Unanimous Consent Request—S. 2851 (Cong. Rec., Oct. 28, 2021)

Summary

Congressional Record, Senate, October 28, 2021 (beginning at page S7441), under the heading Unanimous Consent Request. Lee comments on the revised social spending plan announced by President Biden and describes a bill, cosponsored by Senators Braun, Lummis, Sullivan, and Tuberville, that would require an audit of COVID–19 relief funding. Lee says over 300 people have been heard from about the President's vaccine mandate. Lummis addresses the vaccine mandates and states support for individuals getting the COVID vaccine while opposing the mandates.

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“Unanimous Consent Request—S. 2851 (Cong. Rec., Oct. 28, 2021).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-10-28-crec-2021-10-28-pt1-pgs7441-09bbc2d204/, SHA-256 a058e5be12ef941d8ecae3a817f2a42e6e66a0fd9d8090a52b84d067f4f15a00.

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October 28, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7441
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- from sad experience that this isn’t is cosponsored by Senators BRAUN,
ator from Utah. going to go away anytime soon. Prices, LUMMIS, SULLIVAN, and TUBERVILLE,
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—S. 2851 once they go up, tend to stick. would simply require an audit of
Mr. LEE. Mr. President, earlier Meanwhile, President Biden, appar- COVID–19 relief funding. It would allow
today, President Biden announced his ently, is not satisfied with only mak- Congress to determine what spending
new, revised, supposedly curtailed, so- ing things more expensive, but he is in this pandemic worked and what
cial spending plan for America. It also making it harder and in some spending did not. It would help us re-
seems that the depressing economic cases impossible for many Americans turn a little bit of financial oversight
numbers, the soaring costs of goods, to work. His still-unpublished vaccine and sanity and responsibility and ac-
mounting data that government spend- mandate is causing millions of Ameri- countability to Congress and to our
ing is to blame, or perhaps some more cans to be at risk of losing their em- government.
moderate voices within the Democratic ployment or, alternatively, acquiescing This information would also allow
conference forced him to walk this lat- to Federal medical extortion. These taxpayers to see how their dollars are
est monstrosity back. are everyday Americans, all too often being spent and whether they are being
Democrats, who won control with the struggling just to get by. They are not spent wisely. It is that simple. And I
slimmest of majorities, feel that they bad people. They are not people whom encourage my colleagues to support
have a mandate to change more about we should shun. No. These are mothers the bill.
American society and spend more and fathers. Some are first responders, I would like now to yield time to my
money than any group of elected offi- and others are military heroes. They friend and distinguished colleague, the
cials in American history. are our neighbors, friends, and fellow Senator from Wyoming.
The White House Chief of Staff citizens. They deserve the respect and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
tweeted today, bragging that this deal autonomy to make this decision for ator from Wyoming.
Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, I thank
is still twice as big as the New Deal in themselves.
And the Constitution, when properly the gentleman from Utah.
real dollars. I wish to address the subject of the
Be it at $3.5 trillion or a little less, followed, protects Americans from pre-
President’s overreaching vaccine man-
we have lost almost all sense of what cisely this type of Federal intrusion,
dates. First, we all recognize the devas-
money means, at least when it comes especially this type of Federal intru-
tation caused by the COVID–19 pan-
to money being spent by Washington— sion wielded by one man, one person, in
demic spread from Wuhan, China,
by public officials who congratulate one office. throughout the world. This virus has
themselves, each other, and, in return, I have heard now from over 300 Utah-
taken too many lives: more than 4.7
are congratulated by many in the ans just in the last few weeks who are
million around the globe and over
media for spending other people’s at risk of losing their livelihoods due
686,000 here in the United States. Each
money or spending money we don’t to the President’s mandate. These are
death is a tragedy. My heart goes out
have, money that ends up, effectively, just the ones I have heard from. For
to the families who have lost loved
being printed. every one I have heard from, there are
ones and suffered from this terrible dis-
Our Founding Fathers entrusted Con- many, many others who are being af- ease.
gress with the power of the purse be- fected. Their stories are moving, and Many of those families in Wyoming
cause they expected Congress, which is they are as moving as they are tragic. have reached out to me. I have heard
the branch of government most ac- And we must do something to help. from thousands of constituents con-
countable to the people at the most Allow me to be very clear. While I am cerned about the vaccine, pro and con,
regular intervals, to be most likely to very much against the mandate, I am but mostly about confusing guidance
jealously guard the funds of those who for the vaccine. I have been vaccinated. and particularly about masking—most
sent us here. My entire family has been vaccinated. notably in our schools.
Understanding that as every Member I have encouraged other people to get Our response to this pandemic should
of the House is required to stand for vaccinated. These vaccines are helping have been unifying, but, instead, it has
election every 2 years, and one-third of to protect many, many millions of sown discord and distrust across our
the Members of this body are required Americans against the harmful effects country, and that discord is exacer-
to stand for election every 2 years, that of COVID–19. bated by the Federal Government’s ex-
ought to have an effect. It ought to That does not, however, excuse the treme overreach.
have precisely the effect that we re- heavy-handed, nanny state approach of I want to be clear. I support individ-
member: that it is not our money; it is forcing this decision on Americans, of uals getting the COVID vaccine. I am
the people’s money, and that when we threatening Americans, coercing them, vaccinated. I got vaccinated to protect
run out of it, we can’t just pretend that extorting them into doing the will of myself because I have no natural im-
we have more. When you do that, it the President of the United States. munity. I haven’t had COVID. I have no
causes problems—especially for the This is not only an action not backed underlying health concerns. I was not
poor and the middle class. up by law or consistent with the con- advised by a physician not to get it. It
The Framers assumed that Congress stitutional separation of powers, but it made sense for me making that deci-
would be the most responsible branch is immoral. And it is mean to tell a sion for myself.
in managing our Nation’s finances— mom or a dad you are not going to be Scientists have been researching and
again, because we are the branch most able to put food on the table for your working for decades to make the emer-
accountable to the people. But in this children if you don’t get a medical pro- gency treatments that we have all had
respect we failed. We failed in every cedure that we want you to get but access to in 2021 available to us. How-
sense. We failed dismally, miserably. that you don’t want to get, for what- ever, I do not support the government
Americans work for months out of ever reason: a religious reason, a par- mandating—mandating—matters that
every single year just to pay their Fed- ticular medical condition that you come between a patient and their con-
eral taxes. Yet our Nation is still bar- have been warned about from your doc- science, a patient and their healthcare
reling toward $30 trillion of national tor, or whatever else it may be. People provider, a patient and their own care
debt. We are now reaching devastating shouldn’t have to choose between the decisions.
debt-to-GDP ratios that we have never ability to make a living and the co- And the recent mandates from the
contemplated during peacetime in erced receipt of an unwanted medical Biden administration do just that. I be-
America. And Americans are feeling procedure. lieve they are far-reaching and burden-

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the pain—real Americans, everyday This is why I have come to the Sen- some, as do my constituents, including
Americans. ate floor 11 times now to fight against those who have been vaccinated. They
Inflation is at its highest rate in dec- the mandate and why I am going to will not achieve the desired result.
ades. Everything from gas to groceries, keep coming. Today, I am offering They will not convince millions of
from housing to healthcare—it is all what should be an incredibly Americans on the fence about the vac-
more expensive and getting more ex- uncontroversial bill. My Transparency cine to suddenly get it. They cause peo-
pensive every single day. We know in COVID–19 Expenditures Act, which ple to dig in. They further politicize

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S7442 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 28, 2021
our healthcare system. They compound the Pandemic Response Accountability The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
our unemployment problems. Committee when we passed the CARES ator from Kansas.
Don’t take my word for it. Look at Act. These oversight requirements, GOVERNMENT SPENDING
the Federal Government itself. Even based on the successful oversight Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I
unions are opposed to a vaccine man- model of the American Recovery and come to the floor today in support of
date, with the American Postal Work- Reinvestment Act, ensure that we have our men and women in uniform who
ers Union, the Federal Law Enforce- strong oversight of all coronavirus re- put their lives on the line each day to
ment Officers Association, and the lief dollars through regular, detailed defend our freedoms and our American
American Federation of Teachers com- reports and recommendations from the way of life.
ing out in opposition not to the vaccine PRAC, the GAO, and the inspector gen- Unfortunately, thousands of our he-
but to the mandate. eral. roes are about to lose those very free-
The pandemic does not make the Following guidance from the Office doms that they have fought so hard to
Constitution irrelevant or put our of Management and Budget, all COVID– defend, as Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate
rights as private citizens up for discus- 19 relief funding from the legislation is threatening them with a dishonor-
sion. We are a nation of liberties, not that the Senator has identified is al- able discharge should they choose not
mandates. We respect individuals. ready being tracked on to get the COVID vaccine.
That is why I am cosponsoring sev- USASpending.gov. Anyone—anyone— Now, let me be clear, as a physician
eral different bills that would protect can go to the website right now and see and a veteran, I am confident the vac-
our citizens from this overreach. One the figures. cine has saved countless lives, and I en-
As of August 31, Congress has pro-
bill, S. 2849, clarifies that Federal courage every veteran, every American
vided $4.7 trillion in relief spending.
Agencies do not have the power to to consider and to discuss with their
The administration has committed $3.9
mandate COVID–19 vaccines. While this physician getting that vaccine. I be-
trillion of those funds to helping com-
should be self-evident, sadly, many in lieve vaccinating our servicemembers,
munities, and $3.4 trillion in assistance
Washington, DC, have forgotten about has already reached those who need though, against COVID–19 is such a
America’s founding principles. help through this crisis. very, very important effort. But deep
Another bill, S. 2843, blocks Federal I would also urge the Senator to con- down inside, I am still this real doctor
Agencies from fining anyone who vio- sult the more than 1,300 oversight re- from Great Bend, KS, and I believe in
lates the COVID–19 mandates. ports that the PRAC has already com- the sanctity of the physician-patient
Further, the bill that Senator LEE is pleted related to the pandemic re- relationship and that every one of our
offering today, S. 2851, audits COVID sponse, in addition to the more than situations is unique.
funding so the American people know 100 reports that the GAO has also A soldier’s clinical history is unique.
where their tax dollars went over the issued on this topic, rather than cre- There are pros and cons; there are risks
past year and a half, so we can evalu- ating additional and redundant work and benefits of taking this vaccine.
ate what has worked and what has not, for the GAO at taxpayer expense. And each of our soldiers all are using
as Senator LEE has said. The Senator’s proposal is duplicative common sense—the common sense that
The Biden administration should and unnecessary, and for that reason I God has given them, and I respect their
work to bring us together, not drive us object. decisions. This administration should
further apart through politicized Exec- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- too.
utive actions. No matter what Presi- tion is heard. Right now, thousands of our service-
dent Biden decides to do, an individ- The Senator from Utah. members are not vaccinated. When it
ual’s right to be in charge of their own Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I appreciate comes to our guardsmen and -women in
healthcare is sacrosanct, and I believe the insight from my friend, colleague, Kansas, only 58 percent are fully or
Senator LEE’s bills are a step in the and distinguished Senator from Michi- partially vaccinated—a number I am
right direction. gan. I appreciate his willingness to confident would hold true across the
Thank you. look out for making sure that there remainder of the country.
I yield the floor. isn’t duplication in government. Unfortunately, the policy out of the
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I also think it is important that at a White House says that one size has to
ator from Utah. time when we are spending an unprece- fit all; that there is no exception, even
Mr. LEE. Mr. President, as if in legis- dented amount of money, that we are though we know that natural immu-
lative session, I ask unanimous consent on the side of redoubling efforts to nity to COVID is the same as, if not
that the Homeland Security and Gov- audit, to oversee. more powerful than, the vaccine.
ernmental Affairs Committee be dis- There has never been a time in Amer- We have never asked people—espe-
charged from further consideration of ican history when we have brought in
cially military folks—to get a vaccine
more money than we have brought in
S. 2851 and that the Senate proceed to for a virus they are already immune to
in the year 2020. We brought in over $3
its immediate consideration. I further or a virus that doesn’t affect them. It
trillion. But there has never been a
ask that the bill be considered read a just doesn’t make sense.
time when we have spent nearly as
third time and passed and that the mo- Because of Joe Biden’s vaccine man-
much money in total dollars or as far
tion to reconsider be considered made date, thousands of American heroes are
as a number of dollars relative to what
and laid upon the table. going to be separated from the service,
we brought in.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there I mean, we spent $6.6 trillion last and they are going to, perhaps, be
objection? year. This is an enormous amount of given a dishonorable discharge.
The Senator from Michigan. money. We are spending a comparable I want to make sure this body and
Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I re- amount again this year—again, tril- the American people understand ex-
serve the right to object. I certainly lions of dollars more than we are bring- actly what the significance of a dishon-
welcome the Senator from Utah’s in- ing in. We are doing it ostensibly be- orable discharge is. Soldiers will lose
terest in oversight of coronavirus cause of the COVID pandemic. And for access to medical benefits from the
emergency relief funds. There is no that reason, it is good that we make VA. They will lose access to home
question Americans deserve to know sure that we know where we are spend- loans from the VA. They will lose ac-
where their hard-earned tax dollars are ing that money, where it is going. If it cess to the GI bill for further edu-
going and how these critical relief can make our efforts more effective cation. They will potentially lose their
funds are being used to help commu- and more efficient, if this is about pro- right to vote in some States. They will

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nities all across our country in the tecting and sustaining life, then why lose their Second Amendment rights
wake of this public health crisis, espe- wouldn’t we want to make sure that it and access to ammunition. They will
cially for those who need it the most. is being done in the most effective, effi- lose military funeral honors. They will
I am also thankful that my colleague cient way possible? lose the ability to reenlist in another
agreed with the importance of con- We work for the people. They deserve branch of military. And they will have
ducting thorough oversight of these to know where the money is being an extremely difficult time finding em-
programs and supported the creation of spent. ployment.

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