Nomination of Denis Richard McDonough (Cong. Rec., Feb. 8, 2021)
Summary
This is S562 of the Congressional Record, Senate, February 8, 2021, with interleaved columns. The page opens with the end of a Senator's remarks, whose name is not printed in the text read, on American exceptionalism, The 1776 Report, and the termination of the 1776 Commission, followed by remarks under the heading Russia on the Obama-era reset policy and the extension of the New START treaty. Under the heading Nomination of Denis Richard McDonough, Mr. Schumer says the Senate will confirm Mr. McDonough to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs and lists other pending nominees. He says the Senate will continue its work on other responsibilities, including the COVID crisis, while preparing to sit as a Court of Impeachment. The views are attributed to the speakers.
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“Nomination of Denis Richard McDonough (Cong. Rec., Feb. 8, 2021).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-02-08-crec-2021-02-08-pt1-pgs562-3-3ce30bf86a/
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S562 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 8, 2021
a quirk of the English language. ants of critical race theory, with its ready announced the extension of the
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary gives focus on separate groups of Americans one legacy of the reset policy. The New
three definitions of ‘‘exceptional″: one, into different degrees of oppressor and START Treaty with Russia gutted im-
‘‘forming an exception,’’ as they give oppressed. portant monitoring and verification
an example: ‘‘RARE, an exceptional Interestingly, despite the California measures that were included in the
number of rainy days’’; or, two, ‘‘better curriculum’s focus on victims of preju- predecessor agreement.
than average: SUPERIOR, exceptional dice, discussion of anti-Semitism is President Reagan famously quoted a
skill’’ are the words they expand on omitted in favor of criticism of Israel. Russian proverb, ‘‘Trust, but verify,’’
‘‘average’’; ‘‘deviating from the norm, This curriculum also totally skips over when he was negotiating with Mikhail
such as having above or below average the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther Gorbachev. New START cut out the
intelligence’’ or physical disability. King, Jr. Remember his dream? I quote ‘‘verify’’ part, leaving only ‘‘trust.’’
Many people here and abroad assume that statement that he made: But surely we have all learned by now
that those who talk about American It is a dream deeply rooted in the Amer- that we cannot trust Vladimir Putin.
exceptionalism are just using the sec- ican dream. I have a dream that one day this He has been caught redhanded vio-
ond definition and simply asserting nation will rise up and live out the true lating other arms control treaties. So,
meaning of its creed: ‘‘We hold these truths
that the United States is better than to be self-evident, that all men are created
as recently happened, extending the
any other country, and that is a wrong equal.’’ New START treaty without trying to
interpretation. Now, that is a very unifying state- improve it is a missed opportunity.
American exceptionalism is an asser- I hope that President Biden’s future
ment. I encourage all Americans to
tion of the plain fact that America’s actions more closely match his words,
read ‘‘The 1776 Report’’ for yourself.
foundation is very different from that and he scraps all vestiges of the Obama
See if you don’t agree with the central
of most other nations. However, our message that shared attachment to our Russian reset policy that he announced
foundation is increasingly under at- timeless founding principles is what 12 years ago this weekend.
tack from both the right and the left. I yield the floor.
binds us as a nation. It is no longer
Both the 1619 Project and White na- I suggest the absence of a quorum.
available on the main White House The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
tionalists assert that America’s found- website, but it can still be found on the
ing principles are alive and that the clerk will call the roll.
Trump administration’s archived The legislative clerk proceeded to
United States was founded along ethnic website. It is also available on the
lines. call the roll.
Hillsdale College website. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President pro
Oddly enough, this was a position RUSSIA
taken by John C. Calhoun in the U.S. tempore, I ask unanimous consent that
Madam President, I have other short the order for the quorum call be re-
Senate when he articulated an alter- remarks that I want to make on an-
native to the founding principles in- scinded.
other subject. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. With-
tended to justify maintaining slavery Twelve years ago this past Sunday,
in perpetuity. Fortunately, Abraham out objection, it is so ordered.
then-Vice President Biden was in Mu- RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER
Lincoln, who revered the Declaration nich, Germany, to deliver the Obama
of Independence, prevailed. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The
administration’s first major foreign majority leader is recognized.
The notion that our founding prin- policy speech to world leaders. He said:
ciples are a lie isn’t just bad history; it NOMINATION OF DENIS RICHARD MCDONOUGH
It is time to press the reset button and to
breaks the bonds that unite Americans revisit the many areas where we can and Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, the
of all backgrounds. should be working together with Russia. Senate is steadily confirming members
The 1776 Commission was established The premise was that the Bush ad- of President Biden’s Cabinet and other
specifically to ‘‘enable a rising genera- ministration had been too tough on key administration officials. In a few
tion to understand the history and Russia, and a more conciliatory ap- hours, we will add one more to the list
principles of the founding of the United proach was needed. when the Senate confirms Denis
States in 1776 and to strive to perform Beyond the rhetoric, this involved McDonough to serve as Secretary of
a more perfect Union.’’ abruptly scrapping planned missile de- Veterans Affairs.
The introduction to ‘‘The 1776 Re- fense cooperation with our allies, the Under President Obama, Mr.
port’’ states that ‘‘a rediscovery of our Czechs and Poles, on the anniversary of McDonough was a member of the Na-
shared identity rooted in our founding the Soviet invasion of Poland. Keep in tional Security Council and the White
principles is the path to a renewed mind, this was 6 months after Russia House Chief of Staff. He was a regular
American unity and a confident Amer- had invaded and occupied territory of face at Walter Reed and a frequent vis-
ican future.’’ our ally, the Republic of Georgia, an itor of our troops deployed abroad.
I could not agree more. That is why occupation that is still ongoing this The VA has one of the most sacred
I was disappointed to see President very day. That all happened a year missions of all our Agencies, deriving
Biden terminate this commission the after the publication of the book enti- its motto from President Lincoln’s sec-
same day he took office after making tled ‘‘The New Cold War,’’ by Edward ond inaugural address:
his call for unity. The call to unity is Lucas, detailing the dangerous nature To care for those who shall have borne the
exactly what the President asked for in of the Putin regime. battle.
his inaugural address. The Russia reset was not just a fail- But the task of achieving that mis-
What specifically in that 1776 Com- ure; the reset was ill-conceived and sion is one of organization, institu-
mission document does President Biden counterproductive from the start. tional know-how, and administrative
disagree with? Yes, the report is crit- Putin’s Russia, like the Soviet Union troubleshooting. I am confident that
ical of far-left efforts to denigrate our before it, only understands strength. Mr. McDonough’s decades of experience
founding principles, but it is also an Unilateral concessions actually en- at the highest levels of government
important corrective to the alt-right couraged further aggression, like we make him well qualified to take on the
effort to import European-style ethno- saw and still see with Ukraine. job.
nationalism, which is also deeply un- I appreciate now-President Biden’s Even as Senators prepare this week
American in every sense. more recent tough talk on Russia. I to sit as a Court of Impeachment, the
‘‘The 1776 Report’’ calls for ‘‘a res- like his rhetoric better than many Senate will continue its work on other
toration of American education, which things that President Trump said. responsibilities. Committees will con-
can only be grounded on a history of However, I like Trump’s actions, like tinue to process nominations, includ-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
those principles that is ‘accurate, hon- sanctions against the Nord Stream ing the nominees to lead the EPA, De-
est, unifying, inspiring, and enno- Pipeline, arming and training the partment of Commerce, Department of
bling.’ ’’ Ukrainian military, and partnering Labor, and the Office of Management
By contrast, California has proposed with our frontline allies. and Budget. At the same time, commit-
an ethnic study curriculum that is The Biden administration no longer tees will continue the pressing work of
rooted in the fundamental divisive ten- talks of a Russian reset, but it has al- addressing the COVID crisis.
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February 8, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S563
Last week, in the early hours of Fri- vote on whether he is qualified to enjoy the former President’s counsel will
day morning, the Senate passed a budg- any office of honor, trust, or profit mount a defense. Ultimately, Senators
et resolution that will pave the way for under the United States. will decide on the one true question at
President Biden’s American Rescue The structure we have agreed to is stake in this trial: Is Donald Trump
Plan. As promised, the Senate held an eminently fair. It will allow for the guilty of inciting a violent mob against
open, bipartisan, and vigorous amend- trial to achieve its purpose: truth and the United States, a mob whose pur-
ment process. Several bipartisan accountability. That is what trials are pose was to interfere with the constitu-
amendments passed with overwhelming designed to do: to arrive at the truth of tional process of counting electoral
majorities and were added to the reso- the matter and render a verdict. And votes and ensuring a peaceful transfer
lution. The fact that the debate went following the despicable attack on Jan- of power? And, if he is guilty, does
all night and only concluded at around uary 6, there must be truth and ac- someone who would commit such a
5:30 in the morning is a testament to countability if we are going to move high crime against his own country de-
the vigor of the amendment process, forward, heal, and bring our country serve to hold any office of honor or
which, again, I note, was bipartisan. together once again. Sweeping some- trust ever again?
The first amendment, in fact—a very thing as momentous as this under the Consistent with the solemn oath we
important one by the Senator from Ar- rug brings no healing whatsoever. Let’s have all taken to ‘‘do impartial justice
izona, Ms. SINEMA, and the Senator be clear about that. according to the Constitution and
Now, as the trial begins, the forces
from Mississippi, Mr. WICKER—helped laws’’ of the United States, that is the
aligned with the former President are
our restaurant industry, and it was bi- question every Senator must answer in
preparing to argue that the trial itself
partisan. this trial.
is unconstitutional because Donald
Now, our Senate committees have in- I yield the floor.
Trump is no longer in office, relying on I suggest the absence of a quorum.
structions to begin crafting legislation
a fringe legal theory that has been The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The
to rescue our country from COVID–19; roundly debunked by constitutional
to speed vaccination distribution; pro- clerk will call the roll.
scholars from across the political spec- The bill clerk proceeded to call the
vide a lifeline to small businesses; help trum.
schools reopen safely; save the jobs of roll.
Just yesterday, another very promi- Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President,
teachers, firefighters, and other public nent, conservative, Republican con-
employees; and support every Amer- I ask unanimous consent that the order
stitutional lawyer, Chuck Cooper, for the quorum call be rescinded.
ican who is struggling to put food on wrote in the Wall Street Journal that
the table and keep a roof over their The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms.
Republicans are dead wrong if they DUCKWORTH). Without objection, it is
heads. think an impeachment trial of a former
This important, historic work will so ordered.
President is unconstitutional.
give hundreds of millions of Americans RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Here is what he wrote:
the relief they need while getting our Given that the Constitution permits the The Republican leader is recognized.
country back to normal as quickly as Senate to impose the penalty of permanent Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President,
possible. disqualification only on former officeholders, first, briefly, I am pleased that Leader
IMPEACHMENT it defies logic to suggest that the Senate is SCHUMER and I were able to reach an
Mr. President, now, on impeachment, prohibited from trying and convicting agreement on a fair process and esti-
former officeholders. The Senators who sup- mated timeline for the upcoming Sen-
tomorrow, the second impeachment ported Mr. Paul’s motion should reconsider
trial of Donald J. Trump will com- ate trial.
their view and judge the former president’s This structure has been approved by
mence, only the fourth trial of a Presi- misconduct on the merits.
dent or former President in American both former President Trump’s legal
That is no liberal. That is Chuck team and the House managers because
history and the first trial for any pub- Cooper, a lawyer who represented
lic official who has been impeached it preserves due process and the rights
House Republicans in a lawsuit against of both sides. It will give Senators, as
twice. Speaker PELOSI, a former adviser to
For the information of the Senate, jurors, ample time to review the case
Senator CRUZ’s Presidential campaign, and the arguments that each side will
the Republican leader and I, in con- driving a stake into the central argu-
sultation with both the House man- present.
ment we are going to hear from the
agers and former-President Trump’s REMEMBERING GEORGE SHULTZ
former President’s counsel.
lawyers, have agreed to a bipartisan Now, I understand why this fringe Madam President, on a completely
resolution to govern the structure and constitutional theory is being ad- different matter, on Saturday, we lost
timing of the impending trial. Let me vanced. For the past few weeks, the po- a great statesman and scholar who
say that again. All parties have agreed litical right has been searching for a gave more than 80 of his 100 years to
to a structure that will ensure a fair safe harbor, a way to oppose the con- his country.
and honest Senate impeachment trial viction of Donald Trump without pass- George Shultz’s service began in the
of the former President. ing judgment on his conduct; to avoid U.S. Marine Corps. From the beaches of
Each side will have ample time to alienating the former President’s sup- Palau, he was among the Americans
make their arguments: 16 hours over 2 porters without condoning his, obvi- who helped retake the Pacific from
days for the House managers, the same ously, despicable, unpatriotic, undemo- Japan. Back home, he earned a Ph.D.
for the former President’s counsel. If cratic behavior. But the truth is no in economics. He taught at MIT and
managers decide they want witnesses, such safe harbor exists. The trial is would later helm the University of Chi-
there will be a vote on that, which is clearly constitutional by every frame cago’s Graduate Business School. But
the option they requested in regard to of analysis—by constitutional text, public service beckoned, and George
witnesses. historical practice, Senate precedent, Shultz began a decades-long run of
The trial will also accommodate a re- and basic common sense. ping-ponging prolifically between aca-
quest from the former President’s Presidents cannot simply resign to demia and top government posts.
counsel to pause the trial during the avoid accountability for an impeach- The first of three Presidents who
Sabbath. The trial will break on Friday able offense nor can they escape judg- would benefit from his expert counsel,
afternoon before sundown and will not ment by waiting until their final few Dwight Eisenhower, hired him as a sen-
resume until Sunday afternoon. weeks in office to betray our country. ior staff economist back in 1955. A dec-
As in previous trials, there will be The impeachment powers assigned to ade and a half later, he was back, this
equal time for Senators’ questions and the Congress by the Constitution can- time as President Nixon’s Secretary of
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
for closing arguments and an oppor- not be defeated by a President who de- Labor, where he worked on desegrega-
tunity for the Senate to hold delibera- cides to run away or trashes our de- tion and, later, as OMB Director. Then,
tions, if it so chooses. mocracy on the way out the door. This at a pivotal moment for the U.S. and
And then we will vote on the Article trial will confirm that fact. world economies, George Shultz was
of Impeachment. If the former Presi- The merits of the case against the tapped to lead the Treasury Depart-
dent is convicted, we will proceed to a former President will be presented, and ment. He fought inflation and worked
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