Congressional Record — Senate, S7435 (December 11, 2020)

Summary

Page S7435 of the Congressional Record, Senate, for December 11, 2020, begins with a cloture motion on the nomination of Katherine A. Crytzer to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Under National Defense Authorization Act, Inhofe says funding for the military was reduced by 25 percent over five years while China was increasing by 83 percent, and urges passing the Defense authorization bill. Schumer says it has been 259 days since the CARES Act and that 292,001 Americans died, and criticizes the corporate immunity provision.

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“Congressional Record — Senate, S7435 (December 11, 2020).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-12-11-crec-2020-12-11-pt1-pgs7435-4-5b0b0e770d/, SHA-256 0cb0d30a7e7ac1231c7fef0edbc26beca640378d9a505001c8af3282b48268f2.

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December 11, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7435
move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- It bothers me that we went through March 27, 2020. It was a rare moment in
nation of Katherine A. Crytzer, of Tennessee, the last 5 years of the Obama adminis- bipartisanship—a legislative triumph
to be United States District Judge for the tration—that would have been from that saved our country from disaster in
Eastern District of Tennessee.
2010 through 2015—where he criticized the very early days of the pandemic. As
Mitch McConnell, James E. Risch, Mike
Crapo, Roy Blunt, Shelley Moore Cap- the military. We didn’t have to have you know, I sat and negotiated a great
ito, Tom Cotton, John Cornyn, Chuck the military, he felt. deal of that with Secretary of State
Grassley, Thom Tillis, Richard Burr, At this time, I would suspend with Mnuchin. And we all agreed it did a lot
Pat Roberts, Cory Gardner, Lindsey my remarks. of good—a lot of good. But, unfortu-
Graham, Todd Young, Marco Rubio, Mr. SCHUMER. You keep going for 2 nately, for the past 259 days, as the
John Boozman, John Barrasso. minutes. I will let you know. virus continued to spread—when we did
f Mr. INHOFE. Let me know, and I will the CARES Act, we thought, well,
be glad to suspend. maybe COVID will be over by the sum-
LEGISLATIVE SESSION Mr. SCHUMER. Thank you. mer. Everyone thought that, but obvi-
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Mr. INHOFE. Anyway, during that ously it wasn’t. And so the virus has
move to proceed to legislative session. time, during the Obama administra- continued to spread. Thousands of
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The tion, during those 5 years, he reduced small businesses have closed their
question is on agreeing to the motion. the funding for the military by 25 per- doors for good. Tens of millions of
The motion was agreed to. cent. Now, this has not happened, in Americans lost their jobs and liveli-
Mr. MCCONNELL. I suggest the ab- my memory. It hasn’t happened since hoods. As American families waited in
sence of a quorum. World War II that we have gone 21st century bread lines, cars snaking
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The through a 5-year period of doing that. for miles down American highways; as
clerk will call the roll. And the tragedy is that during that
tens of millions of Americans fell be-
The legislative clerk proceeded to same time, China was increasing theirs
hind on the rent and the mortgage and
call the roll. by 83 percent. Stop and think about
face eviction; as 15 million Americans
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask that—83 percent—when you realize
got sick; and as 292,001 Americans died,
unanimous consent that the order for that we were reducing our expenditures
the Senate Republican majority, led by
the quorum call be rescinded. by 25 percent while they are increasing
the majority leader, made sure the
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. theirs by 83 percent. Now, that is seri-
Senate could not do anything of sig-
PAUL). Without objection, it is so or- ous enough, and that is something that
nificance to help the American people.
dered. is very much a concern to many of us.
May, June, July, August—pause; we
So we know that they were increas-
f don’t need to do anything, said the
ing, we were decreasing, and, as a re-
NATIONAL DEFENSE leader. Let’s wait and see what hap-
sult, things happened. There are some
AUTHORIZATION ACT pens. Democrats didn’t say that. The
things that they did—hypersonics, for
leader did. Waited and waited and wait-
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, it is my example. That is one of the most re-
ed. Now it is December, and we still,
understanding that the minority leader cent exercises that is out there. They
because of the leader’s intransigence,
was going to be here, but we are get- are actually, today, as we speak—they
have nothing of significance to help the
ting very close to the time we actually are ahead of us. Both China and Russia
American people during the worst eco-
cast our vote at 10:30—just 20 more are ahead of the United States of
nomic crisis in 75 years and the great-
minutes. In the event that the minor- America in hypersonics and that type
est public health crisis in a century.
ity leader comes, I will dispense with of technology that is out there.
Why? Why can’t we get together?
my remarks and defer to him. This President came along—and I
Why can’t there be the bipartisanship
It is my honor to present the 60th an- know there is a lot of controversy
that Americans search for and yearn
nual National Defense Authorization about this bill. I know that the Presi-
for? At a time of such great crisis,
Act. For 59 straight years—you can’t dent wanted to have something in
there is one reason why America’s two
say this about any other piece of legis- there that was having to do with lan-
major parties have not gotten together
lation, all year or anytime, except the guage that had nothing to do with the
during the time of acute national
Defense authorization bill—we have military. I agree wholeheartedly with
emergency, and that is because the Re-
passed this bill. We have passed this him, but you can’t. You have got to
publican leader has demanded a par-
bill every year for 59 years, and this have a defense authorization bill. Our
tisan poison pill—a sweeping corporate
will be 60 years, and I anticipate that kids in the field demand it.
With the NDAA, we are imple- liability shield—be included in any leg-
we will pass it now. islation. Otherwise, he won’t let it
There isn’t much that happens menting the policies and programs to
make sure that this doesn’t happen, to pass.
around the Capitol that has a track It sounds like an exaggeration, but
record like that. Maybe I am biased, ensure that America is able to prevent
that is what the leader has said. ‘‘We’re
and maybe in some people’s minds I am and, if necessary, win wars of today
not negotiating over liability protec-
wrong, but I think this is the most im- and tomorrow.
At this point, I would like to defer to tion,’’ the leader said, on July 28.
portant bill of the year. I really believe I’ll be responsible for putting the final
that. I have believed that since 1987, the minority leader, and I do ask unan-
agreement on the floor. And as I said, it will
and this is something that we have to imous consent that at the conclusion
have liability protection in it. We’re not ne-
do. of his remarks that I be recognized to gotiating with the Democrats over that.
There is an old document nobody make my remarks.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without That is the fact. That is the history.
reads anymore called the Constitution. There is not equality here.
objection, it is so ordered.
In there it tells us what we need to be Finally, yesterday, as the bipartisan
doing, and that is exactly what we are f group of Senators and House Members
going to be doing today: providing for RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY were closing in on a final agreement,
our defense. LEADER what happened? Yesterday, the Repub-
So it is simple what this bill does. It The PRESIDING OFFICER. The lican leader’s team told the other con-
makes our country more secure. It sup- Democratic leader is recognized. gressional leaders that the bipartisan
ports our troops who defend it. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, first, I group would be unable to satisfy Sen-
Right now this couldn’t be more im- want to thank the Senator from Okla- ate Republicans. Why? Because it
portant. As President Trump’s national homa for, as usual, his courtesy, which might not grant the exact sweeping li-

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defense strategy tells us, we are up I very much appreciate. ability protections for corporations
against the most serious threats we f that Leader MCCONNELL has demanded.
have seen maybe forever. This is com- It is an unconscionable position. No re-
ing from China and Russia, these coun- CORONAVIRUS lief for the American people unless cor-
tries who stand against everything Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, the porations receive blanket immunity
America stands for. CARES Act passed the Senate on from lawsuits.

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S7436 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 11, 2020
That particular poison pill that has million Americans infected, 290,000 hearing on this. I was so excited. No
foiled bipartisan agreement for more lives lost to COVID–19—there have one could have sat through that hear-
than 8 months is the nub of the prob- been only 23 personal injury suits from ing last June without coming to the
lem. If we could just get past that, if exposure to the coronavirus—23 in the conclusion that this thing is going to
the Republican leader would only back entire country, over the entire year. be behind us. We are winning this
off maximalist demands on corporate And that is why Senate Republicans thing. And you come to the conclusion
immunity, we could get something can’t reach a bipartisan agreement to that we are going to have the virus
done. I mean it. We could actually get help the unemployed, feed the hungry, under control. We are going to have
something done. fund a vaccine, or support our schools? this system. We all know that is hap-
Now, I know the Republican leader Corporations that want protection pening today, right now, as we are
will say: Wait a minute, Democrats from a few dozen lawsuits is equivalent speaking. We have several companies—
have partisan demands of their own, to millions of workers from State and five companies—who have come so
like providing assistance to save State local governments being laid off? Give close, and they are now distributing
and local services. But to equate State me a break. Again, there are a few the necessary equipment so that people
and local aid—money for policemen States that don’t need the help, but become immune to this thing. That is
and firefighters, busdrivers, sanitation many more States do—many more. happening right now.
workers—to complete corporate immu- This is mind-boggling. The Repub- It happens that even though this was
nity is a false equivalence. We know lican leadership is blocking a solution last June—it was last June that we had
the two policies are not equivalent. for the entire country until they get a the hearing in my committee. Every-
First of all, there is broad bipartisan favor for corporations who don’t even thing that they predicted, that General
support for State and local aid. It is need it. The American people, all of us, Perna predicted at that time, is hap-
not a Democratic demand. Many Re- are sick of this ridiculous gamesman- pening. They said by December we
publicans support it too. There are bi- ship by the majority leader. would have it. Well, here it is, Decem-
partisan bills on the floor of the Senate We need to come together. We need ber, and we have got it. And then we
demanding $500 billion in aid for the to get something done. The American said it is going to take about 3 months
States. There are Governors—Demo- people deserve an outcome. It is not to be able to make the distribution
crats and Republicans—sending letters going to happen if the Republican ma- around the country. And that time is
to all of us saying we need money; we jority insists on getting 100 percent of coming up. It is getting close to that
need help. But the leader’s corporate its partisan demands. time, and that is going to happen. I
I yield the floor. mean, we are looking right now at
immunity provision doesn’t have the I, once again, thank the Senator April as the time that we have got this
support of a Democrat. Not a single from Oklahoma for his courtesy. thing defeated. And right now, this ad-
person voted for it. It is expressly par- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ministration—I want to give them
tisan. There is not equivalence. ator from Oklahoma.
I know the media likes to say, on the credit for this. They have got this dis-
f tribution system set up so it is going
one hand, on the other. There is not
CORONAVIRUS to be going around the country, and
equivalence here. One is helping people
this thing is going to come to an end.
who desperately need help. The other is Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, first of I have to tell you that the President
a partisan demand that has been all, I did want to get some final com- is responsible for putting this in place,
around for a long time that simply ments. I mentioned a minute ago and, and it is, right now, on schedule.
does not get bipartisan support. of course, it is the right of the lead- I don’t want to take a lot of time. I
State and local aid is a solution to a ers—Democratic and Republican lead- see that Senator REED has come in.
real and urgent problem. Corporate im- ers—to have the first time. It is fine Senator JACK REED is the ranking
munity from lawsuits is not. They are with me, but I just want to make one member on the Senate Armed Services
not equivalent. State and local budgets comment about it. Committee. Let me just tell you, I
are deeply in the red. Since the begin- The minority leader was talking can’t think of anyone I would rather
ning of the pandemic, State and mu- about what is going on right now and have as a partner in putting together
nicipalities have laid off 1.3 million who would be favored and all that. I the Defense authorization bill—the
public employees—firefighters, police, think one of the things we don’t talk most important bill of all year—than
first responders, teachers. We are talk- about, we should talk about. You Senator JACK REED. He has been there
ing about jobs—jobs—in red States as know, I know the media doesn’t like by my side, with me, working together.
well as blue States. our President, and a lot of things he We had a Big 4 meeting. We always
The leader likes to cite one statistic has done he didn’t get credit for it. end up with a Big 4 meeting. To tell
about tax revenue in one blue State to One of the major things—and this is you what that is, that is the ranking
argue that no State—no State deserves all going to come out—unfortunately, Democrat and Republican in the House,
Federal aid, not Wyoming or Alaska, this didn’t come out before the elec- the Democrat and Republican in the
North Dakota, that have each seen tion, but it should have because there Senate; and the four of us get together
sharp declines in tax revenue; not Flor- is—what do they call that? Warp speed? and decide what are we going do, what
ida or Nevada or Louisiana, that de- Is that right? Yes, this Operation Warp is this going to look like. And then we
pend on tourism and face revenue de- Speed. This was back in June. The pass it. We passed this bill. It is a good
clines of 10 percent or more. President came out with this. General bill. It is one that we have the oppor-
State and local aid is a real and ur- Perna was put in charge of it. tunity to vote on today, the most im-
gent problem. It is not abstract. It is I wasn’t prepared to talk about this, portant bill of the year. And if voting
people, and it is workers. PPP that but I think it is important right now against it, you have to stop and think
helps small businesses—one of its main that we do because I want to follow up about those kids who are out there in
rationales, an important one, some- with what the minority leader talked harm’s way and the threats that they
thing I agree with—prevents workers about because everyone is concerned are facing on a regular basis. This is a
who work for small businesses from about it. They are all concerned about problem. This is a serious thing that is
being laid off. What is the difference the coronavirus and those things. This out there. I can’t imagine wanting to
between a worker being laid off by a has never happened in this country be- have to face these people in the field,
small business because they don’t have fore. But it has happened. It had noth- in harm’s way, and say: Well, we didn’t
funding or a worker being laid off from ing to do with this administration. pass the Defense authorization bill.
a State and local government because They did a great job. And to dem- We are going to pass it. These kids

ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
they don’t have funding? There is no onstrate what a great job they did, are going to get the right treatment
difference. There is no difference. they had the Operation Warp Speed— that they need. They are going to get
The leader’s corporate immunity pro- this was back in June of this year—and the resources they need. I did mention
vision, on the other hand, is a solution, they put General Perna in charge of it. just a few minutes ago about the pre-
ideological, in search of a problem. Al- I chair the Senate Armed Services vious administration. I don’t want peo-
most a year into this pandemic—15 Committee. They wanted us to have a ple to misunderstand what I am saying.

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