Congressional Record, Senate — March 17, 2021 (S1610–S1611)
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate, pages S1610 and S1611, March 17, 2021. Under the heading Nomination of Xavier Becerra, Feinstein and Klobuchar support Becerra to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, with Feinstein citing a 12-term Congressman from Los Angeles who is now California attorney general. A statement says a family emergency prevented attendance at the vote, and that a vote to confirm Katherine Tai as Trade Representative would have been cast. Under the heading Confirmation of Isabella Casillas Guzman, Van Hollen supports the confirmation of Isabel Guzman.
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“Congressional Record, Senate — March 17, 2021 (S1610–S1611).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-03-17-crec-2021-03-17-pt1-pgs1610-4ff12e1fe0/
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S1610 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 17, 2021
States as graduate students and re- A family emergency has prevented In short, Xavier Becerra is the right
mained here to make a better life for me from being here for today’s vote, candidate to lead the Department of
themselves and their family, her father but if I were present, I would have Health and Human Services at this
as a researcher at the Walter Reed Na- voted to confirm Katherine Tai as U.S. time, and I strongly urge the Senate to
tional Military Medical Center and her Trade Representative. confirm his nomination. Thank you.
mother as a scientist for the National I strongly urge my colleagues to sup- Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President,
Institutes of Health. port her nomination.∑ today I rise to speak in support of Xa-
Given her parents’ background, Kath- f vier Becerra’s nomination to serve s
erine is no stranger to public service, Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
and through her parents’ hard work NOMINATION OF XAVIER BECERRA
ices, HHS.
and dedication to make a better life for Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I Attorney General Becerra will bring
their daughter, she was able to attend rise today in support of Xavier a fresh perspective to HHS at a critical
Yale University and Harvard Law, be- Becerra’s nomination to be Secretary time during this pandemic. While there
came a talented trade lawyer, and was of the U.S. Department of Health and is light at the end of the tunnel with
nominated by President Biden to lead Human Services. the distribution of the corona virus
the Office of the U.S. Trade Represent- I am proud to have known Xavier vaccines, there is still work to do to
ative. I have a deep appreciation for Becerra for many years as both a friend end this pandemic and put our country
the Tais, their work ethic and their and colleague. He has spent decades on a road to recovery, and that is
commitment to family. Representation serving California, including as the where Attorney General Becerra’s lead-
matters, and Ms. Tai will be a rep- State’s attorney general and as a 12- ership will be crucial.
resentative for the United States in term Congressman from Los Angeles. Attorney General Becerra’s 12 terms
more ways than one. Mr. Becerra was the first in his fam-
in the U.S. House of Representatives
Ms. Tai is a highly-qualified nominee ily to receive a 4-year college degree,
gave him a solid foundation in knowing
with the experience to lead the U.S. earning his bachelor of arts in econom-
how to set agendas and achieve results,
trade policy at a critical time for our ics from Stanford University and,
which we saw deployed in his work as a
country, specifically as we continue to later, his juris doctorate from Stanford
key leader on the Committee on Ways
recover from the damage wrought by Law School. As a member of the House
and Means ranking member of the Sub-
the coronavirus pandemic and rebuild of Representatives, he was a strong ad-
our relationships with our allies committee on Social Security, and
vocate for the healthcare of his con-
abroad. She is a person who can help stituents and fought to make the Af- chair of the House Democratic caucus.
He helped to expand the Children’s
mend relationships and restore alli- fordable Care Act law. And as Cali-
Health Insurance Program, modernize
ances. fornia attorney general he has been a
Supporters have described her as a and strengthen Medicare, and helped
staunch defender of the Affordable Care
knowledgeable, tenacious trade expert pass the Affordable Care Act. His com-
Act, leading 20 States and the District
who will work with a cross-section of of Columbia in defense of the Afford- mitment to the letter and spirit of this
advocates and stakeholders with the able Care Act before the Supreme law is something he carried into his
goal of bettering the lives of the Amer- Court. role as California attorney general,
ican people and strengthening our As part of his focus on protecting the fighting to maintain his State’s ability
economy at all levels. They have de- health of Americans, Mr. Becerra has to bring millions of previously unin-
scribed her willingness to build coali- worked on a bipartisan basis with sured residents under the Affordable
tions across party lines, highlighting multistate coalitions of attorneys gen- Care Act’s umbrella.
her broad support from both Democrats eral on issues still affecting our coun- Last November, he led the defense of
and Republicans, and from the labor, try today. These include the need to re- the Affordable Care Act in the U.S. Su-
business, and environmental commu- duce youth exposure to tobacco prod- preme Court on behalf of 20 States and
nities. They have referred to her time ucts like e-cigarettes, increasing ac- the District of Columbia. His tweet
as a trade lawyer at the Office of the cess to COVID–19 treatments, as well after the oral arguments concisely
U.S. Trade Representative, where she as addressing the opioid epidemic and sums up the national importance of his
worked to enforce trade agreements the considerable harm it has caused effort: ‘‘The ACA saves lives. It is the
with China to hold that country ac- families. law of the land.’’ He brings a strong
countable before the World Trade Orga- As our State’s attorney general, Mr. commitment to using the law and regu-
nization. They have highlighted her Becerra has led the Nation’s second latory tools to make access to health
time as a lawyer with the House Ways largest department of justice behind care and other vital services equi-
and Means Committee, where she built only the U.S. Department of Justice. table—the very thing that makes our
partnerships and crafted agreements His experience leading large and di- Nation strong.
that received broad bipartisan ap- verse organizations will position him I look forward to working with him
proval. These included the U.S.-Mex- to successfully lead the Department of on ensuring that everyone has access
ico-Canada Trade Agreement, which Health and Human Services, which is to quality and affordable healthcare,
passed the Senate by an 89–10 vote and the Nation’s largest Federal agency by and I know he will be a partner in the
the House by a 385–41 vote. Ms. Tai budget. fight against the corona virus and our
played a key role in crafting the agree- As Secretary, he will lead the Na- goal of getting all eligible Americans
ment, which speaks to her skills and tion’s top health agency charged with vaccinated, even in hard-to-reach
experience. enhancing the health and well-being of areas.
Perhaps more importantly, however, all Americans. In this global pandemic, Last week, President Biden signed
Ms. Tai will prioritize trade policies he will play a lead role in overseeing into law the American Rescue Plan
that promote workers, families, the en- the implementation of President Act, which included major funding to
vironment, and local communities. I Biden’s national strategy for COVID–19 address the—Nation’s worsening men-
met with Ms. Tai just after President response, which is vital to defeating tal health and addiction crisis. This is
Biden nominated her, and during our the virus that has plagued our country a high priority of mine and an issue
conversation, it was clear she under- for far too long. His history-making which Attorney General Becerra has
stands that trade policies have real nomination as the first Latino to man- firsthand experience. He started his ca-
world implications for everyday people. age this Department comes at a time reer as a legal aid attorney in Massa-
when this pandemic is affecting com- chusetts, supporting clients contending
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She knows that if trade deals are not
working for people, then they need to munities of color at much higher rates with mental health issues. I am eager
change. People need to come first as we than white Americans. And those of us to work with him on this issue.
develop trade deals. At a time when who know him personally know the Addressing the skyrocketing costs of
people are still working to recover level of his concern and the strength of prescription drugs is another area
from the coronavirus, Ms. Tai is the his dedication to protect the health where Attorney General Becerra has
Trade Representative we need for the and safety of all hard-working Ameri- shown key leadership. He and I share a
United States. cans and their families. belief that fairer competition means
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March 17, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1611
increased access to affordable prescrip- CONFIRMATION OF ISABELLA toric moments, including one Big Ten
tion drugs and better public health. As CASILLAS GUZMAN Tournament title, nine Big Ten Cham-
California attorney general, he inves- Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, I pionship Seasons, 28 NCAA Tour-
tigated and brought enforcement ac- rise today to support the confirmation naments, and three Elite Eight appear-
tions against drug manufacturers’ anti- of Isabel Guzman, a dedicated public ances. In 2018, he was inducted into the
competitive business practices to help servant and successful small business- Indiana Sportswriters and Sports-
reduce drug prices and ensure that peo- woman, to lead the Small Business Ad- casters Hall of Fame, and he received
ple have access to the drugs they need. ministration. one of Indiana’s highest honors, the
In March 2020, he led a bipartisan group Small businesses are a cornerstone of Sagamore of the Wabash, from Gov-
of 46 States attorneys general who suc- Maryland’s economy, creating jobs, ernor Eric Holcomb in 2020.
cessfully advocated before the U.S. Su- driving innovation, and anchoring com- From the Purdue sports staff to the
preme Court to uphold the rights of munities. Isabel Guzman’s extensive team players, everyone saw Larry as a
States to regulate and address the ris- leadership experience serving at SBA true, dedicated Boilermaker and not
under the Obama administration and just a typical play-by-play announcer.
ing cost of prescription drugs.
running her own small businesses posi- Throughout his career, Larry devoted
The United States must do more to his charisma, talents, and life to the
tions her well to support our small
ensure that new technologies have ap- Lafayette community, and I believe his
business communities as we finish the
propriate privacy and security protec- work will serve as a benchmark for
fight against the COVID–19 pandemic
tions for health data. At a September those who aspire to join the field of
and address the unique challenges
2020 hearing on the need for Federal faced by women- and minority-owned sports radio.
data privacy legislation, Attorney Gen- small businesses across Maryland. I ask my colleagues to join me in ex-
eral Becerra told me and other mem- In her new role as SBA Adminis- tending our sympathies to Larry’s
bers of the Senate Committee on Com- trator, she will inherit an economic wife, Michelle; his children, Chad and
merce, Science, and Transportation crisis compounded by a mismanaged Carly; his sister, Carol; his step-
that ‘‘every consumer should be able to pandemic that has devastated the children and grandchildren; and all of
own and control his or her data’’ and small business community from retail his family and friends as they mourn
that ‘‘if we decide that we don’t want to restaurants and bars to sole-propri- his loss. And to Larry’s Purdue Univer-
anyone to use [our data], it’s our etorships. She will be charged not only sity family, I wish his beloved Boiler-
choosing.’’ His testimony was reas- with administering critical small busi- makers many, many ‘‘Bullseye!’’ mo-
suring, and I look forward to working ness relief programs, including the ments in the years to come.
with him to ensure consumers can have Economic Injury Disaster Loan Pro- f
a peace of mind when it comes to the gram and the Paycheck Protection ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
security of their personal health data. Program, but also with building back
better to shape the environment for a ---
Given the pandemic’s spotlight on
thriving small business community. I TRIBUTE TO MARGARET HUETTL
the vulnerability of our Nation’s sen-
iors, I am eager to work with the Biden look forward to working closely with ∑ Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, as we
her to ensure that we build an inclu- observe National Women’s History
administration to improve the safety
sive economy that encourages and sup- Month throughout March, it gives me
and weTI-being of older Americans.
ports local entrepreneurs. great pleasure to recognize one of
When my 92–year-old dad living in a
memory care facility was diagnosed f North Dakota’s own history makers.
with COVID–19 last year, I was only Margaret Huettl from Minot has be-
REMEMBERING LARRY ‘‘CLIZ’’ come my State’s first female Eagle
able to visit him through a window. He CLISBY Scout and is a member of the inaugural
recognized me, but he just didn’t un-
Mr. YOUNG. Mr. President, today I class of young women to receive this
derstand why we couldn’t be in the
wish to honor and recognize the distin- high honor across the United States.
same room together. Tens of thousands
guished legacy of Larry ‘‘Cliz’’ Clisby, Margaret is a member of Scout Troop
of families have been through these who passed away on February 27, 2021, 5401 of the Northern Lights Council. A
wrenching situations over the past at the age of 74 after a valiant fight recent graduate of Minot High School,
year and want to see the Federal Gov- against cancer. Famously known Margaret is currently studying biology
ernment doing more. Attorney General across the State of Indiana as the leg- education at Minot State University.
Becerra recently moved to make the endary Voice of the Boilermakers, he Despite the coronavirus pandemic,
California Department of Justice Med- will forever be remembered for his un- which limited many Scouting group ac-
icaid Fraud Control Unit a full-fledged matched play-by-play commentary of tivities over the past year, she contin-
division, underscoring his commitment Purdue basketball and his trademark ued pressing on toward her goal of
to protecting seniors and people with ‘‘Bullseye!’’ calls during crunch time. completing the merit badges necessary
disabilities. I know his leadership will Born and raised in Ohio, Larry grad- to earn the award. For her Eagle Scout
place the needs of seniors front and uated from Warren Howland High project, she spent 238 hours building a
center. School and Kent State University. pit for gaga ball, which is a variation
Attorney General Becerra has the ex- Shortly after college and service in the of dodgeball, for outdoor activities at
pertise and experience and the enforce- U.S. Army, Larry started his broad- her home church, Zion Lutheran.
ment and regulatory savvy to handle casting career in Paducah, KY. How- She said earning the 21 merit badges,
the job of protecting public health, ever, his time in Paducah was brief, as along with completing her project and
strengthening our hospitals and he moved to West Lafayette, IN, to the other requirements for the Eagle
healthcare system, making sure people work for WLFI-TV in the sports de- Scout Award, helped her further de-
partment in 1977. During his early ca- velop leadership, time management,
have access to quality, affordable
reer in the Lafayette area, Larry called and communication skills. She intends
healthcare, and supporting our
high school basketball games and as- to continue her involvement with
healthcare workers. And as the first
sisted during Purdue sports broadcasts. Troop 5401, transitioning to an adult
Latino to lead the Department of
It wasn’t until 1982 that Larry became leader this year.
Health and Human Services, he will
the full-time radio announcer for the I congratulate Margaret on achieving
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bring a personal understanding of the Boilermakers. this award through hard work and per-
immediate need for equitable access to Over the course of nearly 40 years, sistence and a being a trailblazer for
care. Larry called a total of 1,890 Purdue other young women who have an inter-
With that, I ask my colleagues to men’s basketball games, including doz- est in the Scouting program. With only
support the nomination of Xavier ens of high-profile Indiana vs. Purdue 6 percent of all scouts attaining the
Becerra to be Secretary of Health and rivalry games. Since the 1980s, Larry rank of Eagle Scout, she now will be
Human Services. was involved in many of Purdue’s his- recognized alongside the 2.5 million
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