Congressional Record, Senate, July 29, 2021 — Motion to Proceed to H.R. 3684
Summary
Page S5149 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for July 29, 2021, in interleaved columns, covering the motion to proceed to H.R. 3684, the infrastructure bill. One speaker says he was glad to see bipartisan talks making progress and that a bipartisan compromise would be big and complex, while another speaker criticizes administration immigration policy at the southern border. A tribute recalls a longtime Senate figure named Bob and his daughter Laura Dove, a former Secretary for the Majority. A unanimous consent request for H.R. 3684 sets a waiver vote requiring 60 affirmative votes for passage, Mr. Braun says the Senate needs to support the Capitol Police, and Mr. Schumer thanks Senators Leahy and Shelby for helping bring the vote.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, July 29, 2021 — Motion to Proceed to H.R. 3684.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-07-29-crec-2021-07-29-pt1-pgs5149-3-9aedbc2732/
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July 29, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5149
and voted to begin floor consideration signed ICE checkups. So in a sense, ei- love for the institution, itself, as an ab-
of bipartisan compromise legislation ther intentionally or through incom- straction, it was also a love for the
for our Nation’s infrastructure. petence, the administration is already human beings who comprised it.
Our country would benefit a whole practicing a policy that amounts to I understand that back in the day,
lot from some targeted investment in functional amnesty in many cases. Bob had a go-to one-liner to help him-
the kinds of real, tangible projects that What Democrats want now is to make self and his fellow professionals here on
fit a commonsense definition of actual that explicit and, believe it or not, per- the floor through the tougher days.
infrastructure—roads, bridges, ports, manent. Here is what he said: ‘‘You may love
waterways, airports, broadband. They would effectively like our the Senate,’’ he would dryly declare,
A bipartisan compromise to respon- southern border to be even more open ‘‘but the Senate may not love you
sibly finance these kinds of invest- than it is now, even during an ongoing back.’’
ments is guaranteed to be big and com- public health emergency that has Fed- But a little gruff sarcasm couldn’t
plex. It is guaranteed to be the kind of eral, State, and local officials contem- conceal Bob’s true affection. In fact,
legislation that no Member on either plating new batches of rules for Amer- his enthusiasm for this place was so
side of the aisle will think is perfect. ican citizens. The message to Ameri- contagious that it swept up multiple
But it is an important basic duty of cans appears to be: Put your guard generations of his family. About a year
government. back up, even if you are vaccinated. and a half ago, we said goodbye to
I am glad to see these discussions But to a jaw-dropping degree, the Bob’s daughter, Laura Dove, herself a
making progress. I was happy to vote message to people arriving at the long-serving, well-loved and widely re-
to begin moving the Senate toward southern border seems to be: Come on spected Senate staff leader as she left
what ought to be a robust, bipartisan in. Even if you are COVID positive, the post of Secretary for the Majority.
floor process for legislation of this come on in. Even now, two of Bob’s grandchildren
magnitude. CBP data are reportedly showing a are spending their summers right here
This kind of focused compromise that huge uptick in positive COVID tests in in the Senate, helping out in different
our colleagues have been hashing out the Rio Grande Valley sector. That is positions.
could not contrast more sharply with just one sector, and that is just among Either Bob Dove’s brood just cannot
the multitrillion-dollar reckless tax- whatever fraction of the individuals quit this multigenerational addiction
ing-and-spending spree the Democrats are actually being tested. And among to public service or perhaps it is the
hope to ram through on a party-line individuals in ICE custody, apparently Senate that cannot quit them.
vote later this year. one in three—one in three—are declin- So our condolences and our prayers
As I have said before, the Democrats’ ing to receive a vaccine. Yet it seems go out to Bob’s wife Linda, to Laura
spree is reckless on multiple levels. We the Biden administration doesn’t con- and her brother and sister, and to Bob’s
are all familiar with the staggering $3.5 sider a COVID diagnosis any reason to grandchildren and extended family.
trillion bottom line. We all know it make an exception to its catch-and-re- f
would only amp up the painful infla- lease policy. Alarming reports of
tion that is already hammering mid- COVID-positive detainees being turned CONCLUSION OF MORNING
dle-class families, in large part because out into Texas communities even have BUSINESS
of the last partisan deluge of spending border-State Democrats sounding the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning
Democrats rammed through just a few alarm. business is closed.
months ago. I hope President Biden is listening. f
But just as alarming is the parade of Maybe Members of his own party will
leftwing ideas that comprise this mess: have better luck conveying what the LEGISLATIVE SESSION
turning temporary pandemic welfare American people have known for ---
payments with no work requirements months: The situation at our southern INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR
into a permanent dole, shoving through border is a crisis. It deserves real at- THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUR-
big chunks of the Green New Deal, gov- tention and real solutions, not a reck- FACE TRANSPORTATION IN
ernment price-fixing that would leave less taxing-and-spending spree with AMERICA ACT—Motion to Proceed
us with fewer new medicines and new amnesty policies that would make
cures. things considerably worse. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
And then there is an effort to further the previous order, the Senate will re-
f
inflame the Biden administration’s sume consideration of the motion to
border crisis with a far-left amnesty. REMEMBERING BOB DOVE proceed to H.R. 3684, which the clerk
We have now seen the highest unac- Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, will report.
companied child arrivals on record, the on a completely different matter, for The senior assistant legislative clerk
biggest month for immigrant encoun- the second time this week the U.S. read as follows:
ters in 21 years. This month, total CBP Senate family must bid a sad farewell Motion to proceed to H.R. 3684, a bill to au-
apprehensions for the calendar year are to a member of its alumni society. thorize funds for Federal-aid highways, high-
expected to top a million—a million— Only six different individuals have way safety programs, and transit programs,
for the first time in 15 years, and we served as Senate Parliamentarian since and for other purposes.
still have 5 months to go. the position was formally established Mr. MCCONNELL. I suggest the ab-
So one might think my friends across back in 1935. It is a unique and remark- sence of a quorum.
the aisle would try to avoid repeating able position that seems to require The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
the missteps that created the crisis; unique and remarkable people. clerk with will call the roll.
that they would be careful to avoid Bob Dove served two stints as Parlia- The senior assistant legislative clerk
doubling down on the perverse incen- mentarian from the early 1980s to the proceeded to call the roll.
tives generating so much suffering early 2000s. He passed away yesterday Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask
down at the southern border. at the age of 82 after a long illness. unanimous consent that the order for
But, apparently, Washington Demo- I was just a rank-and-file Senator the quorum call be rescinded.
crats intend to do the opposite. Their during Bob’s stints on the dais, but ev- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
reckless taxing-and-spending spree eryone in the entire Senate knew all objection, it is so ordered.
would include an even bigger green about Bob’s brilliance and his incred- Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, late
light for this crisis at the worst pos- ible spirit. Bob Dove knew this body’s last night, there was a vote on the
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sible time. Under the Biden adminis- history and its rules to the tenth dec- floor which was historic. I will address
tration’s unenforceable catch-and-re- ibel place. the subject matter in a moment. But 17
lease policy, just 13 percent of the He was also a constantly jovial per- Republicans joined the Democrats in
50,000 individuals who have been re- son, as approachable as he was smart. an amazing commitment to building
leased into the United States since His love for the Senate was tangible. It America’s infrastructure. I will speak
March have actually reported to as- was palpable, and it was not only a to the specifics of that in a moment.
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S5150 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 29, 2021
But I wanted to recount another event Well, you can imagine the lawyers that was straddling this breaking high-
this morning which was not as widely and businessmen in many pharma- way. A local police officer said the
published but could be very important ceutical companies who are trying to driver was ‘‘really lucky that he didn’t
to many American families. delay that moment of when the end up in the creek under the bridge.’’
PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS generics step in for as long as possible. I am grateful that nobody was
Madam President, if you ask families This bill that we passed this morning, harmed that evening. I thank the first
across the United States to list the top which will be coming to the Senate responders, as well, for coming to the
three things they are worried about in floor, addresses that. rescue. But now, 2 weeks later, that
terms of pocketbook issues and things We want to have access to generics bridge is still broken, and the tax-
that Congress can address, I will bet and biosimilar treatments. We want to payers in my home State are stuck
you that they will end up putting the make sure that the loopholes and paying the tab. Repairs are going to
costs of prescription drugs on that list tricks that the pharmaceutical indus- cost over a million bucks.
every time. They know what happened. try is using now to delay the generic This is just one example of the fail-
These prescription drug costs have drugs coming onto market come to an ure to invest in our Nation’s roads and
gone through the roof. For many peo- end. This was an amazing array of bridges that is costing us. Every 4
ple, it is a real hardship. drugs that, I think, will have a direct years, the American Society of Civil
I was looking this morning at some impact on America and its future. Engineers gives a report card on our
of the information we have about insu- H.R. 3684
roads and bridges and their safety. For
lin, and, you know, for millions of Speaking of impact, Madam Presi- decades, it has been filled with the
Americans that is literally a life-and- dent, what happened last night was his- kind of grades that you wouldn’t want
death drug. Insulin was discovered dec- toric. your kids to bring home from school.
ades ago. The gentleman and those who As I mentioned, 17 Republicans The overall grade this year was a C
did the research to find it basically joined the Democrats in passing a bi- minus, in the United States of Amer-
gave away all of their patent rights— partisan infrastructure bill. It is rare ica, for the wealthiest nation and the
the rights to make any money off of in- that we come together on something largest economy on Earth. Imagine.
sulin—for $1. They said you can’t take If we continue to neglect the arteries
that significant, with that much bipar-
a life-and-death drug and put a of our economy, the situation will get
tisanship. We are now in the midst of
pricetag on it. It has to be shared by worse. The American Society of Civil
the debate on that bill, on the cloture
people. Engineers estimates that the continued
vote, and our time is running. I hope,
Jonas Salk did exactly the same underinvestment in our Nation’s infra-
soon, that we can get to the merits of
thing when it came to the polio vaccine structure could cost $10 trillion of loss
the bill and get it enacted as quickly as
in the 1950s. He found this break- in GDP over the next two decades, a
possible.
through vaccine—and I was one of the major drain on city and State budgets,
This is a once-in-a-generation oppor-
early schoolkids to sign up for it—and but, more importantly, a threat to
tunity to rebuild our Nation’s roads,
said: I don’t want to make a penny off families and their safety when they
railways, and bridges; to make high-
of this. This means too much to Amer- travel.
speed internet and clean water realities This truckdriver had no idea that he
ica and the world. for every home in America; and to cre-
Bless both of those individuals for would take his truck out on this road
ate millions of good-paying, family- and, at the end of the day, be lucky to
that kind of selflessness.
Yet when it comes to drugs like insu- supporting, and, in many cases, union still be alive. Our Nation has one of the
lin today, and Sanofi, one of the larg- jobs across the country. highest road fatality rates in the
est producers of insulin, in the year President Biden said he wanted to
world. And nearly 1 in 12 bridges in
2000, was charging $35 for a dose of in- build back better when it came to America is considered structurally de-
sulin. It has now had the price rise 25 America. He sure showed it last night. ficient. This is one of them. That
times since then. The price of an insu- We never could have reached that point means that they are at the risk of
lin vial is $350, creating a real hardship without his leadership. The White being compromised by extreme weath-
and a real strain for many families who House has been a partner in this bipar- er, which is becoming more and more
are dependent on insulin to keep them- tisan effort from the start, and 67 common with climate change. Any of
selves or their children alive. Members of the Senate coalesced us could become that man on the
So, this morning, we had a meeting around this approach. This economy bridge in Seneca, IL, who was saved by
in the Senate Judiciary Committee. We needs to work fairly for everyone and his neighbors.
considered four pieces of legislation on protect our kids and grandkids from The infrastructure proposal we are
a bipartisan basis—let me underline climate catastrophe, and a major part considering at this very moment would
that: bipartisan basis—and passed all of this bill addresses it. eliminate this threat across America,
four measures unanimously with voice This is a moment the American peo- rehabilitate our roads and bridges,
votes. I could tell you, having served ple have been waiting for. It couldn’t keep our economy growing, and make
on that committee for over 20 years, it have come sooner. Right now, many of our families safe. With this historic in-
is a rare day that everything goes our roads and bridges are in terrible frastructure proposal, we are removing
through with bipartisan support on an disrepair, and our infrastructure is the hazards from our communities and
issue of consequence. Today was one of crumbling before our eyes. Every week establishing a better foundation for our
those days. brings word of a new climate-related economy. Let’s take a glance at some
One of the bills, the Stop Significant crisis: devastating drought and of the achievements under this bipar-
and Time-wasting Abuse Limiting Le- wildfires in the West; melting power tisan proposal.
gitimate Innovation of New Generics lines in Oregon; rolling blackouts in It is the largest ever investment in
Act—the Stop STALLING Act—by Sen- Texas; and, 2 weeks ago, there was a public transit in America’s history. I
ators KLOBUCHAR and GRASSLEY, was bridge collapsing in my State of Illi- called the mayor of the city of Chicago
advanced by a voice vote. nois. yesterday, and I said: I think I have
What we are finding is that the phar- Take a look at this picture. Let me some good news for you. We are going
maceutical industry is designing new describe what you are seeing here. to be able to build that transit system
ways on a regular basis to delay the This was a scene in a small, rural out, make it more accessible for those
surrender of their patents. As long as town in Illinois, in Seneca, when a with disabilities, have safer stations,
they have patents—and most of those bridge on the River Road gave way to and expand the reach of transit in the
are for 20 years—they have the exclu- extreme flooding. As you can see down city of Chicago.
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sive right to sell that drug, and no one here, the pavement comes to an end, I called downstate, to the Springfield
can compete with them. At the end of and you can see all the way through. Mass Transit District, to tell them the
20 years, the theory goes that the ge- When that bridge came apart, typically good news as well: more buses that are
neric drug companies step in, make the and in good fashion, a group of Illi- fuel-efficient, electric buses, and buses
same drug for a much lower cost, and noisans stepped up as Good Samaritans that really acknowledge that we need a
the consumer finally gets a break. and pulled the driver out of this vehicle response to the climate situation.
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July 29, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5151
A historic expansion in electric vehi- ilies benefits all Americans and drives ing labor, day in and day out, a chance
cle infrastructure is part of this bill. our economy forward. We have a lot of and a path to citizenship.
Electric vehicles are the future. Don’t work to do to build this economy, but One of the critics came to our com-
believe me when I say it, and don’t this is where we should start. mittee and said: Oh, mass amnesty for
wait for some government spokesman I want to thank the bipartisan group farm workers—why would we want to
to say it. Just turn on your TV and of Senators who came together to do that? These people come in and pick
watch the advertisements. produce this package. In many ways, it a few crops and we are going to give
The Ford F–150 Lightning—this elec- is miraculous. This agreement can do them citizenship.
tric truck—is so popular in America more and enable us to repair America’s I wish he would have taken a minute
and has an electrifying ad. To say that roads and bridges. It can show us the to read the bill. You know how many
it is available now is an overstatement. way a divided Senate can come to- years it takes picking that farm crop
But it will be soon. They put on the ad, gether for the good of this country. to be eligible for citizenship under this
if you look at the very end of it: If you Just remember, there wasn’t a single bill? Fourteen to 19 years. Nineteen
want to reserve one of these trucks, infrastructure bill—major infrastruc- years. Does that sound like somebody
here is the website you should contact. ture bill—in the last 5 years, under the stealing across the border, pretending
That is happening more and more— previous President, not one. We are to be a farm worker to become a cit-
an electrified Mustang, for example. doing it now on a bipartisan basis that izen? Nineteen years of your life and
All of these suggest that the private is long overdue. then you are eligible.
sector is racing ahead of those of us in I want to thank President Joe Biden It is only common human decency for
government, realizing that electric ve- for his determined leadership. Nothing us to do that.
hicles are the future. This plan will this big and important is ever accom- We need workers in so many areas. In
help automakers win the race world- plished with a President standing on a hearing yesterday on meat proc-
wide, and it will be the most important the sidelines. essing, I asked the major companies
auto race in our history to make sure Joe Biden promised to work with that process meat in this country:
that electric vehicles have the Amer- both parties to make America work for What percentage of your workforce
ican imprint on them. all Americans, and he has. This is an processing that meat are immigrant
This bipartisan plan is a move for the achievement we can be proud of. labor?
future. For families in Illinois, the IMMIGRATION Well, they weren’t sure. I know the
funding means parents won’t have to Madam President, let me conclude by number. The Migration Policy Insti-
worry about a bridge collapse while saying that the Senate Republican tute tells us that 40 percent of the peo-
taking their kids to school, and it leader, Senator MCCONNELL, came to ple who are processing poultry and
means they can trust the water coming the floor this morning to speak of im- meat in this country are immigrants.
out of the faucet to be clean and safe. migration. I am glad he did because it Why? Why are they attracted to this
For parents in the city of Chicago, is a topic we cannot ignore and must job? Because so few Americans are at-
with more lead service lines than any not ignore. tracted. They need to have immigrant
city in the United States, it could be a We have not passed a significant im- labor to make up the difference. It is
lifesaver. migration bill in the United States of hard, hot, dangerous, back-breaking
These are the investments we need if America in 36 years. Ronald Reagan labor, and they do it every darn day so
we want America to win the 21st cen- was the President. And when you come we can enjoy our meals.
tury. By making them today, with in- with a list of horribles with the current And to say that we are going to ig-
terest rates now at a historic low, we immigration system, it is almost end- nore that reality, that we don’t need a
can reap the benefit for decades to less—the unfairness of the system. single immigrant in this country, is
come, and that is not just my assess- But the Senator from Kentucky took mindless.
ment. Last week, Moody’s chief econo- a position which I take exception to. I would just invite those who don’t
mist said that President Biden’s plan He believes that if we allow any immi- believe we need immigrants in this
to build back better ‘‘will lift the grant into this country, it is a green country going to work to make this a
economy’s longer term growth poten- light, as he called it, for others to try better nation, skip a few meals, be-
tial and ease inflation pressures’’—two to come in legally or illegally. cause what is on your table is there be-
things that all of us endorse. I think he is dead wrong, because cause of immigrant labor.
Let me say that again for my fellow every year—every year—in the United Face the reality. Be honest about it,
Senators. Many on the other side of the States of America, with a population of be fair about it, and don’t label all of
aisle who can’t wait to give a looming over 320 million, we legally allow 1 mil- these people who are working in our
inflation speech. This package, accord- lion new immigrants to become this country as would-be terrorists who are
ing to Moody’s chief economist, ‘‘will country, every year. That is what taking away valuable American jobs.
lift the economy’s longer term growth America is all about. We are a nation They are an important part of Amer-
potential and ease inflation pressures.’’ of immigrants, and we understand the ica’s past and an important part of our
Earlier this morning, the Bureau of value of immigrants to our country. future.
Economic Analysis reported for the We had a hearing last week on farm I yield the floor.
first time our Nation’s economic out- workers. We have 2.4 million farm The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Re-
put has surpassed the pre-pandemic workers who pick the crops and process publican whip.
high. the food that we enjoy at every single BORDER SECURITY
We are back in the saddle. Thanks to meal—2.4 million. And, sadly, many of Mr. THUNE. Madam President, the
the American Rescue Plan, people feel them are in horrible circumstances Biden border crisis continues unabated.
safe and more financially secure. They under our immigration laws. They are Far from being the seasonal surge the
are heading back out into the world, subject to deportation and arrest at President claimed months ago, the
shopping and dining at restaurants and any moment. For what? For being here numbers at the border keep growing.
traveling. picking the crops that our kids eat for Last month, the U.S. Customs and
Let me add quickly: The incidents we breakfast and things that we count on Border Protection encountered more
are finding of infections, hospitaliza- every single day. than 188,000 individuals attempting to
tions, and deaths are almost exclu- So the House of Representatives took cross our southern border. That is not
sively from people who are not vac- a step forward, a bipartisan step for- only the highest number seen so far
cinated—not vaccinated. They are the ward. Thirty Republicans joined the this year; that is the highest monthly
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ones who are the most vulnerable, and Democrats to pass a farm worker bill. number in 21 years—21 years.
they make innocent people, like our I want to give special credit to Senator In all, Customs and Border Protec-
children, more vulnerable because of MIKE BENNET, who has been a leader in tion has had more than 1.1 million en-
their decision not to be vaccinated. this area. We have an agreement in counters along our southern border so
This growth in our economy reflects this bill, for both growers and workers, far in fiscal year 2021, and we still have
a simple truth: Relief for working fam- to give those who do that back-break- 3 months to go. In fiscal year 2019, by
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S5152 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 29, 2021
comparison, the year before COVID, States if—if—such a solution is devel- few months ago, Senator Enzi spoke
total—total—encounters for the entire oped in the context of immigration re- about his 80–20 rule. It is a rule that
fiscal year were under 980,000 individ- form and enhanced border security. those of us who work with him knew
uals. But we cannot have endless floods of well: the rule which emphasized focus-
We have a border crisis—a crisis that illegal immigration. No country can. It ing on the 80 percent of issues we agree
President Biden seems unable or un- is a humanitarian nightmare and a se- on versus the 20 percent of issues where
willing to address. rious security risk. we disagree. It allowed Senator Enzi to
And as massive as those numbers I Immigration has to have limits, and, work with Senators across the political
have mentioned are, they don’t take most of all, it has to be legal. We need spectrum on legislation that he cared
into account those individuals who are to protect and encourage legal immi- so much about.
sneaking across the border without gration, while cracking down on illegal Senator Enzi carried himself in a
being apprehended. Some of them are, immigration. quiet and serious demeanor. He was in-
no doubt, individuals who are looking Unfortunately, Democrats are going terested above all in achieving good
for a better life. Others are almost un- in the opposite direction. The word is policy outcomes for the people of Wyo-
doubtedly criminals, engaged in the that Democrats would like to include ming and the people of our Nation.
kind of illicit activities that we have amnesty in the budget-busting, tax- His leadership has been missed in
to combat along our southern border— and-spending spree that they are push- this Chamber this year, but his legacy
human trafficking, drug smuggling, ing to vote on later this year. as a statesman and his impact on the
and others. That is right. With a serious humani- State of Wyoming will live on forever.
In June, Customs and Border Protec- tarian and security crisis along our My thoughts and prayers are with his
tion seized more than 1,000 pounds of southern border, Democrats want to in- family and friends during this time, in-
fentanyl along our southern border, an clude amnesty in their spending plan. cluding his wife Diana, their daughters
incredibly dangerous drug that some Now, I can only imagine that this Amy and Emily, and son Brad and his
have pushed to classify as a weapon of will encourage thousands more to grandchildren.
make the dangerous trek to and across Senator Enzi, may you rest in peace,
mass destruction. That is more
our southern border, not to mention and please know that your time in the
fentanyl than was seized in that area
how such a policy would undermine re- U.S. Senate and your time living on
in the previous three Junes combined.
What has the Biden administration spect for the rule of law. this Earth was well spent, a role model
I wish I could say that I see some for the rest of us. Thank you.
been doing to deal with the crisis along
I yield the floor.
our border? Well, not much. light at the end of the tunnel when it
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
There has been no move to reinstate comes to the border, but if the Biden The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
the national emergency designation for administration continues along its cur- clerk will call the roll.
our southern border that President rent path, I fully expect this security The bill clerk proceeded to call the
Biden canceled after he took office. and humanitarian crisis to continue. roll.
There is no meaningful plan for stop- I can only hope that President Biden Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask
ping the flood of illegal immigration will recognize the problems his poli- unanimous consent that the order for
and enhancing security along our cies, or lack thereof, are causing, be- the quorum call be rescinded.
southern border. There is no move to fore too many more individuals suffer The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
reinstate funding for the congression- the consequences. SCHATZ). Without objection, it is so or-
ally mandated border wall that Presi- I yield the floor. dered.
dent Biden canceled. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- CORONAVIRUS
In fact, the President is apparently ator from Kansas. Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I
contemplating ending title 42, which REMEMBERING MIKE ENZI learned on Friday that the Department
has allowed the government to imme- Mr. MORAN. Madam President, I of Justice has opted not to pursue a
diately remove apprehended individ- want to pay tribute to our colleague civil rights investigation into govern-
uals in order to help manage the Mike Enzi and express my condolences ment-run nursing homes in several
COVID crisis. to his family and pay my respects to States about their response to the
That is right. At the same time the him. COVID–19. Earlier this year, I urged
CDC is expanding its masking guidance Senator Enzi’s long career in public the Department to pursue this inves-
for Americans, the administration is service began when he was elected as tigation, and I, today, call on the At-
contemplating ending a measure to mayor of his hometown of Gillette, torney General to reconsider this deci-
help stop COVID-infected individuals WY, in 1974. sion that I learned about last Friday. I
from entering the United States. I can just see Mike Enzi—a younger do that in light of media reports sug-
And I haven’t even mentioned the Mike Enzi—being the mayor of a place gesting that the obstruction of justice
fact that apparently the administra- like Gillette, WY, and it brings a smile may have occurred in at least one of
tion has released tens of thousands of to my face and a warmth to my heart. these jurisdictions.
individuals into the United States And I can imagine how hard he worked Close to 1 year ago, the Department
without court dates, many of whom to see that only good things happened sought information from four States.
have failed to show up at Immigration to the citizens of his hometown. Those four States are New York, New
and Customs Enforcement offices as di- He then went on to serve in the Wyo- Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
rected. ming House of Representatives and the The information sought was about the
The border situation is out of con- Wyoming Senate, before being elected number of COVID–19 infections and
trol, and President Biden bears a big to four terms in the U.S. Senate, begin- deaths in their public nursing homes.
part of the blame. ning in 1996. The Department’s request for this in-
Immigration has helped build this Prior to being elected to office, Sen- formation came on the heels of media
country, and I strongly support mak- ator Enzi served in the Wyoming Air reports suggesting that State officials
ing sure that the United States con- National Guard. in these jurisdictions had pressured
tinues to offer a chance for individuals In Congress, Senator Enzi never nursing homes to accept patients, re-
the world over to achieve their dream wavered in his deeply held values and gardless of their COVID–19 status. It
of a better life. I also support tem- his beliefs, and yet he was always held was reported that officials in New York
porary worker programs, like the H–2B by all of us in high esteem, by all of his also may have engaged in a coverup by
visa program, that allow individuals colleagues on both sides of the aisle. actively concealing from the public the
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from other countries to come here for a He had the ability for bringing a con- actual number of COVID–19-related fa-
limited time period to work and for the sensus, to bring us together, and that talities in that State’s nursing homes.
economic opportunity and then return remained true even as this body be- Serious questions remain to this day
to their home countries. came increasingly polarized. about whether the Governors in New
I also support a solution that would In his farewell speech to the Senate, York and these three other jurisdic-
allow Dreamers to stay in the United Senator Enzi—unfortunately, just a tions helped fuel the COVID–19-related
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July 29, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5153
death tolls in nursing homes through propriations Act of 2021, which the January 6, the shattered windows and
the issuance of their own executive or- House sent over, and we add a Leahy- doors were broadcast to the world, lay-
ders that went against the advice of Shelby substitute amendment. ing bare that our seat of democracy is
geriatricians. Let me describe a little bit for my not some impenetrable fortress. We
Yet the Department is declining to colleagues what the Leahy-Shelby sub- can’t just replace the windows, fix the
pursue the matter. And in the case of stitute amendment is. It is the result doors, and say: OK. Everything is fixed.
New York, this is particularly trou- of bipartisan compromise between my- We need to secure the entire complex,
bling. self and Vice Chairman SHELBY. including the office buildings where
New York’s Governor not only re- We have been working on this for thousands of public servants work and
portedly pressured nursing homes in weeks and weekends. Our staff has been countless constituents visit.
his State to accept patients during the working late into the night. And I want So our bill provides $300 million to
initial stage of the pandemic, regard- to thank Senator SHELBY both for his harden accessible windows and doors to
less of their COVID–19 status, but his hard work and his friendship. the Capitol Building and the Senate
administration did not provide an ac- This $2.1 billion package is designed and House Office Buildings and to in-
curate picture of the actual death tolls to address the aftermath of the violent stall new security cameras around the
to the public. This lack of trans- insurrection that took place on Janu- complex.
parency was done to avoid account- ary 6, is designed to heal the remaining Our bill also fulfills our responsi-
ability. So put very simply, the public scars of the COVID pandemic on the bility to support the dedicated public
deserves better. Capitol Complex, and provide the re- servants who worked overtime, way
According to a report by the New sources we need to ensure the safety of overtime, to clean up the mess left by
York Post, a top aide to Governor our Afghan partners as we conclude our a violent mob and diligently worked to
Cuomo even apologized to a group of mission in that country. ensure our safety during the darkest
Democratic State lawmakers during a Let me tell you why there is urgency hours of the pandemic.
phone call for reportedly withholding in this. If we don’t act, then the Cap- We must support those who sup-
data on COVID–19-related nursing itol Police will deplete salaries funding ported us. That is not just a political
home fatalities during this pandemic. in literally a matter of weeks. The Na- or economic responsibility; that is a
The Department’s Civil Rights Divi- tional Guard all over the country will moral responsibility. That means pay-
sion won’t investigate, but at least the be forced to cancel needed training to ing for the costs we have incurred pro-
FBI and prosecutors at the U.S. Attor- carry on their mission at home and tecting staff, the Members, the entire
ney’s Office are looking into the mat- abroad. We all remember when we went Capitol community from COVID, in-
ter. These Federal prosecutors’ review out speaking to members of the Na- cluding cleaning costs and personal
reportedly focuses on whether Gov- tional Guard from most of our States protective equipment, none of which
ernor Cuomo’s administration under- who were here to help with the secu- has been paid for. Until now, we cov-
reported COVID–19 deaths in the nurs- rity of the Capitol in January. ered the costs by robbing Peter to pay
ing homes in an effort to avoid nega- So if we did nothing, that would be Paul. That is unsustainable.
tive publicity. sort of a security crisis entirely of our Our bill addresses this by providing
At least someone is looking at this. own making in what it would do to the $42.1 million to reimburse the costs of
However, I am disappointed that the Capitol Police and what it would do to cleaning, personal protective equip-
Justice Department proper and Attor- our National Guard. ment, telework equipment, and the sal-
ney General Garland have decided to But by acting, we prevent that crisis. aries of employees and contractors who
pull their punches. We provide the Capitol Police with would have been laid off in the height
As I stated today in a letter to the $70.7 million in resources for overtime of the pandemic.
Attorney General, it would be a grave pay, retention bonuses, mental health Finally, in the Leahy-Shelby legisla-
injustice to those who perished in these services, and new equipment and train- tion, we stand with the brave Afghans
facilities during the pandemic to ne- ing. who supported our mission through two
glect to fully explore such widely re- Let me tell you why this is nec- decades of war. By now, we have all
ported and troubling allegations. essary. Since January 6, 73 officers seen the gruesome reports of men and
And as others, too, have noted, pro- have left the Capitol Police, and that is women being summarily executed in
moting more accountability and trans- not sustainable. We have to make a the street, sometimes in front of their
parency is vital under these cir- strong statement of support for those families. Why? Because they had sup-
cumstances. It would not only help pre- officers who defended this building, and ported us. And that slaughter is only
vent similar missteps in the future but all it stands for, on that terrible day. going to escalate.
also maintain public confidence in the This week, the Nation is hearing the We have to provide resources for ad-
Department, which is waning under the testimony of the officers who fought ditional special immigrant visas, SIVs,
Department’s current leadership. the violent insurrectionist mob on that for translators and other Afghans who
I yield the floor. day, and their trauma is real. Anybody worked with Americans over the past
I suggest the absence of a quorum. watching their testimony knows it two decades, as well as for additional
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cannot be brushed aside. humanitarian relief to Afghan refu-
clerk will call the roll. We also provide $521 million to fully gees.
The senior assistant legislative clerk fund the cost of the National Guard de- Our bill does just that. It provides
proceeded to call the roll. ployment to Capitol Hill. From around $1.125 billion to fulfill our commitment
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask the country, including my own State of to those brave Afghans.
unanimous consent that the order for Vermont, the women and men of the Let me tell you what the funds will
the quorum call be rescinded. National Guard responded without hes- do. They will support emergency trans-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without itation to our call for help. We portation, housing, and other essential
objection, it is so ordered. shouldn’t hesitate to reimburse those services to our Afghan partners coming
EMERGENCY SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL TO RE- costs. to the United States under special im-
SPOND TO JANUARY 6TH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, I remember during daylight hours migrant visas, and humanitarian aid
2021 and also late at night going around for the inevitable flood of Afghans flee-
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, as the thanking members of the National ing to neighboring countries. The
distinguished Presiding Officer knows Guard, not just from my State but United Nations has estimated that
from all his involvement and the nego- from all the other States, for what could swell to 500,000 refugees in just
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tiations that have been going on, we do they were doing. But I think it takes a the next few months.
have an emergency security supple- little bit more than just a thank-you. We have also increased the number of
mental issue before us. So I am speak- We basically told them we will pay for Afghan special immigrant visas by
ing now to urge that the Senate take this. Well, now we will. 8,000. We have made improvements to
up and pass H.R. 3237, which is the But that is not all we need to do. We strengthen the program, expand the
Emergency Security Supplemental Ap- need to secure the Capitol Complex. On reach of its protections.
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S5154 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 29, 2021
The reason we have this in the and persisted, and I want to thank him The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
Leahy-Shelby bill is that there is bi- as well. objection, it is so ordered.
partisan understanding that this is an Senator SHELBY persuaded the Mem- Mr. SCHUMER. One more point. I
urgent need, and we have, as the bers on his side that we had to move, hope this will be unanimous. It is hard
United States of America, a moral re- and they have come up with a good for me to believe that any Member
sponsibility to address it immediately. compromise. It is not everything our would not want to support our Capitol
Now, some have said we should just side wanted, but it is very good. Police. For Members to take umbrage
do the bare minimum. Some will say: I also want to thank Senator KLO- at the Capitol Police when they did
Let’s take care of the most pressing BUCHAR and Senator BLUNT. Their work their job and protected us for some
needs now and work on this maybe on the authorizing committee, the kind of crazy ideological reason would
later on—maybe. But I have served in Rules Committee, helped pave the way be disgraceful. I hope there will be a
the U.S. Senate long enough to know for this, with all the information they unanimous vote for this.
that a promise to do something later is brought out, and they deserve a lot of Mr. President, I ask unanimous con-
no promise at all. I cannot accept a credit. sent that the agreement now be exe-
Now, look, to keep the Capitol Com- cuted.
piecemeal approach to the urgent secu-
plex safe and secure, we are lucky to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
rity needs facing our Nation. They are
have the best of the best. As I said ear- objection, it is so ordered.
facing us today, not sometime when we
lier today, our Capitol Police risk their Mr. SCHUMER. Thank you, Mr.
may think about it a few months or lives for us. They go all out for us.
years from now. President.
They are really, really important. The Thank you, Senator LEAHY.
Vice Chairman SHELBY has a proven National Guard went all out for us, too,
track record of reaching bipartisan Thank you, Senator SHELBY.
on that fateful day and then for f
compromise. I would note that this months afterwards. I remember walk-
agreement does not include everything ing through the halls early in the EMERGENCY SECURITY SUPPLE-
I want. I am sure it includes some morning, thanking them as they were MENTAL TO RESPOND TO JANU-
items that he would have preferred to bivouacked out through the Capitol ARY 6TH APPROPRIATIONS ACT,
not be included. But it is a strong bi- Visitor Center and everything else. 2021
partisan bill. We have come together to Now we are about to run out of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
give the best piece of legislation pos- money. Already, the Capitol Police clerk will report the bill by title.
sible for the U.S. Senate. have forgone some of the things that The senior assistant legislative clerk
A pandemic happened. A violent in- they usually do in terms of training, in read as follows:
surrection happened. And the President terms of other types of activities, and A bill (H.R. 3237) making emergency sup-
announced the withdrawal of American soon, salaries, bonuses, and new hiring plemental appropriations for the fiscal year
troops from Afghanistan. The needs are will be on the chopping block. Simi- ending September 30, 2021, and for other pur-
urgent. We must address them now. larly, many of our National Guard poses.
So I am urging all Senators to not units from around the country that The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
only support the bill but actually to sent troops here, soldiers here, men ator from Alabama.
pass the bill today because it still has and women here, are running out of Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I will
to go back to the House of Representa- money. just take a few minutes here. This is
tives this week. There is no time. We can’t let that happen. So passing very important, that we get this sup-
There is no time left. It is a good piece this amendment is living up to our re- plemental passed.
of legislation. It is a necessary piece of sponsibility to keep this grand Capitol I want to first thank my colleague
legislation, and some would say, at safe, this temple of democracy, this and the chairman of the Appropria-
least on the Afghan part, inevitable. citadel of democracy safe, and to make tions Committee, Senator LEAHY, for
Both President Trump and President sure that the people who risk their the work he has done here, working to-
Biden said they wanted to withdraw lives for us and protect us get the help gether to get where we are today. This
our troops this year. Well, they are they need. has been a lot of work, working to-
withdrawing. Now we have to fulfill It shouldn’t have taken this long, but gether, but it also shows that we can
our responsibility. here we are, and I am glad we are on work together in a bipartisan way and
Mr. President, I know that Senator the floor. put the country first, and this is evi-
SHELBY will be on the floor to speak in UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT—H.R. 3237 dence here.
a few moments, so I will suggest the Therefore, I ask unanimous consent What does this bill do? It sticks to
absence of a quorum and ask that Sen- that notwithstanding rule XXII, at a immediate security needs, the urgently
ator SHELBY be recognized when we time to be determined by the majority needed funding to safeguard the Cap-
come out of the quorum call. leader, following consultation with the itol, ensure National Guard readiness,
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Republican leader, the Senate proceed and protect our allies in Afghanistan.
objection, it is so ordered. to the consideration of Calendar No. 63, That is among other things. It is just
The clerk will call the roll. H.R. 3237; that the only amendments in over $2 billion total, more than half of
The senior assistant legislative clerk order be the following: the Leahy- which is for the Department of De-
proceeded to call the roll. Shelby substitute, No. 2123, and the fense. Out of the defense funding, $521
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask Cotton amendment to the Leahy sub- million is to fill National Guard short-
unanimous consent that the order for stitute, No. 2124; that there be 6 min- fall and about $500 million to evacuate
the quorum call be rescinded. utes for debate equally divided between Afghan allies; $600 million for the State
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without the two leaders or their designees; that Department to fund Afghan special im-
objection, it is so ordered. upon the use or yielding back of time, migration visas; $100 million for our
Mr. SCHUMER. I ask that I be al- the Senate vote in relation to the Cot- own Capitol Police here, to fund that;
lowed to speak for a few minutes, do ton and Leahy amendments; that if a and $300 million for security enhance-
my unanimous consent, and then go budget point of order is raised and a ments around the Capitol.
right to Senator SHELBY. motion to waive is made, the Senate I strongly urge my colleagues to vote
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without vote on the motion to waive; and that yes for this.
objection, it is so ordered. if waived, the bill, as amended, if Again, I want to thank Senator
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, first, I amended, be considered read a third SCHUMER and Senator MCCONNELL, our
want to just give my great thanks to time and the Senate vote on passage of leaders on both sides of the aisle, for
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Senator LEAHY and Senator SHELBY for the bill, as amended, if amended, and helping bring this to where we are
bringing this vote here right now. The the motions to reconsider be consid- today.
bottom line is very simple: This wasn’t ered made and laid upon the table, all The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
easy to get done. A UC on these kinds without intervening action or debate, KING). The Senator from Indiana.
of issues should be easy, but it is not. with 60 affirmative votes required for Mr. BRAUN. Mr. President, we need
Senator LEAHY persisted and persisted passage of the bill. to support our Capitol Police, and we
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