENATE, COMMITTEE ON ENERGY filed several amendments to NDAA to strike
‘‘We must learn to dominate this virus AND NATURAL RESOURCES, Section 3111 and its related provisions, and
and not let the virus dominate us.’’ I Washington, DC, June 26, 2020. we ask that you accept those while we work
Hon. JIM INHOFE, towards a compromise that avoids the im-
think that is exactly the kind of spirit
Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, pacts outlined here.
that we all ought to have as we work U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Sincerely,
forward together on an individual, on a Hon. JACK REED, SENATOR LISA MURKOWSKI,
local, on a State, and on a Federal Ranking Member, Committee on Armed Services, Chairman
level to dominate this virus. U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. SENATOR JOE MANCHIN III,
I yield the floor. DEAR CHAIRMAN INHOFE AND RANKING MEM- Ranking Member.
I suggest the absence of a quorum. BER REED: As the Senate begins consider-
AMERICAN ENERGY INNOVATION ACT
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ation of the National Defense Authorization
Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021, we write to Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President,
clerk will call the roll. I have come to the floor this afternoon
express our opposition to Section 3111, re-
The senior assistant legislative clerk lated to the review of the adequacy of the to be with my good friend, the Senator
proceeded to call the roll. nuclear weapons budget at the Department from West Virginia, to talk about our
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, of Energy (DOE), and several related sec- American Energy Innovation Act. I
I ask unanimous consent that the order tions. As written, these provisions would un- talked on the floor and we talked on
for the quorum call be rescinded. dermine and subordinate the Secretary of
the floor for a long while now, talking
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Energy’s statutory authority, including his
or her responsibility to prepare a budget for about the process that we used. We
objection, it is so ordered.
congressional review, and would likely result spent more than a year working with
S. 4049
in collateral damage for DOE’s non-weapons members of our Energy Committee and
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, priorities. many other Members of this Chamber
I am awaiting my colleague, the rank- Section 3111 directs the Nuclear Weapons to put together an overwhelming bipar-
ing member on the Energy and Natural Council (NWC), which is comprised of five of- tisan package.
Resources Committee, to come. We are ficials from the Department of Defense
(DOD) and the Administrator of the National
We focused on a range of promising
going to engage in a short colloquy
Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), to technologies, including energy storage,
about our energy bill.
determine whether DOE’s proposed budget renewable energy, carbon capture, ad-
But before we do that and before he
request is adequate, ‘‘in whole or in part, to vanced nuclear, cleaner vehicles, and
arrives, I would like to comment on a
implement the objectives of the Department energy efficiency. We worked to im-
matter that my friend and also fellow of Defense with respect to nuclear weapons prove cyber security. It would help
traveler on the Energy and Natural Re- for that fiscal year.’’ If the NWC determines modernize the electric grid. It address-
sources Committee, Senator CANT- the budget request is inadequate for that es known weaknesses in our mineral
WELL, raised on the floor just about an purpose, it is required to provide rec-
security and our supply chains. It fo-
hour ago, and this is with regards to a ommendations, including for funding levels
and initiatives, to the Secretary of Energy. cuses on boosting the workforce devel-
provision within the National Defense
The Secretary of Energy is then required to opment and job creation. It renews a
Authorization Act. This is section 3111,
accept those recommendations verbatim and range of popular programs, from
related to the review of the adequacy
wholesale, with no ability to improve or de- ARPA-E to Weatherization Assistance.
of the nuclear weapons budget at DOE. part from them.
She has raised the concerns and ar- It is a significant bill, and as you
We support the objectives of increased
ticulated them extraordinarily well. may recall, we were on this bill earlier
stewardship of taxpayer dollars, trans-
Know that, as the chairman of the En- parency, and oversight of the DOE and NNSA in the year in February, and an unre-
ergy and Natural Resources Com- budget as our nation embarks on the mod- lated matter stalled that measure out.
mittee, I joined with my friend and col- ernization of the nuclear weapons stockpile. It is stalled, but it is not dead, and I
league, the ranking member, in sending Those objectives will help ensure continued tell you that I remain 100 percent com-
stockpile safety, security, and reliability. mitted to advancing our bill into law
a letter to the chairman of the Armed
However, as the leaders of the Senate Energy before the end of the year. I know that
Services Committee, as well as the and Natural Resources Committee with ju-
ranking member, outlining the con- this is something that Senator
risdiction over DOE and its National Labora-
cerns that we had with this provision MANCHIN and I agree on very, very
tories, we are alarmed by the lack of our
and really very, very clearly alarmed Committee’s involvement in the drafting of strongly, that we continue our work to
about the lack of the Energy Commit- Section 3111 and related provisions. advance the energy bill into law.
tee’s involvement in drafting this sec- Most immediately, Section 3111 would em- Mr. MANCHIN. Senator, I sure do
power subcabinet level officials, primarily agree with you wholeheartedly. It is
tion 3111.
from DOD, to make potentially sweeping de- something we worked on.
But as Senator CANTWELL had out- cisions about DOE’s budget. We believe this
lined, what this provision would do is The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
goes against good governance and is in con-
effectively empower sub-Cabinet level travention of the Department of Energy Or-
ator from West Virginia.
officials, primarily from DOD, to make ganization Act of 1977. The NWC has a nar- Mr. MANCHIN. Madam President,
potentially sweeping decisions about rower focus than the Secretary of Energy, the bill is the product of over a year of
DOE’s budget, going against what we and its recommendations would likely work and a robust process, both in the
think is good governance, in con- prioritize nuclear weapons at the expense of Energy Committee and also on the
travention of the Department of En- other critical missions undertaken by DOE, Senate floor, in early March, as you
ranging from the cleanup of legacy defense just said. And 39 of the 53 bills are bi-
ergy Organization Act, and, as she out- waste sites to the cybersecurity of our elec-
lined, it could put you in a situation partisan, which you don’t hear very
tric grid and funding for energy innovation.
where the priorities from the Depart- We are also concerned that Section 3111 often, and 72 Senators have either
ment of Energy through the Secretary and its related sections would complicate sponsored or cosponsored language in-
of Energy, whether it is cleanup of leg- the current statutory process by adding un- cluded in the package. That is 72 out of
acy defense waste, cyber security, necessary steps before the DOE and NNSA 100 of our Senators, Democrats and Re-
funding for energy innovation, all of budget request is finalized and thereby serve publicans, who have participated in
to delay DOE’s ability to submit its annual this energy policy.
these priorities could basically be put proposal to Congress.
at the wayside. We have significant, The Secretary of Energy must maintain The American Energy Innovation Act
significant concerns about this. clear control over, and accountability for, would authorize just over $24 billion for
I ask unanimous consent that the the Department’s budget. The Secretary’s technologies critical to an ‘‘all of the
copy of the letter that Senator statutory responsibility to certify the reli- above’’ energy policy. I repeat: ‘‘all of
MANCHIN and I sent to Chairman ability of the nuclear stockpile must also be the above.’’ We need everything that
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INHOFE and Ranking Member REED, preserved. Alignment of the DOD and DOE we have. That keeps our energy de-
nuclear weapon responsibilities cannot come pendable, affordable, and reliable,
outlining the concerns that we have, be
at a cost to other critical DOE programs.
printed in the RECORD. We appreciate your leadership on the while also reducing emissions.
There being no objection, the mate- NDAA bill but hope you will work with our It truly takes a balanced and for-
rial was ordered to be printed in the Committee on provisions that impact DOE, ward-leaning approach to updating our
RECORD, as follows: the Secretary of Energy, and the NNSA. We national energy policy for the first
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June 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3637
time in over 13 years. This bill is nec- 13-percent drop that essentially wipes think, ‘‘Well, wait, I see a few energy-
essary to help us chart the way to a out all industry-wide job growth in the related provisions; what is going on?’’
cleaner and more secure energy future. last 5 years. I repeat: For the last 5 we are not taking our foot off the gas
As you mentioned, our bill was unfor- years, it has been wiped out over 3 of our American Energy Innovation
tunately derailed, Chairman MUR- months. That is on top of the major Act.
KOWSKI, back in March, by an issue shifts in the U.S. and global energy I know, Senator MANCHIN, you have
that is entirely outside—entirely out- markets that preceded and intensified been working with us on some of these
side—of the Energy Committee’s juris- in the pandemic with a catastrophic amendments that we are dealing with
diction. We had no input in this what- hit to the economy, and, most impor- within NDAA, but I know you also
soever, but it stopped a piece of legisla- tantly, to the workers. greatly prefer to pass them as part of
tion that 72 Senators were involved in. American workers need immediate our broader energy bill.
Since then, the world has dramati- relief, as well as longer term assist- Mr. MANCHIN. Senator MURKOWSKI
cally changed, and our hearts are ance, and they need jobs in the sectors and I, working together, and our staffs
heavy with the loss of over 128,000 of tomorrow’s energy economy. This working so diligently, have put to-
Americans due to the virus. What our energy package puts billions of dollars gether a truly bipartisan energy pack-
country has gone through over the last into research, development, dem- age, which is comprehensive, and our
few months reinforces a need for a onstration, and deployment of energy country needs every part of it to get
comprehensive energy bill, as we heard technologies that will create skilled enacted—every part of it.
just 2 weeks ago from experts testi- and high-paying jobs while also estab- Our national energy policy hasn’t
fying before the Energy Committee. lishing workforce grants to ensure un- been updated since 2007. I want you to
I am steadfast in my commitment to employed or new workers have the think about 2007. That was the same
getting our American Energy Innova- skills and opportunities to get back to year the iPhone was released. There
tion Act done this year. I think it is work as quickly as possible. have been 10 different iPhone models to
needed more now than even 4 months On top of that, our bill would help de- keep up in a world that is constantly
ago, when you look at the shape that velop technologies needed in four sec- evolving since 2007, but we haven’t
our country is in. It is a stimulus bill. tors of the U.S. economy—power gen- been able to do the same for energy
It is basically an infrastructure bill, eration, transportation, industry, and policies. So it is long overdue.
and it is a reliable energy portfolio commercial and residential buildings— Getting this update enacted is long
that takes us well into the 21st cen- that contribute 90 percent of U.S. overdue, as I said, and I hope that
tury. greenhouse gas emissions. every one of my colleagues agrees and
Senator MURKOWSKI. will come together to support passing
While we are expecting a 14-percent
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Well, Senator
drop in U.S. carbon dioxide emissions this bill in its entirety—in its en-
MANCHIN, I think we both would agree
from the energy sector in 2020—the tirety—rather than moving it in pieces,
that we were more than ready to pass
largest drop ever—because our econ- and that is what we want to prevent
the bipartisan bill before the pandemic
hit, and, as you point out, I think it is omy was shut down, those emissions from happening.
will bounce back as our country opens Seventy-two of my fellow Senators
even more important, and I am cer-
back up. Investing in technologies like have language in this bill that they
tainly more ready than ever to pass
carbon capture, energy storage, and en- have either sponsored or cosponsored.
that.
As you mentioned, the U.S. economy, ergy efficiency are critical for rebuild- Let’s move this bill as it is rather than
our quality of life, and our health all ing our economy, something that we piecemeal, or, even worse, having to
depend on stable, secure, and an inno- desperately need right now while also start from scratch for next year, which
vative energy industry. What we do reducing emissions. will put us behind even further. Would
within this bill—and, again, it is a Senator MURKOWSKI, our bill invests you agree, Madam Chairwoman?
very, very bipartisan bill—is we ensure in technologies across the board and Ms. MURKOWSKI. Senator MANCHIN,
that we remain a global energy leader across fuel types. Do you agree that the thought of having to start over—as
while strengthening our security, mak- keeping this ‘‘all of the above’’ energy you say, to start from scratch—is abso-
ing timely investments in clean tech- package together is, by far, the best lutely the wrong way to address our en-
nologies, and rebuilding our supply path forward? ergy policies and the reforms that are
chains. And we have been talking a lot Ms. MURKOWSKI. It is absolutely needed. I completely and fully agree
about the imperative to focus on the the best path forward. When you take with you. It would be a mistake. It
vulnerability of our supply chains. the good committee work that we have would be a significant mistake for Con-
But it also helps us capture the in- engaged in and you then bring that to gress to simply give up on energy pol-
dustries of the future and all the jobs the floor, as we have, we had sub- icy for yet another year.
and the benefits that are associated stantive process. We are so close to As you have indicated, Congress last
with them. So, as I mentioned before, getting this measure actually through enacted a major energy bill in 2007.
it will help to improve our cyber secu- the Senate, but I think we recognize That is more than 121⁄2 years ago. That
rity and foster innovation. When you that, as we do that, that ideal package is unacceptable.
think about the economic growth that is not before us right yet. That is the thing that is holding us
we have seen in this country since As the chairman and the ranking back then, but even despite the fact
World War II, it is that innovation that member on the committee, we have re- that we have not been able to update
helps spur that economic recovery. ceived requests from Members who our energy laws, we have even an oil-
So, again, I feel pretty strongly that have items in our energy bill who are and-gas renaissance. The cost of renew-
this bill was important before the pan- seeking to include them as potential ables has declined sharply. New tech-
demic, and it is even more important amendments on the NDAA, which is nologies have begun to emerge. We
now as we try to focus on our Nation’s currently on the floor. I have actually have new challenges and opportunities
recovery. I think that is where we can filed two amendments to NDAA. One is to address, but what is missing here is
also help. Wouldn’t you agree, Senator the text of our Nuclear Energy Leader- the U.S. Congress coming together to
MANCHIN? ship Act, and the other is our Amer- modernize our Nation’s energy policy.
Mr. MANCHIN. We both agree, Sen- ican Mineral Security Act. Effectively, I think it would be a mistake to de-
ator MURKOWSKI, that the Energy Inno- this provides a second pathway in case cide that this is just too hard; that
vation Act is going to absolutely help we remain blocked on our energy bill. I there is not enough time left. We have
our economy recover. We will never want to say that this is not the pre- been down that road before. Ladies and
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have a recovery coming off a recession ferred path at all. That is not where we gentlemen, we are so far along in this
or a real shutdown the way we have want to go with this bill. process that we just need to keep push-
just seen unless there is infrastructure, My clear, clear, clear, and undeniable ing and keep moving. We are so far
and this is, by far, the best. preference is that we enact all of these along, but that thinking would push us
Between March and April, the energy measures as part of the energy pack- back to a reset or a restart. It is just
industry lost 1.3 million jobs. That is a age. So to my colleagues who might not where we want to be.
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S3638 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 29, 2020
Senator MANCHIN, I will just ask one with farmers across the State during late private landowners with one-size-
final question; that is, whether you my annual 99 county meetings. Being fits-all solutions.
agree that there will be no giving up at able to hear from them directly and to For example, in 2010, the USDA’s
any point from either one of us on this use my position on the Senate Agri- Natural Resources Conservation Serv-
very important American Energy Inno- culture Committee to work on their ice—it goes by NRCS in most States—
vation Act. issues is an honor and a privilege that determined that an Illinois farmer by
Mr. MANCHIN. That is exactly right, I don’t take lightly. the name of Kurt Wilke and his family
Madam Chairman. We have worked so At my meetings, farmers will intro- could not maintain and farm their
hard on this. duce themselves by telling me how land. This was in 2010. It is now 2020.
This is going through the process. We many generations of their families We might have a resolution of this, fi-
always talk about the process. Before have made their living on the same nally. The USDA claimed the land con-
it comes to the floor, every piece of land that they now operate—third-, tained wetlands, despite documenta-
legislation should go through the proc- fourth-, and fifth-generation farmers tion to the contrary.
ess. using the same soil and oftentimes the In early 2011, Mr. Wilke started mak-
We have fifty bills that have gone same tools and barns as generations be- ing improvements to his drainage tile
through the process in our committee, fore them. system on that farm. That is when the
and most of them are bipartisan. It In fact, the Iowa Department of Agri- NRCS got involved. For him, it was a
doesn’t get any better than that. We culture Century Farm database shows terrible life for the next several years.
didn’t have any disagreement at all, that out of these 86,000 family farmers They told him to stop the work; in
until we got another piece of legisla- in Iowa, there are 20,060 farms in our other words, stop improving your land
tion they were trying to throw in that State that have been in the same fam- through the drainage tile system. They
we had no jurisdiction over. We would ily for more than 100 years. Even more warned him that he was putting farm
love to help them if we could, but they impressive, out of that 86,000 family program payments at risk.
shouldn’t hold up this bill here. Hope- farmers, we have a classification called Earlier this month, after nearly a
fully, they are working out their dif- the Heritage Farm database showing decade of court battles with the
ferences in the other committees. I am 1,360 farms that have been in the same NRCS—Farmer Wilke was fighting the
sure they are. family for 150 years. NRCS in court battles—a determina-
I am committed to working with you, Farming isn’t just a profession. It tion by the Director of the USDA’s Na-
as we have been working in the past isn’t just a hobby or a personal passion. tional Appeals Division reprimanded
year or more, to get this completed Farming is how many Iowans leave this NRCS agency for overstepping its
once and for all. It is something I know their mark in our world. bounds. Can you imagine stepping in to
that we, as a committee, every Member The legacy of many Iowa families is say that a farmer can’t farm his farm?
in this Senate—72 are cosponsors—but, built and created around life at that The USDA stepped in because they
truly, the entire country needs. They farm. Every farmer intends to leave had failed to obey their own rules. The
need to have dependable, reliable, and their land to their children better than appeals division favored Mr. Wilke.
affordable energy. They need that to be when they found it when it was en- This protracted court battle should
pragmatic and realistic, working with trusted to them for their care in the have been avoided.
all the energies we have but demand- first place. Farmers live by that creed, In regard to that, I am going to read,
ing, through innovation—not elimi- and it is reflected by the fact that Iowa and then I am going to ask unanimous
nation but through innovation—a is a global leader in sustainable farm- consent to print in the RECORD the
much cleaner result and a better envi- ing practices. Iowa Farm Bureau Federation news-
ronment for all of us. That is what we Through farm bill programs at the paper called the Spokesman.
do in this bill. We tackle every part of U.S. Department of Agriculture, the This started in 2010. So, in 2020, this
it. Federal Government has proven it can finally ends, where one division of the
I am very pleased to be working with successfully partner with farmers to U.S. Department of Agriculture, called
you. I am as committed as you are to enhance conservation practices. the National Appeals Division, because
get this done before we get out of here. At the State level, Governor Rey- of their decision, Mr. Wilke will have
Thank you. nolds and Iowa Agriculture Secretary an opportunity to be reimbursed for
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Thank you. Naig are leading the charge to imple- tens of thousands of dollars in legal
With that, I yield the floor. ment the Iowa Nutrient Reduction fees incurred while fighting for fair
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Strategy—our way of cleaning up the treatment.
ator from Iowa. rivers and helping the Gulf of Mexico I ask unanimous consent to print
FAMILY FARMS to not be as dead as it is so often. This this article in the RECORD.
Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, includes techniques like no-till, cover There being no objection, the mate-
the past few months have resulted in crops, and wetland restoration to im- rial was ordered to be printed in the
some dramatic changes in our daily prove soil health and enhance water RECORD, as follows:
lives. We all know that is because of quality. [June 17, 2020]
the virus pandemic, but for America’s Researchers at Iowa State University USDA APPEALS DIVISION ADMONISHES NRCS
farmers and the 86,000 Iowa family continue to develop new conservation FOR NOT FOLLOWING ITS OWN RULES
farms, there were still crops to be techniques, like adding tall grass prai- A battle over a farmer’s right to use and
planted, fields to be fertilized, and live- rie strips to fields and modeling when care for his own land is one step closer to
stock to care for, regardless of the to best apply fertilizer. being resolved. A determination by the di-
virus pandemic. Iowa farmers have embraced vol- rector of USDA’s National Appeals Division
These family farms take great satis- untary stewardship investments and admonishes the Natural Resources Conserva-
faction in the fact that they are part of practices that allow them to stay pro- tion Service for failing to obey its own rules.
The ruling favors an Illinois farmer who bat-
the most affordable, abundant, and ductive and to be profitable—maybe tled NRCS for more than a decade. The deci-
safest supply of food of any country in not so profitable now when corn is at sion is a welcome signal that concerns from
the world. They are also proud to help less than $3 a bushel, as an example, across the countryside about NRCS con-
fuel the country, knowing that almost but overall time profitability. They do servation compliance are being heard.
every gallon of gas consumed in the this while also ensuring their land can In 2010, the NRCS determined that Illinois
United States is blended with renew- be productive for years to come, for farmer Kurt Wilke and his family could not
able fuels. when it is time to give their children a maintain and farm their land, claiming it
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Family farmers have a lot to be chance to take over the farm. contained wetlands, despite documentation
to the contrary. An administrative judge
proud of. As one of two farmers serving So while the Federal Government has
ruled against the NRCS, but the agency re-
in the U.S. Senate, I can speak to that shown an ability to partner with Iowa peatedly filed the same findings, forcing
because I am one. farmers, there are also times when the Wilke to fight the issue in court four times
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Federal Government has overstepped over more than a decade. Each time, an ad-
my job is the opportunity to speak its authority and attempted to regu- ministrative judge ruled in Wilke’s favor.
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June 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3639
Wilke’s case is not unique. In 2019, the Amer- To clear up a common confusion, this ghanistan—bounties that have report-
ican Farm Bureau Federation called on rule wasn’t about regulating discharge edly led to the death of at least one
USDA to ensure fair treatment of farmers of pollution into the waterways, which American servicemember, and there
and ranchers by NRCS, highlighting Kurt
Wilke’s case and others. AFBF called for due
is important and is done through other may have been more. Yet, while nu-
process in enforcement of conservation and a parts of the Clean Water Act. What merous news outlets have confirmed
transparent decision-making and appeals this whole WOTUS rule was about was that Donald Trump was briefed on the
process. requiring Federal redtape for routine matter months ago, his administration
AFBF welcomes the NAD director’s deci- land use decisions with little or no en- still hasn’t taken any apparent steps to
sion, which clears the way for Wilke to be re- vironmental benefit. It was a power push back against Russia’s blatant and
imbursed for tens of thousands of dollars in
grab, pure and simple. provocative act of aggression. In fact,
legal fees incurred while fighting for fair
treatment. The NAD director found that the
One week ago today, the Trump ad- far from authorizing any normal, rea-
NRCS ignored its own standards in deter- ministration’s WOTUS rule went into sonable, expected retaliation, Trump
mining what constitutes a wetland, stating, effect. This rule balances the need to has actually refused to issue even a
‘‘NRCS’s decision to disregard evidence af- protect our navigable rivers while also cold word about the foreign adversary
fected the accuracy of its calculation.’’ The protecting the private property rights colluding with terrorists to kill Ameri-
ruling continues, ‘‘Because NAD determined of businesses, homeowners, and, of cans in exchange for cash. Instead, he
that, NRCS’s scopes and effect analysis did course, family farms. This is a major has continued to heap praise on Russia
not follow federal regulations or established
procedures, NRCS cannot now argue that it
accomplishment, and I congratulate and the tyrant at its helm, describing
did so.’’ President Trump and Administrator the ‘‘great friendship’’ between our
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Wheeler on getting this rule over the countries as recently as last month,
Duvall said, ‘‘This decision about a decade finish line. long after he reportedly learned about
old case sends a strong message to NRCS I hope people remember 4 months the bounty scheme.
that the government must play by its own from now—particularly people who are Despite many independent news re-
rules and treat farmers and ranchers fairly. farmers—what WOTUS would have ports claiming otherwise, the White
We understand the importance of following
done for you if it had been kept in House spent the weekend denying that
environmental rules, but we expect fair en-
forcement of those rules. We hope this marks place. You maybe would have had to Trump was ever told of this intel-
the end of NRCS ignoring facts and proce- get a permit from the government to ligence. Well, saying that Trump ad-
dures. We look forward to conservation being do normal farming operations. Now ministration officials are prone to
a partnership between NRCS and farmers.’’ you don’t have to. You never have had lying is like saying they are prone to
The NAD director’s decision follows a to in 150, 160 years in Iowa. breathing, but there are two possible
unanimous ruling by the Court of Appeals For the time being, these two exam- scenarios before us. Both are damning
for the Seventh Circuit in USDA v. Boucher,
ples of government overreach have for the man who is supposed to be in
which sternly rebuked NRCS conservation
program enforcement in 2019. In the court’s been resolved. However, the U.S. Con- charge.
words, ‘‘USDA repeatedly failed to follow ap- gress and the executive branch must The first is that Trump was never ac-
plicable law and agency standards. It dis- continue to advocate for fairness and tually looped in. In this case, ignorance
regarded compelling evidence showing that common sense when passing legislation isn’t exculpatory. ‘‘I didn’t know that
the acreage in question never qualified as or regulations that will impact private our adversary was helping kill Amer-
wetlands that could have been converted il- land owners. ican troops because no one told me’’ is
legally into croplands. And the agency has Farmers understand the importance
kept shifting its explanations for treating
not an excuse for the Commander in
the acreage as converted wetlands. The
of environmental rules, and farmers Chief of the greatest military on Earth.
USDA’s treatment of the Bouchers’ acreage will follow those rules. However, we It is, in fact, a confession of incom-
as converted wetlands easily qualifies as ar- must demand fair enforcement of those petence.
bitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discre- rules so that they don’t disadvantage If he was truly never told, then that
tion.’’ family farmers like Mr. Wilkie of Illi- means that his own staff either be-
Mr. GRASSLEY. He finally gets jus- nois was disadvantaged for 10 years lieves he is so compromised by Russia
tice, but just think of the life of Mr. fighting the bureaucracy. However, we or they consider him so counter-
Wilke for the 10 years that the U.S. De- must demand fair enforcement of these productive to the running of the coun-
partment of Agriculture and that agen- rules so that they don’t disadvantage try that they thought it necessary to
cy said he could not farm his land the anybody, for that matter. hide critical information about our na-
way he wanted to and put in the tile The virus pandemic that we are in tional security from him.
system the way he wanted to. Some- has demonstrated the importance of If it is true that those who knew of
times maybe their opinion is justified, supporting farmers and ensuring that this threat to American lives failed to
but you can see how they overstepped we have a stable, safe, and affordable tell the President, then we should ex-
their bounds and how it hurt this farm- food supply for our country. Through pect a President with such an affinity
er. natural disasters, through droughts, for firing senior officials to have no
I want to give you another example through pests, through pandemics, qualms about acting swiftly to remove
of government overreach. It was the America’s families are still farming. Cabinet officials who failed to share
Obama-era regulation called waters of Let’s make sure that the Federal Gov- this critical information with him.
the United States. Most people know ernment doesn’t get in their way so The second and far more likely op-
that as WOTUS. The 2015 WOTUS rule that they can pass along their legacy tion is that they are covering for him;
was a dramatic expansion of the au- and their farm to future generations. that Trump knew—that of course
thority that Congress provided to the I yield the floor. Trump knew—yet he still did not act;
Environmental Protection Agency to The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. that this ‘‘America first’’ President
regulate the navigable waters of the BOOZMAN). The Senator from Illinois is went right on placing Russian interests
United States. Remember navigable recognized. ahead of American lives, kept on act-
waters? It is supposed to be the defini- RUSSIA ing as Putin’s lackey, trying to score
tion of—as far as the big boats can go Ms. DUCKWORTH. Mr. President, I Russia an invite back into what would
up a river. That is Federal regulation. come to the floor today appalled by be the G8, even as he learned that they
Beyond that, it is State regulation, but what appears to be a total betrayal of were working with terrorists to target
not for that previous administration troops by the man who is supposed to our troops. Then, when the news fi-
and WOTUS. They were going to regu- be their Commander in Chief, a man nally broke on Friday, he decided to lie
late the road ditches, as an example. who swore an oath to support and de- about what he had known all along, fo-
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In fact, the Obama-era rule would fend our Constitution from our Na- cused more on protecting his own per-
have claimed jurisdiction to require tion’s enemies. sonal reputation than protecting the
Federal permission to do any number This weekend, news broke that Rus- troops sacrificing for our country over-
of activities, not just in or near Iowa sia offered bounties to Taliban-linked seas on his orders.
rivers and streams but on 97 percent of militants for the murders of U.S. Well, at least one American service-
Iowa’s land. troops and other coalition forces in Af- member is reportedly dead as a result
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S3640 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 29, 2020
of these bounties. While he spent his lives for stacks of cash. He has made it Last week, I talked a little bit about
weekend golfing, lying, and making more likely that more spouses will be how we are falling behind China and
sure the buck stopped anywhere but widowed and more moms and dads will Russia and how those two countries are
with him, our troops in hotspots turn into Gold Star parents. now our biggest threats. I think we all
around the world were forced to wonder Listen, I ran for Congress so that know how that happened. It happened
whether they might be next, whether a when the drums of war started beating, in the last 5 years of the Obama admin-
bounty might be placed on their head I would be in a position to ensure that istration. During those last 5 years, the
tomorrow, and whether President our elected officials fully considered President’s budget took 25 percent of
Trump would even care enough to re- the true cost of war—not just in dollars the military budget away from the
spond if that was the case. Once again, and cents but in human lives. If that military. This has never happened be-
Donald Trump has abdicated any sem- war must occur, then of course I will fore. Yet that is what happened.
blance of real leadership. support it, but what I never ever imag- What happened at the same time—I
Look, even if we somehow swallow ined was that I would have to come to don’t think a lot of the Members are
the pill that the Trump administration the floor of the Senate to point out aware of this, but China and Russia—
is so incompetent that no one ever told that the American President should be they are the enemies out there. During
Trump that a foreign power conspired angry—even furious—when another na- the time that our President had
to commit acts of terror against our tion puts a bounty on the heads of our defunded the military by 25 percent,
troops, it still wouldn’t explain his re- troops; that I would have to be here to Russia actually increased theirs by 34
sponse now that he does know. Not point out for our President that the percent. We went down 25 percent; Rus-
once—not once—since the story broke Commander in Chief of the most pow- sia went up 34 percent.
has he expressed his sorrow for those erful fighting force the world has ever What was China doing during this
who lost a loved one or expressed awe known should act like a Commander in time? China, while we were going down
at the bravery of the servicemembers Chief. 25 percent, went up 83 percent.
who are in harm’s way because they Those troops deserve to know what You see what the problem is. They
love their country so much that they the administration is doing to protect just passed us up in a lot of areas. We
are willing to go to a war zone for her. them and why Trump has, so far, failed can name those—hypersonics and other
He has had time to call Joe Biden to take any action to protect them. areas where they were building.
names, however. He has had time to That is one reason why I am demand- They are building up their military
retweet a video promoting White ing a Senate hearing to hear testimony capabilities and positioning themselves
power. He has had time to promote from the Secretary of Defense, the Sec- strategically around the world. We
conspiracy theories and bolster Russia retary of State, the Director of the know they are showing up in places
propaganda by questioning the Amer- CIA, and others so we can get to the they have never been before.
ican intelligence experts who work for bottom of this once and for all. Fortunately, we have a strategy to
him. Not once—not once in the past 72 Donald Trump has never understood counter them. It is called the national
hours has he found the time to express what words like ‘‘sacrifice’’ or ‘‘cour- defense strategy. I meant to bring that
outrage that American service men and age’’ mean, so how dare he let his own down with me because I make ref-
women are dead. We, the American personal cowardice, his inability, or— erence to that. The national defense
people, should be outraged by what he even worse—his disinterest in standing strategy is a document that is put to-
is choosing to prioritize instead. up to Vladimir Putin lead to a reality gether by 12 Democrats and 12 Repub-
I am racking my brain for any jus- where those Americans who are actu- licans—all very top people in terms of
tifiable reason for Trump’s reaction. ally brave enough to put on a uniform their knowledge of the military—who
Does he think that maybe there are and serve are put at greater risk. How get together and say: What should be
good people on both sides of this debate dare he let his own personal insecu- our roadmap? What we are going to do
too—in the debate between killing rities and failings endanger our na- to put ourselves in a position where we
American troops and protecting them? tional security. can counter Russia and China?
Does he think that the word of Vladi- In the face of all he has done, all he We have the national defense strat-
mir Putin is just as good as the dedi- continues to refuse to do, how dare he egy. It came out in late 2018. At that
cated public servants and intelligence still call himself the Commander in time, the military services had been
officers who put themselves at great Chief. implementing this plan with the sup-
risk to make sure he has the best, most I yield the floor. port of Congress in previous NDAAs.
accurate information to make national I suggest the absence of a quorum. This is the third year now that we have
security decisions? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The that.
Does he think that not retaliating clerk will call the roll. What we did this year was speed up
will help bury the issue and that by The legislative clerk proceeded to the implementation. We set America
burying the issue, it will help keep his call the roll. on a course to make sure that we are
poll numbers from sinking any lower? Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask setting ourselves up for success no
Make no mistake—not responding unanimous consent that the order for matter what threat comes our way. We
here is a response in its own way, and the quorum call be rescinded. do that by using this document, the
it is a response that further endangers The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without NDS, the National Defense Strategy
our national security. Just as he did objection, it is so ordered. Commission report.
when he pandered to another tyrant S. 4049 What this says is that we need to cre-
and announced he would sweep our Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, for 59 ate a credible military deterrent that
troops out of Syria last fall, just as he years in a row, Congress has passed the tells Russia and China and anyone else
did when he wanted to look tough by NDAA—almost always on a bipartisan who would do us harm: You just can’t
ordering the assassination of Iranian basis. This year will be the 60th year in win. We are going to win. We will beat
General Qasem Soleimani last year, he a row. I am proud to say the fiscal year you—no matter who you are out there.
has put Americans in war zones in even 2021 National Defense Authorization That is what this NDAA does.
greater danger than they were in al- Act continues in that long bipartisan It says that we need to invest in the
ready—in greater danger than they tradition. equipment, tools, weapons, resources,
needed to be. There is not much around here any- and training our troops need to succeed
By refusing to call out this wrong, by more that passes every single year, let in their mission. We also make sure
decrying the reports as fake news, by alone with the support of both parties. that they are in the right places and at
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being so incompetent in matters rang- But we all know what the bill is all the right time. That is what the NDAA,
ing from foreign policy to common de- about; it is about support of our troops which we are considering right now—
cency, Donald Trump is making it and our national security. I hope we which we are proceeding to right now—
more likely that other hostile powers will all keep that in mind, as we dis- will do.
will work with other terrorist net- cuss the amendments to this bill, to It says that our biggest threats come
works to exchange other American keep them on topic. from Indo-Pacific region. The NDAA
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June 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3641
creates a Pacific Deterrence Initiative the big differences. We hear people all for the minority. I will talk more
to enhance lethality, address key capa- the time—the anti-defense crowd out about them later, but they deserve a
bility gaps, and support our allies and there is always talking about how we lot of praise. They are used to working
partners over there. This is something are actually spending more money on at night, and they are used to working
that we haven’t done before. The stra- military than China and Russia put to- at odd hours. They are tireless. They
tegic Pacific Deterrence is like Euro- gether. That is true. The most expen- have done tremendous work, and the
pean Deterrence. It was very success- sive part of the military is the people. proof of that is the overwhelmingly bi-
ful, and that is what we are doing now That is the most expensive part. partisan vote out of committee. The
in the Middle East. Of course, Communist countries vote to move forward with the NDAA
Several of us, including the Chair, don’t care about the people. They just last Thursday passed out of committee
have been to the South China Sea. We give them a rifle and say: Go out and to the Senate floor by a vote of 25 to 2,
have watched China doing things, kill somebody. and the 2 who voted against it never
building islands—something that has Here are a few of those people who vote for military anyway, so I call that
never been done before—going into are counting on us this week. unanimous. I am looking forward to
areas they have never been before, such I am thinking about one of my seeing the same strong bipartisan sup-
as Djibouti. Historically, it has been former interns who started his journey port and to voting on this bill, hope-
the practice to do things in China, at the Air Force Academy last week, as fully, at the end of this week.
starting things within their city lim- well as all of the other new cadets and We are going to give it careful con-
its. But that is not the way it is any- midshipmen at the Air Force Academy, sideration, and I look forward to work-
more. It is now all throughout Africa, the Naval Academy, and West Point. ing with you all to make it better
Djibouti, as far south as Southern Tan- I am thinking about the 40 new sol- through the amendment process. That
zania. diers I talked with before they took is what we are starting on right now.
It says that technology is changing their oath of office on the birthday of With that, I yield the floor.
the nature of warfare rapidly and that the U.S. Army. They are the future of I suggest the absence of a quorum.
we have to keep up with China and our military. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
Russia, who are working hard to build I am thinking about the sailors and clerk will call the roll.
weapons that we have never even heard marines serving overseas whom I had The legislative clerk proceeded to
of. So the NDAA pushes innovation and the honor of meeting earlier this year. call the roll.
makes it easier for the Pentagon to I am thinking about Janna Driver, a Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask
harness that innovation throughout tireless military spouse. Her husband unanimous consent that the order for
the defense industrial base. We harden was stationed at Tinker Air Force the quorum call be rescinded.
our supply chains so that China and Base. She came to my office. I was The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
Russia can’t be a threat to us there. We thinking it was something that was objection, it is so ordered.
have issues there, but the pandemic just happening at Tinker Air Force The question is on agreeing to the
really showed us where our weaknesses Base, but she talked about the deplor- motion to proceed.
are. able housing situation, and it all start- Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask for
This bill helps us reduce our reliance ed with the privatization of housing. the yeas and nays.
on foreign countries and protects our She was talking about that. I assumed The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a
supply chain and our key technologies this is a problem that we needed to ad- sufficient second?
from infiltration and other risks. The dress only at Tinker Air Force Base. There appears to be a sufficient sec-
NDS Commission report also tells us Then I found out it was all over the ond.
how the Pentagon’s massive bureauc- State of Oklahoma, in all five of our The clerk will call the roll.
racy sometimes inhibits our ability to major military installations. Then we The legislative clerk called the roll.
innovate and operate. The NDAA helps found out it was nationwide. This is Mr. THUNE. The following Senators
the Pentagon fully implement the something that we started working on. are necessarily absent: the Senator
NDS, improving the way they budget, This is the privatization of housing and from North Carolina (Mr. BURR), the
giving them flexibility to hire and keep how it is deteriorating. We got on it Senator from North Dakota (Mr.
top talent, but always making sure right away. CRAMER), the Senator from Wyoming
they are accountable to the taxpayer. Again, this is something that China (Mr. ENZI), and the Senator from Penn-
No matter what threats we face—no and Russia don’t have to do because sylvania (Mr. TOOMEY).
matter who, what, where, when, or they don’t care about taking care of Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the
how—the one constant is the men and their people. They don’t have to do Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. MAR-
women who make up the force. These that in a Communist country. KEY), the Senator from Oregon (Mr.
are the brave Americans who volunteer I am also thinking about Kristie Rob- MERKLEY), and the Senator from
to wear the uniform and put them- erts, a member of the 138th Fighter Vermont (Mr. SANDERS) are necessarily
selves in harm’s way because they be- Wing of the Tulsa Air National Guard, absent.
lieve in this Nation, and they are will- who lost her husband, Staff Sergeant The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there
ing to give their lives to defend it. Marshal Roberts, in March. any other Senators in the Chamber de-
At the end of the day, that is the Each of them represents hundreds of siring to vote?
most important thing this bill does: It thousands of other men and women The result was announced—yeas 89,
takes care of our troops and their fami- who are serving our Nation, and we owe nays 4, as follows:
lies. They sacrifice so much, and they it to them to get this done together.
[Rollcall Vote No. 128 Leg.]
risk so much. We are all aware of that. I am glad to have by my side the
ranking member, who shares my dedi- YEAS—89
We have to make sure that we are tak-
cation and gratitude to our troops, Alexander Coons Heinrich
ing care of them right. That is what
Baldwin Cornyn Hirono
this bill does. JACK REED. I have to thank JACK REED Barrasso Cortez Masto Hoeven
This is a very serious, sacred respon- for being a great partner and friend and Bennet Cotton Hyde-Smith
sibility we have—one I don’t take for his support of this bill. In fact, Blackburn Crapo Inhofe
Blumenthal Cruz Johnson
lightly. While I am on the floor, JACK REED and I have worked together Blunt Daines Jones
throughout the debate on this bill, I for 3 years now, and we are singular in Booker Duckworth Kaine
am thinking about them. the efforts that we want for our mili- Boozman Durbin Kennedy
When we are talking about this bill, tary system. I am sure there are occa- Braun Ernst King
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Brown Feinstein Klobuchar
the numbers we are talking about—the sionally some differences, and we don’t Cantwell Fischer Lankford
$740.5 billion and the 2.1 million serv- agree on everything, but we resolve the Capito Gardner Leahy
icemembers—the sheer size can make problems. Cardin Gillibrand Lee
you forget sometimes that these are Of course, we wouldn’t be here if it Carper Graham Loeffler
Casey Grassley Manchin
real people who rely on us to do things weren’t for our staff. We have John Cassidy Hassan McConnell
and to do things right. That is one of Bonsell for the majority and Liz King Collins Hawley McSally
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S3642 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 29, 2020
Menendez Rosen Stabenow SEC. 240. ELEMENT IN ANNUAL REPORTS ON adjourn until 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 30;
Moran Rounds Sullivan CYBER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Murkowski Rubio Tester ACTIVITIES ON WORK WITH ACA-
further, that following the prayer and
Murray Sasse Thune DEMIC CONSORTIA ON HIGH PRI- pledge, the morning hour be deemed
Paul Schatz Tillis ORITY CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH expired, the Journal of proceedings be
Perdue Schumer Udall ACTIVITIES IN DEPARTMENT OF DE- approved to date, the time of the two
Peters Scott (FL) Van Hollen FENSE CAPABILITIES.
Portman Scott (SC) leaders be reserved for their use later
Warner Section 257(b)(2) of the National Defense
Reed Shaheen
Whitehouse Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Pub-
in the day, and morning business be
Risch Shelby
Wicker lic Law 116–92; 133 Sta. 1291) is amended by closed; further, following leader re-
Roberts Sinema
Romney Smith
Young adding at end the following new subpara- marks, the Senate resume consider-
graph: ation of Calendar No. 483, S. 4049; fi-
NAYS—4 ‘‘(J) Efforts to work with academic con- nally, that the Senate recess from 12:30
Harris Warren sortia on high priority cybersecurity re- until 2:15 p.m. for the weekly con-
Murphy Wyden search activities.’’. ference meetings.
NOT VOTING—7 Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, for the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
Burr Markey Toomey information of all Senators, Senator objection, it is so ordered.
Cramer Merkley REED and I have reached an agreement f
Enzi Sanders on the first managers’ package, and we ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT
The motion is agreed to. will be hotlining that list on both sides
this evening with the hopes of clearing Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, if
it and adopting those amendments to- there is no further business to come be-
f fore the Senate, I ask unanimous con-
morrow.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- sent that it stand adjourned under the
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- jority leader. previous order, following the remarks
TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 of our Democratic colleagues.
f The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
MORNING BUSINESS objection, it is so ordered.
clerk will report the bill by title. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. SUL-
The senior assistant legislative clerk Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I LIVAN). The Senator from Oregon.
read as follows: ask unanimous consent that the Sen- f
A bill (S. 4049) to authorize appropriations ate be in a period of morning business,
for fiscal year 2021 for military activities of with Senators permitted to speak UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST
the Department of Defense, for military con- therein for up to 10 minutes each. Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, the
struction, and for defense activities of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without COVID–19 pandemic has thrown our
Department of Energy, to prescribe military objection, it is so ordered. country into a nightmare level crisis of
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and
f joblessness. The Congress has not done
for other purposes.
enough to stop it and has not done
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- MEASURE READ THE FIRST enough to save the jobs of our people.
ator from Oklahoma. TIME—H.R. 7259 I have come to the floor this evening
AMENDMENT NO. 2301 Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I to call for the Senate to pass legisla-
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I call up understand there is a bill at the desk, tion that is all about saving the public
the substitute amendment No. 2301. and I ask for its first reading. sector jobs that form the backbone of
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The The PRESIDING OFFICER. The our local communities, our fire-
clerk will report the amendment. clerk will read the title of the bill for fighters, our first responders, our
the first time. teachers, our families, and so many
The legislative clerk read as follows:
The legislative clerk read as follows: others. They need our help. They need
The Senator from Oklahoma [Mr. INHOFE] it now.
proposes an amendment numbered 2301. A bill (H.R. 7259) to allow acceleration cer-
tificates awarded under the Patents for Hu-
Senate Democrats have been warning
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask manity Program to be transferable. since March that when COVID–19 cases
unanimous consent that the reading of exploded and our economy went into
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I
the amendment be waived. lockdown, our States, our cities, and
now ask for a second reading, and in
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without our towns are now facing budgetary
order to place the bill on the calendar
objection, it is so ordered. disasters unlike any they have gone
under the provisions of rule XIV, I ob-
(The amendment is printed in today’s through in recent memory. The short-
ject to my own request.
RECORD under ‘‘Text of Amendments.’’) falls that State and local governments
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec-
AMENDMENT NO. 2080 TO AMENDMENT NO. 2301
are facing due to the pandemic make
tion having been heard, the bill will re-
the great recession look like a modest
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ceive a second reading on the next leg-
little economic hiccup. Layoffs are now
call up amendment No. 2080. islative day.
happening at nightmarish levels.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The f In March, April, and May, there were
clerk will report. 1.5 million job losses. Among these key
The legislative clerk read as follows: APPOINTMENT
individuals were the firefighters, the
The Senator from Kentucky [Mr. MCCON- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The first responders, our public employees,
NELL], for Mr. PORTMAN, proposes an amend- Chair, on behalf of the Vice President, folks who teach our kids, work in pub-
ment numbered 2080 to amendment No. 2301. pursuant to the provisions of S. Con. lic health, emergency response, and
Mr. MCCONNELL. I ask consent that Res. 38 (116th Congress), appoints the play a key role in maintaining our
the reading of the amendment be following Senators to the Joint Con- roads and highways. I am just going to
waived. gressional Committee on Inaugural take a few minutes to run through
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Ceremonies: the Honorable MITCH some specific examples of why Senate
objection, it is so ordered. MCCONNELL of Kentucky; the Honor- Democrats think this is so important.
The amendment (No. 2080) is as fol- able ROY BLUNT of Missouri; and the First, what kind of sense does it
lows: Honorable AMY KLOBUCHAR of Min- make to sit back and allow thousands
nesota. and thousands of first responders to
(Purpose: To require an element in annual
f lose their jobs in the middle of a pan-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
reports on cyber science and technology
activities on work with academic consortia demic? COVID–19 cases have spiked
ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 30, now in places around this country. Our
on high priority cybersecurity research ac-
tivities in Department of Defense capabili- 2020 public health systems are getting hit
ties) Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I like they were hammered with a
At the end of subtitle C of title II, add the ask unanimous consent that when the wrecking ball. State and local govern-
following: Senate completes its business today, it ments are being forced to cut EMS
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