Congressional Record, Senate — March 14, 2022, S1137

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This is S1137 of the Congressional Record, Senate, March 14, 2022, with interleaved columns of floor remarks by an unnamed speaker. Under the heading American Rescue Plan, the speaker states that two years earlier the President declared COVID a national emergency, that the American Rescue Plan was passed one year earlier, and that enhanced child tax credits gave working families a chance to breathe, with the views attributed to the speaker. The speaker also discusses inflation as a global problem and support for banning imports of Russian oil. Under the heading Tribute to Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the speaker pays tribute to the Illinois public health director on her departure from her position.

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“Congressional Record, Senate — March 14, 2022, S1137.” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2022-03-14-crec-2022-03-14-pt1-pgs1137-2-bf5f7f0209/, SHA-256 ea7a54f6a8691dc5e2d34e6f457eaf1fc4a560ce5d603d73ddd46159d02688fd.

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March 14, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1137
President of Ukraine, will address a nities through the worst time when the little over a year when COVID hit. We
joint session of Congress using the re- pandemic forced businesses and schools were lucky she was there.
mote technology. We are all in awe of to close. The American Rescue Plan Directors of State health depart-
his courage and leadership, and we are provided a critical lifeline to low-in- ments usually work outside the public
anxious to hear his message, to think come families, stabilized middle-class spotlight. She was in the spotlight
of what that man has achieved by stay- families by providing enhanced child every day. Appearing with Governor JB
ing on the scene, regularly broad- tax credits, and expanded unemploy- Pritzker in his daily briefings, she was
casting videos to show that he was still ment insurance and housing relief. the public face of Illinois’ effort to con-
there. He inspires his people to get up That plan also closed the holes to pro- tain the virus and save lives. What a
and fight for Ukraine. vide help for families with children, ex- reassuring presence. She dispensed
Our message to him on that day is panding the earned income tax credit daily doses of compassion and empathy
‘‘Slava Ukraini!’’—that is, ‘‘Glory to and child tax credit. along with the facts and statistics, the
Ukraine.’’ And it is a phrase that was In particular, the enhanced child tax realities, pleas for mask wearing and
actually banished during Soviet times credit gave working families a chance handwashing. She delivered her mes-
because it was so nationalistic that the to breathe. They used it to buy the ba- sage calmly, clearly, and then, without
Soviets didn’t want the people of that sics—groceries, diapers—pay the util- missing a beat, delivered it again in
country using it. They use it proudly ity bills, pay the rent, pay the mort- Spanish.
today because they are an independent, gage. Some of us just take that all for Her sincerity was obvious and never
free, and democratic nation. granted. For many people, it is a pay- more so than at a news conference
America stands with Ukraine in its check-to-paycheck challenge. Some about 7 months into the pandemic
fight for democracy and civilization. I families actually finally paid down when she broke down as she was deliv-
just hope that we will learn many les- their debts. Others put a few dollars ering the day’s grim statistics. She
sons from this. Don’t many of the away for the next emergency. paused to regain her composure and
things which we were arguing about in Now, they are feeling squeezed again, then urged Illinois residents to fight
America seem so trivial in comparison those same families. That doesn’t mean the fatigue and keep doing what is
to what we are talking about in we were mistaken when we passed the needed to protect themselves and each
Ukraine: truckers coming to protest American Rescue Plan. It means we other from the virus. After seeing that
social distancing and masks and vac- have more to do to lower the cost of on television, I wrote her a fan letter,
cine mandates? I am sure those are im- living for families across the United and many others did too. She really
portant issues, but they pale in com- States. This should be done on a bipar- cared.
parison to the life-and-death struggle tisan basis. Two weeks ago, she was at another
which is going on in Ukraine. Inflation is a global problem, not news conference with the Governor.
These people understand that they simply an American problem. It is a re- With the number of Illinois residents
must be ready to stand and die for flection of the world labor market and hospitalized with COVID below 1,000 for
their freedom. How many of us could a global supply chain basically dis- 3 days for the first time since last Au-
rise to that level if challenged? It is rupted by a pandemic and still in the gust, the Governor said it was time to
something I think about a lot. process of recovery. lift our mask mandate, time to move
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN Now, we have made a decision as a toward normal life in Illinois.
Madam President, on another topic, 2 nation to ban imports of Russian oil. Dr. Ezike surprised everybody by an-
years ago—March 13, 2020—President Seventy-nine percent of the American nouncing that she was going to return
Trump officially declared COVID a na- people support that decision, even to normal life herself; she was leaving
tional emergency in America. We all though they understand that it will her position. In announcing her deci-
remember the dark and uncertain days drive up the price of gasoline. They sion, she thanked her husband and four
in the early spring of 2020. Overnight, don’t want their hard-earned American kids ‘‘for tolerating the absences, the
schools, offices, and businesses closed dollars paying for Vladimir Putin’s last-minute changes in plans, the end-
their doors and opened their Zooms. war, killing the innocent people of less multitasking and the ever-present
Today is also an important anniver- Ukraine. I salute them for their cour- cellphones.’’ And she added:
sary in America’s recovery. One year age in joining our Nation together in Now it’s time—
ago today—1 year ago—Democrats in that effort to stop it.
Yes, it will add more to the price of She said to her family—
Congress passed the American Rescue
oil. It already has over the last week or to make you my priority and give back a
Plan, our comprehensive plan to help
portion of the encouragement and support
American families, hospitals, and two because of Putin’s invasion, but we
that you have lavished on me.
small businesses weather the economic have got to face a reality. To stop the
hardship of the pandemic and to dis- killing and death in Ukraine, we have She thanked the people of Illinois
tribute vaccines and medical equip- to be prepared to make some sacrifice. ‘‘for their sacrifices’’ and asked we con-
ment so that we could get the pan- Inflation is a real problem. We need tinue to show each other compassion
demic behind us and return to normal real solutions, not just complaints. and tolerance. She remembered the
life in America. TRIBUTE TO DR. NGOZI EZIKE nearly 33,000 people in our State who
The pandemic has affected every- Madam President, my remaining have died of COVID since the begin-
body: Republicans, Democrats, and statement is a tribute to an extraor- ning, and she said:
people who don’t care at all about poli- dinary individual, a lady who is a doc- All of the people and all of their stories, I
tics. Sadly, however, the American tor and was the head of the Illinois De- will carry always in my heart.
Rescue Plan only passed with Demo- partment of Public Health during the And she said:
cratic votes. Not a single Republican worst part of the pandemic. I’m so blessed to have been able to bring
would vote for it, in the House or in Her name is Dr. Ngozi Ezike. I saw some measure of comfort to Illinoisans, to
the Senate. her on TV every day when I was back quiet some of the chaos and to infuse some
And it worked. We were right. It was home during the pandemic, and she was calm.
needed. The U.S. economy has recov- such an inspiring person, so talented. Dr. Ezike, I would say that the bless-
ered faster and stronger from this pan- She was calm. She was wise. She was ing was ours.
demic than any other G–7 nation in the compassionate. And she was profes- As the first Black woman ever to
world. America’s economy added more sional. She really made life bearable head the Illinois Department of Public
than 6 million new jobs in the year during an unbearable time. She saved Health in its 143-year history, Dr.

dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
since we passed the American Rescue lives. Ezike added that she was also ‘‘glad
Plan. That is a record. A Harvard-trained, board-certified in- that I served as a role model to young
Part of the reason our economy is ternist and pediatrician, she worked at girls, girls of color, little Black girls,
strong today is because that plan made all levels of public health. For the last that they can be leaders in any field.’’
wise decisions that helped families, 3 years, she has been our State’s top In addition to shepherding our State
helped businesses, and helped commu- doctor. She had been in that post for a through the worst COVID crisis, I am

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S1138 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 14, 2022
grateful for her tremendous leadership sanctions, or by sending our adver- RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER
in one other area too: preventing preg- saries planeloads of cash, which we did. The majority leader is recognized.
nancy-related death. This is a prevent- Years later, we all know the result. SENATE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
able tragedy that affects women and The Iran deal did not work. Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President,
babies of color especially hard. President Biden wants to revive this last week was an exceedingly produc-
I have been working with ROBIN disastrous deal, and this time it will be tive week for the Senate. We funded
KELLY, the Congresswoman from the even worse. The Iranians don’t even the government, passed postal reform,
Chicagoland area, on this issue; and want to negotiate with America and kept our promise to the Ukrainian peo-
last April, Illinois received a waiver President Biden’s administration so we ple, revived VAWA, and unanimously
from Medicaid, allowing us to become are allowing Russia to join at the nego- passed anti-lynching legislation. Presi-
the first State in the Nation to expand tiating table negotiating for the United dent Biden is going to be busy this
healthcare coverage for new moms on States. It doesn’t make any sense. week signing a lot of bipartisan bills
Medicaid from 60 days after pregnancy Many Americans are likely asking into law that will impact the lives of
to a full year, a change I am certain why? The United States cannot trust millions of Americans, and I thank my
that will save lives. the Russian Federation in any capac- colleagues on both sides of the aisle for
In the American Rescue Plan, Con- ity. If working with and propping up their good work.
gress expanded that option to all Russia isn’t bad enough, Iran is poised Today, we are picking up right where
States for 5 years. We continue to fight to receive billions of dollars from fro- we left off—confirming more of the
to make this change permanent for all zen assets in this new agreement, in- President’s nominees, maintaining our
new moms on Medicaid. I thank Dr. cluding funds from renewed oil exports. laser focus on lowering costs for Amer-
Ezike for helping to make the case for Rather than unleashing the power of ican families, and continuing to ex-
that change; for her service, courage, the American energy industry and al- plore how we can help Ukraine in their
and leadership; and for her caring heart lowing Americans to drill, drill, drill war against the evil Mr. Putin.
at a time when Illinois and America on our own soil, the Biden administra- First, on this last point, earlier
needed her so much. tion would rather do business with today, the Speaker and I announced
I yield the floor. that President Zelenskyy will deliver a
Venezuela and plead with Saudi Arabia
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- virtual address to Members of the
to turn on the spigots.
ator from Alabama. House and Senate this Wednesday,
The administration is, again, leading
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
from behind, held back by their pledge March 16, at 9 a.m. As you know, it is
Mr. TUBERVILLE. Madam Presi- one of the highest honors of any Con-
to their false climate gods. Yes, the cli-
dent, 2 weeks ago, Russia initiated the gress to welcome remarks by foreign
mate has changed, and it has been
largest land conflict in Europe since heads of state, but it is nearly unheard
changing for decades, but we can’t let
World War II. Millions of men, women, of in modern times that we hear from
the far-left extremist wing push us to
and children fled their homes to safety. a leader fighting for his life, fighting
buy oil from convicts and criminals
Countless others have taken up arms in for his country’s survival, fighting to
just because they would rather ham-
the name of freedom. preserve the very idea of democracy.
President Putin’s unprovoked and string our economy than unleash Let me say that again. It is one of
brutal invasion of Ukraine did not hap- American energy. the highest honors of any Congress to
pen overnight. The warning signs were The administration is letting Russia welcome remarks by a foreign head of
very, very clear. The response from the and Iran and China dictate the rules of state, but it is nearly unheard of—un-
Biden administration was anything the game, and they are letting an heard of—in modern times that we hear
but. The administration had false hope unelected bureaucrat who was not Sen- from a leader fighting for his life,
that strongly worded statements would ate confirmed, by the name of Rob fighting for his country’s survival, and
be enough to deter an unprovoked war. Malley, conduct these talks through fighting to preserve the idea of democ-
President Biden waited until after Russia. His now-former colleague re- racy—something Americans cherish.
Russia invaded Ukraine to level any signed. Malley’s former colleague re- As war intensifies in Ukraine, we
sanctions at all. And even then, sanc- signed in protest over Mr. Malley in have all been inspired by the courage of
tions came in waves, and they are still conceding to Iran. President Zelenskyy and that of the
coming. The Russian negotiators are bragging Ukrainian people. President Zelenskyy
President Biden was slow to hit about Iran’s huge wins in this would-be can rest assured that he will always
Putin where it hurts. He refused to pe- deal. I have a long list of concerns have friends in Congress ready to lis-
nalize the Russian energy sector until about how these negotiations are un- ten, to stand in his corner, and we are
roughly a week—1 week—after the in- folding, but at the top are the limited honored to have him speak to us later
vasion took place. The President re- sanctions the administration appears this week.
fused to act, and the world now sees to be open to in exchange for a short- NOMINATIONS
the heart-wrenching results. term pause on the development of Madam President, now on nomina-
President Biden has shown weakness Tehran’s nuclear program. tions, as we continue exploring ways to
on the world stage throughout his 40- Let me be clear. These short-term help the people of Ukraine, the Senate
plus years in politics—40 years. His for- sanctions are not the solution. They will also move forward on nominations.
eign policy caves to adversaries, under- weren’t a few years ago, and they are Later today, we are scheduled to vote
mines our allies, and devalues the sac- not today. The administration must to proceed on the nomination of
rifices of our men and women in uni- not allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear Shalanda Young, President Biden’s
form. weapon. The Iran deal was a bad deal in choice to lead the Office of Manage-
In his first year of office, he aban- 2015, and it would be a worse deal ment and Budget.
doned 20 years of effort in Afghanistan today. The Biden administration For the last year, Ms. Young has al-
and emboldened Putin to attack his should immediately—immediately— ready been doing the work leading
neighbor. As I speak, the White House walk away from the negotiating table OMB as Acting Director, and she has
is reviving Iran’s hope of developing a before these discussions lead to yet an- proved to be bipartisan, deeply experi-
nuclear weapon. other Biden foreign policy disaster. enced, and knows the budget and ap-
Originally brokered when Joe Biden I suggest the absence of a quorum. propriation process like the back of her
was Vice President in 2015, the Joint The PRESIDING OFFICER. The hand. She was an amazing—amazing—
Comprehensive Plan of Action, more clerk will call the roll. budget director for the Appropriations
commonly known as the JCPOA or the The legislative clerk proceeded to Committee in the House and has been

dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
Iran deal, was a deeply flawed agree- call the roll. an amazing Acting Director, and she
ment aimed at preventing Iran from Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I will do great as Director of OMB.
acquiring nuclear weapons. In reality, ask unanimous consent that the order It is time we make her appointment
it did the exact opposite. for the quorum call be rescinded. official here in the Senate, and I hope
Nuclear security can’t be achieved The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without to see Members from both sides of the
with wishful thinking, watered-down objection, it is so ordered. aisle rally behind her later this week.

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