Congressional Record, Senate, March 3, 2021, Page S1008
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated March 3, 2021, at page S1008, with a senator who refers to Wyoming as home State arguing against H.R. 1, the For the People Act. The senator says H.R. 1 would force every State to give the vote to convicted felons, to allow same-day, online and automatic voter registration, and to count provisional ballots statewide, and says it would end the equal balance between Republicans and Democrats on the Federal Election Commission. The senator also says it would give government-funded vouchers for political campaigns and a 6-to-1 match from taxpayers. The remarks describe a Republican bill that bans vote harvesting and requires an audit of ballot counting systems within 30 days after the election.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, March 3, 2021, Page S1008.”
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S1008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 3, 2021
new mandates, and it tells each of our even activity that they would not nec- your identification. Let’s make sure
States how to hold elections. It doesn’t essarily agree with. you have a Social Security number.
read, ‘‘States, you do it.’’ It tells the Like so many liberal government Those are the sorts of things to provide
States how to do it. These aren’t just programs, this is a system that could integrity in the election process.
any mandates. These are radical left- easily be defrauded. We see that now Under our bill, States can’t just send
wing mandates that people in my home with the coronavirus bill as well. The out ballots in the mail based on old in-
State of Wyoming view as scary and Democrats know that they would still formation, and that happened all
say would make the elections less se- get their big corporate donations in around the country this year. You can
cure. This bill is so radical that an ear- New York and in San Francisco, but still vote by mail. You just need to re-
lier version of it was felt to be too lib- now they would get an added bonus—a quest a ballot so your information is
eral even for the ACLU, and the latest 6-to-1 match—from taxpayers. up to date. It is the way we have done
version is even more liberal than that. H.R. 1 would also give government- it in Wyoming. We send out requests to
I am just going to mention a few of the funded vouchers for people to donate to say, if you would like a ballot, apply
mandates in this bill. political campaigns. Political cam- for your absentee ballot, and people do.
H.R. 1 would force every State—force paigns do not need taxpayer subsidies. There is no question about the integ-
every State—to give the vote to con- People can decide how they want to rity of that system. It was in a number
victed felons. This would not be a State spend their own money. The govern- of States in which ballots were mailed
choice but a Federal mandate. One ment shouldn’t be redirecting it toward out based on old information and with-
group of Democrats even tried to give the party in power. The Democrats out a request by a voter for that ballot
the vote to felons who are still in pris- complain about money in politics all of that led to so many concerns about the
on right now, but that amendment the time. The solution, in seeing H.R. abuse and fraud.
failed. 1, apparently, is for there to be more Our bill bans vote harvesting. It
H.R. 1 would force every State to money in politics as long as it is the means you can’t drop off somebody
allow same-day voter registration, on- taxpayers’ money. else’s ballot.
line voter registration, and even auto- H.R. 1 ends the equal balance be- The collection boxes they have need
matic voter registration. Automatic tween the Republicans and Democrats to be monitored. When you turn in
voter registration? Voter registration on the Federal Election Commission. It your ballot to a ballot box, that ought
is something somebody should have to ends it. The Democrats want to politi- to be monitored.
do, register to vote. If the bill were to cize the Commission that enforces our When votes are being counted, our
become law, you would be registered to election laws. They want to make it a bill makes sure that both sides are
vote automatically, without even partisan organization. That is just an- watching.
knowing it, and when the States auto- other idea that would make it easier to Our bill prohibits delays or pauses in
matically register you, you are not al- commit fraud. ballot counting.
lowed to find out how they got your in- H.R. 1 doesn’t just politicize the Fed- We require an audit of ballot count-
formation. They can’t tell you. In ef- eral Election Commission; it politicizes ing systems within 30 days after the
fect, voter registration would be a the Internal Revenue Service, the IRS. election.
thing of the past. A thing that we all The Democrats want to break down the Now, these are basic, commonsense
did as young people, register to vote, guardrails that currently keep the IRS measures to protect against fraud and
would be a thing of the past. out of politics. H.R. 1 gets rid of any of error. You want it to be accurate. You
H.R. 1 forces States to count provi- the limits on the IRS when giving tax want it to be fair.
sional ballots statewide. So, if you vote exemptions to nonprofits. Now, think The differences between our bill and
Democrat in one district and are from about this. Remember the scandal at the House’s 800-page bill could not be
another district, they will count it as a the IRS under the Obama-Biden admin- more clear. The Republican bill makes
vote for the Democrat in your district. istration—a scandal, headlines. People it harder to commit fraud. The Demo-
Mistakes like this shouldn’t happen, are well aware. Well, H.R. 1 enshrines cratic bill makes it easier to commit
let alone should your vote be able to be that into law. H.R. 1 gives a big stamp fraud. The Republican bill costs almost
changed from the vote you actually of approval to Lois Lerner and her be- nothing. The Democratic bill costs bil-
cast. havior in the way she worked the IRS. lions. The Republican bill strengthens
The bill also doubles down on mail-in Every Democrat who votes for the bill the protections of our elections. The
voting. The problems with that, I think is saying that he or she will endorse Democratic bill weakens those protec-
people would agree, are obvious. Ama- what happened at the IRS under Presi- tions and even gets rid of some of
zon—and many of us shop on Amazon, dent Obama. them.
if not everyone—recently tried to re- There is more, a lot more. The bill This shouldn’t be a partisan issue.
strict mail-in voting for a union elec- goes on and on. It is 800 pages. It is We should all be against voter fraud.
tion at one of its facilities. That is not hard to believe too many Democrats We should make it as hard to commit
because Amazon has conservative lead- have actually read it. fraud as we possibly can. So I urge my
ership; it is because they say it is hard- The bottom line is this: H.R. 1 would colleagues to join me with Senators
er to secure mail-in voting than it is to not reform our elections; it would de- SCOTT and LUMMIS and HYDE-SMITH.
secure in-person voting. If you want an form our elections, change them dra- Let us stand for integrity in our elec-
accurate vote, in-person voting is more matically. H.R. 1 makes our elections tions. Let us give every American cit-
accurate. The reason mail-in voting harder to secure, easier to defraud, and izen confidence and the peace of mind
was expanded last year was because of will cast doubt on every election into that our system works.
the pandemic, but now the Democrats the future. That is the last thing we I yield the floor.
want to carve it into stone forever. need in this country. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
H.R. 1 would also take government This is no time to sow doubt about ator from Texas.
funding and give it to political cam- our elections. People want confidence f
paigns. The American people have in the elections. That is why I am
some thoughts on that. The bill actu- joined with Senator SCOTT of Florida, CORONAVIRUS
ally has a 6-to-1 match for campaign Senator HYDE-SMITH, and Senator LUM- Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, this
donations under $200. So, if you were to MIS to introduce a better proposal. Our Saturday will mark 1 year since Con-
donate $100 to your favorite candidate, bill would make our elections safe and gress passed our first response to the
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
the Federal Government would take secure and fair. It would give people COVID–19 virus.
taxpayer dollars and give an additional more confidence in our elections. That legislation, you will recall, re-
$600 of taxpayer money to that can- Our bill says: no automatic registra- ceived overwhelming support. It passed
didate who just got a $100 check. Hard- tion. The House bill repeals all voter by a vote of 96 to 1 here in the Senate
working people would pay their taxes ID laws. Our bill says, if you want to and 415 to 2 in the House, and we know
knowing that their hard-earned dollars register to vote, let’s make sure you that it was not just a one-off. Each of
would go to fund political activity, are a citizen. We need to make sure of the five pandemic relief bills that were
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March 3, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1009
signed into law last year received over- President Biden’s unilateral climate and Californians have raised concerns
whelming bipartisan support. Executive orders. over the rising cost. In 2018, it was pro-
That is not to say that everybody And then there is the funding—the jected to cost nearly $4.7 billion, and
was in perfect agreement about the size backdoor funding—for Planned Parent- that estimate has already jumped to
and shape of the bills. We had more hood. It is responsible for the most $6.9 billion from $4.7 billion.
than our fair share of disagreements abortions of any other organization in Despite the fact that this rail system
along the way, but both sides of the America. Now, that is a personal has absolutely nothing to do with the
aisle understood the most pressing choice for people to make, but asking pandemic and would serve only the
challenges facing our country and the taxpayers to fund Planned Parenthood people of one of the wealthiest areas in
types of support that were needed to so it can perform more abortions is the country, our Democratic friends
sustain that fight both when it came to simply irrelevant to COVID–19 relief. It provided more than $100 million for
public health and when it came to the is exploiting another emergency for this project in their so-called COVID–19
economic fallout and recession that re- special interest purposes. relief bill. Well, fortunately, not any
sulted: resources for hospitals and This bill expands the criteria for the thanks to our Democratic friends who
healthcare workers, support for the Paycheck Protection Program, one of wrote the bill, this completely unre-
hardest hit families, assistance for the most successful parts of the lated project has now been removed
small businesses, and, of course, the de- CARES Act that we passed last March. from the bill because it violates Senate
velopment, manufacturing, and dis- It was designed specifically to keep rules. You are not supposed to be able
tribution of vaccines. Not only did we small businesses afloat, but now to appropriate money and authorize
agree on what should be in the bills, Planned Parenthood can take advan- transportation projects in a budget rec-
but we, actually, also agreed on what tage of the funding—something they onciliation bill. That is why it is gone,
should not be in the bills. were precluding from doing under bi- not because our Democratic friends
We were all guided, I believe, by an partisan agreement previously. were embarrassed or had second
understanding that the focus should re- There is another big political ally for thoughts after it was pointed out to
main on COVID–19 and that pandemic our Democratic friends that would be them the hypocrisy of including that in
relief bills were no place to inject unre- newly eligible for these small business the bill but because it violates the Sen-
lated or partisan preferences, but now loans—the labor unions. So now labor ate rules.
that our Democratic friends control unions can apply for and receive money Another portion of the bill would
the House and the Senate and the that was otherwise previously directed have provided money for a bridge from
White House, they have tossed that toward mom-and-pop businesses so New York to Canada. Let me think for
principle in the trash. they could keep their doors open, so a minute which Senator would have
The Democrats have drafted their so- they could keep their employees on the stuck money for a bridge from New
called COVID–19 relief bill without the payroll. But now it includes labor York to Canada in the bill. Well, there
input, the ideas, or the support of a unions. are two Senators, one of whom is the
single Republican. Now, that is not be- Many of the labor unions’ pension
majority leader from the State of New
cause folks on this side of the aisle plans in particular have been in dire fi-
York. Well, that has now been struck
nancial straits for years, long before
were unwilling. As I remember, there by our colleagues because it received
COVID–19 even existed. Up until now,
were 10 Republican Senators who met so much blowback. It was such an em-
our Democratic colleagues have not
with President Biden at the White barrassing, irresponsible money grab
been able to find a way to bail out
House and offered a $600 billion alter- that it is no longer in the bill.
these mismanaged pension funds. As
native that would enjoy broad bipar- Well, we will see if this trend con-
you can imagine, using taxpayer dol-
tisan support. This partisan legislation tinues and more of the completely un-
lars to cover the mistakes of union
was a choice, not a necessity—a choice, related partisan projects are elimi-
bosses is incredibly unpopular, and
a conscious choice. nated because the long list of unneces-
that is because it is wrong. But the au-
Last year, the House majority whip sary spending does not end there.
thors of this bill have found a couple of
referred to this crisis as a ‘‘tremendous This legislation also establishes a bu-
workarounds which they have tucked
opportunity to restructure things to fit reaucrat bailout, an exclusive paid
into this so-called pandemic relief bill.
our vision.’’ That was Mr. CLYBURN. In addition to making labor unions leave fund just for Federal employees.
The Democrats knew that a bipartisan eligible for the paycheck protection If their kids aren’t in school full time
bill would limit the scope of discus- loans, the COVID–19 relief bill also cre- because of the pandemic, these employ-
sions of policies that were actually rel- ates a taxpayer fund to bail out under- ees could take home up to $1,400 a week
evant to the pandemic. So, rather than funded union pension funds. That is not in paid leave. That is roughly equiva-
maintain that relevance to the pan- to help the public generally; that is to lent to $70,000 a year, all to stay home
demic, they chose to go it alone. This help labor union members, which is and not work. And these benefits would
opportunity to restructure, as Mr. CLY- certainly their issue. I understand why last for months. Federal employees
BURN said, has been months in the it is important, but I don’t understand could take home up to 600 hours of paid
making, and now that the Democrats why my taxpayers in Texas should leave until September 30 even though
have the numbers they need to make have to bail out underfunded labor pen- President Biden said every adult who
the law without having the support of sion funds in other States. Union wants to get vaccinated will be vac-
anybody but their own party, they bosses who have mismanaged these cinated by the end of May. This ben-
have tacked on an entire liberal wish funds and made bad choices will be re- efit, this ridiculous money grab, would
list and tried to call it COVID–19 relief, warded with a taxpayer-funded check. last until the end of September, long
but nobody believes it or should believe While there is a range of provisions after people had gained antibodies and
it. to line the pockets of our friends on immunity from COVID–19 as a result of
You see, these are some of the things the other side of the aisle across the having been vaccinated.
that are in the so-called COVID–19 re- country, the authors of this bill also Across the country, only about 35
lief bill of $1.9 trillion when hundreds tried to sneak in more localized fixes, percent of school districts have re-
of billions of dollars of money that we two of which have already been turned to fully in-person instruction. If
appropriated just in December haven’t dropped from this bill. the parents of children at the other 65
even been spent yet. Here is what is in In one of the most audacious exam- percent of school districts happen to
the Trojan horse, otherwise known as work for the Federal Government, they
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
ples of tone-deaf Washington politics,
the Democrats’ COVID–19 relief bill: one of these was an underground rail can claim these benefits. Even if a
funding for climate justice. At a time system in the Speaker’s home State of school offers in-person instruction but
when many Americans are asking California—an underground rail sys- maintains the option to learn vir-
‘‘When can I get the vaccine?’’ and tem. That has nothing to do with tually, the parent can still get paid to
‘‘How long until my children can safely COVID–19. stay home and not perform any work.
return to school?’’ our Democratic col- The Bay Area Rapid Transit expan- Well, parents in my State who don’t
leagues are pushing funding to support sion has been in the works for years, work for the Federal Government
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S1010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 3, 2021
aren’t receiving these same benefits. But the good news is, the money we community-based services, make sure
This is clearly cherry-picking to ben- spent last year is having real results. that seniors and people with disabil-
efit Federal employees, to pay them The money we invested in treatments ities have a chance to continue to live
not to work. and research and development of vac- where they want to live, as opposed to
I respect the work that Federal em- cines and now the distribution of vac- living in a congregate setting. In many
ployees do. I respect the work that all cines—it is actually making a real dif- cases, that means they will have more
government employees do. But to give ference. We are vaccinating roughly 3 contact with their families, reducing
them preferential treatment in the million people a day in America. More the loneliness and social isolation that
midst of this pandemic by paying them than 70 million people have had shots can be damaging to their mental
not to work and using tax dollars from in arms, and we are doing our best to health. So this American Rescue Plan
other States and other places that try to get it in people’s arms as fast as includes temporary Federal funding to
don’t enjoy that benefit is simply we safely can. President Biden said we States to increase Medicaid home- and
grossly unfair. will get that job done by the end of community-based services.
Over the last year, countless num- May. That is wonderful news. If the bill were to pass, an additional
bers of parents have balanced the im- The other wonderful news is that un- $9.3 billion would be made available to
possible: work and remote learning for employment rates are going down and States to ensure that workers who pro-
their children. It has been hard. I un- State revenue is going back up. School vide these services have the protection
derstand that. Many parents turned districts across the country have safely and resources they need to provide the
their kitchen tables into makeshift of- resumed in-person learning. One in five care and to provide the services.
fices and classroom spaces until their adults in America has now received a More than 200 organizations from
children were able to physically return dose of the vaccine, and a third vaccine around the country wrote to Congress
to school. Today, less than 7 percent of has now been approved, so that number in support of these new dollars. For
the school districts in Texas are fully will climb faster and faster and faster. months, SEIU, one of the great unions
remote. Seven percent are fully re- Every day we are moving closer to in America representing workers—
mote, and two-thirds are fully in-per- the light at the end of the tunnel, and healthcare workers; the disability com-
son in my State. They have found a now is not the time to squander the munity, as well; advocates for older
way to safely return to the classroom. good will and trust that the American adults like AARP and others—have ral-
There is no reason why the Texans who people have had in us to be good stew- lied around the need for this funding.
have made that tough juggling act, ards of the public health and our econ- This funding can be used to increase
working and learning remotely, should omy by engaging in this sort of embar- wages for direct-service providers, the
now have to pay Federal employees rassing partisan exercise. workers. It can be used to secure addi-
who have not had to make that tough I yield the floor. tional personal protective equipment
choice. I suggest the absence of a quorum. and testing supplies for workers and
It is simply false advertising to call The PRESIDING OFFICER. The those that they support. Home- and
this a COVID–19 relief bill. It is decep- clerk will call the roll. community-based funds can also be
tive and outrageously so. Only $160 bil- The senior assistant legislative clerk used to help people transition from
lion dollars—8 percent of the total proceeded to call the roll. congregate settings back to their
cost—is directly related to combating Mr. CASEY. Madam President, I ask homes. It can also be used to provide
COVID–19. Eight percent. The rest of unanimous consent that the order for services for the 800,000 Americans wait-
the bill, as I have tried to point out, is the quorum call be rescinded. ing for this kind of help.
a variety of—it is a grab bag, really, of The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. For example, Ira Hall from West-
partisan priorities, wasteful spending, BALDWIN). Without objection, it is so moreland County, PA, just right in the
and counterproductive policy. ordered. southwestern corner of our State, next
What is worse, this restructuring, ac- The senior Senator from Pennsyl- to Pittsburgh, in that county, Ira will
cording to Mr. CLYBURN’s language, to vania. continue to receive services, and he
fit the vision of the Democratic Party f will receive that service from his direct
will cost taxpayers nearly $2 trillion. service worker, Ray Williams. I was
CORONAVIRUS
That is on top of the $4 trillion we al- able to visit both of these individuals
ready spent last year. Two trillion Mr. CASEY. Madam President, I last May during a virtual home visit.
more. wanted to speak in particular terms Home- and community-based services
Well, somebody is going to have to about the American Rescue Plan and in make it possible for Ira, who has a de-
pay that money back, and I fear it will particular about the provision of home- velopmental disability, to live in his
not be us because we will be long gone. and community-based services. We own apartment. Ray, who is his direct
It will be our children and grand- know that when we speak of these service worker, helps Ira plan his day
children, and at this rate of reckless kinds of services, we are talking about and helps him throughout his workday
spending, our great-grandchildren will services that benefit seniors across the and helps him find the resources he
have to be the ones to pay the money country as well as Americans with dis- needs to meet his goals.
back. abilities. We are also concerned as well During the pandemic, Ray’s support
This bill is not the answer to the real for the heroic frontline workers who made it possible for Ira to remain in
challenges that face our country posed provide those services, most of whom— his home and to be safe from con-
by the pandemic. We have shown our virtually all of whom have been under- tracting the virus. The services Ray
willingness to work together in a bi- paid and, frankly, underappreciated for provides also helps Ira maintain his
partisan way to enthusiastically sup- far too long. physical and mental health. We know
port the need to provide real relief both Let me start with the provision of that the American Rescue Plan makes
from the public health consequences these home- and community-based it possible for services like those Ira
and the economic fallout associated services in terms of the people who are receives and Ray provides. It will also
with the virus, but this bill doesn’t benefiting from these services. Right mean the agencies providing these
even attempt to do that. now, about 4 million Americans receive services will continue to operate and
Fortunately, as a result of the work home care and home health services in provide essential home- and commu-
we did last year, including last Decem- their own homes or apartments. Re- nity-based services throughout the
ber—and by the way, only about 20 per- ceiving these services at home reduces public health crisis.
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
cent of the money that we appropriated the likelihood that that older Amer- Passage of the bill would be a down
just a few weeks ago—actually, a cou- ican will be infected by the virus. payment on securing strong and com-
ple of months ago in December—has ac- Serving and supporting older adults prehensive home- and community-
tually been spent. Only about 20 per- and people with disabilities reduces based services infrastructure, but it is
cent has been spent, and here we are pressure on nursing homes and other only a down payment. This pandemic
being asked to appropriate $1.9 trillion congregate settings. We know that has revealed a fragile home care and
more. these kind of services, the home- and home health system. These funds
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