Congressional Record, Senate, October 7, 2021 — House Message on S. 1301 and Nominations
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate, October 7, 2021 (beginning at page S6954). Schumer moves to refer the House message to the Committee on Finance with instructions to report back forthwith with an amendment, and offers amendments that change the effective date. Schumer then moves to proceed to executive session and sends a cloture motion on the nomination of Gustavo A. Gelpi, of Puerto Rico, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit. Schumer also moves to discharge the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee from further consideration of the nomination of Catherine Elizabeth Lhamon, of California, to be Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Department of Education. Under Infrastructure Bill, Barrasso opposes the Democrats' tax-and-spending bill.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, October 7, 2021 — House Message on S. 1301 and Nominations.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-10-07-crec-2021-10-07-pt1-pgs6954-3-d805d92032/
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S6954 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 7, 2021
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a The PRESIDING OFFICER. The motion equally divided between the
sufficient second? clerk will report. two leaders or their designees, with no
There appears to be a sufficient sec- The senior assistant legislative clerk motions, points of order, or amend-
ond. read as follows: ments in order.
The yeas and nays are ordered. The Senator from New York [Mr. SCHUMER] Mr. SCHUMER. I ask for the yeas
AMENDMENT NO. 3848 TO AMENDMENT NO. 3847 proposes an amendment numbered 3851 to and nays.
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I have amendment No. 3850. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a
an amendment at the desk. The amendment is as follows: sufficient second?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The There appears to be a sufficient sec-
(Purpose: To modify the effective date)
clerk will report the amendment. ond.
On page 1, lines 1 and 2, strike ‘‘4 days’’ The yeas and nays are ordered.
The senior assistant legislative clerk and insert ‘‘1 day’’.
read as follows: Mr. SCHUMER. Thank you, Mr.
f President.
The Senator from New York [Mr. SCHUMER]
I ask unanimous consent that the
proposes an amendment numbered 3848 to EXECUTIVE SESSION
amendment No. 3847. time during the quorum call be equally
--- divided.
The amendment is as follows: The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
(Purpose: To change the effective date) EXECUTIVE CALENDAR objection, it is so ordered.
At the appropriate place, insert the fol- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I sug-
lowing: move to proceed to executive session to gest the absence of a quorum.
SEC. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE. consider calendar No. 259. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
This Act shall take effect 2 days after the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
date of enactment of this Act. question is on agreeing to the motion. The senior assistant legislative clerk
MOTION TO REFER WITH AMENDMENT NO. 3849 The motion was agreed to. proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask
move to refer the House message to ac- clerk will report the nomination. unanimous consent that the order for
company S. 1301 to the Committee on The legislative clerk read the nomi- the quorum call be rescinded.
Finance with instructions to report nation of Gustavo A. Gelpi, of Puerto The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
back forthwith with an amendment. Rico, to be United States Circuit Judge objection, it is so ordered.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The for the First Circuit. INFRASTRUCTURE BILL
clerk will report the motion. CLOTURE MOTION
Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I
The senior assistant legislative clerk come to the floor today to oppose, of
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I send
read as follows: course, the Democrats’ reckless tax-
a cloture motion to the desk.
The Senator from New York [Mr. SCHUMER] and-spending bill. I have been coming
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo-
moves to refer to the Committee on Finance to the floor to talk about this—the
with instructions to report back forthwith
ture motion having been presented
wasted taxes, the spending, all of the
with an amendment numbered 3849. under rule XXII, the Chair directs the
sorts of things the Democrats are try-
clerk to read the motion.
The amendment is as follows: ing to do.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
(Purpose: To change the effective date) You know, right now, the Democrats
CLOTURE MOTION are pushing a Big Government, social-
At the appropriate place, insert the fol-
lowing: We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- ist agenda. There can be no question
ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the about it. They want additional, perma-
SEC. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.
Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby
This Act shall take effect 3 days after the
move to bring to a close debate on the nomi-
nent welfare programs. They want to—
date of enactment of this Act.
nation of Executive Calendar No. 259, Gus- to me, this bankrupts current pro-
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask tavo A. Gelpi, of Puerto Rico, to be United grams, like Medicare. It takes—it is
for the yeas and nays. States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit. very hard to think about this amount
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a Charles E. Schumer, Sheldon White- of spending without realizing the risk
sufficient second? house, Christopher Murphy, Gary C. that it proves for Social Security. And,
There appears to be a sufficient sec- Peters, Michael F. Bennet, Robert P. of course, the Democrats are proposing
Casey, Jr., Benjamin L. Cardin, Patty this big green new disaster.
ond.
Murray, Catherine Cortez Masto, For all this spending, what do they
The yeas and nays are ordered. Tammy Duckworth, Patrick J. Leahy,
AMENDMENT NO. 3850 TO THE INSTRUCTIONS Robert Menendez, Bernard Sanders,
want to do?
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I have Mark R. Warner, Tina Smith, Richard Well, they want to raise taxes by tril-
an amendment to the instructions at J. Durbin, Ben Ray Luján. lions and trillions of dollars. But it is
the desk. still not enough to pay for all of the
Mr. SCHUMER. Finally, Mr. Presi-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The spending that they want to do.
dent, I ask unanimous consent that the
That is why Democrats are now
clerk will report. mandatory quorum calls for the clo-
The senior assistant legislative clerk working and pushing this backdoor tax
ture motions filed today, October 7, be
read as follows: increase. Democrats want to supersize
waived.
the least accountable and most power-
The Senator from New York [Mr. SCHUMER] The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
proposes an amendment numbered 3850 to
ful Agency of the Federal Government.
objection, it is so ordered.
the instructions on the motion to refer S. And that, of course, is the Internal
1301. f Revenue Service.
Now, what we know about this Agen-
The amendment is as follows: MOTION TO DISCHARGE
cy, the IRS, is that they have, time and
(Purpose: To modify the effective date) Mr. SCHUMER. Pursuant to S. Res. time again, proven they can’t be even
On page 1, line 3, strike ‘‘3 days’’ and insert 27, the Health, Education, Labor, and trusted to properly secure data, when
‘‘4 days’’. Pensions Committee being tied on the we look at the leaks that come out of
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask question of reporting, I move to dis- the IRS.
for the yeas and nays. charge the Senate Health, Education, But they are looking for more data
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a Labor, and Pensions Committee from and more information, private infor-
sufficient second? further consideration of the nomina- mation, private business by American
There appears to be a sufficient sec- tion of Catherine Elizabeth Lhamon, of taxpayers.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
ond. California, to be Assistant Secretary Democrats are asking, in this $3.5
The yeas and nays are ordered. for Civil Rights, Department of Edu- trillion bill, $80 billion of additional
AMENDMENT NO. 3851 TO AMENDMENT NO. 3850 cation. funding for the Internal Revenue Serv-
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I have The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under ice. They want to give the IRS enough
a second-degree amendment at the the provisions of S. Res. 27, there will money and power to hire a full new
desk. now be up to 4 hours of debate on the army of bureaucrats.
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October 7, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6955
President Biden’s Treasury Secretary In addition, this would be quite an lies are not the ones skimping out on
Janet Yellen has been very clear. She attack on our privacy. This Big Broth- their taxes. Why else do we have this
knows what she wants to do with some er scheme would make bankers and army of IRS agents looking into our
of the money. She wants to force banks credit union associates into de facto taxes? Secretary Yellen didn’t seem to
to tell the IRS every time anyone IRS agents. care. She doubled down, still defending
writes or deposits a check above a cer- And as this bank officer said to me, this massive invasion of privacy, and
tain amount in their banking account, she said: Look, I don’t want—I am not that is what it is. It is a huge invasion
checking account. And right now, the going to be working for the IRS. I work of privacy, and I contend that they
number that she is talking about is for my customers, my clients, the peo- want all this information so they can
$600—$600 for a check written or depos- ple of Wyoming. The last thing I want try to squeeze more money from people
ited. So every time someone pays the to do is be somebody reporting into the who the Secretary even admits are not
rent, deposits a paycheck, Democrats IRS. trying to cheat on their taxes. They
want the IRS to know about it. This is what I am hearing from bank- are trying to find ways to take more
Not enough to know that government ers all around the State of Wyoming. money out of their pocketbooks, when
knows how much people make; they They don’t want to be invading peo- they are already feeling the big bite of
want to know how much they spend. It ple’s privacy. They don’t want to be- Joe Biden’s inflation at the gas pump
is Big Brother initiative to squeeze come agents of the IRS. and at the grocery store.
every last penny out of working fami- People in Wyoming have a straight- This Big Brother plan is reckless. It
lies. forward response to this administra- treats the American people like crimi-
I mean, why else would they want to tion, and it is this: Leave us alone. We nals. It turns the IRS into the judge,
go after every hard-working man and don’t need you looking over our shoul- the jury, and the lord high executioner.
woman in America to find out this in- der, prying into our life and our activi- This scheme shows how desperate
formation? ties. Democrats are to get their hands on
As Americans find out about that, If Democrats go forward with this
taxpayer money. Why? So they can
they are furious. They are smart Big Brother plan, the people all across
spend more. They are so desperate for
enough to know that when Joe Biden this country will not stand for it. Many
more spending that they are willing to
first says we are only going to tax the people in Wyoming will look for alter-
natives to traditional banks and credit spy on the American people to try to
billionaires—they are only going to tax get more money to spend.
unions because they don’t want the
the billionaires—why are they looking Watch and listen to the Democrats
IRS and the government and Big
into the banking accounts and the talk. There is a food fight going on,
Brother to know their personal activi-
checking accounts and the deposits and and the food fight is: How much more
ties. They want to protect their pri-
the withdrawals of people all across the can we tax and how much more can we
vacy. They may find other places to
country? spend? It is a food fight between the
put their money.
Because the tax man is coming for really big spenders and the extremely
Look, that is going to devastate local
them as well when it comes to trying banks, local credit unions, if people big spenders. Look, Democrats think
to pay for this massive tax-and-spend- take their money out because they that Washington knows best. Now, the
ing blowout. don’t want the government boring into people of Wyoming know differently.
So as more and more people find out We don’t need Washington looking over
their data and their financial trans-
about it, the more furious they be- actions. our shoulders. It is time for Democrats
come. I got a report again this morn- It is going to happen in every State. to drop the entire plan, mind their own
ing, 488 more emails and letters into Hard to believe the government would business, and stop demanding more
Wyoming Senate—Senator from Wyo- want to do that, but yet Secretary money to spy on the American people.
ming about that from my home State. Yellen came to Capitol Hill, and that is I yield the floor.
I have received more calls, more what she is doing. She is still defending I suggest the absence of a quorum.
emails, more letters from people from this indefensible idea; and I believe she The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
Wyoming on this one topic than on any is doing it because that is what Joe clerk will call the roll.
one topic that I can recall in the time Biden, the President of the United The legislative clerk proceeded to
that I have been in the U.S. Senate. States, is telling her to do as his Treas- call the roll.
And everyone calling and writing ury Secretary. Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, I ask
about it has the same position. It is not So she went on television Tuesday— unanimous consent that the order for
like, well, half of the people are for it today is Thursday—2 days ago, essen- the quorum call be rescinded.
and half of the people are against it. tially said it was no big deal. That is The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
Everybody is against this. Everyone we what the Treasury Secretary of the objection, it is so ordered.
have heard from—the 488 that I heard United States believes, that violating FLOOD INSURANCE
from within the last 24 hours—every- the individual privacy of individuals of Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, today
one is against this proposal. Thousands this country is no big deal. is Thursday, October 7, 2021, and Risk
and thousands of emails. Last week, Senator LUMMIS from Wy- Rating 2.0 has officially been in effect
I talked to Senator LUMMIS, the oming questioned Secretary Yellen be- for 6 full days.
other Senator from Wyoming. Her fore the Banking Committee. Sec- What is Risk Rating 2.0?
inbox is completely full as well, all re- retary Yellen, actually astonishingly, It is a new rating system for the Na-
lated to this topic. It is what I heard doubled down. She said, ‘‘I think you tional Flood Insurance Program that
about in the grocery store this past misunderstand the proposal.’’ She said, will increase premiums higher than
weekend at home in Wyoming. ‘‘The IRS already has a wealth of infor- sustainable for homeowners and, there-
This new scheme will be terrible, and mation about individuals.’’ fore, higher than is sustainable for the
not just for the taxpayers. It is going Well, Madam Secretary, we under- program.
be a heavy weight around the neck of stand that really well. We know you In Louisiana, 80 percent of policy-
the community banks and credit have a wealth of information about in- holders will see increases in the first
unions in Wyoming. dividual taxpayers. You know how year, and at times, for some, premiums
I talked to one of the bankers from much they make. You know how they will become unaffordable and can col-
Wyoming. She was in the grocery store make it. That is enough. If you have lapse the value of their home. The Pre-
getting food for the weekend. What did all this, you don’t need more, but yet siding Officer is also from a coastal
she—it was the only—it was the thing you are asking for more, and you want State. This will absolutely affect ev-
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
she wanted to talk about, is the fact $80 billion for an army of IRS agents to eryone who lives in a coastal State.
they would have to hire three new em- be able to find it out. That is the prob- Now, particularly, in my State, in
ployees to comply with all of the regu- lem. The IRS has so much information light of recent storms, it is important
lations coming out that would relate to about us already. that we understand the sustainability
trying to get this information from Now, Senator LUMMIS did get Sec- of the National Flood Insurance Pro-
their bank to the IRS. retary Yellen to admit working fami- gram is key.
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S6956 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 7, 2021
Congress never passed a bill requiring Now, there are a couple of criticisms taxpayers, and sustainable. I worked
that FEMA implement Risk Rating 2.0. of the flood insurance program, in gen- on flood insurance programs with Sen-
President Biden can stop it. He has eral, which are unfounded. ators MENENDEZ and GILLIBRAND, both
chosen not to. We have asked that First: These are millionaires’ vaca- of them coming from States affected
FEMA delay implementing this pro- tion homes; why do we even have a pro- by flooding, just as mine did as well.
gram or reconsider it altogether. gram? This makes it bipartisan, two different
Now, by the way, FEMA has been This is factually not true. When CBO regions. It is not only about the Gulf
slow to share information with policy- looked at samples of home values in Coast; it is about the Atlantic Coast,
holders and, frankly, misleading Con- the program, it ranged from $220- to the Pacific Coast; and it is about our
gress by hiding the true consequences $400,000. And I imagine the President island properties.
of 2.0 and not being up front with the from New Jersey—President of the By the way, I have been speaking
cost in the out-years. They said they Senate from New Jersey—can think of about Louisiana, but Risk Rating 2.0
would tell policyholders by August 1 of a middle-income family, a police offi- applies nationwide. It impacts all those
the increase in premiums, but they cer and a teacher; who now live in a living on our coasts. Once more, we
missed the deadline. It didn’t come home worth $400,000. These are not mil- should all—all of us representing
down to homeowners and insurers until lionaires or billionaires. States with coastlines—ask the Biden
the middle of September. Some are In my home State of Louisiana, these administration to halt Risk Rating 2.0.
still trying to figure out what this rat- are middle-income and working fami- This Congress, I will continue to
ing system will mean for their life. lies, folks trying to make ends meet. work to reform NFIP. In addition to af-
They are not folks in a vacation home. fordability, accessibility, account-
In 2019, my office reached out to the
And here is an example of homes, after ability, and sustainability, there needs
administration, and we were able to
recent Hurricane Ida, that would need to be an emphasis on supporting pre-
successfully delay the implementation
flood insurance: middle-income homes. vention and mitigation efforts to pre-
saying that there needed to be further
By the way, you can see these homes vent future floods.
consideration. This time, however, the At the end of the day, flood insurance
Biden administration has chosen not to are built a little bit on a berm. They
have actually taken the effort to pro- must be affordable for the homeowner,
delay it. accessible, accountable to the tax-
Now, let’s just take a quote from a tect their homes from flooding. So the
home itself is not flooded, just every- payer, and sustainable for the future.
working family in Lake Charles, LA, TRIBUTE TO PASTOR A.R. HARRIS, SR.
who does not—I repeat—does not live thing else around it. On the other hand,
I can promise you that there are older Mr. President, I would like to take a
in a flood zone. They currently pay $572 moment to honor a man in my State of
for flood insurance on a single-family neighborhoods in which the water is
above the doorstep. Louisiana, who has dedicated nearly 80
home that is worth approximately percent of his life to preaching the gos-
$250,000. The quote he received—this is Now, looking specifically at Risk
Rating 2.0, data shows who will see the pel and serving others through his
real life. This isn’t theoretical. The faith.
quote that he received under Risk Rat- rate hikes. It is bad news for Lou-
isiana, where rates will increase for al- Pastor A.R. Harris, Sr., was born De-
ing 2.0 raises his premium to over cember 16, 1932, in Jonesboro, LA. He
$5,000—$572 to $5,000. most everybody.
The second criticism of the program has preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Now, rate increases are capped at 18 since he was 7 years old and led God’s
is that it subsidizes people who suffer
percent annually, so it doesn’t happen people for over six decades.
repetitive flood damage. Now, this ar-
next year. But this is 18 percent com- Pastor Harris is a veteran who served
gument is mitigated, if you will, by of-
pounded. It is kind of like a balloon on our country in the United States Army
fering mitigation. Data shows that
one of those little helium things. It during the Korean war. He and his wife
mitigation is good for the taxpayer.
starts off and it doesn’t seem that it is Eva of 63 years have six wonderful chil-
According to the National Institute of
inflating, and then, all of a sudden, it dren, four of whom followed their fa-
Building Sciences, for every $1 spent in ther’s footsteps to preach the Good
inflates rapidly, like a balloon note on
Federal mitigation grants, it saves the Word to spread the Gospel. He and Eva
a mortgage.
program an average of $6. are being honored for their 46 years of
So with progressive increases, when In the Infrastructure Investment and
it gets to $5,000—actually, $5,624—he service at their church, Zion Hill Mis-
Jobs Act, there is $3.5 billion in flood sionary Baptist Church #2.
will have to choose: Do I continue my mitigation assistance grants—grants
policy? He is a man of God, family, and coun-
going towards buying up properties try; and it is my privilege to stand here
Now, he is not in a flood zone. If you that have experienced repetitive loss.
think about actuarially, you want peo- on the floor of the U.S. Senate and rec-
Shoring up the program by removing ognize the faithful service of Pastor
ple who are not at high risk to spread high-risk properties protects other
the cost for everybody else. A.R. Harris, Sr.
properties. It is true in your State, and God bless him, his family, and God
Under this, the Congressional Budget it is true in my State. It is a wise in- bless the United States of America.
Office estimates that 20 percent of pol- vestment to protect the National Flood I yield the floor.
icyholders will drop their insurance. Insurance Program. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
That has a risk of putting the National So we can have a conversation, by ator from Alabama.
Flood Insurance Program into an actu- the way, about a criticism that if miti- UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—S. 2953
arial death spiral where those at lower gation opportunities are offered to Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President,
risk drop the insurance, the remaining homeowners and they decline them, you know, it is no secret that I oppose
risk is forced upon a relatively small what to do about that. On the other President Biden’s tax proposal. I think
number of people raising their risk hand, when folks are offered mitiga- it is bad policy that would undercut
even more, and you gradually have a tion, they almost always accept the op- growth and derail American prosperity.
continual falloff of the number of peo- portunity for that. But one of the worst parts of the
ple in the program. Finally, some argue that private in- President’s plan is the provision re-
Now, some policyholders are required surers will replace the National Flood quiring financial institutions to report
to pay for the insurance by law, but Insurance Program. But let’s be hon- their customer’s transactions of $600 or
this puts them in an even worse situa- est, that will not occur. I support the greater to the IRS.
tion. They will either have to put thou- expansion of private insurance cov- That means anytime an American
sands of dollars up for their insurance ering flood properties. Consumers pays a bill, makes a deposit, transfers
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
or risk losing their home. should have options. If nothing else, funds, or makes a purchase of $600 or
I would ask President Biden, who un- this highlights the need for a long-term more, their bank, credit union, or fi-
questionably is an empathetic man and fix to the program. nancial institution would be forced to
empathetic to the working families of In the past, I proposed reforms to en- report that data to the IRS.
our country, to consider delaying Risk sure that NFIP is affordable and acces- Opposition to this proposal is deep
Rating 2.0. sible to homeowners, accountable to and bipartisan. I don’t care if you are a
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October 7, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6957
Republican, Democrat, or Independent. American would suffer. That is because madness doesn’t stop there. This new
No one wants the IRS looking over our community banks and credit rule from Joe Biden would also require
their shoulder every time they make a unions will be overwhelmed—I mean banks to report every transaction of
financial transaction. The IRS doesn’t overwhelmed—with a tidal wave of $600 or more. Does anyone honestly
efficiently use the data it collects now. compliance data. Small banks and think the Federal Government will
Why in the world would we give them credit unions won’t be able to afford to keep your private information safe?
more information? hire the staff that they are going to Want to buy a bed? Here comes the
If the IRS has reason to believe you need, forcing them to close their doors Federal Government. But say you want
are not paying all that you owe in in a lot of rural and minority areas. to buy a new shotgun. Hunting season
taxes, they have the ability to audit And for Americans, including many is coming up. Again, here come the
you. They don’t need any more private minorities, living in rural communities feds. How about giving money to your
financial data on any of us. The bulk of across the country, these small banks favorite charities; supporting a cause
the data collection they are proposing and credit unions are a focal point for or a political candidate you care about;
will do nothing to close the so-called the community. They provide the for childcare or paying for mental
tax gap. All it does is violate the lib- money folks need to buy their first health counseling? Perhaps you are
erty of every freedom-loving American home or car; they fuel the economic de- just selling off a little furniture and
who values their financial property. velopment, provide good-paying jobs, want to put your profits in a savings
The proposal would dramatically in- and pump resources back into these account. For every one of these trans-
crease IRS audits of working Ameri- rural communities. actions I have just described, the gov-
cans. The overwhelming majority of If these community banks and credit ernment is going to come take a look.
people the IRS would look into as a re- unions close, it would cut off access to Every American should be disgusted
sult of this policy would not have done capital for millions of Americans in and furious by this insane overreach of
a single thing wrong, but when the IRS communities. They would suffer. Live- the Federal Government. Think about
starts snooping, it will cost you big lihoods would be destroyed. the private, personal information the
money. That means hiring a high- That is why I, along with my col- government would have access to. It is
priced attorney/accountant who will league from Florida, Senator RICK incredibly intrusive, and Joe Biden
bleed you dry. SCOTT, have introduced a bill prohib- wants to make it nearly limitless.
President Biden claims his proposal
iting the IRS from creating, imple- Again, does anyone honestly think the
would only impact the rich, but mid-
menting, or administering a financial Federal Government would keep your
dle-class families are the ones who will
reporting regime that would require fi- private information safe? I understand
ultimately pay the price.
Additionally, the IRS has a history nancial institutions or individuals to that families are angry. I have heard
of data security failures. Just earlier report data or financial transactions or from more than 18,000 constituents
this year, the confidential tax informa- account balances to the IRS. over just the last 2 weeks about how
tion of over a dozen well-known Ameri- To be clear, my legislation does not disgusted they are with this plan.
cans leaked from the Agency and was touch the Bank Secrecy Act or any of Biden wants to expand the surveil-
published in the press. That was unac- the regulations either implemented or lance state of the Federal Government
ceptable and unlawful, but nothing was issued under that act. to target every American family. Nine-
done to hold the IRS accountable. My bill has been endorsed by the ty-five percent of American households
But this is, unfortunately, nothing American Bankers Association, the have a bank account, and this policy
new. Under President Biden’s watch, Independent Community Bankers of will have impacts on every single one
when he was Vice President, conserv- America, the National Association of of those accountholders. But it is not
ative groups and individuals were tar- Federally-Insured Credit Unions, the just banks; Joe Biden is expanding the
geted for aggressive audits. And as re- Credit Union National Association, the Federal surveillance state to monitor
cently as this year, a Texas-based char- Heritage Action for America, the your finances across the board. They
ity was denied tax-exempt status be- League of Southeastern Credit Unions, will be watching your local credit
cause the IRS considered the charity and the Alabama Bankers Association. union and your PayPal and Venmo ac-
too close to Republicans and too close These organizations and their members counts. They will even be watching to
to Christianity. know that if President Biden’s proposal see how you spend and earn
Folks, that is pitiful. goes through, banking, as we know it, cryptocurrency. This is an outrageous
Providing the IRS with massive will end. violation of Americans’ privacy.
amounts of financial-transaction data At this time, I would like to yield the I think the Democrats are also hear-
will only make it easier for them to floor to my distinguished colleague ing from their constituents. Recent re-
target groups or individuals they dis- from Florida, Mr. SCOTT. ports say the President and Democrats
agree with. If anything, we need to be Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President. in the House are looking at raising the
reining in the IRS and holding officials The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. threshold from $600 to $10,000. That
accountable who go after taxpayers for SCHATZ). The Senator from Florida. would still hit many Americans fami-
political reasons. Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, lies.
The outcry from voters has been I would like to thank Senator We are not just talking about check-
strong and swift. Some of my Demo- TUBERVILLE for leading this very im- ing accounts; this applies to savings,
crat colleagues are feeling the heat portant effort. retirement, and investment accounts.
from their constituents and are start- I want to be very clear. What Presi- You name it, the feds want to take a
ing to walk back the President’s pro- dent Biden is proposing here is as close look.
posal. The American people have them to policy from communist China as we Again, I am not describing something
on the run. have seen in the United States. In op- in Cuba or communist China; I am
Democrats in Congress are talking pressive regimes like Cuba and com- talking about what Joe Biden and the
about only requiring transactions of munist China, we have come to expect Democrats want to do right here in the
only $10,000 or more to be reported to a surveillance state where the govern- U.S.A. I can’t wait for my Democratic
the IRS. While fewer Americans would ment has access to every part of a per- colleague to explain why President
be directly impacted by this threshold, son’s life. Now Joe Biden wants to Biden is even proposing this. How can
we would still feel the broader, nega- bring that here to America. you possibly justify to the American
tive effects. Let me explain what the Biden ad- people that the IRS should be snooping
That being said, on Tuesday of this ministration and Democrats in Wash- around in their bank, retirement, or in-
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
week, Treasury Secretary Janet ington are proposing. Democrats want vestment accounts?
Yellen, the President’s top economic to open your bank account to Federal There is only one explanation, and it
adviser, defended the Biden plan and agents. Under Joe Biden’s America, the is simply terrifying. The Democrats
doubled down on the $600 IRS proposal. Federal Government’s authority would want to control how you spend your
Regardless of whether Democrats set- be vastly expanded so the IRS can get money. Democrats want to control
tle on $600 or $10,000 threshold, every a look at any account over $600. The your expenditures, your charitable and
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S6958 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 7, 2021
political giving, and your investments. that in your own household, in a State each year could be as high as $1 tril-
The more power Democrats can grab or local government, a business. You lion. Cheating by those at the very top
from American families, the more con- would be laughed out of the banker’s is one of the major causes of that huge
trol they think they will get over each office if you did that and then wanted tax gap. A big reason why is that the
and every American. a loan to cover it and then do it the automatic reporting and strict rules
This all boils down to Joe Biden and next 10 years. It doesn’t work anywhere that apply to the typical, hard-working
the radical left bringing the American else. taxpayer—nurses and firefighters, for
people under the thumb of his socialist This is an example that I think, example—they don’t always apply to
tax-and-spend agenda. After all, how along with maybe the vaccine man- those at the top. That means the tax
else is he going to be able to squeeze date, where you are now forcing small cheats are able to hide their cheating
every last penny out of American fami- businesses to do something when they in the shadows.
lies’ bank accounts to pay for his so- finally got a rhythm—and businesses The Senator’s proposal would help
cialist plans? have protected their employees and them keep it that way. This proposal
Here is how the Democratic Party their customers as well as anybody out would make it extraordinarily difficult
works: They refuse to audit our Fed- there in that journey. You have got to collect the information necessary to
eral Agencies that year after year send that nonsense that is going to be un- crack down on the high-flying tax
billions in improper payments to the furled here soon. But it is an example cheats.
wrong people, which they rarely ever of where, at some point, enough needs
The argument against information
recover. They refuse to hold their gov- to be enough.
reporting is always the same, and it
ernment accountable for reckless waste The IRS has had a poor record of
has been consistently wrong. Despite
and massive debt. But they want to put doing things to boot. Earlier,
what opponents say, what President
the magnifying glass on hard-working ProPublica released illegally obtained
Biden and Democrats have proposed is
families who are just trying to live tax records of many Americans. We had
focused on rooting out tax cheating at
their dreams. the incident of issues with conservative
the top. It wouldn’t apply to accounts
Under Biden’s socialist regime, it is businesses being discriminated against
with deposits and withdrawals under
rules for thee but not for me. How is in getting proper status set up. I intro-
$10,000. And for most people, that is
that different from communist China, duced the Protect Taxpayer Privacy
$10,000 on top of your paycheck. It is
where the government lives in opulence Act in June for that because the IRS is
not about anybody’s transactions.
while their citizens live totally depend- already doing things that they
They wouldn’t be reported, colleagues.
ent on the government in poverty? shouldn’t be doing. This would be a
I will not stand for this outrageous It wouldn’t create any new surveillance
perfect companion to what Senator
plan. No American should tolerate this of digital currency. This information-
TUBERVILLE is putting out here.
unprecedented overreach. I am proud reporting proposal is about reporting
To wrap it up, we have to be careful
to support Senator TUBERVILLE’s legis- only two numbers: the total amount
when we send people here. If you were
lation and hope every one of my col- going into an account and the total
knocking it out of the park, delivering
leagues looks at this for what it is: amount going out of it. Social Security
results, not borrowing money to do the
communist China-style totalitarian income does not count either.
things we try to do anyway, and then
surveillance. you tee up something like this—this is So this idea—and I have listened to
I yield back to Senator TUBERVILLE. going to do nothing more than unleash my friends—that somehow this is going
Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President. more of an Agency that doesn’t do well to end Western civilization just doesn’t
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- in its job anyway, and it is truly an ex- hold up.
ator from Alabama. ample of government gone wild. In fact, Commissioner Rettig, a Re-
Mr. TUBERVILLE. I would like to I thank Senator TUBERVILLE for publican appointee, pointed out re-
yield the floor to my distinguished col- bringing this to a focal point. cently that this plan could actually re-
league from Indiana, Senator BRAUN. I yield back to him. duce the odds of an audit for middle-
Mr. BRAUN. Thank you, Senator Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President. class taxpayers, those folks that I was
TUBERVILLE. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- talking about, the nurses and the fire-
Mr. President. ator from Alabama. fighters.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, I I am going to close with just a couple
ator from Indiana. want to thank Senator BRAUN and Sen- of other points. Most of my colleagues
Mr. BRAUN. Every year, I travel and ator SCOTT again for supporting this know that I am about as strong a pri-
visit every county in the State of Indi- bill. vacy hawk as there is in the Senate.
ana—92 of them. You know, I can’t ever I am proud to partner with him in And I don’t take a backseat to anybody
recall anyone saying that they want this effort to safeguard the financial when it comes to fighting for Ameri-
the IRS to poke into their business privacy of American citizens. cans’ privacy, whether it is taxpayer
more on a day-to-day basis. In fact, Mr. President, as if in legislative ses-
data, communications, web traffic—
they bemoan the fact that many years sion, I ask unanimous consent that the
you name it. And, colleagues, all of
ago, the IRS was actually sifting Senate proceed to the immediate con-
that work, all of that private work, is
through stuff to determine who was sideration of S. 2953, which is at the
on the public record. It is a matter of
conservative or not before they might desk. I further ask that the bill be con-
public record. It isn’t an atomic secret.
grant status to your entity. sidered read a third time and passed
We have gotten to a point—and I and that the motion to reconsider be In those debates about privacy, it is
think Senators TUBERVILLE and SCOTT considered made and laid upon the also striking that it is most often
have eloquently laid out the details. I table. Members of the other side attempting
want to take a little different ap- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there to stop reforms, for example, to gov-
proach. an objection? ernment surveillance of phone records
I have been here a little less than 3 Mr. WYDEN. Reserving the right to and emails and web browsing—web
years, and this kind of object. browsing. But when Democrats are
entrepreneurialism through govern- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- working to crack down on
ment, growing the Federal Govern- ator from Oregon. ultrawealthy tax cheats, that is when,
ment, having an Agency like the IRS Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President and col- suddenly, we have got Republicans say-
that can’t do its job well with the leagues, the Senator’s proposal in ef- ing: Oh, my goodness; who is going to
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
money that we do give to it, is just an- fect would be a game-winning touch- be sensitive to privacy?
other example of trying to pile on one down for wealthy tax cheats. I want to repeat, as I have on this
bad thing after another. IRS Commissioner Rettig, a Repub- floor again and again, I will talk to
It would be different if we weren’t lican appointee, came before the Fi- anybody on either side of the aisle with
doing it borrowing 23 percent of the nance Committee earlier this year and any philosophy about protecting tax-
money we spend every year. Imagine said the total amount of taxes evaded payer data. As the chairman of the
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October 7, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6959
Senate Finance Committee, which han- I want to thank my Connecticut col- have in the United States to Israel’s secu-
dles privacy policy, I want it under- league ROSA DELAURO of New Haven rity. And I fully, fully, fully support replen-
stood that our committee—and I, par- for her leadership and all of the Mem- ishing Israel’s Iron Dome system.
ticularly, given my record on privacy bers of the House of Representatives A quote from his meeting prior to
issues—we take privacy very seriously. for their vision and courage in sepa- meeting with Prime Minister Bennett
That is not what is on offer by the rating this measure and passing it. And at the White House.
other side today. The bottom line is we should do so now, as quickly as pos- Just 2 days before he made those re-
wealthy tax cheats are ripping off the sible. marks, Secretary Austin also expressed
American people to the tune of billions All of us know that the 2016 memo- his support:
and billions of dollars per year. Tax randum of understanding negotiated You can also see that commitment as we
cheats thrive when the reporting rules between Israel and the United States advocate for the replenishment of the Iron
that apply to them are loose and provides $500 million per year in secu- Dome missile defense system. The adminis-
murky. Democrats want to fix this bro- tration is committed to ensuring that Iron
rity assistance for Israel’s missile de-
ken approach and crack down on cheat- Dome can defend Israeli civilian population
fense. The MOU allows Israel to re- centers targeted by terrorist attacks, and
ing at the top. The Senator’s proposal quest additional funds to replenish and we’re working closely with Congress to pro-
would make that impossible, and it restore missile defense capabilities in vide all the necessary information to respond
would hand—colleagues, it would hand, exceptional circumstances. positively to your request for the—for $1 bil-
the Senator’s proposal—a big fourth- We all remember vividly the May 2021 lion in emergency funding, and it’s going to
quarter victory to the tax cheats. conflict between Israel and Hamas, and save more innocent lives.
For that reason, I object. in our minds still vividly and graphi- I am concerned that Members of the
I yield the floor. cally are the pictures of that Iron U.S. Senate are blocking passage of
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ob- Dome system intercepting missiles this bill. Senator PAUL has demanded
jection is heard. aimed at civilians in Israel. The Iron that we add unrelated language to re-
The Senator from Alabama.
Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, Dome defense system intercepted about scind funds from the Department of
this is a simple two-page bill that will 90 percent of those potentially lethal State and the Department of Defense
protect every American from an inva- missiles targeting populated areas of before he will agree to a unanimous
sion of privacy by Big Brother Govern- Israel. consent decree. We should prevent this
In total, about 4,400 rockets were sacred relationship from becoming a
ment IRS. I am sorry to see that my
launched by Hamas. Should the Iron political football. We should make sure
Democratic colleagues oppose pro-
Dome have failed, countless Israeli ci- that we preserve it as a bipartisan
tecting the financial privacy of Amer-
vilians would have been killed. This source of consensus.
ican taxpayers. That is a real shame.
I think you would be hard-pressed to system performed with such extraor- And that is not to say necessarily
find a Member of the U.S. Senate who dinary and exceptional prowess, show- that we agree with every single act,
can honestly say that a majority of ing its necessity for both humanitarian every single measure that our Israeli
their constituents support President and defensive purposes. allies take. We can be friends and fam-
Biden’s proposal for the IRS to monitor I recently returned from a trip to ily and still disagree.
Israel, where I talked to the top leader- But our aid should not be conditioned
a $600 or more transaction. I don’t
ship of the new government, including on agreeing with every single policy or
think you could find one.
We ought to be able to stand up to- Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. I was action taken by our Israeli friends.
gether, in a bipartisan fashion, to re- inspired and excited by the determina- This measure is a defensive platform
ject this radical proposal. I am con- tion of the Israeli leadership and, I be- that saves lives. It is a humanitarian
fident that the American people will lieve, the Israeli people to inaugurate a step that should be regarded for what
continue to put pressure on their elect- new era where we are even closer to it is—essential to our alliance, our re-
ed representatives to reject this plan. I Israel than we have been in the past. lationship, and our bond with Israel.
will work with my colleagues to ad- There have been some bumps in the Mr. President, as in legislative ses-
dress legitimate concerns, though I road; there have been some potential sion, I ask unanimous consent that, at
suspect there are none, and any posi- disagreements in this body; but we a time to be determined by the major-
tion is going to be purely political. should focus on making sure that ity leader, following consultation with
Americans across the country can Israel’s defense is completely bipar- the Republican leader, the Senate pro-
count on Senator SCOTT and myself to tisan; that our relationship with Israel ceed to the consideration of Calendar
keep up the fight of this important crosses party lines. We have that op- No. 140, H.R. 5323; that there be up to 2
issue. portunity today to renew the sense of hours of debate; that upon the use or
I suggest the absence of a quorum. bipartisanship in our unshakeable rela- yielding back of time, the bill be con-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The tionship with Israel. sidered read a third time, and the Sen-
clerk will call the roll. And that relationship goes beyond ate vote on passage of the bill, without
The senior assistant legislative clerk just security concerns. We are bound intervening action or debate.
proceeded to call the roll. by culture, heritage, faith, and a com- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there
Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I mon commitment to democracy. And objection?
ask unanimous consent that the order Israel has that commitment in perhaps The Senator from Kentucky.
for the quorum call be rescinded. the most constantly dangerous neigh- Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, reserving
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without borhood in the world. the right to object, I agree with the
objection, it is so ordered. Iron Dome is a defensive system. It is Senator from Connecticut that we
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—H.R. 5323 solely defensive, and it defends against should pass the proposal. In fact, I have
Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, the loss of civilians on both sides, in offered a proposal to fund the Iron
we have reached a really important Gaza as well as Israel, because the loss Dome with $1 billion that should be
point in our relationship with one of of life in Israel, if it occurs, if Iron paid for, though. We are facing a $30
our great allies in the world. The Dome is lacking, will lead to escalating trillion debt. We borrow $2 million a
United States has before it the chal- violence that will cost lives in Gaza as minute. Inflation is rising. They are
lenge—and this Congress can meet that well. wanting to pile more debt upon our
challenge—for $1 billion of supple- The Iron Dome prevents escalating country. So, if we are going to help our
mental security assistance to replenish hostilities that will cost lives among ally Israel, I think we need to be strong
Israel’s Iron Dome system. both Palestinians and Israelis. So its to do it, we need to be not piling on
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
That funding is provided in H.R. 5323, defensive value is indisputable, and debt without consequences, and this
the Iron Dome Supplemental Appro- that is why it does have bipartisan sup- should be paid for.
priations Act of 2022, passed by the port here. It has the President’s sup- There is a very easy pay-for that I
House of Representatives by an over- port. He stated: have proposed. There is $6 billion left
whelming—and I emphasize ‘‘over- We’re also going to discuss Israel’s unwav- in a reconstruction fund for the Afghan
whelming’’—bipartisan support. ering—unwavering commitment that we national government. Well, the Afghan
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S6960 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 7, 2021
national government no longer exists. So, without question, I will object. One of the encouraging parts of my
In the haste to leave, the Biden admin- I ask the Senator to modify his re- visit with the Israeli leadership was
istration has let the Taliban overrun quest so that, instead of his proposal their recognition that Israel has a hu-
the country. and as in legislative session, the Sen- manitarian obligation in this area.
So I asked the other day, in com- ate proceed to the immediate consider- They recognize, as well, that we may
mittee, of Secretary Blinken: This $6 ation of Calendar No. 140, H.R. 5323; not always agree on every facet of our
billion, are you planning on giving it to further, that the only amendment in relationship, but this measure should
the Taliban? order be my substitute amendment, be unconditional because it is defen-
And he said: Well, it depends on which is at the desk. I further ask that sive, and it is humanitarian to support
whether they fulfill their commit- there be 2 hours of debate, equally di- the Iron Dome.
ments. vided between the two leaders, and I wish my Republican colleagues
To me, that sounds like a pretty big that upon the use or yielding back of were here to refute Senator PAUL, be-
‘‘if,’’ but if the Biden administration that time, the Paul substitute amend- cause I know many of them support it.
says that they fulfill their commit- ment at the desk be considered and Therefore, I will not modify my re-
ment and expectations, the under- agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be quest.
standing is the Biden administration is considered read a third time, and that The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec-
going to give $6 billion to the Taliban. the Senate vote on passage of the bill,
So, not only do they let them take tion is heard.
as amended, with no intervening action Is there objection to the original re-
$80 billion of equipment, not only did or debate.
we leave in complete disarray, Demo- quest?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the
crats now want to say: Oh, we have got The Senator from Kentucky.
Senator so modify his request?
to keep this money because we have to Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, in reserv-
give it to the Taliban. in reserving the right to object, let’s ing the right to object, I am dis-
That is obscene. set the record straight. appointed that the Democrats will
We should immediately rescind all of There is no possibility of this money again today block the Iron Dome fund-
that money. If you want to give money or any other money going to the ing as paid for. I think it is important
to Afghanistan, let’s vote on it again. Taliban. Section 9021 of the fiscal year that we do support our allies. I am in
But you gave the money to the pre- 2021 Defense Appropriations Act—we support of the Iron Dome funding, but
vious government, and now you want all voted for it—makes funding the I think, at the very least, it should be
to give the money to the Taliban, Taliban illegal, and if any Pentagon of- paid for. We have offered them various
which has overrun the country. It is a ficial breaks that law, they could go to permutations of this—either the entire
disgrace. The Taliban shouldn’t get a jail under the Antideficiency Act. $6 billion from the Afghan reconstruc-
penny. And we should pay for things, Whatever the Secretary of State may tion fund or $1 billion. We have offered
even for things that we are trying to have answered to Senator PAUL’s ques- them other alternatives to look at
give to allies. tion at a hearing, we should know and other funding in government that al-
So I have a proposal before the desk. he should know that spending money ready exists to see if we could pay for
My proposal says to fully fund the $1 in any way that enables it to go to the this.
billion for the Iron Dome project. Fully Taliban would be breaking the law, and So the real reluctance is on the
fund it. We have already given billions he would have to come to Congress to Democrats’ part to pay for aid, and the
for it. We are willing to give $1 billion use any of that money to aid the thing is that we can’t just blindly keep
more, but we are going to pay for it by Taliban. So this is a false issue. giving money away without repercus-
not giving money to the Taliban. So it The funds that the Paul amendment sions. We are $30 trillion in debt.
is a pretty easy sort of list. We asked seeks to rescind have actually not yet So I am disappointed today that the
every Senator on the Republican side if been appropriated. He targets the $3.3 Democrats will block the Iron Dome
they objected to this, and not one Re- billion in the fiscal year 2022 request. funding as paid for, and I do object to
publican objected to this. So the reason You can’t rescind funds that haven’t the underlying proposition.
the Iron Dome is being held up is be- yet been appropriated. So the amend- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec-
cause the Democrats are objecting to ment falls of its own weight, but I want tion is heard.
its being paid for. to deal with the merits. Mr. BLUMENTHAL. I would just
I am here today to support the Iron No. 1, the Paul amendment seeks to close, Mr. President, by saying we need
Dome. I am giving a proposal that rescind funds from the Department of to pass this measure. We need to do it
would give them their $1 billion right Defense’s Afghan Security Forces now, and there is no need for pay-for.
now. It could happen today. All I ask is Fund. Those funds are still needed to We should move ahead with this unani-
that it be paid for with money that has complete the withdrawal. They are in mous consent. I regret the objection.
already been appropriated and that is, an account that is urgently needed to I yield the floor.
in all likelihood, going to be given to terminate contracts that are already in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
the Taliban if we don’t take it away place and secure military equipment ator from Nevada.
now. I think it is a very reasonable that has been withdrawn from Afghani-
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—H.R. 5323
proposal. stan.
I am disappointed that the Demo- All of the complaints about the with- Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, when I
crats are objecting to Iron Dome today. drawal and all of the complaints about traveled to Israel in 2019, I saw with my
It is a disappointment that they are the need to secure that military equip- own eyes the Iron Dome system up
against paying for it with a fund that ment are met by this funding. close and in person. I met with the
is already out there, and that they so Defunding the Pentagon in this way brave soldiers who operate and protect
much love the idea of giving the money will, in fact, disrupt the shutdown of it—young men and women, in many
to the Taliban that they are going to these activities and open the United cases, no older than 18 or 19 years old.
insist on blocking Iron Dome funding States to legal action from contrac- Iron Dome is a missile defense sys-
because they are insistent on ‘‘No, no, tors. I have been advised, for those rea- tem that has successfully intercepted
we can’t get rid of the $6 billion be- sons, that the Department of Defense thousands of missiles fired by terrorist
cause, if the Taliban behaves, we are strongly opposes the Paul amendment groups, like Hamas, at Israeli popu-
going to give it to them.’’ because it makes ending the war in Af- lation centers. It has protected Jews,
Look, I don’t care if the Taliban be- ghanistan more difficult. Christians, and Muslims. It has pro-
haves. I wouldn’t give them a penny. Let me just close by saying that tected them all from harm and saved
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
There are other ways of trying to have there is a need for humanitarian sup- countless lives, Israelis and Palestin-
a diplomatic relationship other than port in areas where the Palestinians ians alike.
giving money to people. People think live. There is a need for aid for water This incredible feat of defense tech-
that somehow, if the Taliban behaves, treatment and vaccines and health and nology is a shining example of the un-
we have got to give them money? I all of the needs—humanitarian needs— breakable U.S.-Israel security partner-
think that is a crazy notion. of the Palestinian people. ship. The U.S. Army is in the process,
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October 7, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6961
as well, of acquiring Iron Dome bat- Earlier this week, my colleague Sen- So rarely do we have an episode or a
teries, and it tested the system as re- ator MENENDEZ, Chairman of the Sen- time where we can object. You know, I
cently as August, meaning this life- ate Foreign Relations Committee, said would object to a trillion if it were on
saving technology could also protect this: ‘‘There is no conceivable reason the floor. I would object to $50 billion
American men and women in uniform why anyone in this Chamber or on ei- on the floor.
from a variety of missile threats. ther side of the aisle should stand in But the billion dollars ought to be
Let me be clear. I want to emphasize the way of U.S. support for this life- paid for. And there are so many pay-
the word ‘‘defense.’’ Iron Dome is a saving defense to be fully ready for the fors. But this is why government grows
purely defensive system. It is a shield— next attack.’’ by leaps and bounds and becomes more
a miraculous shield—against death and He is exactly right. Opposition to and more wasteful over time.
destruction, one that America should Iron Dome is contrary to U.S. national So I do object.
be proud to help support and has sup- security interests and violates the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec-
ported across both Democratic and Re- commitment that the U.S. Government tion is heard.
The Senator from Nevada.
publican administrations and in Demo- made to Israel. Ms. ROSEN. Mr. PAUL’s objection is
cratic and Republican Congresses for We have an opportunity to rebuild unacceptable. He knows it is unaccept-
over a decade. Iron Dome saves lives; the Iron Dome shield, to support the able. This is no time for political
Iron Dome prevents an escalation of vi- security of our most important ally in games. It could jeopardize the support
olence; and Iron Dome provides a crit- the Middle East, and to save lives. But for our allies and people in need of life-
ical window for diplomacy. we must take action right here and saving assistance.
This past May, terrorist organiza- right now. I challenge all my Republican col-
tions launched over 4,400 rockets at So as if in legislative session, I ask leagues to let us take up the House-
Israel. That is right—4,400 rockets. unanimous consent that at a time to be passed bill, passed 420 to 9, and fund
Iron Dome was key to preventing 90 determined by the majority leader, fol- Iron Dome for our national security—
percent of these rockets from reaching lowing consultation with the Repub- our national security—as well as
their targets, saving the lives of inno- lican leader, the Senate proceed to con- Israel’s.
cent Israeli citizens. We should be sideration of Calendar No. 140, H.R. I yield the floor.
proud to support this technological 5323; that there be up to 2 hours for de- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
feat that has protected countless lives bate; that upon the use or yielding ator from Kansas.
and will continue to do so. back of time, the bill be considered INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
My trip to Israel and my visit to see read a third time, and that the Senate Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I want to
Iron Dome, well, is on my mind today vote on passage of the bill without in- use the opportunity of the Senate floor
because Israel needs our help, and they tervening action or debate. today to call to the attention what I
need it now. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there think is an alarming proposal that
This summer, following the barrage objection? would allow the Internal Revenue Serv-
of rocket fire—those 4,400 missiles that The Senator from Kentucky. ice to track nearly all inflows and out-
Israel had to endure and which the Iron Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, reserving flows of Americans’ bank accounts.
Dome protected Israel against—Israel the right to object, as we speak, the I heard this story—I heard this pro-
made an emergency request to the Taliban is regaining control, has con- posal while I was home in Kansas, and
United States for security assistance in trol over most of Afghanistan, is bru- my reaction was: I assume this is just
order to replenish and repair the Iron talizing women, kicking women out of something on the internet, something
Dome defense system to defend against school. Women will no longer be par- that people are perhaps fabricating.
future potential conflicts. ticipating in the government. Surely no one seriously is proposing
To Israel’s north, on the border with It is really just unconscionable that that every transaction of $600 in one’s
Lebanon, which I went to see just 2 Democrats insist that money be there bank account and $600 out of one’s
years ago, Hezbollah, an Iranian- to give to the Taliban. bank account is something that the In-
backed terrorist organization, is esti- Any person who believes and truly ternal Revenue Service should be mon-
mated to possess over 100,000 missiles. believes that the Taliban is a menace itoring and recording, or that records
Those 100,000 missiles are pointed at to women’s rights and to women in a would need to be provided to the IRS
Israel, including thousands of precision civilized world should join me in say- with that information.
missiles. If war were ever to break out ing: We should make sure that no It is one of those thing I thought,
again between Israel and Lebanon, as it money ever goes to the Taliban. well, that is just some crazy something
When Secretary Blinken was asked that somebody is talking about. But, lo
did in 2006, Iron Dome would play a
about this, he said that if there is co- and behold, unfortunately, I have
crucial role in protecting civilians—all
operation and if they meet expecta- learned that, over the years—some-
civilians in Israel.
times my constituents have brought
Just a few months ago, I joined tions, the $6 billion—and some say up
me things in the past that tell me the
Democratic and Republican colleagues to $10 billion—available for the pre-
story. It is, like, I can’t believe that
in urging the continued support for vious government will be given to the
would be true, but let me check it out;
Iron Dome. Support for Iron Dome is Taliban, who violently overthrew this
and far too often, it turns out that it
about the integrity of the U.S.-Israel government. really is someone’s proposal in the Na-
relationship. There has always been We are asking something very sim- tion’s Capital.
strong bipartisan support for the U.S.- ple. We could fund Iron Dome today. Most Kansans would react to this
Israel defense partnership. That bipar- Make sure that everybody who listens concept by saying: I can’t believe it is
tisan support continues today. to this understands. This is being true. And then: Make sure you do
The failure to fund this critical de- blocked by Democrats who don’t want something to keep it from happening.
fensive tool would be catastrophic for to pay for it. In this case, it is apparently true.
Israel and would result in lives lost. It We have a proposal that would have And not only is it true, it is true be-
would lead to more conflict, and it proposed $1 billion today for Iron cause it is supported, it is proposed by
would weaken the bond between the Dome, but it would have been paid for the Biden administration.
United States and our greatest ally in by taking money out of an account It is the Secretary of the Treasury,
the Middle East. We must take action that has been allocated and that Sec- Janet Yellen, who believes and testi-
to ensure that this program remains retary Blinken has indicated he will fied that this is a good idea. It is
fully operational. give to the Taliban if they behave. Charles Rettig, the IRS Commissioner,
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
The House of Representatives has al- So I think it is a real problem, and it who believes that this is important to
ready passed legislation on an over- is a problem of this body that the cava- accomplish. It is not just somebody’s
whelmingly bipartisan basis to fund lier nature of just letting our country ideas. It is somebody who has some-
Iron Dome. It was a vote of 420 for, and pile on $30 trillion of debt. You ask how thing that—because they have some-
only 9 against. So now it is the Sen- we got here. We got here $1 billion at a thing to say that matters that can
ate’s turn to act. time. cause it to happen is for this.
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S6962 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 7, 2021
For the IRS knowing how much upon, but we would be paying as it hap- election. For example, one witness tes-
money a Kansan earns, that just isn’t pens. tified that President Trump had no im-
enough. How much an American earns, Unfortunately, the IRS has increas- pact—I repeat, no impact; and the
it isn’t enough to know our income. ingly politicized and—has been politi- words ‘‘no impact’’ come from that
Now the IRS wants to know how you cized and has a history of targeting witness—on what the Department did
spend that income. disfavored groups and individuals, and to investigate election allegations.
This is an invasion of privacy that fo- has proven incapable of protecting tax- In fact, the evidence shows that
cuses on account flows, not just on in- payers’ data from leaks. President Trump listened to his advis-
come, and it intrudes on virtually Entrusting this bureaucracy, the ers and to their recommendations, and
every American. IRS, or, really, any other bureaucracy that he followed those recommenda-
The claim that this will help tax in Washington, DC, with the super- tions.
wealthy cheats—I am all for taxing vision of your personal finances is no The witnesses also testified that
wealthy cheats, but instead, this isn’t way to close a tax gap. President Trump didn’t fire anyone at
that. It gives the government the un- At a time when the American people the Justice Department relating to the
precedented access to nearly every are more weary than ever of the Fed- election.
working American’s bank account. eral Government and their Agencies, Records from this investigation indi-
Rather than listening to the enor- this proposal will do nothing but fur- cate that President Trump’s focus was
mous pushback from Americans and ther increase that distrust. on ‘‘legitimate complaints and reports
eliminating from consideration this Democrats in Congress and particu- of crimes.’’
invasive mandate, Democrats are sim- larly in the Biden administration Witnesses testified that President
ply suggesting to tweak the proposal should prioritize strengthening the Trump’s main focus was on making the
depending on the revenues needed to faith in the financial service, not pur- Department aware of the potential
fund this massive tax-and-spend spree suing these kinds of policies that will criminal allegations and to ensure that
that is around the corner. push underbanked Americans away. the Department did its job. It wasn’t
In recent weeks, I have heard from Ultimately, this plan will not achieve President Trump directing or ordering
more than 1,000 Kansans who are its stated goal of increasing tax reve- specific investigative steps. Witnesses
alarmed at this massive expansion of nues. Rather, it will lead to more har- also testified that it wasn’t unreason-
IRS reach and authority, this invasion assment of average Americans and able for President Trump to ask the
of privacy. The last thing my Kansas those who work at their financial insti- Department what it was doing to inves-
constituents would want when it comes tutions. tigate election fraud and crime allega-
to their own bank account is more bu- It is clear to me that there is an at- tions.
reaucrats watching and dictating how tempt here to leave no stone unturned Now, with respect to the other core
they live their lives. This provision is a to find every possible way to tax every- issues in the Democratic narrative, the
threat to their privacy. They see it day Americans in order to fund a mas- available evidence shows three facts.
that way, and it is. sive spending spree. Fact No. 1: President Trump rejected
Kansas relies heavily on small-town So while we hoped that this proposal sending the letter drafted and advo-
banks and credit unions to provide was just idle talk, something that cated by Assistant Attorney General
rural communities and their citizens somebody said over a cup of coffee at Clark to various States to contest the
with lending services to finance a the local doughnut shop or the cafe, election.
small business expansion, to allow a something that when we went to find Fact No. 2: President Trump rejected
family to pay for college, or to buy a out if there was any truth to it we dis- firing Attorney General Rosen. Indeed,
home. cover: Oh, no, I could tell my constitu- after Bill Barr submitted his resigna-
The relationship between our bank- ents this isn’t happening, this is just tion as Attorney General, President
ers, our credit unions, and their cus- something that somebody is gossiping Trump apparently considered Richard
tomers and clients is a special one. It is about. Donoghue as a replacement, showing
personal. That private relationship be- But no. It is a serious proposal by the his displeasure with Rosen.
tween a banker and their customer is Biden administration, and it has seri- Third and final fact: President
one that is based upon trust. The bank- ous consequences to the well-being, fi- Trump accepted Acting Attorney Gen-
er no more wants to be in the middle of nancial, but perhaps more importantly, eral Rosen’s position that the Depart-
invading their customers’ privacy. the privacy, something that Americans ment not file a lawsuit against the
Mandating that banks report to the deserve, something that Americans re- States with reported voter issues.
government their customers’ account quest, and something that is already The Democrats’ report makes much
activities will significantly breach the too often lacking in our lives—pri- of the efforts by individual lawyers to
trust that a customer, a client has with vacy—and in this case, privacy from push the Department to take these
their banker. the Federal Government. steps, but the fact is, none of these
These financial institutions are often I yield the floor. steps were taken because President
run by just a handful of employees, and The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Trump made the ultimate decision not
are often a family operation handed KING). The Senator from Iowa. to take those steps. At each of these
down from one generation to the next. TRUMP INVESTIGATION critical decision points, the President
We have lots of small local banks and Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I asked his advisers for their candid
credit unions already knee-deep—per- would like to address the Senate Judi- views and their candid recommenda-
haps waist-deep—in red tape; some- ciary majority’s Trump investigation tions, and the President followed them.
thing they have to deal with every day, examining the period from December Now, ask yourself this: Where would
and something we have tried nearly 14, 2020 through January 3, 2021. we be now if President Biden followed
every day to reduce or eliminate. The majority released their report the advice and recommendations of his
Our bankers and credit unions spend this morning; the minority released advisers regarding Afghanistan? And
millions of dollars to comply with the our report this morning. we know what that advice was because
anti-money laundering policies, and This truncated investigation doesn’t we heard it last week before the com-
those often yield minimal results. support the long-running Democratic mittees in the House and Senate by the
This proposal would turn our bank- narrative that Trump used the Justice generals who were testifying.
ing system into an extension of the In- Department to try to overturn the 2020 Again, I am not sure why the com-
ternal Revenue Service while forcing election. And it is truncated because mittee is releasing transcripts and an
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
local banks to shoulder the cost. And we don’t have all the records and this investigative report when the inves-
these costs, of course, ultimately committee only interviewed three wit- tigation doesn’t seem to be complete
would be paid for—guess who—the cus- nesses. yet. I, as chairman of a committee, run
tomer, the citizen. The available evidence shows that investigations differently. I collect
So not only are we—would this pro- President Trump didn’t use the Depart- records and run all the necessary inter-
posal allow our privacy to be intruded ment of Justice to subvert the 2020 views. I gather the full set of facts.
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October 7, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6963
Then and only then, I release the mate- in the world thanks to the American means families who have to wait for
rial publicly. farmer and through research at institu- holiday bonuses before they can go
So far, the narrative the majority tions like Iowa State University. shopping are going to be facing ‘‘out of
has been spinning here just isn’t borne Congratulations, Dr. Schulte Moore. stock’’ signs online and in stores.
out by the facts. So this advice from Iowa State University and the State of Joe Biden needs to answer this ques-
me: Don’t take this Senator’s word for Iowa are lucky to have a professor like tion: How is he going to fix this? How
it; do as we have done on the Repub- you. can Joe Biden guarantee that our sup-
lican side. Read the transcripts. I think I yield the floor. ply chains won’t completely crumble
you will come to the very same conclu- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- under his failed policies and mandates?
sions that I have just stated. ator from Florida. In fact, I urge President Biden to
TRIBUTE TO PROFESSOR LISA SCHULTE MOORE VACCINES have Transportation Secretary Pete
Mr. President, on a second point and Mr. SCOTT of Florida. President Buttigieg and Commerce Secretary
a much shorter point, I would like to Biden ran on a promise to be a unifying Gina Raimondo testify to the Com-
recognize an outstanding professor at moderate. He promised to bring Amer- merce Committee on the shortages we
Iowa State University. Professor Lisa ica together. On the campaign trail, he are already seeing and the shortages
Schulte Moore of Iowa State Univer- promised to ‘‘shut down the virus, not that we anticipate.
sity is doing important work on behalf the country.’’ As we have seen with his Ensuring the stability of American
of farmers and rural communities, and vaccine management, the opposite has supply chains requires the urgent at-
eventually it affects all Americans. happened. tention of the Biden administration. As
Dr. Schulte Moore is a landscape Joe Biden and Democrats in Wash- a member of the Commerce Committee
ecologist and professor of natural re- ington have adopted an agenda of sys- and ranking member of the Sub-
source ecology and management. Addi- temic socialism focused on expanding committee on Tourism, Trade, and Ex-
tionally, she serves as associate direc- government and Federal control. In port Promotion, I know this testimony
tor of the Bioeconomy Institute at Joe Biden’s America, the government from Secretaries Buttigieg and
Iowa State University. knows better than the people, and Raimondo would be useful in under-
Dr. Schulte Moore was recently rec- President Biden has shown that he is standing how this will be addressed.
ognized as the 2021 MacArthur Founda- eager to use government mandates to We are already starting to see major
tion Award recipient and the first-ever keep families in check. supply issues. Seafood restaurants in
Iowa State MacArthur Fellow. This President Biden’s latest vaccine man- Miami are seeing price increases of 50
award is known as the Genius Grant date for private companies tramples on to 60 percent on fish. Furniture stores
and is given to individuals who have the personal freedoms of Americans. in Florida are seeing wait times of 6 to
shown a dedication to their field This unconstitutional order will push 8 months before they can deliver cer-
through creativity and originality. more Americans out of the workforce, tain products. Florida grocery stores
Dr. Schulte Moore is a founder of the devastate our economy with product are warning of product shortages as
Prairie STRIPS conservation program. and service shortages that cripple sup- customers are starting to see empty
Established in 2003 at the Neal Smith ply chains, and throw America into a shelves.
National Wildlife Refuge in Prairie stagflation crisis not seen since the Small business owners and families
City, IA, this program studied the ef- 1970s. aren’t able to afford those kinds of
fects of planting prairie strips on farm- By forcing some working Americans drastic increases, but if President
land. to choose between keeping their jobs or Biden has his way, those transpor-
Before I continue, I just used the doing what they believe is best for tation difficulties are going to become
name Neal Smith—former Congress- their health, Biden’s mandate hurts even worse and prices will rise even
man Neal Smith of Iowa, 36 years a the people he claims to help—workers, higher. Right now, rising prices on ev-
Member of the House of Representa- low-income Americans, and seniors on eryday goods are forcing American
tives. He has been retired quite a while a fixed income, who will all be either families to make hard choices.
now. He just celebrated, I think, his hit with higher unemployment, higher I have said it on this floor countless
100th birthday and is still active in the prices, or a shortage of available goods. times, and I will say it again: Reckless
Des Moines community. When I think about the impact of government spending causes inflation.
Participants found that prairie strips burdensome government regulations, I The reckless spending agenda of Joe
can protect the quality of our soil and think about my dad. My adopted father Biden and Democrats here in Wash-
water by reducing farm field soil loss was a truckdriver. Anyone who has ington is having disastrous effects on
by 95 percent. They also reduce nitro- driven trucks or been close to someone families across our country.
gen and phosphorus runoff by up to 80 in that line of work knows how de- We can never forget that, as inflation
percent. Because of the professor’s manding that job can be. It is hard worsens and prices surge higher, it is
work, prairie strips are used in 14 work, and it is one of the most critical the poorest Americans and those on
States on over 115,000 acres of cropland. jobs in our country. Truckdrivers are fixed incomes who are hurt the most.
In addition to the $625,000 received like the offensive linemen of America’s There are single moms wondering if
through the MacArthur Foundation, supply chain—often overlooked but ab- they can put an extra few gallons of
Dr. Schulte Moore was recently award- solutely essential to getting things gas in the car and still afford to put
ed a $10 million Federal grant to turn moving. Our country is already experi- dinner on the table this week or moms
biomass and manure into fuel. With encing a significant shortage of truck- like mine who took on odd jobs to
this research, the professor is looking drivers. We can’t afford to lose any make ends meet and watched the
for additional ways that farm waste more. smallest price changes at the grocery
can be turned into renewable fuel and Of course, trucking isn’t the only in- store to make sure we could still get
consequently not contribute to the dustry that will be affected by Biden’s by.
degradation of the environment. unconstitutional mandate; nearly If President Biden actually spoke
Whether it is researching the next every sector is under the gun. In an with small and midsized employers and
generation of biofuels or helping farm- economy where simply keeping shelves hard-working families instead of big
ers understand what conservation prac- stocked is an everyday challenge, los- banks and CEOs, he would learn that
tices work best at their farms, I am ing workers in almost any critical in- massive Federal mandates won’t help
grateful that the MacArthur Founda- dustry will have a catastrophic impact us get our economy back on track. His
tion recognized Dr. Schulte Moore. Her across our supply chains and drive Big Government mandates will only
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
dedication and innovation encourage prices even higher. hurt us.
young people at Iowa State University Just this week, a month and a half I want to be clear. I got the vaccine.
and beyond to become involved in agri- before Thanksgiving, Amazon began al- I had COVID. And I encourage every
culture. ready giving Black Friday discounts on American to talk with their doctor and
The fact is, the United States has the goods because they expect so many consider doing the same. But getting
safest and most abundant food supply delays and shortages on goods. That the vaccine is a choice every American
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S6964 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 7, 2021
gets to make for themselves. We can’t He is a fellow West Virginian. He was he says: They gave their life for me to
give people an ultimatum to comply, a marine, a Medal of Honor recipient do my job and protect and save my life.
quit, or get fired. It is a gross over- for his heroic efforts at the Battle of There is not a day that goes by, he
reach by the Federal Government at a Iwo Jima that I have been told in- says, he doesn’t think about that, how
time when we need more jobs, not less; volved the flame thrower, which I have the Good Lord spared him and the sac-
lower prices on everyday goods, not seen. And it is not just one. I think he rifices that were made for him and our
higher. went through five flame throwers be- country.
Unlike Joe Biden and Democrats in cause when he ran out, he went and re- So I believe that honoring all of
Washington, I don’t believe that gov- loaded and went at them again. It is those who served in World War II by al-
ernment knows better than the Amer- just unbelievable. lowing the last surviving—and I want
ican people. My parents didn’t have Woody has dedicated his life to our to make sure we understand. Woody
much of a formal education, but they great and our beautiful United States Williams is the last surviving Medal of
worked hard and made the choices they through his service in the military and Honor recipient from World War II.
felt were right for the health and well- his dedication to supporting veterans We are asking that he be allowed to
being of our family. They relied on gov- and advocating for their needs for dec- lay in State at the U.S. Capitol Ro-
ernment to keep them informed, and ades after. tunda. And what better way to honor
they made their own choices. That is There is not a time when I know that this generation, their sacrifices than
how government should work. Senator CAPITO and myself don’t hear the President to authorize the State
That is what I did when I was Gov- from Woody and there is something funeral for that brave individual.
ernor of Florida. In 2016, Florida was going on, whether it is at the ceme- And Woody—there is not a better
faced with the Zika virus, which im- person to represent all of those who
tery, or whether we are having a ride
pacted newborns. Rather than placing sacrificed and given their all, all of
for the Gold Star families. We do a mo-
those who were basically decorated for
mandates on pregnant women or re- torcycle ride, which I would like to in-
their valor, to do this. And bestowing
stricting their travel to areas with vite the Presiding Officer to.
this great honor on the last survivor
local transmission of Zika, which we I say to the Presiding Officer: You
and the World War II Medal of Honor
knew where they were, we simply in- would enjoy it. It is wonderful.
Senator CAPITO has been with us be- recipient would be the perfect way to
formed Floridians. We worked to be as
fore on that. It is just a wonderful come together as a nation to salute the
transparent as possible and offered free
thing, and Woody has never failed to be ‘‘greatest generation.’’
Zika testing to all pregnant women in So I am honored to be here with my
Florida. That is how the Federal Gov- part of it. Now, he rides in a sling shot,
colleague and my friend Senator CAP-
ernment should deal with COVID. The but, by golly, he makes the whole ITO in a bipartisan—you know, I have
government’s role in public health is to route. always said this: The glue that holds
inform and support, not mandate. He has dedicated his life fully to our
this country together is the people who
Our country has seen labor shortages veterans and to the Gold Star families.
put themselves in harm’s way for all of
caused by Democrats’ failed policies of He is bound and determined to get a
us.
rewarding unemployment, paying peo- committal shelter built at the Donel C. They didn’t say: Well, I will put a
ple more to stay at home than to get Kinnard Memorial State Veterans uniform on and I will take a bullet for
back to work. Energy prices are surg- Cemetery. Again, Senator CAPITO and the Republican, but not the Democrat,
ing, and inflation is raging. American I, both serving on the Appropriations or I will take a bullet for the Democrat
families can’t afford more of Presi- Committee, have committed that we and not the Republican.
dent’s Biden’s radical policy decisions are united in getting this done. We will Senator CAPITO’s father took a bullet
that are inflicting lasting damage and get that done, and it needs to be. for all of us too, and she will speak
driving our economy backwards. That basically would ensure that the about that, I am sure, and the bravery
Restoring and strengthening our sup- families of our fallen soldiers and vet- that he had. He was my dear friend,
ply chains is a critical step in getting erans, they have a safe place to lay and we all miss him. But the sacrifices
the American economy rolling forward. their loved ones to rest, protected from that my parents and Senator CAPITO’s
It is time for President Biden to ac- the weather, rain, Sun, and snow parents and the generation—that was
knowledge that massive, unconstitu- throughout the year. the ‘‘greatest generation,’’ I think,
tional mandates on private companies In this year’s Military Construction that we will ever see because they took
won’t do anything but hurt American and Veterans Affairs appropriations responsibility and took responsibility
business and throw gasoline on the al- bill, we include a language to create a for their action. They held themselves
ready raging inflation crisis he has cre- pilot program that allows Federal vet- accountable for their actions, and that
ated. erans cemeteries to build shelters for showed the character that generation
I yield the floor. those purposes. But we must ensure the has.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- pilot program includes State veterans And that is what I would hope these
ator from West Virginia. cemeteries, like the Donel C. Kinnard young interns and all the young pages
TRIBUTE TO WARRANT OFFICER HERSHEL Memorial State Veterans Cemetery. that we have here understand, that
‘‘WOODY’’ WILLIAMS The families of our fallen service- your character is defined the day that
Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I am members deserve to honor their loved you take responsibility for the ac-
here today to honor the lives of our ones in peace, and I am proud to help tions—good, bad, or indifferent—and be
World War II Medal of Honor recipients Woody fight for this simple request. able to look yourself in the mirror and
who bravely served our Nation, includ- Americans like Woody Williams an- say: I made a mistake. I can do better.
ing the last surviving recipient who swered the call to serve our great Na- That is my fault. I will fix that. That
just celebrated his 98th birthday, tion during World War II, and he is character.
Hershel ‘‘Woody’’ Williams. fought to ensure democracy prevailed. So I am honored to be here and to
My colleague is here with me. We Their sacrifices allowed the rest of us honor every World War II veteran,
have known Woody for years and years to enjoy the freedoms we hold sacred every World War II Medal of Honor re-
and years. This is a person who has and help make the United States the cipient.
never quit serving his country from the strongest Nation in the world. I urge my colleagues on both sides of
day he was born to the day he fought I am going to share with you one the aisle to join us in our efforts to
and won the Congressional Medal of story that Woody has told all of us honor these brave veterans. And I call
Honor in Iwo Jima. back home. He says the thing that he on our President, President Biden, to
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
If you ever saw any pictures and basi- remembers most and the thing that he grant our request.
cally the war videos we see, you see a stills grieves the most about, he had With that, I yield the floor to my col-
little guy running around Iwo Jima two marines that were protecting him league.
shooting the flame thrower in the pill with gunfire while he ran around, and Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President.
boxes. That was Woody. It is just unbe- their lives were sacrificed for him. I The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
lievable. think both got shot and perished. And ator from West Virginia.
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October 7, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6965
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, it is an just had a new one in Charleston, on He corrected us, and he never would
honor to talk about a good friend of the grounds of the Charleston capitol. let us say it without going with no
ours, Woody Williams, here with my It is beautiful to see, and the other 70 pause because he said we are a nation
fellow Senator from the West Virginia, additional monuments that are going under God.
to talk about our fellow West Vir- to be built in the future. And I will never forget. He drove that
ginian, Hershel ‘‘Woody’’ Williams. We need reminders, I think. We need home so many times to all of us. So the
He is just an incredible, incredible, reminders of the sacrifices that people young pages here, I hope you will re-
individual. He turned 98 just, I think, make. And we need reminders of what member that.
last week. So he was born in 1923, it takes to defend our liberties, our With that, maybe we should do a
which was the same year my father freedoms, our families. So we are real- ‘‘happy birthday’’ together to Woody
was born. Woody and I have talked ly, really pleased to be here. because he is probably watching. So to-
about this because when I see him, I The West Virginia Legislature in- gether, you and I? Happy birthday,
see my dad and that generation. My cluded Woody in the West Virginia Hall Woody.
dad is no longer with us. You know, of Fame and named him a Distin- Ms. CAPITO. Happy birthday, Woody.
they did incredible things at such a guished West Virginian in 1980, and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
young age. again in 2013, and they would probably ator from Mississippi.
One day, I was honored to sit next to do it again next year. He is just so ex- Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I
Woody on an airplane flying home. He ceptional. also want to wish Woody a happy birth-
travels all over. It is amazing where he His unending energy and passion day as well.
goes and what he does. He told me his have also inspired many generations. I just join my colleagues today to
whole story of joining the Marines and He has spoken to numerous schools, commemorate and honor some of the
signing up for the Marines and why he universities, community events, and Nation’s most admirable warfighters in
wanted to do it. He was a country boy, veterans’ receptions, promoting patri- the Second World War, and I so appre-
just born—they didn’t really actually otism and the ideals of service above ciate my colleagues bringing their per-
know when he was born. He didn’t have self. sonal stories to the floor today. This is
a full birth certificate. And he is a lit- I have been privileged to attend—and something that all Americans should
tle guy. He wasn’t quite big enough to I know Senator MANCHIN has too—sev- cherish—the stories of these heroes. We
maybe get—be able to join, and he wor- eral speeches given by Woody Williams, have very few of these brave heroes
ried about that. He was 17, but nobody keeping in mind the last one I heard, still among us today, and it is so im-
really knew how old he was. he was 97 years old. Oh, my gosh, so in- portant that they receive every ounce
I asked him: Well, what was your at- spiring. It makes you just want to feel of recognition that we can give them
traction of being in the Marines? pride for our country but also for our for their selflessness and extraordinary
He said one day he was in town and people, that our country boy from West heroism.
he saw this guy walk by, and he was Virginia could keep inspiring the next I am pleased to be a cosponsor of
fully dressed in a Marine uniform. generations. Senator MANCHIN’s legislation to pro-
And he said: I want to be that guy. I He has been here to the Halls of the vide a merited celebration and com-
want to wear that uniform. U.S. Capitol. Or you might have even memoration of the last living World
And he persevered, as he has in every seen him at the coin flip—how did he War II Medal of Honor recipient,
aspect of his life. get there?—at the Super Bowl in 2018. Woody Williams, who recently cele-
There are so many, as Senator So he has gone on to really, I think, be brated his 98th birthday.
MANCHIN said, so many brave from that a remarkable human being. If you Medal of Honor recipients like Mr.
‘‘greatest generation’’ that served in haven’t met him or haven’t seen him, Williams demonstrated a courageous
World War II. And he is the final World make sure you get a chance if you hear and noble commitment to our Nation,
War II veteran Medal of Honor recipi- he is coming your way. and their exemplary actions deserve all
ent of that award. Abraham Lincoln famously said: the praise that we can give them.
We are so proud of him in West Vir- ‘‘Any nation that does not honor its I am proud to represent a State that
ginia because, you know, it didn’t stop heroes will not long endure.’’ has several World War II Medal of
there for him. He spent a lifetime advo- Today, I am proud to honor my Honor recipients of its own, in Mis-
cating for veterans, for veterans’ friend, with Senator MANCHIN and sissippi: Van Thomas Barfoot of Edin-
health, for fallen soldiers’ families, in a many other West Virginians and others burg, Robert T. Henry of Greenville,
whole variety of roles, and he never around the country, and to share his James Daniel Slaton of Gulfport, Louis
stopped. stories of courage, compassion, and the Hugh Wilson of Brandon, and Jack Har-
As Senator MANCHIN said, he fought service not only in the past but the old Lucas of Hattiesburg, whom I still
valiantly in the Battle of Iwo Jima, service that he has today. I am glad to remain friends with his family today.
storming those pill boxes, all four of join a bipartisan group of our col- From Germany to Japan, these men
them, under relentless fire. He survived leagues in honoring him and honoring served our Nation without hesitation
the entire 5-week campaign in Iwo him in the future. in the height of the Second World War,
Jima. As we know, that was one of the Thank you. defending our Nation, our allies, and
most staunchly defended Japanese I yield back. the very principles of freedom. It fills
strong points at that time, and his ac- Mr. MANCHIN. I say to Senator CAP- my heart with great pride to call these
tions played a critical role in the even- ITO, if you could just wait a minute. late veterans my fellow Mississippians.
tual capture of that island. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- The tributes we offer today for Mr. Wil-
He has inspired future generations to ator from West Virginia. liams in truth stand for our deep appre-
want to serve our Nation. He is a hero Mr. MANCHIN. I know you remember ciation for all of those who fought in
for what he has done at home. He has this very well. World War II.
committed himself for 75 years to vet- Woody is a person who taught us all I thank my colleagues for their great
erans and their families, and he created how to say the Pledge of Allegiance. work on this important recognition
the Hershel Woody Williams Founda- Because we think we know how to say and the opportunity to be a part of
tion. it. We all memorized it as a little kid: this.
Through his foundation, Woody advo- ‘‘I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the Thank you, Mr. President.
cates for and recognizes the sacrifices United States of America and to the I yield the floor.
of our Gold Star families who have lost Republic for which it stands.’’ The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
loved ones in the military. Woody would always say: One Nation ator from Montana.
Because of his tremendous efforts, under God—do not stop, do not hesitate Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I join
Woody and his foundation are respon- at ‘‘one Nation.’’ It is ‘‘one Nation my colleagues today in support of our
sible for 60 Gold Star family memorial under God.’’ It is not ‘‘one Nation.’’ bipartisan resolution to designate a
monuments. Senator MANCHIN and I ‘‘Under God with liberty and justice for state funeral in honor of the last sur-
have been to the grand opening. They all.’’ viving Medal of Honor recipient for
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S6966 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 7, 2021
World War II. Woody Williams is that searcher, a stakeholder, and an expert anger as the Biden administration has
person, and this would also recognize adviser, serving on the Census Advi- completely fumbled the response to the
millions of Americans for their service sory Committees and National Acad- border crisis.
and sacrifice during the war. emies’ panels on Federal statistics. Mr. In the spring, the biggest concerns
The Medal of Honor represents a Santos has demonstrated a deep knowl- were the thousands of children coming
small token of our appreciation for the edge of the Census Bureau, its data, across the border. We lacked the facili-
spirit, determination, and gallantry of and its stakeholders. He has dem- ties, the personnel, and the resources
those who performed far beyond the onstrated a commitment to upholding to provide proper care for those chil-
call of duty, those of our ‘‘greatest gen- the Bureau’s mission of producing es- dren, particularly in those kinds of
eration’’ who gave everything on the sential, high-quality data that our Na- numbers. At one point, one of the proc-
battlefield. This includes five brave tion relies on. essing centers in Donna, TX, in the Rio
Medal of Honor recipients from the It is critical that we confirm Mr. Grande Valley was at 1,600 percent of
great State of Montana: William W. Santos to the Census Bureau so they capacity.
Galt, Laverne Parrish, Leo J. Powers, can continue their important work Then, in the summer, the scale and
Donald Ruhl, and Henry Schauer. Each with a well-qualified leader at the scope of the crisis grew. In addition to
of these men pitted bravery and her- helm. the thousands of unaccompanied chil-
oism against great odds and showed ex- So, Mr. President, I ask unanimous dren entering our country each month,
emplary devotion to our Nation. Now, consent that the Senate proceed to the the number of family units has sky-
they have all passed, but their memo- following nominations: Calendar Nos. rocketed.
ries live on in each of us—in our free- 311 and 312, Robert Luis Santos, of I should pause to add, Mr. President,
doms, in the freedoms of our children, Texas, to be Director of the Census for that the reason why the smugglers
and in those of our children’s children. the remainder of the term expiring De- send in unaccompanied children is be-
Today, we have a special opportunity cember 31, 2021; and Robert Luis cause they know they will simply be
to honor their service and ensure that Santos, of Texas, to be Director of the placed with sponsors in the interior of
their acts of heroism are never forgot- Census for a term expiring December the country and most of them will fail
ten. A state funeral for the last sur- 31, 2026. (Reappointment); that the to return to the immigration courts for
viving World War II Medal of Honor re- nominations be confirmed; that the their asylum hearing. So they will
cipient is a key part of fulfilling this have been successfully placed in the
motions to reconsider be considered
promise. These ceremonies offer our United States, sometimes with rel-
made and laid upon the table with no
Nation the opportunity to pause and atives, sometimes with noncitizens,
intervening action or debate; that no
reflect on the service of not only the sometimes with foster families who
further motions be in order to the
individual but also those who served don’t know them at all. That is why
nominations; that any related state-
alongside them. the smugglers have been smuggling un-
ments be printed in the RECORD; and
It is my hope that President Biden accompanied children.
that the President be immediately no- But in August alone, more than 86,000
designates this state funeral so that we
tified of the Senate’s action. members of families—typically women
may honor the last surviving Medal of
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there with young children—have crossed the
Honor recipient from World War II
objection? border. Now that we have reached the
with this distinction. It is time to pay
The Senator from Florida. fall, the crisis has shifted once again.
a final salute to the millions of men Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President,
and women of our ‘‘greatest genera- I think what really grabbed people’s
reserving the right to object. attention was when they saw the little
tion’’ who served our country with First, happy birthday. Is it your
great courage. town of Del Rio, TX, with 15,000 Hai-
birthday? tian migrants under a bridge in Del
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- The PRESIDING OFFICER. No, sir. Rio, TX. First of all, they were
ator from Michigan. Don’t rush it. shocked. They thought this was a Cen-
Mr. SCOTT of Florida. As my col- tral American phenomenon or Mexican
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—EXECUTIVE
CALENDAR
league knows, the Census Bureau per- migrants. But the reality is, as Border
Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, shortly, forms critically important functions to Patrol will tell you and has told me, we
I will ask for unanimous consent on collect accurate and timely data. Un- literally have people coming from
the nomination of Robert L. Santos to fortunately, I am concerned that this around the world across the southern
be the Director of the U.S. Census Bu- nominee will politicize the Census Bu- border, including some countries of
reau. reau and will not perform his duties in particular concern.
The mission of the Census Bureau is a fair and unbiased fashion, which this So the Haitians got people’s atten-
to serve as the leading source of qual- position demands. tion and completely overwhelmed the
ity data about the Nation’s people and I cannot and will not consent to al- border region and our capacity to deal
our economy. The census and the Bu- lowing this nominee to move forward with them. That is why 400 Border Pa-
reau’s surveys are critical for commu- in an expedited manner. We should trol agents had to be shipped in from
nities, businesses, and people across take a vote so every Senator can get on other parts of the border or from inte-
our Nation to ensure communities have the record with their support or opposi- rior checkpoints, which means that
the resources and the information they tion to this nominee. Therefore, Mr. those other locations were understaffed
need to thrive. President, I object. or perhaps had no staff at all. That, in
The Census Bureau Director must The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- turn, is an invitation to the drug smug-
meet the challenge of this mission. tion is heard. glers to smuggle more drugs across the
They must have experience in the col- The Senator from Michigan. border.
lection, analysis, and use of statistical Mr. PETERS. I suggest the absence I have mentioned time and time
data and demonstrated management of a quorum. again this shocking number: 93,000
experience at large organizations. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Americans died of drug overdoses last
Robert Santos is an eminently quali- clerk will call the roll. year. The vast majority of those drugs
fied nominee for this role. He has over The bill clerk proceeded to call the come across the southern border. So
40 years of experience as a manager and roll. the cartels—these criminal organiza-
expert in the field of survey design and Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask tions that smuggle people, drugs, and
statistical research, including experi- unanimous consent that the order for other contraband—they are pretty
ence as a manager at the most re- the quorum call be rescinded. smart. They understand where the
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
nowned research centers for statistics, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without weaknesses are, where the gaps are
as principal of a market research firm, objection, it is so ordered. both in our policy and in our physical
and currently at the nonprofit Urban IMMIGRATION ability to secure the border, and they
Institute. Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, over the play us just like a fiddle.
He has interacted closely with the last few months, the American people The individuals and families huddled
Census Bureau for decades as a re- have watched in disbelief and then in under the Del Rio Bridge—they were
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October 7, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6967
trying to escape triple-digit tempera- said: ‘‘Abolish the police.’’ Before that, the State and local office, she released
tures. they said: ‘‘Abolish ICE,’’ Immigration a memo that outlined more than a
It is hot in August and September in and Customs Enforcement. But now dozen crimes that should be ignored by
Texas, and they had little, if any, ac- they are, maybe, not so much intent on law enforcement. This was the district
cess to food, clean water, or restrooms. abolishing ICE as just telling them attorney, who was charged with enforc-
It took a number of days before the De- don’t do your job. Don’t enforce the ing the laws, saying to law enforce-
partment of Homeland Security was very laws that we in Congress have ment: Ignore the laws.
able to remove them from what the made. According to Ms. Rollins, individuals
New York Times described as squalid Considering the fact that the border who committed offenses like tres-
conditions—truly, Third World condi- czar, Vice President HARRIS, once com- passing, shoplifting, larceny—that is
tions. pared ICE to the Ku Klux Klan, we stealing—wanton or malicious destruc-
Now, President Biden has said to the probably should have seen this coming. tion of property or even possession
migrants: Don’t come to the United Liberal activists can throw out their with intent to distribute drugs should
States. But the fact is, what he says ‘‘Abolish ICE’’ posters because the ad- not be prosecuted.
with his mouth, with his lips, is con- ministration is, effectively, nullifying Again, I have no issue with law en-
tradicted by all of his policies and all the Agency from the inside. forcement using limited resources to
of his action and inaction. The reality of the situation, however address the biggest threats and to
Here, let me share a few headlines inconvenient it may be, is that, by en- prioritize their prosecution decisions,
from the last several months: ‘‘Over- tering the United States illegally, mi- but they cannot, I believe, consistent
whelmed Texas border community be- grants are breaking U.S. laws. We are with their oaths, exempt wholesale
gins busing migrants to Austin’’; ‘‘Mi- fortunate, indeed, and grateful to the classes of criminals from enforcement.
Under the Biden administration, we
grants freed without court notice— hard-working men and women of ICE
are already seeing a record-low number
sometimes no paperwork’’; ‘‘Haitian and Customs and Border Protection,
of deportations for people who violate
migrants released in U.S. on ‘very, who are committed to enforcing our
our immigration laws. Back in April,
very large scale’.’’ laws and keeping the American people
Folks beyond our borders are reading as border crossings hit their highest
safe, but they can’t do it when they are
level in 20 years, ICE removed the low-
this. Friends and family in the United told don’t do your job or if the admin-
est number of illegal immigrants on
States are communicating with poten- istration continues to denigrate these
record. There is no coincidence there.
tial migrants who have come across. officers to try to shame them and to
The guidance from Secretary Mayorkas
Certainly, the human smugglers—the publicly criticize them for doing what
sends an unequivocal message to the
coyotes—who get rich and are getting we have asked them to do.
entire world that, if you want to come
richer with every person they smuggle Secretary Mayorkas’s decision not to
to the United States illegally, you will
into the United States, are reading enforce our immigration laws isn’t an
be able to stay as long as you don’t get
these headlines and watching cable TV example of prosecutorial discretion,
caught committing a murder or some
and talking to people inside the heart- which is the usual excuse; it is a viola-
other crime of a similar nature.
land of our country. The message they tion of his oath. The Department of The administration has tried to
see with their own eyes or they hear Homeland Security is charged with claim that this will not serve as a pull
from others contradicts this lip serv- safeguarding the American people, but factor. That is what the Border Patrol
ice, really, that President Biden has it can’t do it because of the direction of talks about with the push factors—pov-
been paying to border security. its own leadership—a member of Presi- erty, violence, and maybe things like
Like I said, this is especially true dent Biden’s Cabinet. that which are the push factors for im-
among the cartels and criminal organi- There is nothing wrong with migration—but they also talk about
zations that charge thousands of dol- prioritizing the removal of the most the pull factors, which are things that
lars a head to bring folks from literally dangerous criminals who are here ille- the migrants see and the smugglers see
anywhere around the world. It just gets gally. Previous administrations have that will actually attract more illegal
a little more expensive. If you want to prioritized certain categories, like immigration to the United States. The
come from, let’s say, the Middle East those suspected of terrorism or others administration has tried to claim that
or if you want to come from, let’s say, who could be a threat to our national this refusal to enforce our immigration
Iran or Afghanistan, it is a little more security or public safety, but there is a laws won’t act as an additional pull
expensive than if you just want to difference between prioritizing and ex- factor because, they say, the order only
come from Mexico or Central America, empting entire categories from en- applies to immigrants who entered the
but you can do it because the same net- forcement altogether. United States before November 2020.
works and criminal organizations run Under this new guidance from Sec- But let’s consider some of the other
those networks in those countries retary Mayorkas, ICE officers are dis- things that have been said. For exam-
around the world. couraged from arresting or removing ple, Vice President HARRIS said mi-
Last week, the Biden administration illegal immigrants unless they have grants should not come to the United
handed the cartels a big recruiting been convicted of a serious crime. It is States because they will be turned
tool. unclear, though, whether domestic vio- back. That is clearly not happening.
Let me read you another headline: lence meets this criteria. Certainly, That is clearly not the case.
‘‘U.S. Will No Longer Deport Illegal other crimes don’t. So it defies all We were told that the Department of
Immigrants Based on Undocumented common sense to ask our law enforce- Homeland Security would use title 42,
Status Alone.’’ ment officers—that is what ICE officers a public health law, to return the vast
That is what Secretary Mayorkas, are; they are law enforcement offi- majority of Haitian migrants because,
the Secretary of the Department of cers—to turn a blind eye to illegal con- after all, while we are still dealing with
Homeland Security, said: The U.S. duct and not do what they have sworn the pandemic of COVID–19, these mi-
Government will not enforce U.S. law. to do in a professional oath. grants, by and large, aren’t vaccinated,
As if we needed to add any more to I am reminded of a controversial di- and they are not tested for COVID–19
the chaos and the crisis on the border, rective issued by another one of Presi- when they are released into the inte-
Secretary Mayorkas has provided ex- dent Biden’s nominees to enforce our rior of the United States. You would
plicit confirmation that the Depart- Nation’s laws. Rachael Rollins was think that would be a problem for the
ment of Homeland Security will not nominated to serve as the U.S. attor- Biden administration, but Secretary
enforce our immigration laws. His di- ney for Massachusetts and is currently Mayorkas just flat lied to the Amer-
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
rective strongly discourages Immigra- the district attorney for Suffolk Coun- ican people when he said what would
tion and Customs Enforcement from ty—home to Boston. She is a current happen to the migrants from Haiti.
even carrying out their most basic du- nominee from the Biden administra- Some 13,000 migrants from that group
ties. tion. have been released into the interior of
I know it seems like a long time ago, Shortly after taking office as the the United States before even appear-
but it wasn’t that long ago when people Suffolk County district attorney for ing in front of an immigration judge.
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S6968 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 7, 2021
Clearly, that was a lie when he said I am the ranking Republican on the often, obviously, not identified be-
they would be repatriated to their Homeland Security Committee. In the cause, after 4 or 5 years, many people
country of origin. So we have no reason last week, I have had the opportunity are embedded in our community.
to believe that things will be any dif- to speak with both the current Border So the asylum system has become a
ferent this time. Patrol Chief and also the recently re- pull factor, and we need to realize that.
The President can’t have it both tired Border Patrol Chief about what is I was in four countries in Latin
ways. He can’t say he is taking a tough happening on the border and the real- America earlier this year—Mexico,
stance on illegal immigration to ap- world problems that it is creating. Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador—and I
pease one wing of the Democratic One thing they tell me is, just let us heard from every one of the Presidents
Party while implementing policies that finish the small parts of the wall that in those countries, the same thing in
just encourage more illegal immigra- haven’t been completed because it is different ways, but the same thing,
tion to appease the other wing. impossible for us to enforce the laws if which is: You guys are pulling our peo-
The only way to address this crisis is you have these openings. Secondly, ple to your southern border because
to enforce our laws, not as the Biden they said: Please let us complete the the traffickers, the smugglers, the
administration wishes they were writ- technology. coyotes, who are making all this
ten. If we are going to have any hope of On both sides of this aisle, we have money, are coming to our families and
managing the current crisis and the ad- agreed, in the past, that, even if we dis- saying: Hey, come to the border. Give
ditional crisis that will necessarily fol- agree on having a fence along any parts me 10,000 bucks. I will take your kids
low, deterrence is a key. of the border, including the urban there. I can get them into school in the
As the Border Patrol told me, there areas, we will agree on the technology interior of the United States, and they
have to be consequences for illegal im- that ought to go with it. are right.
migration. If there are no con- They told me these stories that I had Their narrative might not be exactly
sequences, people are going to continue confirmed when I was down at the bor- right. I am sure they exaggerate. But
to come in greater and greater num- der earlier this year in that the tech- as a whole, what they are saying is cor-
bers. nology that goes with it—the remote rect. In other words, our system is so
Albert Einstein reportedly once said: sensing cameras, the remote sensors in broken that these people who are ex-
Insanity is doing the same thing over the ground, and so on—were stopped as ploiting poor people all over Latin
and over again and expecting different America and elsewhere now—all over
soon as the Biden administration came
results. the world they are starting to come
in even though they were already paid
Unless the administration backs up through our border in bigger numbers—
their ‘‘do not come’’ statements with for. So it wasn’t just stopping con-
struction; it was, in effect, in my view, are able to say: If you come with me, I
actions which actually send the same will get you in.
message, we are going to continue more important that they have actu-
That is because the asylum system is
down this very dangerous road. ally stopped the technology that is
broken. So until we fix the asylum sys-
What will need to happen next before needed to be able to protect the border.
Senator CORNYN talked about how he tem, we can do everything else we are
the administration takes this crisis se- talking about—I don’t think this is
riously? More than 200,000 border cross- and Senator SINEMA have worked on
legislation to deal with some of these going to work.
ings during each of the last 2 months And by the way, when I talk to my
didn’t get their attention nor did the issues. I appreciate that because that is
colleagues on the other side of the aisle
group of 30,000 migrants in Del Rio, TX, what is needed. We need to make some
about this, when I talk to Secretary
in a matter of days. So you can’t help changes. We can’t just continue to do
Mayorkas about it, they acknowledge
but ask: How many more migrants will what we are doing because we have
this is broken. I mean, you have to.
have to suffer before President Biden over 200,000 people a month now com- The 13,000 Haitians that just came
and Vice President HARRIS finally back ing over—unprecedented numbers. Usu- into our country, that walked in, were
up their empty statements with ac- ally, in the summer, those numbers go given a bus ticket or a plane ride and
tion? down a lot, but they have actually in- told: Here is an immigration office.
We stand ready to help and to work creased this summer. Please check in.
on a bipartisan basis. As a matter of We also need to fix a broken asylum My understanding is the vast major-
fact, Senator SINEMA and I, along with system. This should not be a partisan ity of those people had applied for asy-
our colleagues HENRY CUELLAR and issue. lum, and we said: Come on in.
TONY GONZALEZ in the House, have a It is obviously not working. People And in 4 or 5 years, their case may be
bipartisan-bicameral border solutions come to our border. They claim asy- heard. And if they come to that trial,
bill. It is not perfect, and it doesn’t an- lum. They are allowed to come into the many of them will be deemed, just as
swer all the questions, but it is a good United States. They are told, you the Central Americans are deemed, to
place to start. So far, we have heard know: Please go to an immigration of- be economic refugees.
nothing but crickets from the adminis- fice and check in, but 4 or 5 years until Look, if you or I were in Central
tration. Apparently, they don’t care your immigration case is likely to be America and knew we could better our-
about the status quo and, so far, seem heard, sometimes longer. selves and our family and take care of
unwilling to do anything differently to Meanwhile, these folks are in the our kids by coming to the United
correct it. United States. States, wouldn’t we make the same de-
I yield the floor. And then at the end of the process, cision?
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. VAN even though those who end up going But don’t we also in the United
HOLLEN). The Senator from Ohio. through the court system are self-se- States have an obligation to have an
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I ask lected because they are the folks who orderly, legal way to do that?
unanimous consent to conclude my re- more likely—I think are more likely to And we have one. We are the most
marks today. have an asylum claim that is valid— generous country in the world in terms
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without but even when you go all the way of taking in immigrants. And I am a
objection, it is so ordered. through that process, guess what. Only strong supporter of the legal immigra-
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I just 15 percent of those from countries like tion system. But we have got to have a
listened to my colleague from Texas Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador— proper way to do it. It has got to be
talk about what is going on at the bor- the so-called Northern Triangle coun- legal. Otherwise, again, people are
der. I thought he made a lot of really tries—or other countries like Ecuador, going to be exploited.
good points, and I appreciate his will- only 15 percent are granted asylum by This trip north is not a safe trip. It is
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
ingness not just to talk about this an immigration judge. a dangerous trip, and people die in the
issue and the crisis we have on our But, meanwhile, everybody is in the desert. These kids are not treated well.
southern border but also to talk about United States. And as I said earlier, Many are assaulted.
solutions. the internal enforcement is not occur- I did a study on this when I was head
One of the solutions he talked about ring, so people are literally not being of the Permanent Subcommittee of In-
and I have heard about a lot recently— told they have got to go back. And vestigations. We did two reports. One
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October 7, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6969
was on kids who were taken into HHS tax situation that we are facing with percent again—back up into the thir-
custody at the border, and then when this new proposal from the Democrats. ties—instead of an average of 21 per-
they were sent out to their sponsors— You probably heard about the Build cent, plus about 5 points on the State
because that is what happens. You go Back Better legislation, also some- average, which is about 26 percent.
to the Border Patrol, then HHS, then times called the reconciliation bill. It So, again, it puts us in a position
you are sent out to sponsors. is in reconciliation because it wouldn’t where we are not competitive with the
You know who the sponsors were? require any Republican votes, and rest of the world. That is why we
The very traffickers who had brought Democrats are proposing to take this changed it back in 2017. In fact, accord-
them up—in this case, from Guate- through Congress, much as they did in ing to the International Tax Competi-
mala—who were exploiting them. March with the $1.9 trillion legislation. tiveness Index, the Democrats’ plan
And those same traffickers took This is also called the $3.5 trillion would cause the United States to drop
those kids and took them to an egg bill, this Build Back Better. Actually, I steeply down the rankings from 21st in
farm, where they had to work 11, 12 would argue it is a lot more than 3.5 the world to 28th in the world among
hours a day, no school, paid little or trillion when you look at the actual developing countries in terms of com-
nothing, living on bare mattresses un- spending in it. petitiveness of our Tax Code.
derneath trailers. But let’s focus on the tax side for a Once again, as happened too often be-
Finally, luckily, a local law enforce- moment because that is how it is in- fore the 2017 reforms—and, by the way,
ment official figured out what was tended to be paid for.
going on and was able to save these has not happened since then—compa-
The tax hikes, which would be the nies will choose to say: OK. I am out of
kids. largest tax increases in America in at
But that is not a system we should here.
least 50 years, systematically dis- Because of the Tax Code and the tax
want in America. We should want a mantle a lot of the pro-growth and pro-
legal, orderly system that works for changes that they want to make, com-
job reforms that were put in place in panies will say, as they did before 2017,
everybody. By the way, including the 2017.
many, many people around the world because of the tax laws: I can’t be com-
Why do I call them pro-growth and
who are waiting in line patiently to petitive as an American company. I am
pro-jobs?
come to the United States through Because they worked. They helped going to go be a company of some other
legal means. Americans keep more of their hard- country.
So I hadn’t meant to talk about this earned earnings. They helped busi- It is called inversions. Sounds bad,
today, but I appreciate the fact that nesses to be more successful, to hire and it is. Nobody wanted inversions.
my colleague mentioned it. And I do more people and increase wages. And Democrats, Republicans, we all hated
think it is very important that, on a they are a big reason that, as of Feb- them. Guess what. We stopped them.
bipartisan basis, we put aside our polit- ruary of 2020—the month that we went After the 2017 reforms, they stopped.
ical rhetoric on this and talk about so- Miraculously, we had companies in
into in this pandemic, as of February
lutions. Ohio that chose to do that. It was ter-
2020—we had 19 straight months in this
I think we should go back to a sys- rible. They chose to actually become
country of wage growth of over 3 per-
tem where we are encouraging people foreign companies because our Tax
cent per annum—19 straight months.
to apply for asylum in their home Code was so uncompetitive. We can’t
But what all of us should want—Re-
country, and, second, to do it from let that happen again.
publican, Democrat, all of us—higher
third countries. If they are not com- Small businesses, which make up
wages. And by the way, most of that
fortable doing it in their home country about 99 percent of the business in
wage growth went to lower- and mid-
because they really are feeling per- America, and they account for about
secuted for some reason, do it in a dle-income Americans.
That is what we should want too, two-thirds of the jobs in America—and,
third country. by the way, most of the job growth is
Those agreements were in place dur- right?
That was happening. In fact, as of in small businesses—are also hit hard
ing the Trump administration. They by these tax increases.
that point, we had the lowest poverty
were starting to work. They have now The vast majority of small businesses
been ended. And then if you come to rate in the history of America. We
started keeping track of it back in the are structured as what you call pass-
the border, have the adjudication be throughs. In other words, they don’t
immediate. Let’s spend the money to fifties. It was the lowest poverty rate
ever. This was just a year or so ago. pay taxes at the company level; the in-
have the processing centers there at dividuals who own the company pay
the border so people aren’t waiting 4, 5, This was before the pandemic hit.
We also had a 50-year low in unem- the taxes. That is the vast majority of
6 years to go to their immigration companies in America.
hearing that they may or may not at- ployment—the lowest unemployment
ever—for certain groups: Blacks, His- So when you raise individual income
tend, as you can understand. taxes, guess what happens. You are
Instead say: You want to come as an panics, disabled, others.
So this is something that was an socking it to not just the wealthy or
asylee? Here is the system. Your adju-
achievement, that met the standards whoever you are trying to sock it to;
dication is going to occur right now.
And for those who apply and are suc- that we talk about on both sides of the you are socking it to small business be-
cessful—which, again, is about 15 per- aisle—more economic opportunity, cause that is, again, the vast majority
cent of people from the countries that closing the wage gap, giving people a of businesses in America, most of the
are sending most of these migrants— chance to come off the sidelines and employees. And that is how they are
then you would come in as an asylee get a job. Things were happening, and taxed, down to the individual level.
and you would have the ability to be in large measure, because of these 2017 To make matters worse, the Biden
resettled legally and you would have reforms. administration seems intent on ending
the ability to work. And yet, in this proposal that is now section 199A, which is a deduction we
But if you are one of the 85 percent, being proposed, called the Build Back put in place on purpose to help small
you would be told: Sorry, you didn’t Better proposal, there are tax increases businesses kind of level the playing
make the standards. You have got to that dismantle much of the reform in field between big businesses and small
go back home, and you can apply le- 2017 that caused this economic growth. businesses. They are actually talking
gally, and here is the way you do it. U.S.-based corporations are going to about getting rid of that deduction. So
Wouldn’t that make more sense for have a really hard time competing now for small businesses listening today, be
our country? in the global economy again because it aware.
By the way, there is now a backlog of takes our tax rate back up to being the In all, the more successful pass-
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
1.3 million people waiting for these highest, depending on where they end through companies should expect their
asylum hearings—1.3 million people. up in terms of their rate—one of the Federal tax rate to rise from about 29.6
And it is growing every day. highest or the highest rate in the en- percent today to about 46.4 percent
BUDGET RECONCILIATION tire world. under the Democrats’ new plan—46.4
Mr. President, I had planned today to The average corporate tax rate under percent taxation on small business.
talk about something else, which is the the Ways and Means proposal will be 32 How does that make sense?
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S6970 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 7, 2021
So I think what is going to happen is tion he has been repeating lately that ployer, all as a result of this mandate—
you will see a lot of small businesses go the price tag on this $3.5 trillion— a mandate which doesn’t yet exist.
out of business if this happens and cer- maybe $5 trillion; I don’t know; de- Even though time was of the essence a
tainly not be able to create new jobs pending on how you look at the spend- month ago when it was issued, there is
and the opportunity that we saw dur- ing—is zero dollars. That is what he still no rule and still nothing to en-
ing the 2018, 2019 time period. said. It is zero dollars. force, but people are starting to en-
But it is not just larger and small Even by their own admission, the big force what they think will be in the
businesses that are going to feel the tax hikes we are talking about here are rule if and when it ever does get pro-
impact of these tax hikes. American not going to cover all the spending, No. mulgated.
workers and families will find them- 1. But more importantly, billions of In recent days, I have heard from
selves losing more of their hard-earned dollars lost in economic growth, a sig- over 200 Utahns who are at risk of los-
cash from all sides, thanks to the nificant decline in wages, and hundreds ing their jobs due to this mandate.
across-the-board tax increases, whether of thousands of jobs lost doesn’t sound They are scared of becoming not just
in estate taxes, capital gains taxes, re- like zero to me; it sounds like a bad unemployed but unemployable—unem-
tirement account taxes, the marriage deal for the American people. ployable, second-class outcasts due to
tax, cigarette excise taxes—the list So, along with my Republican col- the President’s order.
goes on and on. leagues, we have to keep telling the Have we lost compassion? Have we
It is no surprise, then, that contrary American people what is in this tax lost all reason? Troublingly, it seems
to what President Biden has repeatedly proposal and urging people to learn that these mandates aren’t based in
said, according to the nonpartisan more about how these new taxes are reason. The mandate completely ig-
Joint Committee on Taxation—they going to affect them, their businesses, nores the millions of Americans who
are the people up here on the Hill who and their communities, and weigh in have previously contracted and recov-
tell us what the impact is of tax law with their representatives in Congress. ered from COVID–19. These people have
changes. The Joint Committee on Tax- Why would the American people sup- antibodies against the virus.
ation, analyzing this tax proposal that port tax hikes that are going to be bad In other countries where significant
is out there already—this is the Demo- for workers and bad for our businesses? research on natural immunity has been
crat tax proposal of the Ways and We have a responsibility to our con- conducted, the results are compelling.
Means Committee—they say a lot of stituents to ensure that does not hap- A study conducted in Italy shows that
taxpayers who make less than $400,000 pen. natural immunity is more effective
a year are going to see higher taxes. I yield the floor. than vaccines at reducing risk of fu-
Some percentage of taxpayers in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ture infection. Another study of half a
every bracket will see tax rates go up, ator from Utah. million people in Denmark has shown
even folks making between 40,000 and UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—S. 2846 that natural immunity provides sig-
50,000 a year, according to the distribu- Mr. LEE. Mr. President, President nificant, lasting protection against in-
tion tables by the Joint Committee on Biden announced his vague, still-un- fection. Finally, a study from three
Taxation. written mandate for the vaccine just separate hospitals in Israel found that
More than one in three taxpayers almost a month ago. He said then, at natural immunity from a previous
making between $100,000 and $200,000 the time of his announcement, that his COVID infection was ‘‘27 times more ef-
per year will be paying higher taxes in ‘‘patience was wearing thin.’’ Those are fective than vaccinated immunity in
2023—more than one in three. By 2031, his words, not mine. Yet, oddly, Presi- preventing symptomatic infections.’’
more than three-quarters of those mid- dent Biden’s administration is now in But the President’s mandate announce-
dle-class taxpayers will be paying high- no particular rush to implement the ment makes no mention of natural im-
er taxes. rule. So almost a month has now munity—no mention whatsoever. Our
This is according to the Joint Com- elapsed, but there is still no rule and entire national health apparatus seems
mittee. I encourage you to go on their therefore no implementation of the to disregard the significant protection
website. Joint Committee on Taxation, rule. Perhaps President Biden and individuals have if they previously had
JCT.org. those who work with him are realizing and recovered from COVID.
So even working-class families are what countless Americans already Now, I believe the vaccines are gen-
going to end up paying some of the know: that the mandate was not well erally safe and effective. I have been
price of this spending spree in the form thought out. vaccinated. Every member of my fam-
of higher taxes. But all of us have to First, neither the President of the ily has been vaccinated, with my en-
pay an additional price in damage to United States specifically nor the Fed- couragement. I see these vaccines as a
our economy. eral Government generally has the au- miracle, one that is helping to protect
According to the Tax Foundation, thority to issue a sweeping vaccine millions and millions of Americans—
the combined long-run effects of the mandate of this nature. The Constitu- hundreds of millions of Americans, for
tax hikes include a decline in our long- tion doesn’t empower the Federal Gov- that matter. But I also recognize that
run gross domestic product of 0.98 per- ernment and certainly not the Presi- millions of Americans are already pro-
cent. So about a 1-percent decline in dent individually, acting in isolation, tected by their natural defenses be-
our GDP—wow—a decline of the wage with the right, the authority, or the cause they contracted COVID, before
rate of about 0.68 percent, and a loss of power to broadly dictate personal med- the vaccines were available in many in-
303,000 full-time jobs. ical decisions for all Americans with stances, and they have recovered and
So this is the Tax Foundation ana- the stroke of the Executive pen. therefore have natural immunity. The
lyzing what the effects of this would be I spoke earlier this week and I also science shows that this immunity is
in addition to what I have talked about spoke last week about individuals with strong, that it is effective, and that it
in terms of the tax hikes. religious, moral, and medical reasons is widespread in America.
The Joint Committee on Taxation to forgo vaccinations. The President’s So I, today, am offering a bill that
has looked at this and said: Well, if you mandate ignores their concerns and would require Federal Agencies to rec-
raise taxes on corporations, it is going their rights. ognize, accept, truthfully characterize,
to come primarily out of the pockets of Much of corporate America is already and include natural immunity in any
the workers, and that is a lot of these starting to fire unvaccinated workers regulation. This bill does not say that
middle-class families. But also it is despite the legitimate religious, moral, vaccines are bad or unhelpful; it mere-
going to reduce our economy. It is or health concerns that those workers ly asks the Federal Government to re-
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
going to decline our wages. And it is might have. Some are even being spect widely available science.
going to result in a loss of over 300,000 charged fees for being married to an I am glad to be joined in this effort
full-time jobs. unvaccinated spouse. So it is not just by Senators BRAUN, TUBERVILLE, and
That is the Tax Foundation. their decisions but that of their SULLIVAN as cosponsors.
So, to be honest, I am not exactly spouses that are causing them to con- The bill would allow us to keep
sure where the President got the no- front adverse action from their em- Americans employed and help us beat
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October 7, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6971
the pandemic in a smart way, in a rea- tions for legitimate religious and med- not being honored by those segments of
soned, rational way, and in a compas- ical considerations that have long been corporate America already moving to
sionate way. standard. The emergency temporary implement and enforce this vaccine
Now, I believe—in fact, I am quite standard he has envisioned would allow mandate.
confident that the mandate in its en- testing as an alternative. What is happening is that HR depart-
tirety will be struck down as unconsti- People are dying every day. Families ments and general counsel’s offices in
tutional, as having been issued outside are scared, and they are tired, and they large corporations—those with more
the authority of the President of the are angry that even as they try so hard than 99 employees—are understandably
United States. This simple bill to do the right thing so we can end this trying to get ahead of this so that they
wouldn’t undo the whole thing, as I be- crisis, their hard work is being under- are not behind when the rule actually
lieve the courts are certain ultimately mined. issues, so they won’t run any risk of
to do. This simple bill is narrow, and it So can the Republicans stop the the- the aggressive, heavy fines with which
would simply give peace of mind to atrics and stop wasting our time? Can they have already been threatened. So
Americans and employers by recog- they stop pretending they know more for that reason, many of them are try-
nizing and upholding evidence-based than the experts about this disease? Is ing to get ahead of it, and many of
realities concerning our natural de- that too much to ask? them are now using President Biden’s
fense to COVID. It is a commonsense It isn’t, and I object. speech about the yet-to-exist rule, and
proposal, and I urge my colleagues to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- they are either threatening to fire or
support it. tion is heard. preparing to fire or in some cases al-
So, Mr. President, as if in legislative The Senator from Utah. ready have fired people regardless of
session, I ask unanimous consent that Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I appreciate any exceptions that they think they
the Committee on HELP be discharged the insight and the thoughtful atten- ought to be entitled to. It is easier for
from further consideration of S. 2846 tion paid to this matter by my friend the corporation, in some instances,
and that the Senate proceed to its im- and distinguished colleague, the Sen- perhaps, or maybe more convenient or
mediate consideration. ator from Washington. maybe more in conformity with the
I ask unanimous consent that the bill I respectfully submit that we are not liking of the individuals making the
be considered read a third time and dealing with theatrics when it comes decision to do that, but it is not fair to
passed and that the motion to recon- to hard-working Americans, including the workers. It is especially not fair in
sider be considered made and laid upon the more than 200 Utahns whom I have light of the fact that all of these ac-
the table. heard from just in the last 2 weeks, tions are being undertaken in response
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there who are losing their jobs or are at im- to a yet-to-exist rule promulgated by
objection? mediate risk for doing so based on a de- an executive branch Agency that has
The Senator from Washington. cision forced upon them by an action yet to act at the behest of the Presi-
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, re- that has been threatened but not taken dent of the United States—one person
serving the right to object, unfortu- and in no way legally articulated by without statutory authority and with-
nately, even though the Senate has had the President of the United States. out constitutional authority to do this.
multiple exposures now to nonsense These are not theatrics for those who That is tragic.
ideas like this bill, they keep coming are losing their jobs. That is just not Because he doesn’t have the author-
back. an accurate portrayal, and it really is ity to do this, it shouldn’t happen at
Now, Agencies like the CDC and NIH disrespectful to those who are enduring all. At a minimum, we, as the law-
are already looking closely at data on that. To them, these are not theatrics. making body within the Federal Gov-
COVID infection and natural immu- To them, this is their ability to make ernment, have an obligation to take it
nity. They have been since the earliest a living. down. Even if we can’t take it all down
days of this pandemic. As far as the characterization that or to stop it, we at least have an obli-
In an August ‘‘Morbidity and Mor- these claims of natural immunity are gation to try to make its effects less
tality Weekly Report,’’ CDC assessed one off, I have yet to see any study draconian, less hurtful, and less harm-
data from Kentucky and found that out that refutes the studies I referenced a ful to individuals who, by no choice of
of a group of people who had been in- moment ago—not the one from Den- their own and no fault of their own,
fected with COVID before, those who mark, not the one from Italy, and not aren’t in a position to get this, whether
were unvaccinated were twice as likely the one from Israel that shows the sig- because of religious convictions, nat-
to get COVID again than the people nificant immunity benefits conferred ural immunity, or a health condition
who were vaccinated. In other words, by a previous COVID infection, one or something else.
from which a person has fully recov- It is tragic. We are better than this.
being unvaccinated puts you at higher
ered. In the case of at least two of We should be acting to protect Ameri-
risk of being reinfected, period.
Getting vaccinated is a necessary those studies—the one from Italy and cans, not make them more vulnerable.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
step to protect you but also to protect the one from Israel—the immunity is The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
those around you. as strong if not stronger. In fact, the clerk will call the roll.
We are in the middle of the deadliest one from Israel concluded that it is 27 The senior assistant bill clerk pro-
pandemic in American history. It has times more protective. ceeded to call the roll.
now killed 700,000 people and counting. Yet we continue to hear efforts like Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Presi-
If we are going to end this thing, if we this one today characterized as ‘‘theat- dent, I ask unanimous consent that the
are going to reopen our economy, if we rics,’’ characterized as ‘‘nonsense ideas order for the quorum call be rescinded.
are going to save lives, we need to get like this bill’’—bills that try, in the The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. COR-
everyone vaccinated when they are eli- case of the bill that we are talking TEZ MASTO). Without objection, it is so
gible. about today, to protect the employ- ordered.
We don’t need politicians suggesting ment rights and the personal decisions BUILD BACK BETTER AGENDA
they know more than those experts and of Americans who have natural immu- Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Presi-
ignoring the data. We don’t need bills nity or, as in previous bills, those who dent, I am here to talk about the Presi-
meant to weaken one of our strongest have a legitimate medical concern, es- dent’s Build Back Better agenda and
tools to get this thing behind us, like pecially where that concern is one that its importance to our country.
the ones that Republicans have repeat- has been taken on the advice of a We have heard a lot over the last
edly been pressing for. board-certified physician who has ad- couple of months about the new jobs
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
Workplace safety standards are noth- vised them, based on a preexisting that that plan will bring. It is esti-
ing new in this country. Immunization medical condition, not to get it. mated by economists that it will gen-
requirements are nothing new in this I also heard that the President has erate 4 million jobs every year for the
country. And let’s be clear. The vac- indicated that there would be excep- next 10 years. That is because we are
cine requirements President Biden has tions. We don’t know what those excep- going to be investing in modernizing
enacted so far include tailored exemp- tions are. Many of those exceptions are our infrastructure.
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S6972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 7, 2021
We have already heard about the im- If you think about the need to try to erate more jobs at better wages, not
portant work to modernize our roads get more people in the workforce, it is only will it provide working families
and our bridges, expand our transit sys- understandable that if you are a parent with kids with tax cuts, but it will also
tems, build out the infrastructure of with kids, you want to make sure that help Americans save money on every-
the 21st century, including high-speed when you go into the workforce, your thing from prescription drugs to
internet to every American household kids have an affordable and secure childcare, to energy prices, and many
and every small business. place during the day. And right now others.
We have talked about the importance that is not an option for millions of That is what economists have said,
of deploying a clean energy grid and American families. So one of the and that is especially true because we
making sure that we move toward a things this proposal does, the Build are going to pay for this by finally re-
clean energy economy. That will put Back Better plan, is dramatically re- quiring big corporations to pay their
millions of Americans to work in good- duce those costs for childcare. fair share and not allow them to hide
paying jobs. If you are generating that The proposal will also cut prescrip- so many of their profits offshore in
kind of economic activity, that kind of tion drug costs for seniors. We have places like Bermuda and the Cayman
wage opportunity, obviously, that is been having a debate for years about Islands. And we are going to ask the
good for every American household and the need to allow Medicare to nego- very wealthiest, billionaires, to also
brings in more income. tiate for lower drug prices on behalf of pay more for the success of the entire
But, today, I am going to gather with all of us, on behalf of all the bene- country.
some of my colleagues, organized by ficiaries in Medicare. So I just want to emphasize the
the Senator from Minnesota, Ms. KLO- The Veterans’ Administration nego- fact—because we hear so much misin-
BUCHAR, who will join us shortly, to tiates drug prices for veterans who are formation in this Chamber about what
talk about how the Build Back Better in their care, and yet we don’t allow is in the Build Back Better agenda—
agenda will not just generate millions Medicare to negotiate drug prices. This that in addition to the jobs and higher
of jobs and good-paying jobs, but help is nuts. And it runs up the costs for wages, it is also going to help save fam-
the dollars that Americans have in Medicare because if you don’t get to ilies money on their bills so that their
their pockets and bank accounts travel negotiate price, the pharmaceutical dollars will travel farther.
faster, how it is going to save them companies get to set the price wher- I yield the floor.
money. ever they want. So this proposal, the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
Now, one way it is going to save Build Back Better plan, will cut those ator from Wisconsin.
money is for families with kids. They
costs and reduce prescription drug ORDER OF BUSINESS
are going to get a tax cut. In fact, that Ms. BALDWIN. Madam President, let
costs for Part D premiums by 15 per-
tax cut was put in place as part of the me start by asking unanimous consent
cent.
American Rescue Plan that we passed We are also proposing to expand that the vote on the motion to dis-
earlier this year. As a result of a tax Medicare to cover vision, dental, and charge the Lhamon nomination occur
cut for families with kids, families at 3:30 p.m. today.
hearing services. This is a big gap in
around the country right now are get- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
the current Medicare Program. Right
ting up to $300 per child to help cover objection, it is so ordered.
now, seniors, on average, each year, are
the everyday costs of raising kids and
paying $914 out of pocket for hearing BUILD BACK BETTER AGENDA
addressing the needs of a family.
That will also cut child poverty in services, $874 for dental services, and Ms. BALDWIN. Madam President, I
half, but only for this year. It is cur- $230 for vision services. Our proposal rise today to talk about the oppor-
rently scheduled to terminate at the would cover that big gap in the Medi- tunity we have before us to deliver re-
end of this year, that tax cut for Amer- care Program. sults for the people we work for.
ican families with kids. So one of the I am going to talk for one moment Right now, too many Americans are
things we do in the Build Back Better about energy prices because we all struggling to make ends meet and get
agenda is extend that for many years know we have to move to a clean en- ahead because of the cost and avail-
because it doesn’t make sense to have ergy economy. We are going to make it ability of childcare, healthcare, home
that terminate and have those families easier to do that as we put more Amer- care, and prescription drugs.
stuck with all those additional costs. icans to work in that area. In my home State of Wisconsin, peo-
But there is also another way that One of the things that is proposed is ple like Zena, a human resources rep-
the Build Back Better agenda is going a generous electric vehicle tax credit of resentative from Twin Lakes, needs us
to help every dollar that comes into up to $12,500. This will make it easier to pass the Build Back Better Budget
the family bank account go farther, for Americans to afford those cars. It is that invests in working families.
and that is by reducing the costs that much easier to run a car on cheaper Zena has been battling several severe
they face in so many of their everyday electricity than on gas. autoimmune diseases, and she has been
household expenditures. But it is also going to help folks who battling this for more than 15 years.
I want to focus on a couple of areas. continue to drive their gas-powered She fell very ill after contracting
One is in the area of childcare, one is in cars for years to come, because if we norovirus, and she was unable to work
the area of healthcare and prescription get more people into electric cars, that and ultimately lost her job, as well as
drugs, and the other is the energy costs means less demand for gas, and so that her employer-sponsored healthcare
and gas costs that so many families means the folks who continue to drive that came with it.
face. The Build Back Better agenda is in their gas cars will get lower gas Sick and uninsured, she turned to our
going to lower the costs for American prices. And we all know that gas prices State’s BadgerCare program for help.
families in those areas so that the in- have been on the rise. But because the Republicans in the
come they have will go much further. Finally, talking about energy sav- Wisconsin State Legislature have re-
I want to start with childcare be- ings—you know, the best way to save fused a Federal investment to fully ex-
cause working parents with infant chil- energy money is to make sure that we pand Medicaid coverage, Zena was
dren are scraping by today to pay for don’t waste as much energy. All of us locked out of the program and unable
childcare, paying, on average, $1,300 know that we have homes, in many to access necessary healthcare cov-
every month to get licensed care. cases they are not that well insulated. erage. Like millions of Americans,
Under the Build Back Better agenda, So part of this plan also includes help Zena found herself in the Medicaid cov-
if you look at the projections, you will to homeowners to more cheaply make erage gap and was forced to make
see that Marylanders—families in my their homes energy efficient. That choices that no one living in the
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
State of Maryland—will see their means, with a given amount of power, United States should have to face,
childcare bills cut nearly in half with they will heat their homes at cheaper choices like paying for life-sustaining
weekly savings of $141 every week. costs because there will be less wasted medication or paying her mortgage.
That is $7,322 a year for childcare energy. Right now, the people we work for
costs—lowering of childcare costs for In situation after situation, if you are paying two to three times more for
those families. look at this bill, not only will it gen- their prescription drugs than people in
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October 7, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6973
other wealthy countries. This needs to this body knows a family who has been Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President,
change, and we have an opportunity to touched by this crisis. I ask unanimous consent that Senators
get the job done if we simply make the I remember visiting the small town MERKLEY, KAINE, and I be able to com-
superwealthy and most profitable cor- of Burrillville, RI, a close-knit commu- plete our remarks prior to the vote.
porations, like the big drug companies, nity. People know one another there. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
pay their fair share of taxes. On January 1, 2015, no one would have objection, it is so ordered.
For years, Congress has been talking known that half a dozen people would Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President,
about lowering the cost of prescription die in Burrillville of drug overdoses in we are all gathered here today, the
drugs, so let’s finally do it by giving the next 3 months. That went through group of us, to make a real case for
Medicare the power to negotiate lower that community just in a heart- passing the Build Back Better agenda
prescription drug prices that will save breaking wave, and it remains bur- and what it really means to people
taxpayers money. Let’s stand on the dened by addiction and overdose. back in our home States, as Senator
side of seniors, who should no longer be We have made a lot of gains since WHITEHOUSE was just explaining about
at the mercy of Big Pharma. then. The CARA bill that Senator Rhode Island. We get a lot in the minu-
In addition to lowering the cost of PORTMAN and I did, CARA 2.0, which tia here for good reason. We are fight-
needed medications, our Build Back was baked into the SUPPORT Act, ing a lot of forces. But in the end, what
Better budget provides the opportunity shifted the way we think about addic- I know about this agenda, from the in-
to expand Medicare benefits to include tion so we don’t see it as a moral fail- frastructure in the bipartisan infra-
vision, dental, and hearing. The last ing. We recognize its medical nature. structure bill to the work we are doing
time I checked, your ears, eyes, and We recognize, frankly, the noble nature as part of this people-first agenda, it is
teeth are all a part of your overall of the path to recovery that people about putting the people of this coun-
health, and there is no good reason not have to walk. We invested in preven- try first over the pharmaceutical com-
to include them in Medicare coverage. tion and education and treatment. panies, over polluters.
Right now, the United States is also But still there is a massive gap that As I see those fires rage in my State,
in the midst of a long-term care and remains between the needs of families I know we have to do something about
caregiving crisis. Hundreds of thou- who have a member who is facing ad- it. As I see people coming to me after
sands of older adults and people with diction and the care and support that years and years and years about the
disabilities who need and qualify for we give them, and Build Back Better costs of common drugs—Lyrica. You
home- and community-based care serv- makes some really important steps for see it advertised on TV all the time.
ices are unable to access them. I know those families—first, for new mothers What you might not know is that it
something about this. I was my grand- in recovery. has gone up 50 percent in just the last
A new mom has a lot going on: caring
mother’s caregiver, and I know first- 5 years.
for a newborn, coping with a potential
hand the challenges that family care- What I do know is that the people of
substance abuse complication for that
givers face. this country overwhelmingly—Demo-
newborn, and caring for herself in her
But we can do something about this, crats, Republicans, and Independents—
often deadly battle with addiction.
and we should, with Build Back Better support bringing costs down for fami-
Build Back Better would grow the
legislation that invests in long-term lies, support a big middle-class tax cut,
workforce specializing in that care for
care; creates new, good-paying home- and support doing something about
moms.
care jobs; and raises wages for care The Medicaid Reentry Act, which I pharmaceutical prices.
workers who often work around the did with Senator BALDWIN, is also in Chief among the reforms in this bill
clock to care for our loved ones yet live the mix to provide Medicaid coverage when it comes to healthcare will be al-
in poverty. to people as they get out of jail and lowing Medicare to negotiate directly
All of this and more is doable if prison. We showed in Rhode Island that for less expensive drugs for our seniors.
Washington finally says we are not these programs dramatically reduce I think 46 million seniors should be
going to continue spending trillions of overdoses and deaths in the weeks fol- able to get a pretty good deal, and I
taxpayer dollars on tax loopholes and lowing release from incarceration. know they could if someone let them
tax giveaways for huge, profitable cor- Steady access to care through Medicaid do it.
porations, millionaires, and billion- will save lives. Right now, in law, because the phar-
aires. There is a boost to the Minority Fel- maceutical companies lobbied to get it
This is all to say that we face an ur- lowship Program because it is demon- done, they got a ban—a ban—on Medi-
gent choice: Do we work for the power- strable that a more diverse workforce care negotiating better prices for our
ful special interests who have too much produces better outcomes for patients seniors. This doesn’t just help our sen-
influence in Washington, or do we work and families. iors, to lift this ban; it helps everyone
for people like Zena and others like her Finally, the peer recovery coach is a in America because this is the single
who simply look for a little help from personal favorite of mine. We are pio- biggest purchaser of drugs, our seniors,
us to even the playing field and to get neering this in Rhode Island. These are because they need help in their later
ahead? people who have walked the path of ad- years. They have health issues.
This is our moment to prove to the diction and recovery, and they can re- The stories I have heard in my
American people—to people like Zena— late to people who are struggling in a State—people like Claire from St.
that their government works for them, way that you and I might not be able Paul. When the cost of the prescription
not just those at the top. I have faith to. Their role, after an overdose or in a drugs she relied on to manage her ar-
that we can do this for Zena, for Wis- crisis, to get people onto the path of re- thritis jumped from 60 bucks per
consin, and for the millions of Ameri- covery is wonderfully important. month to 1,400 bucks per month, she
cans counting on us to get the job done All of the other things we are doing knew she could no longer afford it. She
for them. will actually create more stable lives. tried over-the-counter options. Her ar-
I yield. When events happen that knock people thritis advanced. She could barely hold
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- off of the path of recovery, having a a fork and a knife. I met a woman who
ator from Rhode Island. stable life actually allows for a better was literally holding the drops of her
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Madam Presi- shot at recovery and work around re- insulin from day to day to day so she
dent, as we go over the wonderful lapse. could save it for the next day. That is
things that Build Back Better offers— So there is a lot to love in Build how we are treating seniors in our
including tax benefits for families with Back Better, and I want people to country?
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
children, support for home care and know that we did not forget those folks Let’s unleash the power of 46 million
childcare for family members, lower who are struggling with addiction or seniors, get better prices for the drugs,
prescription drug costs—I want to walking the noble path of recovery. push this Build Back Better agenda,
focus on a particular area, which is the I yield the floor. which puts people first, and bring down
addiction crisis, which grinds on in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the cost of prescription drugs.
Rhode Island. I think every Member of ator from Minnesota. Thank you, Madam President.
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S6974 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 7, 2021
I yield the floor to my friend from System, who is going to build it? Who The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
Oregon. is going to build it? ator from Minnesota.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Open the paper. You can’t hire DEBT CEILING
ator from Oregon. schoolbus drivers. You can’t hire Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President,
Mr. MERKLEY. Madam President, truckers. We have a tight labor market as we await the vote this afternoon, I
Build Back Better invests in families, right now. What Build Back Better hope we will resolve a number of things
the foundations for our families to does is massive investments in the today so that we make sure we stand
thrive—in education, in childcare, in American workforce, beginning with by the full faith and credit of the
healthcare, and in housing. So much is the workforce of tomorrow—our chil- United States and not let regular peo-
needed. It makes huge investments dren—all the way up through commu- ple’s interest rates go up, the economy
critical to taking on the biggest chal- nity college, workforce development, go to tatters, and our credit rating be
lenge facing mankind: climate chaos. and immigration reforms that will ex- downgraded. I hope we can get this
Earlier this summer, the U.N. cli- pand the Nation’s workforce. done.
mate panel released a report they If we invest in infrastructure but At the same time, just as Americans
called ‘‘code red for humanity’’ because don’t think about making sure that we have gone through this pandemic—just
the science shows what a dire path we have the workforce to do it, what a as those moms and dads have been at
are on right now. missed opportunity. The Build Back home, with their toddlers on their
Another report, this one coming from Better plan has amazing investments knees and laptops on their desks; just
Save the Children and published in the in our workforce—the workforce we as they have been teaching their first
journal Science, titled ‘‘Born into the need right now and the workforce we graders how to use a mute button; and
Climate Crisis,’’ shows how much hard- will need for decades. just as so many people have lost their
er life is going to be for our children. The second thing about Build Back jobs or risked their lives while working
Let me say it again: for our children— Better that I particularly appreciate is on the frontline—they are ready to get
not our children’s children, not our what it does for children. through this. They see the light at the
grandchildren’s grandchildren; our If we pass Build Back Better, we will end of the tunnel or, as we say in Du-
children. On average, they will experi- have done for American children what luth, MN, the lighthouse on the hori-
ence 21⁄2 times more droughts than we Social Security has done for American zon. They see this just as we continue
did, three times as many floods, three seniors. to work, as best we can, with a number
times as many crop failures, twice the Let me just point something out. of our colleagues we disagree with be-
number of wildfires, and so forth. This Pre-Social Security, you would work cause we think we should just simply
is the dangerous and unforgiving world your whole life; you would educate move through this and make sure we
we are willfully leaving our children if your kids; you would be the PTA presi- are standing by the full faith and cred-
we do not act now to control methane dent or the Little League coach or the it of the United States and not let our
Sunday school teacher. You would re- debt ceiling lapse.
and carbon dioxide that are heating up
As we do that, we are looking to the
our planet and causing these catas- tire, and 50 percent of people would re-
future just as America is. Just as we
trophes. This is a collective effort of tire and then go below the poverty
are starting to see those jobs come
humankind, but America has to act level. That was what being a senior cit-
back, they are going back to work;
and help lead the world to action. izen was in the United States before
they are starting to see their families
Now, some say we simply cannot af- Social Security.
again; they are going to family re-
ford the investments, but the truth is, FDR basically said: We want you to
unions; they are starting to be able to
we can’t not afford to act. Last year have a dignified retirement because
go to weddings again. As all of this is
alone, America confronted 22 separate you have worked, and you have earned
happening—as we get the vaccine out
billion-dollar disasters. That came it.
there and as we bring people back to-
with a $95 billion pricetag to the Amer- So Social Security, once passed and
gether—we also have to plan for that
ican people. Winds and flooding and se- implemented, dropped the senior pov-
future just like families do every day.
vere storms accounted for $35 billion. erty rate from 50 percent to 10 percent. That is what this is about, the Build
Hurricanes over the last 5 years cost There has never been a program that Back Better agenda. That is what this
$400 billion. Those numbers don’t ac- has been as successful in doing exactly is about—putting people in front of so
count for the droughts, the wildfires, what it was designed to do as Social many people who, honestly, have done
the impact on sea life, ocean eco- Security. pretty well during this time. There are
systems, the fishing industry. They Build Back Better can do the same a whole bunch of billionaires who
don’t account for any of that. thing for kids. We are a nation that has didn’t even have to pay taxes while
We are facing massive economic dis- tolerated, for decades, a youth poverty these families have been struggling
asters if we don’t act on climate, and level dramatically higher than the through the pandemic. There are a
the way we act: We pass Build Back adult poverty level. What does that say whole bunch of people for whom it is
Better. We set ourselves on that path about a society? Yet we have sort of easier to go and get prescription drugs
to net zero in the next 30 years, reduc- acted like: Well, I guess that is the law or do whatever they want while other
ing our emissions over the next decade of nature. I guess we can’t do anything people are having to choose between
to half of what they were in 2005, ensur- about it. I guess kids are just going to filling their refrigerators with food or
ing that 80 percent of our American be a lot poorer than adults. filling their prescriptions at the phar-
electricity is carbon-free by 2030, and We don’t have to tolerate it. We can macy.
ensuring that half of America’s auto do something about it with the com- So you got a tour in the last half
fleet is electric by the same time. We bined impact of the child tax credit, hour from Maryland to Wisconsin, the
have the tools. We have to have the po- the childcare tax credit, the funding State of my neighboring friend TAMMY
litical will to act. So we must pass for childcare, universal pre-K, paid par- BALDWIN; to Rhode Island; to the great
Build Back Better. ent and family leave, and free commu- State of Oregon on the west coast; to
Thank you, Madam President. nity college. If you put those things to- my home State of Minnesota; to close
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- gether, we will do for children what So- by Senator KAINE’s State of Virginia.
ator from Virginia. cial Security did for adults, and we will What we are seeing, while our States
Mr. KAINE. Madam President, I rise no longer be a nation that tolerates an may be very different, and what we are
with my colleagues on Build Back Bet- unacceptably high children’s poverty hearing are the same things: Regular
ter, and I just want to emphasize two rate and says: Well, there is nothing we people want to bring costs down. That
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
points that really matter to me. can do about it. is what this bill is about—bringing
First, Build Back Better is abso- We can do something about it, and costs down for families in America—
lutely critical to combine with the in- we will do something about it. That is and there are many ways we are going
frastructure bill. If we make an infra- why I so strongly support, with my col- to do this.
structure investment that will be the leagues, Build Back Better. One is with straightforward tax cuts
biggest since the Interstate Highway I yield back. for people. Another is with making it
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October 7, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6975
easier to afford things. It is that sim- Without objection, it is so ordered. never have at any time in our history.
ple. That is what I like most about it VOTE ON MOTION TO DISCHARGE We are actually accumulating debt at
in my State. They want to make it The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time the rate of over $2 million per minute.
easier to get childcare. They want to has expired. Now, some say deficits don’t matter.
make it easier to get healthcare. They The question is on agreeing to the Some on the left say they have this
want to make it easier for their par- motion. new monetary theory: We can just
ents at the moment when they go to The yeas and nays were previously print it all up. You can all have free
assisted living or they need to get ordered. stuff. There will be manna from Heav-
someone in to help them, just like my The clerk will call the roll. en. And nothing could go wrong; we are
dad, whom we lost this year. He got The bill clerk called the roll. just going to give you money. If not
that long-term care insurance. I don’t Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is $1,400 checks a month or a year, why
know why he did it, but he did. I knew necessarily absent: the Senator from don’t we give you monthly checks?
the day that his money ran out, and he North Carolina (Mr. BURR). That is part of the new plans. The
was going to go on Medicaid because The result was announced—yeas 50, new plans of the $31⁄2 trillion that we
that was there for his safety net. So nays 49, as follows: are facing down at this point—that will
many families in America know ex- [Rollcall Vote No. 410 Ex.] all be borrowed—is to give people free
actly what I am talking about, and money; to give people free this, free
YEAS—50
what this bill does is build on the safe- that. But I think people are smarter
Baldwin Hickenlooper Reed
ty net we have in place. Bennet Hirono Rosen than that. I think people know that,
So let’s remember that. Putting our Blumenthal Kaine Sanders ultimately, you don’t get anything in
kids first, our seniors first, our fami- Booker Kelly Schatz life without hard work; you don’t get
lies first, our healthcare first—that is Brown King Schumer
Cantwell Klobuchar anything in life, really, for free.
what this is about. Shaheen
Cardin Leahy Sinema Isn’t there some kind of ramification
We look forward, over the next few Carper Luján Smith to so much borrowed money? When
weeks, to getting this bill done and Casey Manchin
Stabenow someone comes to you and says or they
getting it agreed to. To me, it is not al- Coons Markey
Tester call you on the phone and they say
Cortez Masto Menendez
ways about what those top numbers are Duckworth Merkley
Van Hollen
‘‘Here is a thousand dollars; all you
and everything you hear on the news; Durbin Murphy Warner
Warnock have got to do is sign up for this,’’
it is for what it is going to mean to the Feinstein Murray
Gillibrand Ossoff Warren most people immediately recoil and
families in my State. Hassan Padilla Whitehouse they say ‘‘Well, that might be a scam.
I yield the floor. Heinrich Peters Wyden Somebody is going to be ripping me off
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- to say that.’’
NAYS—49
ator from Virginia.
Barrasso Grassley Risch Well, that is sort of the bait-and-
Mr. KAINE. Madam President, I sug-
Blackburn Hagerty Romney switch of the politics we face now. Peo-
gest the absence of a quorum. Blunt Hawley Rounds
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ple are saying: We are going to give
Boozman Hoeven Rubio
clerk will call the roll. Braun Hyde-Smith you free college, free cars, free cell
Sasse
The legislative clerk proceeded to Capito Inhofe Scott (FL) phones, free this, free that. Everything
call the roll.
Cassidy Johnson Scott (SC) in life will be free. You won’t have to
Collins Kennedy
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I Cornyn Lankford
Shelby work anymore.
Sullivan The problem is, there are ramifica-
ask unanimous consent that the order Cotton Lee
Thune
for the quorum call be rescinded. Cramer Lummis
Tillis
tions. Money doesn’t grow on trees.
Crapo Marshall Money has got to come from some-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Cruz McConnell Toomey
objection, it is so ordered. Daines Moran Tuberville where. So either we borrow it and we
Ernst Murkowski Wicker become more indebted to foreign coun-
ORDER OF PROCEDURE
Fischer Paul Young
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, as tries, we tax people for it, or ulti-
Graham Portman
in legislative session, I ask unanimous mately the way we fix a lot of our def-
NOT VOTING—1 icit problems is we simply print the
consent that notwithstanding rule
XXII, following the disposition of the BURR money.
motion to discharge, the Senate re- The motion was agreed to. So when the Federal Reserve prints
sume legislative session; that there be The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. the money, as we increase the money
3 hours for debate under the control of WARNOCK). Pursuant to S. Res. 27 and supply, the money that we have be-
Senator LEE or his designee and 1 hour the motion to discharge having been comes worth less and less; it loses its
under the control of the majority; that agreed to, the nomination will be purchasing power. This is the insidious
upon the use or yielding back of time, placed on the Executive Calendar. tax of inflation.
the Senate vote on the motion to in- f
The interesting thing about it is that
voke cloture on the motion to concur inflation is a regressive tax. It doesn’t
with an amendment; that if cloture is LEGISLATIVE SESSION affect everyone the same. In fact, the
invoked, all postcloture time be con- --- tax of inflation actually affects the
sidered expired, amendment No. 3848 be working class, the people of lower in-
PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY comes, and those on fixed incomes and
withdrawn, and the Senate vote on the FOR AMERICANS ACT—Continued
motion to concur with the amendment; pensions, retirees—it affects them
that if the motion to concur with the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under much worse because they don’t have
amendment is agreed to, the motion to the previous order, the Senate will re- the ability for their income to go up.
reconsider be considered made and laid sume legislative session. So, right now, we are facing 5 percent
upon the table without intervening ac- There will now be up to 3 hours of de- inflation because of the massive bor-
tion or debate; further, that upon dis- bate under the control of the Senator rowing that, really, both parties insti-
position of the House message with re- from Utah, Mr. LEE, or his designee, tuted in the last year. They decided
spect to S. 1301, the Senate vote on the and 1 hour under the control of the ma- that the result to the pandemic would
motion to invoke cloture on Executive jority. be to close everything down, destroy
Calendar No. 259; that if cloture is in- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the economy, and then give everyone
voked on the nomination, all ator from Kentucky. free money. And, to a large extent,
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
postcloture time be considered expired GOVERNMENT SPENDING both parties actually did this last year.
and the Senate vote on the confirma- Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, we are rap- Now, this year, the decision has been
tion of the nomination at 5:30 p.m., idly approaching a milestone in our made by Republicans to say: Whoo,
Monday, October 18. country, and it is not a good one. We this is so much. We have got to stop.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there are rapidly approaching $30 trillion in We have got to get people back to work
an objection? debt. We are accumulating debt like we and let the economy recover.
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