Legislative Session (Cong. Rec., June 30, 2020)
Summary
Pages S3980 and S3981 of the Congressional Record, Senate, June 30, 2020, under the heading Legislative Session. The Senate resumes consideration of S. 4049, with Inhofe amendment No. 2301 and McConnell (for Portman) amendment No. 2080 listed as pending. Mr. MCCONNELL speaks on the National Defense Authorization Act. Mr. SCHUMER, the Democratic leader, speaks under the heading Russia about the alleged bounty program and says the President has not condemned it. Mr. DURBIN then gives remarks headed Remembering Stanley R. Balzekas.
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“Legislative Session (Cong. Rec., June 30, 2020).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-06-30-crec-2020-06-30-pt1-pgs3980-5-d2d57c75de/
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S3980 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 30, 2020
healthcare fight to get ready for the But already the bill will make major sume consideration of S. 4049, which
fall and winter and speed the search for steps forward. It supports servicemem- the clerk will report.
a vaccine. bers not only while they are at their The senior assistant legislative clerk
One helpful policy would be strong duty stations but also on the home- read as follows:
legal protection for schools, colleges, front. A bill (S. 4049) to authorize appropriations
nonprofits, and employers who are put- This year’s bill encourages expanded for fiscal year 2021 for military activities of
ting their necks on the line to reopen. telemedicine capabilities in the mili- the Department of Defense, for military con-
So long as institutions follow the best tary healthcare system, and it will struction, and for defense activities of the
Department of Energy, to prescribe military
available guidelines, they should not help retain highly trained providers. It personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and
have to live in fear of a second epi- implements new quality standards for for other purposes.
demic of frivolous lawsuits. Believe acquisitions of military family housing
Pending:
me, the virus is worry enough. and increases impact aid to school dis-
Inhofe amendment No. 2301, in the nature
These are the kinds of smart solu- tricts that support large numbers of of a substitute.
tions Washington must continue dis- military children. It revises sexual as- McConnell (for Portman) amendment No.
cussing as we evaluate what further sault-prevention policies to destroy 2080 (to amendment No. 2301), to require an
steps may be necessary. Partisan the- barriers to victims seeking justice. element in annual reports on cyber science
ater and politicized wish-lists are not It includes further steps to ensure all and technology activities on work with aca-
what the country needs. these efforts are supported by a more demic consortia on high priority cybersecu-
rity research activities in Department of De-
f efficient and transparent administra-
fense capabilities.
tive structure over at the Pentagon.
NATIONAL DEFENSE Mr. MCCONNELL. I suggest the ab-
That means changes to compensation
AUTHORIZATION ACT sence of a quorum.
to attract top talent, expanded access
Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, to cutting-edge software, and new The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
now on another matter, as I have said checks on the Department’s planning clerk will call the roll.
for weeks, our domestic challenges process to increase accountability. The senior assistant legislative clerk
cannot take Congress’s eye off the ball The U.S. military is the greatest proceeded to call the roll.
of world affairs. So, as the Senate Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I
fighting force the world has ever seen.
passed other major bills and the Senate ask unanimous consent that the order
Our work in the coming days is meant
Republicans tried to advance police re- for the quorum call be rescinded.
to ensure that this remains the case. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
form until Democrats blocked us, our Supporting servicemembers and their
colleagues on the Armed Services Com- objection, it is so ordered.
families is a critical piece of this year’s
mittee have worked hard to assemble RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
NDAA. Our men and women in uniform
the next National Defense Authoriza- The Democratic leader is recognized.
are simply the best, and they deserve
tion Act. the best. RUSSIA
Every year, the NDAA allows us to Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President,
f
speak clearly about the Senate’s prior- today there are thousands—thou-
ities on matters of national defense. As MEASURE PLACED ON THE sands—of American servicemembers in
China continues to treat maritime ar- CALENDAR—H.R. 7259 Afghanistan defending us from ter-
teries like its own backyard sandbox, Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, rorist organizations and their sponsors.
the men and women of the U.S. Sev- I understand there is a bill at the desk They are joined by servicemembers and
enth Fleet and the entire Indo-Pacific due for a second reading. support personnel from allied nations
Command remain on call to maintain The PRESIDING OFFICER. The and security partners. Each one of
order. As Russia doubles down on its clerk will read the bill by title for the these lives is precious to a nation and
support of brutal dictators and attacks second time. to a family somewhere. Each one of us
democratic regimes from dark corners The senior assistant legislative clerk in this Chamber recognizes the solemn
of the web, U.S. Cyber Command re- read as follows: duty we have to our servicemembers.
mains vigilant and our NATO relation- An act (H.R. 7259) to allow acceleration
We are all concerned about media re-
ships remain vital. As tyrants, from certificates awarded under the Patents for ports that the Russian Government or
Tehran to Pyongyang, pave over their Humanity Program to be transferable. its proxies has been offering bounties
citizens in pursuit of power, we need Mr. MCCONNELL. In order to place on the lives of American soldiers to
our sharpest minds and best tools the bill on the calendar under the pro- Taliban-linked fighters in Afghanistan.
watching their every move. visions of rule XIV, I would object to The Associated Press has reported that
Our Armed Forces stand watch over further proceedings. the United States is investigating
our homeland, and they stand watch The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- whether Americans died as a result of
over an entire international order that tion having been heard, the bill will be Russian bounties and is particularly fo-
shares our peaceful values and benefits placed on the calendar. cused on a 2019 attack that killed three
our Nation. U.S. marines, including one young man
f
Now our military has also risen to from Locust Valley, Long Island, NY,
the unique task of helping respond to RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME and another who worked as a fire-
the pandemic. Military medical facili- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under fighter in the FDNY—the great
ties have added critical capacity dur- the previous order, the leadership time FDNY—for 15 years. On behalf of my
ing the first surge of COVID–19, from is reserved. constituents and the American people,
Navy hospital ships to soldiers from I demand answers.
f
the 531st Hospital Center at Fort If, in fact, Putin and his cronies have
Campbell. National Guard personnel CONCLUSION OF MORNING been sponsoring the murder of Amer-
have established and manned tem- BUSINESS ican and coalition forces in Afghani-
porary testing facilities across the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning stan, there is no question there should
country. DOD research facilities have business is closed. be swift and severe consequences. But
joined the race to develop treatments. unlike every previous administration I
f
As our servicemembers confront have ever worked with, the Trump ad-
challenges new and familiar, our job is LEGISLATIVE SESSION ministration has been shockingly
to advance an NDAA that supports weak-kneed when it comes to authori-
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them and their families. Chairman tarian leaders like Putin. This admin-
INHOFE and Senator REED led a produc- NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- istration appears unwilling to even ac-
tive, bipartisan process in committee. I TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR knowledge the gravity of the situation,
hope we will see a bipartisan amend- 2021—Resumed unwilling to even express concern
ment process out here on the floor as The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under about these rumors and commit to in-
well. the previous order, the Senate will re- vestigating them.
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June 30, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3981
The shifting explanations from the election and need Federal resources to their kids safely continue their edu-
White House about when and how the hold safe elections. Even the popular cation. This is about making sure el-
President learned about these reports and bipartisan Paycheck Protection derly relatives are healthy and safe and
has only added to the confusion and Program runs out of lending authority properly cared for. This is about mak-
concern here on Capitol Hill. First, the today, with over $130 billion in remain- ing sure that, when it comes time to
President tweeted ‘‘Nobody briefed me ing funds, while so many small busi- vote, every American can exercise the
or told me’’ about the reports. That is nesses continue to struggle. They have franchise without worrying about get-
what he said: Nobody briefed him or $130 billion sitting there. The program ting sick.
told him. Then the President hinted he runs out today, and our Republican The need for these pieces of legisla-
was aware of these reports but that it colleagues are doing nothing. tion is beyond dispute. When most Re-
didn’t rise to the level of an official There are so many urgent priorities publicans back home are asked if we
briefing. The White House Press Sec- that require our attention here, but the should do these things, they want us to
retary repeatedly denied that the Senate Republican majority has been do them.
President had been briefed. Then, last ignoring them. Instead of working in a We have only a few days to go before
night, the Associated Press reported bipartisan way to reform police depart- the Senate adjourns for the next State
that President Trump had received in- ments across the country, Senate Re- work period. If Republicans continue to
telligence about these potential boun- publicans dropped an inadequate par- block reasonable attempts at passing
ties as early as spring of last year—the tisan bill on the floor. After it failed, COVID–19 legislation, they will have to
spring of last year. the Republicans didn’t seem eager to go home and explain why to their con-
Out of all of those different expla- start the bipartisan negotiations we stituents. Americans are tired of wait-
nations, the best case—the best case— need to get progress back on track. ing for the Republican Senate to ‘‘feel
for the President is that he doesn’t Instead of spending the last 45 days the urgency of acting immediately.’’
read sensitive intelligence reports. You working with Democrats on legislation We have a chance tonight to accom-
know, that is his job. to address the public health and eco- plish what should have been done
It has been 5 days since media re- nomic crises Americans are facing due months ago and pass three important
ports informed the world of Putin’s al- to the coronavirus pandemic, Repub- bills to ensure that our schools, our
leged bounty program. What has the licans just sat on their hands. In fact, elections, and our nursing homes get
President done? He hasn’t condemned Leader MCCONNELL seems dead set on the support they desperately need.
it. He hasn’t told servicemembers and delaying any COVID–19 relief until I yield the floor.
their families he will make sure this after the Fourth of July holiday, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
alleged program is exposed and ended. even then, he said he wants to assess The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
He hasn’t directed any action against the conditions in the country before clerk will call the roll.
Putin and his cronies whatsoever. He taking action. The senior assistant legislative clerk
has done absolutely nothing—nothing. We just can’t wait for our Republican proceeded to call the roll.
As the Commander in Chief, the colleagues to wake up to the reality in Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask
President has no more serious and sol- this country. People are losing their unanimous consent that the order for
emn duty than to do right by the homes. People are not being fed. People the quorum call be rescinded.
Americans in uniform who protect our are losing their jobs. Small businesses The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
country. He is directly responsible, and are closing. COVID–19 is spreading. objection, it is so ordered.
The Republican majority does noth-
must be held accountable, for the well- REMEMBERING STANLEY R. BALZEKAS
ing. It sits on its hands. The best it
being of American servicemembers who Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, in
says, in the voice of the leader: Let’s
have volunteered to put themselves in the course of America’s immigration
assess the situation.
harm’s way to protect our country. The What more do we need to assess? The history, there have emerged leaders
least President Trump could do is American people don’t need an assess- whose names are synonymous with the
promise to get to the bottom of these ment. They want action—action. It is struggle and triumph of these immi-
allegations and hold Putin and his cro- amazing. We cannot wait—the country grants. Stanley Balzekas was that
nies accountable for their actions. cannot wait—for our Republican col- leader for Lithuanian Americans, espe-
Even that—even that—seems beyond leagues to wake up to the reality. cially in the city of Chicago.
the administration’s capabilities. Senate Democrats are forcing action Stanley was my friend. His devotion
In the short term, we need an agree- on the floor this week on a number of to Lithuania, to America, and to the
ment from the administration to con- crucial issues. Last night, Democrats cause of human freedom and dignity
duct an immediate all-Members brief- asked our colleagues to pass emergency was legendary. Whether you bumped
ing on the reports that Russia placed funding for State, local, and Tribal into him on the streets of Vilnius or
bounties on U.S. troops in Afghanistan. governments that are finalizing their Pulaski Road, he always had a smile
Senators need to hear directly from budgets today and may be forced to cut and story to share. He was as gracious
CIA Director Haspel on these reports as vital services and lay off teachers, fire- and as comfortable with the Chicago
soon as possible. fighters, and other public employees. hotdog salesmen as he was with heads
CORONAVIRUS Senate Republicans, however, have of state.
Madam President, the number of new blocked our bill. He died last week, passing peacefully
COVID–19 cases is accelerating at an Hopefully, our Republican colleagues at his home at the age of 95. As his
alarming rate through several States, will not be so hasty to reject our at- family said in his obituary: ‘‘His failing
and the economic effects of the pan- tempt to start work on several other heart could no longer keep up with his
demic continue to hammer American urgent priorities this week. Today, zest for life.’’
families and businesses across the Democrats will come to the floor to What a heroic heart he had. Stanley
country. ask this body to take up legislation on Balzekas was a decorated war hero in
Over one-fifth—one-fifth—of the safe elections, led by my colleague World War II, one of the thinning ranks
workforce has requested unemploy- Senator KLOBUCHAR; education fund- of the Greatest Generation. He joined
ment assistance—one-fifth. In one ing, led by my colleague Senator MUR- the U.S. Army in 1943 and served in the
month, the expanded unemployment RAY; and funding for our nursing infantry. He fought in key battles, in-
benefits we passed in the CARES Act homes, championed by Senator CASEY. cluding the Battle of the Bulge and the
will expire. For millions of Americans, All three will ask unanimous consent Battle of Huertgen Forest, for which he
another rent payment is due tomorrow, requests. Will our Republican friends was awarded a Bronze Star and a Pur-
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and eviction protections will run out block action once again as the country ple Heart for rescuing 12 wounded sol-
for these tenants in a few weeks. suffers, as the economy continues to diers.
School districts are preparing for the decline, as more people get sick, and He landed at Normandy and marched
fall without the resources or the guid- more people die? with other U.S. soldiers under the Arc
ance they need to reopen safely. Local- These are not abstract issues—not at de Triomphe and along the Champs-
ities are preparing for the 2020 general all. This is about parents making sure Elysees to celebrate the liberation of
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S3982 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 30, 2020
Paris from Nazi occupation. He was family’s last treasured link to an an- a good photo was to ‘‘always stand in
captured by a Waffen SS unit in France cestral homeland—a treasure worth the center, that way an editor can’t
in February 1945 and spent four months saving. crop you out.’’
as a POW at a camp in Germany. But Stanley Balzekas and the mu- Stanley, my friend, from your days
There, he was brutally mistreated, seum did not just catalog and preserve as a young GI to your final days on
starved, and lost half of his body history. They helped to make history. Earth, you were never afraid to stand
weight. On March 11, 1990, Lithuania declared in the center of life itself. Your place
After the war, he returned to Chicago its independence—the first Soviet re- in history will not be erased. And
and earned a bachelor’s degree and public to do so. Nine months later, in thanks in part to your efforts, Lithua-
master’s degree from DePaul Univer- January 1991, Soviet troops and tanks nia’s proud history and culture were
sity and joined his father running the rolled into Vilnius to crush the upris- made an inspiring part of the world’s
family business, Balzekas Motor Sales, ing. People from all over Lithuania story.
which was run continuously by the rushed to Vilnius to defend the Seimas, Aciu, my friend. May you rest in
family from 1919 until 2009. their Parliament. Hoping to keep the peace.
Stanley’s father emigrated from defenders of a Lithuanian democracy REMEMBERING ART BERMAN
Lithuania to the United States in 1912. and the world in the dark, the Soviet Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I
He grew up in Marquette Park, in Bev- Government blocked all TV trans- would like to take a moment to say
erly, the heart of Chicago’s Lithuanian missions from and within Lithuania. farewell to a good man who taught me
community. His father made the leap But nearly 4,700 miles away, there was a great deal about what it means to be
from a butcher shop to start an auto a fax machine in the Balzekas Museum a public servant.
dealership in 1919. Over the years they humming a lifeline for the Lithua- Art Berman was a respected attor-
sold many models of cars, from nian’s resistance, allowing freedom’s ney, a community leader and the long-
Hupmobiles to Chryslers. The Balzekas defenders in Vilnius to tell their story est serving Democratic State legislator
name became synonymous with Lith- to the world and, in return, to learn in my State. He represented the North
uanian entrepreneurship. Young Stan- that the world stood by their side in Side of Chicago in the Illinois General
ley was at his father’s side during the defense of their cause. That vital con- Assembly for 31 years, until his retire-
formative years and after he returned nection to the outside world may have ment in 2000.
from World War II. influenced the Soviet Union’s surprise He was known as ‘‘the education sen-
Next to his success in business, Stan- decision to withdraw its tanks from ator’’ for his decades-long commitment
ley Balzekas’ most lasting gift to Chi- the small democracy in the Baltics. to see that every child in Illinois could
cago is the Balzekas Museum of Lith- In January 2011, I had the great attend a good school and make the
uanian Culture, which he and his wife honor of addressing the Lithuanian most of his or her God-given abilities.
Irene founded in 1956 in a building next Seimas, or Parliament, on the 20th an- He died earlier this month, June 6, at
to the family car dealership. The mid- niversary as a free and democratic re- his home in Chicago. He was 85.
1960s, when Stanley opened the public. I turned to Stanley Balzekas I first came to know Art Berman in
Balzekas Museum, were some of the and his daughter-in-law to help trans- Springfield, our State capitol, when he
darkest days in the Cold War. Lith- late parts of my speech into Lithua- was serving in the Illinois House of
uania, once a massive medieval empire nian. He wasn’t just a friend; Stanley Representatives and I was a young
that stretched from the Black Sea to was my teacher. committee staffer, just starting out.
the Baltic Sea, was then an occupied In the mid-1980s, the Balzekas Mu- He was thoughtful, fair, and kind. I
state within the old Soviet Union, and seum moved from its original home to never heard him say a bad word about
the USSR did all it could to erase the the West Lawn neighborhood, on the anyone. He regarded public service as a
Lithuanians’ sense of their own history Southwest Side of Chicago. It expanded high honor and a joy. He seemed to ra-
and culture. Stanley and Irene its vision to become a place where Chi- diate happiness.
Balzekas founded the museum to help cago’s many ethnic communities are He was a patient man, but you would
preserve that history and culture and, celebrated. be wrong to mistake his patience for
equally important, to advance the Stanley Balzekas never stopped passivity. He was tenacious in the pur-
cause of Lithuanian independence. thinking about how to create goodwill suit of justice and the common good.
Chicago was the perfect city for their and understanding. One of his last He entered politics as a Chicago pre-
cultural jewel. It is the most Lithua- projects was to turn a small vacant lot cinct captain when he was just 20 years
nian city outside of Lithuania, and a near the museum into a park, which he old. He was elected to the Illinois
sister city to the Lithuanian capital of christened ‘‘Love and Respect Park.’’ House in 1969, and in 1977, he moved to
Vilnius. Nearly one in eight Lithua- The centerpiece of that park is a young the State Senate, where he served until
nian Americans, including this Sen- tree, grown from a cutting taken from he stepped down in 2000.
ator, calls Illinois home. In fact, the nearly 1,500-year-old oak tree, the All told, he won 22 elections for pub-
Valdas Adamkus, the third person to oldest in Lithuania. He hoped its shade lic office and never lost once.
serve as President of a free and demo- would provide comfort to all who call He was a skilled legislator and a per-
cratic Lithuania after it won its inde- Chicago home for generations to come. suasive speaker who chose to use those
pendence from the USSR, lived for Stanley Balzekas was honored in life gifts to help, more than anyone, the
many years in the city of Chicago. by many civic organizations. He re- public school children of Chicago and
The Balzekas Museum’s collection ceived the highest honors offered by Illinois. In both the Illinois House and
started with Baltic amber jewelry and the State of Illinois and the Republic Senate, he rose to chair the education
Stanley’s own considerable collection of Lithuania. His passing was mourned committees.
of East European military antiques. by the President of Lithuania and by He didn’t champion trivial matters.
Over the years, it became a trove of friends too numerous to count. Over three decades in Springfield, he
Lithuanian and Eastern European Irene, the love of his life, died many sought to correct one of the toughest,
books, maps, and artifacts, and one of years ago, but Loretta and I wish to ex- most intractable problems in all of
the most respected ethnic museums in tend our deep condolences to Stan’s public education: unequal funding of
Chicago, if not the Nation. One of its children: Stanley III, Robert, Carole, public schools.
prized possessions was a map from 1430 and their spouses, to Stanley’s six The problem was this: Illinois, like
which showed the Lithuanian Empire grandchildren, and to his friends in all States, relies heavily on local prop-
stretching across Eastern Europe. Chicago and around the globe. erty taxes to fund public schools. Dis-
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Stanley spent hours and hours read- I will close with one last story about tricts with higher property values
ing letters and examining every arti- my friend. Over the years, Stanley bring in more tax revenues, which en-
fact anyone would send to him at the Balzekas must have been photographed ables them to provide higher funding
museum. When someone else might thousands of times with famous leaders for public schools.
view something as just an old hand- or with family friends. He used to tell As a result, the wealthiest districts
kerchief, Stanley would recognize the people jokingly that the key to taking in many States spend twice as or much
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June 30, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3983
or more to educate each pupil than do ers of the House and the Senate, Demo- him more. Many of the aspects of the
the poorest districts. crats, Republicans, Mr. Mnuchin, and Heroes Act that passed the House ad-
Art Berman worked to end this in- the White House. dressed those very subjects. If you
equity. Our State’s landmark 2017 In 8 days, we crafted a measure that want to take care of the kids of Amer-
school funding reform bill, the Invest may be one of the costliest individual ica, take care of their parents who are
in Kids Act, owes much to his long measures ever passed by the Senate— unemployed and make certain that
years of advocacy. some $3 trillion. It was an enormous in- they have unemployment assistance.
When State funding for special edu- vestment in America, but it was des- Make certain their COBRA benefits are
cation was imperiled, Art Berman ral- perately needed. It was, of course, paid for by the government so they can
lied support to save it. crafted in a way to provide help for re- maintain their health insurance at this
He helped make Chicago public search and medical care, but also to in- time of health crisis. If you want to
schools more effective and more demo- vest in the people of America. make sure that the kids of America
cratic through the creation of local We understood then, and I hope we have a fighting chance and that we cre-
school councils. still do, that small businesses strug- ate jobs, provide money to State and
In 1990, he sponsored a bill that made gling to reopen and struggling to sur- local governments.
Illinois the first State in the Nation to vive need a helping hand, and we pro- I am reminded this morning of how
mandate teaching about the Holocaust vided it with the Paycheck Protection many people we call healthcare heroes
as part of World War II history. Program. Hundreds of billions of dol- are actually employees of State and
Every member of the Illinois General lars were loaned to these businesses, local governments who are risking
Assembly is allowed to nominate two which can be forgiven if, in fact, they their lives to fight this pandemic every
worthy students each year to receive invest in their employees and in com- single day. When the bill that passed
college tuition scholarships. ing back to life after the end of this the House of Representatives dedicated
After Art’s passing, his children were crisis. money for that purpose, it was money
touched to hear from so many now ac- An equally important, if not more to invest in kids, in jobs, and in
complished men and women who told important, investment was unemploy- healthcare—the three priorities an-
them, ‘‘I could never have gone to col- ment benefits. There are now some 30 nounced by Senator MCCONNELL. His
lege without your father’s support.’’ million unemployed Americans, one of notion that we owe nothing to these
At the core of his commitment to the highest numbers in modern his- State and local units of government is
public school students was a deep ap- tory. We know that unemployment to ignore the obvious. Their alter-
preciation for the difference that Chi- brings with it hardship, sacrifice, and native will be to lay off teachers,
cago public schools had made in his challenge. nurses, healthcare professionals—peo-
own life. That is why we included in the origi- ple who are desperately needed for us
He was the eldest of three boys born nal bill, the CARES Act, a Federal sup- to resume the normal activities of this
to a mother who was raised on the plement to unemployment benefits of American economy.
West Side of Chicago and a father who $600 a week. Some came to the floor I also hope that Senator MCCONNELL
immigrated to Chicago, alone, at the and argued that it was too much will be open to the suggestion of pro-
age of 17 from a land that was then money, that we would be giving people viding additional funds to our hospitals
known as Palestine. Today, it is Israel. so much money that they would never across America. I know what is going
His father found work with a Chicago want to return to work. I disagreed on in Illinois, and I have read what is
bookbinding company. Some years with that conclusion. I believe most going on in his State of Kentucky. Hos-
later, when the owner retired, Art’s fa- people in America are proud and deter- pitals, which are the major employers
ther and a partner bought the com- mined to get back on their feet and in many small communities, are laying
pany. don’t want to find themselves depend- off dozens—if not hundreds—of employ-
Art and his two brothers all attended ent on others. They want to be inde- ees because of the state of the economy
Chicago public schools. He graduated pendent. I believe that, ultimately, and because of the healthcare chal-
from Senn High School and went on to they will be. lenge. Hospitals in downstate Illinois
earn degrees from the University of Il- For the time being, we need to stand constantly have ads on the radio and
linois and Northwestern University with these families to make sure they TV, saying it is safe to go back to your
School of Law. can pay their mortgages and keep their hospital for elective surgery and out-
Like a true Chicagoan, Art Berman homes and not lose their lifetime in- patient care, and because people are
loved the ‘‘Da Bears.’’ He also loved vestment, to make certain that they still reluctant to do so in my part of
playing tennis. Up until about 2 years can pay the basics in life, food and util- the world, they are withholding the
ago, if you asked how his tennis game ity bills, the needs for clothing and funds that could be paid to those hos-
was, he would smile and say proudly, education for their children. pitals for the care that people need. We
‘‘Still playing singles,’’ and it was the On July 31, in just a few days, that have to see that change. We have to re-
truth. unemployment program will expire. store confidence not only in our econ-
More than anything, Art Berman Speaker NANCY PELOSI passed a bill 4 omy but, first, in the state of
loved his family. Loretta and I send weeks ago called the Heroes Act—a $3 healthcare in America. We need to
our condolences to Barbara, Art’s be- trillion bill—and it has languished here move on this.
loved wife; to his two children, Adman in the Senate. When Senator MCCON- Senator MCCONNELL has said the
Berman and Marcy Berman Padorr and NELL was asked if he would call up this House of Representatives doesn’t meet
their spouses; and to Art’s five grand- bill, he said that he didn’t feel there as frequently as the U.S. Senate, and
children. was any urgent need to do so. I hope that may have been true over the last
May they find comfort in this sad that Senator MCCONNELL now feels a several months. Let me remind him
time, and may his memory always be a sense of urgency. that we are in a period of time when we
blessing. He came to the floor this morning are all discouraged from travel that is
THE HEROES ACT and characterized the House effort of a unnecessary and when we are all told
Madam President, I listened to the month ago, the Heroes Act, as to be careful where we are going, when
statements made this morning by the unserious, a political wish list, and we are going, and not to gather in
Republican and Democratic Senate that people were laughing at how unre- groups that might be a danger with the
leaders about the job ahead. alistic it was. Many people may have pandemic that we face.
I think it goes without saying that laughed at our original effort at $3 tril- The House of Representatives has
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we are still in the midst of a health cri- lion, but it was desperately needed, as produced dramatically more legislation
sis and an economic crisis in this coun- is a second effort as soon as possible. than the U.S. Senate over the last year
try. We did respond. We responded on Senator MCCONNELL said this morn- and few months in so many different
March 26 in the Senate with the ing that when we return in 2 weeks, his areas, which we will highlight during
CARES Act. It was a bipartisan meas- priorities will be to focus on kids, jobs, the remainder of this week. The House
ure, a measure that engaged the lead- and healthcare. I couldn’t agree with of Representatives has sent legislation
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S3984 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 30, 2020
to the Republican leader, Senator the attack and doesn’t care what polit- lectual property; yet the U.S. Govern-
MCCONNELL, which he has ignored. ical party you belong to. So I encour- ment continues to buy with American
For you to come to the floor and age the President to put on a mask tax dollars critical technology, like
then criticize the House for not being once and for all. drones, from Chinese companies that
in session enough, what is the point, Don’t be the last American to ignore are backed by their government. No
Senator MCCONNELL? They have passed the obvious. one in America should buy products
legislation that you have put in the I yield the floor. made in Communist China, especially
legislative graveyard in the U.S. Sen- I suggest the absence of a quorum. not the U.S. Government. We cannot
ate. You will not even take it up to de- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The continue this practice, and my Amer-
bate it. clerk will call the roll. ican Security Drone Act is a common-
We are on this inexorable path to fill The senior assistant legislative clerk sense solution to end this threat to our
every judicial vacancy with people who proceeded to call the roll. national security.
are thinly qualified, if qualified at all, Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam Presi- Second, I am working to protect
for lifetime appointments so long as dent, I ask unanimous consent that the Florida’s gulf coast from offshore drill-
they meet the Republicans’ political order for the quorum call be rescinded. ing. I have an amendment in the Na-
ideology test. That is what we spend The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tional Defense Authorization Act that
our days and weeks doing here in the objection, it is so ordered. requires the Department of Defense to
U.S. Senate instead of addressing S. 4049 report on the importance of the Gulf
issues of substance like this pandemic Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam Presi- Test Range, which is used for vital
and the economic crisis our Nation dent, in America, we are blessed with military testing and training and is
faces. the protection of the strongest mili- critical to our national security. Off-
I want to address the issue of liabil- tary in the world, one that provides not shore drilling in the area would pose a
ity, too, because Senator MCCONNELL only for the safety of our country but significant risk to the environment and
brought it up again this morning. He believes in supporting our allies around our military preparedness.
basically said that he wants to protect the globe. Yet we cannot take our posi- I am also proposing an amendment to
those who are engaged in dealing with tion as the leader of the free world for extend the moratorium on offshore
the public from liability for their ac- granted, for there are nations like drilling for another 10 years and will
tions. He said that, if they live up to Communist China that are actively keep working to protect our natural re-
what he called the best available guide- building their militaries with a single sources for generations to come.
lines, they should be spared any liabil- goal in mind—to dominate the world A strong defense is key to protecting
ity for their actions. stage. the freedoms that make America great.
Let me just tell you that I don’t So I thank Chairman INHOFE and my I will never lose sight of one of the
know what the best available guide- colleagues for working to keep our most important roles I have as a U.S.
lines might be, but the best available military strong so it can defend the Senator to protect and serve the fami-
guidelines should be a pronouncement freedoms we cherish and stand for free- lies of our Nation.
by our healthcare experts as to what dom and democracy worldwide. I look forward to working closely
makes for a safe workplace and what This year, the National Defense Au- with my colleagues to make sure we
makes for a safe retail establishment. thorization Act includes my Secure are protecting our national security
If the owner is living up to those stand- U.S. Bases Act, which Senator ERNST and investing in America’s greatest as-
ards, yes, I agree with him that it and I worked on, to reform and im- sets—the men and women of our Armed
should be a valid defense for anyone prove foreign military student training Forces.
who suggests wrongdoing. Yet, at this programs following the terrorist at- I yield the floor.
moment, the Republicans cannot have tack at NAS Pensacola last year. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
it both ways. They cannot argue that New reports show there was a lack of ator from Tennessee.
we should give immunity to businesses vetting at multiple levels that led to Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Presi-
if they live up to some guidelines and this tragic attack. This terrorist dent, I want to begin by saying thank
not tell us where those guidelines should never have been allowed in our you to my colleague from Florida who
originate and whether they are based country, let alone on an American is doing so much good work on the
on science and public health standards. military base, with easy access to Armed Services Committee, and I also
If they are, they can be taken seri- American military men and women. thank Chairman INHOFE and other
ously. If they are not, then this is an The Secure U.S. Bases Act eliminates members of the committee who have
empty promise—a promise at the ex- this unnecessary risk by requiring a made it a priority to be certain that
pense of customers and employees who thorough vetting process before a for- our men and women in uniform are
still show up for work. eign student enters the U.S.; by requir- well cared for and their families are
We have a lot of work to do. We will ing foreign students to follow rules es- protected and that we are thinking to-
finish up this week and be gone for 2 tablished by U.S. base commanders; ward the future as we look at this
weeks. Then, in the 3 weeks or 4 weeks and by vastly improving the security of year’s NDAA.
when we return before the August re- our military installations, service- As we have gone through this year’s
cess, we will have a responsibility to members, their families, and the sur- NDAA drafting process with a unique
not only deal with the economic crisis rounding communities. frame of reference, the effects of the
facing America but to take this I served in the U.S. Navy, and I could COVID pandemic have made our na-
healthcare crisis seriously. The other never have imagined not feeling safe on tional security, our supply chain, our
day, Dr. Fauci said we were not in a base. We must do everything in our reach and development vulnerabilities
second peak in terms of infection. He power to prevent a tragedy like that of national news.
believed we were still reaching the first NAS Pensacola from ever happening I think they have shifted somewhat
peak, which means there are many again, and the Secure U.S. Bases Act is the focus that the American people
challenges ahead. an important step. have had, and I can’t remember a time
It is time for us all to get serious. It I am also working on a number of when I have had so many Tennesseans
is time for the President to slap on a amendments to the National Defense contacting my office asking questions
mask and to stop with this colossal ego Authorization Act to protect our Na- about our critical infrastructure sup-
of his that will not let him be seen tion. ply chain: How are we protecting our-
with a mask. If he would do this The first includes my American Se- selves and how do we look at what is
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today—put on a mask—it would be a curity Drone Act, which prohibits the transpiring in our Nation and globally
message to his loyalists that defying U.S. Government from purchasing to consider how we best protect our-
this basic protection of the people drones manufactured in countries iden- selves and defend this Nation? The fall-
around you is simply not smart but ar- tified as national security threats, like out from the pandemic has highlighted
rogant in its approach. We need to have Iran and China. We know Communist the need for our Armed Forces to re-
some humility here. This virus is on China steals our technology and intel- assert themselves globally.
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June 30, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3985
The proposed 2021 NDAA that we are Mrs. CAPITO. Madam President, I our soldiers. This comes less than a
gathered on the floor this morning to would like to thank my colleagues year after a 3.1-percent raise for our
discuss and to show our support for from Florida and from Tennessee for servicemembers, which was the largest
this legislation and for its funding will their great service to our Armed in a decade. Given the fact that our
do some critical things. Forces and our Armed Services and military is an All-Volunteer Force, it
The newly created Pacific Deterrence great support. I enjoyed hearing Sen- is important that we make it known
Initiative will enhance U.S. global ator BLACKBURN from Tennessee talk that sacrifices do not go unnoticed.
leadership and devote needed attention about her Tennesseans. That is just one small way we can do
and resources to multinational fusion I stand before you with my col- that.
centers in the Indo-Pacific, where we leagues today to talk about the NDAA The NDAA makes sure our military
can work with our allies and partners and how important it is to pass the Na- is trained and equipped to protect this
to reduce the threat of Chinese aggres- tional Defense Authorization Act. country. We accomplish this in the bill
sion. And that is something that My State of West Virginia has some by continuing to carry out the plans
through COVID, through the way China of the highest rates of veteran popu- highlighted in the national defense
has stolen our intellectual property— lation. About 10 percent of our popu- strategic plan, which stresses that the
this has come to the forefront. lation are veterans, and nationally United States strives for superiority on
Just having the presence will not be that average is only 7, so I think that land, on the seas, in the air, and in
enough. If we don’t focus on innovation service in the military and taking care cyberspace.
as an essential element of our national of our military has always been a The NDAA advances the DOD’s cy-
security, we will fall behind. It is im- source of very much importance to me bersecurity strategies and cyber com-
perative that we continue to lead in as their representative here in the Con- bat capabilities and enhances U.S. se-
technology, in research and develop- gress. curity efforts by countering competi-
ment, in making certain that the 21st I think we can all agree that our tion from near-peer adversaries like
century is going to be a century of Armed Forces would not be what they Russia and China and defeating threats
freedom. are without the great service of our pa- from rogue regimes like Iran and North
In this year’s NDAA, we prioritized triotic men and women in our All-Vol- Korea.
education. The proposed package in- unteer Force. That is why it is impor- I have had multiple conversations
cludes funding for JROTC educational tant that we continue to support them with the West Virginia National Guard
opportunities in STEM fields. I will and the work that they do to protect on their desire to play a larger role in
tell you, in Tennessee, we have the our freedoms every single day. cyber defense. The NDAA establishes a
Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kings- This important legislation does just National Guard cyber pilot which will
port, TN. They are continuing great that by authorizing vital resources for allow National Guard men and woman
work in these JROTC programs. our Nation’s troops, our wounded war- to do just that.
We are also going to invest in col-
riors, and their families. I know many members of our West
laborative research between academia The Defense bill also includes pro- Virginia National Guard who would
and military. Programs like Pathfinder grams which will directly impact the jump at the opportunity to defend
Air Assault will strengthen our Armed West Virginia National Guard. I have against cyber attacks will be excited to
Forces against dangerous adversaries had the chance to regularly meet with learn about the pilot program.
like China, Iran, and Russia—all part servicemembers in my State and With technological advances, we are
of the new ‘‘axis of evil.’’ abroad, and I have enjoyed personally becoming increasingly reliant on crit-
I am thrilled to see what researchers
being able to thank them. ical minerals, particularly rare earth
at the University of Tennessee, Univer-
Most recently, I traveled to Afghani- elements, which are predominantly
sity of Memphis, and Vanderbilt Uni-
stan, where I met a unit from West Vir- produced in China. If you look at a
versity will do with this opportunity.
ginia. During my visit with our West chart of where they are produced, it is
We are also going to take all of the
Virginia servicemembers and others, eye-popping.
progress we have made in cybersecu-
they shared with me their great pride, I am pleased that the base text of the
rity and bring it on home to our State
not just for our State and our country, NDAA included a priority of mine,
and local governments. National Guard
and why they are proud to defend our which is to require DOD to submit a re-
cybersecurity assistance programs will
freedoms. port to Congress concerning the secu-
improve homeland security at every
I have also had the chance to hear rity of the domestic supply chain of
level of government by leveraging De-
many of the challenges that they face rare earth elements.
partment of Defense resources against
on a day-to-day basis. The feedback has West Virginia University has figured
foreign adversaries.
Last but not least, I want to high- been so helpful to Congress as we bet- out how to extract these elements from
light the inclusion of language that ter support our military. acid mine drainage, which would hope-
will secure American supply chains by These brave men and women deserve fully reduce our need to purchase these
requiring a percentage of critical tech- our unified support, and I think they from China.
nologies to be manufactured and as- will get it, and should not be subject to WVU is also a leader in looking into
sembled in the United States or an ally the gridlock that has become so com- ways to advance our country’s rare ele-
country. mon in this body and certainly in ment capabilities, which is why it is
All these items appear right along- Washington, DC. That is why Congress critical for the DOD to begin to assess
side more funding for a better quality has come together for the 60th year to the security and best storage practices
of life for our military families. pass a bipartisan bill. for these elements so that they can
We will also be seeing more Chinooks The NDAA authorizes $740.5 billion in began to ramp up the domestic supply
flying home to Fort Campbell, TN, and funding for the Department of Defense chain.
investing in practical improvements on and national security programs to en- Additionally, I am hoping that the
our military bases. sure that our military families are two additional amendments that I put
Ours is the kind of freedom that is al- modernized and well equipped to han- forward can be added to this bill be-
ways in danger of extinction but al- dle the constant, evolving national se- cause they will directly impact my
ways worth protecting, and with this curity threats. State.
bill, I believe we have ensured that our The NDAA also designates the nec- The first is the one that would re-
best first line of defense has the ability essary funds to provide our Active- quire the DOD to submit a report to
to do so. Duty servicemembers, veterans, and Congress on the stockpiling of PFOS—
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We thank our military men and their families with the resources they the chemical PFOS—to build upon the
women. have earned with their dedication and progress we made last year in regard to
I yield the floor. support. this chemical.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Another way that the NDAA looks The second amendment I worked on
LOEFFLER). The Senator from West Vir- out for our troops and their families is with my colleague Senator MORAN was
ginia. that it authorizes a 3-percent raise for to ensure that mothers-to-be who are
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S3986 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 30, 2020
members of the National Guard are from China and to meet the threat need to keep this Nation safe. They
compensated and receive retirement from other adversaries we have. have given us a requirement of 355. If
credits for the missing drill weekends Also, I would point out that the we actually went back to them today
that they have missed because of ma- NDAA, which is before us for a vote and had them reassess that number—
ternity leave. and which we will undoubtedly pass be- and they may be doing that right
With West Virginia’s strong history fore July 4, will go a long way to now—they would probably tell us that
of military service, caring for Amer- steadying the funding we need to re- number is over 355.
ica’s service men and women could not spond to the COVID–19 virus. It has af- What we did when I was chairman of
be more important. fected our economy, but it has also af- the Seapower Subcommittee was put
During the COVID–19 pandemic, the fected our ability to maintain our sup- that requirement of 355 in the statute.
members of the West Virginia National ply chain and to defend the Nation. It is not a sense-of-the-Senate or a
Guard and every other National Guard I want to thank the Senator from sense-of-the-Congress. We built it into
across this country have stepped up Tennessee for pointing out the plus-ups the statute, made it the law of the
and gone above and beyond the duty. that we have been able to do in this land, and 355 ships is where we need to
The NDAA will make sure that those year’s bill and previous bills for Junior be if we want to protect the United
who have responded to this pandemic ROTC. Junior ROTC is a fantastic way States of America.
receive the health benefits they de- to build character and build ability and We have had this dip in military
serve. education in our high school students. manufacturing that affects both ships
While I believe we must put our Na- If you take a school that is fortunate and aircraft manufacturing, and I
tion on a sound fiscal path to end our enough to have one of these programs, would just point out that we are going
dependence on deficit spending, it is the statistics are absolutely astound- to need to restore that dip outside of
equally important to maintain our ing. Students in a school that partici- the regular appropriations process. I
military readiness and provide nec- pates in Junior ROTC consistently sta- would commend to my colleagues the
essary resources to those who serve our tistically have better grades, fewer possibility of putting the job-creation
Nation. dropouts, and there is a better gradua- part of this equation in phase 4 of our
I want to thank my colleagues and tion rate and there is higher postsec- COVID–19 response bill, which I think
Chairman INHOFE for their excellent ondary participation among the small will come before the Senate in the sec-
work on the NDAA. This is an impor- set of people within a school who par- ond part of July once we return from
tant bill—a must-pass bill—and I look ticipate in Junior ROTC. So I want to the 2-week Fourth of July break. I
forward to working with my colleagues thank the bipartisan leadership of our hope we can come up with a little extra
on doing just that. money for ship manufacturing and for
committee for continuing to build and
I yield the floor. aircraft manufacturing. This will get
expand this program.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I would echo what the Senator from us where we need to be in terms of pro-
ator from Mississippi. Tennessee said about high schools tecting our Nation, but also it is an un-
Mr. WICKER. The Senator from West within her State that have the Junior believable job creator.
Virginia is absolutely correct. This is a Listen to what shipbuilding does for
ROTC Program. I have visited these
must-pass bill, and I am delighted to our economy alone. In shipbuilding
programs in the State of Mississippi.
join her and the Senator from Ten- alone, there are 14,000 supplier compa-
They work, and they are good. They
nies in all 50 States. Shipbuilding im-
nessee, who spoke before her, in point- are not only good for national defense,
pacts many companies in every single
ing out some of the very positive as- they are just good for America and for State. The LHA 7 Program, for exam-
pects of this bipartisan bill. citizenship. ple, requires 541 suppliers across 39 dif-
Isn’t it refreshing that this last piece I want to particularly mention what
ferent States to fully produce that
of legislation that this body will con- this bill before us does with regard to
class of ship. So it protects America,
sider before the Independence Day shipbuilding and military aircraft
and it puts Americans back to work. I
break this weekend is a truly bipar- manufacturing and why that is so im-
think we can spare a few extra billion
tisan tradition that we have had in the portant.
dollars to restore that dip and put
Senate and something we can be proud This year’s NDAA would restore
those people back to work as part of
of and should try to replicate on other funding for American ships after a dip
our recovery program.
legislation. we have had to experience because of With regard to our F–35 Program—
I want to take my hat off to Chair- budget constraints. I would point out aircraft manufacturing—in 2020, this
man Jim Inhofe, the chairman of the that this bill authorizes the money; year, there are over 1,800 suppliers
Senate Armed Services Committee, this bill does not appropriate a single working on that aircraft manufac-
and the ranking Democrat, JACK REED, penny. That will be left up to us to turing program in 48 States and in
for their patriotism, for their coopera- take the product from the Appropria- Puerto Rico. Of those 1,800 companies
tion in putting together a product that tions Committee. If we are able to that are suppliers, over 1,000 of those
garnered almost unanimous support in spend the money that is authorized, suppliers are small businesses. The
the Armed Services Committee and here is what we are going to end up small businesses alone contribute over
will undoubtedly pass overwhelmingly, with by the end of the year: It would 40,000 direct and indirect jobs in the
I would say, with 90-plus votes on floor fund seven new battle force ships. It United States of America. Overall, the
of the U.S. Senate. would authorize four new amphibious program itself in all 50 States contrib-
The NDAA is a critical part of keep- assault ships, which, of course, will be utes 254,000 direct and indirect Amer-
ing this Nation safe. It is a critical built in our American shipyards, some ican jobs attributed to this program.
part of giving our service men and of them in my home State of Mis- I would commend this bill to our col-
women the training, the equipment, sissippi. leagues and ask for a ‘‘yes’’ vote, and
and the resources they need. And it is It is worth mentioning to my col- we will get a ‘‘yes’’ vote, but I would
a critical part of building on what has leagues that we had wonderful news ask us to bear in mind that we are
become a 3-year process of restoring yesterday that the Navy will build an going to have to figure out a way to
some of the confidence and restoring additional destroyer in Pascagoula, pay for this, and I think that is going
the building from some of the cuts that MS, and that destroyer will be named to require a little innovation and a lit-
we have had over time in our military after our former colleague, the late tle addition in phase 4 of the COVID re-
spending. Senator Thad Cochran, a Navy veteran sponse bill.
We need to continue expanding our himself and a longtime chairman of the I am happy to say that this addi-
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military and making sure that we can Appropriations Committee. These tional job creation and manufacturing
meet the threats, and particularly, as a projects would bring our Navy closer to is supported by the leadership, up to
former chairman of the Seapower Sub- the total of 355 ships, which is part of the top level in the Pentagon, up to
committee, we need to keep expanding the requirement we get from our admi- and including the Secretary of Defense.
and building on the progress we have rals and generals around the world who It is supported by the National Secu-
made in our Navy to meet the threat tell us on an objective basis what we rity Advisor and by the entire team
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June 30, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3987
around the President. So I think we NDAA and all that has to be done and ping the KC–135 tankers until all the
will be able to have bipartisan support the literally thousands of decisions details are all worked out with the KC–
for this. that have to be made. It is pretty re- 46 and advance if they need it. It funds
Good work on behalf of the com- markable what they have done, and I the T–7 Red Hawk in the development
mittee in authorizing these programs. am grateful for all of their work. of that, the replacement for the T–38.
There is additional work that needs to We lose track of the fact that there In McAlester, it funds the Army
be done by us and our friends on the are folks in Afghanistan right now McAlester munitions plant work there
Appropriations Committee in actually fighting over peace and stability and and the construction to increase the
getting the money there to restore the pushing down terrorists who are still in capability of the Sea Lion. That is an
dip. It is a good day for America, and it the area. We lose track of the fact that area where we have old munitions that
is a good occasion for this Senate that U.S. Army soldiers right now are hav- have to come back and actually be dis-
we are able to end this work period ing dinner in a tent in Poland. There assembled to be safely disassembled. It
with bipartisanship and support for our are folks in the U.S. Navy who are is a job a lot of folks don’t want be-
troops. sound asleep in Guam, except for those cause they are handling old munitions,
I yield the floor. folks who are standing watch. There but it is the folks in McAlester who do
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- are marines in Okinawa who are asleep, it every day, and we are very grateful
ator from Oklahoma is recognized. but they won’t be asleep very long. for the work they continue to do there.
TRIBUTE TO TULSA POLICE OFFICERS There are folks in the Air Force who In Lawton, Fort Sill, it funds the
Mr. LANKFORD. Madam President, 2 are prepping for tomorrow’s mission in Talon, an integrated management sys-
days ago, at 3:30 in the morning in South Korea. tem. It is a very significant advantage
Tulsa, Officer Zarkeshan did a routine All around the world, awake and that we have. It is one of the things
asleep, there is never a moment and that everything that happens in
traffic stop. He got backup coming to
there is never a place where folks in Lawton in the fires, they want all over
him, who was Sergeant Craig Johnson,
the U.S. military are not representing the world. Whether you are in South
and dealt with a person who would not
their Nation and doing exactly what Korea or whether you are in Saudi Ara-
get out of their vehicle. Twelve times
their Nation has asked them to do. We bia, they are interested in what is hap-
they said to this person: Get out of
are proud of those folks. pening in Lawton. Even for some of our
your vehicle. This bill, the NDAA, gives a 3-per-
Trying to figure out what to do, they guardsmen for the Oklahoma National
cent pay increase to those folks. It en-
worked to deescalate, and they realized Guard—it protects the 137, stopping
sures that we won’t have another
he was not going to move. After the BRAC round of base closings in the any kind of divestiture of their system
back-and-forth conversation there in United States during this next fiscal for the MC–12. It continues that proc-
the street, the individual got out of his year. It deals with some of the ally re- ess. It is a very significant bill to the
car with a pistol and shot both officers lationships that we have in Taiwan and Nation in our national defense. It pays
multiple times in the head, jumped in a Ukraine. It helps bring some of the attention to people all over the world,
second car, and drove away. Seven folks who have worked as interpreters but it also takes care of the issues that
hours later, both those individuals in Afghanistan for years to the United we need to resolve to be able to have
were apprehended. States. them trained, equipped, and ready—
While the flippant national conversa- It deals with not just those in the much of that happening in Oklahoma.
tion in this room and across the coun- military, but it deals with their fami- There are some specific things that
try continues about defunding the po- lies as well. It allows additional fund- are in this that I requested as well. Ev-
lice, two officers in Tulsa are clinging ing to help licenses move from State to eryone in the military is familiar with
to their lives in a hospital right now. State for those who are military the term ‘‘DD–214.’’ Everyone, after
I think our Nation loses track of ex- spouses. It adds additional supervision you get out of the military, whether
actly the sacrifices that law enforce- for military housing to make sure we you go to the VA or whatever it may
ment makes every single day. Their do better supervision there. be, they are interested in your DD–214.
families hugged them before they took Bases and posts around Oklahoma Those are your records for your Active-
off for the graveyard shift and said: See have very specific things that fully Duty service.
you in the morning. fund the KC–46 and the B–21 Programs. Well, it is great if you are in Active
Officer Zarkeshan had been on patrol It is very significant to Tinker and the Duty. The problem, though, is if you
6 weeks. He graduated from the acad- community around it. It deals with the are a reservist or a guardsman—and
emy in May. 180-day rule modification. It is an there are 840,000 of those across the
I am grateful there are men and amendment I specifically put into this. country—they don’t get a DD–214 like
women across our country who con- It is something that folks at Tinker the Active Duty do. So, in later years,
tinue to put on the blue uniform to have asked for over and over again. when they want to prove their service
serve and protect us because there are Those folks who are retiring in their record, they can’t do that. We fixed
people on the streets who mean to do uniform are interested in civilian that in this bill. It is an amendment I
our community harm, and when given spots, but under current practice, they brought to the 13,400 Oklahomans who
the opportunity, they will take that have to wait 180 days before they can are in the Guard, for them to finally
opportunity. move from military to civilian. Well, have records for their service just like
If the Presiding Officer doesn’t mind, in that time period, guess what hap- the Active Duty have records for
I would like to pause and pray for just pens? They get snatched up by a de- theirs.
a moment for the families and for fense contractor, and we lose their One of the things I focused in on as
them. skills and their wisdom that they have. well is allowing religious accommoda-
Father, we do ask Your help for Ser- Why do we do that? Why do we lit- tion and training for that in our mili-
geant Johnson and Officer Zarkeshan, erally punish one of our members in tary. Our members of the military have
to intervene in a way that only You the military when they retire from the the same religious freedoms as every-
can. Help the doctors and nurses. Give military, after great service there, and one else does. They are to be accommo-
them wisdom. Give a sense of peace to then say, ‘‘If you are interested in con- dated in their faith, no matter what
those families as they struggle for an- tinuing to be able to serve in the com- their faith is, in the U.S. military.
swers. Pray for Chief Franklin and for munity that you are in, you have to Sometimes the training lacks on that,
all the Tulsa PD. God, they need Your wait 6 months before you can do it’’? and officers and JAG members who
help in these moments. I pray that You We put an addition in there to expand sometimes struggle, they say: Well, for
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
would bring peace as only You can. this pilot program to allow those folks good order and discipline, everybody
In Your Name I pray. Amen. to move from uniform to civilian and just needs to put your faith aside. Well,
S. 4049 to compete for those jobs and not have when you join the U.S. military, you
Madam President, Senator INHOFE to wait 180 days. are not required to also give up the
and JACK REED have done a pretty re- At Altus Air Force Base, it fully Constitution. You are protected. You
markable job working through the funds the KC–46. It prohibits us stop- are allowed to keep your faith and to
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S3988 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 30, 2020
maintain that. This bill will allow that almost everybody admits they tween States when servicemembers are
some greater training and instruction can’t do for themselves. The States reassigned. I am pleased to say that
to make sure we protect the rights of don’t think they could do this without the Missouri General Assembly has
each individual to live their faith. We us. been a leader in that effort. When you
think that is important as well. This is a national responsibility, and move to our State as a spouse of some-
There are a lot of good things in this. the threats we see today are complex. one in the military, your credentials
I am glad to be a part of it and to see They are more pronounced than any should be, and I think now are, able to
this continue on, even through some our Nation has ever faced. Former be moved with you.
things that you may not think are Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, This bill increases funding for Impact
really military in it. Last year, in the General Dunford, recently said that Aid by $70 million, and $20 million of
bill, when it came out of conference, our military has to be ready to fight that is for children with severe disabil-
paid parental leave was added to it for across regions, to fight across domains, ities. The other $50 million is just for
Federal employees. A lot of folks said: and across functions. This bill moves trying to make up for what would have
Where did that come from? It came forward in all of those areas, being sure been a taxpaying unit, if that unit
from a House-Senate compromise. In that we are interoperable where we hadn’t been there. I think Impact Aid
the House-Senate was documentation need to be; that we are quickly mobile matters. This bill, once again, says it
to add paid parental leave, but the where we need to be; and that our matters, and we are increasing it.
problem was, what the House had actu- armed services work as well together These programs are critical. They are
ally pulled together for paid parental as we could possibly hope they could important. We need to ensure that the
leave didn’t work for a lot of folks. It work together. military construction projects that
left out people like the FAA and all the The President has launched policies will be funded later by the appropria-
folks who work for FAA. It left out the and programs to ensure the safety and tions process are authorized here.
TSA. It left out article I judges, so the well-being of Americans. Certainly, There is $40 million for the new hos-
they don’t get access. If you work for the people who defend us who serve in pital that ground was broken on at
the FAA and TSA, you don’t get access the military are doing their part to Fort Leonard Wood just last week.
to paid parental leave like other Fed- protect our Nation. Now it is time for There is $60 million for the new Na-
eral employees do. You know, we need the Congress to do its part, led by the tional Geospatial-Intelligence facility
to fix that, and I have an amendment Senate and led by Chairman INHOFE in St. Louis, a $1.3 billion or so project
in this bill that says: Let’s treat all and Ranking Member REED bringing that is well on its way now. This au-
Federal workers the same in this. If we this bill to the floor. It is not a small thorizes the next moving forward of
are going to pay parental leave, don’t bill, and it is not a bill that gets done that project.
just without a lot of work and a lot of Investments in military weapons
ignore the good folks who work for the
compromise and a lot of determination that are made in Missouri and things
FAA and TSA and other folks. So this
as to what is really doable at this time, that help our military that are made in
actually fixes an error from last year’s
Missouri, such as the development of
bill that came over from the House to but this is the bill we are voting on.
Since we do it every year, a lot of it the B–21 Raider that will be based at
make sure that all Federal employees
is not absolutely new, but all of it is, in Whiteman, or the modernization of the
are treated equally. We can do this. C–130H aircraft where Rosecrans, in
This is something we already have my view, as updated as the committee
could bring it to the floor, and we are Saint Joseph, is the world training cen-
wide bipartisan support for. It is why
going to have a discussion of what ter for our NATO allies to come and
we opened the bill with so many votes
needs to change, even being that this understand lift and moving things
yesterday on a wide bipartisan major-
around and how those C–130s work.
ity. Let’s keep working on it, and let’s year the Senate’s version of the bill
This bill authorizes $1.8 billion to
finish it out. Let’s get it done before provides $740 billion to support the De-
buy 24 F–18 aircraft that are built in
the Fourth of July so we can continue partment of Defense. Missouri and $1.3 billion to buy F–15s.
to honor members of the U.S. military We see this at a critical time when
They are built in Missouri, made with
and to thank them because they are our adversaries, including China and
a great Missouri-Illinois workforce,
literally standing watch across the Russia, seek to undermine our influ-
and I know Senator DURBIN and I will
Earth right now on our behalf. ence around the world. Russia was just
work together again on Defense
I yield the floor. accused of putting a bounty on the
approps to be sure that this authoriza-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- head of not only American service peo- tion is fully filled. These aircraft are
ator from Missouri. ple but our allies in some parts of the essential and need to be part of our
Mr. BLUNT. Madam President, I am world. If that is true, a price should be continuing defense base.
always pleased to be on the floor with paid for that. We are going to be work- Senator HAWLEY and I proposed an
my good friend from Oklahoma, Mr. ing hard in the next days to determine amendment in the bill that would
LANKFORD, but I am particularly glad I how deep that intelligence goes and make Silver Star Service Banner Day
was able to be here today. Early, in his how true that allegation is, but wheth- an annual recognition on May 1. This is
remarks, he was talking about a fam- er it is true or not, it should be no sur- to be sure we honor the sacrifices of
ily, remembering that family in pray- prise that the Russians are constantly wounded and ill members of the Air
er, and then very thoughtfully going focused on things that diminish the im- Force. I urge my colleagues to recog-
around the world of where people are, pact of the United States of America, nize the addition of Silver Star Banner
at this minute, who defend us. It is a and the Chinese are more and more fo- Day in this bill.
good thing for us to think about; it is cused on that at the same time. There are a lot of bipartisan prior-
a good thing for us to keep in mind; This bill authorizes $1.4 billion to es- ities in this bill. This will have a bipar-
and it is good that when we say we are tablish a Pacific Deterrence Initiative tisan vote when it leaves the Senate. It
remembering people in our prayers, to that will help secure our interests in is a bill worthy of support, and I look
be sure they really understand that we the Pacific and our friends in the Pa- forward to our efforts to get this done
are. I am glad to be with my neighbor cific. The bill supports military readi- for the 60th Senate in a row.
here today and also with Senator ness and modernization priorities. It I yield the floor.
HOEVEN on the floor. has more than $21 billion for ship- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
This will be the 60th time in a row, if building and investing in technology ator from North Dakota.
we do our job, that we pass the Na- like hypersonic weapons, artificial in- Mr. HOEVEN. Madam President, I
tional Defense Authorization Act. I telligence, machine learning, and appreciate the opportunity to join with
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
don’t think there is any other bill—in things we have to have to keep the cur- my colleague from the State of Mis-
fact, I am sure there is no other bill— rent advantages we have. souri and agree very much with the
we pass every year. When we pass this It recognizes the family. There is $4 comments he has just made, and I am
bill every year, we reestablish, every million in this bill to help military here today to express my support for
year, that defense is our No. 1 priority. spouses transfer their professional li- the National Defense Authorization
Defending the country is the one thing cense between assignments and be- Act this week.
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June 30, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3989
Defense Department leaders always what is the follow-on mission? That is Of course, all of our nuclear weapon
tell me that, if we don’t get NDAA particularly true given the Navy’s components have to be capable of with-
done and our Defense appropriations commitment to the Triton, which uses standing electromagnetic pulses, or
bill—and I am on the Appropriations the same airframe as the Global Hawk. EMPs, so my amendment requires that
Committee and on the Defense Appro- So we would certainly need that for the Air Force report on how it will en-
priations Subcommittee—that those an ISR mission, and we are going to sure that these systems and compo-
delays really are a challenge and a need to know what the follow-on is and nents will be protected from electro-
problem for the military and cost some when that is going to be available be- magnetic pulses. By planning ahead,
money. So, obviously, if we can get fore there is any retirement of the RQ– we can make sure that we are prepared
this bill done this week and get on to 4, and we have legislation included in for something like that.
our Defense appropriations bill and get this bill to make sure that that is prop- I also hope that we will be able to in-
those passed, it makes a big, positive erly and fully addressed. clude an amendment that Senator
difference for our men and women in Also, I support the bill’s authoriza- UDALL and I have offered, a bipartisan
uniform. tion of additional procurement of MQ– amendment that would reauthorize and
We should be able to move this 9 aircraft. This fleet is used every day reform Native American housing as-
NDAA legislation quickly because the in a variety of missions, and we need to sistance programs as well as authorize
chairman and the ranking member sustain it as well until there are prov- a joint Tribal housing initiative be-
have put together a good bill for our en replacements for it. tween Housing and Urban Development
national security and for our Armed Because we are going to be flying the and the Veterans Administration to
Forces. MQ–9 for many years to come, we have provide Native Americans who are
This NDAA supports our national de- to make sure that we have all the fa- homeless veterans—now, we are talk-
fense strategy that is designed to keep cilities we need to operate that air- ing about our veterans, and the per-
us ahead of the Russians, the Chinese, craft. Of course, I am talking about the centage of Native Americans who serve
and other adversaries, and it includes Reaper, which we use all over the in the military, I think, is the highest
things like standing up the Space globe. of any ethnic group. So we have a lot of
Force, investing in new technologies One of the Air National Guard units Native American veterans, and for
like hypersonics and artificial intel- that flies that mission—one of the first those who are homeless, we have to
ligence, and creating a Pacific Deter- to fly it—is our North Dakota Air Na- help them with their housing and their
rence Initiative to help ensure that we tional Guard, and I am pleased that healthcare services. That is what this
have the capabilities we need through- this bill includes authorization of $17.5 amendment does.
out the Pacific region to deter conflict million for a new operations facility I chair the committee on Native
and coordinate with our allies. for the North Dakota Air National Americans, and along with our vice
Also, I am very pleased that this bill Guard in Fargo, and I look forward to chairman, Vice Chairman UDALL, we
includes strong support for modern- working in my role on the Defense Ap- have put together this legislation,
izing our nuclear deterrent, which is propriations Subcommittee to make which includes housing and also ad-
vital to our national security, and that sure that that authorization is funded dressing our Native American veterans
certainly includes the dual nuclear for that facility. It is very important in a way that I think is important and
mission at the Minot Air Force Base in in terms of that MQ–9 mission. helpful. I hope that it can be included
my State. The bill also provides authorization in this legislation.
This bill moves forward a number of for a 3-percent increase for our forces In closing, the NDAA provides vital
modernization programs, including the and authorizes the fiscal year 2021 mili- support for our men and women in uni-
modernization program for new inter- tary construction program. I am look- form. It authorizes important defense
continental ballistic missiles, the ing forward to working on those, as I priorities for our Nation, including un-
ICBMs; a new nuclear cruise missile, am also a member of the Military Con- manned aerial systems, which is, of
which is now called the LRSO, the struction, Veterans Affairs, and Re- course, a huge and growing area—our
long-range standoff weapon; and up- lated Agencies Appropriations Sub- unmanned aerial systems—and the sup-
grades for the B–52, including a new en- committee as well, and we want to port for the nuclear mission, which I
gine—reengining what has been an in- make sure that we are providing fund- have mentioned.
credible aircraft for many, many years ing for those priorities—those military Again, I think this is good legisla-
and has had a longevity that is unbe- construction projects. tion. It is bipartisan legislation. We
lievable. And the Air Force projects an Finally, I want to thank the chair- need to all work together now to get it
ongoing longevity for it for quite some man and the ranking member for help- done and get it done this week for our
time. Part of that is all the upgrades ing us to clear some of my amend- men and women in uniform. They do so
that we have put into this platform, in- ments, which I have included to further much for us, and we need to be there
cluding now new engines, as well as this legislation as well. for them. We need to support them by
things that include the weapons sys- The committee included an amend- passing this legislation.
tems, the ability to carry those weap- ment I authored that will require the With that, I yield the floor.
ons systems, communications—just a Air Force to define how its next budget The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
whole range of upgrades that have been will support activities in the Arctic, ator from Iowa.
incredibly important for that aircraft. which is increasingly important for our Ms. ERNST. Madam President, this
Of course, there are other aspects national security. The Air Force is week we debate, as the Senate should,
that go with the nuclear mission, starting to refine its strategies to oper- the annual Defense bill, the National
whether it is the nuclear command and ate in the Arctic region, and my Defense Authorization Act.
control systems as well as upgrading amendment helps ensure that the Air I served 23 years in military uniform,
the nuclear warheads on the weapons Force translates strategic concepts as both a company commander in Iraq
that the aircraft delivers. into real capabilities. It will ensure we and Kuwait during Operation Iraqi
Also, I support provisions in this bill do not cede this critical region to our Freedom and as a logistics battalion
to place restrictions on the retirement adversaries. commander with the Iowa National
of the RQ–4 Global Hawk, which is I also appreciate the chairman and Guard. It is because of that experience
headquartered at Grand Forks Air ranking member including an amend- that I understand that the work we do
Force Base in North Dakota. Now, our ment I filed in relation to the Ground here on this bipartisan Defense bill
combatant commanders rely on the Based Strategic Deterrent Program, matters immensely to our troops.
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
Global Hawk every single day. These which is to develop a new ICBM. It is When the COVID–19 pandemic hit us,
aircraft are highly capable and are not critical that we keep this GBSD— 50,000 National Guard and Active-Duty
easily replaced, so we are going to need which is Ground Based Strategic Deter- troops answered the call without hesi-
a lot more information from the Air rent—program on schedule so it can re- tation and are out there today running
Force about what capabilities could re- place the existing Minuteman III at the test sites, delivering medical supplies
place the Global Hawk. In other words, end of the decade. by ground and by air, and even running
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S3990 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 30, 2020
food banks to ensure no one goes with- disclosing the cost to taxpayers for The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
out during this trying time. their projects if they put out a press ator from Maine.
During a recent confirmation hearing release for their work. Mr. KING. Madam President, we are
for Lieutenant General Hokanson to be The Comptroller General will also in- talking about the National Defense Au-
the head of the National Guard Bureau, vestigate the most expensive cost over- thorization Act. We are talking about
I asked what the Governors would do runs in weapons systems, and the Pen- preventing and dealing with threats to
without the National Guard. He said he tagon will tell Congress their top 10 our country. I want to describe a hypo-
shuddered to think what they would do most expensive weapons to fix and thetical threat—a threat that throws
because they are America’s first re- maintain. millions of people out of work almost
sponse in communities across the Na- On duplication and waste, I was overnight. It causes the stock market
tion. proud that my subcommittee—the Sub- to collapse. It cripples the airline in-
Just a few weeks ago, on June 7, we committee on Intelligence and Emerg- dustry. It has people afraid to leave
had over 120,000 National Guard de- ing Threats and Capabilities—cut $300 their homes and States scrambling for
ployed, and that includes not only million in research and development materials to prepare and cope with the
those within the United States but programs that were wasteful, duplica- attack. The attack comes in waves.
those that are deployed overseas. tive, or simply not a priority; and we Just as it seems to be receding, it
As a former National Guardsman, I redirected this funding toward urgent comes back. It is difficult to know the
can tell you these are some of our best research needs, such as getting a sources of the attack. The country is
and brightest. They are ready to go at deployable coronavirus vaccine for our divided. There are conspiracy theories
a moment’s notice, to respond to any- troops and for funding TBI programs. and polarization and politicization of
thing, whether it is civil unrest, The NDAA also requires the most this awful situation.
pandemics, or natural disasters. senior science and technology leaders I am not describing the pandemic.
That is why I am extremely pleased to meet and discuss their research to That is what we have experienced. I am
that this Defense bill includes my pro- ensure that it is coordinated and that describing a potential, catastrophic
vision to provide hazardous duty pay the Pentagon doesn’t continue to pay cyber attack on this country. Every-
for our National Guard and other for the same research twice. thing that I listed would be part of
troops who are deployed to fight Finally, and very importantly, this what would happen in the case of such
COVID–19. Defense bill starts the long and hard an attack, plus our networks would
Now, being a woman in the military work to fix our overdependence on likely be down—no more working from
has many challenges, and some of these China, a near-peer adversary that we home, no Zoom, no meetings. The ef-
obstacles are preventable and ones we should always keep our guard up fect on the economy would be twice, at
here in the Senate can take action on— against. In the defense realm, the least, the effect of the coronavirus.
for example, ensuring our female serv- United States has grown too reliant on The electric grid could likely be com-
icemembers are properly equipped for the Chinese Communist Party for com- promised. The electric grid—people
the battlefield. Through my efforts and ponents and materials and for our most think about the lights, but in the
that of my fellow Army veteran, Sen- South, electricity is necessary for air-
advanced weapons systems.
ator TAMMY DUCKWORTH of Illinois, this Through my efforts in the bill, we are conditioning. In the North, electricity
Defense bill ensures female troops will helping secure the U.S. supply chain is necessary for firing oil and gas-fired
have body armor that fits them prop- for rare earth metals and battery com- furnaces. We are talking about no air-
conditioning and no heat. It could be in
erly, and DOD will be forced to report ponents so that we don’t rely on China
the dead of winter.
to us on their progress in finally get- for our weapons.
We are talking about airports closed.
ting this done. We are also working to deploy We are talking about the financial
It is not just the body armor. We are counterdrone weapons to stop un- system potentially in tatters. Peoples’
protecting troops in other areas as manned aerial attacks on troops and lives and livelihoods—their life savings
well. One issue I have worked on for invest in the latest technology for could dissipate at the stroke of a key.
quite some time is treating and pre- heads-up displays and wearable tech for We are talking about thousands of
venting traumatic brain injury—or our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and ma- water systems across the country that
TBI. This year’s NDAA funds effective rines. could be compromised by a cyber at-
treatments for TBI, such as Before I close, I want to remind ev- tack, making people afraid to drink the
noninvasive neurostimulation therapy eryone of something. The National De- tap water in their homes.
that has been proven to work in clin- fense Authorization Act is largely bi- We would have uncertainty, eco-
ical trials. partisan. It is through the work we did nomic catastrophe, and an enormous
Through my provisions in the bill, we in our Armed Services Committee, led challenge to this country.
are also improving safety for military by Senator JIM INHOFE and Ranking By the way, what I just talked about
vehicles and ensuring our troops have Member JACK REED, that we were able is not entirely hypothetical; it is hap-
the best weapons and ammunition. Our to move quickly and debate it on the pening now. Our financial system is
soldiers have been carrying the same floor this week. under attack. I talked to a utility exec-
weapons and ammo for decades, and In what seems like a never-ending po- utive recently whose system is being
they are about to jump to the next gen- larization of politics, important work cyber attacked 3 million times a day—
eration of weapons with a new and bet- like the NDAA often goes unnoticed or today. I have talked to small banks in
ter ammunition package. is only highlighted because of the Maine that are being attacked thou-
By bolstering funding for our Army’s newsworthy provisions in the bill. I sands of times a day. We have had
small arms rifles and automatic weap- wish that were not the case. ransomware attacks on our towns and
ons, our infantry will finally be car- As I have said many times over, cities across the country. They have
rying the most effective assault weap- America does not have a perfect his- hacked our OPM—the Office of Per-
ons on the planet in a few short tory, and many of our heroes were sonnel Management—and gotten the
months. flawed, but, folks, we still live in the personal data of millions of American
Now, when we look at waste in our greatest country on the face of this citizens. And, of course, we know about
Federal Government, folks know that I planet. That is because of men and the attacks on our election infrastruc-
call it as I see it. As a former member women who have fought and died to ture and the dangers of those attacks
of our military, I am not proud to say protect our freedoms, liberties, and continuing and escalating.
it, but the Department of Defense of- rights, and our troops continuing to The financial system is at risk. The
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
tentimes is responsible for some of our serve on the frontlines to protect our energy grid is at risk. The transpor-
most egregious spending. homeland. Ensuring our troops are tation sector is at risk. This is a very
So to protect Iowa’s taxpayers, I ready for the threats we face now and serious and immediate challenge.
made sure in this NDAA that we re- well into the future is something we One of the important lessons from
quire all DOD grant recipients who get should all celebrate. the pandemic—I think one of the over-
Federal dollars to include a pricetag I yield the floor. all lessons from the pandemic is that
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June 30, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3991
the unthinkable can happen. If you had in Homeland Security; it is in the CIA; The pandemic has taught us some
told any of us a year ago that we it is in the FBI; it is in the NSA. It is important lessons about planning and
wouldn’t be leaving our homes, that we scattered throughout the government. preparing and providing. That is what
would be wearing masks when we went It is something that we proposed that we are talking about here. We have to
out, and that our restaurants and so- we try to make sense of this process plan for the unthinkable. We have to
cial gatherings would be closed, nobody and provide both in the executive prepare continuity of the economy,
would believe that. Well, it has hap- branch and in the Congress central continuity of government. We have to
pened. And a catastrophic cyber attack points that can have authority and re- prepare in terms of what our deterrent
can happen. sponsibility over this area. policy is because the best cyber attack
That is why, in the National Defense There is a great deal of work left to is the one that doesn’t occur. We also
Act last year, the Congress passed and be done. We had some 80 recommenda- have to provide the structures and the
the President signed the creation of tions. We hope that as many as 15 or resources to be sure we are ready to
something called the Cyberspace Solar- more will be in the Defense bill. But meet and defeat this next challenge.
ium Commission—a 16-member Com- there are others that will require other I consider this one of the most seri-
mission; 4 Members of Congress; to- committees, and we look forward to ous threats facing this country. It is
tally bipartisan; 4 members from the working with them. easy in the midst of a pandemic and all
executive and 6 members from the pri- Two of our recommendations in of the other issues that are swirling
vate sector—to take an in-depth look terms of making sense of the organiza- around an election year and everything
at this threat and to try to come up tion relates to this body, and one re- else, but it is so clear that this is an
with a national strategy and set of lates to the executive. This body—we overwhelming risk to the future of this
plans to cope with it now before it hap- are recommending that we create a Se- country and that we have to take it se-
pens. That was the mission of our Com- lect Committee on Cyber in the Senate riously, we have to respond, we have to
mission. and one in the House—exactly what be ready, we have to deter, and we have
We met over 30 times. We had hun- was done in the 1970s when it was real- to prepare.
dreds of hours of consideration. We had ized that intelligence was too impor- I deeply hope we will continue the
hundreds of witnesses and submissions tant to be scattered throughout the ju- momentum that has begun in this bill
of information from around the coun- risdiction of all committees. That is and be able to take the next step and
try, thousands of pages of documents, when the Select Committee on Intel- the other recommendations and other
and came up with a report. Ironically, ligence was created. We are recom- good ones that may come forward in
our report was released on March 11. It mending the same change here. this process so that we will be prepared
was probably the last significant large In the executive, we are recom- and we will be able to respond and pre-
meeting in these buildings before the mending a Senate-approved national vail.
shutdown occasioned by the pandemic. cyber director in the Executive Office I yield the floor.
of the President—analogous to the The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
We had dozens of recommendations. I
CRUZ). The Senator from Oklahoma.
am proud to say that 11 of our most im- Trade Representative—who is Senate-
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask
portant recommendations are in the approved, appointed by the President, unanimous consent that I be recog-
Defense bill that is going to be consid- and serves at the pleasure of the Presi- nized for such time as I shall consume.
ered this week. They have been in- dent. The idea is to give the President The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
cluded in the bill that has been re- a central point of contact to deal with objection, it is so ordered.
ported out by the committee on a to- the multiplicity of authorities that are Mr. INHOFE. That is another way of
tally bipartisan basis. That is an im- involved in this issue throughout the saying I want to complete my remarks.
portant first step in implementing this executive branch of the Federal Gov- Let me say this about the Senator
project. ernment. from Maine: Of all the Members of the
The main point I want to make, One of my principles of business Senate Armed Services Committee, he
though, is how urgent this is. Just as when I was doing contracts and work- is the one who is always there and get-
the pandemic was unthinkable, nobody ing in business was that I want one ting involved in these things with a
can conceive of an attack that would throat to choke. I want one place sense of urgency that he feels in his
bring down the electric system or the where I can go to hold someone ac- heart, and I appreciate him as a very
financial system or the transportation countable and to hold them account- valuable member of that committee. I
system or the internet, but it can hap- able not only for reacting but for plan- thank the Senator for all of his service.
pen. The technology is there. ning. That is what we are proposing to RUSSIA
We all think in terms of World War II be brought forth, and we hope we are Mr. President, earlier this morning, I
and conventional forces. I believe the going to be able to earn the support of was at the White House with a few
next Pearl Harbor will be cyber. That the administration. other Members to receive a briefing on
is going to be the attack that attempts The Commission, as I mentioned, had the reports of Putin putting bounties
to bring this country to its knees. As four Members of Congress, four mem- on troops in Afghanistan. You have
we have learned in the pandemic, we bers from the executive branch, who been hearing about this. After a very
have vulnerability, and we have to pre- made significant contributions, and six long briefing, I am confident that
pare for it. members from the private sector. We President Trump did not know about
We have amendments in the Defense had unanimous recommendations after the reporting. There is some confusion
bill that relate to the Department of an enormous amount of work and seri- in terms of our own intelligence, and it
Defense. That is good, but one of the ous thought by very serious people just didn’t rise to the level of the
issues with this subject matter is that from across this country. President at that time.
it is spread across the government, There is plenty of work left to be Another takeaway from the briefing
both in the executive sector and here. done. I want to thank the committee is that our intelligence agencies aren’t
We have 18 or 20 amendments that are chairs and the leads and the staff and in complete agreement on this even
pending that we hope we are going to all of those who have worked with us now. This is going to continue to be a
be able to improve and get into this to get these recommendations this far. Washington, DC, story—one where they
bill with the clearance of other com- But I also want to leave the Senate and try to make the President look bad.
mittees, but getting 20 amendments the Congress and the American people Here is what we also know, and we
cleared—because of the multiplicity of with the knowledge that we are not don’t need any special intelligence to
jurisdictions that cover cyber, we had there yet, that we are vulnerable, and tell us. Putin is a murderer, a thug. He
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
to get 180 clearances from committees that this is something we have to at- hates America. He hates our interests.
across the Congress, in both Houses. tend to. This is not something that We know that, and we are doing some-
That indicates how fractured this pol- may happen; this is something that is thing about it. President Trump has
icy process is. happening now, and it may happen—it taken a whole list of steps to protect
The same thing is true in the execu- will likely happen to a more serious de- our troops and stand up against Rus-
tive branch. The authority for cyber is gree in the future. sia’s actions.
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S3992 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 30, 2020
In the Senate, the NDAA is focused It reestablishes our superiority on bill. First and foremost, it is what it
on our top priority of taking care of the seas by increasing authorization is—a security bill. Every provision in
our troops and also aligning our mili- for shipbuilding and authorization for this bill matters to our national secu-
tary to better deter against China and procurement to achieve the 355-ship rity, but it also goes beyond that.
Russia. As we continue consideration, Navy. We are still talking about that. I think it is really important that
let me just give a brief update as to It supports the Army’s focus on multi- Americans know that, with the bill, we
where we are right now. domain capabilities, especially the are leaving a legacy for our children
We talk a lot about our troops and modernization priorities, and it keeps and our grandchildren. It is one that
our military strength in this bill. our eye on Space. values peace, protects economic pros-
At the end of the day, the bill affects The bill also goes beyond our bases perity, and safeguards our freedoms.
all American families and our commu- too. A few examples are the Defense You have to keep in mind that this
nities directly. It is about their secu- Community Infrastructure Program, bill has passed every year for 60 years.
rity, their freedom, their prosperity. Impact Aid, STARBASE for science It is very unusual that something like
We introduced an amendment last and technology, and research partner- this would happen. In fact, this is the
night that included 79 bipartisan ships with universities. This is very only area where that has happened. We
amendments. As we speak, we are significant because I know three uni- do know that the results are there. We
working on building a managers’ pack- versities that have been active in this know that it is going to pass. It has
age that includes dozens of bipartisan field for the last 3 years. passed for 59 years, and it will pass for
amendments. We are really doing the It also includes research and experi- another year.
job the way it is supposed to be done, mentation in 5G, which is vital to We are going to make sure that we
the way we did last year and the year maintaining both our military and our put our military back to where it
before. economic advantages. should be—back where it was prior to
The safety of the American people is One other thing this bill does that I
the last administration.
not negotiable. With the fiscal year want to highlight is that it protects I think everyone should realize that
2021 NDAA, we move one step closer to our GPS signals. This is very impor- we are still waiting for the last shot of
ensuring the safety of and closing the tant. Recently, the Federal Commu-
amendments, and we are ready to go
gap between our military and those of nications Commission OK’d a proposal
ahead and finish it. Conceivably, we
China and Russia. by Ligado Networks to make a new cel-
can get this thing done before the
For some reason, this never gets out lular network that jeopardizes GPS
Fourth of July recess. That could hap-
in the media. Nobody ever talks about signals that so many people rely on.
pen. We are talking about this coming
this and, to me, it is so significant that That is not just me saying that; we had
Thursday. We are in the process of get-
during the Obama years—the last 5 a hearing. We had the military, and
ting this done now.
years, which would have been between some 12 agencies of government all
In my opinion, it is the most impor-
2010 and 2015—he reduced spending on joined in. Nobody else on the other side
tant bill of the year, and we are going
was talking about what Ligado is going
defense by 25 percent. That is 25 per- to get it finished.
to do and the jeopardy it puts on our
cent in a 5-year period. I don’t think I yield the floor.
GPS system. That is not just military. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
we have ever seen that before. At the
We are not just talking about use in
same time that we were reducing by 25 ator from Virginia.
the field for these signals, but the pi- Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I want
percent, Russia was increasing by 34
lots in the sky, construction workers to start by thanking my friend from
percent. If you think that is bad, at the
on job sites, and even our farmers use Oklahoma for his leadership on the
same time China was increasing by 83
GPS to irrigate and harvest their
percent. We reduce by 25 percent and NDAA. I think that record of 59 years
crops.
China increases by 83 percent. of getting the bill passed is one I am
Even though the Department of De-
How do you catch up? It is going to fense and more than a dozen other Fed- envious of.
be hard work. I wanted, personally, to thank him
eral agencies objected, the FCC went
As for some things in this bill, it in- for his willingness to put into the
ahead with this deal. To make it even
creases funding for weapons procure- original managers’ package the intel
worse, the FCC was aware of the threat
ment programs, including Tomahawk that was being posed and the objec- authorization bill, which I know some-
missiles, long-range anti-ship missiles, tions that were out there, and they ac- times has controversy to it, and I am
ground-based anti-ship missiles, and re- tually had that vote over a weekend. I grateful for the chance for it to ride
aligning our weapons capability to went back and checked with it and along on the NDAA.
match the NDS. found out that they had never done I thank him for his leadership on this
This is the NDS. I like to take this that before. I don’t know. I can’t talk issue.
with me so people understand that this about that because I don’t have the an- ELECTION SECURITY
is really a well-thought-out short docu- swers. I have been trying to get the an- Mr. President, I am here today be-
ment. This is put together by 12 Demo- swers. cause I fear the Senate is about to fail
crats and 12 Republicans. All were con- The NDAA makes sure the DOD is once again to protect our elections
sidered to be experts and all were com- not on the hook for the costly updates from foreign interference.
ing to agreement. Can you believe that if Ligado moves ahead with the deal by For the last 3 years, I worked as vice
12 Democrats and 12 Republicans were prohibiting the use of DOD funds to chairman of the Intel Committee to in-
all in agreement? comply with the order until these three vestigate Russia’s attack on our de-
That is what this is all about. It rees- things occur: The Secretary of Defense mocracy in 2016. I am proud of the fact
tablishes our superiority in the air by submits an estimate of the costs asso- that, with all the controversy about
focusing on procurement for the Air ciated with the GPS interference; two, this subject matter, we are the only bi-
Force, while also preventing divest- it directs the Secretary of Defense to partisan investigation of Russian elec-
ment of legacy aircraft like the KC–135. contract with the National Academies tion interference to make it to the fin-
It was envisioned about a year ago that of Science and Engineering for an inde- ish line.
we would be phasing it out, but things pendent technical review; and, three, The fifth volume of our report is at
have slowed down a little bit. Its re- then the bill further directs the Sec- the ODNI right now for declassifica-
placement is the KC–46. It will take a retary of Defense to create a process to tion. Any member of the public can
while for that to get online. In the ensure that our Nation’s military is re- read the first four volumes of declas-
meantime, we do have an adequate imbursed directly by Ligado for the in- sified conclusions, and any Member of
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
number of working KC–135s. We are terference that they caused. In short, this body can read additional classified
talking about a vehicle that is 60 years it makes sure that we are not wasting materials.
old, but they are still working and taxpayer money to fix the problems Our report offers a stark warning of
working well. It shows what we are that Ligado is causing. Russia’s intent to interfere in future
going to come up with when the KC–46 These are just a few of the reasons U.S. elections and a clear roadmap for
finally comes online. this bill is more than just a military how to defend our democracy from
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June 30, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3993
Russia or any other adversaries copy- port foreign interference, then we need Congress, one of my top priorities has
ing their playbook. to require it by law. been to fix the failing multiemployer
Unfortunately, the White House and I spent over a year inviting my col- pension system and to help secure re-
the leadership on the majority side of leagues across the aisle to work with tirement benefits of more than 10 mil-
the Senate seem to be the only ones us on this already—and I point out ‘‘al- lion workers and retirees in these mul-
not taking this threat seriously. ready’’—bipartisan legislation. I have tiemployer plans.
Since 2016, this body has failed to tried to answer every objection and This is especially important since 150
vote on a single piece of stand-alone work through the right channels to get multiemployer plans have failed or ter-
election security legislation. Four this legislation to the floor as part of minated, and many others are expected
times in the last year, I have come to the NDAA. What did we do? We went to run out of money in the coming 10
the floor in an attempt to pass my bi- back to the Intelligence Committee— years. In the decade after that, many
partisan election security legislation, again, the only committee engaged in a more plans are expected to fail. In all,
known as the FIRE Act, by unanimous serious effort to prevent foreign elec- more than 1.5 million Americans would
consent, and each time these efforts tion interference. We made sure this be affected by the failure of these mul-
were blocked by my Republican col- year’s intel authorization bill included tiemployer pension plans.
leagues. several provisions to strengthen our Now, the coronavirus has had its ef-
Of course, when they blocked it, they defenses ahead of the November elec- fect on these plans as well. We don’t
got what they were looking for. They tions. The committee voted 14 to 1 to yet have a firm read on how much the
earned applause from the President on pass an intel authorization bill that in- economic downturn has affected plans’
Twitter. In a different time with a dif- cluded the FIRE Act, the act that I funding or even the Pension Benefit
ferent President, this bill wouldn’t be just described, so that if a foreign gov- Guaranty Corporation’s insurance fund
controversial at all. It would simply ernment interferes or offers you assist- backing up those plans that have
say to all Presidential campaigns going ance or offers you dirt, you don’t say failed. We expect more details on those
forward that if a foreign power reaches issues later this summer.
thanks; you call the FBI. So you can
out to their campaign offering assist- Now, one thing that we do know for
imagine my surprise and frustration
ance or offering dirt on a political op- sure is that this problem is only going
when I learned of a backroom deal to to get worse and more costly to resolve
ponent, the appropriate response is not strip the FIRE Act out of the Intel-
to say, thank-you; the appropriate re- if we wait longer to solve it. That is
ligence Committee’s legislation be- why all this concentration at this
sponse is to call the FBI. cause of a supposed turf war with an-
What a sad statement about partisan point. Now we have a real opportunity
other committee. to get it fixed—and hopefully this year.
politics in our country when we can’t I am back again today because the Last November, Health, Education,
even agree on that. We can’t even agree security of our elections cannot wait. Labor, and Pensions Committee chair-
that there ought to be a duty to report Let’s not hide behind process or juris- man LAMAR ALEXANDER of Tennessee
an offer of foreign assistance in a Pres- dictional boundaries. The stakes are and I released a draft plan to reform
idential campaign. far too high to continue the partisan the multiemployer pension system,
I introduced this legislation months blockade of election security legisla- protect retirees, and at the same time
before the facts came to light about tion that we have seen over the last 3 secure the PBGC’s insurance fund. We
the President’s pressuring Ukraine into years. received many thoughtful and con-
announcing politically motivated in- If, behind closed doors, my Repub- structive comments, and we worked
vestigations into the Bidens. I am not lican colleagues want to strip this leg- over the past several months to address
here to rehash the impeachment trial, islation out of the NDAA, then I am those comments to make our reform
but I do want to note one thing. A going to offer it up as an amendment plan as effective and balanced as pos-
number of my Republican colleagues to force an up-or-down vote and put sible.
justified their vote by saying that, every Member of this body on the So what is standing in the way? The
while not impeachable, it was wrong record: Are you for election security or usual thing: You have got to have bi-
for the President to solicit foreign in- are you for allowing foreign entities to partisanship to get anything done in
terference in our elections. interfere and offer assistance with no the U.S. Senate. The short answer is
I take my colleagues across the aisle requirement to report? that the Democratic leadership doesn’t
at their word that they believe foreign More than ever, it is time to put seem to be very interested in working
interference has no place in our elec- country over party and defend our de- to find that bipartisan solution. They
tions, but at some point you have to mocracy from those who would do it seem to think the no-strings bailout
put your money where your mouth is. harm. I encourage my colleagues to which they tried to force into the
We know the President tried to trade support this amendment and send a CARES Act in March and which now
election favors with Ukraine. Accord- clear message: Foreign interference appears in the House’s HEROES Act is
ing to the new book from John Bolton, has no place in our elections. somehow a take-it-or-leave-it propo-
the President tried to trade political I yield the floor. sition. That doesn’t work very well,
favors with Xi Jinping during trade ne- particularly in the Senate, where it
gotiations. Maybe that happened; f
takes bipartisanship to get anything
maybe it didn’t. But I would be much RECESS done.
more inclined to give the President the I would also hope that they are not
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
benefit of the doubt if he hadn’t asked playing election-year politics. If they
the previous order, the Senate stands
China to investigate the Bidens on na- are, then they are playing those elec-
in recess until 2:15 p.m.
tional television, if he hadn’t asked tion-year politics with the retirement
Thereupon, the Senate, at 12:31 p.m.,
Russia to hack Hillary Clinton’s emails security of millions of Americans. As
recessed until 2:15 p.m. and reassem-
during the 2016 campaign, or if he had every day goes on, the prospects of peo-
bled when called to order by the Pre-
shown even a shred of interest in de- ple retiring on what they thought they
siding Officer (Mrs. CAPITO).
fending our democracy from foreign in- were going to retire on—these multi-
terference over the last 4 years. f employer plans—is getting less and
We are under attack from adversaries less. Delaying a solution until next
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA-
who see this new area of cyber warfare year is only going to make it more
TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR
and disinformation as a golden oppor- costly, and it will still require bipar-
2021—Continued
tunity to undermine American democ- tisan support.
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
racy. We cannot afford to have a sys- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- We can and we must do better if we
tem that allows Presidential can- ator from Iowa. want a healthy multiemployer system
didates to welcome this interference MULTIEMPLOYER PENSION SYSTEM for the long haul. We have a chance to
with open arms. If we can’t trust the Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, fix this problem long term. Otherwise,
President of the United States and his since I reclaimed chairmanship of the we will be right back here in 5 or 10
campaign to do the right thing and re- Finance Committee at the start of this years dealing with the same problem.
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