Congressional Record, Senate, March 3, 2022 — Postal Service Reform Act of 2022
Summary
Senate proceedings from the Congressional Record for Thursday, March 3, 2022, Volume 168, No. 39. The Senate met at 10 a.m. with Mr. Leahy as President pro tempore and a prayer by Chaplain Dr. Barry C. Black, and resumed consideration of H.R. 3076 under the heading Postal Service Reform Act of 2022. A speaker says the White House has requested $22.5 billion in additional COVID relief funding in upcoming spending legislation. Another speaker says President Biden's agenda would force Americans to rely more on foreign sources of oil and natural gas, which is that speaker's characterization.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, March 3, 2022 — Postal Service Reform Act of 2022.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2022-03-03-crec-2022-03-03-pt1-pgs961-6-9462ccbe9b/
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Congressional Record
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117 th CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
United States
of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE
Vol. 168 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022 No. 39
Senate
The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was LEGISLATIVE SESSION we have made, or we risk backsliding if
called to order by the President pro another contagious variant emerges in
tempore (Mr. LEAHY). the fall and winter. Just as we cannot
POSTAL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF allow COVID to rule our lives, neither
f 2022—Resumed can we fall into a false sense of compla-
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under cency.
PRAYER the previous order, the Senate will re- That is why the White House has re-
The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- sume consideration of H.R. 3076, which quested that Congress include $22.5 bil-
fered the following prayer: the clerk will report. lion in additional COVID relief funding
The senior assistant legislative clerk in the upcoming spending bill, and Con-
Let us pray.
read as follows: gress should follow through with this
Eternal God, we have enemies. Many
A bill (H.R. 3076) to provide stability to request over the coming days. If not,
strive to stop the march of freedom. and enhance the services of the United
Use our lawmakers to accomplish Your we risk sliding back if another variant
States Postal Service, and for other pur-
will on Earth. Give them the wisdom to occurs.
poses.
trust Your precepts and depend upon This morning on CNBC, former FDA
Pending: Commissioner Scott Gottlieb reminded
Your guidance. Lord, judge our desires Schumer (for Peters) amendment No. 4955,
and thoughts, as You strengthen us viewers of the key aspect of this dis-
to modify the deadline for the initial report
with Your constant love. Thank You ease. To paraphrase him loosely, cases
on the operations and financial condition of
for the way You have helped us the United States Postal Service. can drop in the spring and summer, but
throughout our history. Spare us from the risk still exists for another wave to
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
the fate of those who do evil and sus- surge in the fall or winter. He is right.
OSSOFF). The Senator from Vermont.
tain us with Your prevailing mercies. Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I suggest We all know this from sad experience.
Guard those who place their hope in the absence of a quorum. We also know what we must do to be
You and keep them safe, enabling them The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ready. We know a lot more now what
to tell of Your wonderful deeds to fu- clerk will call the roll. to do to be ready than we knew a year
ture generations. The senior assistant legislative clerk ago. If we want to keep our schools
We pray in Your great Name. Amen. proceeded to call the roll. open, if we want to keep life as close to
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask normal as possible, if we want to be
f unanimous consent that the order for ready for the possibilities of future
the quorum call be rescinded. variants, Congress must provide the re-
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without sources needed before a new variant ar-
objection, it is so ordered. rives. That is the surest way to mini-
The President pro tempore led the RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER mize cases, hospitalizations, and
Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: The majority leader is recognized. deaths in the future.
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the CORONAVIRUS Let me repeat. To keep schools open,
United States of America, and to the Repub- to keep life as normal as it can be, we
lic for which it stands, one nation under God,
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, as
spring begins, daily new cases of need additional COVID investments
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
COVID–19 have dramatically decreased now, not after a possible new variant
f since the height of Omicron. Hos- arrives.
pitalizations, thank God, have steadily Remember, by now, all public health
RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME declined. Across the country, Ameri- funding provided by the American Res-
cans are able to remove their masks as cue Plan has run out. If Congress waits
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under until a new variant arises to pass new
the spread of disease seems to be less-
the previous order, the leadership time funding, it will be too late.
ening. Crucially, schools are open, and
is reserved. And we are happy to make clear with
we need to do everything we can in our
power to make sure they stay open. our Republican colleagues about how
f
All of these signs point in a positive this money is dedicated. The White
direction. The country is turning the House has already provided an expla-
CONCLUSION OF MORNING corner on the COVID pandemic. We are nation about how COVID money has
BUSINESS in a new moment of the fight. been spent over time. Some Repub-
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Morn- But we also are at a crossroads. Ei- licans may think it should have been
ing business is closed. ther we act now to secure the progress spent differently, but the point is that
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∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.
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S962 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 3, 2022
it has been spent. We can’t pull those asked to pay more, but many mega cor- ENDING FORCED ARBITRATION OF SEXUAL
dollars back, and we need to provide porations are making a killing. That is ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT ACT OF 2021
new funding for possible variants. a twisted thing to see as we recover Mr. President, finally, I want to close
Where has the COVID money been from COVID. by noting, this afternoon, President
spent thus far? It has gone to vaccinate Democrats are working right now on Biden will sign into law bipartisan leg-
215 million Americans. It has been used a number of proposals and ideas that islation ending forced arbitration for
to keep schools open, to expand treat- would ease the pressure Americans are sexual assault and sexual harassment.
ment, and to provide 1.2 billion vac- feeling from rising costs. We must All of us have heard the searing testi-
cines to other countries. lower the cost of insulin to $35 a monies—searing—of those who have
Last night, Acting OMB Director month. We must make all prescription faced harassment or abuse at work,
Shalanda Young sent Congress a 12- drugs cheaper. We need to help make only to discover their jobs offered pre-
page letter detailing what the new groceries more affordable. We need to cious little in accountability. Count-
funding would do: more vaccines for look at fixing ocean shipping bottle- less careers have been derailed or un-
children, bolstering our testing supply necks. done. Worse still, countless lives have
chain, therapeutics, and more. been forever damaged. For decades,
I will also add that one of the best
If there is one thing both parties workplace practices like mandatory ar-
things we can do to fight inflation is to
should be able to agree on it is that we bitration have perpetuated cultures of
confirm President Biden’s nominees to
should not shortchange the American abuse and unaccountability.
the Federal Reserve. I urge in the
people on vaccines, on testing, or on We can’t ignore a basic reality of
strongest terms possible for Repub-
therapeutic medicines that greatly re- these clauses: They deprive victims of
licans to drop their holds on these
duce the severity of the illness if you sexual harassment and assault of their
members. The Federal Reserve is so
are able to take them and if we have basic rights by mandating that they
crucial for our economy right now, and
the supply. seek remedy only behind the closed
to intentionally delay their confirma-
Again, Congress must include new doors of private arbitration, with no
tions is irresponsible.
funding for COVID relief to ensure our other alternative. With the President’s
schools and our communities face Most importantly, we must boost signature today, that will come to an
minimal disruption in case another manufacturing, American manufac- end.
variant comes, and we should do it turing, and decrease our reliance on I want to thank Senator GILLIBRAND
ASAP. The most logical place imme- overseas producers. The war provoked for leading the fight for years, and I am
diately to do it is in the upcoming om- by Putin is an illustration as to why glad I was able to work with Senators
nibus bill. this example is important. GRAHAM and ERNST to push this bill
INFLATION President Biden’s State of the Union over the finish line.
Mr. President, on another matter, on made clear that the United States re- By the end of today, we will be able
costs to the American people, in the mains strong and ready to face the im- to say: The Senate acted; the House
coming months and beyond, Senate mense challenges of our time, but to acted; the President acted; and now
Democrats will maintain a focus on maintain that edge, we must focus like forced arbitration reform is law.
one of the most vexing issues facing a laser on addressing costs. That is I yield the floor.
American families: lowering costs what Democrats will keep doing. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
while building on the wage and job Another thing we are doing today, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
growth we have seen over the past that is happening today, is a hearing in clerk will call the roll.
year. the Commerce Committee on shipping The senior assistant legislative clerk
The American economy is booming costs and a bipartisan bill by Senators proceeded to call the roll.
compared to a year ago. The number of KLOBUCHAR and THUNE that will help Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I
new jobs added to the economy is stag- reduce those costs. Shipping costs af- ask unanimous consent that the order
gering. We have added more than 6 mil- fect every American. Any good that for the quorum call be rescinded.
lion new jobs in a single year, includ- comes from overseas has to be shipped The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
ing the most—the most—new manufac- here. objection, it is so ordered.
turing jobs in decades, but at the same RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
H.R. 3076
time, we must fiercely confront the The Republican leader is recognized.
Mr. President, on the post office,
wave of rising costs resulting from Democrats have been working all week
NOMINATION OF KETANJI BROWN JACKSON
COVID’s worldwide disruptions. This is Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, yes-
with Republicans to push the biggest
the biggest economic challenge that terday morning, I hosted Judge Ketanji
postal reform bill in years over the fin-
our country must focus on right now. Brown Jackson, the President’s nomi-
ish line, and, today, we are close.
Later today, at our DPCC lunch, at nee to replace Justice Breyer on the
Today, we continue negotiations with
the request of Chair STABENOW, FTC Supreme Court, in my office. I was glad
the other side on their proposed list of
Commissioner Lina Khan will join us to meet with Judge Jackson. We en-
amendments to the bill.
to shine a light on the troubling pat- joyed a cordial discussion.
tern of corporate price hikes in the As we continue to work on a deal, I Like I have been saying, Republicans
areas of oil and gas, prescription drugs, filed cloture last night on the postal fundamentally believe the nominee,
and other goods. bill in order to keep the momentum the Court, and the country all deserve
This dimension of inflation cannot be going. At the end of the day, the vast better than the disgraceful displays
ignored. Americans are being asked to majority of Democrats and Repub- that Senate Democrats have routinely
pay more at the grocery store, at the licans wants to see this bill sent to the visited on nominees of Republican
pump, and for basic goods even as they President’s desk quickly, so I hope we Presidents. The Senate’s process
watch incredulously as some of the Na- can arrive at an agreement to finish should be dignified, but it also must be
tion’s biggest corporations post their before the weekend. vigorous, exhaustive, and painstaking.
most massive profits. I want to thank my colleagues on We are talking about a lifetime ap-
In many instances, these profits re- both sides of the aisle for their contin- pointment to our Nation’s highest
soundingly exceed prepandemic figures. ued work, especially Chairman PETERS Court.
Last fall, Bloomberg noted that U.S. and Ranking Member PORTMAN. This is a moment when issues relat-
corporations outside of the financial This postal reform bill has been a ing to the law and the judiciary are di-
industry reported the biggest margins long time coming, and when passed, it rectly hitting American families, from
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since 1950—since 1950—711⁄2 years ago. It will ensure that tens of millions of skyrocketing murders and carjackings,
appears corporate profits are far out- Americans who rely on the post office to soft-on-crime prosecutors’ effec-
pacing inflation, and they are spending every single day for medicines, Social tively repealing laws, to open borders.
much of the profits on things like cor- Security checks, and other goods can This is also a moment when the far left
porate buybacks, which are hitting make sure that the post office remains has declared open season on the very
record levels. So Americans are being in good hands and is strengthened. concept of judicial independence itself.
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March 3, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S963
President Biden even bowed to the powerful personal protection against disruptions to international supply
radicals and set up a Court-packing hospitalization and death, but they do chains that result in rising prices, and
Commission. not prevent people catching or trans- now the economic shocks caused by
Now, Justice Breyer has distin- mitting the current variant. There is Putin’s aggression, his invasion of
guished himself by loudly and proudly no moral justification for sweeping Ukraine and the response by the
putting those radicals in their place. mandates. The benefits accrue to the West—a united effort to impose sanc-
He has consistently denounced the con- person who gets the shot. tions on Russia, which will also have
cept of partisan Court packing and de- What is more, the CDC’s own re- consequences for the global economy.
fended the Court’s legitimacy. search says that prior infection pro- The Federal Reserve exists, in part,
One would hope his successor would vides protection that is at least as to address issues just like these. The
follow suit, but curiously the same strong as the vaccines. But the Presi- Fed doesn’t just set interest rates and
radicals who want to turn Democrats dent’s overreaching mandate ignores control our money supply; it oversees
into the party of Court packing also that. His policy unscientifically dis- banks, ensures efficient and reliable
badly wanted Judge Jackson for this criminated against people who have payments, promotes consumer protec-
vacancy. It is a matter of record that immunity from prior infection. They tion and community development.
this nominee was the anointed favorite had to comply anyway or lose their When our economy is facing such
of these fringe groups. At this time last job. foundational challenges like the ones
year, they were already spending dark The President tried to force such a we are up against right now, it is cru-
money to raise her profile. mandate on all kinds of workers across cial our institutions are at full
So I intend to explore why groups America. The courts slapped that down strength.
that are waging political war against easily. But his mandate targeting The Fed is at its strongest with a full
the Court as an institution decided healthcare workers remains in effect. Board of Governors, and President
Judge Jackson was their special favor- It is unfair on a personal level, but Biden has nominated five of the finest
ite. even just looking at public health, it is economic and legal minds our country
Like I said, I enjoyed meeting the terrible policy for rural America. We has to fill its vacancies: Jerome Pow-
judge. She is clearly a sharp lawyer cannot have President Biden mass fir- ell, to serve as chair; and Lael
with an impressive resume, but when it ing doctors and nurses when hospitals Brainard, to serve as Vice Chair—both
comes to the Supreme Court, a core are already short-staffed. folks who have ably guided our econ-
qualification is judicial philosophy. One hospital leader in Marshall omy in the years they have served at
Our citizens need Justices who treat all County, KY, told me that ‘‘this is an the Fed; Sarah Bloom Raskin, whom I
parties fairly, apply our laws and Con- absolute disaster. We are a small crit- know from college, has been nominated
stitution as written, and leave legis- ical access hospital with 250 employees. to serve as Vice Chair for Supervision
lating to us here in Congress. . . . We have begun assessing areas and has demonstrated through a long
I raised all these matters yesterday. that may have to be [literally] shut career in public service at both the
I look forward to gaining more clarity down.’’ State and Federal level to be a highly
about Judge Jackson’s positions during A head of a hospital in Calloway competent regulator who has advanced
the vigorous and thorough Senate proc- County told me that ‘‘I can afford to the financial system that would work
ess to come. lose not one more nurse.’’ He said the for all Americans; Philip Jefferson,
(Ms. ROSEN assumed the Chair.) Biden mandate ‘‘makes no sense’’—no nominated to serve as a Board Gov-
VACCINES sense—‘‘for rural healthcare.’’ ernor, has deep expertise in how mone-
Madam President, now on another The head of a critical access hospital tary policy impacts employment and
matter, our Nation faces serious chal- in Hardinsburg says that ‘‘the mandate economic growth and an important un-
lenges to our citizens’ health and is devastating for Kentucky hospitals.’’ derstanding of inequality and poverty
wellness. COVID–19 has been one of Clearly, many of my colleagues are in America today; last, my good friend,
them. Abuse of illegal drugs and pre- hearing similar things. Yesterday, over Lisa Cook, whom I have known for dec-
scription pills is another. Heart dis- the objections of every Senate Demo- ades. We knew each other as young
ease, cancer, and diabetes are ever crat who voted, Republicans stood up Truman Scholars, folks who were vol-
present. Many of these health crises hit for Americans’ right and Americans’ unteering a week of our time to help
Middle America especially hard and healthcare access. We passed a resolu- mentor and encourage younger Truman
specifically rural America. tion to overturn President Biden’s Scholars—a federally funded memorial
Data show that rural Americans are mandate that would drain doctors and to President Harry Truman.
disproportionately likelier to die from nurses out of middle America. I have known her since a stage in her
a number of potentially preventable If Washington Democrats could safe- life where neither one of us might have
causes. That is why I have been focused ly hobnob in the Capitol all Tuesday guessed that someday I would be on
on expanding local treatment centers evening with no masks, then they this floor speaking as a Senator, and I
and telehealth and fighting the drug ought to stop pushing mass firings on would be speaking in support of her
epidemic tooth and nail. essential health workers. nomination to the Federal Reserve.
Last week, I hosted Dr. Rahul Gupta, Unfortunately, if we know anything She would bring a valuable new per-
the administration’s drug czar, in Ken- about this Democratic House, this spective to the Fed Board. Lisa, from
tucky. Opioid abuse is a staggering commonsense measure may well die on her time growing up in a small rural
problem in our State and throughout Speaker PELOSI’s desk. town in Georgia, going on to earn ad-
the country. Last year, even during I sincerely hope our colleagues across vanced degrees from our Nation’s finest
COVID, fentanyl abuse alone was the the Capitol will see reason and pass institutions, and now as a teacher at
biggest cause of death among Ameri- this bill. one of our great public universities, she
cans aged 18 to 45. That is not even all The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- has built world-class expertise in eco-
drugs, just fentanyl alone. ator from Delaware. nomics, innovation, and banking. She
In short, this may literally be the FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD NOMINATIONS understands not just abstract economic
worst time in American history to de- Mr. COONS. Madam President, since theory but how those theories impact
liberately cut healthcare access in President Biden took office, we have Americans and their families in all
rural America, but that is just what seen historic job growth and a dynamic walks of life.
the Biden administration has done. economy. Wages are rising, and they Lisa served under President Obama
President Biden told every thinly are rising fastest for working-class at the White House Council of Eco-
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stretched doctor’s office and hospital Americans. nomic Advisers, where she dealt with
that accepts Medicare that they had to But despite this significant economic financial crises both here in the United
fire workers who didn’t want the progress, today, too many American States and abroad, and she has studied
COVID vaccine. families are still facing pressing eco- the macroeconomics of foreign mar-
Now, I have been a consistent advo- nomic challenges: a global pandemic kets in Europe and in Africa, including
cate for getting vaccinated. They offer now entering its third year, ongoing the way central banks have dealt with
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S964 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 3, 2022
high inflation—one of the issues right where she has honorably served for 8 sion carried out by Putin’s Russia or
before us. years. She has issued over 500 opinions, its competition with China or its deal-
She has expertise in an emerging so we have a very clear idea of her ap- ing with North Korea or its advancing
area of the economy that is increas- proach to judging and her interpreta- our interest with respect to Iran and
ingly important for our central bank tion of the law; and she brings great their proliferation—we have places all
regulators to understand: digital cur- professional diversity of experience to over the world for which we need quali-
rencies and financial technology. She the Bench as well. fied nominees.
has supported sensible regulation of If confirmed, she will be the only Su- That is why, in a few moments, I
cryptocurrencies that enables innova- preme Court Justice to have served as hope to take action on the floor; but I
tion and allows more people to access a Federal public defender. That kind of am not yet going to take that action
secure and low-cost financial services. perspective on our highest Court is unless it is clear we are all prepared.
Her data-driven approach would help critical. Her work as a public defender Let me briefly, in conclusion, if I
the Fed navigate our continued eco- is just one example of the breadth of might, speak to some of the folks who
nomic recovery, and her focus on finan- experience Judge Jackson will bring to should be confirmed.
cial inclusion will be a critical perspec- the U.S. Supreme Court. The Ambassador to Botswana, How-
tive on the Fed Board that would help She has also served as Vice Chair and ard Van Vranken, career foreign serv-
ensure all Americans can see the ben- Commissioner on the Sentencing Com- ice officer in a country I have visited,
efit of continued economic growth and mission that interprets and applies a country that is an important partner
job gains. criminal law and as a lawyer in private to allies in Southern Africa, and where
Overall, these are five nominees to legal practice for some of our Nation’s the absence of an ambassador means an
the Fed Board with sterling credentials leading law firms. And, most impor- absence of American leadership.
and strong character. All of them, on tantly, she clerked for the Justice for Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles,
their merits, deserve the seats to which whom she has been nominated as the ready to serve as our Ambassador to
they have been nominated. successor, Justice Stephen Breyer. India, a country that is a continent-
I respect the desire on the part of my Our President has promised to nomi- wide, multifaith, multilingual, multi-
Republican colleagues to conduct a full nate someone in the mold of Justice ethnic democracy—a vital partner and
evaluation of these nominees, and all Breyer; and Judge Jackson—in tem- ally to the United States where we cur-
five of them have responded repeat- perament, in ability, and approach— rently have no ambassador.
edly, fully, and with transparency to certainly fits that bill. It is my hope, it Marcia Bernicat to be Director Gen-
the hundreds of questions that have is my expectation, that this Senate and eral of the Foreign Service. If we are to
been pressed to them. They have an- the Senate Judiciary Committee will recruit, retain, motivate, and place the
swered all the questions put to them. meet this historic moment by swiftly, greatest diplomats possible in the
The time has come to advance and appropriately, and respectfully ques- world, we need a Director General—a
confirm these nominees, and I call tioning this nominee in front of the DG—who leads the Foreign Service
upon my Republican colleagues to Senate Judiciary Committee, bringing from a human resources perspective.
allow a vote to proceed. To block a her to a vote on the committee, and Julieta Noyes to be Assistant Sec-
vote in the Banking Committee of this then voting to confirm her nomination retary for Population, Refugees, and
Senate by simply denying a quorum is here on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Migration. A million refugees have fled
no way for this allegedly greatest de- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR NOMINATIONS the violence in Ukraine; and yet PRM
liberative body in the world to conduct Madam President, if I might, the last has no Senate-confirmed Assistant Sec-
itself. If we are, in fact, facing the cri- topic I come to speak to on this floor retary. Think about that as a derelic-
sis of inflation and rising prices, the today is the critical need for us to be tion of duty by this body.
Federal Reserve Board must have its as attentive to the advice and consent Oren Whyche-Shaw to be Ambassador
full membership. role for nominees as ambassadors, as to the African Development Bank. If
So my colleagues, please, stop block- senior members of the State Depart- we want to see inclusive development
ing these capable and qualified nomi- ment, and USAID positions. on the continent of Africa, how can we
nees and allow them to proceed. There are so many positions that have no ambassador for this multilat-
NOMINATION OF KETANJI BROWN JACKSON have been held for months and months; eral development bank?
Madam President, I serve on the Sen- and many of them are being held by my Enoh Ebong to be Director of the
ate Judiciary Committee. And in my colleague from the State of Texas be- United States Trade and Development
dozen years here, I have had the honor cause of a disagreement over sanc- Agency, the USTDA. TDA plays a crit-
of participating in, and even presiding tioning the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. ical role in bringing into the United
over, confirmation hearings for Federal Today, finally, we stand in a place States opportunities for trade and de-
District Courts, Circuit Courts, and the where the policy of this administra- velopment—again, a critical vacant
Supreme Court. tion, the policy of our close and valued seat.
We have before us now President ally in Europe, Germany, and the posi- Christopher Hill to serve as Ambas-
Biden’s first nominee to our Nation’s tions of folks in the Senate are all sador to Serbia. There are develop-
highest Court. Judge Ketanji Brown aligned. There are now sanctions on ments in the Balkans too complex and
Jackson is an exceptionally well-quali- Nord Stream 2. It has been stopped. concerning for me to take this body’s
fied jurist whose experience, whose cre- Thankfully, my colleague has lifted time with right now. But let me simply
dentials, and whose evenhanded ap- his holds. Yet there still remain holds say, any seat, any ambassadorial post
proach to the administration of justice from other Members of this body on in the Balkans vacant is a missed op-
make her an outstanding nominee for other nominees, all of them well-quali- portunity for American leadership.
the U.S. Supreme Court. fied. Eight of them would serve under Laura Holgate to be Ambassador to
This is an important step forward to- the jurisdiction of my Foreign Rela- the Vienna Office of the United Nations
ward making our Supreme Court look tions Committee subcommittee on eco- and Representative to the IAEA. We
more like and reflect more the diver- nomic and energy policy multilateral are engaged in critical final-stage ne-
sity of people in our Nation and the di- organizations. gotiations, I am told, in Vienna about
versity of experience of those who So while I respect the right of my whether or not we will be able to fur-
serve in the bar. colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ther constrain and better understand
Last year, Judge Jackson was con- hold a nominee for a specific, relevant Iran’s dangerous conduct with regards
firmed by this Senate on a bipartisan policy issue, we have to provide advice to enrichment. We have no ambassador
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basis to serve on the DC Circuit Court, and consent in a timely and respectful to the IAEA. Think about how irre-
one of the most complex and signifi- manner of the President’s nominees. sponsible that is.
cant of the circuit courts of the United President Biden has been President If I might, we cannot confront our
States. Before that, she was unani- more than a year now. We have crises global challenges alone, and we need
mously confirmed to the U.S. District all over the world—whether it is in these diplomats in place so we can suc-
Court for the District of Columbia Ukraine, the violence and the aggres- cessfully address these threats from
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March 3, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S965
Russia, climate change, COVID–19, is hostile to conventional sources of lem. It is a problem because the more
from Iran, from terrorism. energy; namely, oil and natural gas. we rely on foreign sources of energy,
It is my hope that my colleagues who When it comes to energy, he is focused the more vulnerable Americans are to
have holds reportedly on many of these almost exclusively on alternative en- energy price spikes and to global short-
nominees will relent, and I look for- ergy technology—specifically on elec- ages. It is a problem because relying on
ward to continuing to press that case tric vehicles, which his administration foreign sources of energy often means
today. has clearly picked as its preferred win- relying on energy from tyrannical gov-
I yield the floor. ner in the clean energy stakes. ernments in volatile areas of the world.
I suggest the absence of a quorum. Now, I should say I am a longtime U.S. imports of Russian energy have
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The supporter of clean energy. In South Da- spiked during the Biden administra-
clerk will call the roll. kota, we derive a significant amount of tion, and the current conflict in
The senior assistant legislative clerk our energy from hydropower and wind. Ukraine is a reminder of just how big
proceeded to call the roll. In fact, in 2020, 80 percent of our util- of a problem that is. In the first place,
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask ity-scale generation was renewal, the dollars we or other nations spend
unanimous consent that the order for about half of that from hydro. I have importing energy from Russia are dol-
the quorum call be rescinded. long championed cleaner burning re- lars Russia is free to use to prosecute
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. newable fuels like ethanol and bio- its unjustified invasion of Ukraine and
BOOKER). Without objection, it is so or- diesel. any other country that it decides to at-
dered. But the fact of the matter is, our Na- tack. In the second place, when you
f tion is not going to be fully rely on another country for your en-
RELATING TO A NATIONAL EMER- transitioning to 100 percent zero-emis- ergy needs, you end up beholden to
GENCY DECLARED BY THE sion energy anytime soon no matter that country.
PRESIDENT ON MARCH 13, 2020 how much the administration would Now, while we have imposed heavy
like it to. There are a lot of hurdles to sanctions on Russia, we have yet to di-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under be crossed before we can rely solely on rectly sanction Russia’s energy sector,
the previous order, the Committee on clean energy. Consumers, first and and other countries have also held
Finance is discharged from further con- foremost, need affordable and reliable back on sanctioning Russian energy.
sideration of S.J. Res. 38, and the Sen- energy supplies, especially consistent There is little question that this reluc-
ate will proceed to the consideration of baseload energy. tance stems from both fears of price
the joint resolution, which the clerk Clean energy technology has simply hikes as a result of sanctions and from
will report. not advanced to the point where it fears of lessening the availability of
The senior assistant legislative clerk needs to be in order for us to rely on Russian energy supplies.
read as follows: clean energy exclusively. We are going The truth is, we should be sanc-
A joint resolution (S.J. Res. 38) relating to to need an ‘‘all of the above’’ energy tioning Russia’s energy sector. Energy
a national emergency declared by the Presi- portfolio for a while yet, including oil production is the lifeblood of the Rus-
dent on March 13, 2020.
and natural gas, and it is a disservice sian economy, and sanctioning Russian
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under to the American people to pretend oth- energy would be one of the most effec-
the previous order, there will be 3 erwise. tive ways of halting Putin’s imperial
hours for debate only, with time equal- We should absolutely continue to in- ambitions.
ly divided between the two leaders or vest in clean energy and pursue clean It is unfortunate that the President
their designees. energy technologies in a fiscally re- has not put our Nation on stronger
The Republican whip. sponsible manner, but we also have to footing energy-wise so that we could
ENERGY ensure that our Nation has the oil and more easily weather these challenging
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, as of Jan- natural gas that it needs for our econ- times. The only acceptable American
uary, energy prices were up 27 percent omy to run and for Americans to be energy policy is an ‘‘all of the above’’
across the board. Gas prices were up 40 able to afford to heat their homes and energy policy that invests in both
percent from a year ago. Natural gas to get where they need to go. clean energy technologies and conven-
was up 24 percent. Fuel oil was up 46 As I said, since taking office, Presi- tional energy sources. That is the only
percent. dent Biden has pursued an agenda hos- way—the only way—to keep energy
High energy prices have a huge im- tile—hostile—to conventional energy prices down and ensure America’s en-
pact on our economy. Obviously, they production. He set the tone on his first ergy needs are met no matter what is
represent a significant, direct burden day in office when he canceled the Key- going on in energy-producing countries
on Americans trying to fill up their stone XL Pipeline—an environmentally around the globe.
cars or pay the utility bills, but they responsible pipeline project that was Now, if the President really wants to
also contribute to price hikes across already underway and that was to be lower energy prices for American fami-
our economy. High gas prices and other paired with $1.7 billion in private in- lies, as he indicated in his State of the
energy costs contribute to price in- vestment in renewable energy to fully Union Address on Tuesday, he could re-
creases on a whole host of other goods. offset its operating emissions. He also verse his rejection of the Keystone XL
Manufacturers facing higher transpor- almost immediately froze new oil and Pipeline, which would be a much wel-
tation costs thanks to high gas prices, gas leases on Federal lands, sending a come recognition that liquid fuels will
for example, are often forced to pass on clear signal to oil and gas producers be part of our energy composition well
at least some of those increased costs that his administration would be reluc- into the future.
to consumers in the form of price tant to work with them to increase He could fast-track environmentally
hikes. American energy production. responsible domestic oil and gas pro-
Now, while Democrats helped create He has continued along the same duction on Federal lands.
our current inflation crisis with their lines ever since. He seems to think that He could work to overturn the Fed-
so-called American Rescue Plan spend- he can hurry along the clean energy fu- eral Energy Regulatory Commission
ing spree last March, President Biden ture he dreams of by discouraging oil decision that will make it more dif-
is not solely responsible for high en- and natural gas production here at ficult to get approval for natural gas
ergy prices. He is responsible, however, home, but he can’t. As I said, clean en- pipelines.
for the fact that he is pursuing an en- ergy sources are simply not at the He could ensure that the Department
ergy agenda that is almost guaranteed point where they can solely power of the Interior releases new land for re-
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
not only to increase American energy American homes or our economy. sponsible oil and gas development—
prices long term but also to increase The only effect of curbing conven- something the Department is required
our reliance on foreign sources of en- tional energy production would be to to do quarterly by law.
ergy. force Americans to rely more on for- He could encourage financial institu-
Since the day he took office, Presi- eign sources of oil and natural gas, and tions to invest in conventional energy
dent Biden has pursued an agenda that that is a big problem. It is a big prob- production and reinstate the January
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