Senate Floor Record on Border Security and Luger Nomination, March 24, 2022 — Congressional Record
Summary
Page S1760 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for March 24, 2022, in interleaved columns, from remarks on border security and a vote on the nomination of Mr. Garcetti. One speaker says the situation at the southern border reflects apprehensions of 150,000, that deportations dropped during fiscal year 2021, and that the administration rescinded a 2019 rule expanding expedited removal. A roll call proceeds on the motion to consider Calendar No. 791, and a senator states that until a thorough investigation by staff is complete, he cannot vote to confirm Mr. Garcetti.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
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“Senate Floor Record on Border Security and Luger Nomination, March 24, 2022 — Congressional Record.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2022-03-24-crec-2022-03-24-pt1-pgs1760-3-52be4f6d2b/
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S1760 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2022
of 150,000. And these numbers only re- laws. Deportations dropped precipi- The legislative clerk called the roll.
flect individuals the Border Patrol has tously during fiscal year 2021, as did ar- Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the
succeeded in apprehending. There is no rests in the interior of the country. Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr.
question that many other illegal immi- And earlier this week, the administra- CASEY), the Senator from West Vir-
grants have crossed the border in the tion rescinded a 2019 rule expanding ex- ginia (Mr. MANCHIN), and the Senator
past year without being apprehended pedited removal for individuals here il- from New Hampshire (Mrs. SHAHEEN)
and have disappeared into the United legally. are necessarily absent.
States. The administration is also, report- Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is
The situation at our southern border edly, expected to end its title 42 necessarily absent: the Senator from
is out of control—it is a security crisis, COVID–19 restrictions, which have pro- Louisiana (Mr. CASSIDY).
it is a humanitarian crisis, and it is an vided for the immediate deportation of The result was announced—yeas 60,
enforcement crisis. Our Border Patrol those who have crossed the border ille- nays 36, as follows:
officers have done heroic work this gally. The result is almost guaranteed [Rollcall Vote No. 107 Ex.]
past year, but they are stretched in- to be an even larger surge at our south- YEAS—60
credibly thin and are having to spend ern border, taking the situation from Baldwin Heinrich Reed
too much time caring for migrants and disaster to utter catastrophe. Bennet Hickenlooper Romney
not enough time patrolling the border. One media outlet reports that ‘‘De- Blumenthal Hirono Rosen
This sharply increases the risk that Booker Kaine Rounds
partment of Homeland Security intel- Brown Kelly Sanders
dangerous individuals—from terrorists ligence estimates that perhaps 25,000 Cantwell Kennedy Schatz
to drug smugglers to human traf- migrants already are waiting in Mexi- Cardin King Schumer
fickers—will slip across our southern can shelters just south of the border Carper Klobuchar Sinema
Collins Leahy Smith
border and into the country unnoticed. for Title 42 to end.’’ Coons Luján Stabenow
And apart from the serious security And there is no sign—no sign—that Cornyn Markey Sullivan
concerns that go along with not know- the administration has any substantive Cortez Masto Menendez Tester
ing who is entering our country, allow- Duckworth Merkley Tillis
plan for how to deal with the resulting Durbin Murkowski Toomey
ing this border crisis to continue also surge or how to deal with the enhanced Ernst Murphy Van Hollen
presents serious humanitarian con- criminal activity from drug smuggling Feinstein Murray Warner
cerns. There is nothing compassionate to human trafficking that would likely Gillibrand Ossoff Warnock
Graham Padilla Warren
about encouraging individuals to un- accompany this influx. Grassley Peters Whitehouse
dertake the dangerous journey to our I get that President Biden would pre- Hassan Portman Wyden
southern border, to run the risk of ex- fer to pretend that this crisis at our NAYS—36
ploitation and disease and exposure. southern border does not exist, but it
Barrasso Fischer Moran
Unfortunately, neither humanitarian does exist, and as President, he has the Blackburn Hagerty Paul
nor security concerns have moved responsibility to address it. He needs to Blunt Hawley Risch
President Biden to meaningfully ad- get serious about fulfilling that duty Boozman Hoeven Rubio
dress this border crisis. Braun Hyde-Smith Sasse
for the sake of our Nation’s security Burr Inhofe Scott (FL)
Every month, we see massive num- and for the sake of all those who are Capito Johnson Scott (SC)
bers of individuals attempting to cross being encouraged by his lax immigra- Cotton Lankford Shelby
our southern border, and every month, tion policies to undertake the dan- Cramer Lee Thune
the White House just doesn’t seem to Crapo Lummis Tuberville
gerous journey to our southern border. Cruz Marshall Wicker
care. The President travels regularly, I yield the floor. Daines McConnell Young
including regular weekends away from I suggest the absence of a quorum.
NOT VOTING—4
the White House, but he can’t seem to The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. WAR-
bring himself to visit the border and Casey Manchin
NER). The clerk will call the roll.
Cassidy Shaheen
see the situation firsthand. The legislative clerk proceeded to
It is a disturbing abdication of re- call the roll. The nomination was confirmed.
sponsibility from the man charged with Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I ask (Mr. WARNOCK assumed the Chair.)
defending our Nation’s security. And unanimous consent that the order for The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
let’s remember, the President isn’t just the quorum call be rescinded. SCHATZ). Under the previous order, the
ignoring this border crisis; he is partly, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without motion to reconsider is considered
if not largely, responsible for it. Imme- objection, it is so ordered. made and laid upon the table, and the
diately upon taking office, the Presi- President will be immediately notified
f
dent took steps that weakened our Na- of the Senate’s action.
tion’s border security. EXECUTIVE SESSION f
On his first day in office—very first --- LEGISLATIVE SESSION
day in office—President Biden re- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
scinded the declaration of a national The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
emergency at our southern border. He The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under ate will now resume legislative session.
halted construction of the border wall. the previous order, the Senate will pro- The Senator from Kansas.
And he revoked a Trump administra- ceed to executive session to resume UKRAINE
tion order that called for the govern- consideration of the Luger nomination, Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I have
ment to faithfully execute our immi- which the clerk will report. lent my voice with my colleagues here
gration laws—all on the first day. The legislative clerk read the nomi- in the U.S. Senate many times, here on
And the President’s Department of nation of Andrew M. Luger, of Min- the Senate floor, and elsewhere back
Homeland Security also issued guide- nesota, to be United States Attorney home in Kansas in condemnation of
lines that same day pausing deporta- for the District of Minnesota for the Vladimir Putin’s attack, invasion, the
tions except under certain conditions. term of four years. death and destruction that his ac-
The effect of all this was to declare VOTE ON LUGER NOMINATION tions—his sole actions—have taken on
to the world that the United States The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the people of Ukraine. But those ac-
borders were effectively open. And Bor- question is, Will the Senate advise and tions have consequences broader than
der Patrol numbers ticked up accord- consent to the Luger nomination? just within the borders of the inde-
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ingly, not surprisingly. Ms. ROSEN. I ask for the yeas and pendent country of Ukraine. I want
And the President’s anti-border secu- nays. today to bring awareness to a pressing
rity efforts didn’t end there. The Presi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a consequence coming out of this inva-
dent has significantly limited the abil- sufficient second? sion, and that is hunger.
ity of Immigration and Customs En- There appears to be a sufficient sec- A month ago, Russia, the world’s
forcement and Customs and Border ond. largest supplier of wheat, invaded
Protection to enforce immigration The clerk will call the roll. Ukraine. Ukraine is the fifth largest
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March 24, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1761
supplier of wheat. Together, they ac- sparked mass protests throughout the We are seeing the worst of evil—
count for about 30 percent of global ex- Arab world a decade ago. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine—and the
ports. This has exacerbated—tremen- As we have seen in the humanitarian tremendous cost—humanitarian cost,
dously exacerbated—the already exist- disaster unfolding in Afghanistan and loss-of-freedom cost—by that invasion.
ing global food crisis, and it will only the developing crisis caused by the in- We can also see the best in humanity:
get worse. vasion of Ukraine, it is critical to uti- helping a starving world to be fed.
Coming from a State like Kansas, lize every tool at our disposal to meet I yield the floor.
coming from Kansas, America’s largest these challenges. And it extends much I suggest the absence of a quorum.
supplier of wheat, I can tell you the ef- further than the countries we see in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
fects this invasion will have on the sta- the news each day. Currently, 45 mil- clerk will call the roll.
bility of our ag markets here in the lion people across 43 countries are on The senior assistant legislative clerk
United States, and it should be alarm- the brink of famine. Hunger isn’t an proceeded to call the roll.
ing and could prove to be a cata- isolated issue; it affects each and every Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask
strophic outcome for our global food one of us. unanimous consent that the order for
supply. Prior to this assault, Afghanistan the quorum call be rescinded.
When there is a shortage of food, one was facing a dire food shortage, with 23 The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
of the things we can do is produce million people going hungry. This will KING). Without objection, it is so or-
more. I would tell you that while the worsen as Putin’s assault continues. dered.
prices of agricultural commodities we In Sudan, 87 percent of the country’s RECOGNIZING WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVER-
grow in Kansas and across the United wheat comes from Russia and Ukraine. SITY VIKINGS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM
States have increased, I also would tell By the end of this year, an expected 20 Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I
you that the input cost—the things million people will be food insecure, come to the floor to talk about supply
that a farmer or a rancher has to pur- one in two Sudanese. chain issues, but before I do, I wanted
In Bangladesh, despite progress in re- to say a word about March Madness.
chase in order to produce that crop, to
cent years, 11 million people are still I am pretty sure that most of my col-
produce that outcome—has increased
suffering from acute hunger. leagues who know me think the next
even more dramatically. In Ethiopia, 20 million people cur-
I would encourage the administration words out of my mouth are going to be
rently require food support, and this something about a small Jesuit school
and this Congress to do more in regard will worsen as Putin’s assault con-
to the cost of everything. The increas- in the eastern part of our State, but it
tinues. is not. What I am going to talk about
ing cost of food for the American con- According to the U.N. agency chiefs,
sumer and the absence of food for many is congratulating the Western Wash-
Yemen is teetering on the edge of an ington University Vikings Women’s
around the world can be alleviated by outright catastrophe.
increasing the supply—can be ad- Basketball team Division II final
The No. 1 driver of hunger on the
dressed at least in part by increasing championship game players.
planet is manmade conflict, according
the supply. The Vikings will be playing in the
to the World Food Programme. As Rus-
To help do that, we need to make cer- NCAA Division II Championship after
sia’s tyranny continues—this Putin-
tain that we increase our own produc- defeating North Georgia last night
made war—countries around the globe
tion of oil and natural gas and of fer- with a score of 74 to 68. It was an out-
will teeter on the edge, falling further
tilizer. The cost of fertilizer is a huge standing performance by Brooke
into widespread hunger.
input cost for the Kansas farmer, and As the cochair of the Senate Hunger Walling, Emma Duff, and the entire
we still have tariffs on phosphates Caucus and a member of the Agri- team that represents people from all
coming from Morocco. The Department culture Appropriations Subcommittee, over our State—Everson, Tumwater,
of Commerce is contemplating tariffs which funds Food for Peace and the Monroe, Vancouver, Arlington,
on nutrients for fertilizer coming from McGovern-Dole Program—what I like Marysville, Napavine, Ferndale, and
Trinidad and Tobago. to call Food for Peace and the Dole- various other places.
Increasing the cost of the inputs of McGovern Program—combatting any I also want to congratulate Head
producing food is a very damaging threat of hunger is not only the smart Coach Carmen Dolfo, who is in, I think,
thing to occur and should stop. We thing to do, it is the morally right her 31st season leading the Vikings,
need to reduce the price—slow the in- thing to do to save the lives of not only and the fact that this is such a great
crease in the price of diesel fuel and those living in Ukraine but around the accomplishment for the women of
fertilizer. Natural gas is a major com- world. Western Washington.
ponent of producing fertilizer, and die- In January and, again, earlier this I hope that we will continue to figure
sel fuel is hugely important. month, I called on USDA Secretary out ways to promote women’s basket-
Again, we need to increase the sup- Vilsack and USAID Administrator ball in the NCAA tournament. I
plies of our fossil fuels to help the Power to release the resources within watched this game last night and saw a
farmers survive during these times. the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust, few people from our State who had
Today, I wear on behalf of Kansans an emergency international food as- made it there to cheer on the Vikings,
the sunflower pin. It is the State flower sistance program to combat global but the actual pavilion looked pretty
of our State, but it also is an impor- hunger in times of ‘‘exceptional need.’’ empty. Yet I guarantee you it was
tant symbol in Ukraine. It is a symbol The Emerson Trust was created in 1980 great basketball.
of the resistance to Putin’s invasion. for a moment just like this: when ex- We need to continue to encourage the
Just as Kansas is the breadbasket of isting global hunger programs cannot— NCAA to figure out ways to promote
America, Ukraine is the breadbasket of cannot—adequately address the pros- women’s NCAA March Madness. They
Europe. Ukraine, as I said earlier, is a pects of multiple looming famines. are great players, they are great
large grain-producing country, not just As both the immediate and long-term teams, and they deserve to have the
in wheat but a top 10 global exporter of effects on Ukraine’s agriculture sector same kind of attention. So we look for-
corn, sunflower oil, and other commod- become clearer, the United States ward to cheering them on in that final
ities. It provides produce to markets should work—the United States, with NCAA tournament Division II game.
not just in Europe but to some of the the rest of the world, should work to H.R. 4521
most vulnerable countries throughout quickly provide the necessary commod- Now, Mr. President, I would like to
ities through sale or donation to meet come to the floor and talk about a con-
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the Middle East.
According to the magazine The Econ- countries’ unsatisfied food and com- tinuation of our supply chain chal-
omist, ‘‘The last time Egypt raised modity needs. Doing so will help allevi- lenges that we are facing in the United
bread prices, the Soviet Union was still ate a greater humanitarian crisis than States of America, particularly around
intact.’’ has already been caused by the the issues facing us in the high cost of
Food stability is essential to polit- unprovoked invasion and will help fos- cars, electronics, and appliances. Actu-
ical stability. We may recall that it ter political stability in food-insecure ally, you can say that our chip supply
was an increase in food prices that countries. chain issues actually impact just about
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S1762 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2022
everything because, yesterday, we had But, again, some of our colleagues tion age is run by semiconductors that
a hearing with major producers of chip here would like to wait months and increase their capacity to translate
semiconductors in the United States months and months to have that de- more, to translate in the automobile
and also talked with one of the wit- bate. We have already waited 286 days the voice-activated commands, to do
nesses who happens to be in the freight since the Senate passed, in a bipartisan the intricacies of communications, as I
business, because they produce trucks measure, this particular proposal. And know the Presiding Officer knows, on
that are moving freight throughout the now, again, people want to hold up this the issues of communication and na-
United States of America. process because they don’t quite under- tional security. We have to depend on
They said the fact that they can’t get stand the pain at the pump. these for our national security.
these new generation trucks out the This is the demand increase that we We need to quit wasting our time
door because of the semiconductor are going to see in semiconductors, as here. These issues are, and my col-
shortage means that it is even impact- I said, by 2030. There is a demand in- leagues know well—come and make
ing the cost of freight of every product. crease of 200 percent. There is a de- your vote. Make your vote, but quit
So I implore my colleagues to come mand increase in the wireless sector, 60 holding up a bipartisan discussion by
to the floor and support sending the percent by 2030; consumer electronics, both Houses on facing a supply chain
bill back to the House, telling them 80 percent by 2030. What are we waiting shortage that is affecting Americans
that we want to go to conference, and for? What are we waiting for? every single day.
get into conference as soon as possible. We know there is demand. We know If you do nothing, this demand is
Those who want to delay this are just that we can make these chips. We going to continue to increase, and we
delaying the United States in our com- know, as one of my colleagues said, if are going to continually be falling be-
petition with the world in producing something happened with Taiwan, hind.
and manufacturing great product. If where they are making a lot of the So I plead with my colleagues: Put
you don’t have the best chips, if you leading-edge chips, the table is going this aside and vote the way you want
don’t have the manufacturing, you are to be turned on the United States. to vote, but let’s get to conference.
not going to lead. What would we do then? It is not like Let’s show the American people that
We already know that in 2021, we a little situation, like we are talking we can collaborate on solving our sup-
needed 1.2 trillion chips per year. In about now with shortages and huge ply chain problems, on trying to be se-
2031, that is going to be 2 trillion chips price increases. What would we do if rious about sending signals to the
per year. So we know that this short- the major supply coming out of Taiwan automotive industry, to the commu-
age is going to continue far into the fu- was affected? nications sector, to the national secu-
ture unless we act. We have to get busy here and work rity sector. Bring the supply chain
Why is this so important? Obviously, on this legislation and start focusing back, put it here in the United States
there are sectors like energy, transpor- on the fact that it is affecting our con- of America, and let’s get busy doing
tation, high-tech, communications, na- sumers right now. what we know how to do best, and that
tional security—they all depend on us The price increase for our consumers is innovate and make America com-
acting. But believe it or not, there are is a 41-percent increase in the cost of a petitive.
companies all throughout the United car, for a used car today. If you think I yield the floor.
States right now that are looking at about it, we estimated that a used car The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma-
this issue on supply chain and saying: or truck that cost $5,000 a year ago now jority leader.
Are we going to make moves to take costs $7,000—so a 41-percent increase. UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—H.R. 6968 AND
the supply chain back into the United That is $2,000 that a young family that H.R. 7108
States right now? could be going on a vacation or taking Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, as I
I am saying, they are making these care of something in the house or have said all week long, there has been
decisions this month. They are making maybe making a downpayment on a an imperative for the Senate to unite
these decisions next month. But there home or buying groceries or taking and quickly pass legislation stripping
are some here who think that we can care of rent, now, they have an extra Russia of normal trade relation status
dillydally along and maybe take $2,000 if they just want to get a car to with the United States. The House has
months and months and months to rec- get them to and from work. acted; the White House supports it.
oncile these two bills. They are abso- That is what we are talking about. As the President meets with our al-
lutely wrong. We are talking about real impacts that lies in Europe, it is very important we
I guarantee you, the Europeans are are happening in real people’s lives send a message to the world that we
not waiting. The Europeans have de- today, and some here are cavalier are united in making sure Putin pays a
cided they are going to fund this in- about these costs. They think this is heavy price for his war on Ukraine.
vestment. They are going to continue all about how long are they going to After the House passed PNTR last
to move faster than the United States wait until they give the President of week by 424 to 8, including the support
of America to decide to do the next the United States another victory, and from Leader MCCARTHY, it is unreason-
level of investment in semiconductors. that is a wrong approach. The approach able and deadly wrong for the Senate
So are we just basically saying to should be: What are we going to do to not to do the same, especially while
those U.S. manufacturers and other deal with the high cost of products the President is abroad. So we are
companies that have products: Well, if that we now don’t have because of sup- seeking consent to move this legisla-
you want the next generation chips, ply chain disruptions, and what are we tion forward ASAP.
maybe you should locate in Europe? going to do to resolve these issues? After a day of long negotiations yes-
Do not think this is an idle issue; it I will debate anybody on either side terday, I reached an agreement with
is not. There is great competition for of the aisle who does not want to move Senator CRAPO, with concurrence from
the demand for these semiconductors, forward on this bill because they don’t Senators WYDEN and MANCHIN, to move
but some here want to wait months and like the approach. Maybe they don’t forward on PNTR while also taking ac-
months and months before we get to like the concept of the United States tion on oil ban legislation separately.
the resolution of this issue. making an investment here. But I will Now, I understand that Senator PAUL
We need to send a signal to the mar- tell you, it is very clear that the has further objection and is demanding
ket that the United States is deter- United States has fallen behind. It is we amend this agreement with a major
mined to be a leader in this area, that very clear that we went from 36 per- change to the legislation. Senator
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we are determined for our national se- cent of the market down to 12. And if PAUL appears to be the lone Senator
curity and manufacturing competitive- we do nothing, we are going to fall demanding this. I believe that all other
ness, and that we are going to build the even worse, and we won’t have any of 99 Senators are in agreement to pro-
best chips in the world. And for the the supply chain here. It will be lo- ceed.
supply chain, we want that supply cated in other places. Look, all of us want to see this bill
chain here in the United States of I know the American people get this move quickly because it is so very
America. in an intuitive fashion. The informa- much needed and it is so bipartisan. I
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March 24, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1763
am willing to include, as part of our ibly important that we read bills before I have offered an amendment, and I
unanimous consent right now, that we vote on them, that we have ade- will offer it here in a moment. My
Senator PAUL be entitled to have his quate debate, and that we really under- amendment simply includes the defini-
amendment with a majority vote stand what we are doing. tion that I just read. Gross violation of
threshold. The Magnitsky Act was originally an human rights—torture, cruel and inhu-
The question before Senator PAUL is, act that sought to sanction people in mane treatment, indefinite detention.
even though the vote was 424 to 8 in the Russia—still does—but was expanded That is what we would put in the bill,
House and is very bipartisan here in beyond Russia, and now, this bill would is the actual definition. These aren’t
the Senate, is he going to tank PNTR expand it further. my words; these are the words of the
because his arcane interpretation is When you are going to sanction peo- mostly Democrats who wrote the bill,
not forced into the bill? Can Senator ple, there has to be an argument about the Magnitsky Act.
PAUL take yes for an answer? Can he whom you are going to sanction, so the What they are trying to do is take
let us move forward today to hold original Magnitsky Act has in law that the Magnitsky Act and drive an enor-
Putin accountable? you would sanction people who have mous hole in it that you can push any-
Every Senator would like his pro- gross violations of internationally rec- thing through and do sanctions on any-
posal or her proposal put in the bill, ognized human rights. Well, that body, anywhere in the world, based on
but in the Senate, we vote; and we are sounds good, but the Magnitsky Act a vague, ambiguous, and vast defini-
willing to give the Senator a vote, even goes a step further and defines what tion that is not specific.
though we greatly disagree with his in- these are. Gross violations of human All I am asking is that you keep the
terpretation of the law that is here. rights include torture; cruel, inhu- Magnitsky Act. The irony here is the
I truly, I earnestly, and I strongly mane, or degrading treatment; punish- very authors of the Magnitsky Act are
hope that my Republican colleague ment or long detention without on the floor saying: We don’t want the
does not object to bipartisan legisla- charges and trial; causing the dis- Magnitsky Act anymore. We want a
tion that would deal a heavy, heavy appearance of persons by the abduction big, enormous hole, that the President
blow on Putin’s Russia, especially after and clandestine detention of those per- can sanction anybody in the world any-
the House of Representatives acted sons—a lot of this applies to, really, time.
with overwhelming bipartisan support. what happened to Magnitsky; this was It is a terrible idea. It is ripe for
Many of our Republican colleagues named after him because of what hap- abuse from a President.
have criticized the Biden administra- pened to him—other flagrant denials of Many on the other side had argu-
tion for supposedly not acting quickly the right to life, liberty, and the secu- ments with the previous President, and
enough on Putin, but now, one Repub- rity of the person. they worried about him having unlim-
lican Senator is holding up this over- What we are having happen right now ited power. So they want to give un-
whelmingly bipartisan bill. I strongly is sort of—they are trying to pull a fast limited power to their President be-
hope some of my other Republican col- one, basically. We are going to get rid cause they like him better. Well, guess
leagues can persuade Senator PAUL to of all definitions of gross human rights, what? I am an equal opportunity, ecu-
accept our agreement here so that we and we are going to replace them with menical kind of guy who says: No
can move forward. Let us be equally not a list of things like torture and President should have vast powers. All
resolute in standing with Ukraine and murder, indefinite detention; we are Presidents’ powers should be cir-
fighting back against Putin’s brutal going to replace it with the words ‘‘se- cumspect. All Presidents’ powers
war by passing PNTR in the Senate rious human rights abuse.’’ should be controlled.
right away. Well, it still sounds pretty good, but All I am asking for is that we pass
Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- it is like, what does that mean? The the original Magnitsky Act. So this is
sent that at a time to be determined by problem is that many different people going to be forever. This isn’t a year or
the majority leader, following con- have different definitions of rights. The 2. When we first started into the
sultation with the Republican leader, left, including the U.N., believes you Magnitsky Act, we were going to do it
the Senate proceed to the en bloc con- have a right to an abortion, to a house, for just a year or 2 and see how it is
sideration of H.R. 6968, the Russian Oil to the internet, to healthcare. So you going. This is forever. It will never
Ban, and H.R. 7108, Russia PNTR, both can see how, if you have wide-open, come back up again. And we are doing
of which are at the desk; that there be vague, vastly ambiguous language, it with 5 minutes’ worth of debate, not
2 hours for debate on the bills en bloc someone could be President and say: going through a committee, and we are
equally divided between the two lead- The leader of that country is denying just simply going to say: Do whatever
ers or designees; that it be in order for the human right to abortion, so there- you want. Sanction anybody in the en-
Senator CRAPO, or a designee, to offer fore, we must sanction them. Without tire world.
the Crapo-Wyden amendment at the any sort of tribunal, without any sort It is a huge mistake, it is a huge ex-
desk to H.R. 6968; that there be 30 min- of due process, they would just simply pansion of government power, of Presi-
utes for debate equally divided prior to sanction them. Or what if they are not dential power, and it will lead to abuse.
the vote on the amendment; that it be providing the internet? And I promise you, the moment there
in order for Senator PAUL to offer the So the thing is, words are important. is a Republican President back in the
amendment at the desk to H.R. 7108; You can’t have vacuous sort of defini- White House, the other side will be
that there be 2 hours for debate equally tions. Where did this definition—it squawking, saying: Why is he doing
divided and controlled in the usual came from the Trump administration. this? Why is he doing this?
form prior to a vote on the Paul So basically, what they are trying to So I would say take a step back. We
amendment, and that these be the only do is mirror the Trump administration, could talk about this over the next sev-
amendments in order to either bill; which gave unlimited authority to the eral days. We could come to an agree-
that upon the use or yielding back of President. It is kind of surprising, for ment. I have even said we could expand
time, the bills be considered read a all the superficial rhetoric and opposi- the definition. The definition of ‘‘gross
third time en bloc and the Senate vote tion to President Trump, that they are violation of human rights’’ from
on passage of H.R. 7108, as amended, if trying to adopt his language now. But Magnitsky should not be thrown away.
amended, and H.R. 6968, as amended, if this language also comes from the And we could add to it. If there are
amended; finally, that the motions to Biden administration because the one other things, such as corruption, that
thing Presidents have in common is you don’t think are included, give us
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
reconsider be considered made and laid
upon the table without further inter- they like unlimited power without some words, and we will talk about it
vening action or debate. checks and balances. and see if we can come to a com-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there If this language goes through, it will promise. That is what was offered, and
objection? remove any checks and balances or any what we get back is that, oh, every-
The Senator from Kentucky. definitions as to what human rights body else agrees on the other side, so I
Mr. PAUL. Reserving the right to ob- abuses are. It is a terrible mistake. It should be quiet. I am talking about
ject, Mr. President, I think it is incred- is rash, and we shouldn’t do it. something that is arcane. This is your
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S1764 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2022
language. This is the Magnitsky Act That is why the language the Senator leader’s request, so we can expand it,
from the last 5 years, and you are call- is referring to was included in the we can give him the tools he needs, so
ing it arcane? original act. It was aimed at one epi- that we can respond and help the peo-
This is a very reasonable request. It sode and one set of abusers. ple of Ukraine. That is what is involved
is a very unreasonable request to ram It became such a successful tool for here.
this down the throats of Americans, to diplomacy that, working with Senator But with the amendment being of-
expand Presidential power with no McCain, the two of us worked on mak- fered by the gentleman from Kentucky,
checks and balances, and I absolutely ing it a global bill so that it would we would be moving backwards. We
object to it. apply beyond just Russia and that we would be doing just the opposite. It
I will offer as a counter, though, a could use this to advance American would weaken where we are today. So I
unanimous consent request that is at foreign policy. am really puzzled as to why we can’t
the desk to have my amendment pass And we worked—and quite frankly, trust the judgment of the Members of
immediately, and if my amendment is we didn’t have the enthusiastic support the Senate to make this decision. Let’s
passed immediately, that the remain- of the administration because the Sen- argue over the 2 hours that the major-
ing request from Senator SCHUMER be ator from Kentucky is right: Adminis- ity leader will give us to argue this
passed as well. trations like to have their own author- point. I look forward to that argument
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. VAN ity; they don’t like Congress to inter- on the floor of the Senate. I already
HOLLEN). The majority leader is recog- cede. And on the Magnitsky, we can had that argument in our committee.
nized. make recommendations as to who Because the two—the gentleman from
Mr. SCHUMER. Before I yield to my should be considered for sanctions. So Kentucky and I, along with the Pre-
friend from the State of Maryland, the it was a major step forward, and we siding Officer, served on the Senate
author of the Magnitsky Act, let me were able to pass Global Magnitsky. Foreign Relations Committee. We had
just say this to my good friend from In the meantime, President Trump this argument in committee. And if I
Kentucky: Every Senator would like worked with us on this. He was a sup- am correct, I believe, the vote was all
their amendment to be easily inserted porter of using this tool. And he passed but one supporting my position.
into a bill, but in the Senate, we vote. an Executive order—signed an Execu- So we have already had this debate
I am offering the Senator a vote on his tive order, that included provisions where it should take place among the
amendment. If each Senator said ‘‘my that we asked him to include in the Ex- experts. And the gentleman’s not satis-
way or the highway,’’ we would have ecutive order because we recognized fied with that. I am at a loss here be-
total paralysis even on an important that corruption was the fuel for Mr. cause I know how important it is for us
piece of legislation like this. Putin and Russia and authoritarian re- to move forward to help the people of
I yield to the Senator from Mary- gimes. So we wanted to make sure that Ukraine.
land. we could include corruption. We want- Every day, we see the bodies on the
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ed to make sure that we could include ground. We see the horrific action by
ator from Maryland. the enablers—those who enabled these Mr. Putin, and we really want to do ev-
Mr. CARDIN. I reserve the right to human rights abusers to do what they erything we can to help the people of
object in regard to the Senator from do, and that was included in the Execu- Ukraine. The action the majority lead-
Kentucky’s request. tive order. er is asking us to take will help the
Mr. President, first, let me just cor- And we worked with the Trump ad- people of Ukraine. And as I understand
rect some of the statements that were ministration. And we have worked with it, one Senator is going to deny us the
made. This bill went through the com- the Biden administration. And we now opportunity to take a very positive
mittee. It was voted on in the com- have a workable standard. And better step, to stand up for democracy, and
mittee. Amendments were offered in than that, as a result of our leadership, for standing up for the people of
the committee. The Senator from Ken- we have gotten our countries around Ukraine.
tucky was present during the markup the world to conform to our tool. The I object to the request.
in the committee. That is the way leg- European Union has passed Global The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ob-
islation should be considered in this Magnitsky. The UK has passed Global jection is heard to the modification.
body. Magnitsky. Canada has passed Global Is there objection to the original re-
We are talking about how the Senate Magnitsky. Japan is considering it as quest?
can work the way it should? Let the we speak. Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, I object.
committees function. And that is ex- It is becoming the standard. So from The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec-
actly what we did in regard to the leg- a process point of view, what was tion is heard.
islation that is on the floor. It went passed out of our committee, what was The Senator from Oregon is recog-
through the regular process. And the passed out of the House committee, nized.
Senator’s request is despite the fact both authorizing committees have Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I am
that the majority leader has said he agreed on this language, which has going to keep my remarks short and
will allow a vote on the floor and let been signed off by Treasury so they simple. America and the world need
the Members of the Senate make the know they can use it, which has due immediately the toughest possible
decision as to whether they agree or process in it because we are dealing sanctions against the Russian
disagree with the arguments made by with property rights. oligarchs, who are working constantly
the author of the amendment. That is So now let’s get to the substance of to devise Byzantine schemes to get
how a democracy should work. That is what the gentleman’s amendment around the kind of sanctions that are
how the legislative process should would do. The substance of it is that it in this trade bill.
work. would not allow us to do what we need We all understand what is at issue
So I am somewhat shocked that the to do in regards to Mr. Putin and Rus- here, and that is that we need to move
Senator would object to the majority sia as a result of his invasion of quickly. We need to move while the
leader’s request that would allow the Ukraine. And the sponsor of this President is mobilizing the collective
legislation to come to the floor and let amendment is very clear what he is strength of our allies.
the Senate work its will by majority trying to do. He is trying to take back And I am interested in working with
vote. That is what the majority leader the current authority under the Execu- all of my colleagues. With the majority
said. tive order and would, therefore, not leader’s leadership, we have been work-
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
Let me give you a little bit more his- even be useful at all in regards to going ing for days on this. But what is impor-
tory on this. The original Magnitsky after Mr. Putin. tant—and our friend from Maryland
bill was originally attached to the We would be taking a step back. It has touched on it—is that we not just
PNTR for Russia, and it was aimed was just a few days ago that President relitigate what came up in one com-
solely at the tragic death of Sergei Zelenskyy asked us to expand the indi- mittee or another, if it is going to hold
Magnitsky. We wanted to hold those vidual sanctions, and that is what is on up the essential task ahead, and that is
responsible for his death accountable. the floor right now in the majority that these oligarchs who are Putin’s
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March 24, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1765
best allies and are working with him As long as Putin’s invasion goes on, I have no idea who in this body is in
constantly to figure out ways to get we will continue to lead the world, the Putin wing of the Republican
money to fuel the Putin war machine— turning up the heat and weakening Party, but I do know that there is re-
what they really don’t want is what Russia’s war machine. sistance on the other side of the aisle
the sanctions will do: rein them in and Today, I come to the floor to support to doing what we need to do to give
limit them as they continually try to the removal of permanent normal trade President Biden even more tools to do
devise these schemes. relations with Russia. It is not, as the even more than he has already done in
So I would just urge my colleagues— Presiding Officer from Maryland this.
and we are here to continue to work on knows—it is not the first time a num- The bill passed the House with a
this—to get this done and get it done ber of us have been concerned about nearly unanimous vote. We need to fi-
now because to do otherwise allows the our government’s mistakes, in large nalize it in the Senate so we can ratch-
oligarchs and all their lawyers and fi- part, because of corporate lobbying on et up the pressure further, cut off Rus-
nancial managers to look at what is permanent normal trade relations with sia’s ability to finance its unprovoked
happening in the U.S. Senate. And countries around the world. invasion of another member country in
those oligarchs say, ‘‘Doesn’t look like One of worst decisions ever made in the World Trade Organization.
there is going to be anything right this body, or at least in recent history, Even before this war, we knew that
now—don’t have to worry imme- and the damage it did to manufac- Russia, like China, games the rules.
diately.’’ turing in the industrial Midwest and They cheat on trade. I said it yesterday
The Senate is better than this. I urge elsewhere, was giving permanent nor- on the floor: They subsidize their in-
my colleagues to pass this bill, which mal trade relations to China and the dustries. They pollute the environment
would impose the harshest economic advantages that gave them. to gain that unfair advantage. It is
consequences of a generation on the American companies, always in pur- cheaper to make something if you
Russians, and particularly the suit of cheaper labor, if going south don’t dispose of waste or you put con-
oligarchs, who have done so much to wasn’t good enough—they would go to taminants into the air instead of dis-
prop Putin up against the odds. Mexico and then they would go to posing of them in another way.
Pass this bill. Pass it now. China, close the plants in Ohio or West- Ohioans know all too well about
I yield the floor. ern Maryland, move to China, open up being forced to compete with countries
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- plants there with cheap labor and with that cheat.
ator from Ohio. Why have we let another day go by
pretty much nonexistent environ-
Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, today’s with this still on the books? If we don’t
mental regulations, and then ship
powerful new sanctions against hun- remove it now, Russia will continue to
those jobs back to the United States.
dreds of Putin allies are another crit- use the status to position their indus-
That was permanent normal trade rela-
ical step in U.S. leadership, bringing tries in the global market, hurting
tions with China that we gave them
our allies together to ratchet up pres- American companies in the process.
some 20 years ago. It was a horrible It is not a partisan issue. A couple
sure on Russia to halt its brutal inva- mistake, but, today, this is about—for weeks ago—almost a month ago—I in-
sion of Ukraine. a different reason—permanent normal troduced the bicameral, bipartisan bill
I think Putin has been shocked by a trade relations with Russia that we with Senator CASSIDY of Louisiana to
couple things. Putin has been shocked have granted. remove Russia’s permanent normal
that the Ukrainians have had such fu- The President has already committed trade relations status. There is bipar-
rious, effective, courageous resistance. to ending permanent normal trade re- tisan support to do this quickly.
He didn’t see that coming. lations with Russia, and the House has I have worked with my colleague
The other thing that shocked Putin already passed a bill ending PNTR with Senator CRAPO on many Russia sanc-
has been the skill with which President Russia, so what are Senate Republicans tions efforts over the years. I trust
Biden assembled this coalition of coun- waiting for? him. I know we share the same goals,
tries to stand up to Putin, to provide Russia should not have free and un- but it is Senator PAUL, speaking for
assistance to refugees and assistance to limited access to America’s economy whomever on this, not letting this bill
Ukrainians in their country, to provide or to the global economy. There should through.
military assistance, and to put the be no place for Putin and his cronies to I am hopeful there is a path forward.
squeeze on sanctions against Russia. hide. I hope we can work out differences
He has assembled this coalition skill- We are trying to get this done in the quickly. The majority—an over-
fully, including countries like Ger- Senate. I was on the floor yesterday whelming majority of this body wants
many and Sweden and Finland and hoping we could see this done then. to move. We all—we should all stand
Switzerland, even—countries that Twenty-four hours more have passed; together saying countries that invade a
never really played here and nobody 24 hours more of Putin attacking, as a sovereign nation will not have free and
really expected. And Biden has brought war criminal, people in Ukraine, people unrestricted access to our economy, pe-
them in, in a coalition, and extracted— who are innocent, people who should riod.
and with the right kind of target on never have to deal with this; another Again, countries that invade another
sanctions. night in Ukraine under fire from an sovereign nation will not—should not—
In addition to sanctioning the banks unprovoked Russian advance on civil- have free and unrestricted access to
and the oil companies, in addition to ian families; another day of destruc- our economy. It is time to come to-
sanctioning the oligarchs and Putin tion of civilian buildings in peaceful gether to end permanent normal trade
himself, the President is announcing cities. relations with Russia.
now sanctioning Russian parliamentar- So waiting every day hurts the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
ians and the Parliament itself, the Ukrainian people. We need to do our ator from Massachusetts is recognized.
Russian Duma, a dozen more Russian part to give the President immediate Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, Vladi-
arms merchants and defense firms that legal authority he needs to work with mir Putin has continued to wage hor-
have enabled this war, and additional our allies on this to shut off access to rific war against Ukraine and the
Putin cronies, including the CEO of favorable tariff treatment for Russia’s Ukrainian people. This invasion, waged
Russia’s largest bank. goods here and around the world. upon the profits of Russia’s oil and gas
I don’t understand opposition to what Senator PAUL, one Republican Sen- empire, has caused destruction and
we are trying to do. I don’t know. Do ator, needs to relent to let us pass this.
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
devastation beyond measure.
we have Members of this Senate, per- I mean, I know what LIZ CHENEY, a We must denounce Putin’s war of
haps, that, for whatever reason, side Member of the House, the daughter of choice, and we must call out profit-
with Putin or side with the oligarchs? Vice President Cheney under President eering and the ricochet effects of that
I don’t know. But this is legislation we Bush—I know what she said some time conflict that affect Americans and oth-
ought to be able to get moving quickly ago, and she is a Republican. She ers across the world.
through this body as it did in the talked about the Putin wing of the Re- This connection to conflict is only
House. publican Party. possible as a result of the fallacy of
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S1766 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2022
American energy independence from gument is leakier than an old oil tank- lion barrels of oil a day while import-
oil and gas extraction—a lie that has er, and it has been proven again and ing 8.4 million barrels per day. Last
been sold by the American Petroleum again. year, we imported, on average, 600,000
Institute or the ‘‘American Prevari- If Big Oil wanted to make us energy barrels of oil a day from Russia. At the
cation Institute,’’ as they should be independent, they would have already same time, we exported the same
called. For years, the oil and gas indus- done it. Instead, they resort to their amount to China. That is what the Re-
try has sold Americans more snake oil Big Lie. publican Party and the gas and oil in-
than actual oil, promising security and So here are the facts: dustry got in 2015 when we lifted the
safety in exchange for unlimited drill- Big Oil is sitting on 11,000 unused oil ban on the export of American oil.
ing, unlimited exports, unlimited prof- and gas leases, and 9,000 of those leases That is not energy independence; it is
its for Big Oil and Big Gas in the are on Federal lands in the United profit dependence of the American peo-
United States. And after yet another States. They have already been pur- ple on the agenda of Big Oil and Big
year of price spikes caused by Putin chased by the oil and gas industry, Gas.
and profiteering, it is time to say mostly for $2 an acre, but they have The Gas and Oil Party doesn’t want
enough is enough with these false got them; and 2,000 leases are offshore, to drill for oil here in America to pro-
promises and crocodile tears from the in the waters of the United States, and tect Americans from economic harm;
American Petroleum Institute, from they have all been already approved for they want to do it for their own eco-
ExxonMobil, from Chevron, from all of drilling. nomic benefit. Big Oil has a need for
these companies. Big Oil also has 6,000 partially drilled greed. The Republican Party, as we
President Biden was right to follow wells that they can use to drill right just heard in the confirmation hearing,
my SPIGOT Act and the bipartisan now. In other words, they have already kept talking about crime in the
consensus in the House and Senate to done the drilling, and they are still not streets. No. The big problem is crime in
ban all oil imports from Russia. The going there right now, on an emer- the suites—crime in the oil and gas ex-
only way to end Putin’s oil- and gas- gency basis, to produce that additional ecutive suites of our country—and the
funded wars is to cut off his oil- and oil and gas. Republican Party’s inability to stand
gas-funded piggy bank, which comes, Why is that? up to them so that we have true energy
unfortunately, historically, from Because rather than using the re- independence in our country. In 2021,
American consumers at the pump buy- sources they already have to drill, they while consumers sacrificed at the
ing Russian oil for their cars. That has are using this crisis as an excuse to get pump, with gas prices increasing by 50
to end. And, thankfully, President more leases, more wells, more profit percent, Big Oil made over—get this
Biden has now made that decision. for themselves while sitting on, squat- number—$200 billion in profits.
And it is because we have a moral ting on, the existing leases they al- That is what is happening. That is
moment here to provide all possible ready have that could produce the ad- why they don’t want to drill—because
humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian ditional oil and gas that they say they the price of oil might come down;
people. We have a moral moment here want to produce. Of course, they don’t therefore, their profits might come
to cut off the money pipeline that is want to produce that oil or else they down, but they have built all the leases
funding the missiles and the tanks that would be doing it already. They just they need right now. This isn’t about
are destroying the homes of innocent want more leases that they can sit on energy supply for consumers; it is
people in Ukraine. And we have a and profit from in the years ahead. about Big Oil’s demand for profits for
moral moment that ensures that we In terms of solving this crisis that we their shareholders and for their execu-
take the action to build a better world have right now, they can do it if they tives. That is what the agenda of the
that is safe from the climate-change- want, but they don’t want to because it oil and gas industry in America is all
fueled crisis. But our ability to meet might actually drive down the price of about, not American security, not
this moral moment hinges on what we oil or it might drive down the price of American consumers, not American en-
do next on the floor of the U.S. Senate, natural gas if they produce more here. vironmental and healthcare issues, but
what action we take to respond to this So this is not a problem of govern- the profits of their executives.
obvious crisis that we have on the mental overreach. If you don’t trust We don’t need sacrifice in our coun-
planet, all related to this oil- and gas- me on this, how about trusting the oil try. We need innovation. We need a
fueled military invasion of Ukraine— executives themselves. In a recent sur- way to ensure that we unleash all of
the tanks, the planes, the soldiers—all vey, 60 percent of oil executives said the potential, which we have, in our
paid for by oil and gas money. that investors are keeping them from country in order to tap into all of our
We could fail to meet this moral mo- drilling. Just 10 percent pointed to reg- rich natural resources. Instead of sup-
ment by accepting the bad faith argu- ulations. These are the oil company ex- porting energy independence and get-
ments from Big Oil, which is using this ecutives. They say it is the investors— ting out of the way of a real domestic,
horrifying invasion to push for more the millionaires in their companies— clean energy boom, Big Oil would rath-
drilling and money to fossil fuel com- who don’t want to drill, not Federal er force consumers to sacrifice with
panies with more lands and waters lost regulations. high prices at the gas pump.
to extraction, more profit for Big Oil at Remember the Keystone Pipeline— We don’t need Americans to sacrifice
the expense of American pocketbooks; the pipeline that the Republicans by paying high gas prices. Instead, we
or we can meet the moral moment that wanted so they could be energy inde- need to innovate and install clean en-
the United States is willing to lead pendent? ergy solutions. This is our short-term
with innovation, moving away from In 2015, every single Republican on and our long-term solution to price dis-
global oil chaos and closer to clean, the floor of the U.S. Senate voted ruptions, climate chaos, environmental
cheap, domestic renewable energy against my amendments to ban the ex- injustice, and wars paid for with oil
sources—sources that will not fall vic- ports of that oil from the Keystone and gas profits—much of it war profit-
tim to price hikes from despots, dic- Pipeline. They kept saying then it eering.
tators, and criminals overseas. would lead to energy independence, and Here are some more facts:
Now, we have all heard the Big Lie when I said, ‘‘Fine. Let’s have an An additional 16 million electric ve-
from Big Oil, FOX News, and the GOP, amendment that says it cannot be ex- hicles on the road would replace all of
the Gas and Oil Party. Their message ported,’’ every single Republican voted the oil that we currently import from
no—allow it to be exported out of our Russia. Let me say that again. If we
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
is: All you need to do is give us a few
more leases, cut a few more regula- country. would just deploy 16 million all-elec-
tions, provide us with a few more sub- These crocodile tears from the Re- tric vehicles, we would back out all the
sidies, and then we will be on our way publican Party—from the GOP, Gas oil from Russia. The next 16 million
to energy independence. and Oil Party—are just so predictable, all-electric vehicles would back out all
Trust the oil and gas companies, they and it comes back every single time. the Saudi oil that we import into the
say, and FOX News says, ‘‘Yes, trust Big Oil has kept up their export she- United States. ‘‘EVs’’ just doesn’t
the oil and gas industry,’’ but that ar- nanigans. In 2021, we exported 8.6 mil- stand for ‘‘electric vehicles’’; it also
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March 24, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1767
stands for ‘‘ending violence’’—getting The solar from our deserts, the solar dug for ourselves and our dependence
the United States tied up into situa- power from those States that have near upon that region.
tions around the world because of all of year-round Sun, the wind off of our We have the solution. It is innova-
the money that these wealthy oil coast from Massachusetts down to tion; it is optimism; it is unleashing
states get from the United States. Maryland, which the Presiding Officer the entrepreneurial spirit in our coun-
Here is another way to break it down: represents, the wind off of the west try. That will be the challenge of the
We can put 5 million electric vehicles coast, the hydropower from our South- U.S. Senate over the next 2 months.
on the road, 5 million heat pumps in east, the geothermal from our North- Will we have the same courage to re-
homes, and replace 75 percent of our west—all of it can be tapped, and we spond, to take on those energy titans,
public bus fleet with electric buses and can end an era wherein our country is in the same way that the Ukrainian
still back out all the oil we import held hostage by the need to import people, every day, are giving us the ex-
from Russia. In the time it would take more oil. ample that we should be following?
to implement these measures, we can Our Federal climate policies are ex- With that, I yield the floor.
release the already congressionally actly what we need—this national se- I suggest the absence of a quorum.
mandated sales of the Strategic Petro- curity moment, this environmental The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The
leum Reserve to give consumers relief moment, this healthcare moment, this clerk will call the roll.
at the gas pump. moral moment for our country and for The senior assistant legislative clerk
We can accomplish all of this by proceeded to call the roll.
the planet. There is no quick solution
passing my SAVE Consumers Act with Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask
to this quagmire that Big Oil has
Senator HEINRICH, which would grant unanimous consent that the order for
drilled the United States into. There
the President additional authority to the quorum call be rescinded.
are only better and worse solutions,
implement energy efficiency standards The PRESIDENT pro tempore. With-
moral and immoral solutions. We can
and release another 265 million barrels out objection, it is so ordered.
innovate and install clean energy that
of oil from the Strategic Petroleum UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT—H.R. 4521
produces all of the energy which we
Reserve by the end of 2023. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask
We can do this. We can deploy the need and that protects us, protects our
allies, and protects our planet at the unanimous consent that notwith-
Strategic Petroleum right now, invest
very same time or we can continue standing rule XXII, the cloture mo-
in a renewable, clean energy agenda,
down the pathway of false promises tions on amendment No. 5002 and H.R.
and actually produce enough energy
and profiteering. 4521 ripen at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March
that substitutes for all the Russian oil
It is our moral moment. Let’s stand 28; that if cloture is invoked on the
and do so in a very brief period of time;
in solidarity with those affected by oil substitute, all postcloture time be con-
but we have to commit to destroying
and gas wars and seize this chance for sidered expired; the remaining pending
the demand by Putin’s dirty energy
a cleaner, safer, more affordable future amendments be withdrawn; no further
business model by powering our own
for Americans, for our allies, and for amendments be in order; the substitute
country with clean, American-made re-
the world. amendment be agreed to; the cloture
newable energy. We can power our way
There are doubters that we can make motion on the bill be withdrawn; the
to peace. We can power our way to
this transition, people who say: Well, bill, H.R. 4521, be considered read a
stopping the most dangerous effects of
wind and solar and all-electric vehicles third time, and the Senate vote on pas-
greenhouse gases that are creating cli-
and battery and storage technology— sage of the bill, as amended, with 60 af-
mate change on our planet.
Putin banks on divisions in the West. that sounds fine, but it just won’t solve firmative votes required for passage,
What he found instead was our com- the problem. They are the same people all without further intervening action
plete solidarity with the people of who said that we could not deploy the or debate.
Ukraine. Imagine if we were to channel spectrum. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is
I was the author of the bill that ac- there objection?
that same spirit of unity to unlock a
complished and that made it possible The Senator from Vermont.
safe, healthy future and untether our-
for everyone, by 1995, to have a flip Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, reserv-
selves from Putin’s dirty profits. We
should agree that no country continues phone in their pockets at 10 cents a ing the right to object.
to have a veto on our energy security minute. Then, in using that very same The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The
or of our friends and allies. spectrum 10 years later, a young guy, Senator is recognized.
The future lies not in the extracted Steve Jobs, invented a phone which is Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I am
fossil fuels of the Industrial Revolution a computer that has the same power as requesting votes on two very impor-
but in technologies that will power the the computers on the Apollo mission to tant issues regarding this competition
clean energy revolution. the Moon. We innovated; we moved; bill: No. 1 to put the Senate on record
It is in our interest to build a well- and we can actually see the people, in in opposition to providing $53 billion in
trained, well-paid battalion of Amer- their fleeing Ukraine, all holding corporate welfare to the highly profit-
ican union workers to lead countries to smartphones invented in the United able microchip industry, with no pro-
look to their energy needs from the States because we put together the tections for the American taxpayer;
red, white, and blue of the United policies that changed us from black ro- and two, to eliminate the $10 million
States instead of Putin’s cronies who tary dial phones to these powerful com- bailout included in this bill for Blue
finance Russia’s repression at home puters in everyone’s pockets. Origin, a space company owned by Jeff
and adventurism abroad. We can do the same thing with en- Bezos, the second wealthiest person in
By passing a $555-billion investment ergy. We can create a revolution. We this country who is now worth over
in clean energy and climate justice, we just have to get Big Oil and Big Gas $180 billion.
can build a made-in-America clean out of the way and allow our young So, Mr. President, I ask the majority
economy that delivers real energy people to innovate, allow our entre- leader: Will you now give me your com-
independence for our country, and we preneurs to innovate, allow for the de- mitment to receive two rollcall votes
can export those technologies around ployment of all of these technologies, next week on each of these motions to
the world. With tax credits and rebates and then children will have to look to instruct at a simple majority thresh-
in wind and solar, all-electric vehicles, the history books to find if there ever old?
offshore wind, battery storage tech- was such a crisis that we are living The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The
through today. majority leader.
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nologies, heat pumps, and advanced do-
mestic manufacturing, we can cut So my hope is that the Senate will Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, yes, I
costs at home while cutting off Putin’s respond and that they will understand give the Senator from Vermont my
money line from oil and natural gas. how much of this conflict is created by firm commitment to do whatever I can
These investments would reduce our the globe’s dependence upon oil and to get an agreement to have votes on
dependence on global oil markets and, gas. Putin is proving that to us once his two motions to instruct when the
instead, power our country through lo- again, and if we look at the Middle message comes back from the House on
calized clean energy. East, we can see that hole that we have this measure.
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S1768 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 24, 2022
Having made that commitment, I ask much wealthier. In fact, over 700 bil- has shut down over 780 manufacturing
the Senator from Vermont whether he lionaires in America became nearly $2 plants in the United States and elimi-
might allow the Senate to agree to my trillion richer during the pandemic. In nated 150,000 American jobs over the
original unanimous consent request? other words, for the people on top, the last 20 years, while moving most of its
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The pandemic has been a very, very good production overseas. Got that? So this
Senator from Vermont. time economically. is an industry that said: Hey, we are
Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I ap- But it is not just the increased making money, but we can make even
preciate the commitment of the major- wealth of the very rich that we are see- more money by going to low-wage
ity leader to ensure that I will receive ing. Corporate profits are at an alltime countries. Let’s do that. Let’s throw
rollcall votes on these two issues. Hav- high, and CEOs have seen huge in- 150,000 American workers out on the
ing received the majority leader’s firm creases in their compensation pack- street. We are going to go abroad.
commitment, I will not object. ages. And a lot of this is happening be- Now, in terms of this $53 billion bail-
I ask unanimous consent to address cause of the unprecedented level of cor- out, nobody knows exactly who will be
the body for 10 minutes. porate greed—corporate greed that we receiving that money. My guess is that
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is are seeing. the bulk of that money will go to five
there an objection to the original re- Let me just give you a few examples major semiconductor companies, and
quest? of the corporate greed that is taking that is Intel, Texas Instruments, Mi-
Hearing none, it is so ordered. place right now. Everybody knows that cron Technology, Global Foundries,
Without objection, the Senator from the price of gas is soaring. Last I saw, and Samsung. These five companies in
Vermont is recognized for up to 10 min- it is averaging about $4.25 a gallon. line for tens of billions of dollars of
utes. Meanwhile, ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, corporate welfare made over $75 tril-
Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, let me and Shell made nearly $30 billion in lion in profit last year.
thank the majority leader for his will- profit last quarter alone. The price of The American people are sick and
ingness to put my two motions to in- gas is soaring and major oil companies tired of our government working for
struct on the floor next week for a are making huge, huge profits. Amazon wealthy campaign contributors and for
vote. And I want to take a minute to recently raised the price of its Prime the Big Money interests. I know it is a
explain to my colleagues and the membership by 16.8 percent. Mean- radical concept to suggest, but
American people what these amend- while, it increased its profits by 75 per- maybe—just maybe—we might want to
ments are about. cent to a record-breaking $35 billion. be working for ordinary working-class
As I think most Americans under- In terms of food, everybody knows and middle-class Americans.
stand, half of the people in our country food prices are going up. The price of Let me talk a little bit about what
are living paycheck to paycheck. They beef is up 32 percent, price of chicken is our amendments would do. Our amend-
cannot afford the high cost of up 20 percent, price of pork is up 13 per- ments are very simple.
healthcare. They are often spending cent. Meanwhile, Tyson Foods, a major The first amendment, obviously,
more than they can afford for housing. producer of chicken, beef, and hot dogs, would prevent microchip companies
If they are fortunate enough to be able increased its profits by 140 percent last from receiving taxpayer assistance un-
to have gotten a higher education, it is quarter to $1.1 billion. The price of food less they agree to issue warrants or eq-
more likely than not that they are is soaring, and food companies are en- uity stakes to the Federal Govern-
struggling with significant student joying huge profits. ment. If private companies are going to
debt. If they are young parents, they While Americans are finding it hard- benefit from over $53 billion in tax-
are probably finding it hard to locate er and harder to pay for the outrageous payer subsidies, the financial gains
quality, affordable childcare or pre-K. costs of prescription drugs—we pay the made by these companies must be
If they are older Americans, it is likely highest prices in the world for our med- shared with the American people, not
they are having a hard time paying for icine—last year Pfizer, Johnson & just wealthy shareholders. In other
the dental care, the hearing aids, the Johnson, and AbbVie, three major words, all this amendment says is that
eyeglasses, or the home healthcare pharmaceutical companies—increased if these companies want taxpayer as-
that they desperately need. their profits by over 90 percent to $54 sistance, we are not going to socialize
Meanwhile, as many middle-class and billion. People can’t afford the price of all of the risks and privatize all of the
working-class Americans fall further prescription drugs, but pharmaceutical profits. If these investments turn out
and further behind, there is another industry profits are soaring. Again, all to be profitable as a direct result of
economic reality taking place in our of which kind of takes me to the legis- these Federal grants, the taxpayers of
country. We don’t talk about it lation that is on the floor right now, this country have a right to get a re-
enough—but we should—and that is the so-called Competitiveness Act. turn on this investment.
that the people on top, the very Do we need to increase computer chip This is not a radical idea. These are
wealthiest people in our country, are production in the United States? Yes, exact conditions that were imposed on
doing phenomenally well and, in fact, we do. But we need to do it in a way corporations that received taxpayer as-
have never had it so good. that does not provide massive amounts sistance in the bipartisan CARES Act,
Today in America, we have more in- of corporate welfare to an already which passed the Senate 96 to 0. It is
come and wealth inequality than ever enormously profitable industry. not a radical idea.
before. We talk a lot about Russian oli- In my view, it makes zero sense to I believe in industrial policy. That
garchy—and that is certainly true—but provide $53 billion in corporate welfare. means the government works with the
anybody who thinks that we don’t have That is a blank check: Here it is, private sector. It does not mean that
an oligarchy in this country is surely microchip industry, no strings at- the government simply gives the pri-
mistaken. tached, no protections for the Amer- vate sector everything they want with
In our country today, we have two ican taxpayer to the microchip indus- no protection to the taxpayer. So if the
people who own more wealth than the try. result of these $53 billion in grants is
bottom 40 percent of the American pop- And as part of this legislation, in ad- these companies make money, that is
ulation, and the top 1 percent own dition—I don’t know how many people good—that is good—but the taxpayers
more wealth than the bottom 92 per- know this—some may think I am actu- who helped invest in these new produc-
cent. ally kidding when I say this—but this tion facilities should be able to enjoy
And, unbelievably, during this ter- legislation provides $10 billion in bail- some of those profits as well and get
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rible pandemic—which has cost us al- out to Jeff Bezos—the second wealthi- some of that money returned to them.
most 1 million lives—when thousands est person in America who is worth The second amendment is really a
of essential workers died, they died be- over $180 billion—so that his company, very, very simple one. It asks: Why in
cause they had to go to their jobs, and Blue Origin, can launch a rocket ship God’s name would we be giving $10 bil-
going to their jobs, they contracted the to the Moon. lion to a company owned by the second
virus. During that same period of time, A word about the microchip industry. wealthiest person in this country, Jeff
the billionaire class became much, We are talking about an industry that Bezos? If Mr. Bezos wants to go to the
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March 24, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1769
Moon, if he wants to go to Mars, he The motion was agreed to. than 2 weeks, since it is not my intent
wants to go to Saturn, that is his busi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The to drag this out. My staff spoke with
ness. He has every right in the world to clerk will report the nomination. additional whistleblowers and subse-
do that, but he does not have a right to The senior assistant legislative clerk quently made three separate requests
ask the taxpayers of this country for read the nomination of C.S. Eliot to representatives of the mayor to send
$10 billion to help him make his trip to Kang, of New Jersey, to be an Assistant us the city’s investigative report—on
outer space. This second amendment Secretary of State (International Secu- March 11, 18, and 21. The mayor’s staff
simply eliminates that $10 billion grant rity and Non-Proliferation). provided me with a copy of the report
that goes to Mr. Bezos. CLOTURE MOTION on March 21. However, we were just no-
I look forward to winning the support Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I send tified last night, March 23, that there
for these two important amendments, a cloture motion to the desk. was also an updated report, along with
which I think are strongly supported The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- a summary that was completed several
by the American people. ture motion having been presented months after the original report that
I yield the floor. under rule XXII, the Chair directs the my office received on March 21.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. clerk to read the motion. While I am still reviewing this re-
WARNOCK). The majority leader. The legislative clerk read as follows: port, my staff informs me that the re-
f CLOTURE MOTION port is focused exclusively on allega-
We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- tions made that Mr. Jacobs sexually
EXECUTIVE SESSION ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the harassed an LAPD officer. It does not
Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby
address other allegations made, includ-
move to bring to a close debate on the nomi-
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR nation of Executive Calendar No. 791, C.S. ing allegations that Mr. Jacobs had
Eliot Kang, of New Jersey, to be an Assistant sexually harassed the mayor’s senior
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I staff and made racist comments toward
Secretary of State (International Security
move to proceed to executive session to and Non-Proliferation). staff in front of the mayor.
consider Calendar No. 725. Charles E. Schumer, Richard J. Durbin,
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Due to the extremely narrow scope of
Brian Schatz, Martin Heinrich, Alex
question is on agreeing to the motion. this report, the fact that many of the
Padilla, Jacky Rosen, Margaret Wood
The motion was agreed to. Hassan, Dianne Feinstein, Benjamin L. allegations brought to my office were
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Cardin, Richard Blumenthal, Angus S. not investigated in that report, and the
clerk will report the nomination. King, Jr., Bernard Sanders, Christopher fact that we only received the updated
The senior assistant legislative clerk Murphy, Sheldon Whitehouse, Sherrod report last night, I have instructed my
Brown, Michael F. Bennet, Christopher staff to continue investigating these
read the nomination of Nani A. A. Coons.
Coloretti, of California, to be Deputy allegations.
Mr. SCHUMER. Finally, I ask unani- As I said earlier, it is not my intent
Director of the Office of Management
mous consent that the mandatory to drag this out and I anticipate that
and Budget.
quorum calls for the cloture motions my investigation will be concluded in
CLOTURE MOTION
filed today, March 24, be waived. the near future.
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I send The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
a cloture motion to the desk. objection, it is so ordered. [Prior Statement]
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- f Mr. President, I intend to object to any
ture motion having been presented unanimous consent request at the present
under rule XXII, the Chair directs the LEGISLATIVE SESSION time relating to the nomination of Mayor
clerk to read the motion. Eric Garcetti, of California, to be the U.S.
Ambassador to the Republic of India.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
MORNING BUSINESS I will object because I have received nu-
CLOTURE MOTION
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask merous credible allegations from multiple
We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- whistleblowers alleging that Mr. Garcetti,
ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the unanimous consent that the Senate
while Mayor of Los Angeles, had knowledge
Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby proceed to legislative session and be in
of sexual harassment and assaults allegedly
move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- a period of morning business, with Sen- committed against multiple city employees
nation of Executive Calendar No. 725, Nani ators permitted to speak therein for up and their associates by his close advisor, and
A. Coloretti, of California, to be Deputy Di- to 10 minutes each. that he ignored the misconduct. The allega-
rector of the Office of Management and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tions involving the mayor’s office have been
Budget. objection, it is so ordered. the subject of public reporting and a purport-
Charles E. Schumer, Tina Smith, Brian edly independent investigation. However, se-
Schatz, Angus S. King, Jr., Jon Ossoff, f
rious questions remain regarding the alleged
Tim Kaine, Chris Van Hollen, Cath- NOMINATION OF ERIC M. misconduct, as well as the mayor’s knowl-
erine Cortez Masto, Raphael G. GARCETTI edge of that misconduct.
Warnock, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jack
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, 2 First, whistleblowers who have spoken
Reed, Tammy Baldwin, Ron Wyden,
weeks ago, I introduced a statement with my office have not previously spoken to
Gary C. Peters, Mazie K. Hirono, Chris-
into the RECORD which indicated my the Foreign Relations Committee, and are
topher Murphy.
presenting new allegations that must be
f intent to object to any unanimous con- fully investigated.
sent request relating to the nomina-
LEGISLATIVE SESSION Second, the investigation of the Los Ange-
tion of Mayor Eric Garcetti to be U.S. les mayor’s office reportedly found no wrong-
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I Ambassador to the Republic of India. I doing by the mayor or his staff. However, in-
move to proceed to legislative session. did so because I had received multiple formation provided by multiple whistle-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The whistleblower complaints that Mayor blowers strongly suggests that this inves-
question is on agreeing to the motion. Garcetti witnessed and was aware that tigation was incomplete at best. The extent
The motion was agreed to. his deputy chief of staff, Rick Jacobs, to which the investigation was truly inde-
sexually harassed city employees. In pendent is also not clear, and the report has
f not been made public.
my statement, which I have copied
EXECUTIVE SESSION below, I made clear that I needed to in- The United States owes it to the Republic
vestigate the allegations being made of India to send them a qualified Ambassador
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that will represent the values of the United
by whistleblowers and that I needed to States. Mayor Garcetti may very well be
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR review the investigation that the city fully qualified, but at this time, the Senate
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I of Los Angeles had commissioned needs to look into these allegations further.
move to proceed to executive session to which supposedly cleared Mayor So until my staff and I have conducted a
consider Calendar No. 791. Garcetti of any wrongdoing. thorough investigation and are able to speak
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The At the time, I instructed my staff to with everyone involved I cannot vote to con-
question is on agreeing to the motion. complete this investigation in no more firm Mr. Garcetti.
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