Congressional Record, Senate — July 28, 2021, S5124
Summary
This is S5124 of the Congressional Record, Senate, July 28, 2021, with interleaved columns. The page begins with the end of remarks on funding for Capitol security after January 6. Mr. Cassidy announces an agreement on a bipartisan infrastructure package, saying it includes $110 billion for roads and bridges, $40 billion for bridges, and $47 billion for resiliency, along with permitting reform. The Senate recesses at 1:12 p.m. until 1:55 p.m., and Ms. Ernst speaks under the heading Debt Ceiling, with the views and figures attributed to the speakers.
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“Congressional Record, Senate — July 28, 2021, S5124.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-07-28-crec-2021-07-28-pt1-pgs5124-4-1aac79d7a9/
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S5124 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 28, 2021
It also fully reimburses the National INFRASTRUCTURE and that beachfront, which 30 years
Guard for their costs in deploying to Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, I have ago when you bought that home was
the Capitol, which was essential to se- good news for the people of Louisiana hundreds of feet out and now waves are
curing the Capitol following the at- and good news for the American people: lapping up on the road in front of your
tack. We have an agreement on an infra- house and coastal erosion has endan-
By the way, we all know we need to structure package. gered your property and your life sav-
recruit more officers, and I believe the Now, OK, an ‘‘infrastructure pack- ings, help is on its way. If you have
stability of having a police Chief in age’’; what does that mean? Let’s just seen an initiative to build a bridge but
place, particularly one from this re- talk. have been so frustrated that it has
gion, and also having the funding and There will be $110 billion for roads taken so long to get the permits, that
the benefits and the things we need and bridges nationwide—$40 billion for is about to change. This is legislation—
will be helpful in our major effort that bridges. By the way, Louisiana has the bipartisan, paid for—that will address
must be done to recruit more Capitol third most bridges in poor condition. all of those issues.
Police. People have been working too So, if you are stuck right now in traffic I conclude the way I started.
many shifts; they have been working trying to get over the Sabine River or We have good news. There is a bipar-
too late; and they have been away from the Calcasieu River or the Mississippi tisan infrastructure bill that begins to
their families for too long. River or any of our other rivers which address the needs of the American peo-
While this proposal will deliver need- have bridges in poor condition, there is ple—to create jobs, to take away frus-
ed funding for these urgent priorities, relief for you. There is $47 billion for trations, and to provide more secu-
there are other priorities that we must resiliency. rity—that all Americans should sup-
not forget. Now, my State is flooded more than port.
First, it remains imperative that the other States, but every State, it seems, I yield the floor.
criminal insurrectionists who overtook has had an issue with flooding. There is
f
the Capitol on January 6 are held ac- $47 billion; a significant portion of it is
countable to the fullest extent of the for flooding issues, for coastal restora- RECESS
law. The Justice Department has done tion, and other things regarding resil- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
incredible work to see that justice is iency. the previous order, the Senate stands
done following the horrific events of There is permitting reform. Right in recess until 1:55 p.m.
that day, with more than 500 people now, we know it can take 6 to 10 years Thereupon, the Senate, at 1:12 p.m.,
now facing criminal charges. That is, for a bridge project—an Army Corps of recessed until 1:55 p.m. and reassem-
by the way, very important that we Engineers project—to be permitted. bled when called to order by the Pre-
fund that. That is something we may Sometimes it takes so long to permit siding Officer (Ms. ROSEN).
have to take up in the future as some that the facts on the ground have actu-
ally changed, and the permit almost is f
of these cases may be very complex.
inaccurate. In building upon pilot EXECUTIVE CALENDAR—Continued
Secondly, at the same time, the in-
projects which have shown that per-
surrection also made clear—and we all The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
mitting can be shortened from 6 years
know this—the need to improve the se- ator from Iowa.
to 2 years, this infrastructure package
curity of the Capitol Complex itself. DEBT CEILING
has that permitting reform. There will
This includes funds requested to up- Ms. ERNST. Madam President, we
be less money for bureaucrats and at-
grade the windows and doors that were have all experienced a bit of buyer’s re-
torneys, and there will be more money
destroyed by the violent mob that day morse this past year. The uncertainty
for construction—what a major ad-
and for new security measures. As we caused by the pandemic had folks
vance.
move forward, while I appreciate the stockpiling too much or just doing a
By the way, some people have con-
funding in this bill, there may be need little online retail therapy for things
fused this bill with the $3.5 trillion
for additional funding. they may never use. But when it comes
Democratic tax-and-spend extrava-
We heard again yesterday about the ganza. They are two different bills. to impulse buying, no one can compete
horrific events of January 6 during This bill is for roads and bridges and with Democrats in Washington. If run-
that hearing. We heard that harrowing broadband and resiliency and flood con- ning up the taxpayers’ tab was an
testimony, once again, from brave offi- trol and coastal restoration. The other Olympic sport, Democrats would easily
cers who performed heroically under is for who knows what. take home the gold.
unimaginable circumstances. We all This bill, the infrastructure bill, has Over the past 6 months, the Demo-
know the stories of staff hiding in clos- been judged by economists as to not crats have run up trillions of dollars in
ets. We all have seen the videos of how contribute to inflation. The $3.5 tril- new spending. And as we are just days
close it was for so many Members. We lion bill, obviously, is going to make away from hitting the Nation’s debt
owe it to those who are with us today, the inflation we have now worse. The limit, these same Democrats are pre-
for those we have lost, and for those bill we have does not raise taxes. The paring to charge trillions more to the
whom we want to hire in the future to $3.5 trillion bill is estimated to raise Nation’s credit card, paid for by tax-
keep us safe. We owe it to them to pass hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes. payers, of course, to purchase more of
this legislation to fund the Capitol Po- One bill I love; the other bill I hate. their pricey, partisan pet projects and
lice and National Guard, but we also The infrastructure bill that is going to other items on their progressive wish
will owe it to them in the future to shorten someone’s commute time list.
fund these ongoing prosecutions and across a bridge, to make their home Their reckless spending spree started
other security improvements. less likely to flood, to extend in March with their strictly partisan
I urge my colleagues to join me in broadband to areas of our country $2.1 trillion, a so-called COVID bill.
working to ensure that we pass this which are not served at all or are poor- The Democrats assured us the $1,400
bill and also that the critical funding ly served is the bill I love, and I think stimulus checks and $300-a-week en-
needs are met as we move forward, for that it is the bill that the American hanced unemployment benefits in-
nothing is more important to this people desperately need. cluded in the bill would get America
place than our democracy. Let me conclude by saying, again, if back on its feet. Well, folks, this July
I yield the floor. you are stuck in bridge traffic in my 28, we have 10 million unfilled jobs.
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- State or in any other State right now, Last week, jobless claims increased.
ator from Louisiana. wondering why this bridge in poor con- And hard-working Americans are feel-
Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, I ask dition can’t get fixed, help is on its ing the pinch and paying more for al-
unanimous consent that my remarks way. If you are in a place in our coun- most everything, from gas to groceries.
may conclude shortly after 1:10 p.m. try, but particularly in my State, The Democrats’ poisonous progressive
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without which has either flooded or is at risk of policies are failing us, and Iowans and
objection, it is so ordered. flooding or if you live near a coastline, the rest of Americans know it. Yet
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July 28, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5125
Democrats—they just keep on spend- Frankly, I think that is a good or 2 years ago before COVID, a year ago
ing. pledge, and it is one that he keeps during COVID.
Right now, the majority leader is making. But right now, it seems that The President’s budget effectively re-
plotting to fast-track an everything- the facts would prove that he and, peals the individual tax cuts enacted
but-the-kitchen-sink tax-and-spending frankly, our Democrat colleagues here by Republicans in 2017. The cuts that
bill that could cost more than $31⁄2 tril- in the Congress are pushing for this were enacted in that law for Ameri-
lion. So what is in this latest bill? reckless tax spree, this reckless spend- cans, really, across income levels, have
More poisonous progressive policies. ing spree in a way that makes it impos- rate reductions that have to be ex-
One of the most harmful provisions sible for him to keep that pledge. tended in 4 years. The President’s plan
to families everywhere and especially The Tax Foundation—and people can doesn’t call for extending any of those
farm families in Iowa is what I like to check this if they want to verify these rate reductions.
call the farm-to-table tax hike. The numbers—looked at President Biden’s Under the President’s proposal,
Democrats want to pay for part of 10-year plan, the plan he outlined in his someone making $94,000 per year will
their radical agenda by increasing the 2022 budget. This is not a plan that the see her marginal tax rate jump from 24
tax on family farms being passed from Tax Foundation or any other group percent to 28 percent in 2026.
one generation to the next. But that came up with on their own. They found Added to that, you have got higher
tax won’t only hit farmers and ranch- that his plan would mean a higher av- taxes that Democrats plan to impose
ers; it will increase the cost of pro- erage tax burden nationwide, including on family farmers and ranchers who
ducing and purchasing food for all of for middle-class Americans. are hoping to pass along their family
our families. In some States, the average taxpayer business to the next generation.
Americans recognize President would see increases immediately; in And, frankly, instead of advocating
Biden’s budget-busting bills are a key others, tax hikes would grow over time for these middle-class Americans I
factor in the skyrocketing costs; yet as the various provisions change in the have just talked about, our Democratic
the Democrats keep packing their bills way that the President’s plan says they friends seem to be fixated on restoring
with progressive pet policies and would change. the tax break that overwhelmingly
projects they know won’t make your You know, no matter what the Presi- benefits wealthy Americans in high-tax
life better but that will appease their dent says, the tax burden is getting States. They are pushing to allow peo-
political base. And their answer when heavier under his plan for middle-class ple to deduct more than $10,000 in State
things don’t get better is always: Wait, families in every State. and local taxes on their Federal re-
we didn’t spend enough. In Missouri, the tax burden on the turns.
Folks, it is laughable to argue that average filer would be $618 higher in That scheme, by the way, would
Washington hasn’t spent enough when 2026 than it is today. In New Hamp- allow the top 1 percent of earners to in-
our national debt now exceeds $28 tril-
shire, it would be $1,072 higher than it crease their after-tax income by about
lion. The shopaholics who control the
is today. And maybe most importantly, 2.5 percent, 2.8 percent, while the bot-
purse strings in Congress are addicted
in Nevada, it would be $1,293 higher tom 60 percent of all filers—if that law
to spending other people’s money on
than it is today for the average tax- is changed back to what it used to be,
things we don’t need or that we can’t
payer. the bottom 60 percent of all filers
afford.
And if that doesn’t convince you, would gain less than one one-hun-
Let’s review the receipt for
Bidenomics: $2.1 trillion for Biden’s so- there was another analysis recently. dredth percent on average.
called American Rescue Plan, which This one was from the reliably liberal It is clear that President Biden’s tax
includes $200 billion for enhanced un- Tax Policy Center. It predicted that hikes will hit a lot of Americans and a
employment payments, $1.7 billion for three out of every four taxpayers earn- lot of Americans that make less than
Amtrak, $135 million for the National ing $75,000 to $100,000 a year would be $400,000.
Endowment for the Arts, $50 million worse off next year under the Biden The higher tax costs will hurt people
for environmental justice grants, plus plan. who are already struggling with higher
By 2031, that organization estimates prices at the pump and everywhere
$3.5 trillion for the proposed reckless
that 95 percent of the people making they shop, and it will hurt our eco-
tax-and-spending spree.
We still don’t even know what between $75,000 and $100,000 would suf- nomic recovery.
goodies are included in this grab bag, fer losses on their tax bill. My friends may not want to admit—
but it is likely to include parts of the The tax-and-spending spree envisions and I wouldn’t either if I was them—
socialist Green New Deal and doubling monster tax hikes on business, but we that they are going to raise taxes on
the size of the IRS by hiring an army all know when you raise taxes on busi- middle-class families, but that is ex-
of new auditors. Add on nearly $10 bil- ness, they have to get the money from actly what they are doing. And if any-
lion for swampy earmarks to pay for somewhere. body doesn’t know it now, they will
In fact, there are only a couple places know it if Democrats in the Senate and
pork projects.
The list goes on and on and on, like to get the money, and one is from the House get their way.
the world’s longest CVS receipt; except workers and one is from customers. I yield the floor.
you don’t expect any savings here, And trying to figure out that balance The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
folks. where you don’t lose customers and ator from Florida.
And when you add it all up, the grand you don’t lose workers is pretty hard Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam Presi-
total: $6.8 trillion. to figure out. You really can’t isolate dent, in less than 72 hours, the suspen-
As these bills come due, President middle-class workers from these tax sion on the Federal Government’s debt
Biden’s reckless spending spree will impacts. You also can’t isolate middle- ceiling will expire. That leaves Con-
leave us with buyer’s remorse for years class customers from these impacts. gress with two options: continue with
to come. It is time to cut up Washing- You can’t keep those families from the reckless, wasteful spending it is ac-
ton’s credit card and make DC start paying higher prices when a chunk of customed to without any account-
living within its means, just like every the business tax that the President and ability to the American people; or fi-
hard-working family across Iowa and Democrats talk about have to get nally face reality, make some tough
America do. passed on to customers. choices, and chart a path forward that
I yield the floor. So President Biden’s tax increases lowers the Federal debt and gets spend-
are likely to boost inflation even more ing under control.
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
ator from Missouri. than we have seen already, and we have Washington is constantly spending
Mr. BLUNT. Madam President, when seen a lot of it already. Go to the gas more money and taking on new debt
President Biden was campaigning last pump, go to the grocery store, go to without any plan to ever reduce the
year, he made the pledge over and over buy clothes, go to have the basic neces- debt.
again that he wouldn’t raise taxes on sities you have to have, and you are Since 1960, Congress has raised or ex-
any American making less than going to see that they are substan- tended the debt limit more than 70
$400,000 a year. tially higher than they were a year ago times. Washington’s choice to keep
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S5126 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 28, 2021
raising or suspending the debt ceiling For a family that fills up their tank ture is being mortgaged for out-of-con-
is like raising the limit on your credit once a week, if you drive a car, that trol Washington spending. This isn’t
card month after month with no plan means Joe Biden raised your expenses political. It is good government, and it
to pay it off. $600 a year; if you drive a truck, that is commonsense.
It is reckless, and it is this kind of means Joe Biden raised your expenses I yield the floor.
fiscal irresponsibility that is hurting by more than $1,000 a year. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
American families and causing the ris- Biden and the Democrats say they ator from Kansas.
ing inflation we are seeing. care about people, but they have done Mr. MARSHALL. Madam President,
As you can see here, 87 percent of absolutely nothing to help families America has seen a number of horren-
Americans are worried about infla- struggling to keep up with inflation. dous financial crises before, but none
tion—87 percent. Low- and fixed-in- Their plan is to spend more, more, that have so quickly developed as the
come families are having to cut on pur- more money, not less. fiscal crisis this White House created
chases because of rising costs. We have nearly $30 trillion in debt, with trillions of dollars’ worth of
Look at these numbers: Gas up 52 and there are no plans to slow down. drunken spending and tax proposals in
percent in 12 months; milk, 11; bacon, Now Biden and the Democrats want to just the first 7 months of control.
16 percent; eggs, 6 percent; used cars, 45 spend another $5.5 trillion on their lib- The most glaring, almost parody-
percent; utilities, 6 percent. eral priorities, with no consideration level, example is the administration’s
I am hearing from families all across as to how this might impact families. $3.5 trillion and growing, newly la-
Florida who are worried. Read you a Right now, this message that Presi- beled, human infrastructure package,
couple stories. dent Biden and the Democrats in Wash- which is nothing more than a rosy-
A father of three in Jacksonville, sounding title for socialism.
ington are sending to the American
who is temporarily helping to take The results of these radical tax-and-
people is clear: We don’t care about in-
care of two other kids because their fa- spending policies, what are they? A
flation. We don’t care about reckless
ther is out of work, has started work- sluggish economy, inflation, and one of
spending that is causing prices to sky-
ing a second job driving Uber just to the most dramatic expansions of the
pay for groceries that are rapidly in- rocket.
welfare state in recent history. Re-
If they say that is the cost of getting
creasing in price. Now, his Uber job is cently, the Department of Labor re-
our liberal—their liberal wish list done,
becoming less and less profitable be- ported that consumer prices climbed
cause the rising price of gas. so be it.
for the third straight month, jumping 5
Mother of four in Wauchula said she I think it is a disgusting approach
percent in June, the largest increase in
used to be able to go to the grocery and I am not going to stand for it. I am
13 years.
store and spend a certain amount of here to say that enough is enough. It is Every day, we see inflation impact-
money for an entire month’s groceries; time to wake up to reality. Eighty- ing hard-working Americans. In fact,
now she can’t. Two hundred dollars in seven percent of Americans are con- this past weekend, we held five town-
meat is not—is no longer enough to cerned about inflation. We have to take hall meetings in Kansas, and thanks to
feed her family of five. She is being action to get government spending this administration’s economic poli-
forced to choose between gas to get to under control, which is why we have cies, runaway inflation has replaced
work and groceries for her family, and introduced the Federal Debt Emer- COVID at the top of the mountain of
is picking up extra jobs just to get by. gency Control Act. concerns for people of my home State.
I can relate to all this. I grew up in My bill prevents Washington from In Kansas, we are paying more than
a family that struggled for money. My mindlessly spending by requiring that $1 more per gallon at the gas pump, 40
mom would take in ironing for extra two-thirds of the Senate vote to in- cents more per gallon of milk, and al-
money. She would send me or my older crease the debt before approving any most 20 percent more for a home than
brother to the grocery store with exact bill with deficit spending. we were at this time last year. While
change, but she told us: You have got It would also terminate any unobli- wages have increased, inflation con-
to check the prices. The prices keep gated funding from the American Res- tinues to outpace them by more than
going up. And if it does, you have got cue Plan and any previous spending two-to-one. I have heard loudly and
to figure out how to get the food we bills—sending it back to the Treasury clearly the concerns from Kansans, and
need with less—with the money we general fund for deficit reduction. especially from small business owners,
have. Finally, it would ensure that any bill the backbone of our economy, about
I have spoken to the owner of a con- reducing the debt by at least 5 percent the impact of the Democrats’ reckless
struction company in West Palm Beach over 10 years is fast-tracked through summer tax-and-spending spree.
who says materials are going up. Twen- the legislative process. One tax proposal, the elimination of
ty-four dollars for a sheet of plywood is I have also introduced an amendment stepped-up basis, would be devastating
now $80 a sheet. Drywall is going up a to the Senate rules to require that all to small businesses and family farms,
dollar a board. Prices of hardware, like committee reports include inflationary as that provision allows them to hand
screws, are going up 10 to 15 percent impact statements so Americans can down their family business from one
per month. Delivery prices are going up see the true impacts of government generation to the next without paying
due to gas and the shortage of truck spending. a costly tax burden.
drivers. His employees are complaining Americans deserve to know how their Under the administration’s plan, the
about gas and are afraid what it might hard-earned dollars are being spent and average farmer would have a new tax
mean if the price continues to rise. how Washington’s spending is affecting obligation of nearly a quarter of a mil-
A restaurant owner in Tampa told inflation. This will ensure they do. lion dollars, as cropland values in Kan-
me the cost of meat has gone up from I welcome all my fiscally responsible sas have risen 220 percent since 1997,
$9 a pound to $18. Gas prices and food colleagues to join me to say we don’t not to mention the economy-killing
prices, coupled with the struggle to accept status quo. We won’t watch in policy of eliminating 1031 exchanges
find workers, has been very hard on his silence as people try to spend us into and taxing capital gains at ordinary in-
business. oblivion. We won’t stand by while in- come levels.
Another family in Kissimmee told flation wreaks havoc on our families On the spending front, this adminis-
me how hard it is to keep food on the and businesses. tration continues to pursue
table because everything is so expen- We can get spending under control. unsustainable and irresponsible spend-
While I was Governor of Florida, we ing policies that are actually ruining
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
sive. They are having trouble keeping
the car because of the cost of mainte- paid down one-third of our State debt our economic recovery. Further, they
nance and gas, but if he doesn’t have a by living within our means, all while want to increase the debt limit without
car, he wouldn’t have a way to get to cutting taxes and fees about 100 times. implementing any spending reforms.
work to take care of his family. We can do it here, but we have to This is going to crush our children and
The price of gas affects nearly every- start acting responsibly today, and the grandchildren, leaving their generation
one, and right now average gas prices time to do that is now. It is time to to pay for the social sins of this gen-
are up nearly $1 since last year. stand up for our grandkids, whose fu- eration.
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July 28, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5127
Instead of getting our fiscal house in Now, what does the Democrats’ paycheck to paycheck, will be most
order and curbing back on massive gov- spending package amount to? A multi- hurt, as they will be the ones to feel
ernment spending, this administration trillion-dollar inflation bomb. So far, their paychecks—their limited pay-
and Democrats in Congress are work- we haven’t seen text, and we haven’t checks—stretched thinner and thinner
ing to pass trillions more in reckless seen estimates about how much the bill each and every week. You see, the U.S.
spending under the guise of infrastruc- will cost, exactly. We haven’t even seen economy doesn’t suddenly make more
ture. what Democrats in the White House goods simply because Congress decides
Pre-COVID, we had the greatest would like in the bill. But recent esti- to spend more. Quite to the contrary,
economy in my lifetime. That came mates suggest that it will spend about it can’t. We don’t have the ability to
about because we lowered people’s $4 trillion, maybe more. The last thing create wealth. All we have the ability
taxes, we lowered regulations, and we we need for our already frightening in- to do is channel existing wealth. So if
lowered energy prices. We need smart, flation is to spend that amount of we just add more dollars to an econ-
targeted investments, not radical money. It is taking an already bad sit- omy that already has access to a rel-
spending that leaves this country at a uation and making it far, far worse. atively finite group of goods and serv-
disadvantage and kills jobs. In fact, this is the first time we have ices in any given year, you are just
I yield the floor. seen a spending package of this kind— going to increase the cost. That is
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- one that spends the amount that it what happens, and that is how poor and
ator from Utah. does. I don’t just mean the first time middle-class Americans get stuck with
Mr. LEE. Madam President, for far we have seen something like this in the the bill. That is why poor and middle-
too long, the Federal Government has Senate this year. I mean, when we are class Americans end up being harmed
been borrowing and then spending talking about a spending bill that is in this bad bargain that is really good
money that it simply doesn’t have. likely to cost $4 trillion, maybe more, for a small handful of wealthy and well
This is something we have long under- that is more money than we in this connected. It may be good for the mo-
stood as a problem for the future, for body have ever spent. In fact, I would ment for a small handful of politicians
future generations. But now it is not dare say it is more money than has who will get praise and political gain
just a problem for the future any more. ever been spent at any one time for one for voting for it. It is really bad for
We are already feeling the con- legislative proposal in the history not poor and middle-class people, and that
sequences right now. Americans of this just of the United States of America is wrong.
generation are paying the price today. Look, at the end of the day, govern-
but in the history of the world.
Why is this the case? Well, politi- ment is not the one hurt by massive,
I mean, look at it this way. There is
cians in Washington vote for enormous, reckless spending packages like this
no entity in the history of the planet
reckless spending packages, and they one. People are. Real, breathing human
that has amassed more economic power
do so for short-term political gain and beings are. The government doesn’t go
than the U.S. Government—the U.S.
praise. Now, we all know that does hap- hungry at the end of the month. The
Government, which in recent years has
pen, and we all know that, whether it government doesn’t worry about pay-
been spending at a rate of about $4 tril-
is a spending bill that is soon to come ing rent when the kids need braces.
lion a year. This bill, in one bill, could
before this body or another, if it spends The government isn’t forced to choose
well spend that in one single legisla-
a lot of money, it probably will bring between buying groceries and paying
tive package. This is an astounding
people a lot of praise. medical bills. The government doesn’t
But it is the people—the hard-work- amount of money. No one has ever
spent money in such a large quantity forgo family reunions when it is time
ing families in Utah and in every other to tighten the belt. Taxpayers do. Fam-
State across the Nation—who are in the history of the world.
What is more, this type of legislation ilies do, especially poor and middle-
forced to pay the price, the price for class families. The reckless spending
the praise and the political gain of the has great potential—in fact, a darn
near certainty—to carry out a reverse must stop. This inflation bomb is ex-
politician who votes for that sort of ploding.
thing. They are the ones who bear the Robin Hood mission that is especially
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
brunt of inflation’s consequences. It is perverse, where we essentially rob the
ator from Tennessee.
making day-to-day life more expensive. poor to give to the rich. Make no mis- Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Presi-
More than anyone, it is the poor and take. When we pass spending legisla- dent, my colleague said it so very well.
middle class of America who are hit tion like this, a small handful of well- The inflation bomb is exploding, and
the hardest. connected people will get rich. They people in Tennessee are incredibly con-
Every single day, it is getting more will get very rich. Why? Well, because cerned about that. I hear about this
expensive to fill cupboards, refrig- they see it coming. They know how to every single day from Tennesseans.
erators, and bellies. Every day, it is play it. They know how to benefit from They are also concerned about the
getting more expensive to drive to it, and they know how to capitalize on fact that it seems that the Democratic
work or drive to the doctor or drive it. That is a very small group of people, majority has been unable to push for-
your kids to the school. Every day, it and that is a small comfort to those ward a budget that would be bipar-
is getting harder to buy a house or buy who will be hurt by it. We will get to tisan, that would have appropriate
a car or pay for the heat and the air them in a minute. So that is the first spending, and that would prioritize the
conditioning in your home. category of people. needs and the concerns of the Amer-
To give a few specific examples, gas You have a second category of people ican people.
prices are up over 50 percent from last who are well-to-do. Maybe they don’t Until just a few hours ago, we didn’t
year. This hurts people not only at the capitalize off of it, but they do end up have any insight into an infrastructure
pump but with everything they buy, paying a price. They find goods more bill that would be bipartisan, and I ap-
because everything they buy is more expensive. But this small category of plaud those who have worked so dili-
costly to transport and, therefore, people, consisting of well-off people, gently to reach a bipartisan agree-
more costly to purchase. might not actually feel the pinch be- ment. But the American people have
Chicken prices are soaring. Boneless, cause, perhaps, they have enough saved started to lose a lot of their trust and
skinless chicken breast is trading at $2 up; they have enough assets. It doesn’t a lot of their patience with Wash-
per pound, compared to the $1.30 per really, meaningfully impact their ington, DC, and I think we can say
pound it has averaged over the last two standard of living or their quality of ‘‘rightfully so’’ because they are
life. But even those first two cat-
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
decades. Some diapers that in recent watching the cost of government go up.
years have cost around $25 per package egories—those who will get rich off of a They are watching the hesitancy to
now cost around $40, and there are bill like this and those who won’t feel move forward on their concerns, and
fewer diapers in each package. much of an impact—make up a really they are speaking out to us. I had a
We, in Utah, are certainly feeling the small segment of the U.S. population, Tennessean this week ask me why
crunch. According to a recent survey, quite possibly, percentagewise, in the Washington was wasting so much time,
85 percent of Utahns are worried about low single digits. But poor and middle- because time is money, and they want
inflation, as well they should be. class Americans, many of whom live to see things done.
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S5128 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 28, 2021
We know we need to see what these programs that have long outlived their Capito Hoeven Romney
Cassidy Hyde-Smith Rubio
bills are going to look like. We are usefulness? I think not. Cornyn Inhofe Sasse
hearing that the majority wants to That is why it is so important that Cotton Johnson Scott (FL)
bring forward this tax-and-spend spree we look at what is happening right Cramer Kennedy Scott (SC)
of legislation that would be trillions of Crapo Lankford
now, as there are these conversations Cruz Lee
Shelby
dollars, and we know that what would about budgets and as there are these Sullivan
Daines Lummis Thune
end up happening is this would be conversations about the tax-and-spend Ernst Marshall
Tillis
something that—I call it lie, cheat, spree that my colleagues across the Fischer McConnell
Toomey
Graham Moran
steal. You don’t say exactly what you aisle would seek to propose. Grassley Paul
Tuberville
are going to use the money for. You I would also offer that that type of Hagerty Portman Wicker
Young
don’t say exactly where the money is spending is not governing. What it is, Hawley Risch
going to come from within the budget. is a power grab. What it is, is taking NOT VOTING—1
Eventually, all of it comes out of the care of your friends and not those who Rounds
taxpayers’ pocket. And you are steal- elected you to serve. The American
ing hopes and dreams from future gen- people can see what is coming at them The nomination was confirmed.
erations who are going to—they are from a mile away, and they are ex- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
going to have to pay the bill for this. It pressing their concerns about DC’s out- the previous order, the motion to re-
is our children and our grandchildren of-control tax-and-spending spree. consider is considered made and laid
and future generations that are going I yield the floor. upon the table, and the President will
to have to find a way to pay for all of be immediately notified of the Senate’s
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
this. action.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
That is why I brought this chart back clerk will call the roll. f
to the floor. I have used it recently The senior assistant legislative clerk
here on this floor to remind us of Ron- proceeded to call the roll. CLOTURE MOTION
ald Reagan’s words: Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Madam Presi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant
Freedom is never more than one genera- dent, I ask unanimous consent that the to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the
tion away from extinction. It has to be order for the quorum call be rescinded. Senate the pending cloture motion,
fought for and defended by each generation.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without which the clerk will state.
Very true words. And what a good re- objection, it is so ordered. The senior assistant legislative clerk
minder to us because as we give gov- read as follows:
VOTE ON WILCOX NOMINATION
ernment more control over our lives, as CLOTURE MOTION
we give them more control in the Fed- Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Madam Presi-
dent, with the permission of both sides, We, the undersigned Senators, in accord-
eral budget, as the government takes ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the
more money out of the pocket of hard- may I ask unanimous consent that the
vote scheduled to start in 3 minutes Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby
working taxpayers, what do we see? We move to bring to a close debate on the nomi-
see less freedom. start now? nation of Executive Calendar No. 258, David
There is such concern that the Demo- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without M. Prouty, of Maryland, to be a Member of
cratic majority has refused to come objection, it is so ordered. the National Labor Relations Board for the
forward and say how they want to The question is, Will the Senate ad- term of five years expiring August 27, 2026.
spend these trillions of dollars. I think vise and consent to the Wilcox nomina- Charles E. Schumer, Tammy Baldwin,
tion? Tim Kaine, Patty Murray, Tina Smith,
part of that is because there is not a Jacky Rosen, Christopher Murphy,
way to pay for it, and they don’t plan Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I ask for the yeas
Cory A. Booker, Mark R. Warner, Brian
to pay for it. Instead, they are going to and nays.
Schatz, Sherrod Brown, Sheldon White-
send that bill to future generations. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a house, Raphael Warnock, Michael F.
This is dangerous. We are upside sufficient second? Bennet, Jeanne Shaheen, Patrick J.
down on this national debt when you There appears to be a sufficient sec- Leahy, Richard J. Durbin.
look at how that debt clock is ticking. ond. The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan-
But we have to choose to spend tax- The clerk will call the roll. imous consent, the mandatory quorum
payer money where it matters, and it The senior assistant legislative clerk call has been waived.
still matters. It matters to Ten- called the roll. The question is, Is it the sense of the
nesseans what their tax dollars are The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Senate that debate on the nomination
spent for, and it matters how they are BALDWIN). Are there any other Sen- of David M. Prouty, of Maryland, to be
spent. Another thing that matters to ators in the Chamber desiring to vote? a Member of the National Labor Rela-
them is what we are spending it for and Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is tions Board for the term of five years
the driving of inflation across this necessarily absent: the Senator from expiring August 27, 2026, shall be
country. South Dakota (Mr. ROUNDS). brought to a close?
If my Democratic colleagues con- The result was announced—yeas 52, The yeas and nays are mandatory
tinue to dig this hole, future genera- nays 47, as follows: under the rule.
tions will be in so deep that it will be [Rollcall Vote No. 282 Ex.] The clerk will call the roll.
very difficult for them to compete on YEAS—52 The legislative clerk called the roll.
the global stage. They will be vulner- Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is
Baldwin Hickenlooper Reed
able to the deathtraps our adversaries Bennet Hirono Rosen necessarily absent: the Senator from
in Beijing set for nations that have Blumenthal Kaine Sanders South Dakota (Mr. ROUNDS).
made the same mistakes that the Booker Kelly Schatz
Brown King The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 53,
Democratic majority wants us to Schumer
Cantwell Klobuchar Shaheen nays 46, as follows:
make: spending more money than you Cardin Leahy Sinema [Rollcall Vote No. 283 Ex.]
have to spend for programs that you Carper Luján Smith
Casey Manchin YEAS—53
cannot afford. Stabenow
Collins Markey Baldwin Durbin Manchin
I would argue that existing in a state Coons Menendez
Tester
Bennet
Van Hollen Feinstein Markey
of dependence and vulnerability cre- Cortez Masto Merkley Blumenthal Gillibrand Menendez
Warner
ated by our own government is the op- Duckworth Murkowski
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Booker Hassan Merkley
Durbin Murphy Warnock
posite of freedom. It is the opposite of Brown Heinrich Murkowski
Feinstein Murray Warren Cantwell Hickenlooper Murphy
freedom. Is that really what we want Gillibrand Ossoff Whitehouse Cardin Hirono Murray
for our children and grandchildren, to Hassan Padilla Wyden Carper Kaine Ossoff
leave them with so much Federal debt Heinrich Peters Casey Kelly Padilla
that they are covered in debt; that Collins King Peters
NAYS—47 Coons Klobuchar Reed
most of their paycheck is going to go Barrasso Blunt Braun Cortez Masto Leahy Rosen
to the Federal Government to pay for Blackburn Boozman Burr Duckworth Luján Sanders
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