Unanimous Consent Request—S. 798 (Cong. Rec., March 17, 2021)
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate, pages S1594 and S1595, March 17, 2021. Remarks supporting Xavier Becerra for HHS say he was instrumental in drafting the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Under the heading Unanimous Consent Request—S. 798, remarks say the Democratic COVID spending bill includes $1,400 stimulus checks to inmates, and name Cassidy, Cotton and Cruz as having tried to fix this with an amendment. Sending the checks to all 1.5 million State and Federal inmates is put at more than $2 billion. An objection is heard, and Scott of Florida responds that by objecting, Democrats support spending $2 billion to send $1,400 checks to people in prison.
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“Unanimous Consent Request—S. 798 (Cong. Rec., March 17, 2021).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-03-17-crec-2021-03-17-pt1-pgs1594-1798839235/
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S1594 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2021
is the kind of leader our Nation needs So if you are against that, they are UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—S. 798
at HHS during this challenging time. going to be opposing you, whether it is Madam President, I rise today to dis-
He is a proven leader who spent his for confirmation or anything else, be- cuss an insane issue in the Democrats’
career fighting to expand healthcare— cause they are the party that wants to COVID spending bill that we need to
to expand it—protecting both patients cut Medicaid, not by $100 billion over 10 fix.
and consumers and working to years, not by $200 billion or $300 billion. Tucked into the Democratic bill is a
strengthen both Medicare and Med- Look at their budgets year after year. provision to give $1,400 stimulus checks
icaid. They want to cut it $500 billion or $700 to inmates. That is right. As our Na-
As a Congressman, as I mentioned, he billion. One year they even proposed— tion faces a public health crisis and a
was instrumental in drafting and work- here in the debates about the budgets, crippling debt crisis, Democrats are
ing to pass the Patient Protection and one year they even proposed cutting handing out stimulus checks with your
Affordable Care Act, the so-called ACA. the Medicaid Program by $1 trillion. tax dollars to Federal inmates who
And as California’s attorney general, That was the official position of the don’t pay income taxes, have all their
he has led the fight to protect it. Republican Party. So if you want to needs—food and medical expenses in-
Now, my view of the disagreement on oppose them on that, then they will try cluded—paid for by taxpayers, and they
the other side of the aisle is just that. to take you down. do nothing to stimulate the economy.
This is someone who worked as a Mem- The Medicaid Program, by the way, It simply doesn’t make sense.
ber of Congress and then has worked as pays for half—almost half—of the My friends and colleagues, Senators
attorney general to pass and then up- births in America. Of the babies born BILL CASSIDY, TOM COTTON, and TED
hold the ACA. in America, almost half of those births CRUZ, tried to fix this by introducing
On the other side of the aisle, they are paid for by Medicaid—the Medicaid an amendment to strip this out of the
don’t like that because they have been Program—the program they want to Democratic bill, but the Democrats
committed as a party here in the Sen- cut by $500 billion, at least, and some- wouldn’t have it.
ate and in the House—both Republican times a lot more than that. Senate Democrats voted unani-
caucuses have been committed to two So that is why they are against him, mously to block the passage of that
things on healthcare: destroying the because they want to cut back on good amendment and chose instead to
ACA, which means destroying all pro- healthcare. waste even more taxpayer dollars by
tections for preexisting conditions Now, his leadership of this Agency sending $1,400 checks to inmates.
and—it is important to add this—they could not come at a more important Let’s talk about what that means for
have been dedicated to ending—not time. Our Nation is facing the greatest American taxpayers. There are nearly
limiting, not cutting back—ending public health crisis in more than a cen- 1.5 million State and Federal inmates
Medicaid expansion, which, of course, tury, since the horror of 1918. Now we incarcerated in Federal prisons across
accounted for most of the healthcare are facing a similar challenge. the United States. These are people
gains. Millions of Americans have convicted of committing serious crimes
We also have a jobs crisis. So the
healthcare today because of the expan- and victimizing their fellow Ameri-
faster we put this pandemic behind us,
sion of Medicaid. It is the official posi- cans.
the better it is for creating a lot more
tion of the Republican Party to end Under this bill the Democrats passed,
jobs and lifting our economy out of the
that—to say to all those millions of American taxpayers are on the hook
ditch that it has been in the last year.
Americans: You don’t deserve for $1,400 checks to some of the most
So we need a strong leader at HHS.
healthcare coverage. That is their posi- heinous people we have ever seen. I am
We need someone who has the experi-
tion based upon what they have sup- talking about people like the racist
ence, the integrity, to lead us in that
ported in bill after bill that came be- Charleston Church shooter, Dylann
Agency to help guide us out of the cri-
fore the Senate. We know that. That is Roof; serial rapist and predator, Larry
sis. I am confident—very confident—
a fact. And until they move away from Nassar; aspiring terrorist, Muhammad
that Xavier Becerra is that leader, and
that position, they will try to take Dakhlalla, who tried to join ISIS and is
I urge my colleagues to vote in support
down the nomination of or oppose any- now in prison in Georgia; convicted se-
of his nomination.
one who wants to uphold the ACA, up- rial killer and rapist, Mark Goudeau,
hold all protections for preexisting I yield the floor. who is on death row in Arizona; con-
conditions, uphold and support the ex- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. victed cop killer, Michael Addison, who
pansion of Medicaid, one of the best ex- BALDWIN). The junior Senator from is on death row in New Hampshire; and
pansions of healthcare in American Florida. the monster who killed 17 innocent
history, not just recent history, in all Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam Presi- Floridians in Parkland at Marjory
of American history. dent, the first thing I would like to do Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb-
So I would support Attorney General is correct what my colleague from ruary 14, 2018.
Becerra just based upon what he has Pennsylvania said with regard to pre- How could anyone—anyone—possibly
done on healthcare because it happens existing conditions. justify sending checks to these people?
to be in the best interests of the Amer- I was here last year. I brought to the If we send $1,400 checks to all State
ican people to expand healthcare and floor a bill that would say it didn’t and Federal inmates, all 1.5 million,
the best interests of the people I rep- matter what the Supreme Court did; that is more than $2 billion—$2 billion
resent. we would make sure that we could keep in taxpayer money going to stimulus
I don’t come across many people in preexisting conditions if the Supreme checks for inmates.
Pennsylvania coming up to me, saying: Court declared that the Affordable That is $2 billion that could be used
I want you to lessen the number of peo- Care Act was not constitutional. The to help our small businesses recover; $2
ple in the United States or in my State Democrats blocked it. billion that could be used to enhance
that have healthcare. I want you to cut I have been up here 2 years, and I vaccine development and distribution
that back. I want you to cut back on have never seen once my Republican so that more Americans can get the
the Medicaid Program—which folks on colleagues want to reduce spending for shots they need to move us forward and
the other side of the aisle want to do as Medicaid. away from this virus; $2 billion that
well. What I do think is unfair is, in my could be used to pay down some of our
They not only want to end Medicaid State of Florida, what money we re- massive debt. There are so many posi-
expansion—end it completely—they ceive from the Federal Government is tive uses for these funds that provide a
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want to cut the Medicaid Program by significantly less per person than what real return for American taxpayers,
hundreds of billions of dollars over 10 a State like New York has. So I would but sending them to inmates isn’t one
years. That is their official position. It like changes to the Medicaid Program. of them. It is an unjustifiable expense
has been their position for years to cut I would like it to be a fair program in that does nothing to fight COVID–19.
the Medicaid Program and to end Med- which States like Florida will get Today, I ask for full support of this
icaid expansion—cut the Medicaid Pro- treated just as well as States like New body to strip this bad policy from law.
gram by hundreds of billions of dollars. York. We cannot forget that America is in a
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March 17, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1595
debt crisis. I have been talking about it $1,400 checks to inmates. Democrats campuses and completely gut the title
for a while, and I won’t stop talking want to spend $2 billion in taxpayer X program to fund critical healthcare
about it because it is a crisis my Demo- money to send checks to people in pris- providers like Planned Parenthood.
cratic colleagues still don’t seem to on, convicted of committing serious Republicans have put in place an
understand. crimes and victimizing their fellow anti-choice majority on the U.S. Su-
Right now, our Nation is headed to- Americans. preme Court by confirming Justices
ward $30 trillion in debt. Think about That means Democrats are saying Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh and
that—$30 trillion. The U.S. debt will be that they want American taxpayers to illegitimately filling Justice Ruth
equal to $240,000 per taxpayer. That is be on the hook for $1,400 checks to Bader Ginsburg’s seat with Amy Coney
insane. And what are the Democrats some of the most heinous criminals we Barrett. If there ever were a reason to
doing to rein in this unsustainable have ever seen—people like Dylann abolish the filibuster, it is to ensure
debt? Absolutely nothing. Roof and the Parkland shooter. that we pass legislation to expand the
In fact, the Democrats’ wasteful and How can anyone justify sending Supreme Court so it cannot overturn
untargeted spending bill, which will checks to these people? Let’s remem- Roe v. Wade and set us back decades in
raise the debt from $28 trillion to $30 ber, inmates don’t pay income taxes. the fight for equal access to healthcare
trillion contains loads of handouts and They have all their needs, food and in our country.
provisions, just like this one, that medical expenses included, paid for by But here today, the Republicans are
recklessly spend on their priorities un- taxpayers. They don’t do anything to attempting to disrupt the nomination
related to COVID. stimulate our economy. of our Secretary of Health and Human
That is why I sent a letter to the I do hope my colleague will recon- Services with a craven political play to
Biden administration on Monday, urg- sider his objection and stand with me their base at the expense of the health
ing him to rescind hundreds of billions in putting accountability to American of Americans. They would rather play
in waste from this bill and create a tar- taxpayers over this insane policy that politics than confirm President Biden’s
geted approach Americans truly need. does nothing but throw $2 billion we Cabinet nominees. They would rather
It is clear that Democrats are living don’t have out the window. remain beholden to the far-right’s in-
in a fantasy land where debt doesn’t Thank you, Madam President. terest groups than do the work the
matter, spending has no consequences, I yield the floor. American people sent us here to do.
and inflation is impossible. Of course, I suggest the absence of a quorum. For the past 4 years, the Trump ad-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ministration emboldened these groups
reasonable Americans know that is not
clerk will call the roll. with dangerous rhetoric and far-right
true.
The Biden administration needs to The legislative clerk proceeded to policies. But in November, how did the
call the roll. American people respond? They voted
take immediate action to request the
Mr. MARKEY. Madam President, I him out and gave the Democrats the
rescission of the non-COVID-related,
ask unanimous consent that the order Senate majority. Americans entrusted
liberal agenda-driven, and wasteful
for the quorum call be rescinded. us to serve them, not fringe interest
funding found throughout this bill.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without groups who want to turn back the
So I will keep fighting to cut down
objection, it is so ordered. clocks on healthcare and women’s
on this liberal wish list. Today, we can
ST. PATRICK’S DAY rights. That is why I stand on the floor
start that important work and pass my
Mr. MARKEY. Madam President, I of the U.S. Senate today to say abor-
bill to not only save $2 billion from
wish you and I wish everyone a happy tion is healthcare.
going to inmates who have no need for We cannot stand for any more dis-
the money, but also show the American St. Patrick’s Day. It is a big day for
celebration up in Boston and all of parities, delays, or denials. More than
people that Congress is committed to ever in this country, we need to stand
remaining fully accountable to the Massachusetts and all across the coun-
try and the world. On St. Patrick’s up and raise our voices against the Re-
American people for the proper stew- publican’s work to restrict access to
ardship of tax dollars. Day, everyone is Irish. So I wish every-
one a happy St. Patrick’s Day today. reproductive health services. We have a
Madam President, I ask unanimous fight ahead of us—a fight to protect re-
consent that the Senate proceed to the NOMINATION OF XAVIER BECERRA
productive freedom, a fight to make
immediate consideration of S. 798, in- Madam President, right now on the
sure that birth control is affordable
troduced earlier today. I further ask floor of the U.S. Senate is a reason not and available, and a fight for title X to
that the bill be considered read a third to be so happy, and that is why I look ensure that low-income patients re-
time and passed and that the motion to forward to very soon casting my vote ceive quality family planning and re-
reconsider be considered made and laid to confirm Xavier Becerra to lead the productive health services.
upon the table. Department of Health and Human Voters expect the Biden-Harris ad-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Services, one of the most qualified and ministration to take bold steps to pro-
objection? forward-thinking minds that will have tect and expand access to reproductive
Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, re- ever run the Department of Health and healthcare and freedoms, to ensure
serving the right to object. Human Services. that every person has the fundamental
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The sen- But today, Republicans are using this right to make their own healthcare de-
ior Senator from Oregon. confirmation vote to continue their cisions, and they expect it because
Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, agenda of obstruction, deflecting at- they want it.
today the Republicans are showing tention away from the nominee who Public support for Roe v. Wade is at
some real chutzpa. will be the head of the chief Federal a record high. Seventy-seven percent of
On this issue, Republicans were for it Agency responding to the coronavirus Americans support that historic Su-
before they were against it. Today, crisis—all to revive an unnecessary, preme Court decision. That goes be-
they claim to want to target prisoners. blatantly political debate on reproduc- yond a simple majority to an over-
The real harm they are doing is to in- tive rights. This ridiculous delay tactic whelming consensus. A couple of years
nocent children and families. only highlights how out of step with ago, one analysis of polling found that
I object. the American people the Senate Repub- there is not a single State in the
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- licans are. United States where a majority of vot-
tion is heard. Their anti-choice, anti-woman, and ers support ‘‘making abortion illegal in
The junior Senator from Florida. anti-health rhetoric is on full display
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all circumstances.’’ The American peo-
Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam Presi- here on the Senate floor, and, sadly, it ple have moved past that debate that
dent, it is hard to imagine that my col- is not new. They want to roll back Roe Republicans seem committed to resus-
league just rose in opposition to this v. Wade. They want to criminalize citating on the floor today. They are
good bill. abortion care. They want the govern- on the wrong side of history and the
Let’s be clear. By objecting to this ment to control women and their bod- wrong side of the American people.
bill, Democrats are standing in full ies. They want to roll back title IX So as Republicans try to hijack this
support of spending $2 billion to send protections for women on university confirmation vote on Xavier Becerra,
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