Western Sahara and 2020 Elections — Congressional Record, Senate, November 10, 2020
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate, November 10, 2020, page S6635 and following. Remarks on Western Sahara discuss Morocco, a cease-fire agreement, a referendum for the Sahrawis and lobbyists that Morocco has employed. Mr. CORNYN, under the heading 2020 ELECTIONS, says that it has been a week since the November 3 general election. Later remarks concern distribution of a vaccine and a tribute, in Delaware, to a woman named Elaine.
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“Western Sahara and 2020 Elections — Congressional Record, Senate, November 10, 2020.”
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November 10, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6635
That is the area that has the red Morocco is escalating and, left un- victims. They deserve a referendum for
square around it. That is what we are checked, they are going to keep their separate termination, and the U.N. is
talking about. That is where they are escalation going. The result would be going to have to make this happen. I
now. That is where these people are inevitable. We would risk turning back don’t know any other way this can hap-
right now. to the times of open conflict. The U.N. pen.
Morocco has repeatedly attempted to needs to step up now and enforce their First of all, they have agreed to it,
use a road in this region to transport agreement, and the world needs to and the U.N. is a party that can put
the goods in violation of the U.N. prove we all stand for our values of that together. We are calling on them
cease-fire agreement. Let’s keep in freedom and democracy by extending now to go ahead and do what they have
mind, it is the U.N. cease-fire agree- those values to the Sahrawis. They agreed to do and end this conflict that
ment. They are the ones who are sup- have waited too long. has endured generation after genera-
posed to be promoting—not just pro- Everyone is for this agreement—ev- tion.
tecting a cease-fire on both sides but eryone is. I mean, we have the African I yield the floor.
promoting a referendum. It was this il- Union, which is comprised of some 55 I suggest the absence of a quorum.
legal use of the territory that Western member states, and they are strongly The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. CAS-
Saharans were peacefully protesting. in support of this independence for the SIDY). The clerk will call the roll.
Rather than recognizing their rights Sahrawis. We have most of the Euro- The senior assistant legislative clerk
to protest, Morocco has once again pean Community that supports the proceeded to call the roll.
raised a call to arms and is threatening U.N. efforts. The European Court of Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask
to crush these legitimate protesters. Justice also ruled that Western Sahara unanimous consent that the order for
In fact, I heard just the other day—3 is not a part of Morocco and that no the quorum call be rescinded.
days ago—that they have some 200 EU economic agreements can cover The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
trucks coming down from Morocco Western Sahara. objection, it is so ordered.
down to Guerguerat—that area down In 2004, the United States and Mo- f
there where the peaceful protests are rocco had a free-trade agreement where
2020 ELECTIONS
taking place. they did reaffirm—and that is the
Rather than recognize their right to United States reaffirming—the inde- Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I had to
protest, Morocco has once again raised pendence of Western Sahara. look at my watch today to remind my-
a called to arms and is threatening to That is what is happening right now. self it has been a week since the No-
crush these protests that are going on. The rest of the world is on our side on vember 3 general election. I must say,
King Mohammed of Morocco this this issue. Who does Morocco have? it seems it has been much longer than
past weekend said: ‘‘Morocco will not They have paid lobbyists. Some of the that.
waiver in its position.’’ That is in spite lobbyists Morocco has employed: JPC Just as we have every 4 years
of what the—all the agreements that Strategies, Third Circle, Neale Creek— throughout our Nation’s history, the
have taken place, including the United averaging over $1 million each year. In American people voted for our next
Nations. total, they have had some 10 lobbyists Commander in Chief. In the months
We are also hearing concerned re- since 2016. And they have actually put leading up to election day, we know
ports that he is sending military forces in $11 million—$11 million in the Sa- the atmosphere was tense. The days of
to the region as well as in a clear esca- hara. In Western Sahara, they have counting that followed it have been, as
lation. This isn’t a new problem. Mo- nothing. They have no resources. They well, but I have full faith that our con-
rocco has been trying to illegally use are the giant with all of their lobby- stitutional Republic is working just ex-
the Guerguerat issue for a long period ists. actly the way it should.
of time. I made it clear earlier when I testi- A record-setting 150 million people
That is the bridge that goes across fied—and by the way, I did something I and counting cast a ballot this elec-
from Western Sahara to Mauritania. don’t think has been done before since tion. In my State, there were 10.9 mil-
The problem has been there for a long then: As a Member of the U.S. Senate, lion voters—almost 11 million. The last
period of time. It is a concern for a I testified at a House hearing that they time I was on the ballot, there were 4.7
couple of reasons. The first is simple. had on this issue way back 15 years million. So we have seen a huge influx
Morocco is escalating this situation ago. This has stalled because there is of people and increased participation in
again to claim more and more land, re- just no money on our side. Morocco has the electoral process, and I think both
sources, and rights that they have no it all. of those are good things.
law behind them to claim. And they Here is what we need to do. The time The reason people come to Texas is
know it. They are fully aware of this. is right, and we have waited long that we are still a land of opportunity,
In 2017, the United States was en- enough. While we were to schedule a where people can come and work hard,
couraging the United Nations to send a referendum, we need the United Na- start out with little, build something
technical team to Guerguerat. Western tions to send a team to the Guerguerat for themselves and their families, pro-
Sahara welcomed this. Morocco area and confirm that Morocco is in vide value to others so they can come
blocked it because they didn’t want to violation of the agreement. Everyone find a job and provide for their fami-
be exposed. knows they are in violation of the lies, which is, to me, the definition of
The second is that no one else—no agreement. The agreement is very spe- the American dream.
one around the world—is raising the cific. It says that they are there to en- We know that election workers and
cause for alarm. Where is the United force this—the United Nations. This is poll workers have worked across our
Nations now? They are charged with the key part. They need to enforce the country to ensure that every legal
enforcing the 1991 cease-fire agree- 1991 cease-fire agreement. This will re- vote—whether it was in person or by
ment. Yet they are nowhere to be store faith with all parties and make mail—will be counted, and that is as it
found. They have been very silent, tol- real progress in reaching a referendum. should be. I know major media outlets
erating Morocco’s abuse for years and The reason we are concerned today is have projected that former Vice Presi-
Morocco’s violations of the U.N. orders. that we know Morocco, right now, is dent Biden has secured enough elec-
That is why the time is now to move sending military equipment down to toral votes to be our next President,
from this frozen conflict and force Mo- the area—some 200 trucks full of equip- but there are still votes to be counted.
rocco to live up to their agreement of ment. That is why this time is right, As my friend the majority leader noted
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
nearly 30 years and hold a referendum, and it is going to have to happen. yesterday, the Constitution gives no
not in a year and not in 3 years—they Here they are. These are the people role in this process to wealthy media
are always talking about what they are we are talking about. These are the companies.
going to do out in the future—but now. people who are peacefully protesting to Between recounts and legal chal-
Now is the time that we can do that. keep and use the land that is theirs and lenges, it is tough to say exactly when
We need to take steps to hold the ref- that has been theirs and that the whole the election will be certified. But if
erendum for self-determination now. world knows is theirs. They are the there are irregularities, if there are
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S6636 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 10, 2020
questionable practices or wrongdoing, to Congress, Americans cast their Barrett, who was recently confirmed to
President Trump and his campaign— votes for leaders at every level of gov- the U.S. Supreme Court. What a won-
like every other candidate and their ernment. I was honored—as I am sure derful example and role model for
campaign—are entitled to seek legal my colleague from Louisiana, the Pre- young women and maybe not so young
remedies in court. Of course, if they do, siding Officer, was—to be reelected by women—for all women—and for all of
they will be obligated to present evi- the people of our State for another us. It is something we should celebrate.
dence, which I understand is in the term in the U.S. Senate. While we are still waiting to know
process of being marshaled, and to do During the campaign, I had a chance which party will hold the majority
so, obviously, with dispatch. to present my record of service, and I here in the Senate—that will be deter-
But while this process may seem was happy to do that to demonstrate mined on January 5 of 2021—it is clear
drawn out to us living in the moment, that I have consistently fought to pro- that there was no blue wave that swept
legal challenges are not unprecedented. tect the rights of Texans and create the country.
For example, back in 2000, we remem- more opportunities for every family to My Republican colleagues and I in
ber—some of us remember, most of us achieve their American dream. the Senate will continue to fight
remember—the example of Al Gore, the Collectively, here in Washington, we against ideological policies from the
Democratic nominee for President who have brought down taxes for American left, or so-called progressives, that
didn’t concede the election until De- families. We have empowered job cre- were resoundingly rejected in this elec-
cember 13. During the weeks following ators. We have strengthened our crimi- tion. We are not going to allow the
the election, the American people wait- nal background check system for gun Federal Government to tax Texas en-
ed patiently as the courts weighed in, purchases, and we have reformed our ergy workers out of a job by imposing
and once they did, we all accepted the criminal justice system, just to name a a carbon tax. We are not going to let
result. Acceptance of the result is key. few things. them hamstring our police with unreal-
I had faith in the process that led to But we have also worked hard to istic funding cuts or one-size-fits-all
that result just as I have faith in the make healthcare more affordable by policies. And we are not going to allow
process and institutions that are work- presenting more choices for consumers. them to pack the U.S. Supreme Court
ing now. We have supported quality education, with political Justices intent on deliv-
When the Electoral College meets on and we have tried to make sure that ering results that couldn’t be achieved
January 6, 2021, every American should safe communities are a reality for through the legislative process. And we
have confidence in the free and fair folks across the country and across the are not going to let them reverse the
elections that led to that result. Let economic spectrum. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, increase taxes,
me say that again. When the Electoral In Texas, we have provided funding which will only make it harder for
College meets on January 6, 2021, every to rebuild following hurricanes and tor- working families to put food on their
American—win or lose—every Amer- nados and other natural disasters, like tables.
ican, every candidate should have con- many other States. Now, the Presiding Officer and I both
fidence in the free and fair elections And throughout the COVID–19 crisis, participated in an organization called
that led to the result. I think this is we have provided unprecedented fund- No Labels, and I am proud of the work
perhaps the single most important rea- ing to help our frontline healthcare he- I have done, regardless of the fact I am
son to let the process that is currently roes, our small businesses, and our a Republican and he is a Republican.
underway run its course. If one side or families stay afloat amid so much un- We both know—we all know—that you
the other or, more importantly, the certainty. can’t get things done here in Congress
voters who, ultimately, voted for the I am grateful for the opportunity to by just working with people in your
candidate who loses feel the process is continue to fight for a bright future for own political party. You have to work
unfair or has been jammed through un- every family in Texas and to work with together. Indeed, I think that is the ge-
reasonably, are they likely to accept my colleagues to make sure that same nius of our system. It forces us to work
the result of the election or will they promise is a reality for all Americans, together if we want to get things done.
feel cheated? Well, acceptance of that and that is true regardless of who they I am proud of being consistently
result is perhaps the single most im- voted for. That is exactly what I plan ranked as one of the most bipartisan
portant goal we ought to strive to to do. I don’t just represent the people Members of the Senate because I lit-
achieve. who voted for me in this election; I rep- erally am willing to work with anyone,
The peaceful transition of power is resent all 29 million—and growing— Republican or Democrat, who wants to
perhaps the single greatest feature of Texans. I am honored to do it. make progress on the challenges that
our constitutional system. Every 4 or 8 We have added a few new faces to the confront our Nation.
years, the most powerful person in the Texas delegation in the House, and I This came up in a recent conversa-
world steps aside to allow their suc- am eager to work with these men and tion we had during a hearing just a few
cessor, chosen by the people, to take women and my friend Senator CRUZ as minutes ago, talking about the lessons
charge. Of course, many wars have Team Texas as we continue our record we have learned from the coronavirus
been fought, blood has been shed, and of delivering for our State. This is per- in terms of the vulnerability of our
lives have been lost to secure this right haps one of the most important lessons supply chains, whether it is personal
to us as Americans and to ensure that of Senator Hutchinson, whom I served protective equipment that was over-
peaceful transition of power after all with here in the Senate and who is now whelmingly made in China, which was
the votes are counted. our Ambassador to NATO. She would threatened by the delay in reporting
Yet in America, dating back to 1797, always make this point to Republicans from China and the hoarding and, lit-
when Washington willingly passed the and Democrats in the Texas delegation. erally, the global rush to hoard PPE
torch to Adams, the peaceful transition She said: We may be Members of the for their own countries and their own
of power has defined the office of Presi- House or Members of the Senate. We people.
dent. It is a legacy that our forefathers may be Republicans or Democrats. But But another example of that that we
established and one that generations of we are Team Texas. have worked on in a bipartisan way—
Americans have fought hard to protect. I have been proud to continue that most recently, in the National Defense
So in 2 months’ time, we will see this spirit and that effort. I am proud of the Authorization bill—was to build more
American constitutional process play fact that in this election we increased high-end semiconductors here in the
the number of women elected to Con- United States. In 2019, only 1 foundry
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
out once again. I have complete con-
fidence in that conclusion. gress. At least 134 women will serve in was being built in the United States
While the Presidential race has domi- the next Congress, with a record num- and 16 of them in China, and you can
nated headlines over the last week, it ber of Republican women in the House imagine, if we are dependent for our
was only one of the many races on the of Representatives. For young women economy, for our national defense on a
ballot, as the Presiding Officer knows like my own daughters and younger sophisticated semiconductor manufac-
from personal experience. From city girls, in particular, this representation tured in Taiwan, for example, that sup-
halls to courthouses, to State houses, is long overdue—just like Amy Coney ply chain could be easily disrupted. So
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November 10, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6637
I am proud of the fact that we did pass, At the same time, we need to make ple who helped build and sustain com-
in the Defense Authorization bill, an sure that our economic recovery con- munity.
amendment 96 to 4 to begin the effort tinues and that means we need to con- I am grateful for the privilege of the
to reduce the vulnerability in our sup- tinue to safely reopen our economy, floor to speak for a few minutes about
ply chain. That is an example of the just as our school children and our col- the legacy of these lions of Delaware,
kind of thing that I think we need to lege students have transitioned from a these folks who were giants of service
do more of and which I am proud to be virtual educational experience back and who gave their hearts to us.
a part of. into the classroom slowly but surely. On Monday, we said goodbye to
Well, I know Republicans have a long The unemployment rate in October Elaine and Wayne Manlove, who were
list of priorities, just as our Demo- dipped at 6.9 percent. Now, that is still loved by so many, and I rise first to
cratic colleagues do, but we still have a a far cry from the 3.5 percent unem- pay tribute to them—some of the most
couple of months before the end of this ployment we had before the virus hit, special people I have ever known.
Congress, and we need to find a way to but it is the lowest we have seen since They were killed in a tragic accident
work together in the best interest of the pandemic began, and we need to literally the day before last Tuesday’s
the American people. The lights don’t make sure we don’t backslide into the election. On that day, we lost two of
go out on the 116th Congress until Jan- double digits. Delaware’s greatest diamonds, Mary
uary 3, which means we still have some Well, we know with the pendency of ‘‘Elaine’’ Manlove and Lambert
time. the election, after we passed the ‘‘Wayne’’ Manlove from Hockessin and
I believe that over the last 2 years— CARES Act in late March, we tried, I Ocean View. It was always striking
notwithstanding what you hear in the think it was, four times to pass a more they went not by their first names but
media, which tends to focus on those targeted bill. We spent roughly $3.8 by their middle names. They were
narrow areas where we disagree the trillion in the first four pieces of legis- known as Elaine and Wayne Manlove.
most and does not focus on the areas lation, and many of us—me included— These are proud patriots, people dedi-
where we worked cooperatively to- felt like we needed to do more but on a cated to our State and community who
gether because they, by definition, targeted basis. The Speaker said, well, spent decades giving to others.
Elaine I knew best in her role as
don’t make news—we have actually ac- $3 trillion was her pricetag. We offered
State elections commissioner and as
complished a lot for the country, and I a half a trillion dollars in additional
someone who fought hard here for
will have more to say about that in the targeted relief, to which she replied, funding for election security and elec-
coming days. ‘‘Nothing is better than something,’’
For now, I want to talk about the tion systems. The very last time I saw
which made me do a double take. I al- her, she was proudly showing off the
biggest remaining item on our to-do ways thought that something was bet- brandnew statewide election system in
list and, that is an additional ter than nothing, not ‘‘nothing was Delaware. She didn’t, tragically, get to
coronavirus relief package. better than something.’’
Texas has just hit the unenviable see the fruits of her labor—the deploy-
Regardless of that, now that the elec- ment of these new, state-of-the-art dig-
milestone of 1 million confirmed tion, by and large—at least, certainly,
COVID–19 tests. More than 19,000 Tex- ital voting machines. Her many profes-
for Congress—is behind us, we need to sional achievements in that role: in-
ans have lost their lives due to this address those people who still need creasing our voter rolls, modernizing
virus, and our healthcare providers in help. I hope our Democratic colleagues machines, bringing elections to the
some parts of the State are still strug- will join us and not force the country classrooms, carrying off just this last
gling to keep up with the cases that to wait 2 more months. There is too Tuesday a near flawless statewide elec-
end up going into the hospital. As we much on the line. tion. While impressive, it was just a
head into the winter months, experts So I want to conclude by thanking very small part of who Elaine was.
are telling us that things will get the people of my State for the oppor- Deeply proud of her Irish heritage,
worse before they get better. It is part tunity to continue to fight for them known for her kindness and her gen-
of the seasonal impact of a virus like here in the U.S. Senate, and now I am erosity, her Irish Catholic faith that
this. happy to get back to work with all of she and Wayne shared was a foundation
While we will continue to do our duty my colleagues to deal with this unfin- for them and for their family and their
as individuals—wash our hands, mask ished business. lives.
when we can’t socially distance, and I yield the floor. St. Patrick’s Day in Wilmington was
the things we have learned to do, such I suggest the absence of a quorum. often the highlight. Elaine was one of
as to stay home if you are sick—it is The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the folks who helped organize the an-
clear we are not through with this clerk will call the roll. nual St. Patrick’s Day mass and break-
virus yet, even though we were de- The senior assistant legislative clerk fast—a breakfast that raised money for
lighted to hear some of the prospects proceeded to call the roll. the St. Patrick Center that serves
for a vaccine in the not-too-distant fu- Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I ask some of the neediest and most
ture. unanimous consent that the order for marginalized in Wilmington but a
In the meantime, we still need to the quorum call be rescinded. breakfast that was a celebration of the
make sure that the assistance that we The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without intersection of faith, politics, service,
started in the first four bipartisan bills objection, it is so ordered. hope, and community.
we passed, that we continue that as- f My own wife Annie worked with
sistance both on the healthcare front Elaine for years in New Castle County
and on the economic front until we REMEMBERING MARY ‘‘ELAINE’’
MANLOVE AND LAMBERT government long before her time as the
fully recover. State elections commissioner, and they
The researchers and scientists who ‘‘WAYNE’’ MANLOVE, EDWARD
MICHAEL RUSH, JR., PASTOR remained close for years afterward.
have been developing a vaccine over Annie knew her as the best mom and
the last months have been making tre- LOTTIE MAE LEE-DAVIS, AND
GLORIA IGNUDO CORROZI grandmother and friend to so many
mendous progress, and we need to in- people.
vest in their continued success. Once Mr. COONS. Mr. President, 2020 has Margaret Aitkin, one of Elaine’s clos-
the vaccine is actually approved as safe been a difficult year for so many. We est friends, who also served with her
and effective by the FDA, the logistics have lost far too many mothers and fa- and my wife in county government,
of getting it distributed across the thers, sons and daughters, sisters and
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
said:
country, prioritizing, I hope, the most brothers, neighbors and friends. Elaine never sought the spotlight, and she
vulnerable Americans—those in nurs- My own heart and the hearts of many never tried to be the center of attention—she
ing homes and assisted living facilities in Delaware grew heavier this week as was like a warm fire that you just gravitated
and those with underlying chronic ill- we said goodbye in Delaware to a whole towards. She wasn’t the life of the party; she
nesses—that is an enormous logistical series of friends, folks who had long was the reason for the party.
challenge, and it is going to cost been champions of our community, Elaine had a special and giving spirit
money. folks who were exactly the sort of peo- that had a lasting and transformative
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