Government Funding (Cong. Rec., Nov. 30, 2020)
Summary
This is page S7104 of the Congressional Record, Senate, November 30, 2020, continuing onto S7105. Under Government Funding, Mr. Cornyn states that government funding will expire in less than 2 weeks, before the December 11 deadline of the current continuing resolution, and recounts efforts to bring COVID relief bills to the floor, including the HEALS Act and a bill to provide $500 billion. He states that Democratic colleagues voted to block those bills and calls for a bipartisan piece of legislation. Mrs. Blackburn speaks under National Defense Authorization Act about resuming consideration of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, and the Senate proceeds to executive session to resume consideration of the nomination of Taylor B. McNeel, of Mississippi, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi.
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“Government Funding (Cong. Rec., Nov. 30, 2020).”
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S7104 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 30, 2020
Zuberi’s story shows there are far easi- point for negotiations on a new relief bill. In other words, here in the Senate
er ways to bend American foreign pol- package. It was a starting place, a you have to vote to get on the bill be-
icy than by using sophisticated hack- place to begin bipartisan negotiations fore you can then offer amendments
ing tools or well-funded troll farms. In in the hope of crafting a package that and try to make it better.
other words, you can do it the way he could get the requisite number of So they killed it. Without batting an
has done it, which is by violating our votes. Unfortunately, before the elec- eye, our Democratic colleagues voted
foreign agent registration laws, rep- tion, our Democratic colleagues had in lockstep to block the bill and unani-
resenting foreign governments and for- simply no interest in amending the bill mously oppose legislation that would
eign interests, and hiring lobbyists and or trying to find any kind of common have invested an additional half-tril-
cutting out donors in a way that fun- ground. I think they thought it was to lion dollars in our fight against
nels foreign money into the American their political advantage for the Amer- COVID–19.
political process—unbeknownst to peo- ican people to be experiencing the anx- When the majority leader tried to
ple like us unless it is disclosed. iety and the pain before the election. I bring the bill to the floor again in Oc-
Between 1966 and 2015, the Depart- can’t imagine holding them hostage, tober, we saw exactly the same thing.
ment of Justice brought just seven but that is what appeared, to me, to be It was the same bad movie all over
criminal cases for violating the law re- the case. again. Our Democratic colleagues re-
lating to registering as a foreign lob- Instead of trying to find common fused to let us even debate, much less
byist, according to a 2016 inspector ground—in particular, the Speaker to amend, the bill.
general’s report. So this is a serious made the amazing statement that It is not just these targeted packages
topic. nothing was better than something that have been blocked by our Demo-
The incoming chairman of the Com- when it came to COVID–19 relief, which cratic colleagues. They stood in the
mittee on the Judiciary, Senator is just the opposite of what I have al- way of our commonsense proposals,
GRASSLEY, and the current ranking ways believed—she demeaned the bill like the one from the now-former Sen-
member, Senator FEINSTEIN, and I have of half a trillion dollars in spending as ator from Arizona, Senator MCSALLY,
a bipartisan bill to reform the Foreign ‘‘pathetic.’’ The minority leader called which would have extended unemploy-
Agents Registration Act, but this is it ‘‘unworkable,’’ but then they didn’t ment benefits for 1 week while we ne-
going to be front and center in the con- lift a finger to try to get anything gotiated a larger compromise.
firmation process for any nominee by done. Our friends on the other side of the
the incoming administration, and I So the next month we took another aisle have repeatedly said that Con-
just think it is fair to place everybody shot. We attempted to narrow the gress needs to act, but the reality is
on fair notice that full transparency is scope of negotiations to the most ur- their own actions have prevented us
the only option. gent matters—things like continuing from doing so.
f Federal unemployment benefits, which Month after month, they have dem-
expired at the end of July. This is last onstrated it is either the House’s
GOVERNMENT FUNDING July. This time our Democratic col- multitrillion-dollar, leftwing-policy
Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, on an- leagues rejected what they called a grab-bag wish list or nothing. They
other matter, the Senate has, of ‘‘piecemeal’’ approach. have consistently told the American
course, returned for a last end-of-the- Well, never mind the fact that the people: It is our way or the highway.
year legislative dash, and we have a lot House returned to Washington to help You don’t get an extension of unem-
of work to do before we cross the finish pass a bill that supported the U.S. ployment insurance unless we get tax
line. Postal Service. We all believe in sup- breaks for blue-State millionaires and
As we know, government funding will porting the Postal Service, but appar- billionaires. You don’t get vaccine
expire in less than 2 weeks, and we ently they thought that piecemeal bill funding unless we get diversity studies
have to reach an agreement, as the sen- was acceptable as long as it was a on the marijuana industry. You don’t
ior Senator from Vermont mentioned, Democratic-authored bill and didn’t get funding for schools unless we get
before the December 11 deadline of the provide any additional relief to the permanent changes to hijack and take
current continuing resolution. With American people. over our election laws and run them
millions of Americans already facing Well, being unsuccessful those first out of Washington, DC.
economic uncertainty, a government two times, we tried again a third time. Well, even rank-and-file Democrats
shutdown is, surely, not an option. So in September the majority leader have now understood and criticized
We need to pass the National Defense tried to bring a bill to the floor to pro- this sort of bogus approach to legis-
Authorization Act to support Amer- vide $500 billion for our shared bipar- lating. It has been the same song and
ica’s brave servicemembers and ensure tisan priorities. There weren’t any real dance month after month—fiery
that our military leaders have the abil- differences in what was in the bill. The speeches, press conferences, tweets,
ity to plan and operate with certainty only difference was that our Demo- and letters calling for action. But each
and provide peace through American cratic colleagues wanted to spend mul- time our Democratic colleagues have
strength. Also, as we move into the tiples of that for unrelated activities. been given an opportunity to actually
winter months, which the experts have We wanted to concentrate the effort on do something—to do more than spout
told us will present new challenges in helping small businesses keep their off some meaningless, vapid rhetoric at
our war against the COVID–19 virus, it employees on payroll, giving schools the nearest microphone—they have
is time to cut the partisanship and de- the resources they needed to keep their simply stood in the way.
liver another round of relief to the students and teachers safe, strength- The fact of the matter is our Demo-
American people. ening testing nationwide, and investing cratic colleagues have blocked more
It is worth recounting—because peo- in the continued success of Operation COVID relief bills than they have
ple have short memories, apparently, Warp Speed, which is going to deliver passed. Yet they continue to feign out-
in Washington, DC—that, over the last an FDA-approved vaccine before the rage over Congress’s failure to pass a
several months, our Democratic col- end of the year—not just one, maybe as bill—we heard it again here today—as
leagues have consistently talked about many as two or three, and more, per- though they aren’t the ones responsible
the need to bolster our support in the haps, to come. for the impasse.
fight against COVID–19. Yet, despite Anyone who has spent time watching Our jobs here in the Senate aren’t
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the repeated rhetoric and calls to ac- C–SPAN over the last several months simply to vote against imperfect bills.
tion, they have unapologetically stood has heard both Republicans and Demo- If that were the case, no bill would ever
in the way of each and every attempt crats talk about the importance of pass, because none of them is perfect.
to make real progress. every single one of these things, but But this body is built on making im-
This summer, we proposed something when legislation that includes all of perfect legislation better through a de-
called the HEALS Act—as the Pre- these priorities came up for an initial bate-and-amendment process—two
siding Officer knows, for he was instru- vote, our Democratic colleagues processes we haven’t seen much at
mental in that work—as a starting wouldn’t even allow us to get on the work this year.
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November 30, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7105
So the bottom line is Congress needs ‘‘Sacrifice’’ is the key word here be- common defense, providing the tools,
to act. The American people want cause it applies not only to the service- the training, and the services they
Democrats and Republicans to come to member, but it also applies to their need in order to be ready to deploy, in
an agreement on the things our coun- family. This is why we spend so much order to take care of their families, in
try actually needs to make it through time focusing on programs that make order to treat their wounds when they
this crisis. their lives as seamless as possible. return—to care for the whole of the
It won’t be the last piece of legisla- For example, this year, I continued soldier.
tion we pass, but we do need to do this work on military spouse license port- At the risk of sounding like a broken
next step, and we need to do it soon— ability to make it easier for spouses record, delay isn’t an inconvenience
as soon as possible. who wish to continue working in their when it comes to the NDAA. It is not a
It is time for our Democratic col- chosen field after they have changed bump in the road. When it comes to our
leagues to realize the election is over locations, moved from one State to an- Nation’s defense spending, delay is dan-
and the only real people being hurt by other, because they were told this was gerous. It is dangerous for our national
their intransigence are the people they going to be their new duty station. We defense, it is dangerous for the allies
represent in their various States. hope these spouses are able to continue and the partners who depend on us, and
So it is time to start getting back to their careers, to be fulfilled in their it is dangerous for our troops and their
work for all the American people on a jobs and responsibilities. Last year, we families. It is my hope that we will be
bipartisan piece of legislation and to established a pilot program for licen- able to proceed with consideration of
quit the partisan games. I can’t say it sure reciprocity, and this year, we the final 2021 NDAA with that above all
any more directly than that. worked to increase funding for this else at the forefront of our minds.
I yield the floor. very important program. I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum. With my remaining time, I want to f
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The focus on our special operations commu-
clerk will call the roll. nity, especially the 5th Special Forces EXECUTIVE SESSION
The senior assistant legislative clerk Group and the 160th Special Operations
proceeded to call the roll. Aviation Regiment. They each call EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, I Fort Campbell their home.
ask unanimous consent that the order For those who serve in these elite The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
for the quorum call be rescinded. units, uncommon bravery is an every- BOOZMAN). Under the previous order,
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without day occurrence. They go to some of the the Senate will proceed to executive
objection, it is so ordered. worst places on the face of the Earth, session to resume consideration of the
f to be surrounded by the most dan- following nomination, which the clerk
gerous people alive, to do work that no will report.
NATIONAL DEFENSE The legislative clerk read the nomi-
one can ever know about and at a high-
AUTHORIZATION ACT nation of Taylor B. McNeel, of Mis-
er occupational tempo than any other
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, aspect of our forces. Their operational sissippi, to be United States District
this week, as we return to DC, we are tempo is unbelievable. The physical, Judge for the Southern District of Mis-
going to resume consideration of the spiritual, and psychological toll of that sissippi.
2021 National Defense Authorization work and the stigma attached to it by Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, I
Act. Around DC we call it the NDAA. those who do not understand its impor- suggest the absence of a quorum.
And before I get into discussing some tance cannot be overstated. It is not a The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
of my priorities in this legislation, I unique burden, but it is an especially clerk will call the roll.
want to encourage each and every one heavy burden. The legislative clerk proceeded to
of my colleagues to carefully consider U.S. Special Operations Command call the roll.
why we go through the lengthy process knows this and has made taking care of Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I ask
of drafting and reconciling this author- the people behind this mission a pri- unanimous consent that the order for
ization. And we do this every single ority. They created the Preservation of the quorum call be rescinded.
year. the Force and Families Program to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
The easy answer, of course, is that we support these warriors and their fami- objection, it is so ordered.
have a duty to provide for our common lies, but, like any program of this na- Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I ask
defense and that of our allies and part- ture, it requires continuous innovation unanimous consent now that the man-
ners. But every year the media devotes and evolution to stay effective. datory quorum call be waived.
most of their attention to how much This year’s Senate-passed NDAA re- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there
money we have agreed to spend on the affirms the importance of this initia- objection?
tools of war—the Chinook helicopters, tive to both servicemembers and their Without objection, it is so ordered.
the Virginia-class submarines, and the families and improves human, psycho- CLOTURE MOTION
Reapers. They want to know about the logical, spiritual, and social perform- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant
flashy hardware and end up ignoring ance programs. It also requires a deep- to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the
the people who are in the driver’s seat. er study on new opportunities for spe- Senate the pending cloture motion,
Thousands of service men and women cial and incentive pay parity in order which the clerk will state.
call Tennessee home, and when I ac- to increase retention of our valuable The legislative clerk read as follows:
cepted the role of Senator, I took on a special operators. CLOTURE MOTION
special responsibility to look after and This is only one aspect of an expan- We, the undersigned Senators, in accord-
to take care of each and every one of sive piece of legislation, but it provides ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the
them. a useful reminder that every dollar— Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby
Their decision to serve came with every single taxpayer dollar that we move to bring to a close debate on the nomi-
necessary and serious lifestyle changes, spend to defend the cause of freedom is nation of Taylor B. McNeel, of Mississippi, to
both for themselves and for their fami- gone to waste if we ignore the unique be United States District Judge for the
Southern District of Mississippi.
lies. Anyone who knows a servicemem- needs of the people fighting our battles Mitch McConnell, Mike Crapo, Tom Cot-
ber knows that their lives are not their for us. We have to put the emphasis on ton, David Perdue, Mike Rounds, Pat
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own. They go where they are told to go. this human capital—on the individual, Roberts, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Kevin
They do the job they are told to do. on their family. Cramer, Lindsey Graham, Thom Tillis,
They do it without hesitation because This is one of those moments where Tim Scott, James E. Risch, Michael B.
they have accepted that serving their it would be in everyone’s best interest Enzi, John Cornyn, Roger F. Wicker,
country is more important than the and our Nation’s best interest to avoid John Thune, John Boozman.
autonomy they sacrificed when they playing politics with a very important The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan-
put on that uniform and took their policy—protecting these men and imous consent, the mandatory quorum
oath. women in uniform, providing for the call has been waived.
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