Congressional Record — Senate, S3929 (May 28, 2021)
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate, pages S3929 and S3930, May 28, 2021. Under January 6 Commission, Schumer says the Republican minority mounted a partisan filibuster against an independent commission to report on January 6. The Senate confirms the nomination of Ronald S. Moultrie, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, and confirms en bloc nominations including Michael J. McCord, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller). The Senate passes a bill to amend the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to improve a COVID–19 Veteran Rapid Retraining program. The page also prints a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.
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“Congressional Record — Senate, S3929 (May 28, 2021).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-05-28-crec-2021-05-28-pt1-pgs3929-5-25a2458f9b/
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May 28, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3929
JANUARY 6 COMMISSION We all lived through the horrors of ending Alaina Teplitz, which nominations
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I January 6. I was no farther than 30 feet were received by the Senate and appeared in
have a brief statement on the vote on from those White Supremacist hooli- the Congressional Record of April 13, 2021.
PN476 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations
the January 6 Commission. gans. Do my Republican colleagues re- (209) beginning Alexander S. Allen, and end-
My colleagues, this was a case of member that day? Do my Republican ing Iva Ziza, which nominations were re-
good news and bad news about the Re- colleagues remember the savage mob ceived by the Senate and appeared in the
publican Party in the Senate. calling for the execution of Mike Congressional Record of April 27, 2021.
The good news: Republicans worked Pence, the makeshift gallows outside f
with Democrats on comprehensive leg- the Capitol, men with bulletproof vests
islation to strengthen our commitment and zip ties breaking into the Senate LEGISLATIVE SESSION
to scientific research, which will pass Gallery and rifling through your desks, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
the Senate when the Senate resumes and police officers crushed between ate will now resume legislative session.
session. doorways? Shame on the Republican f
The bad news: The Republican minor- Party for trying to sweep the horrors
ity just mounted a partisan filibuster EXECUTIVE SESSION
of that day under the rug because they
against an independent Commission to are afraid of Donald Trump.
report on January 6. Both efforts Our democracy has long endured be- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
should have moved forward solidly in a cause leaders of good faith, even if they
bipartisan way, but out of fear or fe- disagreed, even at political costs, Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I
alty to Donald Trump, the Republican shared a fidelity to the truth. That is ask unanimous consent that the Sen-
minority just prevented the American not so today. ate proceed to executive session to con-
people from getting the full truth I hope this is not the beginning of an sider the following nomination: Cal-
about January 6. The Republican mi- effort by Senate Republicans to pre- endar No. 133; that the Senate vote on
nority just prevented the Senate from vent this Chamber from debating rea- the nomination without intervening
even debating the bill—no opportunity sonable, commonsense legislation. We action or debate; that the motion to re-
for amendments, no opportunity for de- will soon see. consider be considered made and laid
bate. After the State work period, I will upon the table with no intervening ac-
There was an attempt by the Repub- bring forward legislation that would tion or debate; that no further motions
lican minority to shunt this vote into help provide equal pay for women. Will be in order to the nomination; that any
the dark of night, but because of to- our Republican colleagues let the Sen- statements related to the nomination
day’s Senate time agreement, it was ate debate the bill, or will they engage be printed in the Record; that the
done in broad daylight. The American in another partisan filibuster of urgent President be immediately notified of
people will see how each Republican legislation? We will soon see. the Senate’s action; and that the Sen-
Senator voted. Madam President, I have a lot of ate then resume legislative session.
This should have been simple. The pages here, a lot of business to con- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
Commission was bipartisan, inde- duct. objection, it is so ordered.
pendent, straight down the middle. f
The clerk will report the nomination.
House Democrats accepted every The senior assistant legislative clerk
EXECUTIVE SESSION read the nomination of Ronald S.
change that House leadership re-
quested. Speaker PELOSI and I sup- Moultrie, of Maryland, to be Under
ported and still do support the changes Secretary of Defense for Intelligence
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Senator COLLINS proposed, and we told and Security.
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there
that to other Senators.
ask unanimous consent to consider the further debate?
Senate Republicans, for months, pub-
following nominations: Calendar No. Hearing none, the question is, Shall
licly supported the idea of a Commis-
132 and all nominations on the Sec- the Senate advise and consent to the
sion, but now, all of a sudden, the Sen-
retary’s Desk in the Foreign Service; Moultrie nomination?
ate minority and the Senate minority
that the nominations be confirmed en The nomination was confirmed.
leader waged a partisan filibuster
bloc; that the motions to reconsider be f
against the bill.
This vote has made it official: Donald considered made and laid upon the
table with no intervening action or de- LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Trump’s Big Lie has now fully envel-
oped the Republican Party. Trump’s bate; that no further motions be in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
Big Lie is now the defining principle of order to any of the nominations; that ate will now resume legislative session.
what was once the party of Lincoln. the President be immediately notified f
House Republicans canned Congress- of the Senate’s action; and that the
TRAINING IN HIGH-DEMAND ROLES
woman CHENEY for the crime of telling Senate then resume legislative session.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without TO IMPROVE VETERAN EMPLOY-
the truth that Joe Biden is President. MENT ACT
objection, it is so ordered.
Republican State legislatures seizing Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I
The nominations considered and con-
on the Big Lie are conducting the ask unanimous consent that the Com-
firmed en bloc are as follows:
greatest assault on voting rights since mittee on Veterans’ Affairs be dis-
IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
the beginning of Jim Crow. Repub- charged from further consideration of
Michael J. McCord, of Virginia, to be
licans in both Chambers are trying to H.R. 2523 and the Senate proceed to its
Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller),
rewrite history and claim that January vice David L. Norquist, resigned. immediate consideration.
6 was just a peaceful protest that got a NOMINATIONS PLACED ON THE SECRETARY’S The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
little out of hand. And now this—a par- DESK clerk will report the bill by title.
tisan blockade of a simple, inde- IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE The senior assistant legislative clerk
pendent, bipartisan Commission. PN355 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations (5) read as follows:
I have heard all the excuses why Re- beginning Ali Abdi, and ending Mary Ellen A bill (H.R. 2523) to amend the American
publicans are opposing this bill: It is Smith, which nominations were received by Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to improve the
too early. It goes on too long. It is not the Senate and appeared in the Congres- COVID–19 Veteran Rapid Retraining Assist-
needed. Almost all of these excuses are sional Record of April 13, 2021. ance program, to make certain technical
meritless and were invented in the past PN356 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations corrections to the Johnny Isakson and David
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
2 weeks. (622) beginning Abdulrazak Mahamudu P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Bene-
We all know what is going on here. Abass, and ending Ashley B. Zung, which fits Improvement Act of 2020, and for other
nominations were received by the Senate and purposes.
Senate Republicans chose to defend the appeared in the Congressional Record of
Big Lie because they believe anything April 13, 2021. There being no objection, the com-
that might upset Donald Trump could PN358—1 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations mittee was discharged, and the Senate
hurt them politically. (3) beginning Jonathan Raphael Cohen, and proceeded to consider the bill.
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S3930 CORRECTION CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 28, 2021
Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous con- S. RES. 195 recreation areas along the MKARNS annu-
sent that the bill be considered read a Whereas June 5, 2021, marks the 50th anni- ally;
versary of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas Whereas modernization of the MKARNS
third time.
River Navigation System (referred to in this will empower future economic development,
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without promote freight mobility, and expand agri-
objection, it is so ordered. preamble as ‘‘MKARNS’’);
Whereas, in the Rivers and Harbors Act of cultural exports and the movement of iron
The bill was ordered to a third read- and steel products, while relieving conges-
1946 (Public Law 79–525), Congress authorized
ing and was read the third time. the Army Corps of Engineers (commonly re- tion on our roads and bridges;
Mr. SCHUMER. I know of no further ferred to as the ‘‘Corps’’) to undertake com- Whereas the increased backlog in critical
debate on the bill. prehensive improvements on the Arkansas maintenance causes the economic uncer-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there and Verdigris Rivers, which served as the tainty of complete navigation disruption on
further debate? foundation of the MKARNS; the MKARNS, which would cost beneficiaries
If not, the bill having been read the Whereas the MKARNS opened for full use up to $2,000,000 per day;
in December 1970, which, after over 20 years Whereas Congress authorized the MKARNS
third time, the question is, Shall the
and $1,200,000,000, was the largest civil works to be deepened to 12 feet in 2003, and approxi-
bill pass? mately 90 percent of the MKARNS is already
The bill (H.R. 2523) was passed. project undertaken by the Corps at the time;
Whereas President Richard M. Nixon offi- 12-feet deep;
Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous con- Whereas the capacity of each barge could
cially dedicated the MKARNS on June 5,
sent that the motion to reconsider be 1971, at a ceremony at the Tulsa Port of be increased by 200 tons for each additional
considered made and laid upon the Catoosa, Oklahoma; foot of draft, increasing the overall freight
table. Whereas the MKARNS is named for United capacity of the MKARNS by 40 percent and
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without States Senator John L. McClellan of Arkan- resulting in over $250,000,000 in increased
objection, it is so ordered. sas and former Oklahoma Governor and business sales annually; and
United States Senator Robert S. Kerr of Whereas Oklahoma, Arkansas, the sur-
f rounding region, and the entire Nation have
Oklahoma, who advocated for the creation of
RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVER- an expansive, inland waterway system; benefitted, and will continue to benefit,
SARY OF THE MCCLELLAN-KERR Whereas the MKARNS is 445 river miles greatly from the MKARNS: Now, therefore,
ARKANSAS RIVER NAVIGATION long, with 18 locks and dams, spans from be it
Catoosa, Oklahoma, to the Mississippi River, Resolved, That the Senate—
SYSTEM (1) honors 2021 as the 50th anniversary of
and serves commerce from a 12-State region
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I consisting of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Naviga-
ask unanimous consent that the Com- Texas, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Min- tion System;
mittee on Environment and Public nesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Mis- (2) recognizes that investments in inland
Works be discharged from further con- souri, and Idaho; waterway navigation infrastructure are an
Whereas the MKARNS provides year- investment in the long-term strength and se-
sideration and the Senate now proceed
round, accessible inland waterway transpor- curity of the United States economy; and
to S. Res. 195. (3) commits to completing the deepening of
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tation to 5 public ports, 50 private port ter-
minals, and over 90 industries; the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Naviga-
objection, it is so ordered. Whereas, on an annual basis, the MKARNS tion System from 9 feet to 12 feet.
The clerk will report the resolution provides for $8,500,000,000 in sales impacts, f
by title. $1,600,000,000 in transportation cost savings,
The senior assistant legislative clerk and $289,000,000 in business taxes; JAIME ZAPATA AND VICTOR
read as follows: Whereas the MKARNS contributes to 56,000 AVILA FEDERAL OFFICERS AND
A resolution (S. Res. 195) recognizing the full- and part-time jobs, and 20 percent of all EMPLOYEES PROTECTION ACT
50th anniversary of the McClellan-Kerr Ar- jobs in the United States are linked to wa- Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I
kansas River Navigation System. terborne commerce supported by the inland
ask unanimous consent that the Sen-
waterway system;
There being no objection, the com- ate proceed to the immediate consider-
Whereas, on average, 11,000,000 tons of com-
mittee was discharged, and the Senate modities with a value upwards of ation of Calendar No. 61, S. 921.
proceeded to consider the resolution. $4,000,000,000 travels on the MKARNS annu- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ally, with sand, gravel, rock, chemical fer- clerk will report the bill by title.
know of no further debate on the meas- tilizer, iron, and steel accounting for nearly The senior assistant legislative clerk
ure. 60 percent of all waterborne commerce; read as follows:
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Whereas there are 4 designated Foreign- A bill (S. 921) to amend title 18, United
further debate? Trade Zones along the navigation system at States Code, to further protect officers and
Hearing none, the question is on the public ports at Catoosa, Muskogee, Lit- employees of the United States, and for
tle Rock, and Pine Bluff;
adoption of the resolution. other purposes.
Whereas the MKARNS allows for the low-
The resolution (S. Res. 195) was est-cost and most environmentally friendly There being no objection, the Senate
agreed to. method of moving goods, with 1 barge trans- proceeded to consider the bill, which
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I porting the equivalent of 15 jumbo railcars had been reported from the Committee
ask unanimous consent that the Inhofe and 60 large semi-trailers; on the Judiciary, with an amendment
amendment to the preamble be agreed Whereas, in 2015, the Corps upgraded the to strike all after the enacting clause
to, the preamble as amended be agreed classification of the MKARNS from ‘‘Con- and insert the part printed in italic, as
to, and that the motions to reconsider nector’’ to ‘‘Corridor’’ on the National Ma-
rine Highway, designated the MKARNS as a
follows
be considered made and laid upon the SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
high-use waterway system, and labeled the
table with no intervening action or de- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Jaime Zapata
MKARNS as Marine Highway 40;
bate. Whereas Congress authorized multiple uses and Victor Avila Federal Officers and Employ-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without for the MKARNS, including navigation, flood ees Protection Act’’.
objection, it is so ordered. control, hydropower, recreation, water sup- SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
The amendment (No. 2108) to the pre- ply, and wildlife conservation; It is the sense of Congress that—
amble was agreed to as follows: Whereas, through the end of 2020, Arkansas (1) since the founding of the Nation, officers
(Purpose: To amend the preamble) River Basin projects, including the and employees of the United States Government
MKARNS, are estimated to have cumula- have dutifully and faithfully served the United
In the preamble, strike the 18th whereas
sradovich on DSKJLST7X2PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE
tively prevented nearly $16,000,000,000 in States overseas, including in situations that
clause and insert ‘‘Whereas modernization of
flood damages in the Arkansas River Basin place them at serious risk of death or bodily
the MKARNS will empower future economic
region; harm, in order to preserve, protect, and defend
development, promote freight mobility, and
Whereas there are 15 hydropower plants on the interests of the United States;
expand agricultural exports and the move-
the MKARNS which provide low-cost power (2) securing the safety of such officers and
ment of iron and steel products, while reliev-
to 7,000,000 people and produce 2,500,000 kilo- employees while serving overseas is of para-
ing congestion on our roads and bridges;’’.
watt-hours per year; mount importance and is also in furtherance of
The preamble, as amended, was Whereas inland waterways provide many preserving, protecting, and defending the inter-
agreed to. recreational opportunities, such as fishing, ests of the United States;
The resolution (S. Res. 195), with its boating, and hiking, and over 4,000 rec- (3) Federal courts, including the United States
preamble, as amended, was agreed to as reational vessels lock through the MKARNS Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the
follows and 5,400,000 people visit Corps-operated United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth
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