Congressional Record, Senate, September 16, 2020, S5651: Executive Reports of Committees

Summary

Page S5651 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for September 16, 2020. It lists petitions from a citizen of the State of Texas relative to recipients of public financial assistance and to territory and statehood status. Under Executive Reports of Committees, Wicker for the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation submits nominations, including Eric J. Soskin, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Transportation. The page also prints text on the explosion at the port of Beirut, saying the port was responsible for 60 percent of Lebanon's imports, and a bill to temporarily extend the validity of J-1 visas issued to employees and contractors of the United States Agency for Global Media.

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“Congressional Record, Senate, September 16, 2020, S5651: Executive Reports of Committees.” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-09-16-crec-2020-09-16-pt1-pgs5651-2-6b5f6f8bfe/, SHA-256 e0cbdfdd4377b9cd59cc234dd21d8f48f6ec961720adeac99f95a91f6f541f6a.

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September 16, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5651
measures. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has 150 people and wounded over 5,000 others. Ac- POM–240. A petition from a citizen of the
issued executive orders prohibiting large cording to experts, the blast registered on State of Texas relative to recipients of pub-
gatherings, closing all primary and sec- seismographs at 3.3, and the blast was the lic financial assistance; to the Committee on
ondary schools, and requiring the temporary third most powerful explosion in history Finance.
closure of all nonessential businesses. At the after Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan dur- POM–241. A petition from a citizen of the
federal level, the White House Coronavirus ing World War II; and State of Texas relative to territory and
Task Force’s guidelines recommended the Whereas, In addition to the tragic loss of statehood status; to the Committee on En-
closure of places where people gather, in- life, the explosion has largely destroyed the ergy and Natural Resources.
cluding businesses, where there is evidence port and its infrastructure, which was re- f
of community transmission. While some in- sponsible for 60 percent of Lebanon’s imports
dustries and regions of the state have begun and was one of the largest and busiest ports EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF
to partially reopen, it is unclear how long on the eastern Mediterranean Sea. As a re- COMMITTEES
mitigation measures will be necessary before sult of the explosion, most of the city’s grain
reserves and food imports were destroyed, The following executive reports of
normal operations can resume; and
Whereas, These measures have greatly im- which is likely to cause widespread food in- nominations were submitted:
pacted the livelihoods of business owners security for years to come. In addition, the By Mr. WICKER for the Committee on
across the state and our nation. With the city of Beirut is suffering billions in dam- Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
forced closures, small business owners have ages, with the explosion shattering glass as Eric J. Soskin, of Virginia, to be Inspector
been forced to lay off workers and forgo in- far as 15 miles from the scene. In response to General, Department of Transportation.
come for months, while still needing to the widespread devastation from the blast, a * Sarah E. Feinberg, of West Virginia, to be
make payments for utilities, mortgages and two-week state of emergency has been de- a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors
rent, and other expenses. According to a sur- clared; and for a term of five years.
Whereas, The people of Lebanon were al- * Chris Koos, of Illinois, to be a Director of
vey by the Small Business Administration of
ready suffering from daily power outages, a the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of
Michigan, one in seven, or about 14 percent,
lack of safe drinking water, food and fuel five years.
of small businesses are not confident that
shortages, and limited public health care be- * Robert E. Primus, of New Jersey, to be a
they will survive the Pandemic. Nationally,
fore the explosion. The COVID–19 Pandemic Member of the Surface Transportation Board
a survey found that 7.5 million small busi-
exacerbated these issues, resulting in Leb- for a term expiring December 31, 2022.
nesses are at risk of shutting down; and * Theodore Rokita, of Indiana, to be a Di-
anon’s worst economic crisis since the 1975–
Whereas, Federal and state governments rector of the Amtrak Board of Directors for
1990 Civil War. Now with the devastation
have a responsibility to assist small busi- the remainder of the term expiring January
from the explosion, it has become nearly im-
nesses since government mitigation meas- 3, 2021.
possible for the Lebanese people to obtain
ures, while for the greater good, contributed * Theodore Rokita, of Indiana, to be a Di-
basic human rights without humanitarian
significantly to the current economic crisis. rector of the Amtrak Board of Directors for
aid; and
The economic uncertainty and devastation Whereas, Rescue efforts have been ham- a term expiring January 3, 2026.
caused by the COVID–19 Pandemic and the pered by the lack of electricity, and medical By Mr. JOHNSON for the Committee on
related mitigation policies are not the fault professionals are stitching the wounded in Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
of small business owners. It would be unjust the streets under their cellphone lights. Pub- fairs.
to fail to help them and to allow them to lic Health Minister Hamad Hassan said Leb- * John M. Barger, of California, to be a
bear an unfair share of the burden of address- anon’s health sector is short of beds and Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift In-
ing this crisis; and Jacked the equipment necessary lo treat the vestment Board for a term expiring October
Whereas, The failure of these businesses injured and care for patients in critical con- 11, 2022.
could have wide ranging negative effects for dition. Meanwhile, many buildings and * Christopher Bancroft Burnham, of Con-
Michigan and the United States. Since the homes have been reduced to an uninhabit- necticut, to be a Member of the Federal Re-
beginning of the crisis, more than 40 million able mess of glass, leaving as many as 300.000 tirement Thrift Investment Board for a term
Americans have filed for unemployment, in- people homeless. Furthermore, the toxic expiring September 25, 2024.
cluding more than 1.7 million in Michigan. If gases released from the explosion. combined * Frank Dunlevy, of California, to be a
small businesses are unable to reopen, many with the impact of COVID–19 and the thick Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift In-
of these claimants may not be able to return Mediterranean summer air, have created a vestment Board for a term expiring Sep-
to work, magnifying the already devastating deeply oppressive atmosphere where the peo- tember 25, 2022.
economic impact of COVID–19; and ple of Beirut cannot breathe; and
Whereas, The small business relief already
* Nomination was reported with rec-
Whereas, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan
enacted by Congress is not sufficient to miti- Diab and his government have stepped down
ommendation that it be confirmed sub-
gate these effects. As part of the Coronavirus after citing mass corruption that contrib- ject to the nominee’s commitment to
Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) uted to the disaster. Before the resignation, respond to requests to appear and tes-
Act, Congress created the Paycheck Protec- Prime Minster Hassan Diab made a plea to tify before any duly constituted com-
tion Program (PPP) to provide loans to other countries for aid. France, Russia, Iraq, mittee of the Senate.
small businesses. Even though additional and Iran have sent planes full of doctors, (Nominations without an asterisk
money was subsequently appropriated to the medical supplies, medication, and more to were reported with the recommenda-
program, the PPP has been unable to prove help Lebanon through this crisis: now, there- tion that they be confirmed.)
relief to millions of small businesses that fore, be it
have been affected by the crisis: Now, there- Resolved by the House of Representatives, f
fore, be it That we urge the Congress and President of INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND
Resolved by the Senate, That we memori- the United States to send humanitarian aid
in the form of medical supplies, medications,
JOINT RESOLUTIONS
alize the Congress of the United States to ex-
plore further avenues of relief for businesses and emergency funding to Lebanon in the The following bills and joint resolu-
affected by the COVlD–19 Pandemic; and be wake of the Beirut Port Explosion, and be it tions were introduced, read the first
it further further and second times by unanimous con-
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be Resolved. That copies of this resolution be
transmitted to the President of the United
sent, and referred as indicated:
transmitted to the Speaker of the United
States House of Representatives, the Presi- States, the Speaker of the United States By Ms. STABENOW (for herself and
dent of the United States Senate, and the House of Representatives, the President of Mrs. BLACKBURN):
the United States Senate, and the Michigan S. 4584. A bill to amend the Energy Policy
members of the Michigan congressional dele-
congressional delegation. and Conservation Act to modify the defini-
gation.
tion of water heater under energy conserva-
POM–238. A resolution adopted by the City tion standards, and for other purposes; to the
POM–237. A resolution adopted by the
Council of the City of Oberlin, Ohio, express- Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
House of Representatives of the State of
ing the support for the passage of Senate sources.
Michigan urging the United States Congress
Joint Resolution 6 to remove the deadline By Mr. PETERS (for himself, Mr. CAR-
and the President of the United States to im-
for state ratification of the equal rights PER, and Ms. KLOBUCHAR):
mediately send humanitarian aid to Lebanon
amendment; to the Committee on the Judici- S. 4585. A bill to maintain prompt and reli-

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in response to the Beirut port explosion; to
ary. able postal services during the COVID–19
the Committee on Foreign Relations.
POM–239. A resolution adopted by the health emergency, and for other purposes; to
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 303 Pennsylvania State Council of the Junior the Committee on Homeland Security and
Whereas, On August 4, 2020, a cache of the Order United American Mechanics memori- Governmental Affairs.
chemical substance ammonium nitrate alizing its opposition to the desecration and By Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina (for
which was being stored in a warehouse on destruction of American war monuments in himself and Ms. SINEMA):
the Pon of Beirut in Lebanon caught fire, re- this country; to the Committee on Energy S. 4586. A bill to amend the CARES Act to
sulting in an explosion that killed more than and Natural Resources. require the uniform treatment of nationally

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S5652 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 16, 2020
recognized statistical rating organizations By Ms. ERNST (for herself, Mr. GRASS- Awareness Month’’; considered and agreed
under certain programs carried out in re- LEY, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. CASSIDY, to.
sponse to the COVID–19 emergency, and for and Mr. KENNEDY): By Mr. PETERS (for himself and Mr.
other purposes; to the Committee on Bank- S. 4596. A bill to provide tax relief for per- KENNEDY):
ing, Housing, and Urban Affairs. sons affected by certain 2020 disasters; to the S. Res. 699. A resolution expressing support
By Mr. GRAHAM (for himself and Mr. Committee on Finance. for the designation of the week of September
SCOTT of South Carolina): By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself and Mr. 11 through September 17 as ‘‘Patriot Week’’;
S. 4587. A bill to amend the Communica- BOOKER): considered and agreed to.
tions Act of 1934 to establish a program to S. 4597. A bill to require U.S. Customs and By Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself, Ms.
expand access to broadband in unserved and Border Protection to permit the entry into COLLINS, Mr. CASSIDY, Mr.
underserved areas, and for other purposes; to the United States of pets accompanying BLUMENTHAL, Ms. HASSAN, Mr. MUR-
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and United States nationals repatriating during PHY, Mr. CARPER, Mr. VAN HOLLEN,
Transportation. public health emergencies; to the Committee Mr. CARDIN, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. KING,
By Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Mr. on Finance. Mr. WARNER, Mr. COONS, Mr. MARKEY,
KENNEDY, Ms. ERNST, Ms. HIRONO, By Ms. ROSEN (for herself and Mr. Ms. HIRONO, Mr. REED, Mrs. FEIN-
Mr. RISCH, and Mr. MARKEY): YOUNG): STEIN, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. MERKLEY,
S. 4588. A bill to improve programs of the S. 4598. A bill to provide for assistance for Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr.
Small Business Administration to better as- small manufacturers in the defense indus- RUBIO, and Mr. KAINE):
sist small business customers in accessing trial supply chain on matters relating to cy- S. Res. 700. A resolution designating the
broadband technology, and for other pur- bersecurity; to the Committee on Armed week of September 19 through September 26,
poses; to the Committee on Small Business Services. 2020, as ‘‘National Estuaries Week’’; consid-
and Entrepreneurship. By Mr. HEINRICH: ered and agreed to.
By Mr. BARRASSO: S. 4599. A bill to withdraw certain Federal
f
S. 4589. A bill to amend the Endangered land in the Pecos Watershed area of the
Species Act of 1973 to increase transparency, State of New Mexico from mineral entry, and ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS
to support regulatory certainty, and to reau- for other purposes; to the Committee on En-
S. 514
thorize that Act, and for other purposes; to ergy and Natural Resources.
the Committee on Environment and Public By Ms. HIRONO (for herself and Mr. At the request of Mr. TESTER, the
Works. BOOKER): name of the Senator from Mississippi
By Mr. LEE (for himself, Mr. CRUZ, and S. 4600. A bill to amend title 10, United (Mr. WICKER) was added as a cosponsor
Mr. BARRASSO): States Code, to improve the responses of the of S. 514, a bill to amend title 38,
S. 4590. A bill to amend the National Envi- Department of Defense to sex-related of- United States Code, to improve the
ronmental Policy Act of 1969 to reform agen- fenses, and for other purposes; to the Com-
cy process requirements, and for other pur-
benefits and services provided by the
mittee on Armed Services.
poses; to the Committee on Environment and By Mr. BRAUN (for himself, Mr. Department of Veterans Affairs to
Public Works. WHITEHOUSE, Ms. MCSALLY, Mr. women veterans, and for other pur-
By Mr. LEE: BLUMENTHAL, and Mr. KENNEDY): poses.
S. 4591. A bill to amend the National Envi- S. 4601. A bill to establish an Animal Cru- S. 593
ronmental Policy Act of 1969 to reform agen- elty Crimes Section within the Department At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the
cy process requirements, and for other pur- of Justice’s Environment and Natural Re-
poses; to the Committee on Environment and sources Division, and for other purposes; to
name of the Senator from Vermont
Public Works. the Committee on the Judiciary. (Mr. SANDERS) was added as a cospon-
By Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. sor of S. 593, a bill to amend the Reli-
and Mr. RUBIO): TILLIS, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Ms. ERNST, gious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993
S. 4592. A bill to establish a Maritime Task Mr. ROUNDS, Mr. CRAMER, and Mr. to protect civil rights and otherwise
Force and a private sector advisory com- RUBIO): prevent meaningful harm to third par-
mittee to address the health, safety, secu- S. 4602. A bill to prohibit the obstruction of ties, and for other purposes.
rity, and logistical issues relating to the emergency vehicles; to the Committee on
continuation of maritime travel, including S. 633
the Judiciary.
the resumption of cruise operations, in By Ms. MCSALLY: At the request of Mr. MORAN, the
United States waters during the COVID–19 S. 4603. A bill to promote the use of forest name of the Senator from Oklahoma
public health emergency; to the Committee restoration residue harvested on National (Mr. INHOFE) was added as a cosponsor
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Forest System land for renewable energy, of S. 633, a bill to award a Congres-
By Mr. BURR (for himself, Mr. BOOKER, and for other purposes; to the Committee on sional Gold Medal to the members of
Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. BENNET, Mr. Energy and Natural Resources.
BLUMENTHAL, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr.
the Women’s Army Corps who were as-
By Mr. CRUZ:
CASEY, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. COONS, Mr. S. 4604. A bill to require the imposition of signed to the 6888th Central Postal Di-
CORNYN, Ms. CORTEZ MASTO, Ms. sanctions with respect to certain persons in rectory Battalion, known as the ‘‘Six
DUCKWORTH, Mr. DURBIN, Mrs. FEIN- the defense sectors of nuclear weapons states Triple Eight’’.
STEIN, Ms. HARRIS, Mr. HEINRICH, Ms. that at not fulfilling their obligations under S. 839
HIRONO, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, Mr. KAINE, article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation At the request of Mr. KAINE, the
Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. MAR- Treaty, and for other purposes; to the Com-
KEY, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. MERKLEY, mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af-
name of the Senator from California
Mr. MURPHY, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. fairs. (Mrs. FEINSTEIN) was added as a co-
PORTMAN, Mr. REED, Ms. ROSEN, Mr. f
sponsor of S. 839, a bill to extend Fed-
RUBIO, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. SCOTT of eral Pell Grant eligibility of certain
South Carolina, Mr. TILLIS, Ms. SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND short-term programs.
SMITH, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. WARNER, SENATE RESOLUTIONS S. 959
Ms. WARREN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. The following concurrent resolutions
WICKER, and Mr. WYDEN):
At the request of Ms. COLLINS, the
S. 4593. A bill to award posthumously the and Senate resolutions were read, and names of the Senator from Nebraska
Congressional Gold Medal to Emmett Till referred (or acted upon), as indicated: (Mrs. FISCHER) and the Senator from
and Mamie Till-Mobley; to the Committee By Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself, New Hampshire (Ms. HASSAN) were
on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Mr. TILLIS, Mr. COTTON, Mrs. LOEF- added as cosponsors of S. 959, a bill to
By Mr. TESTER: FLER, Ms. ERNST, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. establish in the Smithsonian Institu-
S. 4594. A bill to amend title 38, United PERDUE, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. INHOFE, tion a comprehensive women’s history
States Code, to improve and to expand eligi- Mr. DAINES, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. RUBIO, Mr.
bility for dependency and indemnity com- ROUNDS, Mr. CORNYN, Ms. MCSALLY,
museum, and for other purposes.
pensation paid to certain survivors of certain and Mr. PORTMAN): S. 1210
veterans; to the Committee on Veterans’ Af- S. Res. 697. A resolution expressing support At the request of Ms. COLLINS, the

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
fairs. for the brave men and women of our law en- name of the Senator from Delaware
By Mr. MERKLEY: forcement agencies and urging the people of (Mr. CARPER) was added as a cosponsor
S. 4595. A bill to temporarily extend the pe- the United States to ‘‘Back the Blue’’; to the
of S. 1210, a bill to amend the Internal
riod of validity of J–1 visas issued to employ- Committee on the Judiciary.
ees and contractors of the United States By Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Ms. Revenue Code of 1986 to increase and
Agency for Global Media and its broad- BALDWIN): make permanent the exclusion for ben-
casting networks; to the Committee on the S. Res. 698. A resolution designating Sep- efits provided to volunteer firefighters
Judiciary. tember 2020 as ‘‘National Spinal Cord Injury and emergency medical responders.

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