Congressional Record, Senate, November 29, 2021 — H.R. 4350 and Government Spending
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate, November 29, 2021 (pages S8769 and S8770). The Senate resumes consideration of the bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2022 for military activities of the Department of Defense. McConnell, under the heading Government Spending, says he would oppose cutting off debate if the Democratic leader forces a cloture vote, and says the Democrats' spending plan would still add $367 billion to the deficit after 10 years. Grassley, under the heading Hunter Biden, discusses a record released with Johnson on November 15 and reactions to their September 23, 2020 report, then speaks on education and the TALENT Act.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, November 29, 2021 — H.R. 4350 and Government Spending.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-11-29-crec-2021-11-29-pt1-pgs8769-4-edd70c5fc8/
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November 29, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8769
Debating the right way to confront hundreds and hundreds of billions of RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME
Russian threats to America and our al- dollars. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms.
lies and equip our friends in Ukraine is President Biden promised Americans DUCKWORTH). Under the previous order,
certainly worth the Senate’s time. something else too. He said he would the leadership time is reserved.
Putin is massing tens of thousands of never raise taxes on the middle class. f
troops on Ukraine’s border, but the People earning less than $400,000 per
Democratic leader is trying to block a CONCLUSION OF MORNING
year were not to pay a penny more. He
debate about responding to Russian ag- BUSINESS
has completely broken this promise as
gression? It makes no sense. well. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning
Considering sanctions on the pipeline business is closed.
that fuels Putin’s encroachment over Among the $1.5 trillion in job-killing
tax increases are new burdens for small f
Europe—including provisions from Sen-
ator RISCH that closely mirror lan- businesses, family farms, and direct LEGISLATIVE SESSION
guage that the House added unani- hikes on middle-class families earning
less than six figures. Meanwhile, amaz- ---
mously—is certainly worth the Sen-
ate’s time. Setting the record straight ingly, Democrats did find room in their NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA-
on our resolve to maintain a strong plan to include $300 billion in tax cuts TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR
and credible nuclear deterrent that can for the wealthiest blue-State ZIP codes 2022—Resumed
check the worst impulses of our adver- in New York and California. Our col- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under
saries is also worth the Senate’s time. leagues want to pretend they are the previous order, the Senate will re-
Yet, once again, the Democratic lead- launching another New Deal. Yet one sume consideration of H.R. 4350, which
er seems to want to put national secu- of the biggest components is a direct the clerk will report.
rity last. My colleague is trying to cash giveaway to their richest con- The bill clerk read as follows:
overcorrect for poor planning by cram- stituents. A bill (H.R. 4350) to authorize appropria-
ming a 2-week bill into 2 or 3 days’ So the cost of this spending spree tions for fiscal year 2022 for military activi-
time. I imagine there might be finger- would be astronomical, and the mas- ties of the Department of Defense, for mili-
pointing at the Republicans if that tary construction, and for defense activities
sive tax hikes that would only partly of the Department of Energy, to prescribe
proves impossible. pay for it would literally crush an al-
So nothing less than the safety of the military personnel strengths for such fiscal
ready fragile economy. year, and for other purposes.
American people is at stake. This is
more important than political time- Well, what about the content of the Pending:
tables or partisan wish lists. So if the liberal wish list? If Democrats get to Reed/Inhofe modified amendment No. 3867,
Democratic leader insists on forcing a steal the American people’s credit card in the nature of a substitute.
cloture vote later today, I will oppose for this historic spending spree, what Reed amendment No. 4775 (to amendment
would our citizens even get to unwrap? No. 3867), to modify effective dates relating
cutting off these important debates
to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force
prematurely when they have really Well, there would be massive govern- for Space Acquisition and Integration and
just begun. ment giveaways to supposedly green the Service Acquisition Executive of the De-
f initiatives, giving rise to a whole new partment of the Air Force for Space Systems
generation of waste and abuse like and Programs.
GOVERNMENT SPENDING
Solyndra. Mr. MCCONNELL. I suggest the ab-
Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President,
There would be a gigantic slush fund sence of a quorum.
now on a related matter, why do our The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
Democratic colleagues want to short- so that HHS Secretary Becerra, the
culture warrior who sued Catholic clerk will call the roll.
change our national defense? Well, to The bill clerk proceeded to call the
free up their time and attention for an- nuns, could take over daycare and pre-
kindergarten across America. He would roll.
other massive, reckless taxing-and- Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I
spending spree, a radical wish list that be in charge of subsidizing certain
kinds of private family choices but not ask unanimous consent that the order
would hurt American families and help
others and tilting the playing field for the quorum call be rescinded.
China. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
Working families are already getting against faith-based childcare.
objection, it is so ordered.
slammed by runaway costs because the There would be a continuation of in-
HUNTER BIDEN
Democrats’ last massive spending spree flationary welfare payments that
drove up inflation. Gas prices are up Washington is sending out with zero Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President,
about 50 percent, used car prices are up work requirements whatsoever, and il- today I am going to highlight a new
more than 25 percent, and grocery legal immigrants would get the money Hunter Biden record that I have re-
prices across practically every cat- as well. Oh, and, as we speak, Senate cently made public.
egory are up significantly over this Democrats are still trying desperately Before I get to that point, I am going
time last year. behind the scenes to get sweeping am- to take a trip down memory lane—yes,
But, in response, Washington Demo- nesty included in the bill as well. down memory lane.
crats want to print, borrow, and spend On September 23, 2020, Senator JOHN-
So it goes on and on like this, a SON and I released our ‘‘Biden Report,’’
trillions more. Even if you accept all
hodgepodge catalog that is built to sat- as it has been called. That report fo-
their budget gimmicks at face value,
isfy the demands of activists, not the cused on questionable financial trans-
this bill alone would unleash $800 bil-
needs of families. If you ask any work- actions between the Biden family and
lion in not-paid-for spending in the
ing-class or middle-class American foreign, government-linked individ-
next 5 years. Years 5 through 10 are
family for their top concerns, you uals.
when their crushing tax hikes and
aren’t going to hear many people pin- On November 18, 2020, we released a
phony accounting would actually begin
ing for massive tax hikes, electric car supplemental to that report. I am
to kick in. But even then the bill is not
charging stations, and woke bureau- going to read several statements from
paid for.
President Biden promised Americans crats getting control of their kids’ the media and my Democratic col-
over and over that this legislation early childhoods. leagues about our report.
My colleagues across the aisle seem So, to start with, on September 23,
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would cost zero dollars. Obviously, that
is false. The Congressional Budget Of- determined to spend the weeks ahead 2020, a New York Times article by
fice says that after 10 years, after their on ways to waste Americans’ money Nicholas Fandos described it in two
tax hikes and fake offsets are factored while making Americans’ problems ways: ‘‘lack of meaningful new infor-
in, their spree would still add up to $367 even worse. So let’s hope enough of our mation’’ and ‘‘overlap with a Russian
billion and add that all to the deficit. Democratic colleagues step back, take disinformation campaign.’’
President Biden said the deficit im- stock, do the responsible thing, and And the then-Democratic minority
pact would be zero. In reality, it is kill this bill. leader was quoted in the same article
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S8770 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 29, 2021
and said the report read ‘‘as if Putin between Hunter Biden and individuals ducing opportunity for the very stu-
wrote it, not United States senators.’’ connected to the communist regime. dents who need it most, including his-
A September 23, 2020, Salon article by Now, these are the same folks and torically disadvantaged minority
Igor Derysh quoted a Democratic Sen- companies that we discussed at length groups.
ator saying that the report was the cul- in our September 2020 report. This new Now, we all know that wealthy fami-
mination of a ‘‘sham investigation.’’ In document is yet another record that lies can afford to put their kids in pri-
that article, the same Democratic Sen- substantiates our report that we issued vate schools or pay for services outside
ator described our investigation as September 2020—that same report that of the schools. It is those students who
being ‘‘rooted in disinformation’’ from the media and my Democratic col- aren’t as well off who need access to
Russian operatives. leagues said was based on Russian services to address their unique learn-
Separately, a Democratic Senator disinformation. ing needs. Families from less advan-
also said about our report: ‘‘Bottom So I now say to the media and I now taged backgrounds are not helped by
line: The Johnson-Grassley investiga- say to my Democratic colleagues who limiting opportunities for all students
tion is baseless. It’s laundering Russian said our report was Russian in public schools. They are the ones
propaganda for circulation in the U.S.’’ disinformation, this question: Is this who have the most to lose when public
In a September 23, 2020, CBS article signature block Russian schools cancel needed services.
by Melissa Quinn, another Democratic disinformation? Are the names of these Thankfully, the incoming New York
Senator said about our report, meaning companies Russian disinformation? Is mayor recognizes the importance of
the Johnson-Grassley report: ‘‘The this document disinformation? gifted and talented programming and
chairmen have amplified a known Rus- No. This is a legitimate record that has pledged to keep it.
sian attack on our election,’’ and ‘‘It is my staff uncovered, and it didn’t come I introduced the TALENT Act to ad-
unconscionable that the chairmen are from the Hunter Biden laptop. This is dress these unique needs of gifted and
continuing to advance false informa- the same type of record that Senator talented students and ensure that they
tion intended to undermine our demo- JOHNSON and I based our report several don’t slip through the cracks. Thank-
cratic process at the expense of bipar- months ago on. fully, much of this bill was included in
tisan work that we should be doing to To my Democratic colleagues who Every Child Achieves in the year 2015.
protect our national security.’’ falsely smeared our report: You are in But I am also a strong supporter of
That same CBS article said that our the majority. You are now committee Javits Gifted and Talented Education.
report ‘‘reveals little new informa- chairs, and you have jurisdiction over This is the only dedicated Federal pro-
tion.’’ these matters. So I want to challenge gram to develop and help teachers im-
And one Washington Post columnist, you to use the same effort and energy plement teaching methods that meet
Josh Rogin, said: ‘‘Even after accepting that you exerted in the Trump-Russia the needs of gifted students, and it is
disinformation from Russian agents, investigation to expose the extensive targeted specifically to disadvantaged
Johnson and Grassley couldn’t come up ties between the Chinese regime and gifted students.
with anything new or interesting on members of the Biden family. Thankfully, my State of Iowa is a
Hunter Biden.’’ I think I speak with some credibility leader in this area. Iowa law requires
So understand this: Week after week, on this point because you know there gifted education services for kids who
month after month, year after year, was a President Trump, and at the need to be challenged. This applies to
the media and my Democratic col- time there was a President Trump, I all students, whether or not they can
leagues falsely attacked our investiga- investigated Donald Trump, Jr., on afford private schools. Iowa has recog-
tion with reckless disregard for the things that were appropriate at that nized that we should aim to challenge
truth. I have spoken at length on the time to ask legitimate questions about kids with gifts and talents and give
Senate floor rebutting all these false in the constitutional role of congres- them the resources they need to excel.
charges with example after example. I sional oversight. We should help all students achieve
did so on May 11, 2021; March 18, 2021; EDUCATION their potential, not try in vain to find
December 14, 2020; December 10, 2020; Madam President, on another mat- one identical education for every kid.
October 19, 2020; and September 29, 2020. ter—and this will be my last statement I yield the floor.
Well, on November 15, this year, Sen- for the day—I have always been a critic Mr. GRASSLEY. I suggest the ab-
ator JOHNSON and I publicly released a of one-size-fits-all government, and sence of a quorum.
record that I placed in part on this there are few places where this is more The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
poster next to me, and I will get to this inappropriate than education. Each clerk will call the roll.
in a minute. The full document illus- child is different, and if we offer a The senior assistant legislative clerk
trates an assignment and assumption cookie-cutter, assembly-line education, proceeded to call the roll.
of business interests. it will hurt all students. Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I
The part next to me is a signature Whether we are talking about stu- ask unanimous consent that the order
block in unaltered form, including one dents with gifts and talents or those for the quorum call be rescinded.
typographical error. The signature with learning disabilities, students The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
block includes Hunter Biden, two of his with unique learning needs must have objection, it is so ordered.
companies, and individuals connected teachers trained to address their way LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
to the communist Chinese regime. of learning. It may seem like common Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, here
These are the main companies that sense to say that, that students benefit we are, following the Thanksgiving
Hunter Biden and his associates used when their education is tailored to holiday, where I hope that people got
to funnel money all over the world: their individual needs. Any parent can to get together with friends and family
Hudson West III, Hudson V, and then tell you that. You can’t expect all stu- and enjoy a little respite from the hec-
the other ones are ColdHarbour Capital dents to learn at the same speed and tic schedule here in Congress. But here
and Owasco. Owasco is Hunter Biden’s depth in every subject. we are now, with just a few short days
firm that was the recipient of millions Unfortunately, those like outgoing intervening between now and Christ-
of dollars from questionable financial New York Mayor de Blasio want to mas, and the end-of-the-year legisla-
transactions. scrap programs for gifted students. Cit- tive mad dash is officially upon us.
Gongwen Dong was the right-hand ing the fact that White and Asian stu- This year, our Democratic col-
man for the owner of a company called dents were overperforming compared leagues, who control the Senate agen-
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CEFC China Energy Company. Mervyn to students from other ethnic cat- da, have ignored some of the Senate’s
Yan was his associate. CEFC was an egories, de Blasio tried to end the most important and basic responsibil-
arm of the Chinese Government. Hun- city’s program. ities, leaving us with a whole lot to do
ter Biden was a close business partner His focus on maintaining equality of and not a whole lot of time in which to
of these men and their companies. outcomes by preventing any students do it.
Therefore, this signature block shows a from excelling is a misguided policy. It In September, when the Senate
direct financial and legal relationship would have the perverse effect of re- should have passed a group of bills to
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November 29, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8771
fund the government for the next fiscal So 2 weeks ago, before the Thanks- has really changed. I have no expecta-
year, our colleagues instead kicked the giving holidays, the Senate finally tion that this or a number of other so-
can down the road. You would have began consideration of the Defense Au- called temporary programs in this bill
thought they would have used the past thorization Act, and we hope we can will actually expire.
couple of months to pass the annual actually do what the Senate is sup- As President Ronald Reagan once fa-
appropriations bills, which is one of posed to do, which is to vote on amend- mously said, the closest thing to eter-
most basic and fundamental respon- ments to that bill and then pass it in nal life on Earth is a temporary gov-
sibilities of Congress; but, no, they the coming days. But the fact is, it is ernment program.
chose not to do that. nearly December, and the fact that it If all the temporary provisions in
Instead, our Democratic colleagues has not been done yet is simply inex- this bill are made permanent, it will
found time for partisan, dead-on-ar- plicable. cost a whole lot more than is adver-
rival messaging bills while they failed Now, with such a big to-do list and so tised. And the budget experts at the
to bring a single appropriations bill to little time to do it, you would think University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton
the floor with a December 3 deadline. our colleagues would be laser focused School of Business have given us an es-
As things stand today, it looks like on this hefty end-of-the-year agenda: timate of how much more it will cost.
these funding bills are nowhere near funding the government, avoiding a Of course, there is President Biden,
ready. This risks leaving millions of debt crisis, strengthening our military, who said it will cost zero. Nobody be-
Americans without a paycheck right and supporting our volunteer military lieves that. Others have said, well, it is
before the Christmas holidays or forces and their families. a $1.75 trillion bill. And I would argue
punting on our funding responsibilities None of the Senate’s most basic re- that, based on all the budget gim-
once again. sponsibilities have been attended to; mickry, you can’t really believe that
And that is not the only potential and, as it stands today, the Senate is either.
fiscal disaster we are careening toward. only scheduled to be in session for a The University of Pennsylvania’s
At some point in the coming days, handful of days before the Christmas Wharton School of Business pegs the
weeks, or months—we don’t know ex- holidays. price at close to $4.6 trillion over 10
actly when; only Secretary Yellen Well, unfortunately, our Democratic years—that is the budget window—
knows—the U.S. will run up against colleagues think they have an even more than 21⁄2 times the amount Demo-
the debt limit. That is, we have maxed more important job to do. Forget the crats have previously stated.
out our credit card and, unless our millions of government employees who The Committee for a Responsible
Democratic colleagues decide to raise could be left without a paycheck before Federal Budget agrees with that esti-
that credit limit, we will exhaust the the holidays, or the economic crisis mate. They estimate that the true cost
credit of the United States Govern- that will cripple our country if we de- of this bill would be approximately $5
ment. faulted on our debt. Our Democratic trillion over the next 10 years. That is
It kind of feels a little like ‘‘Ground-
colleagues are laser focused on their $5 trillion in largely borrowed money
hog Day’’ because we saw this movie
multitrillion-dollar tax-and-spending that would have to be paid back by
just about 2 months ago.
Democrats had a clear roadmap and spree. somebody. That is a whole lot more
ample time to increase the debt ceiling After months of party infighting and than the $1.75 trillion pricetag that the
on their own and avoid a financial cri- countless iterations of this bill, the press has reported based on the incred-
sis, but they stubbornly refused. They Democratic leaders in the House—most ible estimates that our Democratic col-
said they didn’t have enough time. notably Speaker PELOSI—finally man- leagues have provided.
Well, they don’t have that excuse now. aged to pass a partisan version of this Of course, that flies in the face of
And, even then, they have known bill. They couldn’t even convince every President Biden’s estimate that it
since July that Republicans would not Democrat to vote for the bill, which is would cost nothing. Well, again, we un-
help them with another partisan spend- an indication of how problematic it is. derstand that is not true, and the 1.75
ing spree. So we find ourselves staring What we are talking about is an ab- trillion pricetag is not true either.
down the barrel of a potential eco- solutely massive bill that would in- Last week, I sent a letter to the lead-
nomic crisis, but our colleagues can’t crease the role and power of the Fed- ers of the Congressional Budget Office
blame the calendar for not having eral Government and Americans’ lives and the Joint Committee on Taxation
enough time again. in an unprecedented fashion. It would requesting a true cost estimate for this
If our Democratic colleagues want to reshape how we take care of our chil- bill. The American people deserve a
exclude Republicans and continue dren, our healthcare system, our en- full and complete picture of the real-
spending on a purely partisan basis, ergy, our educational systems. Vir- world price of this legislation. And be-
they will have to raise the debt ceiling tually every aspect of American citi- fore voting on the bill, every Member
in a partisan fashion. They have proven zens’ daily lives would be affected by of the Senate, both Republicans and
they are OK with spending trillions of this monstrosity. Democrats, should want to know how
dollars of borrowed money without a And, of course, these programs don’t much this legislation is going to end up
single Republican vote. It is not too come cheap, but Democrats have pulled costing the American people.
much to say that they should be held every gimmick in the book to hide the The pricetag of this bill is deeply
accountable for that reckless course of true cost. They have filled this bill concerning, but that is only part of
conduct. with arbitrary sunsets and cliffs and what makes this legislation so dan-
Of course, before the Senate address- expirations that make these programs gerous. As I said earlier, it dramati-
es either one of those crises, there is appear to cost less than we know they cally increases the role of the Federal
another item on the agenda: The Na- actually will. Government in every aspect of our
tional Defense Authorization Act. One example is the expanded child lives. It drives up taxes on working
Congress has passed the National De- tax credit. As originally drafted, this families; it harms our energy security;
fense Authorization Act each year for policy was a temporary measure in and it hurts our competitiveness on the
the last 60 years, and for good reason. their bill that became law in March, global stage, which hands a big win to
It is the case, I believe, that our na- just 8 months ago. Earlier drafts of the China.
tional security is the single most im- so-called Build Back Better legislation That, apparently, is the priority for
portant duty that we have here in the would have extended that policy our Democratic colleagues right now,
Senate. But this bill has been waiting through 2025, even though it seemed all not the looming debt crisis or potential
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
in the wings for months, ready for floor but certain that Democrats would later government shutdown. They are fo-
action, and both the chairman of the try to make it permanent. cused on legislation that actually does
Armed Services Committee and the When Democrats needed to cut the more harm than good.
ranking member have had to push the overall pricetag of the bill to convince Our Democratic colleagues control
majority leader to actually bring this their own Members to vote for it, the the Senate agenda. They control the
to the Senate floor, even at this late expanded child tax credit was scaled House, and they control the White
date. back to a 1-year extension. But nothing House. They control every lever in the
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S8772 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 29, 2021
legislative process here in Washington, onto a path that the people have said debt—all of that means something.
DC, and this is how they have chosen time and again they don’t want to How you spend your money means
to use that power. travel this path. It is not where they something. People understand that.
Our Democratic colleagues continue want to go. They get it.
to prove that they are not doing what By all accounts, businesses are, at But according to the majority here in
is best for the American people. If it least, a year out from a return to nor- the Democratic-controlled Senate,
was, then there would be an effort to mal, which we continue to hear a lot none of these things actually matter in
build a bipartisan consensus for this about that. Everybody would like to be practice. In fact, the past few months
legislation. back to prepandemic normal. have shown us that among Democrats,
Instead, they are using raw partisan Our supply chains are a mess. Ships there is no real consensus about what,
political power to jam through an that are loaded with goods cannot get if anything, these major debates mean
agenda that they know will end up to ports. Inflation is, unfortunately, to them or what is the end game. It is
costing somewhere around $5 trillion here to stay. It definitely wasn’t tran- amazing. They can’t tell you. If you
and that will permanently alter the re- sitory. Families are having an increas- are here to solve problems or create
lationship of the American people to ingly difficult time putting food on the problems, people are going to figure
the Federal Government. table and gas in the car because a dol- that out—the American people are.
For our country’s sake, I hope some- lar doesn’t go as far as it once went, And they know that the question
thing changes between now and the and this is something every family is should be: Are you here to solve prob-
time we actually take up this partisan wrestling with. Even with all of this lems or create problems for your polit-
tax-and-spending spree bill that has right in front of their faces, my Demo- ical enemies in a way that ensures you
been passed by the House of Represent- cratic colleagues are more concerned are punishing people?
atives. with how they will leverage these prob- Now, that is the question that people
I yield the floor. lems rather than how they are going to are asking. Is the debt limit a legal fic-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- solve these problems. What solutions tion or a meaningful check on reckless
ator from Tennessee. that they have proposed are completely spending? That is a question that we
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Presi- divorced from reality and come loaded have heard. Is it just something that
dent, I imagine many of us in this with more internal political strife than gets tossed around? Is funding the gov-
Chamber had a wonderful week talking they are worth. This, of course, is the ernment part of your duty or is the ap-
with Tennesseans—with our constitu- logical conclusion of a year where con- propriations debate just fuel for talk-
ents. sensus took a backseat to the whims of ing points? I think we know the major-
In Tennessee, I will tell you this: We the loudest and most radical leftist ity’s answers to all of these questions,
had a fabulous week. And everywhere I wing of the Democratic Party. and I think their answer is probably
went, whether it was the grocery store Over the past week, the media has coming down on the wrong side of
or somewhere with the grandchildren, I dripped out story after story covering where the American people are.
was hearing from people about the the cost of inflation, the consequences Those looking for good faith from the
issues that are in front of us, and they of failing to fund the government, and White House are seeming to not find it,
are really curious to see what is going the upcoming debate over the debt nor are they finding any evidence that
to end up happening as we take up limit. And if you thought the message Democrats in Congress are aware of
issues here in DC. coming from the White House and from their moral obligation to be discerning
And I talked with a lot of our county my Democratic colleagues in response and truthful about how they plan to
mayors, who are quite concerned about to all this was jumbled before, prepare spend trillions in taxpayer money.
what is happening with the American yourself for something even more cha- There is a reason that the Democrats
Recovery Act funding and how they are otic in the days to come. lied about the costs associated with
going to be able to use that funding. My colleagues across the aisle, unfor- their massive social spending bill,
They are very concerned about the tunately, still seem to be under the im- which reflects the priorities of liberal,
infrastructure bill, and, you know, pression that Senate Republicans are leftist activists rather than the prior-
they were really a little bit surprised going to band together to save them ities of the American people. They
to find out that so little of the bill ac- from the hole they have dug for them- claimed it was paid for, but in reality
tually goes to infrastructure. I think selves. They think we are going to en- it will add $367 billion to the deficit
they were really disappointed in that dorse fiscal policy so destructive that and cost taxpayers more than another
because what they are interested in is many experts who are normally friend- $400 billion. That is why they have not
money for roads and bridges and high- ly to the White House have refused to been truthful with the American people
ways and ports and broadband, and support these ideas—and with good rea- that needed more buy-in in order for
were really disappointed in the empha- son. They are a socialist, government- the Democrats to make this happen—
sis in the bill on mass transit. controlled agenda. even when they knew the CBO report
So what we have realized is that they We have been down this road before. was going to come and show how much
have a lot of questions. They look So my Democratic colleagues know debt was going to be added if this bill
around and they say: Well, in Wash- that going through the motions of bi- got passed.
ington, you have got a lot of spinning partisanship isn’t going to be enough They know the people don’t want
wheels going on and not a lot of for- because we went through this months this big spending bill. They know that
ward motion. ago with the debt ceiling and on the the American people know that we can-
And I have to agree because, in Wash- matter of funding the government. We not afford this. Our children and our
ington, it does appear that the Presi- would have settled all of these issues grandchildren cannot afford this bill.
dent and many of my Democrat col- months ago if the majority had their As my colleague from Texas was say-
leagues are spinning their wheels in priorities in line and if they could ar- ing, it is not $1.5 trillion or $1.75 tril-
the same rut that they were stuck in ticulate clearly to the American people lion. It is trillions—trillions—of dollars
before the holiday, proving once again what the priorities are, what the prob- in spending. And we know how some
that, while they understand very little lems are, what the challenges are, and across the aisle are kind of, with a
about the economy, they understand bring forward solutions for the Amer- wink-wink and a nod-nod, saying: Yes,
even less about where the American ican people to look at and say: Yeah, let’s get these on the books, and then
people are. that makes sense. But that is not what things will take care of themselves.
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
Since day 1 of this administration, they have done and what they continue This week, we are facing the prospect
the White House has made it clear that to do. of yet another government shutdown,
governing is not a priority. Gov- Here is the problem with where they which means another eleventh-hour op-
erning—working with the House, work- are: The priorities of the Democratic portunity for my Democratic col-
ing with the Senate to find solutions. Party are not the priorities of the leagues to complain about Republican
But, instead, this administration is American people. Out in the real world, obstruction. But what the Democrats
doing all it can to force the country inflation is a problem. Spending and in the media and the liberal activists
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November 29, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8773
need to realize is that Republicans are ports, airports, rail, broadband. That is compromise, and that is how it has
not the problem here. The Democrats the infrastructure of the 21st century. been done for the past 60 years.
are in charge of this Chamber, the This is an infrastructure bill, and it Now, last week, before we left, we
House, and the White House. ought to be recognized as such. had another 18 amendments that were
And not even the Democrats in power There are plenty of things we can agreed upon by both parties to bring up
can agree on how much they want to argue and differ with around here, but as a package—not as a package; I am
spend and how they want to spend it. If this shouldn’t be one of them. And peo- sorry—to be considered one at a time
they had consensus and if that con- ple are confused about it because they and be voted on.
sensus came from listening to the peo- are being given confusing information. That process was killed by a group of
ple that elected them to serve, we They are being told it is not an infra- Senators who said: No. I want my
wouldn’t be staring at the prospect of structure bill; there is no infrastruc- amendment. I am not on the list, and,
another government shutdown. No, you ture. I have heard that. It is simply not therefore, I am going to object to the
would see Democrats marching to the true. So let’s argue about the things unanimous consent request, so nobody
Chamber in lockstep to vote for a con- that, you know, we have genuine policy gets their amendments.
tinuing resolution that reflects goals differences, but let’s not talk about So, today, we are going to be voting
that don’t change with the news cycle. things that just aren’t the case. Ports, on the motion to proceed to the sub-
But there is no consensus. The people bridges, railroad, public transit—and, stitute amendment that is chock-full
driving the ship have lost all sense of yes, public transit is infrastructure. It of bipartisan amendments. It doesn’t
direction, and in doing so, they are los- may not be in Tennessee. It may not be have all of the amendments everybody
ing the faith the American people have so much in Maine, although I suspect wants. It doesn’t have a couple of
put in them. there is some in Tennessee and there is amendments that I feel are very impor-
In Tennessee, we would say that our some in Maine, but public transpor- tant.
friends across the aisle are in the mid- tation is critical to our citizens. But do you know what? To quote my
dle of a good old-fashioned come-apart, Broadband, airports, electric grid, favorite philosopher, Mick Jagger: You
and there is one way and only one way water—that is infrastructure. don’t always get what you want, but, if
to reverse the damage, and that is to H.R. 4350 you try sometimes, you just might find
stop worrying about politics and push- Now, in a few moments, we will have you get what you need.
ing a leftist agenda and start worrying what I hope is not a historic vote. It And that is what we have got right
about meeting the needs of the Amer- shouldn’t be a historic vote. It ought to here, is what we need.
ican people—not only today but the be a boring vote. The vote is to proceed This is the defense of the United
needs of our children and grand- to the National Defense Authorization States of America. Why can’t we do
children. What are we going to do to Act for 2022, just as we have done for 60 just one bill without politics and with-
their hopes and their dreams for living years’ running. But I understand that out stamping our feet, saying, ‘‘I didn’t
their version of the American dream? there is a movement afoot to derail it get my amendment, so I am going to
So we should agree, no more blame, because there haven’t been enough vote against it’’?
no more budget gimmicks—open our amendments. ‘‘I didn’t get my amend- By the way, this is a vote on a mo-
eyes to the reality of the situation that ment in; therefore, I am going to block tion to proceed, which, in my view,
we are dealing with. We have a job to this bill.’’ ought to be just the most routine pos-
do here, and the sooner my Democratic Well, let’s talk a little bit about the sible vote. It is not a vote on the bill
colleagues remember that fact, the history of the bill. I serve on the itself. Let’s proceed to this bill. Let’s
sooner they will be able to earn back Armed Services Committee, as does the proceed to the bipartisan managers’
the faith and the trust of the American Presiding Officer, and both of us can package that has been worked out,
people. That is priority No. 1, and it is attest that the Armed Services Com- painstakingly, over the last several
time for my colleagues to prove that mittee is one of the most nonpartisan months.
they understand it. committees in the U.S. Senate. In fact, Let’s think about what this bill is all
I yield the floor. in the Armed—let’s talk about amend- about. This isn’t ordinary policy. This
I suggest the absence of a quorum. ments for a minute. In the Armed Serv- is the national security of this coun-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ices Committee, during our markup, we try. This is a pay raise for our troops.
clerk will call the roll. adopted 145 amendments—most by This is national security that our peo-
The senior assistant legislative clerk agreement, by bipartisan agreement, ple depend upon. That is our most fun-
proceeded to call the roll. by unanimous consent. There were a damental responsibility. In the pre-
Mr. KING. Madam President, I ask few rollcall votes but not very many. amble of the Constitution, one of the
unanimous consent that the order for And in my experience in 9 years on key responsibilities is to provide for
the quorum call be rescinded. that committee, there have only been a the common defense. That is why you
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without handful of party-line rollcall votes in have governments in the first place.
objection, it is so ordered. the Armed Services Committee. We have done it for 60 years in a row.
Mr. KING. Madam President, I want It produces some very odd bedfellows, I urge my colleagues—this isn’t a mo-
to talk about the national defense bill, and some combinations that don’t ment for partisanship or for com-
but first I do want to respond just in make much sense politically, but it is plaining about, you know, ‘‘I didn’t get
one particular to the comments of the because the members of the committee my amendment, so I am not going to
gentlelady from Tennessee because I put the interests of the United States vote for it.’’ You know, suck it up.
have heard this before, the idea that of America first and make their deci- I am going to vote for it. As I say,
the infrastructure bill isn’t infrastruc- sion on that, not on politics. there are a couple of amendments that
ture. So there were 145 amendments in the I felt very passionately about involving
I don’t get how anybody is making committee. Then there is a managers’ cyber and the protection of the coun-
that claim. Here is the list: roads and package that we are going to be voting try. They aren’t in, but I am still going
bridges, highway safety, public transit, on today that has 57 amendments in to vote for it, because that is our re-
rail, broadband, ports, airports, the it—27 supported by Republicans and 27 sponsibility.
electric grid, water, and Superfund by Democrats and 3 that are entirely This is the most fundamental respon-
cleanup. Yes, there are some items for bipartisan. So we are up to 202 amend- sibility we have around here. We have
EVs and for the facilitating of the elec- ments. That is a lot of amendments to a bipartisan process, and it came out of
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
trification of our transportation sys- a piece of legislation, not to mention committee 23 to 3. Two Republicans
tem, but the vast bulk of it is what the fact that the managers’ package and one Democrat voted against it.
anybody would call infrastructure. within the committee was developed That is as close to unanimity as you
Infrastructure is something you can largely by consensus between the two can get on an important piece of policy
kick. Infrastructure is something you party leaders, Chairman REED and legislation.
can feel. And that is what we are talk- Ranking Member INHOFE. So this proc- So I urge my colleagues to vote yes
ing about here—roads and bridges, ess is replete with amendments and on the motion to proceed, and then to
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S8774 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 29, 2021
move the bill later this week—to meet and we need to show them, by pro- could get the debate. I hope that a lot
our responsibility to the American peo- viding a robust and open debate on the of the American people heard the six
ple, to meet the responsibility that annual Defense bill, that that is how different Republicans who were de-
every Congress has met for the last 60 we will do it. manding to have their votes and
years. We are in this place right now be- amendment process. This is the first
If we don’t do that because we are cause Senator SCHUMER won’t time, in my memory, that we have not
angry that we didn’t get something in prioritize national defense and fund our had this kind of a process take place,
or there weren’t enough amendments— troops because the majority leader and for that reason I will be voting no.
there are 202 amendments built on top mismanaged the Senate’s schedule. He I do want to hear, of course—and let
of, already, a bipartisan package that won’t allow votes on bipartisan amend- me say something because this might
was produced in the chairman’s mark- ments that make our country more se- be an area of disagreement between my
up in committee. That, to me, is pretty cure. We heard that argument the last partner and myself.
full consideration. time we were in session. Senator REED, we have worked on
I hope my colleagues will vote yes to These include an amendment that these bills together for a long period of
proceed to this bill. It is our responsi- would inflict sanctions against Russia time. We have been successful, and we
bility and, more than that, it is what is to stop its power grab over European are going to be successful this time.
necessary to protect this country. energy supplies, which simply builds on I yield the floor.
I yield the floor. our previous bipartisan NDAAs and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- aligns with the House’s version of the ator from Rhode Island.
ator from Oklahoma. NDAA. Mr. REED. Madam President, it
Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, let Another amendment on which Sen- would be a very disappointing moment
me, first of all, say that I would have a ator SCHUMER would not give a vote if we would fail to invoke cloture.
hard time finding a better friend than would tighten import restrictions on This bill, from the very beginning,
the Member who just spoke. We have China to ensure goods sold in the has been completely bipartisan and
been good friends for a long period of United States aren’t made by Uighur open to amendments. In the course, as
time, and we have not been apart on forced labor. This already passed the Senator KING eloquently remarked, of
very many votes; yet we are not of the Senate by voice vote. the committee hearing, we included
same party. Nonetheless, we are going Good amendments like these over 100 amendments on a bipartisan
to have to do something that is the shouldn’t fall victim to the majority basis. We came to the floor with a bill
same thing we had to do 5 years ago, leader’s failed leadership. that passed our committee 23 to 3—
and really for kind of the same reason. We all understand how important overwhelmingly bipartisan.
Every year, when the Senate turns to this bill is. It shouldn’t be a partisan We also brought to the floor a sub-
the NDAA, we call it our must-pass thing. This is the most important bill stitute amendment, including, approxi-
bill. It is a must-pass bill, and it is a we do every year. In fact, we have said mately, 60 amendments that were also
bill that will pass. It is a must-pass be- this every year. In fact, I have said this bipartisan. And then we had another
cause it gives our troops the pay that more times than any other Member has series of nearly 20 amendments that
they have earned and the tools and the stated it. It is even more important was bipartisan, that would have been
training that they need to fight and to now because we are in the most threat- voted on, but they were objected to be-
win against our enemies. ened position of our lifetimes. I can’t cause several Members did not get
That is why we have passed the tell you how many times I have dem- their amendments.
NDAA every year for 60 straight years. onstrated that fact on the floor of the Now, just to point out, the majority
This year will be 61. This is pretty Senate. of those amendments aren’t even with-
much the only authorization bill that I echo the minority leader’s frustra- in the jurisdiction of the Armed Serv-
gets done the way it should year after tion. I understand the frustration from ices Committee. They don’t relate di-
year. In fact, it is pretty much the only my colleagues who wanted, in realtime, rectly to the men and women of the
bill—period—that Congress does every to debate this bill. I think they pled armed services. They might have for-
single year without fail. their case very effectively. We eign policy implications, but they are
However, no matter how important it wouldn’t be in this position if the ma- not something that is essential to the
is, that doesn’t mean that we will ac- jority leader had brought this bill up passage of the National Defense Au-
cept the fact that Senator SCHUMER earlier, which we kept insisting that he thorization Act.
wants to jam it through the Senate do, over and over again, on a bipartisan I can recall many times on this floor
without adequate consideration. plea. when the NDAA was brought up; both
Let me be clear. Senator SCHUMER While I want to be clear that we are sides could not agree on amendments;
has put us in this position today. He in this position because Senator SCHU- we went through the process; we in-
waited more than 2 months after we MER is forcing this unfortunate action, voked cloture; we voted on the sub-
filed the NDAA to bring it to the floor. I also want to be equally clear that I stitute bill; and we went off to con-
For 2 months, we could have been dis- am still very supportive of this bill, ference. So this would not be the first
cussing this and having it and treating and I hope we will pass it soon, but I occasion on which, ironically, a few
it like we should. stand with my colleagues who are vot- people did not get their amendments.
He tried to tack it onto his unrelated ing against the majority leader’s irre- In fact, on previous occasions, there
legislation just as many of us, includ- sponsible management of the bills. We were many, many people who did not
ing my Democrat colleague in the have got to get it done, but we can’t get their amendments.
House, ADAM SMITH, guessed that he rush it, and that is why I will be voting And so, again, I go back to the point
would, and now he wants a floor vote no on cloture. That is not an easy that we have produced a bipartisan
on this bill—the most important bill thing for me to do, but I believe we can piece of legislation. I commend the
that we do all year—to be enough, de- get this bill in better shape. My vote ranking member. We worked with
spite the fact that he isn’t giving us against the process is not against the closely the subcommittee chairs and
ample time to debate the bill, and he bill; it is against the process. the subcommittee ranking members.
certainly hasn’t been willing to enter- We are not delaying national secu- The staff has done a superb job. And we
tain an open amendment process. rity, no. This is just the opposite. We are here, just one procedural vote away
We have been trying to get this for a are demanding that we show, through from moving forward, and I think we
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
long period of time, and we haven’t open and robust debate, that our men should move forward for the benefit of
gotten it—the most important bill of and women in uniform are our priority. the men and women of the armed serv-
the year. I have heard this from many of our ices, as Senator KING, again, so elo-
I think Americans back home are people that I have talked to over the quently described.
smart enough to understand that our weekend and over this past week who I think the other factor, too, is that
servicemembers deserve more. They de- are really wondering why we didn’t eventually we have to reconcile what-
serve to be our priority in the Senate, have this on the table earlier so we ever we do or attempt to do with the
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November 29, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8775
House of Representatives. Certainly, I CLOTURE MOTION Toomey Warren Wyden
Tuberville Wicker Young
think it gives us much more credi- We, the undersigned Senators, in accord-
bility, much more clout, and much ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the NOT VOTING—4
more leverage when we have a strong Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby Blunt Cruz
bill that has passed on the floor of the move to bring to a close debate on Reed- Cassidy Sasse
Inhofe substitute amendment No. 3867, as
Senate. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
modified, to Calendar No. 144, H.R. 4350, a
We are not talking about 100 amend- bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal HEINRICH). On this vote, the yeas are
ments that we have to consider. We are year 2022 for military activities of the De- 45, the nays are 51.
talking about a handful of Senators partment of Defense, for military construc- Three-fifths of the Senators duly cho-
who didn’t get their way, even though tion, and for defense activities of the Depart- sen and sworn not having voted in the
many others were frustrated. I think, ment of Energy, to prescribe military per- affirmative, the motion was not agreed
again, our duty is to move forward to sonnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for to.
pass this cloture vote this evening, other purposes.
The motion was rejected.
then to move forward to final passage, Charles E. Schumer, Jack Reed, Cath-
erine Cortez Masto, Benjamin L. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma-
and then to reconcile our differences Cardin, Robert P. Casey, Jr., Jeanne jority leader.
with the House and come back with Shaheen, Tim Kaine, Angus S. King, MOTION TO RECONSIDER
legislation. Jr., Kyrsten Sinema, Christopher Mur- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I
At this point—and I think the rank- phy, Maria Cantwell, Mark Kelly, enter a motion to reconsider the failed
ing member would agree with me—as it Brian Schatz, Patrick J. Leahy, Mazie
cloture vote.
stands right now, I would be proud to K. Hirono, Debbie Stabenow, Mark R.
Warner. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The mo-
pass this legislation because it is bipar- tion is entered.
tisan, it responds to the needs of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan-
UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT
men and women of the Armed Forces, imous consent, the mandatory quorum
and it establishes robust resources for call has been waived. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask
the Department of Defense much more The question is, Is it the sense of the unanimous consent that the cloture
than were advocated by the President Senate that debate on amendment No. vote on the underlying bill, H.R. 4350,
in his budget. 3867, offered by the Senator from Rhode ripen upon disposition of substitute
So we are taking a strong step for- Island, Mr. REED, as modified, to H.R. amendment No. 3867, as modified.
ward, and I just would hate to see this 4350, a bill to authorize appropriations The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
as a sidestep away from final passage. for fiscal year 2022 for military activi- objection, it is so ordered.
I would urge all of my colleagues to ties of the Department of Defense, for The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
vote for cloture. military construction, and for defense ator from Rhode Island.
Mr. KING. Would the Senator yield activities of the Department of Energy, Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise to
for a question? to prescribe military personnel express my great disappointment that
Mr. REED. I would be happy to yield. strengths for such fiscal year, and for some of my colleagues have indicated
Mr. KING. Madam President, my other purposes, shall be brought to a by their vote that they are preventing
recollection is—and we have passed close? the adoption of the National Defense
this bill, as we both have recognized, Authorization Act, and they claim that
The yeas and nays are mandatory
every year for the past 60 years, includ- more amendments and more debate are
under the rule.
ing over the last 4 or 5 years—in the needed.
The clerk will call the roll.
last several years, there weren’t that This bill has been bipartisan from the
The legislative clerk called the roll.
many amendments. beginning. It incorporated over 100
Mr. THUNE. The following Senators amendments at the committee level.
There were a few, and it was always
are necessarily absent: the Senator There were approximately 60 additional
agreed in advance. There was a pack-
from Missouri (Mr. BLUNT), the Senator amendments in the substitute, which
age, just as we had the other night, but
from Louisiana (Mr. CASSIDY), the Sen- were agreed to on a bipartisan basis.
everybody didn’t get—there wasn’t an
ator from Texas (Mr. CRUZ), and the Last week before we adjourned, we
unlimited number of amendments or
Senator from Nebraska (Mr. SASSE). offered nearly 20 more amendments on
votes on amendments. There was gen-
The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 45, a bipartisan basis, and they were re-
erally an agreed-upon number of
nays 51, as follows: jected by my colleagues on the Repub-
amendments, and it wasn’t very many.
Is that correct? [Rollcall Vote No. 473 Leg.] lican side, just as this evening, this
Mr. REED. That is absolutely cor- YEAS—45 motion for cloture was rejected by the
rect. Baldwin Gillibrand Ossoff Republicans. They had their oppor-
There have been occasions where we Bennet Hassan Padilla tunity to consider more amendments.
Blumenthal Heinrich Peters
have had—once we got the substitute Booker Hickenlooper Reed We had 19 amendments ready last week
adopted—in some cases, no amend- Brown Hirono Rosen that were brought forward on an equal
ments and we went to final passage, ul- Cantwell Kaine Schatz basis to be debated and voted upon. But
timately, and in other cases, just a Cardin Kelly Shaheen
Carper King Sinema
that was blocked by several of my Re-
handful of amendments. Last year, I Casey Klobuchar Smith publican colleagues.
don’t believe we had the kind of Collins Leahy Stabenow One of the ironies this evening is
amendments we are offering this year, Coons Luján Tester that many of my colleagues, who had
Cortez Masto Manchin Van Hollen
some of them have nothing whatsoever Duckworth Menendez Warner their amendments denied by fellow Re-
to do with the national defense. The Durbin Murphy Warnock publican objections, came down and
nearly 20 amendments we were pro- Feinstein Murray Whitehouse voted against the bill. That doesn’t
posing were nearly equally divided to NAYS—51 seem to be particularly logical, in my
be bipartisan. Barrasso Hawley Portman
mind.
And, frankly, to your point, I think Blackburn Hoeven Risch Now, in the course of NDAAs—and I
this would represent more amendments Boozman Hyde-Smith Romney have done a few—there have been peri-
than in the many years I witnessed the Braun Inhofe Rounds ods in which there has been extensive
Burr Johnson Rubio
passage of the NDAA. Capito Kennedy considerations of the bill with very
Sanders
Mr. KING. Thank you. few, if any, amendments. There have
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Cornyn Lankford Schumer
Thank you, Madam Chair. Cotton Lee Scott (FL) been times in which only a handful of
Cramer Lummis
CLOTURE MOTION
Crapo Markey
Scott (SC) amendments were presented before we
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant Shelby voted on cloture, passed cloture, and
Daines Marshall
Sullivan
to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Ernst McConnell
Thune
passed the bill. So this is an unusual
Fischer Merkley departure from procedure, particularly
Senate the pending cloture motion, Graham Moran Tillis
which the clerk will state. Grassley Murkowski with a bill that has so much bipartisan
The legislative clerk read as follows: Hagerty Paul support.
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S8776 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 29, 2021
The bill passed out of committee 23 would accomplish a great deal. This is, SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
to 3 because it represented all of the in my sense, one of the most bipartisan Mr. President, this weekend, we cele-
principled points that my colleagues bills we have ever considered. It is un- brated Small Business Saturday for
wanted. In the course of the committee fortunate that we can’t move forward Ohioans. And people around the coun-
deliberations, there were 300 amend- on a bipartisan basis, consider this bill, try showed their support for local busi-
ments presented, and we adopted 143. and then go to the House and come nesses in their communities by shop-
Mr. President, let me yield to the back with a final legislation for consid- ping local for holiday gifts.
majority leader. eration by this Senate. Small businesses and their workers
Mr. SCHUMER. I thank my friend We will have to do an NDAA. It will drive this economy. There is always
from Rhode Island. I want to make a be done. I think Senator INHOFE is talk on this floor about small business,
brief statement about the vote, and committed to that, as I am, and we will but the focus is rarely, in this body, ac-
then I will turn it over to him. have to use procedures that are appro- tually on small business and their
My colleagues, there should be no priate to get it done. But we just workers. They create jobs and eco-
misunderstanding about the absurdity missed an opportunity to send a clear nomic growth in our communities and
that just played out on the floor. For a message that we support this legisla- the heartland, in small towns and over-
while now, Republicans have claimed tion, we support our troops. We are looked neighborhoods, places that
they want to pass the Defense author- going to get to final passage, and then often don’t get a lot of outside invest-
ization legislation immediately. They we are going to go to the House, and ment.
said we couldn’t afford to wait any then we will send the bill to the Presi- The stakeholders in these businesses
longer. They called it a core duty, a dent of the United States. aren’t nameless, faceless shareholders.
bare minimum, and they called on me I should note that one of the other They are our neighbors, our family
to bring it to the floor for a full vote. reasons that many amendments were members, the people you see at church
But a few moments ago, Republicans not brought up for debate is because and at the grocery store, and they are
just blocked legislation to support our they are not in the purview of the vital to our economic recovery. It is
troops, support our families, and keep Armed Services Committee. There why we passed the bipartisan Paycheck
Americans safe. Republican dysfunc- were foreign policy issues; there were Protection Program last year. It is
tion has, again, derailed bipartisan sanctions issues, et cetera. The NDAA why Democrats and President Biden
progress. The Republican choice to often serves as a vehicle to move those expanded the American Rescue Plan.
block our bill and, by an extension, leg- issues along, but it is not central to Last week, I asked Ohioans on social
islation to support our troops and pro- the purpose of the bill. media to tell us about their favorite
tect the homeland can be summed up Our nation faces an enormous range local businesses to support this holiday
in two words: inexplicable and out- of security challenges, and it is more shopping season—businesses that go
rageous. important than ever that we provide above and beyond to help their commu-
I hope the American people are our military men and women with the nity.
watching. Don’t tell me we aren’t offer- This was a little bit, Mr. President—
support they need to keep Americans
ing a fair process. We have had ample and I have gone to the floor on this be-
safe. To that end, this bill makes great
debate. We had amendments from both fore, and you and I have talked about
progress. It addresses a broad range of
sides. We had a huge number of man- this—when I post on my website,
pressing issues, from strategic com-
agers’ amendments, equal numbers ‘‘What did the child tax credit mean to
petition with China and Russia, to in-
Democrat and Republican. We offered your family,’’ and the effusive out-
vesting in game-changing technologies,
to debate—I believe it is 18 amend- pouring and excitement from so many
to modernizing our ships, aircraft, and
ments—more than has been on most people saying this should be the role of
vehicles. It provides our servicemem-
other bills of this type. government. This is what really mat-
bers with the resources and support
In any other time in history, what we ters. That is what we found when we
they need to defend our Nation, while
offered Republicans would be consid- posted asking people to share your sto-
at the same taking care of their fami-
ered a very fair and generous com- ries about favorite local businesses. I
lies.
promise, but just because a few Repub- That is why we are here on the floor want to share a few of them.
Beth talked about Mootown Cream-
licans didn’t get every single conces- with the national defense authoriza-
ery in Berea. She said they are ‘‘so in-
sion they insisted on, they are now tion act. It is not only an opportunity,
volved in the community, never say no
halting the process. but a responsibility. Tonight, we dem-
Despite this vote, Democrats will when help is needed.’’
onstrated irresponsibility to those who Robin gave a shout-out.
continue to work to make sure our serve and their families. I regret it im- And that is in northeast Ohio near
troops get paid and our vital defense mensely. Cleveland.
programs can continue. Now, I look forward, again, to work- Robin gave a shout-out to Snazzies’s
I thank my colleague for his courtesy ing with my colleague Senator INHOFE in Oxford for local arts. That is in
and yield the floor back to him. and all Members of the committee, to southwest Ohio, north of Cincinnati,
Mr. REED. I thank the majority continue forward to develop legislation the home of Miami University.
leader for his comments and just to that will be acceptable to this body and I would add that Berea is the home of
elaborate, this represents what the ma- pass, as we have for 60-some-odd years, Baldwin Wallace College too.
jority leader just pointed out—a few the National Defense Authorization Sarah mentioned ‘‘Sunset Bistro in
Members on the other side frustrated Act. Bowling Green. They not only support
the entire process and, ironically, frus- I recognize and thank my colleague their local community, they are de-
trated many of their own colleagues in from Ohio for yielding to me. voted to honoring our veterans’’—an-
their caucus who had amendments, ei- I yield the floor. other community with a big State uni-
ther in the substitute agreement or The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- versity in northwest Ohio.
were ready to be voted on. ator from Ohio. Heather wrote about Let’s Eat Cake
So this is really a question of doing Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I always in Urbana. She said: ‘‘Owner Tina is al-
our utmost, as we have in the past, not laud and so appreciate the principled ways doing something for the down-
for individual points but for the sup- leadership of the senior Senator from town business association and the
port of the men and women in the mili- Rhode Island, who never would have greater community.’’
tary. That was the spirit that guided done what just happened on the floor
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
Donna said: ‘‘I can’t say enough
our efforts in the committee. when we were in the minority. JACK about Scott, the owner of Salad KraZe.
Working closely with Senator INHOFE REED is always there for the troops and Scott goes above and beyond to make
and all the Members on both sides, we always there for our national security, the city of Avon Lake’’—a city on Lake
recognized that what we do ultimately and I join my colleagues in showing Erie, just east of Lorain—‘‘a great
affects the safety and the welfare of our appreciation. I know the Presiding place to live and raise our children.’’
our men and women in uniform and Officer from New Mexico thinks the Loria said: ‘‘Pouka Art & Photog-
their families. And this legislation same thing. raphy in Grove City’’—in central
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November 29, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8777
Ohio—‘‘does amazing digital printings ate let’s commit to protecting small its persecution of Hossam Bahgat and
and photography. She restores old pho- business—putting small businesses and his fellow human rights defenders. Like
tographs into digital paintings.’’ workers at the center of our economy. the Department of State, I have been
Tia said: ‘‘Gemini Gems & Creations The workers who shared these—the urging the Egyptian authorities to
in Lancaster’’—a small city southeast Ohioans who shared these stories— make progress on human rights so our
of Columbus—‘‘wonderful people who know the vibrancy and the dynamism two countries can expand cooperation
started selling out of their home and and the diversity of working-class in other important areas. Further at-
during town events’’—out of their towns in neighborhoods that Senator tempts to silence Mr. Bahgat and the
home and during town events—‘‘and PORTMAN, who is in the Chamber this other EIPR employees will needlessly
now finally have their own shop.’’ evening—that we represent. We need to impede those efforts.
Teresa mentioned ‘‘Chris Fultz’s sign get to work to invest in them. We need
company, Fultz Signs and his pizza to get to work to ensure that these f
place, Bluelick General, in Lima.’’ places—Ohio’s Main Streets, America’s
Lima just swore in this week a new Main Streets—are at the center of a
mayor, Sharetta Smith, and the mayor VOTE EXPLANATION
better economy.
of Dayton, my friend Nan Whaley, at- Mr. HAWLEY. Madam President, had
f
tended the swearing in. there been a recorded vote, I would
Adam mentioned the Copper Penny MORNING BUSINESS have voted no on the confirmations of
Salon in Pettisville.
Vickie mentioned the Charmed --- Executive Calendar No. 537, Cole
Farmhouse in Wellington. She said: HOSSAM BAHGAT Finegan, of Colorado to be United
‘‘They take food drives and donate to States Attorney for the District of Col-
Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, in orado for the term of four years; No.
those in town who directly help our June of this year, Egyptian prosecutors
community. They survived shutdown 538, Kenneth L. Parker, of Ohio, to be
opened a criminal investigation con- United States Attorney for the South-
and thrive still.’’ cerning human rights defender Hossam
Think about that: They survived and ern District of Ohio for the term of
Bahgat, in relation to a December 2020 four years; No. 553, Cindy K. Chung, of
they thrive. This pandemic hit small tweet criticizing Egypt’s flawed par-
businesses hard. For so many of them, Pennsylvania, to be United State At-
liamentary elections. The acts he has torney for the Western District of
they are still paying their workers and been accused of would not be consid-
serving their communities because of Pennsylvania for the term of four
ered crimes in the United States, nor years; and No. 554, Gary M. Restaino, of
PPP, because of our work through the in any other country that respects
American Rescue Plan to get people Arizona, to be United States Attorney
freedom of expression. for the District of Arizona for the term
vaccinated. Hossam Bahgat is the executive di-
PPP has helped Ohio businesses sur- of four years.
rector and founder of one of the most
vive. Vaccines are bringing back cus- respected Egyptian human rights orga-
tomers, allowing these small busi- f
nizations, the Egyptian Initiative for
nesses to thrive again. Personal Rights, EIPR. His work has
The bipartisan infrastructure plan SWITZERLAND
been recognized around the world, and
the President signed just last month is
in April 2021, Mr. Bahgat met with Sec- Mr. KAINE. Madam President, I
going to mean investment—earlier this
retary of State Blinken as part of a come to the floor today to talk about
month. Excuse me. It is going to mean
group of leading human rights activ- the unique partnership between the
investment in these businesses’ local
ists. Other EIPR employees have also United States and Switzerland. I had
communities.
People in Ohio and across the coun- been targeted, along with many others the opportunity earlier this month to
try remember how after the last eco- as part of the government’s crackdown meet with President of Switzerland
nomic crisis in 2008 and 2009, the big- on independent civil society organiza- Guy Parmelin to discuss the U.S.-Swit-
gest corporations recovered—they al- tions. In February of 2020, EIPR re- zerland partnership on apprenticeship
ways do—while large swaths of the searcher Patrick George Zaki was forc- and workforce training. Our meeting
country were left behind. ibly disappeared and reportedly tor- came on the heels of a Senate Foreign
Many of these same communities tured. A year ago, three of EIPR’s sen- Relations Committee hearing consid-
have watched for decades as factories ior employees, Gasser Abdel-Razek, ering the nomination of Scott Miller to
closed, as investment dried up, as Karim Ennarah, and Mohamed be the Ambassador to Switzerland. My
storefronts were boarded over. We can’t Basheer, were also arbitrarily detained, questioning of Mr. Miller covered many
make that mistake again, and we are effectively silencing them. topics, to include the recent decision
not making that mistake. Mr. Bahgat faces up to 3 years in by the government of Switzerland and
We are investing in rebuilding roads prison and almost $20,000 in fines for Swiss voters to purchase Lockheed
and bridges and bus and rail systems to reportedly doing nothing more than ex- Martin F–35s as their next-generation
revitalize downtowns. We know busi- pressing views the Egyptian authori- fighter jet.
nesses can’t survive on their own. They ties consider to be ‘‘insulting’’ or
‘‘false news’’. This is not the first time In the following weeks, I have re-
need safe streets and sidewalks. They ceived more information on the bene-
need other businesses around. They Mr. Bahgat has been targeted for his
courageous and important reporting. In fits of the F–35 and the incredible op-
need bus stops nearby. They need cus- portunity this security cooperation
tomers with money in their pockets. 2015, he was detained for 3 days after
reporting on officers convicted of plan- provides for both Switzerland and the
As part of the American Rescue Plan,
ning a coup and was only released when United States. In fact, prior to making
as I said earlier, we passed the largest
the case received international atten- a selection, the Swiss Federal Council
tax cut for working families ever.
tion from human rights groups and the completed a comprehensive analysis
Ninety-two percent of families in Ohio
United Nations. and determined that the F–35 offered
who have children under 18—92 percent
I have consistently spoken out about the highest benefit, at the lowest cost:
of those families—will get at least a
human rights in Egypt and in other $2 billion less than the next lowest bid-
$3,000-a-year tax cut.
It is essential that this Congress, countries, especially when govern- der.
ments crack down on human rights ac- In making their choice, the Govern-
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
that this Senate extend that tax cut
for at least another year. It is giving tivists. The State Department publicly ment of Switzerland and Swiss voters
millions of Ohio families that tax cut expressed concern in July of this year. clearly recognized the value of the F–
every single month—$250 or $300 per Today, I am adding my voice to others 35, as well as the superior capabilities
child every single month. We need to who have raised concerns about Mr. the F–35 offers. The deal has my enthu-
make sure they continue. Bahgat’s wrongful detention. A verdict siastic support, and I appreciate our
We need this holiday season to com- in his case may be imminent. I hope continued partnership with the Swiss
mit to shopping local, and in the Sen- the Egyptian Government will abandon Government and the Swiss people.
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