Congressional Record, Senate, March 7, 2022 (S1001) — Ukraine, Iran and Postal Service Reform
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate, March 7, 2022, pages S1001 and S1002. The Senate met at 3 p.m., with a prayer offered by the Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, and resumes consideration of the bill listed under the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022. McConnell speaks about Ukraine and about the administration's approach to Iran and a possible nuclear deal. Durbin speaks about Ukraine, noting that the day is Casimir Pulaski Day in Illinois, and says more than 1.7 million Ukrainians have fled as refugees to neighboring countries.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, March 7, 2022 (S1001) — Ukraine, Iran and Postal Service Reform.”
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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, MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022 No. 40
Senate
The Senate met at 3 p.m. and was LEGISLATIVE SESSION military assistance and to do so very
called to order by the President pro quickly. Long before the invasion
tempore (Mr. LEAHY). began, I was on this floor warning the
POSTAL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF Biden administration that we could not
f 2022 let assistance be trickled out at the
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under speed of bureaucracy. I certainly hope
PRAYER
the previous order, the Senate will re- that lesson has finally been learned.
The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- sume consideration of H.R. 3076, which IRAN
fered the following prayer: the clerk will report. But even while one foreign policy
Let us pray. The legislative clerk read as follows: nightmare plays out in Eastern Eu-
Eternal God, mighty to save, lift A bill (H.R. 3076) to provide stability to rope, inexplicably, the Biden adminis-
high our vision that we may see clearly and enhance the services of the United tration is reportedly poised to an-
that You are still in charge of Your States Postal Service, and for other pur- nounce a giant, gratuitous capitulation
world. poses. to our principal adversary in the Mid-
Lord, give us the courage to follow Pending: dle East as well.
Your precepts, realizing we have spir- Schumer (for Peters) amendment No. 4955, The nature of the Biden administra-
itual weapons for our warfare. In these to modify the deadline for the initial report tion’s approach to Tehran thus far has
trying and dangerous times, keep our on the operations and financial condition of concerned not just Republicans but
lawmakers strong and pure and good. the United States Postal Service. Members of both parties.
Remind them that we are fighting The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Our Democratic colleague, the chair-
more than flesh and blood; we are en- Senator from Hawaii. man of the Foreign Relations Com-
gaged in combat with principalities, Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I suggest mittee, recently exhorted the adminis-
powers, and wickedness in the celestial the absence of a quorum. tration and our partners to ‘‘exert
realm. Give us all the wisdom to keep The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The more pressure on Iran to counter its
our eyes on You, comprehending that clerk will call the roll. nuclear program, its missile program,
all things are possible to those who be- The legislative clerk proceeded to and its dangerous behavior around the
lieve. call the roll. Middle East, including attacks on
We pray in Your sovereign Name. Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, American personnel and [American] as-
Amen. I ask unanimous consent that the order sets.’’
for the quorum call be rescinded. I would note that Senator MENENDEZ
f The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. also stressed the importance of build-
HIRONO). Without objection, it is so or- ing bipartisan support for any new deal
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE dered. which the President’s team wants to
The President pro tempore led the RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
cook up with the Iranians. This is the
Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: same message I conveyed to the Presi-
The Republican leader is recognized.
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the
dent and his top advisers at the begin-
UKRAINE
United States of America, and to the Repub- ning of the Biden administration. If he
Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, wants his policy or his deal to endure
lic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
the eyes of the American people and beyond his Presidency, he must bring
the entire world are fixed on Eastern Republicans on board.
f Europe. Vladimir Putin is continuing Regrettably, President Biden appears
his unjustifiable invasion of a sov- to have ignored this good advice. Re-
RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME ereign country and his unprovoked ports indicate a sequel—a sequel—to
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under killing of innocent people. the bad 2015 nuclear deal may be immi-
the previous order, the leadership time Over the weekend, Senators were nent. Yet the administration has laid
is reserved. honored to speak electronically with zero bipartisan framework.
Ukraine’s brave leader, President Rumors of this impending deal—be-
f Zelenskyy. His courageous leadership cause rumors are all that Congress
has helped rally freedom-loving people has—suggest it would be an enormous
CONCLUSION OF MORNING the world over to the Ukrainians’ step in the wrong direction. It appears
BUSINESS cause. One of his main pleas was that not to be a longer and stronger deal
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Morn- America and our partners continue than the JCPOA, as was promised, but
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
ing business is closed. providing Ukraine with additional a weaker and shorter deal. It appears
∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.
®
S1001
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S1002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2022
not to safeguard and increase our le- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ridors in Ukraine, to allow civilians in
verage over Tehran and its Revolu- clerk will call the roll. areas under the heaviest Russian at-
tionary Guard but instead to breezily, The legislative clerk proceeded to tacks to evacuate safely. Twice over
sort of, sign our leverage away. call the roll. the weekend, Ukraine was forced to
President Biden appears to want to Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask close those corridors because Russia
give Tehran enduring sanctions relief unanimous consent that the order for was attacking them mercilessly. This
now in exchange for limited and short- the quorum call be rescinded. is Vladimir Putin’s war, deliberately
term curbs on their nuclear program. A The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without targeting women and children who
reminder of how bad President Obama’s objection, it is so ordered. have left everything and are trying
Iran deal was is the fact that these re- UKRAINE just to reach safety.
strictions will begin to expire as soon Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, 260 This photo shows the result of one
as next year. That will put more pres- years ago, a young nobleman from Po- horrific attack by Russian soldiers on
sure on Western negotiators, not on land and a military officer helped lead the people of Ukraine. Many people
Iran. a rebellion against what he and many have seen it. It was on the front page of
This is extortion playing out step by others saw as a Russian puppet King in the New York Times this morning. It
step, and this administration seems what was known as the Polish-Lithua- took place in the city of Irpin on Sun-
prepared to sign on to it. Iran gets seri- nian Commonwealth. He was driven day. A Russian mortar struck an evac-
ous sanctions relief and expanded trade into exile in France, where Lafayette uation point where these civilians were
with Russia and China, their price is and Benjamin Franklin urged him to waiting to board a bus to go to safety.
even fewer restrictions than the origi- go to America to join in the fight, the Irpin’s mayor said the attack killed
nal failed Iran deal, and those restric- Revolutionary War. at least eight people, including a fam-
tions begin to expire in just 2 years. That young Polish nobleman’s name ily. Sadly, you can see the children
This is really wildly reckless. This is was Casimir Pulaski. When he arrived lying on the street. These are among
an administration chasing a deal—any in America, he wrote to General the 364 Ukrainians killed during the
deal—instead of pursuing our interests. George Washington and said to him: last 12 days of Putin’s barbaric war.
There is some suspicion the adminis- I came here, where freedom is being de- Mr. Putin, these deaths, like the
fended, to serve it, and to live or die by it. death of that little girl I showed on the
tration is desperate for any excuse to
ease sanctions on Iranian oil exports to Pulaski was at Washington’s side and floor last week, are your doing. Your
help blunt the impact of the European is credited with saving George Wash- reputation as a war criminal and a
crisis on American’s pocketbooks. This ington’s life at the Battle of Brandy- bloody tyrant is now sealed in history.
wine. He is remembered fondly as the More than 1.7 million Ukrainians
White House seems determined to go
Father of the American Calvary. have fled as refugees to neighboring
hat in hand and beg every bad actor
Pulaski died at age 34 in the fight for countries, such as Poland and Moldova.
around the world to ramp up their own
freedom and independence in America. The open arms of the Polish people and
fossil fuel production but still will not
Today is Casimir Pulaski Day, which Moldovan people to their Ukrainian
stop their holy war against our own we know full well in Illinois, where it brothers and sisters is remarkable and
American energy production here at is a State holiday. Today, however, we a reminder to the rest of us that we do
home. look at the world and realize that free-
If press reports of the deal are accu- share common human bonds.
dom is being defended in Ukraine. And Some of you may have seen the mov-
rate, the President and the Democrats
today, we seek Casimir Pulaski’s spirit ing stories last night on ‘‘60 Minutes’’
on Capitol Hill surely understand that and fierce commitment to freedom and of the families with their children, des-
it will not be accepted widely or quiet- human dignity in a historic young perately trying to reach Poland, other
ly. Ukrainian President and in Ukrainian countries nearby so that they can es-
If the President seeks to remove
men and women who are fighting to cape the bonds of Vladimir Putin.
sanctions on Iran, there will be votes.
save their Nation from another would- This strategy is like nothing we have
Democrats who now regret their recent be Russian czar. seen in Europe since World War II. But
vote to protect the Nord Stream 2 I have been in Congress for a few Putin’s war on Ukraine is not simply
Pipeline should think twice before vot- years. Over the weekend, I had an expe- an attack on one young democracy; it
ing to help President Biden ease sanc- rience unique to my service in Con- is an attack on democracy itself.
tions on Iranian entities that engage in gress. I am proud to represent the city of
terrorism, missile proliferation, or Early on Saturday morning, hun- Chicago, prouder still that it is the
human rights abuses. dreds of Members of Congress joined a home of so many immigrants who have
Given Chairman MENENDEZ’s con- video call with Ukrainian President made a difference in that city and in
cerns, I hope and would expect the For- Volodymyr Zelenskyy. I have never America, Polish immigrants and de-
eign Relations Committee will hold seen anything like it. scendants of Polish immigrants. Per
major hearings. But I know this much With the Russian military laying capita, there is a larger number in Chi-
for certain: The next time Republicans siege to his country and a Russian cago than anyplace outside of Warsaw.
control the Senate, vigorous oversight bull’s-eye on his back, President We are also home to many immi-
will take place over the diplomatic Zelenskyy spoke to us with remarkable grants who trace their heritage to the
mess that is unfolding in the Middle dignity and courage. He didn’t mince Baltic States. I happen to be one who
East: the failure to consolidate the his- words about what is happening in does as well.
toric gains of the Abraham Accords; gi- Ukraine—the brutal Russian assaults We have such a long history of
gantic unilateral concessions to the literally trying to destroy his nation. Ukrainian immigrants coming to our
most active state sponsor of terrorism He said we all share the same basic val- city that there is a neighborhood in
in the entire world; pointless capitula- ues and dreams: to live our lives in Chicago called Ukrainian Village.
tion to Iran-backed Houthi terrorists peace, watch our kids grow up, and to Last Friday, I went over to the
that has only yielded even more vio- kiss them. He said the Ukrainian peo- Ukrainian National Museum. It is near
lence in Yemen and increased ballistic ple are fighting for these basic free- their Orthodox church. I take great
missile and drone attacks against doms, and they are prepared to be pride in it. One woman there, who is a
Saudi and Emirati cities. friends and share culture with their Ukrainian artist, had displayed many
It is bad enough that Democrats in Russian neighbors, if they can. of the creations she had made on the
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
Congress have spent months actively But over the last 12 days, his coun- wall. She said to me: They are for sale,
fighting against sufficient funding for try, Ukraine, has faced full-fledged war Senator.
our national defense and our Armed with barbaric attacks on kinder- And I said: Well, I am glad to know
Forces, but these dynamics are made gartens, nuclear powerplants, apart- that.
even more dangerous by a White House ment buildings, infrastructure, and in- And she said: All the proceeds are
that is actively choosing weakness in nocent civilians. going to the Ukrainian Army.
the Middle East. Last Thursday, Russia and Ukraine Naturally, I left with one under my
I suggest the absence of a quorum. agreed to create humanitarian cor- arm.
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March 7, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1003
Putin’s war on Ukraine and the wave Many of them also seem willing to con- venia, and so many other countries,
of refugees pouring into Poland and sider a ban on Russian oil. and people who have been Americans
other neighboring nations hits home in Vladimir Putin is threatening not for generations—who were standing to-
Chicago. People from all backgrounds only the security of Ukraine; he is gether to say: This cannot stand. We
are donating money and goods—what- threatening the security of the world. had a prayer vigil and a demonstration.
ever they can—to help. We must not even indirectly fund his The prayer vigil was in a huge church,
Meest-Karpaty is a Chicago-area war machine. While Putin wages war but it was an overflow crowd pouring
shipping company with experience in on democracy, the world, including the out into the streets.
Eastern Europe. For 7 days now, the United States, will likely pay more to Yesterday, I came to Washington to
company’s shipping facility on the fill our tanks at the gas stations and join such a rally. It was in front of the
Northwest Side of Chicago has been an heat our homes. We have to be ready White House, and again it included so
operations center for an incredible vol- for that reality, but that is the price many Ukrainians, including from Ohio,
unteer effort to rush critical supplies today of defending freedom and democ- but so many others as well. The ral-
to Ukraine. People and companies are racy. The Ukrainians are paying with lying cry was: We are all Ukrainians
dropping off supplies of first aid equip- their lives. We may end up paying some today because we all believe in democ-
ment, non-perishable food, diapers, and more at the pump. racy and freedom and the right for a
basic essentials: warm clothes, sleeping Amid all this utterly outrageous and country to chart its own course and for
bags, tents, flashlights. unnecessary suffering and destruction, people to be independent and free. We
Scores of volunteers assemble the do- all to assuage Vladimir Putin’s warped had rabbis there; we had ministers
nations into first aid kits and baby sense of grievance and his twisted nos- there; we had clergy there from four or
kits—whatever is needed. They pack talgia for the dark days of the Russian five different denominations—again,
the donations in the boxes that will be Empire, President Zelenskyy ended his praying for the people of Ukraine.
flown and delivered to the Polish bor- talk with us on Saturday morning on a We were all standing together, hop-
der, where more volunteers deliver memorable note. He said we are all one ing that through joint action, we can
them to Ukrainians who need them. big, undefeatable army for freedom and help during these dark days for the
People are doing everything they can that we should all live in peace and people of Ukraine. We prayed for pro-
to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom openness and, despite the horrors in- tection for those in harm’s way, of
and democracy. flicted on his people, we must hold on course. We prayed for the courageous
Andriy Herha is a banking executive Ukrainian troops, some of whom are ci-
to our humanity.
from Oak Brook, IL, who was born in vilian soldiers who have just joined the
He was a standup comedian at one
Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv. His dad, armed forces for the first time. Some
point. He did a movie, which was a
in-laws, cousins, friends—they are still are seasoned professional soldiers, and
spoof on someone as unlikely as him-
there in Ukraine. In one day last week, we prayed for their protection—all of
self being elected President. Lo and be-
he raised $40,000, personally, to buy
hold, in the next free election, he was them.
bulletproof vests, helmets, first aid We asked for God’s wisdom and bless-
elected President of the country.
kits, and other supplies. When he ing on the duly-elected Government of
Many people questioned whether he
learned that it would take weeks for Ukraine—again, duly-elected. We
was up to the job. Boy, his detractors
the supplies to reach those who needed prayed for strength and resolve for
are very quiet now. This man has
them, he decided to pack them into President Zelenskyy and for his protec-
risked his life for his country, as so
suitcases and board a flight to Poland tion. He has been amazing. He has been
many are in Ukraine. It is time for us
and deliver them himself. As Andriy
to stand behind Ukraine solidly—sol- resolute and courageous, and he has
Herha told a reporter, ‘‘we are trying
idly for their leadership. shown the Ukrainian people that the
to do anything possible to help them.’’
We in this Senate must also do what I hope this crisis ends soon. Until way forward was just to stand up to
we can to help Ukraine in its fight for then, the United States and the rest of these barbarous acts.
the civilized world must stand with If you care about America, you
freedom and democracy. Last week, I
Ukraine for freedom and democracy. should care about Ukraine. Every free-
led more than 40 Senators—both par-
I yield the floor. dom-loving country should care be-
ties, Democrats and Republicans—in
I suggest the absence of a quorum. cause in Ukraine today is where the
asking President Biden to extend tem-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The fight for freedom is being waged. It is
porary protected status to the 75,000
Ukrainians who are currently in the clerk will call the roll. not just about Ukraine; it is also about
United States, including on student The legislative clerk proceeded to the rest of the countries in Eastern Eu-
and work visas. On Thursday, as I knew call the roll. rope, of course—Latvia, Estonia, Lith-
he would, the President responded fa- Mr. PORTMAN. Madam President, I uania, Poland, Romania, Hungary,
vorably. He is granting that protec- ask unanimous consent that the order those countries. But it is also about
tion. for the quorum call be rescinded. the entire world, isn’t it? It is about,
Congress should also act without The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without can an authoritarian government step
delay to approve $10 billion this week objection, it is so ordered. into a free, independent government
in emergency aid to assist Ukraine and Mr. PORTMAN. Madam President, I and take over territory and kill its
bolster our NATO allies, as well as sup- come to the Senate floor today to once citizens?
port neighboring nations like Poland again talk about the crisis in Ukraine By the way, Ukraine wants nothing
and Moldova that are providing safe and what we can do here to help. but to live in peace. They are not look-
havens to the refugees. Night has fallen in Ukraine and in ing to attack anybody. They just want
And after listening to President Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other cities and to be able to lead a life where they can,
Zelenskyy on Saturday, I thought to towns. All through Ukraine, the bomb- in peace, pursue their dreams.
myself: How can we possibly be import- ing continues, the bombardment—artil- Just today, during the negotiations
ing Russian oil and gas, giving the lery shells, missiles. Thousands of in- between the Ukrainian Government
profits of those transactions to Vladi- nocent Ukrainians have already lost and the Russian Government, the Rus-
mir Putin to pay for his war machine? their lives. We cannot let this stand. sian Federation, the Russians said that
I believe now—and I have cospon- We need to work with our allies to stop they would only allow humanitarian
sored the legislation that reaches this these atrocities. corridors to go from these cities that
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
goal—that the United States should By the way, all over the country, they are bombing, where they are kill-
ban the purchase of Russian oil to fur- people are standing up and speaking ing civilians—they would only allow
ther tighten economic pressure on out. humanitarian corridors to go into Rus-
Putin. I joined in the legislation intro- A week ago Sunday, I was in Ohio sia or into Belarus. Think about that
duced by Senators Murkowski and with a thousand people—mostly for a minute. Innocent Ukrainian
Manchin to do that. Ukrainians, Americans of Ukrainian women and children who are fleeing
Secretary of State Antony Blinken descent, but also people from every- the violence savagely and illegally
was talking with our NATO allies. place: Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slo- brought on by Belarus and by Russia
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S1004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2022
are told: You can leave, but you will be purchase more advanced aircraft over Now is the time not to shirk our re-
forced to go to the land of your en- time. sponsibilities, but to step forward and
emies. You are forced to go only to Let’s make this happen. Let’s not say help any way we can shoulder to shoul-
Belarus or Russia, the countries that we have to go through a long, bureau- der with the people of Ukraine.
are killing you and your family. cratic process. Let’s be creative here. They are defending their homeland
That doesn’t sound like peace talks They need these planes now. They fiercely. They have already denied
to me. needed them yesterday. This will help President Putin his early goals. He has
There have been numerous recorded to stop some of the atrocities we severely underestimated the power of
war crimes in this assault on Ukraine. talked about. Think of that column, freedom and the power of the Ukrain-
One is the way they are dealing with miles and miles of armored vehicles ian people; there is no question about
these civilians, obviously. President and tanks heading towards Kyiv to kill that. But in Congress, we can and
Putin and his generals and his officials more civilians. Some airpower would should do more. And the international
must be held accountable. The Russian be very helpful right now. community must do more to hold Rus-
Federation’s deliberate targeting of ci- And there are other capabilities such sia accountable.
vilians is the most obvious example, as communications gear, drones that I say to the Russian commanders in
but there are so many—the bombing of can provide intelligence and surveil- the field and to the officials in Moscow:
a nuclear powerplant. lance and ammunition, all of it should There is another choice. Stop this
It is now documented that yester- be moving quickly into Ukraine. And I atrocity. Refuse the orders to kill inno-
day—yesterday and into this morn- applaud the administration for what cent neighbors. Stop this atrocity that
ing—Russians shelled Ukrainian citi- they have done, but we have got to do has already taken the lives of thou-
zens who were fleeing the siege of more. sands of innocent civilians—men,
Mariupol while they were transiting We have all seen these horrible im- women, and children—who want noth-
through a negotiated humanitarian ages on our television sets, families ing other than to live in peace.
withdrawal corridor—a corridor that torn apart, the ravages of a needless I say to those commanders and these
was established for them to escape. war, the deliberate intentional tar- officials: The world is watching. The
They were shelled by Russian combat geting of civilians by rockets, even war crimes are being recorded. You
forces—civilians—because Russians did cluster munitions. have a choice.
not keep their word to allow for a hu- By providing lethal and humani-
Here in Congress, we can do more to
manitarian escape corridor in the be- tarian assistance to Ukraine, the U.S.
tighten the sanctions. We can do more
sieged southern port city of Mariupol. sends a strong message: We stand for
to provide more military assistance to
Hundreds of thousands of people re- freedom, and we stand with freedom-
Ukraine. There is bipartisan agreement
main trapped without food and water, loving countries.
on so much of this, including the need
under regular bombardments. I commend the administration for
to cut off the funding that is going to
Again, this is a tragedy on a scale some of the steps they have taken, as I
the Putin economy and his war ma-
difficult to comprehend. That is why it say, but we have got to do more.
I appreciate that we have sanctioned chine. One example of this, but one im-
is so important to show our support
Russian banks, Russian elites, placed portant one, is not to buy Russian oil
with actions, not just words.
limits on high-tech commerce, Russia’s and send blood money to Russia. Why
A number of my colleagues and I
ability to do business in dollars. That would we be importing Russian oil,
spoke to President Zelenskyy this
is all good. The Treasury Department sending Russia $40, $50 million a day?
weekend. It was emotional, and it was
has imposed sanctions on economic That makes no sense.
inspiring. He pleaded for our assistance
to help his people, and he told us he measures to target the core infrastruc- Let’s use our natural resources here
needs defensive weaponry, like fighter ture of Russia and more than 50 per- in North America. We have the re-
planes and drones, desperately. cent of the total banking system of sources here. We should not be depend-
After the call, I led a bipartisan let- Russia, which will have devastating ent on the Russian oil. We should not
ter to President Biden with my col- economic effects over time. be sending them this blood money.
league from New Hampshire, Senator But let’s put all the banks into that By the way, there is bipartisan agree-
JEANNE SHAHEEN. We repeated what we system. Let’s do everything we can to ment on this. Last week, I joined legis-
had called for over the last several tighten the noose on the Putin econ- lation with Republicans and Democrats
days, which is to help Ukraine be able omy. alike, equal number, with Senator
to get what they need, which is more Some have asked me: Why does what MURKOWSKI and Senator MANCHIN, to
air power. is happening in Ukraine matter? I was do just that.
Our Eastern European allies, includ- home this weekend, and a lot of posi- We need to stop all Russian banks
ing Poland, Bulgaria, and Slovakia, tive response, but people were also say- from their access to the international
have older, Soviet-era aircraft, such as ing: Ukraine is a long way away, why banking system—not some; all. I com-
the MiG–29 and the Su-25, that they are does it matter so much? mend the administration’s sanctioning
willing to provide to Ukraine, but they I would say that this is where, in our of Russian oligarchs and wealthy citi-
would like to have an agreement with generation, in our time, the cause of zens, but we need to do more. We need
the United States that they can back- freedom is being defended. This is to move from freezing assets to seizing
fill over time by purchasing advanced where, in our generation, in our time, assets. We can do that. Other countries
fighters, such as F–16s. we must protect those who wish to have done it. By the way, Germany has
By the way, the Poles, as an example, chart their own course, protect their done it. France has done it. We should
already have F–16s, but they already sovereign independent country. And be out front as Americans and not just
have these older MiGs that they are this is where we are being tested—not freezing but seizing. By the way, those
willing to provide. just the United States, but our allies assets that we seize should go to the
This seems like a win-win for every- and all freedom-loving people around people of Ukraine to help with the hu-
body—for Ukraine certainly but also the world. manitarian effort that is underway.
for Poland to improve their defensive When the people of Ukraine chose to Right now, our friends in Ukraine
posture in the wake of what is going on get rid of a corrupt Russian-backed need our help. Right now. Immediately.
in Ukraine. government 8 years ago—for a second Yesterday. They can’t wait. We have
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
The Soviet aircraft are compatible time, by the way—they chose freedom an emergency supplemental bill we are
with the Ukrainian Air Force. Their pi- over tyranny. They chose democracy working on here in Congress. Let’s get
lots have the requisite training to op- over authoritarianism. They chose to it done. Let’s do it outside of the omni-
erate them. ensure that the people of Ukraine bus or the CR or anything else. We
Again, we have been told they are would have the ability to be free and know what needs to be done. Let’s not
willing to donate these aircraft when independent. That is what we freedom- wait. Let’s not dither. The shells are
they are provided these assurances and loving countries of the world proclaim flying tonight, raining upon the cities
a roadmap, that they will be allowed to every day. of Ukraine and its people.
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March 7, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1005
We cannot let this call to action go Well, we have had the same corpora- hours. It increases depression and decreases
unanswered. We cannot let the Ukrain- tions for years and years. Inflation has productivity in about half of my psychiatric
ian people continue to be at the mercy been low, but now still going higher patients.
of a tyrannical dictator. We cannot sit and higher. In other words, he is having problems
by and watch as innocent civilians are And the last reason that this admin- when the sun goes down, basically be-
being killed. In the West, in America, istration said inflation is going up is cause people can’t get outside. These
we must stand up—all of us—for free- because of war, and there is probably messages make important points, and I
dom. The world is watching. Our allies something to that. Obviously, we have couldn’t agree more. That is why I co-
are watching. Our adversaries are got an energy crisis in this country, sponsored Senator RUBIO’s bill, the
watching. and everything runs off of energy. Sunshine Protection Act, which would
We must show the world that Amer- But one thing this administration make daylight saving time permanent.
ica does stand for freedom, and we didn’t tell us was they didn’t blame it That would mean an extra hour of sun-
stand with Ukraine. on the trillions of dollars that we basi- light during the dark and cold winter
God bless Ukraine. Or as the Ukrain- cally have taken and thrown out of hel- months.
ian people say: Glory to Ukraine, glory icopters all over this country. We have And ahead of this weekend, when we
to the heroes. Slava Ukraini, heroyam got more money now, 36 percent more start daylight saving time this coming
slava. money in circulation than we had 2 Sunday, I want to take a moment to
I yield the floor. years ago in this country, and we have discuss the many reasons why we
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. less goods. And that is when you have should do away with the outdated prac-
HICKENLOOPER). The Senator from Ala- inflationary prices that creep up. tice of springing forward and falling
bama. But we have got to get control of our back.
Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, be- Daylight saving time should be a
energy crisis. If we don’t do that, then
fore I start my speech today on an- thing of the past, because it literally
the economy is not going to have a
other topic, I want to take just a mo- is. Introduced as a temporary measure
chance. That is the bottom line. That
ment to discuss what is on all of our during World War I, daylight saving
is the basics of the economy. Our farm-
hearts across the country and across time was originally called ‘‘wartime,’’
ers are getting killed with planting as
the world, that we should be praying and it was a way to help conserve fuel
we speak. They are in the fields paying
for the Ukrainian people. We have got and better utilize resources.
more and more every day for their fuel. Following the end of World War I, the
a mess in Ukraine. Small businesses are struggling with
A lot of us have been to Ukraine over 1918 Standard Time Act was enacted
rates that are climbing at double and that discontinued daylight saving time
the last few months. We have made triple the rates in terms of being
friends. I went over and met with the nationally, but individual States con-
shipped their goods, and they are hav- tinued to spring forward and fall back.
President a few months ago and a lot of ing to pay the price for that. And then Then, during World War II, there was
his staff—and what good people. But the price goes up, and the American a renewed Federal push for full-time
they told us then that they needed consumer pays that much more. daylight saving time, which then was
help. And for some reason, this admin- So we have got a problem, and we repealed in 1945. Finally, in 1966, Con-
istration decided to drag its feet and better get control of that in the very gress passed legislation to set a na-
tried to talk its way out of it. near future, or our economy is going to
Sometimes, when you try to talk tional standard time.
continue to go down and continue to All this to say, changes to our clocks
your way out of it instead of putting get in debt. might have made sense when it first
facts in front of you, you have prob- So we have got those two problems, began, but it certainly doesn’t now.
lems. Well, we have had real problems. one at home and one on the road. It is In fact, as recently has 2005, Congress
President Putin, who is a murderous a road game in Ukraine; and, hopefully, moved the start of the date of daylight
tyrant, thought this was going to be we can help out the Ukrainian people, saving time 1 month earlier in the
easy. He didn’t realize that the people give them what they need to continue spring and 1 month later in the fall.
of Ukraine were going to stand up and to fight. But as we watch television This change was implemented in 2007,
fight for their country. And they have each day, they continue to lose ground giving us the ratio of daylight saving
done just that. They have lost many each day. But they are going to fight time that we have now—8 months to 4
lives, Ukrainian soldiers, men and for what they believe in, and that is months.
women, and also many, many citizens, their freedom. The ways we consume energy have
but it has made NATO stronger. Putin DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME dramatically changed since the begin-
never thought that would happen. Mr. President, my topic today, ning of World War I. What started as
So as I said earlier, I think that we though, is—I think it is something that an energy saver now just does not
all should remember every day and we need to listen to from people across make sense for these modern times. To
every night our prayers will go out to this country. It is not war. It is not in- turn the clocks back each year is a nui-
the Ukrainians, and, hopefully, in the flation. It has something to do with sance and not smart policy.
near future, we can all come to some basic life here in this country. To be You know, kids get out of school and
kind of consensus of what works best their voice, I am advocating on the the Sun is starting to set. Families in
and that President Putin will come to people’s behalf of this country. their kitchen are cooking dinner, and
his senses and call this off. So let me read you a little bit about it seems more like a bedtime dinner.
INFLATION Weekends have less sunlight hours,
something that comes from my people
Mr. President, the other thing I want in Alabama. A constituent from limiting the amount of time folks of
to talk about real quickly is rising Talladega County writes: all ages can spend enjoying the out-
prices, inflation. I was back in my Daylight savings time year-round means doors.
home State of Alabama this week, and the elderly, like myself, will be able to be Additionally, reduced levels of sun-
prices are at historic highs and getting more active in early evenings. light are known to disrupt the body’s
higher every day. But we were told by Another from Mobile writes: internal clock, which regulates sleep
this administration that inflation was Please try and do whatever is necessary to and alertness. It is no wonder that
transitory. We heard that all last year. have daylight savings time permanent in the cases of SAD, S-A-D, or seasonal affec-
The definition of transitory: not for State of Alabama and our country. Everyone tive disorder, are much more common
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
long. Well, they were very wrong on I know and everyone that I talk to, they in the winter months than they are in
that. want more daylight in the evening. the spring.
They also said inflation was due to And this is from a mental health pro- And for our farmers, longer days
COVID. Well, COVID is not gone, but it fessional: mean more time to work in the fields
has died down, and inflation is getting I am writing to let you know of the nega- under sunlight, which translates to a
higher. tive effects of my population of having the more profitable bottom line.
We were told by this administration time change the way it does in November to- From an economic perspective, the
that it was due to corporate greed. wards an earlier sundown, less daylight time change costs the U.S. economy an
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S1006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2022
estimated $430 million annually when today I reiterate my call for the ad- better to prepare now than play catch-
accounting for lost productivity in the ministration to explore how to ensure up later. We should have learned our
change of sleep. the Ukrainians have the capabilities lesson a long time ago, but now we are,
That is why Alabama, along with 17 they need. hopefully.
other States, have passed legislation or I also spoke with the administration I have been strongly urging my col-
resolutions to flip the switch on this yesterday and was told they are look- leagues to get a deal done on COVID.
outdated practice, permanently in- ing closely at imposing a ban on Rus- Failure to act is not an acceptable out-
creasing our daylight hours. sian oil. come.
However, for the will of the States to Meanwhile, there are other steps H.R. 3076
be enacted, the Federal Government— Congress can take in the coming days Mr. President, another issue this
this body, this building—has to get in- to support the Ukrainian people. Above week is postal reform. This week, the
volved. The 1966 law must be changed, all, we must finalize a more than $12 Senate is going to put the finishing
and the Sunshine Protection Act does billion emergency aid package to be in- touches on a bipartisan accomplish-
just that. cluded in the upcoming omnibus spend- ment weeks, months, and, in fact,
The Sunshine Protection Act makes ing bill. This emergency aid will pro- years in the making: comprehensive
sense from a health and economic per- vide both humanitarian and military postal reform legislation.
spective, and it is just common sense. assistance for Ukraine—funding for ref- Six days a week, the U.S. Postal
It is time we passed the Sunshine Pro- ugees, medical supplies, emergency Service processes an average of 167 mil-
tection Act. Let’s give Americans food supplies, as well as funding to sup- lion pieces of first-class mail. It em-
something to celebrate: longer days port weapon transfers into Ukraine and ploys nearly half a million people. It
and more sunshine. help our eastern flank NATO allies. has been a fixture of our country since
I suggest the absence of a quorum. The clearest signal Congress can send the very beginning, since Benjamin
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The to Vladimir Putin this week is passing Franklin. But over the last decade, the
clerk will call the roll. a bipartisan aid package, leaving no post office has been in serious need of
The senior assistant legislative clerk doubt that the democratic nations of reform. Everyone knows the frustra-
proceeded to call the roll. the world stand with Ukraine and tion of waiting weeks for a package to
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask against Putin’s deeply immoral and come in the mail. So this week, the
unanimous consent that the order for bloody war. Senate is finally passing legislation
the quorum call be rescinded. And again—let me say it again. The that will deliver for the post office the
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without quickest—the quickest—way to secure long-overdue reforms it has been wait-
objection, it is so ordered. an emergency aid package for Ukraine ing for.
RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER
is through the omnibus, and I believe The fact that this bill has extraor-
The majority leader is recognized. both sides are close—very close—to ar- dinary bipartisan support is indicative
riving at an agreement. of its importance, and I am glad that
TRIBUTE TO BEN RAY LUJÁN
CORONAVIRUS both sides have negotiated in good
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, well, Now, on COVID aid, at the same faith thus far. I want to particularly
let me start off with some great news. time, there is another important mat- thank Chairman PETERS and Ranking
When we vote later today, all of us will ter that Congress must address in the Member PORTMAN for making sure this
be able to say these four wonderful spending bill: additional COVID relief legislation has kept moving over the
words: Senator LUJÁN, welcome back. aid, which the administration has wise- past few weeks.
He is not on the floor right now, but, ly urged Congress to approve. For generations, the post office has
BEN RAY, it was great to see you back The Federal Government has com- delivered for America, and now Con-
here in this Capitol last week. It was pletely exhausted all the public health gress is delivering for the post office.
great to see you today. We have missed funding approved last year as part of By passing postal reform legislation,
you. We are thrilled to have you back the American Rescue Plan. That means we can ensure that Americans will con-
on the job. We admire your strength that to prepare for future variants, tinue to benefit from a speedy, depend-
and your courage and your fortitude— more Federal funding is needed now. able, and well-run post office, just as
your quiet strength. Across the country, thank God, we we have for our entire history.
UKRAINE have seen signs that the United States COSTS
Mr. President, now, over the week- is turning the corner on COVID. Mr. President, now on costs, a few
end, Members from both the House and Schools are open. Mask guidelines are weeks ago, a Member of the Republican
Senate met virtually with Ukrainian being reversed. Vaccinations have sur- leadership released a platform that
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and passed 216 million Americans. And last proposed raising taxes on tens of mil-
we reemphasized Congress’s strong and Friday, we learned that more than 7 lions of Americans, focused on fanning
unwavering commitment to providing million jobs have now been created the flames of division, and zeroed in on
robust and ample assistance to his since President Biden took office. This proposals that failed to address the big-
country in this time of war. is all great news. Cases are falling, un- gest problems of our time.
I told the Ukrainian President he was employment is falling, and the country Today, a new analysis found that a
an inspiration to Americans, and I as- is on the right track. But experience plan like that from the junior Senator
sured him that his pleas for help will has taught us that new variants can of Florida could raise taxes on many
not go unanswered. come back with a vengeance if—if—we American families by more than $1,000
In particular, President Zelenskyy aren’t ready. in 2022 alone. Democrats don’t think
made a desperate plea for getting East- The administration has been clear: If that we should be raising taxes on
ern European countries to provide Rus- we want schools to stay open, if we working Americans as we recover from
sian-made planes to Ukraine. I strong- want to preserve as much of normal COVID. In fact, we are working to
ly support the President’s request, and life as possible when another variant make sure Americans have more
yesterday I called on the administra- arises—and the odds are quite high money, not less, in their pockets.
tion to explore all feasible options to that one will—Congress must pass ad- So, today, I sent my colleagues a let-
getting these fighter aircraft to ditional COVID funding now, not later. ter outlining how Democrats will keep
Ukraine. These planes are very much We have to have it ready. We have to a laser focus over the next few months
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
needed, Ukrainian forces are familiar have the therapeutics ready. We have on cutting costs, building upon historic
with them, and they will very much to have the testing ready. We have to job growth, and finding bipartisan
help in countering the Russians, espe- have the vaccines ready. We can’t wait ways to help everyday Americans make
cially as Putin massacres—massacres— 2, 3 months after the variant hits to de- ends meet. Democrats are the party of-
civilians in Ukraine. bate this issue and then allocate the fering ideas for how to combat infla-
Democrats and Republicans broadly money and then production starts. tion that is being felt around the world
agree that this is a necessary step That would be terrible for the country. because of COVID. Democrats are tak-
against Russia’s illegal invasion, and It will be too little too late. It is far ing aim at capping insulin prices to $35
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March 7, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1007
a month, while making prescription Russia has waged an unmistakable they are able to reach an agreement
drugs much, much cheaper. war on a sovereign democracy. It has before the funding deadline this Fri-
Democrats are working to repair sup- targeted civilian areas and brought im- day.
ply chain bottlenecks that are hurting measurable destruction to Ukraine, While short-term bills are better
businesses, including in our seaports. and it continues to threaten further than government shutdowns, they only
And Democrats are zeroing in on poli- death and destruction outside and be- hamper our ability to plan for the fu-
cies to combat price hikes at the gro- yond Ukraine, even rattling its nuclear ture. Our military leadership needs a
cery store, including meat prices, saber at the heart of Europe. predictable budget in order to prepare
which the President noted last week. Yes, we have a moral duty to support for the many threats we are experi-
This week, our caucus will hold our the Ukrainian people as they defend encing now and those that are on the
annual DPCC retreat, where we will go their sovereignty in their beloved horizon. That was true before Russia
over our proposals in greater detail. I country. So far, the United States has invaded Ukraine, and it is absolutely
want to compliment Senator STABENOW provided military, humanitarian, and critical now.
for putting this retreat together, and I economic assistance for Ukraine. These In a recent Washington Post op-ed,
encourage all of my colleagues to re- resources have been critical in the former Defense Secretary and CIA Di-
view my letter so we can all continue fight so far. rector Robert Gates wrote about the
our work of lowering costs for the The United States and our allies have need for ‘‘a new American strategy’’ to
American people. also imposed harsh sanctions on Rus- safeguard security interests. That in-
I yield the floor. sia’s economy, sending its currency cludes predictable funding, strong alli-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- into a downward spiral. This has, no ances, new technologies, and reforms
ator from Texas. doubt, made life harder for the Russian within the Pentagon. Bureaucracy and
UKRAINE
people, with whom we have no quarrel, redtape come with a lot of overhead,
Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, Russia’s but we should continue to use every and those dollars would better be spent
brutal and unprovoked attack on tool at our disposal to impose costs on on advanced technologies and equip-
Ukraine intensified over this last Vladimir Putin for his aggression in ment. As former Secretary Gates said,
weekend, bringing even more death and the hope that his own people will even- ‘‘Our executive and legislative
destruction to the Ukrainian people tually rise up and say ‘‘enough.’’ branches must understand the new
and more uncertainty to the rest of the Many businesses have suspended op- world we live in, set aside business as
world. It appears that Russia is now erations in Russia, inflicting even more usual and embrace dramatic change to
targeting noncombatant evacuation economic pain on the Kremlin. I am en- ensure that we and our democratic al-
routes—the latest blatant war crime couraged by the global response so far, lies prevail in that contest.’’
and a clear escalation following tar- but we need to do more. Investments and reforms in our na-
geted attacks on civilians. This is a seminal moment in Amer- tional defense will be critical to Amer-
Russian forces fired on civilians as
ican history and in human history, ica’s security for years to come, but
they fled for their lives, killing a
reminiscent of events most Americans there are immediate steps we should
mother, her two children, and a family
today only know about from their his- take to increase the cost of this
friend. Over the last couple of weeks,
tory books and wars fought by our par- unprovoked war by Russia.
hundreds of Ukrainians have been
ents and grandparents. After this ex- The United States and our allies have
killed, and countless others have been
tended holiday from history, the imposed crippling sanctions on Russian
wounded. More than 11⁄2 million people
United States must now take every banks and oligarchs, but the country’s
have fled the country, making it the
fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe possible step to stop this war by all lucrative oil and gas industry remains
since World War II. available means. virtually untouched. Russia continues
Through the immense suffering Rus- This week, I expect the Senate to to export energy to the rest of the
sia has inflicted, the bravery and re- vote on an emergency funding bill to world. In fact, many parts of Europe
solve of the Ukrainian people has send even more resources to the fight are completely dependent on Russian
shown bright. The world has been awe- in Ukraine. The White House has re- energy exports, and Putin is happy to
struck at the courage of teachers, ar- quested $10 billion in military and hu- use the revenue that he generates from
chitects, grandmothers, Ukrainians manitarian assistance, and there is those sales to sustain the attack on
from all walks of life who have taken strong bipartisan understanding that Ukrainian civilians.
up arms in defense of their democracy. we need to move that quickly, as we The embarrassing truth is that the
We have all been moved by the lead- just heard from the majority leader. United States is one of Russia’s cus-
ership of President Zelenskyy, who is The traditionally slow pace of legisla- tomers. We cannot continue to supply
fighting alongside of his fellow Ukrain- tion won’t cut it. Russia with the blood money they get
ians while pleading with the rest of the This is a reminder of the importance from their exports to the United
world to take action. We have admired of not only preserving but growing our States. That is why there is strong bi-
the strength of those who were forced military strength. Authoritarian lead- partisan support for a ban on Russian
to say goodbye to loved ones, abandon ers like Putin, Kim Jong Un, President oil imports.
their homes, and search for safety be- Xi, and Iran’s Supreme Leader are I am proud to be a cosponsor of legis-
yond Ukraine’s borders. watching this test of the free world’s lation that was introduced by our
People around the world have rallied resolve. friend from Kansas, Senator MAR-
around Ukraine, offering support in Our Democratic colleagues have con- SHALL, to ban the purchase of Russian
ways big and small. Families across sistently fought to shift funds from our oil in the United States.
Europe are welcoming refugees into national defense to domestic programs. We have the great fortune of living in
their homes. People around the world When the case of inflation is accounted a resource-rich country, and there is no
have organized fundraisers and dona- for, President Biden’s first budget pro- reason why we should rely on anyone
tion drives to get food, blankets, first- posed an actual decrease in defense else—let alone a power-hungry dic-
aid kits, and other critical supplies spending. We need to turn that around, tator—for our basic energy needs.
into the hands of the Ukrainians. especially in light of recent develop- Putin’s aggression has lit a fire under
People all over the free world have ments. the United States and our allies, and
cheered on and generously supported The war in Ukraine has proven that a we need to take concrete steps to end
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
Ukraine at this critical moment, but well-funded and well-prepared military our reliance on foreign oil and continue
now it is time for Congress to act. isn’t a luxury; it is a necessity. Ger- our pursuit of energy independence, at
Since Ukraine is not a member of the many’s dramatic reversal on defense the same time making sure that our
North Atlantic Treaty Organization, spending illustrates how clear this friends and allies around the world
we have no legal obligation to support point has now become. Our colleagues have access to more than just one
its fight against Russia, but we do have on the Appropriations Committee are choice when it comes to their energy
a moral obligation to help them defend still working through the details of an needs. Again, we need to take that
themselves. omnibus appropriations bill, and I hope noose out of the hand of Vladimir
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S1008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2022
Putin when it comes to dissuading grows even higher and spreads to other It can be hard to get an idea of
these countries that are dependent on countries outside of Ukraine. whether typical students feel free to
Russia. We need to give them more I yield the floor. speak their minds in the university en-
choices and the freedom to make those I would suggest the absence of a vironment. So last spring, the Iowa
choices. quorum. legislature passed a bill strengthening
Strangely, there are media reports The PRESIDING OFFICER. The free speech across our State’s edu-
today the administration is consid- clerk will call the roll. cation system. In part, this bill was
ering easing sanctions on Venezuelan The senior assistant legislative clerk meant to find out how big a problem
oil to compensate for what nations im- proceeded to call the roll. the restraint of free expression is at
port from Russia. But I have to ask, Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask
our State’s public universities. Last
why on Earth would we trade one oil- unanimous consent that the order for
month, that led to the results of a sur-
the quorum call be rescinded.
rich dictator for another? vey of 17,000 students in Iowa’s public
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
Instead, here is a novel concept per- universities. The results raised serious
objection, it is so ordered.
haps the administration would con- concerns.
IOWA
sider: Why don’t we boost our own pro- Now, get this: Fewer than half of the
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, on
duction from here in the United States employees thought that their univer-
Saturday, deadly tornadoes swept
and sell it across the globe? sities allowed them to say what they
It is truly shocking that this admin- through Iowa, destroying homes,
parks, and leaving over 10,000 people believed. A third of the students
istration is so against and so opposed thought that their institutions
without power.
to American oil and gas that they ‘‘hinder[ed] free speech.’’ A quarter of
The communities most affected are
would rather make it easier to buy oil the students didn’t even think that
Winterset, IA, and Chariton, IA, but
from the Maduro regime than from other communities as well. Tragically, their campuses provided an ‘‘environ-
here at home in America. It is simply seven people—five adults and two chil- ment for [the] free and open expression
unfathomable and inexcusable. Energy dren—died, and many people have been of ideas.’’
security is something we have taken affected because of this severe weather. A university that can’t meet that
for granted here in the United States— This is the deadliest tornado in our basic bar is missing the whole purpose
so has Germany and so has Europe. But State in 15 years. The one 15 years ago of a college or university. You have
now they are learning that there are came close to my hometown of New heard me say my definition of a ‘‘uni-
bitter lessons to be learned from that Hartford, IA, and the adjoining com- versity’’ is one wherein controversy
dependency on imports from a country munity of Parkersburg, IA, and 13 peo- ought to run rampant. Thankfully, the
like the Russian Federation. We simply ple lost their lives that time. bill that passed the Iowa legislature
cannot ignore the fact that energy se- So, with today’s incident, as families, takes action to solve the issue that I
curity is national security, and we businesses, and communities continue just described.
can’t ignore the grave risks that ac- to assess the damage and clean up from This semester, students across the
company our reliance on foreign oil for these storms, I want Iowans to know State have begun taking a course to in-
our most basic needs or those of our al- that I have talked to the Department still in them the value of free speech.
lies. of Homeland Security’s Secretary The goal is to ensure that students and
Over the last couple of weeks, people Mayorkas about these tornadoes. He faculty understand the value of the
around the world have rallied in sup- has been assuring that wherever the First Amendment: freedom of speech.
port of the people of Ukraine. In ways Federal Government has authority to The course emphasizes respect for an-
big and small, the global community help, they will step in and do that. I other’s speech and its impact both in
has sent an unmistakable message that have also reached out to FEMA, the and out of the classroom.
Russia’s attack on the sovereignty of State of Iowa, and affected commu-
Ukraine will not be tolerated. It is I am hopeful that this will start to
nities. I will do everything I can at the steer us in the right direction in not
time for Congress to step up to the Federal level to assist.
plate and provide even more support to only my State of Iowa; I hope it has
Unfortunately, Iowa is no stranger to
our friends in that country. some impact across the country, be-
tornadoes and natural disasters. Once
As I said, we may not have a legal ob- cause letting students speak their
again, I am encouraged by the stories I
ligation, but we do have a moral obli- hear from neighbors of strangers help- minds is central to the idea of a liberal
gation to supply Ukrainian forces and ing each other and their communities. arts education. Yet the default has in-
civilians with the resources they need Of course, we all know that that is the creasingly become to censor at the
in order to resist Russian aggression. Iowa way: neighbor helping neighbor. drop of a hat, only allowing free speech
That is the task before us this week, These storms take time to recover, and if administrators find blowback.
and I hope we can take strong bipar- I know that we will continue to reach Just look to a case last month here
tisan action that sends an unmistak- out and help our fellow Iowans in need. in Washington, DC, at George Wash-
able message to the world. My thoughts and the thoughts of all ington University. A student put up
I hope we will also consider other Iowans and their prayers go out to posters criticizing having the Olympics
more harsh actions against Russia. For those who lost loved ones and to those in China, given the repressive regime
example, I support our colleagues on whose properties were affected by these there. We know about that repressive
the Finance Committee to strip Russia tornadoes. I also pray for those who regime because we talk about it quite
of its permanent normal trading rela- were hurt and for some who were hos- often as the Chinese Communists deny
tions status. This will place Russia in pitalized in that they will have speedy freedom of religion and other freedoms
the same pariah category as North recoveries. to the Uighur minority. These posters
Korea and Cuba. Iowans are strong and resilient peo- at George Washington University were
The Wall Street Journal made the ple. We will recover, and we will re- well done and well within the main-
point this last week that nothing can build. As Iowa’s Senator, I will be there stream discussion. They speak to the
be the same after the Russian invasion to help in any way needed. concerns that I have myself about what
of Ukraine. There are few seminal FREE SPEECH goes on in China.
points in our life where we remember Now, Mr. President, another matter The university immediately re-
that everything changed thereafter, that I have spoken of on the floor of sponded by tearing them down and say-
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
whether it is September 11, 2001, the as- the U.S. Senate recently and, to some ing the posters were racist. They only
sassination of a President, and now, extent, a few times last year is the reversed themselves when it came out
after this post-Cold War holiday from issue of freedom of speech in our col- that the artist himself—I had better
history, the invasion of another democ- leges. In recent years, I have tried to say himself or herself—was Chinese and
racy in Europe. highlight some of the most ridiculous that the concerns were far from
This is a watershed moment, and the impositions on freedom of speech in unique. I find it hard to believe the
United States must take every possible college, but so many of these cases get university’s namesake would approve
step to stop this war before the cost swept under the rug. of this approach.
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March 7, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1009
Examples like this are why we need Russia is really a great big oil depot ploring domestically. Do it before it is
Iowa’s new free speech course. Hope- with an army, and he knows that much too late.
fully, this example set in my State by of the world is depending on Russian Our mission as Americans has not
our own State legislators is followed oil. He is financing his war with every changed. We have a duty to preserve
elsewhere. Students and administra- single tank of U.S. gas at a time. Every and protect freedom. The sheer avail-
tors alike have forgotten why the First time you pull up to fill up your tank, ability of live footage and photographs
Amendment matters. I am glad to see this is what is happening. As long as flowing out of Ukraine has highlighted
States like Iowa are starting to remind Joe Biden refuses to tear us free from the importance of that mission to pro-
everybody. our entanglement with Russian energy, tect and preserve security.
I yield the floor. he is complicit with every single barrel This isn’t the first time that Putin
I suggest the absence of a quorum. of oil that he buys. has invaded sovereign territory, but it
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Energy is the most powerful eco- is the first time that his crimes have
clerk will call the roll. nomic weapon that Putin has at his been live-streamed for the entire world
The senior assistant legislative clerk disposal. It is his currency. The only to see.
proceeded to call the roll. way to neutralize it is to cut off the And as far as the free world is con-
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Presi- cerned, most of us have correctly iden-
revenue stream. We must sanction the
dent, I ask unanimous consent that the tified the villain, but there are more
Russian energy sector, and we must do
order for the quorum call be rescinded. than a few people out there who need
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. it now. We must end the purchasing of
Russian oil. It is important to our persuading, and it is our job to help
DUCKWORTH). Without objection, it is keep the information flowing.
so ordered. partners in Ukraine and to our own Na-
Early on in the war, Putin launched
tion’s security.
UKRAINE
Last year, Joe Biden made the uni- cyber attacks to destabilize Ukraine
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Presi- and prevent communications with the
lateral decision to destroy energy inde-
dent, like most of my colleagues, I outside world. Through my work on the
spent the weekend monitoring the war pendence in the United States when he
Armed Services Committee, I have sup-
in Ukraine. I took the opportunity to canceled the Keystone Pipeline and
ported funding for domestic programs
join the video conference with Presi- banned new oil and gas leases on Fed-
that would help protect State and local
dent Zelenskyy. I don’t know how any- eral land—that is right.
Colleagues, in January 2021, we were governments here in the United States
one could have hung up from that call from these types of attacks.
confused about Vladimir Putin’s inten- energy independent. We were a net ex-
In the fiscal year 2022 NDAA, we cre-
tions with Ukraine. Indeed, I think we porter of energy. But Joe Biden
ated the Civilian Cyber Security Re-
saw that Vladimir Putin has ill intent changed all that. He decided that by serve Program to make sure that our
for anyone who opposes him. Executive order—not by a vote of the Federal Government can keep up with
What is happening in Ukraine is not House or the Senate but by Executive cyber threats like the ones from Mos-
a ‘‘special military operation,’’ as order—he was going to end energy cow being launched at the Ukrainians,
Putin likes to say; it is an all-out war. independence. So where does that put but when it comes to defending free-
Putin has caused a massive humani- us? It has placed us right into the dom, shoring up our own defenses is
tarian and human rights crisis, and hands of a warmonger who is hellbent not enough. We have to look outward
even though the world is collapsing on recreating the U.S.S.R. And his and prevent the kinds of vulnerabilities
around him, he has given no indication weapon, No. 1 weapon, is energy. He Putin is trying to create.
of pulling back. does indeed think he has got you over Last week, I introduced the Internet
The sanctions imposed by the free the barrel. Freedom and Operations Act with my
world have had a devastating impact Our energy sector needs certainty, colleague Senator MENENDEZ. This leg-
on Russia’s economy. The ruble just not a series of actions based on the islation builds off of the work we did
crashed to a record low. The United President’s political whims, and we together on the Open Technology Fund
States just instituted a ban on Russian should give them that certainty by al- Authorization Act. It would authorize
flights over our airspace. Sports orga- lowing us to move to energy independ- more than $100 million to support pro-
nizations, entertainers, and private ence. grams and circumvention technologies
corporations are all avoiding Russia I implore the President to see reason that keep the internet up and running
like the plague. and to end this dangerously foolish en- in conflict zones and under other re-
If Putin’s goal was to transform Rus- tanglement with Moscow and Russian pressive media environments. We have
sia into another ‘‘hermit kingdom,’’ he oil. successfully used this technology to
is well on his way to making that On that note, I think it should be put control over information back in
dream a reality. The very idea seems made clear to everybody that the an- the hands of the people, right where it
insane, but remember, Vladimir Putin swer is not to go to Venezuela and ne- belongs.
may be a madman, but he is a madman gotiate to buy Venezuelan oil from an- Dictators like Putin suppress dissent
who is very intentional in what he is other madman, and the answer is not for a reason. The truth is that free
doing. He is reading the terrain, and he to have the Russians working as an speech scares them to death. They
sees that the world’s foremost super- intermediary on a new Iran nuclear don’t want it. They want cancel cul-
power is too busy worrying about op- deal, which, by the way, the people of ture—only one point of view, and it is
tics to do the one thing that would this country do not want to be entan- theirs.
send Russia’s economy back to the gled with Iran. From where I am sitting, it is clear
stone age. By the way, we hear they are negoti- that Putin is right to be fearful of the
Putin sent his army to invade ating to buy Iranian oil. This is about resistance in Ukraine and around the
Ukraine on February 24. The Ukrainian the dumbest damn thing I have ever world and especially in his own coun-
people have endured 11 days of sav- heard of. It is amazing. You are going try, as his citizens are taking to the
agery, and we still have not imposed to go do business with Venezuela and streets—thousands protesting, thou-
meaningful sanctions on the Russian with Iran and have the Russians in- sands being arrested—so that they can
energy sector. But now, the entire volved in the middle of that? This is as- push forward with freedom in their
world knows that Putin is using energy tounding. countries.
as a weapon. This weekend, as I talked to Ten- I would encourage my colleagues to
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Russia is now the U.S.’s third largest nesseans, they could not believe that support the freedom fighters in
supplier of crude oil. The European this administration would be stooping Ukraine and elsewhere, support them
Union gets about 40 percent of its gas to such. by signing on to the INFO Act. Again,
imports and more than a quarter of its Sanction Russian energy. Restart the I thank Senator MENENDEZ for his
oil from Russia. We are feeling the pain Keystone Pipeline. Open up capped work on that.
every time we put gas in our cars, but wells. Stop flaring natural gas. Put it We have talked a lot lately about
looking at oil prices is still a bright into the supply chain. Make certain sanctions and Stingers and ammuni-
spot in Putin’s day. that you are drilling domestically, ex- tion, but I would argue that what has
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S1010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2022
rattled Putin the most is how power- one of the Founding Fathers, and this of my constituents, particularly in the
less he is to stop people from speaking. was considered to be a really crucial rural areas—they like getting their
As I mentioned earlier, his war crimes post because the new Postal Service of- mail—and to do it through an inte-
are being broadcast in real time to fered a way for the colonists to talk to grated delivery system of mail and
anybody who has a screen and an inter- each other, to communicate, for Revo- packages together. That, of course,
net connection. lutionary leaders to be able to makes sense. You don’t want separate
Russian citizens are protesting in the strategize with each other outside of systems going out for packages and for
streets against the Russian Govern- the official British channels. mail. That is what they do now, so this
ment. His struggling military is the So the post office has that rich his- is really just restating the status quo,
subject of intense ridicule on every dig- tory, and it continues to bind us today. and that is very important. For some
ital platform. It is a propagandist’s In Ohio, it ensures that veterans get of the private-sector companies that
worst nightmare and the source of im- their medications that they get provide delivery services, they want to
mense hope for the Ukrainian people. through the mail. And believe me, that know that this is just the status quo;
And—God bless them—they are in the is important to them, to get it on time. we are not talking about any changes.
fight. It allows for absentee voters. In Ohio Both sides of the aisle have talked to
We have a duty to help keep that we have no-fault absentee. We have had me about this 6-day delivery. I know
hope alive, and I would encourage my it for years. It works well, but it re- that wherever people have a rural area
colleagues who haven’t yet realized quires the post office to do its job and in their State, this is particularly im-
this to join together this week to stand obviously to not just deliver the absen- portant. It ensures that people are
up for the people in Ukraine, to stand tee forms but to get the ballots in on going to receive their medications,
up for energy independence in this time. their checks, their correspondence on a
country, and to stand up for free It is also crucial for people to get timely and predictable basis.
speech. their rent checks in or to be sure that So this bill shores up the post office,
I yield the floor. they get their utility bill on time. It is and it does it in a way that actually
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- for people’s financial statements from saves money. The nonpartisan Congres-
ator from Ohio. their banks. But, also, the post office sional Budget Office estimates, as I
H.R. 3076 still delivers birthday cards, thank-you said, this legislation will save tax-
Mr. PORTMAN. Madam President, I notes, and personal letters that payers $1.5 billion, so it doesn’t cost
am here on the floor today to talk strengthen the bonds of family and taxpayers anything. It is not the ap-
about Postal Service reform. We have friendship. So our Postal Service binds propriation of more money, but over 10
another vote this afternoon. us together at a time when we are in- years it saves that money.
And this is incredibly important to creasingly polarized. CBO, the Congressional Budget Of-
the people I represent and whom all of Let’s talk about what this particular fice, which is the nonpartisan body up
us represent. It is important because legislation does. How does it save the here that looks at the economic impact
the Postal Service is something people post office? First, very simply, the bill of legislation, has told us recently that
depend on for so much. This legislation makes sure the post office is going to this bill will not affect the solvency of
we are talking about has been in the be on a strong footing for the future by the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust
works for years. It is a bill to try to relieving the Postal Service of an obli- Fund. That is the trust fund we talk
save the post office from insolvency. gation that virtually nobody else has— about a lot here that we are concerned
And if we don’t act on this, I believe in nobody in the Federal Government— that it is going to become insolvent in
the next few years we will be back here which is to prefund retiree health bene- only a short number of years and that
with a big bailout for the Postal Serv- fits. that is going to cause problems for
ice because they are having a tough Now, if you are in a private company Medicare. That trust fund is not
time financially. and you are listening to this, I am al- touched by this legislation.
The combination of this legislation most sure you don’t prefund your re- CBO has also made it clear that the
that we will pass and some internal re- tirement healthcare benefits. People bill will not increase Part B or Part D
forms that the post office is making don’t do that. In the Federal Govern- premiums—again, Part B, doctors’ vis-
should be enough to get the post office ment, we don’t do that. We don’t do it its; Part D, prescription drugs. That is
back on track. here in Congress. Yet the post office very important because a lot of people
The Postal Service has a Postmaster has that obligation. have concerns about that. And one rea-
General right now who is absolutely This would allow the post office, by son it doesn’t affect it, by the way, is
committed to that—making the post getting out from under that obligation, there is only a small number of postal
office more effective, more efficient— to reconcile its books more accurately employees—only 25 percent of them—
but he needs a little breathing room, as and to focus on immediate obligations. who would become part of that, so it is
he says, and that is what we are doing They should focus on those immediate a drop in the bucket compared to the
here in Congress. It doesn’t cost the obligations but not the prefunding. number of people on Medicare. There
taxpayer anything. By the way, if we Second, this bill requires postal em- are probably 60-some million people—
don’t do this, in a few years, it would ployees who retire in the future to en- that would be 61, 62 million people in
cost the taxpayers a lot in terms of a roll in Medicare Part B and Part D. So Medicare, and this is between 14,000
bailout, and I am afraid it would hap- hospitalization, Part A, people are al- and maybe 80,000 people who would be
pen. ready signed up for that—everybody is. added to Part B and Part D. So it does
The post office, again, is so impor- But for Part B and Part D—doctors’ not affect the premiums. By the way,
tant. It is definitely worth saving. Our visits, prescription drugs—about 25 per- these people have been paying into
country is pretty divided right now— cent of the people who work for the Medicare for their whole career, so it is
let’s be honest—but one enduring re- post office are not signed up for that. appropriate that they go into Part B
ality about our country is that we have And by putting that 25 percent into and Part D.
a post office that ties us all together, there, it helps to save a lot of money This is a good bill, and I think that is
and everybody depends on that post of- for the post office and the taxpayers. why it passed the House with such a
fice. Taxpayers will save about $1.5 billion strong vote. It passed with a bipartisan
By the way, it has been that way for based on this legislation, and a lot of it vote in the House of 342 to 92. That
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
a long time. In 1775, 3 months after the is because of that change. The em- rarely happens, particularly in the
battles of Lexington and Concord—so ployee health benefit plan that they House of Representatives. So that is an
this is 1775, before the Revolution was would otherwise be in is a more gen- indication of what kind of legislation
finalized in 1776. During that time, the erous plan, and that is how you get this is.
delegates to the Second Continental those savings. It is popular because it is about sav-
Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin Third, the bill requires the post office ing the post office, and it is popular be-
as the Postmaster General. And why to maintain its current standard of 6- cause it does so without asking the
was this so important? Franklin was day delivery. That is important to a lot taxpayers to step up and do more. In
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March 7, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1011
fact, it saves some money. And it is I am grateful to my colleagues who [Rollcall Vote No. 69 Leg.]
popular because we have worked to- have shown strong, bipartisan support YEAS—74
gether on this. We have each side made for this legislation, including my Baldwin Graham Ossoff
concessions. Is it the perfect bill that I colead, Ranking Member PORTMAN Bennet Grassley Peters
Blumenthal Hassan Portman
would have written? No. The same as from Ohio, and the 28 cosponsors from Blunt Hawley Reed
my colleague from Michigan, who has both sides of the aisle who have worked Booker Heinrich Rosen
just arrived on the Democratic side. He with us to make this a reality. Our co- Boozman Hickenlooper Rounds
would have written it differently in a sponsors have played an important role Brown Hirono Sanders
Burr Hoeven Schatz
number of respects. I know that be- in helping to build additional support Cantwell Hyde-Smith Schumer
cause he had to make concessions; we for this critical bill. Capito Kaine Shaheen
had to make concessions. But we ended Certainly, there is still more work to Cardin Kelly
Sinema
Carper King
up with legislation that does the job, do to ensure even greater long-term Casey Klobuchar
Smith
and that is what is important: to put success for the Postal Service and its Cassidy Leahy
Stabenow
Tester
the post office in a position to succeed customers, but tonight—tonight—the Collins Luján
Coons Manchin Thune
in its critical mission to provide essen- Senate will take a substantial step to Tillis
Cortez Masto Markey
tial services to small businesses, to our continue advancing this incredibly im- Cramer Marshall Van Hollen
veterans, to our seniors, to our rural portant bill. Daines McConnell Warner
constituents. Duckworth Menendez Warnock
I urge my colleagues to join me in Warren
Let’s pass this bill, and let’s ensure Durbin Merkley
taking this meaningful action to pro- Ernst Moran Whitehouse
the post office is healthy for all those tect the future of the Postal Service Feinstein Murkowski Wicker
folks we represent back home. and the essential services that it pro- Fischer Murphy Wyden
I yield the floor. vides to our communities all across our Gillibrand Murray Young
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- country. NAYS—17
ator from Michigan. I yield the floor. Barrasso Hagerty Rubio
Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I Blackburn Johnson Sasse
ask unanimous consent that I may CLOTURE MOTION Braun Lee Scott (FL)
speak 5 minutes prior to the com- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant Cornyn Lummis Shelby
Crapo Risch Tuberville
mencement of the vote. to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Cruz Romney
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Senate the pending cloture motion,
objection, it is so ordered. which the clerk will state. NOT VOTING—9
Mr. PETERS. Madam President, in The legislative clerk read as follows: Cotton Lankford Scott (SC)
Inhofe Padilla Sullivan
just a few moments, this body will take CLOTURE MOTION Kennedy Paul Toomey
an important vote to continue moving
We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
forward on the bipartisan Postal Serv- ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the
ice Reform Act. These vital reforms KELLY). On this vote, the yeas are 74,
Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby the nays are 17.
will help set the Postal Service on a move to bring to a close debate on the mo-
more stable financial footing so that tion to proceed to Calendar No. 273, H.R.
Three-fifths of the Senators duly cho-
this trusted public service can continue 3076, a bill to provide stability to and en- sen and sworn having voted in the af-
delivering to every single community hance the services of the United States Post- firmative, the motion is agreed to.
in the United States. al Service, and for other purposes. The Senator from Ohio.
Millions—millions—of Americans are Charles E. Schumer, Gary C. Peters, REMEMBERING PAUL FARMER
Mazie K. Hirono, Tina Smith, Margaret Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, last
counting on the Postal Service to de-
Wood Hassan, Jeff Merkley, Ron
liver essential mail, including medica- month, the world lost one of its great
Wyden, Patty Murray, Debbie Stabe-
tions, important financial documents, now, Jack Reed, Mark Kelly, Cory A. champions for public health, Dr. Paul
and other critical supplies. We have all Booker, Robert Menendez, Jon Tester, Farmer.
seen firsthand how veterans and sen- Jon Ossoff, Sheldon Whitehouse, Mar- Few people did as much to save lives
iors, small businesses, rural residents, tin Heinrich. around the world as Paul. He was a
and others who rely on the Postal The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- giant. He changed how the world
Service face serious hardships when the imous consent, the mandatory quorum thinks about international aid and
Postal Service is focused on cutting call has been waived. about public health. Millions of people,
costs by making changes to delivery The question is, Is it the sense of the from Haiti to Peru, to Russia, to Rwan-
service. Senate that debate on H.R. 3076, a bill da, are living longer, healthier, more
This bill will help address the most to provide stability to and enhance the fulfilling lives because of Paul Farmer
significant financial burdens on the services of the United States Postal and because of the movement he
Postal Service by reversing an unnec- Service, and for other purposes, shall launched.
essary requirement to prefund every Paul moved to Haiti immediately
be brought to a close?
cent of healthcare benefits that every after graduating from college. He had a
The yeas and nays are mandatory
postal employee will eventually use in special relationship with that country
under the rule.
retirement no matter how far off that for the rest of his life. It is where he
The clerk will call the roll. met his wife Didi Bertrand—a school
retirement may be. By eliminating this
aggressive prefunding requirement—I The legislative clerk called the roll. principal and preacher’s daughter in
may add, something that no other busi- Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Cange. Even during Harvard Medical
ness in America is forced to do—along Senator from California (Mr. PADILLA) School, Paul would fly back and forth
with integrating postal retirees’ is necessarily absent. to Haiti, setting up his own clinic and
healthcare into Medicare, like so many Mr. THUNE. The following Senators an expanding network of community
other private employers, this bipar- are necessarily absent: the Senator health facilities.
tisan, commonsense legislation will from Arkansas (Mr. COTTON), the Sen- In 1987, he and my friend Jim Yong
save the Postal Service more than $49 ator from Oklahoma (Mr. INHOFE), the Kim and their two colleagues, Ophelia
billion over the next 10 years. Senator from Louisiana (Mr. KENNEDY), Dahl and Todd McCormack, founded
The bill also requires the Postal the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Partners in Health. They founded Part-
LANKFORD), the Senator from Ken-
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
Service to deliver 6 days a week and ners in Health on Paul’s radical idea,
improves transparency and account- tucky (Mr. PAUL), the Senator from and it is a radical idea in so many
ability for Americans by requiring the South Carolina (Mr. SCOTT), the Sen- ways; that all human beings, regardless
Postal Service to publicly post weekly ator from Alaska (Mr. SULLIVAN), and of who they are and where they live,
performance data on its website. the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. deserve equal dignity and equal
This legislation has been 15 years in TOOMEY). healthcare.
the making, and tonight, we will get The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 74, In 2003, the very good writer Tracy
one step closer to making it a reality. nays 17, as follows: Kidder wrote a book about Paul and his
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S1012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 7, 2022
life: ‘‘Mountains Beyond Mountains.’’ Rather than have a technical con- you did for me—not what you did for
After Paul’s death, Tracy wrote a trib- versation, he would look at all of these the least of these but what you did for
ute to him and titled it ‘‘He Wanted to health experts and leaders when they those who seemed less important.
Make the Whole World His Patient,’’ would say, ‘‘Unfortunately, there are That was how Paul Farmer lived his
and he really did. just not enough resources to treat ev- life. He understood that no human
I met Paul on a trip to Haiti with my eryone, so we have to make choices,’’ being was worth less than anyone else;
friend Joanne Carter, the executive di- and Paul would say, ‘‘When we make that everyone is deserving of compas-
rector of RESULTS, which is a grass- these choices, we are always talking sionate healthcare; and that everyone
roots organization dedicated to ending about somebody else’s children.’’ He is deserving, as Rumi said, of gen-
the cause of poverty around the world. didn’t say it in an accusatory way; he erosity and helping others: Be like a
It was in April 2003. Partners in Health wasn’t judgmental; and he didn’t look river in compassion and grace. Be like
was working in Haiti, and the hospital down on anybody. It was simply how he the Sun. That is the way Paul looked
and clinic Paul started in Cange had thought about it and how he wanted at the world.
grown to a broad network around the everyone to think about it. Our thoughts are with his family and
country. Paul and his colleagues were The other thing that always struck his patients around the world. Let’s re-
working with community health work- me and that was so astonishing about commit ourselves to following the ex-
ers to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis Paul is that he cared so much about ample of Dr. Paul Farmer.
and to scale up AIDS treatment in the each individual person. He had uncom- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma-
most impoverished place, by far, in the mon and maybe even unparalleled em- jority leader.
Western Hemisphere at a time when pathy. He had an absolute commitment f
there was almost no antiviral treat-
to his patients’ care. He was a big
ment available in poor countries. EMMETT TILL ANTILYNCHING ACT
People claim that treating patients thinker in change policy, but he was a
practitioner up close who took care of Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President I ask
and getting antivirals out in countries unanimous consent that the Senate
like Haiti was just impossible. Paul fellow human beings. He had an abso-
lute commitment to his patients’ care proceed to the immediate consider-
proved them wrong. Partners in Health ation of H.R. 55, which was received
invited several hundred U.S. policy- literally right up until the moment of
his death. He was talking about pa- from the House and is at the desk.
makers, journalists, and Members of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
Congress, over time, to Haiti to see tients he was treating in Rwanda, and
he was giving advice right up until the clerk will report the bill by title.
firsthand how they were expanding ac- The senior assistant legislative clerk
cess to lifesaving treatment. At the day he died.
Tracy Kidder reported that Paul had read as follows:
time, there was still a popular senti-
been up late the night before, seeing A bill (H.R. 55) to amend section 249 of title
ment, even among health workers, that 18, United States Code, to specify lynching
we couldn’t do this; that it was impos- patients. Mr. Kidder said, in his experi-
ence with Paul, that being up late and as a hate crime act.
sible to get these antiviral treatments
seeing patients was the equivalent of a There being no objection, the Senate
out on any kind of large scale in low-
night on the town. proceeded to consider the bill.
income countries. It was a trans-
Over the past few weeks since we lost Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous con-
formational moment. Paul opened the
Paul, a remembrance of that empathy sent that the bill be considered read a
world’s eyes to what was possible.
We could and had to treat patients has poured out from people around the third time and passed and that the mo-
everywhere. The barrier wasn’t that it world—from former students and col- tion to reconsider be considered made
couldn’t be done; it was that no one leagues, patients, world leaders, public and laid upon the table with no inter-
had made it a priority. No one in rich health luminaries. Everyone has a vening action or debate.
countries like ours or in even middle- story about Paul Farmer’s dedication The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
income countries wanted to or really to humankind and to his patients indi- objection, it is so ordered.
had tried to make this a priority. vidually. They agree that Paul really The bill (H.R. 55) was ordered to a
I remember we met a young man in a did change the world. His legacy will third reading, was read the third time,
wheelchair in a hospital unit. I was certainly inspire many of us in this and passed.
with Paul. He was caring for this young body. More importantly, it will inspire Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I just
man. He had tuberculosis of the spine. people around the world. want to go over what just happened.
It is called Pott’s disease. It is when When I think of Paul Farmer, I think After more than 200 failed attempts
tuberculosis bacteria migrates into the of one of my favorite passages in the to outlaw lynching, Congress is finally
spinal column and causes paralysis. He Gospel, Matthew 25. We are all familiar succeeding in taking the long-overdue
was getting treatment that no one with it—Christians, certainly—but action by passing the Emmett Till
would have thought possible before nonbelievers, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Antilynching Act. Hallelujah. It is long
Paul. We met HIV/AIDS patients and and Muslims, I think know this pas- overdue.
saw how antiviral treatments were sage from Jesus. The first anti-lynching legislation
transforming their lives. People called Jesus said: When I was hungry, you was introduced a century ago, and
it the Lazarus effect. In a relatively fed me. When I was thirsty, you gave after so long, the Senate has now fi-
short amount of time, this treatment me drink. When I was in prison, you nally addressed one of the most shame-
revived them and brought them back visited me. What you did to the least of ful elements of this Nation’s past by
from the brink. these you did to me. making lynching a Federal crime. That
Late at night, we sat around to- I thought, you know, that doesn’t it took so long is a stain—a bitter
gether, at Paul’s little house in Cange, quite sound right, ‘‘What you did to the stain—on America.
and talked about what would come least of these,’’ because I cannot be- While this will not erase the horrific
next and what we needed to do to rouse lieve that Muhammad or Buddha or injustices to which tens of thousands of
the world to action. It was an exciting Jesus or Maimonides or Moses would African Americans have been subjected
time. A global fund had just been cre- think that MARK KELLY is worth more over the generations—nor fully heal
ated. Paul’s ideas were gaining trac- or less than another human being. All the terror inflicted on countless oth-
tion. Paul Farmer brought such a of us in God’s eyes are equal. ers—it is an important step forward as
moral clarity to all of these conversa- So I came across a friend of ours who we continue the work of confronting
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
tions. Whether it was talking to policy- lives down the street—a pastor—and our Nation’s past in pursuit of a bright-
makers or to public health experts or she gave to me a Bible called the ‘‘Jus- er and more just future.
to community leaders or to his pa- tice and Poverty Bible.’’ I want to applaud the work of the
tients—his impoverished patients It say this in Matthew 25: When I was legislation’s sponsors. Senator BOOKER
often—he began every discussion with hungry, you fed me. When I was has been relentless to get this done and
the same fundamental principle: Ev- thirsty, you gave me drink. When I was deserves tremendous credit, as does his
eryone has the right to quality in prison, you visited me. What you did colleague on the Republican side of the
healthcare. to those who seemed less important aisle, Senator SCOTT, and, of course,
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