Issues Facing America (Cong. Rec., Nov. 9, 2020)

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A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated November 9, 2020, at page S6619, under the heading Issues Facing America. A Vermont Senator congratulates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their election, recalling his long friendship with Mr. Biden, a call to Mr. Biden about his late son Beau in a war zone, and Vermont's vote, and says the country can show the rest of the world who it is. Mrs. Blackburn asks unanimous consent that the quorum call be rescinded. Under the heading Coronavirus, a Senator says the pandemic did not take a day off for the election and urges legislation on unemployment benefits and help for small music venues and other small businesses.

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“Issues Facing America (Cong. Rec., Nov. 9, 2020).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-11-09-crec-2020-11-09-pt1-pgs6619-6a19c9dabd/, SHA-256 8991d5057f6baa8d962bb1dbbfa3d8749b78e1be67bab7e1d3b995b5fbb356ec.

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November 9, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6619
they have shown in their children and fice and went to the University of foremost Americans. Like his late,
grandchildren, and continue to. I Vermont, won comfortably and by a wonderful son Beau, they are first and
watched Joe Biden, with a sense of dig- comfortable margin as a Democrat. foremost Americans.
nity, as he ran for election to the Pres- But also, our Republican Governor said KAMALA HARRIS speaks of her family,
idency, an office he had hoped to hold on election day that for the good of the her ancestors coming here, her mother
and probably thought he never would. country, to stop the dissension, to and father coming here, coming not to
I know that he wanted to run 4 years lower the kind of rhetoric we were be anything other than Americans.
ago, but it was too close to the time of hearing, he was going to vote for Jo- They are as American as she is. She is
losing his son Beau. I had the privilege seph Biden. as American as any of us.
of knowing Beau. In fact, the last time Now, I mention that just as a micro- I will close with this. Isn’t it time
I talked to him was on one of the bat- cosm in our State. But to go back to the United States of America—a coun-
tlefields in Iraq where he was serving just a purely personal thing, Marcelle try that has become as diverse as you
in combat for our U.S. military. I told and I prayed for that day. We were so can imagine—can show their face to
him at that time: You know, when I happy to see our friends. We were so the rest of the world and say: This is
get back on the plane, I am going to happy to know they were there. And, as who we are. And my grandchildren—
call your father. I always do this when one who has known Joe Biden from the my White grandchildren and my Black
I meet a Vermonter in a war zone. I day I came into the Senate, I still re- grandchildren—can look and say: Yes,
call their family and say they are member, to this day, his coming over that is who we are.
doing well. I will call your dad and tell to greet me on the floor and saying: I Joe and KAMALA, in a few days I will
him. am glad to see us young people here. I call you Mr. President and Madam Vice
When I got on the plane and con- was about a year or so older than he, President, and I will do it with great
nected with the White House operator, and we were sitting kind of in the jun- pride. But I say today to my dear
I remember then-Vice President Biden ior role, and that friendship has lasted friends Joe and KAMALA: Congratula-
coming on. After a ways, he said: I ever since. tions. This Vermonter is very, very
know what you are going to say. I got I know Joe Biden. I know Jill Biden. happy.
an email from Beau. I know the United States of America, I yield the floor.
I remember when Marcelle and I and at a time when we are so torn I suggest the absence of a quorum.
stood there and tears went down her apart, these are two people who can The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
face listening to President Obama eulo- bring us back together. clerk will call the roll.
gizing Beau at his funeral. We all felt I know KAMALA HARRIS. We know her The bill clerk proceeded to call the
as part of that family. So there was joy wonderful husband. And here, my good- roll.
in the Leahy household when he was ness, what a broad spectrum right Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Presi-
elected—not just a joy for the good of there. In one way, it is unique. In an- dent, I ask unanimous consent that the
the country but the joy of seeing a per- other way, it is not the least bit order for the quorum call be rescinded.
son whom we know, love, and respect unique. It is the face of America. It is The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms.
elected as President. the face of America. The diversity in ERNST). Without objection, it is so or-
And added to that is the added ad- our country of race, religion, every- dered.
vantage of KAMALA HARRIS, one of our thing—it is reflected in this ticket. It ISSUES FACING AMERICA
Senate colleagues here. I remember couldn’t be better for the beginning of Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Presi-
when Senator HARRIS came to the Sen- this century to have such a wide spec- dent, we may be back to work carrying
ate, and I was so happy to see her going trum shown in the President and Vice out what should be the normal business
on the Judiciary Committee because President of the United States. of the Senate, but from what I have ob-
she had been such a good prosecutor I think of what the mayor of Paris served, the American people really
and such a good attorney general. She said. She issued a statement sort of to don’t see this as just another day. They
was a woman who didn’t need to have the effect of ‘‘Welcome back, Amer- are a little bit anxious, and I really
much of an orientation. She knew ex- ica.’’ Well, this is an America that rep- think that it is because, over the past
actly what she was doing. resents all of us. We should all get to- week, they have witnessed some of the
We have gotten to know her and her gether to try to make it successful. If most divisive news cycles in recent
husband and admire her so. Then, when Senators disagree on a particular issue, memory.
she spoke—as they accepted the fact vote up or down, but have the courage Allegations of voter fraud are run-
that they were President and Vice to vote. Have the courage to vote. ning rampant. These have been unan-
President-elect—she said how proud Don’t do what we have done this past swered and ignored by most media out-
she was to be there with President- year, refusing to vote on COVID as lets. Liberal operatives have sent up
Elect Biden and how proud she was to thousands upon thousands upon thou- test balloons on the creation of official
speak about her background and her sands of people die in our country. enemies lists. Think about that. We
immigrant parents coming here, the Have the courage to get up and vote. have them making enemies lists, want-
different races shown in her back- Vote yes or no. ing to execute a campaign of personal
ground, and what she was saying, as We are here with 6-year terms. We destruction against people with whom
she said, to ‘‘women everywhere.’’ But ought to at least have the courage to they disagree. What does that say
I would say also what she shows to vote yes or no. And then let’s take a about treasuring free speech?
young women, those not old enough to pause and say that these are the two The most popular social media plat-
vote, like my granddaughters, and they who will be the face of America from forms—oh—have honestly just outdone
can look at that and say: That shows noon, January 20. themselves by making matters worse
everything is open. From a personal point of view, that by slapping these scary labels on con-
You know, I come from a State where face reflects very much our family— tent that is meant to inform and to
it is unusual to be elected the first our children and our grandchildren. I spark bipartisan debate.
time because, well, I am the only Dem- can see them in these four people, and Then you have email services that
ocrat ever elected to the U.S. Senate in I am proud of that. are locking down access to email lists
Vermont’s history, and the youngest I will admit that I have gotten a few because the distribution is something
also. I wasn’t supposed to win. We were emails from my Irish friends to say with which they disagree. This is what
overwhelmingly a Republican State how much they are looking forward to has happened to millions of Americans.

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then. We have become now one of both a President Biden coming to Ireland, They gasp every time they see these
parties. In the last election, for exam- and they have forgiven me my Italian markers on content, when they can’t
ple, there was a Republican Governor. half with that. But I know that when I get to an email list, when they hear
This year, in the last few days, our Re- heard Joe Biden quoting Seamus about a group they belong to that they
publican Governor won overwhelm- Heaney during his campaign, I remem- can’t hear from or communicate with.
ingly, and Molly Gray, a young woman ber that he knows those Irish roots. Yes, it is censorship, and it is some-
that started out as an intern in my of- But he, like his family, are first and thing that has divided people, families,

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S6620 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 9, 2020
neighbors, friends, coworkers, and col- proprietors, the independent contrac- ployment insurance, more help for
leagues. tors. These are the people who set up small businesses, resources for schools
I will tell you, many of them remain and tear down stages. They put on and universities, vaccine research fund-
divided, but I think we have to say these amazing sound and light displays ing, testing funding, and liability pro-
they have been engaged. According to that people get so excited about seeing tection—targeted relief for millions of
the Pew Research Center, Americans and that really make music and enter- Americans who have said: This what
participated in this election cycle at tainment come to life. They produce we need in order to keep people em-
the highest rate in 120 years. Election the music that you walk around listen- ployed and to keep our businesses open.
officials still haven’t finished their ing to in your earbuds. The support The legislation is written. All that
counts, and already we know that more staff at the venues clean up your beer needs to happen is our friends across
than 144 million ballots were cast this cans and ticket stubs after you have the aisle need to say: We are ready to
cycle. enjoyed a show. I tell you, they also vote on this package. Let’s do another
I would venture to say that many of are the artists, the storytellers, and I round of PPP. Let’s do a plus-up in un-
those millions of individuals are really think our creative and cultural employment. Let’s do that money for
watching us. They want to see what we historians. vaccines and testing and resources for
are going to do next, how we are going This industry is absolutely dying. schools and universities. Let’s give
to conduct ourselves. They don’t really They are not the only ones. There are companies the liability protection they
care if it takes a little multitasking; so many other sectors of our economy need to open their doors. Let’s give
they are saying it is time for Congress that are at a standstill. They are suf- these entertainment venues the liabil-
to do its job. fering, and so many other people have ity protection they need in order to
You can look at all of the exit polling been suffering. They are tired of what again get on the road, have concerts,
on the favorability ratings of Congress. they see as posturing here in DC, using play that music Americans love to lis-
I will say it is discouragingly low—the the hurt and the suffering of people as ten to. It is there.
regard in which the American people just a political bargaining chip. Do you To my friends, let’s have no filibus-
hold their elected representatives col- know what? They have noticed. They ters, no more distractions, and no more
lective body. It is time for us to get have been watching over the past few extravagant wish lists of pet projects.
some things done. months. They know that very little has For goodness’ sake, put your politics
Judging by the footage of demonstra- been accomplished, and they think it is aside, and let’s put the people first.
tions in many of America’s major cit- time to stop putting politics over peo- Let’s provide the relief they are seek-
ies, you might not remember that we ple. It is time to stop saying ‘‘We want ing.
are still dealing with the effects of a the issue if it is good for us’’ because I yield the floor.
global pandemic. It seems that for a people are looking for solutions. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
few days, people forgot there is a pan- They were waiting for a mandate— The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
demic. our friends over on the left—a mandate clerk will call the roll.
Democrats in the House and the Sen- they were sure was going to come their The senior assistant legislative clerk
ate have wasted months of precious way on November 3, but the American proceeded to call the roll.
time obstructing the passage of tar- people refused to deliver them a man- Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask
geted COVID relief legislation that date. You see it in elections that took unanimous consent that the order for
Tennesseans and New Yorkers and place at the local and the State level. the quorum call be rescinded.
Californians and every other American You see it in the congressional elec- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
who owns a business or supports a fam- tions and certainly here in this Cham- objection, it is so ordered.
ily needs not tomorrow or today; they ber. REELECTION
needed it yesterday, last week, last So far, Speaker PELOSI has refused Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, be-
month. any offer to compromise. Every offer fore I make my remarks, I want to
I have spent the past several months and gesture that has been made by the take a moment on the floor of the Sen-
coming to this floor to tell the stories White House or this Chamber has been ate to formally and officially thank
of Tennesseans, Tennessee small busi- refused. She has clung to that $3 tril- the people of the State of Illinois for
ness people, Tennessee employers who lion parody of a relief bill that she has electing me to another term in the U.S.
are desperately in need of relief, trying stuffed to the brim with billions for lib- Senate.
to help my colleagues on the other side eral pet projects that have nothing to On election night, when the results
of the aisle understand that there is do with COVID recovery—nothing at were apparent, I went and stared into
fear and pain in certain sectors of our all. Isn’t it interesting that her pet an iPad to announce my victory
economy. It is really so inappropriate project is not the American people? speech. It was unlike anything I had
that those fears and that pain are Wouldn’t you think she would want to ever been through in a campaign, and I
something they have chosen to ignore. solve some of these problems? But no— said so. It was an extraordinary cam-
To be frank, it has been like talking to she would rather play politics. paign experience, made even more dif-
a brick wall. There has been no re- This absurd delay has come at great ficult and challenging because of the
sponse. cost. We have so many Tennesseans, in- pandemic crisis. I want to thank the
Just last week, I met with the board deed, across this country, millions of people of the State for standing by me
of the Academy of Country Music for a families and small businesses that will and giving me this chance to serve
very hard discussion about the future tell you they are in damage control again.
of their industry. Not one single venue mode because Democrats refuse to I am honored to serve my State in
or one studio musician or one sound allow them the dignity of hope that this body, especially during this time
engineer—their whole industry shut targeted relief would provide. ‘‘Dig- of transition in America and transition
down. This is an industry that has shut nity’’—that is a nice word. And we around the world. Together, with a
down. They did nothing wrong, mind have so many people who are grasping, trust in science with the Biden-Harris
you. They showed up for work. They trying to pay their bills, keep their administration, we will return to our
built businesses. They hired people. businesses alive. I will say that our national agenda. I am eager to con-
They used independent contractors. friends across the aisle twice—twice, tinue working to help the families,
They paid their bills. They paid their twice—have declined to vote for tar- small businesses, schools, hospitals,
taxes. They did nothing wrong. But the and constituents in my State and to

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geted relief.
entertainment industry—live enter- It is not too late to step up on behalf help all of us in this country endure
tainment—is shut down. of those who have lost just about ev- this pandemic together.
This isn’t the huge record labels and erything and those who still have a CORONAVIRUS
big entertainment companies that shot at coming out on the other side of Madam President, COVID–19 did not
many people think are the music in- this pandemic with their livelihoods take a day off for the election. While
dustry. These are the mom-and-pops. intact. It is not too late to pass legisla- election week was brewing and all of us
These are the small businesses, the sole tion that would provide better unem- were glued to our television screens,

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