America COMPETES Act of 2022 (Cong. Rec., Jan. 31, 2022)
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate, January 31, 2022 (beginning at page S396). A senator recalls the storming of the Capitol and says people must follow the law. Under Tribute to Stephen G. Breyer, Schumer says Associate Justice Breyer announced last Thursday that after 27 years of service he will retire from the Supreme Court at the conclusion of this term, and that the Senate intends to move quickly on the nominee. Under America COMPETES Act of 2022, Schumer says the economy grew 5.7 percent in 2021 and that Congress must keep working on the United States Innovation and Competition Act.
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“America COMPETES Act of 2022 (Cong. Rec., Jan. 31, 2022).”
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S396 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 31, 2022
officers. If it weren’t for some of the This country has to get back to—Re- serve on the Supreme Court. I am con-
brave operations of these officers, we publicans and Democrats alike—believ- fident that the President will select an
had Members of both parties who could ing in the rule of law. Disagree if we outstanding individual to fill Justice
have been victims of the mob. want, disagree at the ballot box, but Breyer’s seat, and we intend to move
And just minutes after we were es- follow the law and stop giving the im- quickly on our constitutional duty to
corted from here, this place was pression to the rest of the world that act on his nominee when announced. I
stormed by some who thought it was we are some kind of a pending dictator- can assure all Senators that the Senate
the House of Representatives. I mean, ship, where the law and the Constitu- will have a fair process that moves
they just obviously had been inspired tion are set aside for the whim of who- quickly so we can confirm President
to come up here and storm the Capitol. ever is elected. Biden’s nominee to fill Justice Breyer’s
They wanted the election turned over I will speak more on this at another seat as soon as possible.
at the request of Donald Trump to give time. I know the distinguished Pre- Today, Members of this Chamber say
it to him even though he had lost. And siding Officer has spoken out on this thank you to Justice Breyer for his
I thought—I never thought I would see matter before. I greatly admire what lifetime of public service.
something like this. she has said, and I will continue to AMERICA COMPETES ACT OF 2022
I remember when I was a young law speak out. Now, Madam President, as our coun-
student at Georgetown Law School, I I suggest the absence of a quorum. try continues to recover from the dark-
would come up here and sit in the Gal- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The est days of the COVID–19 pandemic,
lery and watch this place, this body, clerk will call the roll. last week, we received a remarkable
and watch both Republicans and Demo- The legislative clerk proceeded to bit of news: The U.S. economy grew 5.7
crats debate everything from civil call the roll. percent—5.7 percent in 2021.
rights to voting rights and routine Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous con- Let me say it again. Last year, the
matters. I thought, ‘‘What a place to sent that the order for the quorum call U.S. economy grew by 5.7 percent—the
be.’’ These extraordinary Senators be rescinded. largest single-year growth rate in
from both parties from all over the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without about 40 years.
country speaking about the laws and objection, it is so ordered. Last year’s economic growth did not
the Constitution of our country. RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER happen on its own. Faced with a his-
I remember, even after I went back The majority leader is recognized. toric crisis, Democrats took unprece-
to Vermont after I was practicing law TRIBUTE TO STEPHEN G. BREYER dented steps in 2021 to give American
and became a prosecutor, I thought of Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, families and businesses the support
the days I was here with my parents last Thursday, Associate Justice Ste- they needed to make ends meet and
and others just watching this body and phen Breyer announced that after 27 stay healthy. Although we have more
how thrilled I was when I came here, years of service, he will retire from the work to do to lower costs and expand
thinking the U.S. Senate can and Supreme Court at the conclusion of opportunity, we are undeniably better
this term. off today than we were a year ago when
should be the conscience of the Nation.
Shortly after his nomination was we first took office as a majority Sen-
And then I looked on television and
first announced in 1994, then-Judge ate.
saw a man who was decisively defeated It is frightening to merely remember
for reelection to the Presidency, saying Breyer mused publicly about what he
how bad things were at the start of
to his followers: If I am elected Presi- expected his time on the High Court
2021. We were entering the very worst
dent again, I can pardon all these would bring. He told reporters it was
of the pandemic. The economy had its
criminals who came in here, these in- his hope to ‘‘make the average person’s
worst year since World War II, and 11
surrectionists—people, actually, many ordinary life better.’’ Nearly three dec-
million people were out of work. More
whom it is very clear were encouraged ades later, we can safely say that Jus-
than 3,000 Americans were dying each
to come here and storm the Capitol at tice Breyer has met that mark and day from COVID–19.
his request. then some. But Democrats responded by passing
We are a nation of laws. We are not Throughout American history, only the American Rescue Plan 2 months
a nation of individuals; we are a nation 115 individuals have sat on the Nation’s into the President’s term. We later
of laws. And we survive as a nation and High Court, and few have served as passed a historic infrastructure pack-
we excel as a nation if we follow the long and as effectively as Justice age that is putting people to work fix-
law, if all of us do. On the Senate floor, Breyer. From his opinions on voting ing our roads and our bridges and our
we can debate. Both parties can dis- rights, environmental protections, highways. Thanks to the heroism of
agree on things, and we do often. I women’s reproductive freedom, and health workers, the leadership of the
think we all believe in the fact that we protecting access to affordable Biden administration, and action taken
have laws, and you must follow them. healthcare, Justice Breyer’s impact by congressional Democrats, over 200
When I was a prosecutor, I thought, if upon our Nation will last for genera- million Americans have now been vac-
somebody broke the law, there are con- tions. America is a more perfect Union cinated.
sequences for it. I cannot imagine what today because of Justice Stephen Because of these steps that Demo-
it would have been like as a young Breyer. crats took last year, unemployment
prosecutor if I heard somebody running Of course, Justice Breyer’s legacy of has plummeted faster than many fore-
for high office in my State—in this service extends beyond even his re- casts predicted a year ago, to below 4
case, a Governor—who said: Go ahead. markable time on the Supreme Court. percent. The economy added the larg-
Break every law you can to help me get For 13 years, he also sat on the U.S. est number of manufacturing jobs in
elected because I will pardon you as Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. three decades. As wages keep climbing,
soon as I get in there. I think I would Before that, he served for 8 years as a layoffs are near record lows.
be before a grand jury pretty quickly member of the Army Reserves. And, of Make no mistake, this economy is in
talking about that candidate. Yet that course, Members of this Chamber can- the midst of a historic turnaround,
is what we see. not forget that he was once a part of thanks in large part to swift action by
How could anybody be so blinded to the Senate itself, serving as an aide on Democrats in the Congress and in the
what this Nation is that they will ig- the Judiciary Committee in the seven- White House, but, of course, the work
nore what this Nation is? How can any- ties, where he worked closely with our is far from over. We must keep working
body be so blinded to the laws of this dear friend, the late Senator Ted Ken- to lower costs for American families.
country that they can ignore those nedy. At every step of the way, he re- We need to help businesses struggling
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laws? How can anybody be so blinded mained his essential self—decent, bril- with strained supply chains, particu-
to our Constitution that they can ask liant, and dedicated to our democracy. larly the chip shortage affecting every-
people to violate the Constitution? Now, with this new vacancy on the thing from auto manufacturing to
‘‘Commit crimes in my name, and Court, President Biden will have an op- household appliances. Workers need
don’t worry, I will take care of you. I portunity to make history by nomi- protections to ensure they share in our
will make sure you are pardoned.’’ nating the first ever Black woman to continued economic recovery.
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January 31, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S397
That is why Congress must keep to serve in the Department of Defense, Even as they face inflation across all
working on legislation like the United the Export-Import Bank, and the U.S. their expenses, businesses across our
States Innovation and Competition International Development Finance region have significantly upped their
Act, which the Senate passed last year Corporation. We are going to work spending on wages and benefits, and
with strong bipartisan support. This until we confirm all of these crucial many workers have gotten raises. But,
week, the House will hold a vote to nominees, and I look forward to work- actually, it is only on paper because
pass their counterpart to this bill, the ing in good faith with the other side to the historic inflation on the Demo-
America COMPETES Act. I am glad get them done. crats’ watch has more than canceled
the House is taking this important step Finally, in this work period, the Sen- the average increase in wages. Infla-
in the right direction. When the Amer- ate will also work on the vital task of tion is turning pay raises into pay cuts.
ica COMPETES Act passes, the House passing an omnibus package to fund This is just one of the many significant
and Senate can begin the bicameral the Federal Government, prevent a problems we confront.
process of resolving the differences in shutdown, and make sure the Federal BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
each bill and send a final product to Government is well-equipped to serve Madam President, after a year of
the President’s desk. the American people. I will sit down record-setting bloodshed in America’s
With historic investments in science, with a number of Democratic appropri- streets, violent crime is still forcing
technology, and American manufac- ators tomorrow to discuss the state of too many to live in fear.
turing, the policies of USICA represent negotiations, and I want to thank all of The historic humanitarian and secu-
the boldest steps in decades to secure the appropriators for their hard work rity crisis that unfolded at our south-
America’s economic future. in bringing the funding package to- ern border on Democrats’ watch has ac-
By bringing manufacturing back to gether. We are going to work day and tually gotten only worse.
the United States from overseas, it night to bring a funding package to- The Biden administration’s war on
would strengthen domestic supply gether, avoid a shutdown, and make affordable and reliable American en-
chains and help address our country’s sure Congress fulfills this basic duty to ergy has put consumers in a bind.
dangerous semiconductor shortage that the American people. And half a world away, in multiple
has driven up prices in everything from I yield the floor. regions, growing storm clouds are
cars to microwaves. I suggest the absence of a quorum. darkening the international stage with
All this would not only relieve rising The PRESIDING OFFICER. The major implications for America and for
costs by making us less reliant on for- clerk will call the roll. our allies. Across the Middle East,
The legislative clerk proceeded to from proxy terrorist attacks to nuclear
eign manufacturing; it would also ad-
call the roll. and missile development, Iran keeps
vance our national security. Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President,
This legislation would help fix our reminding us it has no intention of
I ask unanimous consent that the order playing by the rules.
country’s dangerous semiconductor for the quorum call be rescinded.
shortage that has driven prices up in In Eastern Europe, Vladimir Putin
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without himself is spelling out the reality of
everything from cars to microwaves by objection, it is so ordered.
strengthening domestic supply chains Russia’s threat to the international
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER order, one armored vehicle at a time.
and by increasing production. It would The Republican leader is recognized. I am encouraged that President
not only relieve rising costs; it would KENTUCKY Biden finally appears inclined to rein-
also advance our national security. Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President,
For months—months—I have spoken force Eastern European treaty allies
Senators spent last week in our home with U.S. forces, and those deploy-
with both my Republican and Demo-
States. We got to hear firsthand up- ments must take place sooner rather
cratic colleagues about finding a way
dates about the real issues facing real than later. And other NATO allies
to get this bill to the President’s desk. families that we all represent. I was es-
Now I am glad that the House will should join us in defending our eastern
pecially glad to return to Western Ken- flank allies.
take action later this week on their
tucky to keep working on our recovery Likewise, American and allied efforts
version of this legislation, and I look
from the catastrophic tornadoes that to support Ukraine’s ability to defend
forward to working through this bill so
hammered our State in mid-December. itself must occur not at the speed of
that President Biden can finally sign Kentuckians are tough. They are re- bureaucracy but at the speed of rel-
this landmark manufacturing and in- silient. But many are still reeling from evance. Unfortunately, Washington
novation bill into law. the impact of these storms. They have Democrats have spent months focused
BUSINESS BEFORE THE SENATE lost homes, businesses, even loved on one distraction after another from
Madam President, on other Senate ones. these pressing challenges.
business, over the next few weeks there I spent last week meeting with local Months before Russia began massing
are other crucial priorities that the leaders, small business owners, and forces for an invasion of Ukraine, our
Senate must also attend to. As we re- Kentuckians in the hardest hit areas. colleagues on the Armed Services Com-
turn to this work period, discussions We talked about our work here in mittee produced a bipartisan Defense
among Senate Democrats on BBB will Washington and the help they can ex- authorization bill that would reassert
continue. pect to receive from us. our commitments to our allies and
We will also work on nominations. At Kentuckians in the affected areas partners in Eastern Europe, as well as
the end of the last work period, I filed have been grateful for the quick and ef- Asia, and help our own forces stay on
cloture on 20 nominees to serve in both ficient way that FEMA has begun dis- the cutting edge of competition with
the Biden administration and on our tributing recovery aid. We know recov- China and Russia.
Federal courts. Later today, we will ery will be a very long process, but my But instead of moving this legisla-
hold a cloture vote on the first of these office and I will be standing with our tion forward to prompt passage, the
nominees, Ms. Bridget Brennan, to people every step of the way. Democratic leader left the NDAA in
serve as a district judge for the North- And the entire State is excited to im- limbo until almost the last minute.
ern District of Ohio. And over the prove our roads, bridges, railways, and In the meantime, Senate Democrats
course of this week, we will work to broadband thanks to the bipartisan in- spent months trying to assemble a
get these men and women confirmed as frastructure deal that Congress struck massive reckless taxing-and-spending
quickly as possible. last year. spree, packed with policies that nobody
Among the 20 individuals I filed clo- But like working people across Amer- was asking for outside of the radical
ture on, that includes one nominee for ica, Kentuckians also have serious con- left. Our citizens were fighting for
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the U.S. Court of Appeals; several Fed- cerns about significant headwinds. their economic lives, trying to fight off
eral district judges; several judges to Kentucky families are feeling the pain gas prices, grocery prices, car prices,
serve in Washington, DC, Superior of the worst inflation in 40 years. Our housing prices, and here Democrats
Court; the nominee to serve as U.S. country has been hammered by 7 per- were claiming the way out of inflation
Ambassador to Germany; and many cent inflation over just the past year. was to spend trillions on windmills and
other highly qualified men and women Employers are trying hard to keep up. welfare.
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