Congressional Record, Senate, September 30, 2021 — H.R. 5305 and Continuing Appropriations
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate proceedings for Thursday, September 30, 2021, Vol. 167 No. 171. The Senate met at 9:30 a.m. with Peters of Michigan as Acting President pro tempore and proceeded to consideration of the bill making continuing appropriations and providing emergency assistance, the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act. Under Government Funding, McConnell says the Senate will consider and pass the bill to avoid a shutdown, calls it disappointing that funding for Israel's Iron Dome was not included in the base text, and says the debt ceiling is step 2, to be handled through reconciliation.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Congressional Record, Senate, September 30, 2021 — H.R. 5305 and Continuing Appropriations.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-09-30-crec-2021-09-30-pt1-pgs6801-7-022874c203/
, SHA-256 42ee1c201a35371784cc385b4d6ff8c4366869f120dff2399615ea278df09be8.Full text
Congressional Record
E PL
UR M
IB NU
U U
S
117 th CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
United States
of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE
Vol. 167 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 No. 171
Senate
The Senate met at 9:30 a.m. and was appoint the Honorable GARY C. PETERS, a It is seriously disappointing that the
called to order by the Honorable GARY Senator from the State of Michigan, to per- Democratic side would not let us in-
C. PETERS, a Senator from the State of form the duties of the Chair. clude funding for Israel’s Iron Dome in
PATRICK J. LEAHY,
Michigan. the base text. It honestly baffles me
President pro tempore.
f that defensive aid to our ally Israel has
Mr. PETERS thereupon assumed the become a thorny subject for the polit-
PRAYER Chair as Acting President pro tempore. ical left.
The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- f But, overall, this is encouraging
fered the following prayer: progress. The Democratic majority has
RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME
Let us pray. begun to realize that the way forward
Eternal God, who directs the move- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- on basic governing duties matches the
ments of the stars, we look to You for pore. Under the previous order, the roadmap that Republicans have been
help to sustain us during life’s chal- leadership time is reserved. laying out for months. On government
lenging season. Lord, we rejoice be- f funding, what Republicans laid out all
cause repeatedly in our history You along was a clean continuing resolu-
have saved us from trouble. You have CONCLUSION OF MORNING
tion without the poison pill of a debt
sent angels to guard and defend us. We BUSINESS
limit increase. That is exactly what we
continue to remember the many times The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- will pass today. Earlier this week, the
You have blessed us beyond what we pore. Morning business is closed. Democratic leader tried to muscle
deserve. f through something different through a
Today, guide our lawmakers. Fill partisan jam, but it failed. Now the
them with reverential awe as they re- LEGISLATIVE SESSION
government will be funded as we laid
member that those who trust You will out. That is step 1.
lack no good thing. Though they may Next will come step 2: the debt ceil-
EXTENDING GOVERNMENT FUND-
face many troubles, You will continue ing. And we have clearly laid out the
ING AND DELIVERING EMER-
to rescue them. Thank You for never way forward there as well. As I have
GENCY ASSISTANCE ACT
forsaking us. explained since last July—last July—
We pray in Your loving Name. Amen. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Democrats need to begin the fast-track
f pore. Under the previous order, the process for handling this issue through
Senate will proceed to the consider- reconciliation. Clumsy attempts at
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ation of H.R. 5305, which the clerk will partisan jams by the majority will not
The Presiding Officer led the Pledge report. change that reality. It didn’t work on
of Allegiance, as follows: The legislative clerk read as follows: government funding, and it won’t work
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the A bill (H.R. 5305) making continuing appro- on the debt limit. They will just be
United States of America, and to the Repub- priations for the fiscal year ending Sep- wasting valuable time.
lic for which it stands, one nation under God, tember 30, 2022, and for providing emergency I think this reality is hopefully start-
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. assistance, and for other purposes.
ing to dawn on our colleagues. Multiple
f RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
leading House Democrats acknowl-
APPOINTMENT OF ACTING The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. edged just this week that their unified
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE ROSEN). The Republican leader is rec- Democratic government is fully capa-
ognized. ble—fully capable—of fast-tracking a
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
clerk will please read a communication
GOVERNMENT FUNDING debt limit increase on their own. Non-
to the Senate from the President pro Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, partisan experts have confirmed that
tempore (Mr. LEAHY). today the Senate will consider and pass they have plenty of time to get this
The legislative clerk read the fol- a government funding bill and do our done before late October.
part to avoid a shutdown. At the same time that the Senate
lowing letter:
The continuing resolution contains a Democratic leader says, incorrectly,
U.S. SENATE,
number of key items that Republicans that he doesn’t have enough time, he
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE,
Washington, DC, September 30, 2021. called for. That includes supplemental has spent weeks of the Senate’s time
To the Senate: funds to help resettle vetted Afghan processing midlevel nominations.
Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, refugees and hurricane recovery aid for Today, the majority is spending mul-
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby Louisiana. tiple hours to confirm a Bureau of
∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.
®
S6801
Pdnted on recycled papfil.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:39 Oct 01, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A30SE6.000 S30SEPT1
S6802 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 30, 2021
Land Management nominee who lit- Any politician who steps up to that po- icy details much more capably than
erally collaborated with ecoterrorists, dium is guaranteed to notice Sue most people could hope to grasp either.
fiddling away day after day after day amidst the throng. When you handle budget talks and
while they pretend they lack the time Sue’s day job has been public service funding negotiations for a leadership
to do their most basic job. for more than three decades, but even office, you are kind of a hybrid player-
Senate Republicans have been totally that hasn’t soaked up all of her love coach to offices and committees all
transparent. We have given Democrats and service for her community. She is across the Senate. Jane is a skilled
a step-by-step guide to governing in also an enthusiastic volunteer, a fre- leader. She can get a diverse team driv-
this environment and months of ad- quent participant in Paducah’s ambas- ing toward a goal with warmth and
vance notice to get it done. The conclu- sador program, and one of the city’s good humor but also tenacity and total
sion to draw from this week is very all-around biggest boosters. professionalism.
clear: Clumsy efforts at partisan jams If you sample a Paducah boat tour or For countless major bipartisan and
do not work. What works is when the roll into town for a ribbon-cutting, it bicameral compromise bills over the
majority accepts the reality of the sit- might well be Sue Tharp welcoming past 5 years, Jane has been one of very
uation. you to town, decked out in the ambas- last staff experts on either side holding
We are able to fund the government sador’s characteristic red jacket. Visit the pen. She is a principled fighter, but
today because the majority accepted the Quilt Museum, and it will be Sue once negotiations concluded, everyone
reality. The same thing will need to handing you a brochure. Vacation in on both sides trusted Jane to be an
happen on the debt limit next week. one of Western Kentucky’s beautiful honorable and honest broker. That
TRIBUTE TO SUE THARP parks, and Sue Tharp will be waving to speaks volumes.
Now, Madam President, on an en- you from the door of her RV. Earlier this week, one of Jane’s col-
tirely different matter, few public serv- Sue’s dedication to Western Ken- leagues remarked simply, ‘‘I don’t
ants know Western Kentucky and its tucky and its people is boundless. For think I’ve ever worked with someone
people as well as my good friend Sue all these years, she understood that like Jane.’’ This turns out to be the
Tharp. Sue has served as my team’s while my staff report to me, all of us universal consensus of everyone. Her
Paducah-based field assistant since report to the people of Kentucky. In knowledge and her instincts spill out-
1985. She is retiring this month after fact, at one point I believe Sue even side her portfolio and make everyone
lived directly across the street from look better. The high standards to
nearly four decades of uninterrupted
our Paducah office. which she holds herself are infectious.
service to the Commonwealth.
So while Sue is departing our team, I She marshals the knowledge and the
Sue holds the record for being the
am positive she isn’t finished serving relationships that come with many
longest continually serving employee
Kentucky. This is just the next chap- years of government service but also
from my entire career in public serv-
ter. More time to volunteer, more time inexhaustible earnestness, energy, and
ice. She has been with me since day
to be generous to her friends and her enthusiasm for the fray.
one of my Senate service. So Jane is exactly the kind of person
So, today, I would like to honor this neighbors, and more time with her hus-
you would hope to find in the govern-
one-of-a-kind Kentuckian whose steady band Dan and son Benjamin.
ment, just the kind of worker a Senate
leadership in Western Kentucky has So, Sue, I couldn’t be more grateful.
office is lucky to find, and just the sort
been integral to my office’s mission to Thank you for your decades of hard
of public servant the country deserves.
serve the Bluegrass and the people who work and for your lasting impact on I don’t think anyone would be ter-
call it home. the Commonwealth. ribly surprised if, one day, the Senate
Now, when you ask Sue’s colleagues TRIBUTE TO JANE LEE
finds itself refamiliarizing ourselves
to describe their coworker, you hear Madam President, on one final mat- with Jane’s qualifications in a formal
one word again and again and again: ter, the pressing matters I discussed at capacity.
dedicated. In 36 years, Sue has scarcely the beginning of my remarks suggest I I have to note that Jane would has-
missed a day in the office. She tackles could not find a more appropriate time ten to redirect all this praise toward
each constituent problem with her to honor the sterling staff expert who her parents Michael and Jean, as well
quick wit and her smile. Her knowledge has advised me on budget issues and as her grandmother Hee Soon. She is a
of Western Kentucky is encyclopedic. appropriations for over 5 years. But, in proud daughter of first-generation
And Sue has played a key part in train- another sense, it pains me to say there Americans and small business entre-
ing almost every other field staffer on couldn’t be a worse time because the preneurs whose love of country and
our team, sharing hard-won wisdom occasion for this tribute is that Jane commitment to hard work have shaped
with the next generation of public serv- Lee is soon taking leave of the Senate their daughter’s life at every step.
ants. and taking the next step in her career. At clutch moments, these qualities
So when I think of Sue’s service to Jane arrived in my office with a big have benefited not just me, not just
Kentucky, two images come to mind. job to do but the perfect skill set to do our conference, but our entire country.
The first is Sue winning over even the it. She studied at a couple of schools Today, one such time especially stands
most impassioned callers to my office, called Stanford and Columbia. She had out in my memory.
whether the call started out friendly or worked in the private sector, risen It was a year and a half ago when
not. Sue will listen carefully, record through the ranks at OMB during the COVID thrust our country into a
their concerns, and do all she can to Bush 43 administration, worked for a health crisis and an economic crisis at
help. But then she also invariably will House Budget chairman named Paul the very same time. During the bipar-
end up discussing other favorite topics, Ryan, and held leading rolls with Sen- tisan scramble that built a historic
such as quilting. Sue is an avid volun- ate Appropriations and Republican CARES Act, Jane, our Swiss Army
teer at the National Quilt Museum in Whip JOHN CORNYN. knife, wound up as my liaison to the
Paducah. So when the conversation Jane’s resume was impeccable, her Small Business Committee. She poured
wraps up, Sue will be smiling, and you references unimpeachable. She was al- herself into helping Senators set up,
know the person who just hung up on ready a force of nature on Capitol Hill, preserve, and protect the landmark
the other end is smiling too. so my expectations, as you can imag- Paycheck Protection Program that
The second image comes from an ine, were high from the start. But for saved a huge, huge number of jobs and
event called Fancy Farm, which is an about 51⁄2 years, day in and day out, countless small businesses exactly like
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
annual picnic in Graves County. It is through a never-ending catalog of seri- the ones she grew up watching her par-
the crown jewel of Western Kentucky’s ous challenges, Jane kept raising the ents manage.
heritage. Sue is one of the event’s most bar higher and higher. But while Jane’s commitment to her
enthusiastic attendees. She often trav- Jane’s colleagues throughout the work has been peerless, her commit-
els down early to peruse the area’s Senate admire her determination and ment to her family is greater still. Her
many antique stores. She loves attend- her dogged focus. She is methodical beloved husband Tom and her son
ing the church barbecue, taking in the and meticulous. She grasps both the Mitchell and her parents and grand-
speeches, and cheering with the crowd. big political picture and the finest pol- mother need to see more of her than
VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:39 Oct 01, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G30SE6.002 S30SEPT1
September 30, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6803
her bottomless Senate portfolio has serve as the Director of the Consumer pational diversity as well—voting
often permitted. So while the whole in- Financial Protection Bureau. Mr. rights experts, civil rights lawyers,
stitution will sorely miss her, we also Chopra is the right man to lead this public defenders, and more. This is how
join her in celebrating the new adven- Agency tasked with protecting Ameri- we work to strengthen not only diver-
tures to come. cans from predatory financial institu- sity in our judiciary but the trust that
To our incredibly competent budget tions. He is a veteran of the CFPB from it represent all Americans.
expert, our cherished colleague, and the Obama years, where he specialized DEBT LIMIT
one of the Senate’s most talented jazz in protecting students from unscrupu- Madam President, finally, on the
and rock-and-roll singers, we say not lous practices of student loan pro- debt limit, just as our Republican col-
just ‘‘farewell’’ and ‘‘good luck’’ but viders. leagues realized a government shut-
‘‘bravo’’ on a simply outstanding per- Under President Trump, who didn’t down would be catastrophic, they
formance. give a hoot about the average person, should realize that a default on the na-
RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER the CFPB spent more time protecting tional debt would be even worse.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- the likes of payday lenders and for- Throughout American history, the
jority leader is recognized. profit colleges than American con- Federal Government has consistently
H.R. 5305
sumers. With Mr. Chopra’s confirma- paid its debt on time. The unbroken
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I tion, the CFPB will return to fighting promise is what made the United
begin this morning with some good on the side of the American worker in- States the leading economy in the
news: Today, the Senate will pass a stead of big financial institutions. I world for so long, benefiting countless
continuing resolution that will elimi- look forward to his confirmation millions of families. So when we talk
nate the possibility of a government today. about extending the debt limit, that is
After that, we will turn to the nomi- what is at stake.
shutdown tonight. The CR we are vot-
nation of Tracy Stone-Manning to lead All week long, Senate Democrats pre-
ing on will keep the government funded
the Bureau of Land Management. Few sented our Republican colleagues with
until December 3, provide funding to
Agencies are as important for pro- reasonable proposals to prevent a de-
help process and resettle Afghan refu-
tecting and promoting America’s pub- fault from happening. We offered to
gees, and finally deliver on critical dis-
lic lands. In the years to come, the hold a simple majority vote so Demo-
aster aid for Americans battered by the
BLM will play an even greater stra- crats could fix the debt ceiling our-
storms and wildfires this summer.
tegic role in our government’s effort to selves. They rejected that offer.
As part of today’s agreement, we will
fight climate change. We are not even asking Republicans
hold a vote series starting at 10:30 this
Ms. Stone-Manning is a familiar face to vote yes, even though we know they
morning on three amendments offered
here in the Senate. She served as a should, but, instead, just to get out of
by Senators COTTON, MARSHALL, and
staffer for Senator TESTER before mov- the way; just get out of the way, and
BRAUN. We will hold a vote on final
ing to Montana to work for then-Gov- let us keep the faith and credit in
passage soon thereafter, and I am con-
ernor Bullock. As head of Montana’s America’s finances intact. Unfortu-
fident the House will approve this
environmental agency, she earned the nately, Republicans spent the week so-
measure later this afternoon and send
reputation not only as a skilled policy- lidifying themselves as the party of de-
it to the President’s desk before fund-
maker but also as an honest broker, fault; the party that says America
ing runs out.
one who commanded the respect of con- doesn’t pay its bills; the party that
This is a good outcome, one I am
servationists and ranchers alike. would send our economy into unknown
happy we are getting done. With so Of course, you would never guess that
many things to take care of here in and dangerous territory.
by listening to some of the histrionics On Monday, Republicans unani-
Washington, the last thing the Amer- coming from the other side. Unable to mously blocked a measure that would
ican people need is for the government disqualify Ms. Stone-Manning on the have funded the government and raised
to grind to a halt. But, of course, we merits, which is so obvious to just the debt ceiling.
have more work to do. Just as our Re- about anyone who studies it, some of On Tuesday, the Republican leader
publican colleagues realize that a gov- our Republican colleagues have used blocked the proposal to raise the debt
ernment shutdown would be cata- her nomination to launch cheap, out- ceiling with only Democratic votes—
strophic, they should realize that a de- of-context attacks. Thankfully, no one exactly what Republicans insisted they
fault on the national debt would be is taking these attacks seriously. wanted from the start.
even worse. I will have more to say on Because of her exceptional qualifica- By Wednesday, it was clear that Re-
this later. tions, Tracy Stone-Manning has broad publicans were committed not only to
NOMINATIONS support of the Democratic caucus to voting in favor of default but even pre-
Madam President, now on nomina- lead the BLM, and I expect her nomina- venting Democrats from solving this
tions, despite a week marked by Re- tion to be approved later today. risk crisis on our own.
publican obstruction, the Senate is Finally, I am also pleased that today Every day that Republicans continue
making great progress on our responsi- President Biden is announcing the their cynical obstruction, they risk
bility to confirm President Biden’s nomination of another outstanding causing irreparable harm to the econ-
nominees to his administration. judge from my home State: Dale Ho to omy. The last time Republicans played
Last week, a handful of Members serve as district judge for the Southern games with the full faith and credit of
made a scene here on the Senate floor District of New York. the United States, our sovereign debt
in a doomed effort to stymie a number Like so many of President Biden’s ju- was downgraded. This time around, the
of nominees critical to our national de- dicial nominees, Mr. Ho is a prominent consequences for American families
fense. I am glad to say that, over the civil rights lawyer and voting rights could be far worse.
course of the week, we have success- expert. A graduate of Yale and Prince- Despite Republicans’ intransigence,
fully confirmed these individuals de- ton, a veteran of the NAACP and the the facts have not changed. We must
spite these theatrics from that handful ACLU, Mr. Ho would bring an impres- raise the debt ceiling. We cannot allow
of Republicans Senators. sive resume to the judiciary. I am America to default.
This Chamber will not allow anyone thrilled that President Biden has taken Yesterday, the House approved legis-
to hijack the confirmation process to my advice to nominate Mr. Ho, and I lation providing for a clean debt limit
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
score political points and to prevent look forward to working on his con- extension until the end of 2022. At the
these nominations from being ap- firmation. appropriate time, I will move to pro-
proved. It will not happen. We will In a more general note on this issue, ceed to its consideration, which could
move forward. It will take a little more I am proud that the Senate is not only come as early as next week.
time, but we will get it done. increasing the demographic diversity By now, we are not asking Repub-
Today, the Senate will keep going. on the bench—more women, more peo- licans to vote with us to solve the debt
After passing the CR, we will turn to ple of color, and more individuals from limit crisis they have created. If they
the nomination of Rohit Chopra to immigrant families—but also its occu- want to oppose this measure and bring
VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:39 Oct 01, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G30SE6.004 S30SEPT1
S6804 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 30, 2021
us closer to financial disaster, they can Vermont or Texas or any other State, it all on our own. We are willing to
write their names in the history books we can provide the assistance. pass this with Democratic votes.
as the Senators who let the country de- But they may go home and say: Hey, But the Republicans continue to fili-
fault for the first time ever. But Re- we voted to get money, disaster relief buster. If we don’t resolve the debt
publicans need to get out of the way so for our hurricane-ravaged States. issue in the coming days, make no mis-
Senate Democrats can address the Somebody is going to say: Well, wait take where the blame lies: squarely at
issue quickly and without needlessly a minute, where does the money come the feet of the Senate Republicans.
endangering the stability of our econ- from to help recover and build if the When we go back and say all these
omy. U.S. Treasury is literally out of wonderful things we have done for you
We cannot afford the risk of a drawn- money? in the continuing resolution, but we
out, unpredictable process sought by In other words, they have a position are not going to pay for it—we need to
the minority, which could very well ac- where they can vote for something that pass the CR today, of course, to avert a
tually cause a default, no. The way to would be popular back home, and it is government shutdown tomorrow. A
resolve this crisis is much more simple. kind of like ‘‘the check is in the mail.’’ government shutdown, as we know
Either Republicans snap out of their We are not going to give you any from those in the last administration,
insane position and work with Demo- money for it, but, boy, we are going to wastes billions, accomplishes nothing.
crats or they get out of the way while speak about how important it is to But it is also essential not only to pass
we solve the problem ourselves. help. the continuing resolution, but to unite
UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT Many Senators here today want to and pass the debt limit extension, or
Madam President, I ask unanimous provide a billion dollars to fund Israel’s there is not going to be money in the
consent that the previously scheduled so-called Iron Dome, even though Treasury—no money to pay for the
votes begin at 11:05 a.m. and that all Israel has not spent the money we have funding of this bill for American fami-
provisions of the previous order remain already given them. Well, we will pass lies, for the elderly, for our troops.
in effect. a bill to do just that. But if there is no Now, prior to the final passage, we
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without money in the U.S. Treasury to pay the will have a series of three amendment
objection, it is so ordered. bills, it is nothing but an empty prom- votes. With only 13 hours for the gov-
Mr. SCHUMER. I yield the floor. ise to one of our closest allies. We are ernment set to shut down—13 hours
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- voting on a blank check. and a few minutes—any one of these
ator from Vermont. According to the Treasury Depart- amendments could peril the continuing
H.R. 5305 ment, we are going to reach the debt resolution. They are controversial.
Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, we ceiling in 18 days. Now, I say that be- They could complicate House passage.
will have before us a substitute amend- cause we ought to know what we are So I would urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on all
ment identical to H.R. 5305, which we not voting on. What we are not voting three amendments and an ‘‘aye’’ vote
will be voting on today. H.R. 5305 is the on—as the majority leader pointed out, for final passage.
House-passed continuing resolution, we are not voting on the debt ceiling. Any one of those things in those
except that the provision raising the We could say: Oh, we are helping hur- three amendments, bring them up as
debt ceiling has been removed because ricane-ravaged areas; oh, we are mak- legislation somewhere else, but don’t
Republicans continue to block raising ing others happy with things we vote shut down the government because you
the debt ceiling. for, but we are not voting for the didn’t get your political amendments.
But the stop-gap measure really money. AMENDMENT NO. 3830
keeps the government funded through If we don’t raise the debt ceiling, (Purpose: In the nature of a sub-
December 3. It provides $28 billion to once that happens, we run out of stitute.)
help States that have been ravaged by money to pay our men and women in Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I call
hurricanes and wildfires. It provides uniform. We all support our men and up amendment No. 3830.
critical assistance to Afghan refugees women in uniform. We are just not The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
who fled the Taliban in the wake of the going to put in the money to pay them. clerk will report the amendment by
U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. We can’t send out Social Security number.
Many of those refugees have worked checks. Find a Senator in this place The senior assistant legislative clerk
with American forces and helped us. So that would say they are against Social read as follows:
I urge all members to vote for it. Security. But to put the money in for The Senator from Vermont [Mr. LEAHY]
But I agree with the majority leader it, they are not ready to do that. Just proposes an amendment numbered 3830.
that it is shameful we can’t reach an saying: Oh, we all support our veterans. (The amendment is printed in today’s
agreement today to raise the debt ceil- Of course, we do. We are just not going RECORD under ‘‘Text of Amendments.’’)
ing and protect the full faith and credit to put the money in to support them. AMENDMENT NOS. 3833, 3831, AND 3832 TO
of the United States. If Republicans For the first time in history, the U.S. AMENDMENT NO. 3830
don’t want to vote to protect the full will default on its debt. The economy Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I ask
faith and credit of the United States, if will take such a hit that it will take unanimous consent to call up all re-
the Republicans don’t want to vote for years to recover. Millions of people will maining amendments, in order, with
the money that pays for the programs be out of work. Bills will not be paid. respect to H.R. 3505 en bloc, and ask
that they had supported under Donald Watch the stock market go down faster that they be reported by number.
Trump, well, then, stand out of the way than we have ever seen and millions of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
and Democrats can raise the debt ceil- Americans’ lifetime savings will be at objection, it is so ordered.
ing. risk. Oh, we are for all of those—we The clerk will report the amend-
Over and over, the last few days, we just—you are on your own. ments by number en bloc.
heard from Members on the other side Now, the Republican Party is playing AMENDMENT NO. 3833 TO AMENDMENT NO. 3830
of the aisle speak about the importance political games with U.S. economy and The senior assistant legislative clerk
of passing a continuing resolution that with people’s livelihoods, and it is read as follows:
contained disaster relief to help hurri- shameful. Senator MCCONNELL said he The Senator from Vermont [Mr. LEAHY],
cane-ravaged States, like Louisiana would not provide a single Republican for Mr. COTTON and others, proposes an
and Texas. They are pleading for help. vote to raise the debt ceiling. It is in- amendment numbered 3833 to amendment
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
Well, we are about to pass a CR that teresting because most of this debt was No. 3830.
provides that help. incurred under a Republican President The amendment is as follows:
I have always taken the position that and a Republican-controlled Senate. (Purpose: To modify the immigration bene-
if there is a disaster in any State, that But as irresponsible as it is for the fits for which certain Afghan nationals are
we should all come together to provide Republican leader to say we won’t vote eligible)
assistance because we are the United to pay for the debt that we incur, we, Beginning on page 80, strike line 6 and all
States of America; it is not just one on the Democratic side, are prepared to that follows through page 83, line 4, and in-
State. Whether it is my State of show what leadership looks like and do sert the following:
VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:42 Oct 01, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G30SE6.005 S30SEPT1
September 30, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6805
SEC. 2502. (a) IN GENERAL.—Notwith- ignated by Congress as being for an emer- as described under section 301 of the Congres-
standing any other provision of law, a citizen gency requirement pursuant to subsections sional Budget and Impoundment Control Act
or national of Afghanistan (or a person with (a)(1) and (b) of section 4001 of S. Con. Res. 14 of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 632) for a fiscal year before
no nationality who last habitually resided in (117th Congress), the concurrent resolution October 1 of that fiscal year and have not
Afghanistan) shall be eligible for the benefits on the budget for fiscal year 2022. passed all the regular appropriations bills for
described in subsections (b) and (c) if— AMENDMENT NO. 3831 TO AMENDMENT NO. 3830 the next fiscal year before October 1 of that
(1) such individual completed security and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The fiscal year, the pay of each Member of Con-
law enforcement background checks to the clerk will report. gress may not be paid for each day following
satisfaction of the Secretary of Homeland The senior assistant legislative clerk that October 1 until the date on which both
Security and was subsequently— Houses of Congress approve a concurrent res-
read as follows:
(A) paroled into the United States between olution on the budget for that fiscal year and
July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2022; or The Senator from Vermont [Mr. LEAHY], all the regular appropriations bills.
(B) paroled into the United States after for Mr. MARSHALL, and others, proposes an
SEC. 4104. NO PAY WITHOUT CONCURRENT RESO-
September 30, 2022, and— amendment numbered 3831 to amendment
LUTION ON THE BUDGET AND THE
No. 3830.
(i) is the spouse or child (as defined in sec- APPROPRIATIONS BILLS.
tion 101(b) of the Immigration and Nation- The amendment is as follows: (a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any
ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(b))) of an individual (Purpose: To prohibit the use of Federal other provision of law, no funds may be ap-
described in subparagraph (A); or funds for implementing or enforcing propriated or otherwise be made available
(ii) is the parent or legal guardian of an in- COVID–19 vaccine mandates) from the United States Treasury for the pay
dividual described in subparagraph (A) who At the appropriate place in title I of divi- of any Member of Congress during any period
is determined to be an unaccompanied child sion D, insert the following: determined by the Chairpersons of the Com-
(as defined in section 462(g)(2) of the Home- SEC. ll. PROHIBITION ON FUNDING FOR mittee on the Budget and the Committee on
land Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 279(g)(2))); COVID–19 VACCINE MANDATES. Appropriations of the Senate or the Chair-
and (a) IN GENERAL.—None of the funds appro- persons of the Committee on the Budget and
(2) such individual’s parole has not been priated or otherwise made available under the Committee on Appropriations of the
terminated by the Secretary of Homeland this Act may be obligated or expended to im- House of Representatives under section 4105.
Security. plement or enforce a COVID–19 vaccine man- (b) NO RETROACTIVE PAY.—A Member of
(b) BENEFITS.—An individual described in date, including the promulgation of any rule Congress may not receive pay for any period
subsection (a) shall be eligible for— or regulation with respect to such a mandate determined by the Chairpersons of the Com-
(1) resettlement assistance, entitlement or the enforcement of such a rule or regula- mittee on the Budget and the Committee on
programs, and other benefits available to tion. Appropriations of the Senate or the Chair-
refugees admitted under section 207 of the (b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: persons of the Committee on the Budget and
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. (1) COVID–19 VACCINE MANDATE.—The term the Committee on Appropriations of the
1157) until March 31, 2023; and ‘‘COVID–19 vaccine mandate’’ means— House of Representatives under section 4105,
(2) services described in section 412(d)(2) of (A) any requirement that a person (other at any time after the end of that period.
the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 than a Federal employee or an individual SEC. 4105. DETERMINATIONS.
U.S.C. 1522(d)(2)), subject to subparagraph (B) performing work on or in connection with a
(a) SENATE.—
of such section, if such individual is an unac- contract with the Federal Government) re-
(1) REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATIONS.—On Octo-
companied alien (as defined in section ceive a COVID–19 vaccine, including a re-
ber 1 of each year, the Secretary of the Sen-
462(g)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of quirement that such a person either receive
ate shall submit a request to the Chair-
2002 (6 U.S.C. 279(g)(2))). such a vaccine or be subject to COVID–19
persons of the Committee on the Budget and
(c) EXPEDITIOUS ADJUDICATION OF ASYLUM testing; or
the Committee on Appropriations of the Sen-
APPLICATIONS.—With respect to an applica- (B) any requirement that an employer re-
ate for certification of determinations made
tion for asylum under section 208 of the Im- quire an employee or independent contractor
migration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158) under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of para-
to receive a COVID–19 vaccine, including by
filed by an individual described in subsection graph (2).
requiring such employee or independent con-
(a)— (2) DETERMINATIONS.—The Chairpersons of
tractor to either receive such vaccine or be
(1) the initial interview on the asylum ap- the Committee on the Budget and the Com-
subject to COVID–19 testing.
plication shall occur not later than 15 days mittee on Appropriations of the Senate
(2) EMPLOYER.—The term ‘‘employer’’
after the date on which such application is shall—
means a person engaged in a business affect-
filed; and (A) on October 1 of each year, make a de-
ing commerce who has employees or inde-
(2) in the absence of exceptional cir- termination of whether Congress is in com-
pendent contractors. Such term includes a
cumstances, final administrative adjudica- pliance with section 4103 and whether Sen-
State or political subdivision of a State but
tion of the asylum application, not including ators may not be paid under that section;
does not include the United States.
administrative appeal, shall be completed (B) determine the period of days following
AMENDMENT NO. 3832 TO AMENDMENT NO. 3830 each October 1 that Senators may not be
not later than 150 days after the date on
which such application is filed. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The paid under section 4103; and
(d) CLARIFICATION.—Notwithstanding any clerk will report. (C) provide timely certification of the de-
other provision of law, nothing in this Act The senior assistant legislative clerk terminations under subparagraphs (A) and
may be interpreted— read as follows: (B) upon the request of the Secretary of the
(1) to preclude an individual described in The Senator from Vermont [Mr. LEAHY], Senate.
subsection (a) from applying for or receiving for Mr. BRAUN and others, proposes an (b) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.—
any immigration benefit to which such indi- amendment numbered 3832 to amendment (1) REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATIONS.—On Octo-
vidual is otherwise entitled; No. 3830. ber 1 of each year, the Chief Administrative
(2) to entitle a person described in sub- Officer of the House of Representatives shall
The amendment is as follows: submit a request to the Chairpersons of the
section (a) to adjustment of status to lawful (Purpose: To provide that Members of Con-
permanent resident; or Committee on the Budget and the Com-
gress may not receive pay after October 1 mittee on Appropriations of the House of
(3) preclude a person described in sub- of any fiscal year in which Congress has
section (a) from applying for a driver’s li- Representatives for certification of deter-
not approved a concurrent resolution on minations made under subparagraphs (A) and
cense or identification card for which such the budget and passed the regular appro-
person is eligible under State law. (B) of paragraph (2).
priations bills) (2) DETERMINATIONS.—The Chairpersons of
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, and At the end, add the following: the Committee on the Budget and the Com-
every 3 months thereafter, the Secretary of DIVISION E—NO BUDGET, NO PAY mittee on Appropriations of the House of
Homeland Security, in consultation with the SEC. 4101. SHORT TITLE. Representatives shall—
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of This division may be cited as the ‘‘No (A) on October 1 of each year, make a de-
State, shall submit a report to Congress de- Budget, No Pay Act’’. termination of whether Congress is in com-
tailing— SEC. 4102. DEFINITION. pliance with section 4103 and whether Mem-
(1) the number of individuals described in In this division, the term ‘‘Member of Con- bers of the House of Representatives may not
be paid under that section;
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
subsection (a); gress’’—
(2) the number of individuals receiving (1) has the meaning given under section (B) determine the period of days following
benefits under subsection (b), including 2106 of title 5, United States Code; and each October 1 that Members of the House of
those who are eligible for benefits as refu- (2) does not include the Vice President. Representatives may not be paid under sec-
gees; and SEC. 4103. TIMELY APPROVAL OF CONCURRENT tion 4103; and
(3) any other information that the Sec- RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET AND (C) provide timely certification of the de-
retary considers relevant. THE APPROPRIATIONS BILLS. terminations under subparagraphs (A) and
(f) EMERGENCY REQUIREMENT.—Each If both Houses of Congress have not ap- (B) upon the request of the Chief Administra-
amount provided by this section is des- proved a concurrent resolution on the budget tive Officer of the House of Representatives.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:42 Oct 01, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A30SE6.008 S30SEPT1
S6806 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 30, 2021
SEC. 4106. EFFECTIVE DATE. For context, that number is bigger that has put our country at greater
This division shall take effect on Sep- than the population of Sioux Falls, SD, risk from terrorists, damaged our
tember 29, 2023. standing among our allies, and con-
the largest city in my home State—in
Mr. LEAHY. We obviously have these a single month—in a single month. demned the Afghan people to Taliban
amendments, so we will have them in At this point, the situation at the tyranny.
order to be voted on. I call them up to border is beyond a crisis. It is com- Meanwhile, on the economic front,
have them all before us. pletely out of control. The situation we are facing a serious inflation prob-
I can assure you that the three will soon deteriorate further with one lem, and it doesn’t look like it is going
amendments that I have referred to, I outlet reporting yesterday that tens of to go away anytime soon. Americans
will strongly oppose them because, thousands additional Haitian migrants are seeing their purchasing power
were they to pass, we would not be able are set to head to our southern border. shrink as they face higher prices on ev-
to get the continuing resolution done, Illegal immigration across the south- erything from groceries to gas. The
the government will be closed, billions ern border tends to slow down during Democratic response? Essentially
of dollars goes out the window, and we the heat of the summer. Not under the sticking their fingers in their ears and
would not have done our job. Biden administration. Under the Biden humming or checking their watches to
I suggest the absence of a quorum. administration, the numbers this sum- see if the unpleasantness is over yet.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The If you were just going by the Demo-
mer just got worse. Encounters along
clerk will call the roll. crats’ legislative priorities, you would
The senior assistant legislative clerk the southern border in July were up 420
percent from July of 2020—420 percent. be forgiven for thinking that none of
proceeded to call the roll. these problems I have discussed even
Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask Of course, these numbers only reflect
individuals Customs and Border Pro- exist. Rather than addressing our bor-
unanimous consent that the order for der crisis or our inflation problem,
the quorum call be rescinded. tection has been able to apprehend.
There are, undoubtedly, individuals Democrats are, right now, attempting
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without to tee up a massive—massive—reckless
objection, it is so ordered. who are successfully evading apprehen-
sion and illegally taking up residence tax-and-spending spree to vastly ex-
BORDER SECURITY
in our country. pand the reach of government into
Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I Americans’ lives. Our border is in cri-
came down to the floor to talk about Then there are the individuals being
detained and released into the country sis, our country is at risk, American
President Biden’s mishandling of Af- families are struggling with inflation,
ghanistan. with orders to appear at an immigra-
tion court. This so-called catch-and-re- and the Democrats’ top priority is ad-
Today, I want to talk about another vancing socialism.
situation the administration has mis- lease approach is notorious because the
individuals released into the country Not only does their bill fail to ad-
handled and perhaps, more accurately, dress any of the major challenges I
failed to handle; and that is the crisis often never show up to immigration
courts as directed. In spite of this, the have outlined, it is pretty much guar-
at the southern border. anteed to make them worse. Dumping
I say ‘‘failed to handle’’ because, by administration is using this strategy
and is apparently employing it to deal trillions of additional government dol-
and large, the Biden administration lars into an economy already strug-
has completely failed to take any with the surge of migrants from Haiti.
gling with inflation is pretty much
meaningful action in response to this Despite having committed to deporting
guaranteed to send our already high in-
crisis. Sure, they occasionally made these individuals, the administration is
flation rate even higher.
half-hearted stabs at the problem—usu- releasing thousands of Haitian immi- As I mentioned, the Democrats are
ally when the media starts noticing grants into the United States. frantically working to circumvent Sen-
things like thousands of migrants and The situation at the border is a cri-
ate rules and insert some type of am-
their children residing in a squalid ref- sis. It is a security crisis, it is a logis-
nesty into their spending bill, which
ugee camp under a bridge in Del Rio, tics crisis, and it is a humanitarian cri-
will only aggravate the crisis at the
TX. Mostly, they seem content to ig- sis. Attempting to cross the border ille- border. Although, at this point, I am
nore it. gally is a dangerous enterprise. Mi- wondering if Democrats will even be
More than 6 months into this crisis, grants face the risk of death, injury, able to pass their tax-and-spending
there are no signs the President plans heat exhaustion, and disease, to say spree. The Democratic Party is in dis-
to travel to the border to get a look at nothing of the risk of exploitation from array, and the story changes so often, I
the problem firsthand. In fact, it is not smugglers and traffickers, who are think reporters are starting to get
clear whether President Biden has ever profiting to the tune of hundreds of whiplash. I certainly am.
visited the border at any point during millions of dollars by conveying people One minute, the Democratic leaders
his political career. across the border illegally. are united; the next minute, the Senate
The President seems to have adopted By failing to stem the flow of illegal leader doesn’t know what the Speaker
an ‘‘if I pretend the problem doesn’t immigration, the President is perpet- is doing. One minute, the House is
exist, it will go away’’ attitude. It is uating this humanitarian disaster, and going to consider the tax-and-spending
kind of like earlier this year, when Democrats in Congress are helping spree and the infrastructure bill to-
Biden administration officials refused him. My colleagues across the aisle gether; the next, it is going to consider
to call the situation a crisis, despite have been trying to add amnesty for il- them separately. Democratic leaders
overwhelming evidence border influx legal immigrants into the tax-and- announce an agreement on a frame-
has reached crisis proportions. It is spending spree that they are consid- work for their tax-and-spending spree;
like they believed that if they didn’t ering. That is a policy that is pretty their rank-and-file Members report
use the word, they could somehow much guaranteed to further encourage they have never seen it. Their spending
avoid the reality. individuals to make the dangerous and spree is going to cost $3.5 trillion. No.
Unfortunately for the administra- illegal journey across our southern bor- Wait. It is going to cost zero.
tion, there is no way to avoid the fact der. Democratic progressives and Demo-
we are facing a border crisis. Most people are familiar with the ex- cratic moderates are at each other’s
Last month, the U.S. Customs and pression ‘‘fiddling while Rome burns.’’ throats. The House Speaker is chewing
Border Protection encountered 208,887 It is an expression I am forcibly re- out centrist Democrats, and Democrats
people attempting to cross our south- minded of when I consider the actions can’t agree on a host of issues from
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
ern border illegally, a 318-percent in- of my Democratic colleagues and the Iron Dome funding, to prescription
crease from August of 2020. Biden administration on the crisis at drug measures, to infrastructure. The
Madam President, let me repeat that. the border. Our country is, as I have Democratic Party is unraveling fast,
In August, Customs and Border Protec- discussed, facing a massive security and it is deeply unfortunate that
tion encountered 208,887 people at- and humanitarian crisis at our south- Democrats can’t seem to rise to the
tempting to cross our southern border, ern border. challenges of governance.
a 318-percent increase from prior Au- On top of that, we just completed a President Biden’s administration was
gust. disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal supposedly going to usher in a new era
VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:39 Oct 01, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A30SE6.010 S30SEPT1
September 30, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6807
of domestic tranquility and inter- our national debt—that has never hap- national debt because, they say, they
national respect. The professionals, we pened in history, a default on our are worried about deficits and debt,
were told, were back in charge. Well, debt—and 14 hours away from a govern- and defaulting on the national debt
instead, it looks like Democrats and ment shutdown. will make both worse.
the President are going to leave our Later today, the Senate is expected Because we have never been through
country a lot worse off than they found to vote on a clean continuing resolu- a default, it is hard to know exactly
it, burdened by tax hikes and govern- tion. If it passes, we can keep the Fed- which payments the government will
ment spending—that is, if they can eral Government functioning until De- have to stop immediately and which
ever manage to agree on a bill—in cember 3, and we obviously should do payments might continue for a while. I
greater danger from terrorism, and that in the midst of a pandemic and don’t want to sow seeds of fear across
with a never-ending crisis at our south- with all of the things that are threat- America, or panic, but we have got to
ern border. ening America. We expect that the CR be honest and realistic. If we don’t es-
If Democrats don’t change their focus will also include emergency funding, as tablish and recognize the national debt
and get their act together, a weakened it should, to assist with the recovery of this country, it will be the first time
country is likely to be their legacy. from Hurricane Ida in Louisiana and in history.
I yield the floor. the gulf coast, and with the wildfires in Some of the payments that are at
I suggest the absence of a quorum. the Western States and to help Af- risk in my State of Illinois and my
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ghans, who aided us in the longest war nearby State of Kentucky are obvious.
clerk will call the roll. in history, to resettle in America. More than 1.3 million families in Illi-
The senior assistant legislative clerk Even the threat of a government nois and more than 500,000 families in
proceeded to call the roll. shutdown costs taxpayers money. It Kentucky could see their child tax
Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask damages the economy, and it under- credits delayed. Nearly 600,000 veterans
unanimous consent that the order for mines confidence in America’s future. in Illinois and nearly 300,000 veterans
the quorum call be rescinded. If reason and responsibility prevail, in Kentucky could see their benefits
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without the continuing resolution will pass, delayed. That includes disability pay-
objection, it is so ordered. and the threat of a government shut- ments, VA pensions, education bene-
BUDGET RECONCILIATION down will be off the table for now, but fits, loan guarantees, and other bene-
Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, yes- that CR will do nothing to resolve the fits that veterans have earned with
terday afternoon, the Senate Parlia- far greater threat to our economy—the their service and sacrifice. Seniors
mentarian ruled that long overdue im- looming potential default on the na- would be hurt. Almost 2.8 million sen-
migration reform could not be included tional debt. iors in Illinois and more than a million
in the budget reconciliation process. I The Democratic leader of the Senate, in Kentucky would see their Social Se-
respect the Parliamentarian very CHUCK SCHUMER of New York, came to curity checks threatened.
much, but I respectfully disagree. The the floor the day before yesterday, I be- Defaulting on our national debt could
pathway to citizenship has a substan- lieve it was, and said to the Republican trigger a global financial crisis. It
tial and direct budgetary impact, leader: If you don’t want to cast any would squander one of our Nation’s
which makes it appropriate to be in- Republican votes to establish and rec- most valuable economic assets as trust
cluded in a reconciliation bill. ognize the debt ceiling, the Democrats by investors that America pays its bills
The last measure which we put before will vote for it. Step out of the way. and keeps its word would be at risk.
the Parliamentarian literally was a Let us take the responsibility for doing The U.S. dollar could lose its valuable
date change. That was the sum and the right thing. place as the world’s primary currency.
substance of the amendment—a date Senator MCCONNELL objected. He That would be a gift to our competitors
change that had a budgetary impact in wants it to happen, he wants the threat in China.
it. We were not creating new categories to be there, but it creates the uncer- American families and businesses are
of immigration. We were not creating tainty which they used to decry in still struggling from financial devasta-
any new laws other than the date their Republican leadership days. This tion caused by the coronavirus. The
change. is a manufactured crisis ginned up by crisis threatening America today is
I want to say to all of the Dreamers Republicans to score political points. being manufactured right here in the
and immigrants and all of the mixed- The harm to the U.S. and global Senate by politicians who believe,
status families who are desperately fol- economies would be cataclysmic. Here cynically, that it will help them politi-
lowing the situation: We are not giving in the United States, respected econo- cally to default on America’s debt.
up, and you shouldn’t give up either. mists warn us that the results would Haven’t the institutions of this great
America needs you, and I will keep my trigger a painful recession—the oppo- Nation suffered enough?
promise to keep working on this as site of what we need at this moment in Ten months ago, an angry man, en-
long as it is my honor to serve in the history—the loss of more than 6 mil- raged over losing an election, sum-
Senate. lion American jobs—how can that be moned a mob to attack this Capitol
H.R. 5305 good for the Nation?—and 9 percent un- Building on January 6 and tried to
Madam President, on another mat- employment. overturn the Presidential election.
ter, I can remember when ‘‘certainty’’ We would likely see a broad selloff in And now that former President’s
was the Republican refrain on tax cuts the markets, which would take a big party is refusing to do its part to avoid
and the economy. They used to say bite out of Americans’ retirement sav- a default on our national debt.
businesses and families need certainty. ings. Interest rates could spike. Not Let’s be clear about why Congress
That is what the Republicans used to only does that affect American con- needs to address the debt limit. Ad-
say when they wanted to pass more tax sumers and businesses, but it affects dressing this debt limit allows Con-
cuts for wealthy people. American our government. We will be paying a gress to continue to borrow money to
businesses couldn’t invest or hire new higher interest rate. So taxes won’t be pay for expenses that have already
workers and American families spent on highways; they will be given been incurred.
couldn’t plan for their futures without to banks and companies and countries This measure that we are talking
certainty. We heard that repeatedly on that are buying our debt. For working about, the acknowledgement of our
the Republican side of the aisle. families, higher interest rates would debt ceiling, is to pay the debts of the
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
Now it is a radically different mes- mean bigger monthly payments on Trump administration. The national
sage. Instead of preaching the gospel of their mortgages, car loans, credit debt of America increased by 36 percent
certainty, as they used to, Senator cards. For the Federal Government, under President Trump in one 4-year
MCCONNELL and today’s Republicans higher interest rates would result in period. We are taking recognition of
are threatening to deliberately, cyni- larger deficits and even a larger na- the fact that that money was spent and
cally, recklessly push America toward tional debt. has to be paid for.
an economic cataclysm. We are less Think about that. Republicans are Ninety-seven percent of the total
than 3 weeks away from a default on threatening to default on America’s Federal debt occurred before Joe Biden
VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:39 Oct 01, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G30SE6.011 S30SEPT1
S6808 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 30, 2021
became President. This is debt that This is a commonsense amendment a job, to getting an education, to start-
was built up under Presidents and con- to simply make sure those parolees are ing a small business. This is especially
gressional majorities in both parties. properly vetted like any other group of true outside of urban areas and with-
As I said, $8 billion—nearly a third of parolees or refugees would be. Part of out public transit, where many are
the entire debt—was added under Don- that vetting, of course, comes from in- likely to resettle.
ald Trump, with the support of the dividuals applying for what is known This should not even be a debate. I
same Republican Senators who will not as the REAL ID, a system designed to urge a no vote on the Cotton Amend-
acknowledge that that is now part of make identity documents more con- ment.
our responsibility. sistent and secure. VOTE ON AMENDMENT NO. 3833
Now Senator MCCONNELL and his Re- Remember, the REAL ID law came The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time
publican colleagues are playing a out of the 9/11 Commission. It was a has expired. The question is on agree-
verbal shell game, claiming falsely key recommendation of that Commis- ing to the amendment, No. 3833.
that we need to address the debt limit sion. We supported it here. Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I ask
to pay for future spending. That is not Our amendment does not stop Afghan for the yeas and nays.
true, and they know it. parolees from getting driver’s licenses The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a
If this Congress had not spent a or qualifying for REAL ID cards after sufficient second?
penny since Joe Biden took office, we appropriate screening. It simply re- There appears to be a sufficient sec-
would still have to deal with the debt quires the Afghan parolees to follow ond.
limit to pay for the Trump bills he left the same processes that other parolees The clerk will call the roll.
behind. must follow in order to be eligible. The bill clerk called the roll.
Democrats have offered proposals Unfortunately, the CR before us The result was announced—yeas 50,
twice this week. On Monday, Senator makes an exception to that normal, nays 50, as follows:
SCHUMER offered a proposal that dealt commonsense security process. [Rollcall Vote No. 394 Leg.]
with the debt limit. It included a CR to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- YEAS—50
avoid a government shutdown and pro- ator from Ohio’s time has expired. Barrasso Graham Portman
vided emergency aid which is needed The Senator from New Hampshire. Blackburn Grassley Risch
for the victims of Hurricane Ida, Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I Blunt Hagerty Romney
wildfires, and resettlement of Afghan think the Senator from Ohio is mis- Boozman Hawley Rounds
refugees. The Republicans used the fili- Braun Hoeven Rubio
taken. In fact, this would—the Afghan Burr Hyde-Smith Sasse
buster to stop it. refugees who are coming here are going Capito Inhofe Scott (FL)
On Tuesday, Leader SCHUMER offered to be properly vetted. Cassidy Johnson Scott (SC)
a proposal to allow the Senate to ad- In a September 2 letter led by Sen-
Collins Kennedy
Shelby
dress the debt limit with just a major- Cornyn Lankford
Sullivan
ator COTTON, he said that ‘‘[o]ur imme- Cotton Lee
ity vote. Senator MCCONNELL objected. Cramer Lummis
Thune
diate priority is the safety and well- Tillis
Not only are Republicans refusing to Crapo Marshall
being of American citizens, permanent Toomey
help pay the debt incurred under Presi- Cruz McConnell
dents of both parties, they are making residents, and allies who were left be- Daines Moran Tuberville
hind in Afghanistan.’’ Ernst Murkowski Wicker
it as difficult as possible for Democrats Fischer Paul Young
But it seems that that concern for
to address the debt limit in a respon-
sible way. our allies only extends so far for Sen- NAYS—50
Defaulting on this debt would be the ator COTTON and this amendment. As Baldwin Hickenlooper Reed
ultimate dine-and-dash. It would be a our Afghan allies are being brought Bennet Hirono Rosen
into the United States on humani- Blumenthal Kaine Sanders
grave, self-inflicted wound that would Booker Kelly Schatz
harm innocent Americans for decades. tarian parole, he wants to limit their Brown King Schumer
Our Republican colleagues used to ability to settle into a new life. Cantwell Klobuchar Shaheen
We need to vote no on this amend- Cardin Leahy
preach the gospel of economic cer- Carper Luján
Sinema
tainty. The only thing certain about ment. Casey Manchin
Smith
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Stabenow
defaulting on our national debt is that Coons Markey
Tester
it would be ruinous to our economy, ator from Vermont. Cortez Masto Menendez
Van Hollen
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, the Cot- Duckworth Merkley
and it is a responsibility both parties Durbin Murphy Warner
should want to avoid. ton Amendment short changes critical Feinstein Murray Warnock
I yield the floor. assistance provided to Afghan parolees Gillibrand Ossoff Warren
that is included in the underlying bill Hassan Padilla Whitehouse
AMENDMENT NO. 3833 Wyden
and it should be defeated. Heinrich Peters
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
BOOKER). Under the previous order, It shortens the length of time that The PRESIDING OFFICER. The yeas
there will now be 2 minutes of debate, we provide refugee assistance to thou- are 50, the nays are 50. The amendment
equally divided, prior to a vote in rela- sands of Afghan men and women who is not agreed to.
tion to the Cotton amendment, No. fled to the U.S. to escape the wrath of The amendment (No. 3833) was re-
3833. the Taliban—financial assistance, med- jected.
The Senator from Ohio. ical care, emergency housing, mental AMENDMENT NO. 3831
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I rise health care, job placement services, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
in support of this amendment. I think the things that they desperately need the previous order, there will now be 2
it is important that we pass it, and I to begin their new lives in the U.S. For minutes of debate equally divided prior
hope my colleagues on both sides of the some, this would mean benefits for to a vote in relation to the Marshall
aisle support it. only a matter of months, and then they amendment No. 3831.
As we all know, as a result of the are on their own. This is not nearly The Senator from Kansas.
rushed and chaotic evacuation from Af- sufficient for them to get on their feet Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I
ghanistan, people were left behind, in- in a new country. Especially when rise in support of our amendment to
cluding some American citizens and a many of them came here with nothing. prohibit funds in this legislation to be
lot of Afghans who had helped us. Many of these men and women were used to promulgate, fund, or enforce
But because of the chaos, we also critical U.S. partners during the war in President Biden’s unconstitutional
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
evacuated many Afghans who have no Afghanistan, putting their lives at risk vaccine mandate on private employers.
record of assisting us or our allies. In along with our men and women in uni- As a physician, I am confident the
fact, we were told by the administra- form. We cannot turn our backs on vaccine has saved lives. My wife and I
tion that the majority of the evacuees them now. got the vaccine. My parents got the
in the United States, called parolees, The amendment also limits their vaccine, and they are waiting to get
are neither U.S. citizens, green card ability to apply for a driver’s license. A their boosters. But whether to receive
holders, or SIV applicants who had driver’s license is vital to successful in- it is a personal choice between individ-
helped us. tegration in this country—to securing uals and their doctor, not mandated
VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:39 Oct 01, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G30SE6.013 S30SEPT1
September 30, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6809
via unconstitutional Executive actions Sasse Sullivan Tuberville Let’s debate those policies. Threat-
Scott (FL) Thune Wicker
that the administration recently ac- Scott (SC) Tillis Young
ening to withhold pay or whatever has
knowledged they didn’t have authority Shelby Toomey absolutely nothing to do with the
to put in place. NAYS—50
structural issues, but it would do one
No precedent exists in American his- thing. It would make sure that we had
Baldwin Hickenlooper Reed
tory for punishing private employers Bennet Hirono Rosen
only multimillionaires in the House
that don’t enforce government vaccina- Blumenthal Kaine Sanders and Senate. It is a dangerous precedent
tion edicts. Astonishingly, House Booker Kelly Schatz and potentially corrosive influence of
Brown King Schumer public policy.
Democrats included fines of up to Cantwell Klobuchar Shaheen Let’s stop the political posturing. If
$700,000 on businesses that have Cardin Leahy Sinema
unvaccinated employees as a way to Carper Luján Smith
you want this, do it as a freestanding
pay for their out-of-control spending. Casey Manchin
Stabenow bill, under regular order, by the Home-
Coons Markey land Security and Governmental Af-
Make no mistake. This vaccine man- Tester
Cortez Masto Menendez
date is not about public health or Duckworth Merkley
Van Hollen fairs Committee. The CR is not the
Durbin Murphy Warner place for it.
science. If it were, we would recognize Warnock
natural immunity as a highly effective
Feinstein Murray I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote.
Gillibrand Ossoff Warren
VOTE ON AMENDMENT NO. 3832
way to combat the virus. Hassan Padilla Whitehouse
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Heinrich Peters Wyden The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
ator’s time has expired. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. question is on agreeing to the amend-
The Senator from Vermont. SCHATZ). On this vote, the yeas are 50, ment.
Mr. BRAUN. Mr. President, I ask for
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, families the nays are 50.
the yeas and nays.
across the country are frustrated, and Under the previous order requiring 60
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a
so am I. votes for the adoption of this amend-
sufficient second?
People are doing everything they can ment, the amendment is not agreed to. There appears to be a sufficient sec-
to end this pandemic, only to see some The amendment (No. 3831) was re- ond.
Republicans trying to prolong it with jected. The clerk will call the roll.
bills like this. AMENDMENT NO. 3832 The senior assistant bill clerk called
We are fighting a highly contagious The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the roll.
virus. It has killed over 685,000 people the previous order, there will now be 2 The result was announced—yeas 53,
in our country. minutes of debate, equally divided, nays 47, as follows:
And that that number is only going prior to the vote in relation to the [Rollcall Vote No. 396 Leg.]
to keep going up if people don’t get Braun amendment No. 3832. YEAS—53
vaccinated, and variants like Delta The Senator from Indiana. Barrasso Grassley Portman
will continue to spread, undermine our Mr. BRAUN. Mr. President, I left my Blackburn Hagerty Risch
economy, and take lives. business to run for Senate because I Boozman Hassan Romney
Braun Hawley Rosen
We need to end this pandemic, and was fed up with business in DC as Burr Hoeven Rounds
getting people vaccinated is one of the usual. Americans are fed up as well. Capito Hyde-Smith Rubio
most important things we can do to ac- I think the place is broken when it Cassidy Inhofe Sasse
comes to our budgeting process. We Collins Johnson Scott (FL)
complish that. Cornyn Kelly
So why would we pass an amendment don’t do them anymore. We are debat- Cortez Masto Kennedy
Scott (SC)
ing a funding bill for the fiscal year Sinema
that weakens one of our strongest tools Cotton Lankford
Sullivan
to get people safely through this crisis? that ends today. That is how you end Cramer Lee
Thune
up $28 trillion in debt. Crapo Lummis
I urge all of my colleagues to stand Cruz Manchin Toomey
with people across the country who Congress can agree on basically one Daines Marshall Tuberville
have been following the public health thing: budgets, deficits, debt don’t Ernst McConnell Warnock
matter anymore. Well, they do. Every Fischer Moran Wicker
guidance, and who are ready for this Graham Ossoff Young
pandemic to an end, by voting against business, every State, and local govern-
ment have to do them. Congress should NAYS—47
this dangerous, counterproductive
amendment. as well. Baldwin Hickenlooper Reed
No budget, no pay is simple. If we do Bennet Hirono Sanders
VOTE ON AMENDMENT NO. 3831 Blumenthal Kaine Schatz
not fund the government by October 1, Blunt King
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Schumer
we don’t get a paycheck until we get it Booker Klobuchar Shaheen
the previous order, the question is on done. It is a popular bill because it Brown Leahy Shelby
agreeing to the amendment. works. Cantwell Luján Smith
Mr. LEAHY. I ask for the yeas and Cardin Markey
In 2013—the only time we have done Carper Menendez
Stabenow
nays. one on time in 20 years—it was in Casey Merkley
Tester
Tillis
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a place. Many here voted for it, including Coons Murkowski
Duckworth Van Hollen
sufficient second? the majority leader. Murphy
Durbin Murray Warner
There appears to be a sufficient sec- Americans are watching. They are Feinstein Padilla Warren
ond. tired of the job we are doing. They de- Gillibrand Paul Whitehouse
The clerk will call the roll. mand accountability. Vote for this Heinrich Peters Wyden
The senior assistant legislative clerk amendment. It makes sense. Our pay is The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
called the roll. in the 94 percentile of income to boot. KING). On this vote, the yeas are 53, the
The result was announced—yeas 50, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- nays are 47.
nays 50, as follows: ator’s time has expired. Under the previous order requiring 60
[Rollcall Vote No. 395 Leg.] The Senator from Vermont. votes for adoption of this amendment,
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, you the amendment is not agreed to.
YEAS—50
know, this amendment has no business The amendment (No. 3832) was re-
Barrasso Cruz Lankford
Blackburn Daines Lee
whatsoever being in a CR which has to jected.
Blunt Ernst Lummis be enacted by 12 midnight tonight. It VOTE ON AMENDMENT NO. 3830
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
Boozman Fischer Marshall may make a great sound bite or polit- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
Braun Graham McConnell ical ad, but it is not good policy. It is
Burr Grassley Moran
the previous order, there will be 2 min-
Capito Hagerty Murkowski not a thoughtful solution to the many utes of debate, equally divided, prior to
Cassidy Hawley Paul complicated reasons that we fail to a vote in relation to the Leahy sub-
Collins Hoeven Portman enact budget resolutions or appropria- stitute amendment No. 3830.
Cornyn Hyde-Smith Risch
Cotton Inhofe Romney
tions bills precisely on October 1. The Senator from Vermont.
Cramer Johnson Rounds We all have serious policy disagree- Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I thank
Crapo Kennedy Rubio ments that lead to inaction or delay. the Senators who stayed with us to
VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:39 Oct 01, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G30SE6.016 S30SEPT1
S6810 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 30, 2021
make sure we could get a good con- [Rollcall Vote No. 397 Leg.] The question is, Is it the sense of the
tinuing resolution passed, which we are YEAS—65 Senate that debate on the nomination
about to do. I just want to thank ev- Baldwin Hassan Reed of Rohit Chopra, of the District of Co-
erybody and urge—it will be a voice Bennet Heinrich Romney lumbia, to be Director, Bureau of Con-
vote, but shout ‘‘yes’’ on this next Blumenthal Hickenlooper Rosen sumer Financial Protection for a term
Blunt Hirono Rounds
vote. Thank you. Booker Kaine Sanders
of five years, shall be brought to a
I yield the floor, and I yield back the Brown Kelly Schatz close?
time on both sides. Burr Kennedy Schumer The yeas and nays are mandatory
Cantwell King
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Capito Klobuchar
Shaheen under the rule.
objection? Cardin Leahy
Shelby The clerk will call the roll.
Sinema The bill clerk called the roll.
Carper Luján
Without objection, it is so ordered. Casey Manchin Smith The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 50,
Cassidy Markey Stabenow
VOTE ON AMENDMENT NO. 3830 Tester nays 50, as follows:
Collins McConnell
The question is on agreeing to the Coons Menendez Tillis [Rollcall Vote No. 398 Ex.]
amendment No. 3830. Cornyn Merkley Van Hollen YEAS—50
Cortez Masto Murkowski Warner
The amendment (No. 3830), in the na- Baldwin Hickenlooper Reed
Duckworth Murphy Warnock
Bennet Hirono Rosen
ture of a substitute, was agreed to. Durbin Murray Warren
Blumenthal Kaine Sanders
The amendment was ordered to be Feinstein Ossoff Whitehouse Booker Kelly Schatz
Gillibrand Padilla Wyden Brown King
engrossed and the bill to be read a Graham Peters Young
Schumer
Cantwell Klobuchar Shaheen
third time. Cardin Leahy
NAYS—35 Sinema
The bill was read the third time. Carper Luján Smith
Barrasso Hagerty Portman Casey Manchin
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Blackburn Hawley Risch Coons Markey
Stabenow
the previous order, the bill is consid- Boozman Hoeven Tester
Rubio Cortez Masto Menendez
Van Hollen
ered read a third time. Braun Hyde-Smith Sasse Duckworth Merkley
Cotton Inhofe Durbin Murphy Warner
There will now be 2 minutes of de- Scott (FL)
Cramer Johnson Feinstein Murray Warnock
Scott (SC)
bate, equally divided, prior to the vote Crapo Lankford Sullivan Gillibrand Ossoff Warren
on passage of the bill, as amended. Cruz Lee Hassan Padilla Whitehouse
Thune
Daines Lummis Heinrich Peters Wyden
The majority leader. Ernst Marshall
Toomey
Tuberville NAYS—50
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, first, Fischer Moran
Wicker
let me thank Senator LEAHY on the Ap- Grassley Paul Barrasso Graham Portman
Blackburn Grassley Risch
propriations Committee, as well as The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this Blunt Hagerty Romney
Senator SHELBY and all those who vote, the yeas are 65, the nays are 35. Boozman Hawley Rounds
worked diligently and hard to put this The 60-vote threshold having been Braun Hoeven Rubio
continuing resolution together. achieved, the bill is passed. Burr Hyde-Smith Sasse
Capito Inhofe Scott (FL)
This vote says we are keeping the The bill (H.R. 5305), as amended, was Cassidy Johnson Scott (SC)
government open. At this time—at any passed. Collins Kennedy
Shelby
time, it is a very, very bad thing to let Cornyn Lankford
f Sullivan
Cotton Lee
the government shut down but at this Cramer Lummis
Thune
EXECUTIVE SESSION Tillis
time in particular when there is so Crapo Marshall
Toomey
much going on in the country. And it is --- Cruz McConnell
Tuberville
Daines Moran
a glimmer of hope as we go through EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Ernst Murkowski Wicker
many, many other activities. Fischer Paul Young
I would say this: Just as the CR is so The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
the previous order, the Senate will pro- The VICE PRESIDENT. On this vote,
important and requires bipartisan co- the yeas are 50, the nays are 50.
operation, I wish my colleagues on the ceed to executive session and resume
consideration of the following nomina- The Senate being evenly divided, the
other side of the aisle saw the debt Vice President votes in the affirma-
ceiling as equally important and equal- tion, which the clerk will report.
The bill clerk read the nomination of tive.
ly requiring bipartisan cooperation. The motion is agreed to.
They don’t, and we are willing to move Rohit Chopra, of the District of Colum-
The Senator from Delaware.
forward on debt ceiling ourselves. But bia, to be Director, Bureau of Con- Mr. CARPER. Madam President, be-
for this moment, this is one of the larg- sumer Financial Protection for a term fore you leave, I want you to know that
er problems, the biggest problem that of five years. sitting next to me is Emily Spain from
CLOTURE MOTION Santa Barbara, CA, where I think you
has faced us in the last while, making
sure the government stays open, and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant might have been married, who is leav-
now we can be sure it will. to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the ing today as my chief of staff.
So I thank all of my colleagues who Senate the pending cloture motion, The VICE PRESIDENT. Welcome.
worked so hard on this issue. which the clerk will state. Welcome. It is a beautiful place. I did
The bill clerk read as follows: get married in Santa Barbara.
I yield back time on both sides.
CLOTURE MOTION Mr. CARPER. You are wonderful for
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- coming to preside today and helping us
objection, it is so ordered.
ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the to send her off.
VOTE ON H.R. 5305 Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby Now, if there is an extra box of Klee-
The bill having been read the third move to bring to a close the debate on the nex up there for me to use for my re-
time, the question is, Shall the bill nomination of Executive Calendar No. 354, marks, I would appreciate it.
pass? Rohit Chopra, of the District of Columbia, to Godspeed. Godspeed.
be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Madam President—soon to be Mr.
Mr. SCHUMER. I ask for the yeas Protection for a term of five years.
and nays. President.
Charles E. Schumer, Christopher Mur- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. VAN
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a phy, Martin Heinrich, Edward J. Mar-
HOLLEN). The Senator from Delaware is
sufficient second? key, Patty Murray, Tina Smith,
recognized.
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
Tammy Baldwin, Sheldon Whitehouse,
There appears to be a sufficient sec- TRIBUTE TO EMILY SPAIN
Brian Schatz, Tim Kaine, Alex Padilla,
ond. Tammy Duckworth, Richard J. Durbin, Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I have
The clerk will call the roll. Richard Blumenthal, Jacky Rosen, already telegraphed my pitch here, but
The senior assistant legislative clerk Robert P. Casey, Jr., Gary C. Peters. I rise today to thank from the bottom
called the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- of my heart the woman who has spent
The result was announced—yeas 65, imous consent, the mandatory quorum nearly two decades serving in this in-
nays 35, as follows: call has been waived. stitution, and luckily for me, nearly 13
VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:39 Oct 01, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G30SE6.020 S30SEPT1
File and source
- File
- CREC_crec-2021-09-30_crec-2021-09-30-pt1-pgs6801-7.pdf
- Size
- 427,598 bytes
- SHA-256
- 42ee1c201a35371784cc385b4d6ff8c4366869f120dff2399615ea278df09be8
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov