Issues Facing America (Cong. Rec., Sept. 16, 2020)
Summary
Page S5632 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for September 16, 2020, under Issues Facing America. A speaker says the Department of Justice launched Operation LeGend in seven other cities in addition to St. Louis and Kansas City, that officers have arrested more than 2,000 people nationwide, including 163 for murder, and that one of those arrested was the alleged killer of a 4-year-old child. The speaker calls it a cooperative effort with cities that have suffered increases in violent crime. Another passage asks what would happen if police forces were defunded, answering each question with the word darkness, and a later speaker describes a visit to a Catholic children's hospital in Caracas.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Issues Facing America (Cong. Rec., Sept. 16, 2020).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-09-16-crec-2020-09-16-pt1-pgs5632-fe4a28d80d/
, SHA-256 48a3a1c090960cf3c6db193901b62e2045d5795d748213b2f76f6a2351346a04.Full text
S5632 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 16, 2020
In addition to St. Louis and Kansas While some people have sought to speech and freedom of religion, forcing
City, the Department of Justice has defund the police and to disparage the Christians and Jews to retreat from
launched Operation LeGend in seven police, Operation LeGend is successful the public square and silencing any
other cities. This is not a Federal over- because it supports the police. These who dare to speak up? Darkness.
reach. It is not the Federal Govern- are some of the hardest jobs in Amer- What if America did what every au-
ment, again, taking over local law en- ica, second only to the families of peo- thoritarian government in history has
forcement. It is not the first step to- ple who care deeply about their loved done and must eventually do—disarm
ward martial law. It is not a crack- ones who have decided to serve in that the American people? Darkness.
down on peaceful protests. What it is, job to protect us all. What if we defunded our police forces
is a cooperative effort with cities that American communities are safer be- across the country, even just partially?
have been suffering from increases in cause of Operation LeGend. They will What would happen to public safety?
violent crime. be safer as we continue to work toward How would life in our cities be af-
Under this operation, officers have greater and more effective community fected? Turn on your TV for the an-
arrested, nationwide, more than 2,000 policing. They will be safer when peo- swer. Darkness.
people, including 163 people for murder, ple who are violent criminals are no What if we allowed people to throw
and one of the people arrested was the longer walking around to perpetuate homemade bombs at police and burn
alleged killer of 4-year-old LeGend further violence. down police stations and then pre-
Taliferro. I salute the Justice Department for tended that these violent demonstra-
The rise of violence in cities this their efforts and the local departments tions are peaceful? Darkness.
year—and particularly the cities I am that have reached out and taken ad- What if we enacted the Green New
talking about that have benefited, I vantage of the moment to get some- Deal? Literal darkness.
What if we let China—a Communist
think, from Operation LeGend—has thing done that they were not able to
country that systematically imprisons
been incredibly rapid and unbearably get done by themselves.
and murders its own citizens—take ad-
destructive, not to mention totally un- I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- vantage of American workers and put
acceptable. It has taken a toll on lives
ator from Florida. them out of work? Darkness.
unlived, families torn apart, commu- What if we teach our kids that Amer-
nities terrorized, people wondering ISSUES FACING AMERICA
ica is a bad country with an evil his-
what is going to happen when they or Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, tory that must be erased and that
their children walk out the front door when I was growing up, I was raised to America is fundamentally a morally
or play in the backyard or, like little believe in the American dream. My bankrupt country? Darkness.
LeGend, are sound asleep in their beds. mom taught me that we were blessed Republicans are fighting for issues
Nothing we do can fully heal the because God and our Founders created that the American public care about.
damage, certainly, that these victims the greatest country ever, where any- People want good jobs, a good edu-
of violent crime and their families thing was possible. We weren’t allowed cation for their kids, and they want to
have suffered, but we can get the jus- to complain. Debt, Big Government, so- live in safe communities. Republicans
tice that both the victim and people cialism, and communism were bad. Col- are working to defend our law enforce-
who care about them deserve. lege was for a better paying job. ment, invest in our military, secure
We may have a lot of disagreements Church on Sundays was absolutely not the border, and stop illegal immigra-
in the Congress, but I hope we can optional. tion. Republicans are standing up to
agree that violent criminals belong be- While I didn’t always appreciate my dictators in Latin America and to
hind bars. I hope we can all agree that tough-love, my-way-or-the-highway Communist China, after the Democrats
all parents deserve a safe neighborhood mom growing up, I now thank God have appeased them for decades.
where they can raise their children. I every day for my mom and this coun- Here is the fundamental difference
hope we can all agree that the police do try. She gave me the opportunity to between Democrats and Republicans:
a difficult and dangerous job, and they experience every lesson this country Democrats want to control your life;
deserve all the support and apprecia- had to offer before I was 20. Republicans want to give you a life.
tion we can give them. Sadly, the values that I grew up with Republicans want to give every Amer-
Not long ago, LeGend Taliferro’s are becoming a way of the past, but I ican the opportunity to live their
mother spoke about her son and the believe these values, these virtues, can version of the American dream. Gov-
pain of losing him. She said: ‘‘He was a and should be part of our country’s fu- ernments don’t do that. Politicians
ball of joy, and I want his legacy to ture. The left has worked hard over the don’t do that.
live on and I want us to continue to last 50 years to discredit the values of The American people are dreamers,
fight against violence and get justice the America I was raised with and the and if we get government out of their
for my son and others.’’ That is the end values of the America I want my way, the innovation, determination,
of that mother’s quote, but it is not the grandkids to grow up with. and entrepreneurial spirit of the Amer-
end of a life that mother will now live In recent weeks, we have seen the ican people and American business will
without her son or the life he didn’t get Democrats try hard to paint our Presi- shine bright.
to live. And there are too many lives dent and the entire Republican Party I yield the floor.
that didn’t get to be lived, too many as ‘‘darkness,’’ but let me tell you The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
lives lost through needless violence. what darkness would actually look like ator from Indiana.
Operation LeGend gives local law en- in America. Mr. YOUNG. Mr. President, I rise
forcement the valuable support they What if our country turned the keys today to discuss the dangerous path
need to get violent criminals off the over to the far left and turned away that national Democrats are spiraling
street. Again, it was named for an in- from capitalism in favor of socialism? on down and to caution our country-
nocent 4-year-old boy. It could have The data is already in on that. The re- men not to follow them. Radicals on
been named for any of the thousands of sult would be the same as it has been the far left have hijacked an otherwise
other victims of violent criminals in throughout history: Socialism would righteous cause and are in command of
dozens of other cities this year. It destroy our economy and cause wide- a once proud political party that traces
could have been named for St. Louis spread poverty and oppression. Dark- its heritage back to Jefferson and
Police Officer Tamarris Bohannon, who ness. Madison.
was killed in the line of duty last What if our country just gave up on
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
The violence the radicals have un-
month. It could have been named for the battle to protect innocent human leashed threatens lives. The cancel cul-
the two officers in California who had a life and agreed with the political party ture they imposed curtails liberty. And
sneak attack as they were sitting and that proudly embraces the killing of their misguided means of creating eco-
trying to secure the local transpor- the unborn at any time, for any rea- nomic equality endangers the pursuit
tation center just in the last couple of son? Darkness. of happiness.
days. It is a tragedy that it had to be What if we decide to change our First Joe Biden, NANCY PELOSI, and their
named for anyone. Amendment, editing out our freedom of hand-picked Democratic candidates are
VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:18 Sep 17, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16SE6.030 S16SEPT1
September 16, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5633
empowering the radical wing of today’s darned clear: law and order or anarchy; Following the murder of George
national Democratic Party—the same an economy that is growing or employ- Floyd by Minneapolis police, my friend
people responsible for the chaos now on ers and workers which are grounded; Senator TIM SCOTT of South Carolina
full display across our country. The na- citizens who are free and flourishing or introduced legislation to tackle police
tional leaders of the Democratic Party subjects dependent on government. reform in a meaningful way. The bill
offer them sanctuary. What the radicals don’t understand is he proposed would have enacted long
They make excuses for radicals’ de- that though we were born by revolu- overdue policies, such as finally mak-
structive behavior, the way an embar- tion, the history of America is one of ing lynching a Federal crime, ending
rassed parent does for a mischievous steady progress—a determined march the use of police choke holds, expand-
child. To them, the riots that are oc- together for the common good and to- ing the use of body cameras by law en-
curring from Minneapolis to Indianap- wards an ever better union. We have to forcement, and increasing other forms
olis are only peaceful protests. Prom- lead that march. of transparency and accountability.
ises to defund police departments are When far-left Democrats offer dan- Yet despite the impassioned pleas of
just ways of reimaging police—what- gerous ideas and unfulfillable promises, Americans across the country demand-
ever that means. It is the same sleight Republicans will counter with innova- ing justice for George Floyd and other
of hand that turns government-run tive thinking and results-driven poli- African-Americans who have died in
healthcare into Medicare for all who cies. We will create ways to help every police custody, Democrats blocked the
want it. American access affordable healthcare, Senate from even debating Senator
Most Democrats will not publicly afford a college education, advance SCOTT’s thoughtful police reform bill
embrace the socialist policies the mob their careers, raise a family, and buy a this past summer.
howls for because they know the Amer- home that they can call their own. Shouldn’t we all be able to agree, re-
ican people will not buy it. But once in Republicans will play a part in the gardless of our party affiliation, that
power, they will be all too happy to im- reinvigoration of economically dis- Congress needs to take action to guar-
plement these radical policies, and advantaged areas, both rural and antee that no American should fear
that means a mainstream national urban. Ours is an America where every- walking on the streets, especially in
Democratic agenda that will abolish one lives free of fear and is able to their own neighborhood? That guar-
and defund police departments; take speak their mind, and where citizens, antee should include people of color
away on-the-job insurance; pack the no matter their color or their ZIP and peaceful protesters, as well as our
Supreme Court of the United States; Code, can climb as high and fly as far law enforcement officers doing their
raise taxes; give Washington, DC, and as their ambition and ability allows. jobs.
Puerto Rico the same number of U.S. Their way leads to a dead end, ours As a consequence of the Democrats’
Senators that the State of Indiana has; to an endless frontier. They tear down. obstruction, the streets in some of
eliminate the legislative filibuster and, We will build. The path forward is America’s great cities have descended
therefore, the right of the minority clear. into a state of chaos and lawlessness,
within this institution; and spend tril- I yield the floor. immersed in violence and vandalism,
lions of dollars of new government pro- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- arson and murder.
grams that Americans don’t need or ator from Iowa. When taxpayers turn to their elected
want. Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I would leaders—whether for assistance to pro-
They are allies—the destroyers and like to thank my colleagues for joining vide for their families during a pan-
these national Democrats I reference— me on the floor today. It is clear that demic, for protection from unfair polic-
only they can’t be straight with the America is facing two separate, very ing practices, or for simple safety when
American people about their alliance, different paths. walking down the street—the Demo-
and their leaders just can’t seem to Last Thursday, the Democrats in this crats have responded with silence and
summon the simple moral clarity that Chamber blocked much needed assist- inaction.
says racism is evil and so is using it to ance to families and small businesses Even when I attempted to call up a
justify violence and vandalism. struggling to make ends meet amidst bill to reauthorize the Violence
Blessedly, in my State, local Demo- the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and Against Women Act—a bill that is very
cratic elected officials have had they did it for one reason only—poli- personal to me and that also had bipar-
enough. In fact, in recent weeks, sev- tics. Our friends across the aisle didn’t tisan support—the Democrats objected
eral Hoosier public servants have left want to provide $15 billion in childcare, to that bill as well. And the same was
their party and they have become Re- more than $250 billion of additional true for my commonsense bill, Sarah’s
publicans. To clearly understand the Paycheck Protection Program loans Law, which would hold illegal immi-
choice before us, we need only listen to for small businesses, $105 billion for grants who harm or murder an Amer-
their explanations why. schools, and $20 billion for farmers. ican citizen accountable.
This is Brian Snedecor, mayor of Ho- While this aid is vital to my fellow It is no wonder that folks across this
bart, who just switched from a Demo- Iowans, it would have helped families country are so frustrated with Wash-
crat to a Republican. He says: and communities all across the Nation, ington and fed up with politicians.
I must be true to my God, my family, my- in red and blue States. There is no de- Folks, just one friendly reminder: Our
self and those that have supported and be- nying that the damage being caused by country’s direction will soon be decided
lieved in me . . . I want Hobart to be a place this pandemic is real. Businesses are by her people. America must now
for business to come and the American being shut down, schools are being choose between two paths to take into
Dream to be achieved. closed, and lives are being lost. Yet the future, and that choice could not
And then we have Dave Wedding, this toll is apparently not enough for be starker.
Vanderburgh County sheriff, who also the other side to set politics aside, At a time when we need leadership
just became a Republican. Sheriff Wed- even momentarily, to come together and reassurance, the Democrats are in-
ding says: and help our fellow citizens with their stead offering obstruction, lockdowns,
I’m tired of seeing fires set in our streets. daily struggles. and anarchy. Our friends across the
I’m tired of people defying God, our church, This senseless obstruction is leaving aisle are actually promising—folks,
our police, our government and everything Iowa families to fend for themselves they are promising—to increase taxes
we stand for. when they most need a helping hand. on hardworking Americans and even
I happen to believe that every reg- In so many ways, this represents the promising to defund the police. That is
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
ular American feels the same way, and distinct difference between the two po- right, folks. You get to pay more taxes
they will look to us to protect the litical parties at this very moment. in exchange for less safety and secu-
American Dream and put out the While Senate Republicans are leading rity. That doesn’t sound like a good
fires—literal and figurative—in our efforts to get America back up and run- deal to me.
streets. ning and guarantee opportunities for Speaking of bad bargains, you can ex-
The choice that each of us must everyone, Democrats are embracing ob- pect the Democrats to pass their Green
make in the coming weeks is pretty struction and anarchy. New Deal if they are given the chance.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:18 Sep 17, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16SE6.032 S16SEPT1
S5634 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 16, 2020
This radical environmental plan would passed and the motion to reconsider be Millions were fleeing this country
destroy our very way of life in Iowa. considered made and laid upon the and still are, as refugees into neigh-
The roadmap offered by Republicans table with no intervening action or de- boring countries. There is brutal polit-
is much brighter, to say the least: re- bate. ical repression. If you disagree with
opening America safely; real reforms The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Maduro publicly, be prepared to go to
to end excessive use of force by police objection? prison. There is staggering government
without putting the safety of everyone Mr. THUNE. Reserving the right to corruption and dismantling of the gov-
at risk by defunding the police; build- object. On behalf of my colleague Sen- ernment’s democracy. Now, the tragic
ing upon the successful pro-growth ator LEE, who cannot be here to object impacts of coronavirus have made the
policies that created the greatest econ- on his own because he is chairing an situation worse as well.
omy and historically low unemploy- Energy subcommittee hearing, I object. I supported this administration’s ef-
ment rates for every demographic; and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- forts to work with other nations to
bringing the jobs that were exported tion is heard. support the interim Presidency of Juan
under the previous administration The Senator from Illinois. Guaido. I had a chance to speak with
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I know President Guaido on the phone yester-
back to America and ending our de-
the Senator from South Dakota is day. I am deeply moved by his courage
pendency on foreign nations like Red
making the objection on behalf of Sen- and concern for the Venezuelan people
China.
ator LEE, and I have been called to do amid the suffering. Think about what
Folks, with our country and the
the same thing from time to time. I he is up against. Here is a man who at
world facing one of the greatest health
won’t assign any political blame to any moment could face imprisonment
and economic emergencies in history,
him, but I will say this is a serious or worse.
we simply cannot risk our recovery on
mistake and deadly mistake for these It is remarkable that more than 2
the radical designs of the Democrats.
Venezuelans. years after an internationally discred-
Let’s pursue the path towards a re- This is an issue which in many parts ited Presidential election, Venezuelan
newed United States of America that of America is red hot. Those of Ven- dictator Nicolas Maduro is now plan-
guarantees safety and greater opportu- ezuelan ancestry or those who are here ning another illegitimate election in-
nities for every citizen to pursue the in a temporary status cannot under- stead of finally holding a fair, credible
American dream. stand what just happened. They want Presidential contest.
I yield the floor. to stay here safely. They don’t want to I asked President Guaido: Are there
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. COT- going to be any international observers
be forced to return to this nation that
TON). The Senator from Illinois.
is such a dangerous place under this of this international election coming
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—H.R. 549
dictator. up this December?
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I am A number of times in the last year, Oh, yes.
going to make a unanimous consent re- Senator MENENDEZ, who is on the floor I said: Who?
quest in a moment, but I would like to with me here, has joined with me on He said: The Russians.
preface it by saying what it is about so behalf of the Venezuelan people. Presi- I said: What a coincidence. They are
that as we explain it after the unani- dent Trump boasts that he supports observing our election too.
mous consent request is objected to, it these people. Venezuela has tragically fallen from
will be clearer. The idea is simple: While the country President Trump’s attention. One sim-
In the nation of Venezuela, there ex- remains a dictatorial nightmare, grant ple step he could take is grant TPS to
ists today an incredible political situa- Venezuelans in the United States tem- Venezuelans here in the United States.
tion. I have been there to see it. There porary protected status or TPS. It is He repeatedly refuses. There are travel
is a dictator in charge, and life on the the kind of commonsense move a self- warnings to Americans telling people
street is deadly—so deadly that mil- confident nation and one that really not to go close to Venezuela, but for
lions of Venezuelans are fleeing the cares about humanity would do to dem- the Venezuelans here on visa or TPS
country as fast as possible. onstrate real leadership and accept. status: You have to go home. The
There is a limitation on food and TPS is a temporary immigration sta- President has refused, I suspect, be-
medicine. There is so much suffering tus provided to foreign nationals if re- cause the depth of his anti-immigrant
and starvation and deprivation that turning to their country poses a seri- cruelty really has no limits.
these people have given up everything, ous threat to their safety for any vari- Despite the chest-thumping to audi-
and they are just leaving. The United ety of reasons—natural disaster, envi- ences in Florida about taking on Ven-
States knows that this is under the ronmental disaster, extraordinary con- ezuelan dictators, President Trump
leader, Maduro. It reached a point ditions, armed conflicts. Certainly by has, in fact, turned his back on the
where it is physically dangerous—so every objective measure, the situation Venezuelans in the United States who
much so that we have a warning to in Venezuela today is deadly and dan- truly need his protection. Nobody
American travelers not to go to Ven- gerous. It is not a permanent immigra- should be surprised, as former National
ezuela, to stay away because it is too tion status we are seeking for these Security Advisor John Bolton wrote in
dangerous. Venezuelans, just a measure of Amer- his book, that the President praised
Yet thousands of Venezuelans now in ican decency and solidarity with those Maduro as ‘‘smart’’ and ‘‘tough’’ and
the United States are facing the threat who might be in the United States waffled on any kind of coherent policy
of being forced return to this deadly, when a calamity occurs in their home in the region and told Bolton not to get
dangerous situation. The same State country. Prior administrations of both too deeply involved. President Trump
Department that warns Americans not can’t have it both ways.
political parties have granted it for
I have met many Venezuelans in my
to travel to Venezuela is now trying to people from countries facing these cir-
home State of Illinois. I can tell you
force those Venezuelans who are here cumstances. that they are desperately worried
as students and others to go back to The situation in Venezuela is dire.
about being forced to return to the
this deadly situation. Currently, the United States is work-
chaos, violence, and hopelessness of the
Senator MENENDEZ and I and others ing with regional partners to foster an
current Venezuela.
think it just makes sense for us to give end to the disastrous dictatorship The Trump administration’s travel
these people a shelter until it is safe clinging to power in Venezuela. advisory says it all:
for them to return to their home. That I was there before the sham 2018 elec-
Do not travel due to COVID–19, crime, civil
is what this request is about. tion. What I saw was heartbreaking—
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
unrest, poor health infrastructure, kidnap-
Mr. President, as in legislative ses- people starving and fainting at work ping, arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S.
sion, I ask unanimous consent that the from malnutrition; hospitals without citizens . . . . Violent crime, such as homi-
Judiciary Committee be discharged power or basic medicines. I visited a cide, armed robbery, kidnapping, and
from further consideration of H.R. 549 Catholic children’s hospital in Caracas. carjacking, is common.
and the Senate proceed to its imme- They told me they didn’t have the ba- Yet the Republicans come to the
diate consideration; further, that the sics to treat these children. Antibiotics floor and object to our efforts to pro-
bill be considered read a third time and cancer drugs were unavailable. tect the Venezuelans who are doing
VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:18 Sep 17, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G16SE6.034 S16SEPT1
File and source
- File
- CREC_crec-2020-09-16_crec-2020-09-16-pt1-pgs5632.pdf
- Size
- 217,254 bytes
- SHA-256
- 48a3a1c090960cf3c6db193901b62e2045d5795d748213b2f76f6a2351346a04
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov