Congressional Record — Senate, September 23, 2020
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated September 23, 2020, beginning at page S5799, in a long document. A Senator argues that Republicans are fulfilling their constitutional role in considering the President's Supreme Court nominee and says Democrats treat government as legitimate only when they are in charge. Other remarks stress that the food supply is safe, tasty and affordable thanks to farmers and ranchers and discuss coronavirus food assistance funding in the continuing resolution and the Commodity Credit Corporation account. Near the end, a Senator says 200,000 Americans have been lost to coronavirus, with predictions of 300,000 deaths by election day and 400,000 by the first of next year, and recalls the 96 to 0 vote on the CARES Act.
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
“Congressional Record — Senate, September 23, 2020.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-09-23-crec-2020-09-23-pt1-pgs5799-68456cedbd/
, SHA-256 d5b702fbe0d91153a044cca1fb7b02796be5063df051044c365e9034cb7b7bdb.Full text
September 23, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5799
government, you win some and you suggest that government is legitimate American every single day because our
lose some. While it is no fun when you only when your party is in charge. farmers and ranchers produce the high-
lose, that is how things sometimes go If Democrats continue along this est quality, lowest cost food supply in
in a democracy. Have Republicans been dangerous trajectory, if they continue the history of the world that benefits
enthusiastic when Democrat Presi- to try to delegitimize the actions of a every single American every single
dents have had nominees confirmed to duly elected Senate majority and a day. That is just how important it is.
the Supreme Court? No, but have Re- duly elected President, they are the How could we be reminded even more
publicans suggested that Democrat Su- ones who will put our entire system at so right now than during this COVID
preme Court Justices are illegitimate? risk. pandemic of that abundant, safe, won-
Have we suggested that the proper re- If anyone wonders for a moment derful food supply that we have every
sponse to a Democrat Supreme Court whether Democrats are advocating a day thanks to our farmers and ranch-
nominee is to pack the Supreme Court principled position—if perhaps Demo- ers, and there is so much that goes into
with additional Republican Justices to crats really think it would be best for it.
get a rubberstamp for Republican pri- our country to eliminate the legisla- As the Presiding Officer well knows,
orities? No, of course not. tive filibuster Democrats have used so with Nebraska as his State and its
While we may not like it when Demo- often or to expand the Supreme being a big part of the incredible ag
crats are in charge, we know that Dem- Court—one can simply ask whether production in this country—as a mat-
ocrat-run government is legitimate, Democrats will continue to advocate ter of fact, there could be a little ri-
just as Republican-run government is for these positions if President Trump valry here with his contiguous State to
legitimate. It has become clear over is reelected and Republicans retain the north in terms of cattle production
the past few years—especially over the control of the Senate. Think about or something like that—this is some-
past few days—that Democrats think that one. I think everyone here knows thing that touches everybody every
government is legitimate only when what the answer to that question is, day and is so important.
they are in charge. So Democrats are and the answer is no. It is not just those farmers and
accusing Republicans of undermining As I suggested, Democrats’ threats ranchers who produce that food every
our institutions by fulfilling our con- are not going to stop Republicans from day; it is the whole supply chain that
stitutional role because that is exactly carrying out our constitutional role in has to work. Remember, that food sup-
what we are doing: fulfilling our con- considering the President’s nominee. ply has to be safe every day, not only
stitutional role. One of the principle reasons that many tasty and affordable and abundant, and
Let’s be very clear about that. Re- GOP Senators, myself included, ran for that is what we are talking about. This
publicans are suggesting that we take office in the first place was to confirm has become a big, big issue in the con-
up a Supreme Court nominee duly principled judges to our courts—judges tinuing resolution that we are working
nominated by a duly elected President who understand that their role is to in- on right now in that the way we are
and confirm that nominee in accord terpret the law, not make the law. funding the coronavirus food assistance
with our constitutional advice and con- While many of my Democrat col- programs, in part, is with the direct
sent role. leagues would like the courts to impose funding that we secured in the CARES
Democrats are free to think that Re- their policies when they can’t push Act and also from what they call the
publicans should not consider this them through Congress, Republicans CCC, the Commodity Credit Corpora-
nominee, but it is absolutely indis- know that legislation should come tion. With regard to the farm bill—the
putable that Republicans and the from Congress and not from the courts. bipartisan farm bill that has incredibly
President are doing nothing more than The job of judges is to interpret the strong support on both sides of the
carrying out a legitimate constitu- law as it is written, not to oppose Dem- aisle in this body and the House—many
tional prerogative. ocrat or Republican policies from the of its very key programs are funded by
What Democrats are doing, on the bench. the Commodity Credit Corporation. We
other hand, is trying to ensure that My colleagues and I were elected and put about $30 billion a year into that
only one party has a say in our govern- reelected, in part, because of our com- fund every year to make sure that
ment—what some might call tyranny— mitment to confirming judges who those programs are funded to support
and threatening retribution for the ex- would uphold the Constitution and the our farmers and ranchers.
ercise of legitimate constitutional pre- rule of law. We have followed through That was not in the original House
rogatives. That does pose a danger to on that commitment over the past 4 version that was going to be filed, so a
our institutions. years, and we are going to keep fol- group of Senators from ag States came
Take the Supreme Court. A year ago, lowing through by voting on the Presi- together last week and had a colloquy
several Democrats warned that the dent’s nominee. in this body. They immediately went
Court’s nonpartisan reputation was in Democrats can bluster. They can to work with our friends in the House
jeopardy. Their argument was that the threaten. They can throw temper tan- who are also strong supporters of agri-
Court would look partisan if it did con- trums. But we will keep doing what we culture and now the continuing resolu-
tinue with a case the Democrats didn’t were sent here to do. tion that has passed the House over-
like. What on Earth do Democrats I yield the floor. whelmingly, which we will be taking
think will happen to the Court’s rep- I suggest the absence of a quorum. up, has that key funding in it.
utation if they pack the Court with ad- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The So we are really here to, once again,
ditional Democrats to rubberstamp clerk will call the roll. emphasize the importance of making
their policies? Do they really think The senior assistant legislative clerk sure we fund these farm programs, to
Americans are going to see the Su- proceeded to call the roll. make sure that we fund them in a
preme Court as legitimate once it has Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, I ask timely way, and, again, to point out
been hijacked for partisan Democratic unanimous consent that the order for very clearly that this is funding that is
purposes? the quorum call be rescinded. being used expressly the way it was au-
If you believe in our system of gov- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. thorized to be used both in the over-
ernment, you have to believe that all SASSE). Without objection, it is so or- whelmingly bipartisan farm bill we
Americans—not just those who agree dered. passed—the 5-year farm bill—but also
with you—have a right to have a voice AGRICULTURE in the CARES Act, in which we secured
in the government. You are free to ve- Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, we are additional funding. Now the funding
hemently disagree with 50 percent of here to talk about agriculture. We are that is included in the continuing reso-
ctelli on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE
your fellow Americans. You are free to here to talk about those great farmers lution is exactly that funding that we
dislike it when your party is not in and ranchers who feed this country and put out there every year to make sure
charge. You are free to fight fiercely feed the world. this farm bill is provided on time.
for the policies and candidates you be- You know, when we talk about good It could not be more important than
lieve in. But what you cannot do with- farm policy, we are talking about this year, when not only are our farm-
out undermining our entire system is something that benefits every single ers and ranchers fighting COVID but
VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:31 Sep 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G23SE6.006 S23SEPT1
S5800 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 23, 2020
when they are fighting low commodity was in 2018, and we were all involved culture. They are not just here, advo-
prices, challenges in the world of trade with that. It would keep all of those cating for it—they live it. It is a great
in their being targeted by China, fight- programs funded, and that is critically group.
ing challenges of tough weather, and important. It has never been more im- They have also reached out to so
on top of that, COVID. So, again, we portant than it is right now in our
many in the House, to the farm groups,
have to be there for them. coming out of the pandemic. Food se-
to the commodity groups, and to the ag
I thank the Members of the Senate curity is an absolutely essential pri-
and the House who worked very hard groups, which I will talk a little bit
ority. It should be for our country, and
on this and the farm group, and I am more about later.
it certainly should be for the Members
going to kind of run through this whole of Congress in both the House and the Let me turn to our Ag chairman,
roster here in a minute. Senate. who, though still a relatively young
Before I do that, I turn to the senior I thank my colleague Senator man, has been in the House and the
Senator from South Dakota—our whip HOEVEN. As I said, he is a strong, Senate for many years and has always
here in the Senate and somebody who strong voice for our agricultural pro- been a tireless advocate for agri-
has worked on behalf of agriculture his ducers. When he and I and those from culture. He is a marine—once a marine
whole life—and ask him for a few of his Arkansas and Kansas and Nebraska— always a marine. Semper Fi. He brings
comments. those of us from farm country—work that attitude—that marine, you know,
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I say to together and put together coalitions at ‘‘never turn back and never let up’’ at-
my colleague from North Dakota how times like this, it is only due to that titude—and makes sure that he does
much we appreciate his leadership. He advocacy we have heard from Senator everything he can on behalf of our
is a relentless advocate for the farmers HOEVEN and others that has enabled us farmers and ranchers.
and ranchers of North Dakota and to be successful.
across this country. We share a border, I am glad that we have gotten the I yield to the chairman.
but we also have a lot of commonality right outcome here, and it is some- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
in the people whom we represent. They thing to celebrate. Obviously, our ator from Kansas.
are hard-working people who work farmers and ranchers across the coun-
from dawn to dusk to feed not only this Mr. ROBERTS. I thank the distin-
try are going to be, I think, enor-
country but the world. guished Senator for his comments. I
mously grateful that we have been able
It has been no easy task being in ag- appreciate the shout-out for the U.S.
to get this problem resolved.
riculture during these last few years I thank the Senator for his leader- Marine Corps and to all of us who are
for lots of reasons, as my colleague ship, and I look forward to continuing marines.
from North Dakota has pointed out, to work with my colleagues on those The Marine Corps taught me one
whether it be from, of course, most re- issues that are important in farm coun- thing, and that was that I could always
cently, COVID, but also from chron- try that will help our farmers and do more than I thought I could. This is
ically low and depressed commodity ranchers not only survive but, hope- a good example of what happens when
prices, coupled with bad weather, cou- fully, prosper into the future. we work together as a team—when we
pled with trade disputes, and difficul- Mr. HOEVEN. I thank the Senate’s work with our colleagues across the
ties with markets here and around the majority whip for all of the work he aisle—when we see a real problem that
world. Farmers and ranchers have had has done. has come up.
a tough and difficult road these past Again, he works for farmers day in
few years, so it is critically important and day out. He comes from South Da- This was a situation for which I
that we continue to be there for them. kota, which is a strong farming and big wanted to express my gratitude to all
As my colleague from North Dakota ranching State. He was instrumental in of the Members who joined together to
pointed out, there was a concern be- this effort, not only by his joining us provide certainty and predictability.
cause what we had heard initially last week in the colloquy but then by This is what we sold the farm bill on—
would be in the continuing resolution engaging in the negotiations as part of certainty and predictability. We had a
that was coming over from the House— our leadership time, along with our situation that we faced, and it was
that will fund the government and that majority leader, who held fast on this. really difficult to understand how this
we will pass, hopefully, later this week I have to tell you that, as we nego- came about, but that is not the news
in the Senate—was not going to in- tiated back and forth with the House, today. The news today is good news in
clude funding for agriculture and for our leadership—Senator MCCONNELL, that we reached a compromise and
all of those programs that keep ag run- Senator THUNE, and others—held found agreement to replenish the CCC,
ning that we authorized in the farm strong in saying: No, this is something the Commodity Credit Corporation, in
bill. that must be in the continuing resolu- the continuing resolution, absent some
A key Member of the House Agri- tion. Also, the administration—the of the barbed wire that was in there.
culture Committee, Senator BOOZMAN, President and the White House—was
of Arkansas, who is also a key member involved in this negotiation and held I especially want to thank more than
of that committee—in fact, he is some- fast on this as well. 40 agriculture organizations, and I have
body we hope to be the next chairman This is one of the last pieces of the the letter right here. I know both Sen-
of that committee—and the current puzzle to come into place, but it is so ators who are in attendance here, as
chairman of our authorizing com- very important that we have gotten it. well as Senator THUNE and everybody
mittee, Senator ROBERTS, of Kansas, As I say, we had seven Senators down concerned, are aware of it. It is to Ma-
who, I think, will be down here in just on the floor last week who were talk- jority Leader MCCONNELL, Speaker
a few minutes, all played an important ing about it, and those seven Senators PELOSI, Leader SCHUMER, and Leader
role, along with the ag community. All were led by our Ag chairman, and I will MCCARTHY. It is from 47 different farm
of the organizations that Senator I ask him to make a few comments as organizations and commodity groups
HOEVEN is going to talk about engaged well. that speak for, I think, virtually every
right away when they realized what Again, let me thank those other Sen- farmer, rancher, and grower in the
was happening, and we were able to ators who have joined and will join country. So I give thanks to the 47.
work together to solve that. us—Senator THUNE, from whom you
I ask unanimous consent to have
Now we will consider on the floor of just heard; Senator BOOZMAN, from
printed at this point in the RECORD this
the Senate the continuing resolution whom you will hear in just a minute;
ctelli on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE
letter, dated September 15, 2020, from
to fund the government that does in- Senator ERNST, of Iowa; Senator FISCH-
clude funding for the Commodity Cred- ER, of Nebraska; and Senator HYDE-
47 farm organizations and commodity
it Corporation, which provides the SMITH, of Mississippi. All have strong groups.
funds that keep all of those agricul- ag backgrounds. I mean, they are peo- There being no objection, the mate-
tural programs that we authorize when ple who not only work on behalf of ag- rial was ordered to be printed in the
we do a farm bill. The last farm bill riculture but who are involved in agri- RECORD, as follows:
VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:31 Sep 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G23SE6.008 S23SEPT1
September 23, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5801
SEPTEMBER 15, 2020. Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, if we I ask unanimous consent to have
Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, had not done this, it would have re- printed at this point in the RECORD a
U.S. Senate, sulted in delays in the 2018 farm bill list of these programs that were in dan-
Washington, DC.
programs—the one that we passed here ger.
Hon. NANCY PELOSI,
House of Representatives, with 87 votes—and the ability farmers There being no objection, the mate-
Washington, DC. would have with the risk management rial was ordered to be printed in the
Hon. CHARLES SCHUMER, tools. RECORD, as follows:
U.S. Senate, I would just simply point out that no PROGRAMS FUNDED THROUGH CCC
Washington, DC. matter what they grow or where they Price Loss Coverage; Agriculture Risk Cov-
Hon. KEVIN MCCARTHY, live, farmers, ranchers, and growers erage–County; Agriculture Risk Coverage–In-
House of Representatives, have done their part to ensure that our dividual; Marketing Assistance Loans; Eco-
Washington, DC. Nation’s food, fiber, and fuel supplies nomic Adjustment Assistance for Upland
DEAR MAJORITY LEADER MCCONNELL, Cotton; ELS Cotton; Payment Limitations
SPEAKER PELOSI, LEADER SCHUMER AND continue without disruption during
these unprecedented times. They are and Actively Engaged (commodity certs, sep-
LEADER MCCARTHY: As Congress assembles a
arate peanut payment limit, marketing loan;
continuing resolution to extend government counting on the Department of Agri-
Sugar Loans; Electronic Warehouse Re-
funding, we respectfully ask that you pro- culture—and, for that matter, the Con- ceipts; Dairy Margin Coverage.
vide the U.S. Department of Agriculture gress—to deliver a range of agriculture,
(USDA) with the resources necessary to con- Dairy Indemnity Payment Programs; Milk
nutrition, conservation, and forestry Donation Program; Noninsured Crop Dis-
tinue assisting American farmers and ranch-
ers. To that end, reimbursement for the programs. aster Assistance Program; Feedstock
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) must More than 50 of these programs—here Flexibililty Program; Biofuels Infrastructure
be included in any measure to keep govern- is the list—were in danger because of Program; Biobased Market Program; Bio-
ment operating past the current fiscal year. the uncertainty in replenishing the refinery Assistance Program; Bioenergy Pro-
For decades, CCC has been regularly re- CCC funding and then due to some of gram for Advanced Biofuels; Rural Energy
plenished to fund programs integral to the for America Program; Export Credit Guar-
the add-ons with regard to policy being antee Program.
farm safety net that Congress has worked difficult to understand. Well, they are
tirelessly to craft. Producers count on pro- Agriculture Trade Promotion Program
grams like Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price easy to understand, but it is bad pol- (Market Access; Program, Foreign Market
Loss Coverage, Dairy Margin Coverage, Mar- icy, bad precedent. Development Program, Emerging Markets
keting Assistance Loans, conservation pro- We have put the Secretary of Agri- Program, Technical Assistance for Conserva-
grams, and many others as they provide culture in a very bad position in that tion Reserve Program; Agricultural Con-
food, fuel and fiber for our nation. Without he has announced the specifics of this servation Easement Program; Conservation
immediate CCC reimbursement, payments program. I would urge all of my col- Stewardship Program; Voluntary Public Ac-
and programs would be significantly delayed, leagues—more especially my col- cess and Habitat Incentive Program; Envi-
jeopardizing operations across the country. ronmental Quality Incentives Program; Re-
More than ever, farmers and ranchers need
leagues across the aisle who have ex- gional Conservation Partnership Program;
the certainty and support provided by farm pressed great concern as to what is in Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey
programs. Low commodity prices, unjusti- this latest program and what isn’t—to Bees, and Livestock Forage Disaster Pro-
fied retaliatory tariffs, natural disasters, and get on the phone, and I will get on the gram; Livestock Indemnity Program; Tree
a global pandemic have placed a tremendous phone with the Secretary. I know that Assistance Program.
burden on farm country. USDA’s most recent Senator BOOZMAN and Senator HOEVEN Facility Guarantee Program; Food for
farm income projections forecast that cash will do the same. We all have concerns Progress Program; Quality Samples Pro-
receipts will be at their lowest level in more gram; The Bill Emerson Humanitarian
than a decade. Coupled with rising farm debt
as to how this is going to work, and
Trust; Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust
and a decrease in working capital, producers that has been true with all of the pro- Fund; Pima Cotton Trust Fund; Citrus Trust
face challenges not experienced in decades. grams prior to this one. That is the Fund; APHIS efforts for emergency plant
As the industry continues to endure hard- way to express our concern with regard and animal disease; Local Agriculture Mar-
ships during this unprecedented time, we to getting something done. ket Program; Organic Production and Mar-
urge you to include CCC reimbursement in a I do want to point out that my col- ket Data Initiatives.
continuing resolution. Thank you for your leagues across the aisle, under the ban- Organic Agriculture Research and Exten-
consideration and continued efforts on behalf sion; Small Watershed Rehabilitation; Feral
ner of nutrition programs—the SNAP
of American agriculture. Swine Eradication and Control Pilot; The
Sincerely, program in particular, school lunches,
Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Pro-
Agricultural Retailers Association, Amcot, et cetera—did point out that we had
gram; Specialty Crop Block Grant Program;
American Agri-Women, American Cotton some real deficiencies with regard to Animal Disease Prevention and Management
Producers, American Cotton Shippers Asso- keeping our commitment to these pro- Program; Wool Research and Promotion;
ciation, American Dairy Coalition, American grams, more especially with COVID–19. Farming Opportunities Training and Out-
Farm Bureau Federation, American Pulse I understand that, so that was in- reach; Beginning; Farmer and Rancher De-
Association, American Sheep Industry Asso- velopment Grant Program; Emergency Food
ciation, American Soybean Association.
cluded. That is really what we are all
about here—working in a bipartisan Assistance Program; Food for Peace Pro-
American Sugar Alliance, Association of
fashion on behalf of farmers, ranchers, gram.
Equipment Manufacturers, Cotton Growers
Warehouse Association, Cotton Warehouse and growers in agriculture. That is Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, find-
Association of America, Crop Insurance Pro- what we have always done on the com- ing a bipartisan solution to replenish
fessionals Association, National Association mittee. the CCC and to provide much needed
of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers I thank my distinguished ranking certainty and predictability for all rea-
Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Asso-
member, and I thank everybody who sons, all crops, all farmers, and all
ciation, National Corn Growers Association,
National Cotton Council. brought this thing together. ranchers, I, again, appreciate the ef-
National Cotton Ginners Association, Na- As the chairman of this committee, forts of my colleagues and those who
tional Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Na- we were successful. As I indicated, in a represent them—the Nation’s farmers,
tional Farmers Union, National Milk Pro- bipartisan manner, we—87 Members of ranchers, growers, rural stakeholders,
ducers Federation, National Sorghum Pro- this Chamber—voted in favor of this everybody in rural and small-town
ducers, National Sunflower Association, legislation. These were some of the America, and their lenders, who could
Panhandle Peanut Growers Association,
Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., Produce Mar-
programs that were threatened: price not believe what we were about to face
keting Association, Rural & Agriculture loss coverage, agriculture risk cov- with pulling out the CCC funds with re-
Council of America. erage, and marketing assistance loans. gards to the CR, or the continuing res-
Society of American Florists, South- If you just go down the list of every- olution, to keep our government run-
eastern Cotton Ginners Association, South- thing farmers were depending on, all of ning and avoid a government shut-
ctelli on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE
ern Cotton Growers, Southwest Council of a sudden, it was up in the air. Why that down.
Agribusiness, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. was true I am not quite sure, but this So this agreement, the continuing
Cattlemen’s Association, United Egg Pro-
ducers, United States Peanut Federation, US shows the extent of the damage that resolution, represents a good step, a
Rice Producers Association, USA Dry Pea & could have been done with the original good bipartisan step. I really appre-
Lentil Council, USA Rice, Western Peanut request in the CR without the CCC ciate that, although I must say we
Growers Association. funding. didn’t have to go down this road.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:31 Sep 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23SE6.002 S23SEPT1
S5802 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 23, 2020
There is a saying we have in Kansas These important programs—like Ag not just for the farm bill but for that
that there are a lot cactus in the Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage, disaster assistance, the coronavirus
world. We don’t have to sit on every Market Assistance Loans, the Environ- food assistance funding that we are
doggone one of them. And, boy, we sat mental Quality Incentive Program, and providing, as well, which our farmers
on this one, and we sat on it too long. others—were authorized in the 2018 and ranchers need so very much as we
I want thank the staff, especially the farm bill that was supported with an go through this COVID fight.
Agriculture Committee staff, rep- overwhelmingly bipartisan record So let me just wrap up. This is some-
resenting all of our Members on the Ag number of votes in the Senate. thing that the Ag chairman brought
Committee. They did tremendous So I want to really just thank all of up. I thought, as usual, right on. He
work, making sure the right policy was those involved in this effort. They said we wouldn’t have been able to get
there, making sure that at least the worked so, so very hard. A special this done without the farm groups and
CCC was operating with the funds that thanks to Senator MCCONNELL and his the ranch groups stepping up and call-
they need to operate during the middle staff and Chairman ROBERTS, whom we ing their Member, whether it was their
of COVID–19, and, again, on behalf of have with us now, who is certainly the Senator or their House Member.
all of agriculture. voice of ag in the Senate and in Con- Our chairman also already intro-
So I want to again thank Senator gress. We are going to miss him great- duced this into the RECORD—the let-
HOEVEN for holding this discussion. ly, as he decides to step aside. And also ter—which was so important. But I am
I yield the floor. to Senator HOEVEN and the great work going to take just a minute and read
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. through those ag groups, if I could, as
that he did through the ag appropria-
HOEVEN). The Senator from Nebraska. our way of finishing up with a thank
Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, before tions part of this.
Then, as Senator ROBERTS men- you.
Chairman ROBERTS leaves, I just want- I am just going to read through those
tioned, there are the staffs that worked
ed to come down and lend my voice to 47 groups: Agriculture Retailers Asso-
him and Senators BOOZMAN, THUNE, so, so very hard, and also the members
of the Ag Committee who stepped up ciation, Amcot, American Agri-
and HOEVEN, and to Chairman ROBERTS Women, American Cotton Producers,
and his staff for his work, and the Pre- and really shouldered the burden and
just did a tremendous job in really ex- American Cotton Shippers Association,
siding Officer. Thank you for spelling the American Dairy Coalition, Amer-
me in the Chair momentarily. Senator plaining to Congress and explaining to
ican Farm Bureau Federation.
HOEVEN and his team have done great the public how important this issue
I have got to say that the American
work as well. was and that we simply could not go
Farm Bureau Federation took a real
As Chairman ROBERTS just said, forward without getting it included. leadership role, so a special thanks
there was no reason to have gone down Then we are here, and we fight. We
there.
this path and injected all of this par- are kind of the tip of the stick and the But thanks to all of these groups:
tisan uncertainty, holding farmers and spear in the ag community and worked American Pulse Association, American
ranchers and their communities and really hard in that regard. We simply Sheep Industry Association, American
their lenders and their welders and couldn’t get it done without the agri- Soybean Association, American Sugar
their truckers hostage over the last 48 culture groups that worked so, so very Alliance, Association of Equipment
hours. It served no policy purpose, and hard, again, in educating the farmers. Manufacturers, Cotton Growers Ware-
it continues to diminish public trust in They understand how important this house Association; Cotton Warehouse
this institution and our ability to serve is, but, again, mobilizing them, mobi- Association of America, Crop Insurance
our people. lizing the public so that we could have Professionals Association, National As-
So I just want to commend you and the great result that we did. sociation of Wheat Growers, National
Senator HOEVEN and your teams for the I yield the floor. Barley Growers Association, National
work that you have done. Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, I would Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- like to thank the Senator from Arkan- Corn Growers Association, National
ator from Arkansas. sas again for his diligence and hard Cotton Council, National Cotton Gin-
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, we are work, and our Ag chairman. ners Association, National Council of
here today to commend our Republican I just want to wrap up with some Farmer Cooperatives, National Farm-
leadership for forging a bipartisan thank-yous, as well, and it starts with ers Union, National Milk Producers
compromise on a continuing resolution our Ag chairman, not only for his lead- Federation, National Sorghum Pro-
to avoid a government shutdown. ership on the farm bill but then on ducers, National Sunflower Associa-
In particular, I am so pleased that we making sure we fund these farm pro- tion, Panhandle Peanut Growers Asso-
reached an agreement that included grams. ciation, Plains Cotton Growers,
full reimbursement to the Commodity I tell you, it has been something that Produce Marketing Association, Rural
Credit Corporation, which we have all I know Senator BOOZMAN agrees with & Agriculture Council of America, So-
been talking about—not only agree- me on. We have learned a lot from him, ciety of American Florists, Southeast
ment, but to take away the potential and we appreciate it. It has made a real Cotton Ginners Association, Southern
of unnecessary delays in farm and con- difference for farmers and ranchers Cotton Growers, Southwest Council of
servation payments, which are so im- across this country. Agribusiness, U.S. Canola Association,
portant to our farmers. I want to thank, of course, all of the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, United
For decades, the CCC has been rou- Senators that worked with us on this Egg Producers, United States Peanut
tinely reimbursed without fanfare, but, project—I named them earlier—but our Federation, US Rice Producers Asso-
unfortunately, not so this year. Our House Members too. We reached out to ciation, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council,
farmers and ranchers have faced more Members of the House, whether it was USA Rice, and Western Peanut Grow-
than enough challenges this year—ex- the ranking member on the Ag Com- ers Association—all representing farm-
treme weather events, low commodity mittee, Representative CONAWAY, or ers and ranchers.
prices, market volatility, a global pan- whether it was Representative FORTEN- They produce the highest quality,
demic, and the list just goes on and on BERRY. There are many others that lowest cost food supply in the world
and on. They don’t need Washington to reached out and helped as well. that benefits every single American,
make things even more difficult. I agree. I want to thank our staff, led every single day.
With passage of this bill, with the by Tony Eberhard, my chief, and on With pleasure I yield, for the final
full CCC reimbursement, farm and con- the Agriculture side, by Morgan Ulmer words, to our esteemed chairman.
servation program payments will go and her whole crew, Shannon Hines, Mr. ROBERTS. I am not sure this is
ctelli on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE
out as planned and will offer farmers and, of course, RICHARD SHELBY, our the final word. In the Senate of the
and ranchers a little more certainty leader on the Approps side, and some- United States there is no final word, I
and a little bit more predictability to body whom you worked with for many, would assume.
continue growing the food and fiber for many years, Mr. Chairman. But this points out something that is
this Nation—not only for this Nation It takes all of these people working just absolutely understandable—com-
but for the world. together. This was really important, mon sense. When people ask me how on
VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:31 Sep 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G23SE6.011 S23SEPT1
September 23, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5803
Earth we got 87 votes together for a no question that it will be adequately My heart goes out to the families af-
farm bill, with the tremendous help of funded. That is a positive thing. fected. I listened as spokespeople for
the ranking member, Senator STABE- I also am happy to report that the the administration talked about the
NOW, it was pretty easy. early press reports that we saw sug- wonderful job that they have done in
We were holding hearings, as both of gesting CCC funds were actually going defending America from the
the Senators know. And people asked to be diverted to oil companies—oil coronavirus. The numbers don’t back
me: How do you get something like companies—was expressly prohibited as them up at all.
this done? part of this negotiation. The United States of America has 4.5
It is just a huge undertaking. You Understand what is behind this. percent of the global population, and
have to listen to farmers. You have to These oil companies have benefited yet as of this morning, we have 20 per-
sit on the wagon tongue and listen. from a decision by the Trump adminis- cent of the COVID–19 deaths in the
Well, this time we didn’t have to sit tration to give small refineries waivers world—4.5 percent of the population, 20
on the wagon tongue and listen. when it came to the blending of eth- percent of the COVID–19 deaths. This
United, they said: What on Earth is anol with their product. The net result great and powerful Nation, with the
going on? How did this proposal get of that decision by the Trump adminis- best doctors and hospitals and re-
loose? In other words, keeping us out of tration was that a large number of searchers and pharmaceutical compa-
the continuing resolution, given the these small refineries were given waiv- nies in the world, has one of the worst
problems that we are having, what on ers for blending, and, as a result, the records in fighting this virus in the
Earth is going on? actual production of ethanol declined world. It is sad to think that you are
And so it wasn’t much of a surprise dramatically. It is one of the major
five times more likely to be infected by
to any of us when farmers—every one reasons that corn is grown and sold. It
COVID–19 in the United States than if
of them represented by the groups that is for that use, and it was diminished
you were living in Germany; twice as
the distinguished Senator has just list- dramatically.
It was one of major reasons why, as likely to be infected by COVID–19 in
ed—said: Whoa. Wait a minute. We are the United States than if you were liv-
the ethanol industry cratered, that
getting left out. ing in Canada. Canada, just across the
farm income in many States was cut in
I think the leader in a conference border, has an infection rate half of
half from what it normally has been.
said something about, well, other than In just the last few days, there has what the United States has. What is it
the fact that we are treating agri- been an attempt to rectify the situa- that they did that we didn’t do?
culture and farmers like bums—I mean, tion, which should have been changed Well, they came together as a nation
it was pretty clear what was going on, years ago, and rectifying it to say that, with a national policy, and it worked.
and it was terribly counterproductive. once again, there will be blending of We didn’t. This President basically said
I don’t know how people come up with ethanol with gasoline in the United to the Governors: You are on your own.
these things. It is what it is. States, which I support. And then As a consequence, there was a mad
But we listened to farmers. We got someone suggested, well, let’s give an scramble to get protective equipment.
the job done. We cooperated. It was bi- additional subsidy to the oil companies There was a mad scramble for ventila-
partisan. from the Commodity Credit Corpora- tors. It was a free-for-all when it
Some of the nutrition programs were tion—a terrible idea from the start. I should have been a coordinated na-
addressed. It was a good news story. We am glad it is not included in this final tional policy.
couldn’t have done it, however, with- product. Then, when the public health experts
out the 47 groups that sounded the Let me mention one other part of told us the obvious, that we ought to
alarm. And so we have been able to do this that is included that I think bears use these masks, and we should prac-
it over a period of about 3 or 4 or 5 notice, and that is the fact that there tice social distancing, washing our
days. is an extension of the school feeding hands, and avoiding crowds, the Presi-
I thank everybody concerned. I think program for the next school year. dent of the United States said just the
it is a good news story in the end re- We have an extraordinary situation opposite. One day he wore a mask—I
sult. with the COVID–19 pandemic where saw on television—when he visited a
Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. Chairman, I also many schools are not bringing kids veterans hospital. I don’t know if he
want to add Terry Van Doren to that into the classroom. Many of these kids has ever worn one before or since.
list, who is here this morning on the are being taught online across Amer- When the message from the public
floor. He worked tirelessly and stood ica. I know it because I know my health experts who insisted that it was
firm in the negotiations. So, Terry, grandkids are going through this. For the best way to break the back of this
thank you to you as well. those who are in lower income-quali- pandemic, this President mocked them
And, again, the final word, though, fying categories, we have now extended by holding rallies across the United
has to go—I think Senator BOOZMAN in this continuing resolution the acces- States with all of his loyal fans point-
would agree with me—to our Ag chair- sibility of these school feeding pro- edly not wearing masks to show they
man. Thanks so much. grams for the next school year. That is really didn’t care—didn’t care about
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. important. Kids, if they are going to any of the public health advice, and we
SASSE). The Senator from Illinois. learn, have to have nutrition. We don’t are paying the price for it.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, let me want them suffering from hunger in More people are infected in this
at the outset join in with my Repub- the process in any way, shape, or form country than Canada. We have double
lican colleagues. Coming from a farm in this great Nation. the rate here over Canada, five times
State, I am glad that we have a bipar- I want to salute not just the CCC, the rate over Germany. So many more
tisan continuing resolution until De- which has been lauded over and over have died in this country who should
cember 11. again in this last half hour, but this de- be living today. The President, at var-
I am saddened that we don’t have the cision that my side of the aisle was ious times, has said, when asked about
Appropriations Committee working pushing for to extend school lunch and the deaths: ‘‘It is what it is.’’ That is
through its normal process, nor the school feeding programs into the next an off-the-cuff dismissal of the issue,
Budget Committee. This is the world school year. I think it will give some which is beneath the dignity of any
we live in now—continuing resolutions. peace of mind to administrators who leader of either political party.
And this continuing resolution does in- are trying to cope with the current sit- Despite the urgent needs of families,
clude money for the Commodity Credit uation. businesses, workers, and unemployed
Corporation, which is the usual source CORONAVIRUS Americans across the country, we
ctelli on DSK30NT082PROD with SENATE
of payments for agriculture programs Mr. President, on a completely dif- haven’t followed through on the origi-
agreed to in the farm bill. ferent subject—but related—we have nal CARES Act, which passed in this
There was some question as to lost 200,000 Americans to coronavirus. Chamber on March 26. It was that date,
whether or not there was enough The predictions are that by election by a vote of 96 to 0, that Republicans
money in the CCC account to take care day there could be 300,000 deaths and by and Democrats said: We take this seri-
for the months to come. Now there is the first of next year, 400,000 deaths. ously, March 26, and we are going to
VerDate Sep 11 2014 08:52 Sep 24, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G23SE6.012 S23SEPT1
File and source
- File
- CREC_crec-2020-09-23_crec-2020-09-23-pt1-pgs5799.pdf
- Size
- 249,949 bytes
- SHA-256
- d5b702fbe0d91153a044cca1fb7b02796be5063df051044c365e9034cb7b7bdb
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov