Business Before the Senate (Cong. Rec., May 10, 2021)

Summary

This is S2398 of the Congressional Record, Senate, May 10, 2021, with interleaved columns. Under the heading Business Before the Senate, Mr. Schumer says the Senate Commerce Committee will begin to mark up the Endless Frontier Act on Wednesday, that the Senate Rules Committee will mark up S. 1, and that discussions continue on infrastructure, gun safety, and policing reform. Another speaker, apparently Mr. McConnell, says the April jobs report came in below expectations, criticizes the American rescue plan and bonuses to stay unemployed, and thanks police officers during National Police Week, with the views attributed to the speakers.

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“Business Before the Senate (Cong. Rec., May 10, 2021).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-05-10-crec-2021-05-10-pt1-pgs2398-3-d3dfcb98fe/, SHA-256 2a1fa5bfc1ed6ac778c14ae0c89cf18ed899fd60713dc1ad57d9c475feda42d0.

Full text

S2398 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 10, 2021
to actually reopen our country instead harder. They have battled the chal- There will be plenty of legislative ac-
of spending even more of working fami- lenges of the historic pandemic. In tion off the floor as well. Discussions
lies’ tax dollars to keep things shut many places, they have grappled with continue on a potential, bipartisan in-
down. increased violent crime rates and un- frastructure bill, gun safety legisla-
Well, a few days ago, experts were rest. And following terrible incidents tion, and policing reform.
stunned by a monthly jobs report for this past year, the majority of brave On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce
April that came in way below expecta- and honorable law enforcement officers Committee will begin to mark up the
tions. It was the first full month of have too often found themselves paint- Endless Frontier Act, bipartisan legis-
data collected after the Democrats ed unfairly with a broad brush, as lation that would invest in our sci-
passed their so-called rescue plan. This though their entire profession should entific and technologic capabilities and
bill they sold as a fast-acting, urgent, be defined by the worst examples. help the United States outcompete
emergency measure that was going to This year’s remembrances will be es- China and other nations in a number of
bolster our economy right away. This pecially somber here at the Capitol, emerging industries. There have been
report was expected to show that more where we are still mourning Officers extremely constructive bipartisan
than a million American workers had Billy Evans, Howie Liebengood, and talks over the last week, and I am fully
gotten jobs back in the month of April. Brian Sicknick, whom we have lost in supportive of the product that will be
Instead, we added about one-fourth a matter of months. considered in Wednesday’s committee
that many jobs. I hope police officers throughout our meeting.
Now, I had just spent the prior week country, from the Capitol to Kentucky In addition, a number of other Senate
talking with Kentuckians. I spoke with and all 50 States, know how very grate- committees are working on bipartisan
workers and employers at nearly every ful we are for their courage and for legislation to improve our competitive-
size of business from just about every their service. ness and make the United States a
kind of industry, all across the spec- I suggest the absence of a quorum. world leader in advanced manufac-
trum. And from big national companies The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- turing, innovation, and supply chains.
to local chambers of commerce, to pore. The clerk will call the roll. It is my intention to have the full
businesses like Manchester Tank in The legislative clerk proceeded to Senate consider comprehensive com-
Campbellsville, we heard optimism but call the roll. petitive legislation during this work
also real concerns—concerns about in- Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I
period.
flation and runaway costs, concerns ask unanimous consent that the order
This week, the Senate Rules Com-
about backed-up supply chains. for the quorum call be rescinded.
mittee will also mark up S. 1, a bill to
And as Washington pays workers a The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
strengthen our democracy, increase
bonus to stay unemployed, virtually pore. Without objection, it is so or-
transparency in our campaign finance
everyone discussed very real concerns dered.
system, and make it easier for all
about their difficulties in finding work- f
Americans to vote. The Senate Demo-
ers who are willing to come back and RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY cratic majority named this bill ‘‘S. 1’’
fill these open positions. Almost every LEADER because it is a very top priority. The
employer I spoke with specifically majority gets to name the first five
mentioned the extra generous jobless The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pore. The Democratic leader is recog- bills of any new Congress. We picked
benefits as a key force holding back the For the People Act to be S. 1 for a
our recovery. nized.
f reason. Make no mistake, we are mov-
Now, I have heard some Democrats
ing forward with S. 1 in the Rules Com-
say that whatever incentives Wash- BUSINESS BEFORE THE SENATE mittee this week. I will attend the
ington creates, the responsibility real-
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, markup tomorrow.
ly falls on workers. But my friends on
the last time we observed Mother’s As a reminder to my colleagues, I
the other side can’t use the American
Day, most of the country could not have committed to bring S. 1 to the
people to shield their own bad ideas
spend time with their parents or have floor of the Senate. As the Rules Com-
from scrutiny. Policy matters. Incen-
their kids spend time with them. mittee prepares to amend and advance
tives matter.
It is May of 2021. Vaccines are avail- Standing outside of a window and wav- S. 1, our Republican colleagues face a
able nationwide. There are millions of ing to mom was the closest you could critical choice between working with
jobs open, ‘‘Help Wanted’’ signs from get. I remember that. So this year, I Democrats in good faith to pass law to
coast to coast. We should not still be was beyond grateful to celebrate with protect our democracy or siding with
taxing the Americans who are working my mother and my daughters in per- Republican State legislatures that are
to fund continued extra benefits for son. I know the same was true for orchestrating the largest contraction
those staying home. Americans across the country. As of voting rights in decades. There is no
It is not March of 2020 anymore. It is COVID–19 continues to recede—and reason our two parties can’t work to-
May of 2021. Kentuckians and all Amer- more than half of eligible adults have gether on S. 1. In fact, the legislation
icans need our Democratic friends to received at least one shot of the vac- has already been updated and im-
govern accordingly. cine after a very painful and difficult proved. It now includes input from
f year—it was another sign that our election officials across the country,
country is turning the corner. Praise including Republican election officials.
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK God. I am sure we will see additional
Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, Now, as we begin this work period, amendments to mark up tomorrow.
on another matter, yesterday marked the Senate will continue working to For example, I understand my col-
the beginning of National Police Week. help the country recover and build league from Georgia, Senator OSSOFF,
Under normal circumstance, we would back stronger than ever. That includes will offer an amendment to ban States
be welcoming police officers across the filling vacancies in the executive from restricting volunteers from giving
country here to Washington to share branch with highly qualified public food and water to Americans waiting in
experiences and commemorate broth- servants. line to vote. You would think such a
ers and sisters who have fallen in the This week, the Senate will consider provision would be unnecessary, but,
line of duty. the nomination of Andrea Palm for sadly, giving voters food or water while
Deputy HHS Secretary and Cynthia they are waiting in long lines has just

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This year, I understand many of the
in-person gatherings have been post- Marten, a teacher of 17 years, to serve been criminalized by the State of Geor-
poned until this autumn. But we are as the next Deputy Education Sec- gia.
still remembering our law enforcement retary. There will be additional nomi- Look, we know our Republican col-
officers as we prepare for Police Offi- nations on the floor as the week goes leagues don’t like every aspect of S. 1,
cers Memorial Day on May 15. on. At the committee level, at least but will they work in good faith to im-
The past year has seen the difficult half a dozen other nominees will have prove it? Will they offer revisions or
job of law enforcement become even their markups. new ideas to protect voting rights, or,

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May 10, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2399
through uncompromising resistance to public health systems, small busi- The motion was agreed to.
commonsense voter protections, will nesses, necessary infrastructure, hard- f
they side with Republican legislatures hit industries like tourism, or premium
EXECUTIVE SESSION
across the country that are restricting pay for essential workers, States can
the voting rights in a way that hurts use the funding we passed in the Amer-
African Americans, Latinos, and ican Rescue Plan to help their con- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
younger and poorer Americans? The stituents and their economy recover in
choice is theirs. a variety of ways. Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I
Two final points on this. No. 1, Don- The Treasury Department’s an- move to proceed to executive session to
ald Trump spread the ‘‘big lie.’’ We all nouncement today begins the process consider Calendar No. 109.
know it was a big lie that there was of delivering the resources our States The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
massive fraud in the elections. Instead and municipalities need to prevent lay- pore. The question is on agreeing to
of resisting that lie—so harmful to our offs, keep essential services running, the motion.
democracy because when people don’t and boost Main Street businesses from The motion was agreed to.
have faith in the electoral process, it one end of the country to the other. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
withers faith in our very democracy— I was proud to successfully push for pore. The clerk will report the nomina-
so many Republicans in State legisla- robust State and local funding in the tion.
tures and here in the Senate, unfortu- The legislative clerk read the nomi-
American Rescue Plan, and I will con-
nately, are spreading that lie. nation of Ronald Stroman, of the Dis-
tinue to work with the Biden adminis-
Second, what has been the tradition trict of Columbia, to be a Governor of
tration as this funding is distributed.
of America? It has been to improve the the United States Postal Service for a
I yield the floor.
right to vote. At the time of the Con- term expiring December 8, 2028. (Re-
No, I don’t yield the floor. I finished
stitution, in many States, you had to appointment)
my speech, but I have another activity
be a White male Protestant property CLOTURE MOTION
or two to do.
owner to vote. We have improved on Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I
f
that. We have improved on that begin- send a cloture motion to the desk.
ning in many different ways through EXECUTIVE SESSION The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
the years. What the Republican legisla- pore. The cloture motion having been
tures are taking is a giant setback—a presented under rule XXII, the Chair
giant step back in the progress we have EXECUTIVE CALENDAR directs the clerk to read the motion.
made to making this a more perfect Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I The legislative clerk read as follows:
union. move to proceed to executive session to CLOTURE MOTION
Will the Republican Senate, in the consider Calendar No. 108. We, the undersigned Senators, in accord-
Rules Committee tomorrow and later The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the
on the floor of the Senate when they pore. The question is on agreeing to Standing Rules of the Senate, hereby move
bring the bill forward, participate in the motion. to bring to a close debate on the nomination
improving on democracy or in helping, The motion was agreed to. of Executive Calendar No. 109, Ronald
aiding, and abetting the big lie and the Stroman, of the District of Columbia, to be
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- a Governor of the United States Postal Serv-
giant step backward? pore. The clerk will report the nomina- ice for a term expiring December 8, 2028. (Re-
Finally, on State and local aid, today tion. appointment)
the Treasury Department launched a The legislative clerk read the nomi- Charles E. Schumer, Margaret Wood Has-
$350 billion program to deliver aid to nation of Ronald Stroman, of the Dis- san, Tammy Duckworth, Jon Tester,
State and local governments—funding trict of Columbia, to be a Governor of John Hickenlooper, Tammy Baldwin,
that Democrats in Congress provided the United States Postal Service for a Brian Schatz, Gary C. Peters, Tina
through the American Rescue Plan. term expiring December 8, 2021. Smith, Cory A. Booker, Christopher
After fighting this pandemic on the Murphy, Debbie Stabenow, Richard
CLOTURE MOTION
Blumenthal, Sheldon Whitehouse,
frontlines, State and local govern- Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I Chris Van Hollen, Benjamin L. Cardin,
ments in New York and across the send a cloture motion to the desk. Robert P. Casey, Jr., Alex Padilla.
country needed help, and they needed The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- f
it quickly to keep frontline workers on pore. The cloture motion having been
the job and prevent brutal service cuts. LEGISLATIVE SESSION
presented under rule XXII, the Chair
Thanks to the American Rescue Plan directs the clerk to read the motion. Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I
and the Treasury Department’s an- The legislative clerk read as follows: move to proceed to legislative session.
nouncement this morning, we can fi- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
CLOTURE MOTION
nally say that help is on the way to pore. The question is on agreeing to
State and local governments. We, the undersigned Senators, in accord-
ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the the motion.
Eligible State, territorial, city, coun- The motion was agreed to.
Standing Rules of the Senate, hereby move
ty, and Tribal governments will be able to bring to a close debate on the nomination f
to access funding directly from the of Executive Calendar No. 108, Ronald
Treasury Department in the coming Stroman, of the District of Columbia, to be EXECUTIVE SESSION
days. State and local governments now a Governor of the United States Postal Serv-
need to file applications with Treasury. ice for a term expiring December 8, 2021.
Once they are processed, money will Charles E. Schumer, Margaret Wood Has- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
begin flowing. Let me say that again. san, Tammy Duckworth, Jon Tester, Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I
John Hickenlooper, Tammy Baldwin, move to proceed to executive session to
State, local, and Tribal governments
Brian Schatz, Gary C. Peters, Tina
should prepare to file applications with Smith, Cory A. Booker, Christopher
consider Calendar No. 110.
the Treasury Department for assist- Murphy, Debbie Stabenow, Richard The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
ance, and I am told the assistance will Blumenthal, Sheldon Whitehouse, pore. The question is on agreeing to
be quickly forthcoming. Chris Van Hollen, Benjamin L. Cardin, the motion.
And, State and local government, it Robert P. Casey, Jr., Alex Padilla. The motion was agreed to.
is not only available, it is flexible. The The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-

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f
Biden administration deserves credit pore. The clerk will report the nomina-
for providing clear guidance in broad LEGISLATIVE SESSION tion.
categories for spending the money, let- Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I The legislative clerk read the nomi-
ting States make their own decisions move to proceed to legislative session. nation of Amber Faye McReynolds, of
about how to allocate funds to recover The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Colorado, to be a Governor of the
from the pandemic and address imme- pore. The question is on agreeing to United States Postal Service for a term
diate needs. Whether it is to support the motion. expiring December 8, 2026.

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