Congressional Record — Senate, S2615 (May 19, 2022)
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate, pages S2615 and S2616, dated May 19, 2022. The page opens with the end of a roll call vote (yeas 48, nays 36, the motion was agreed to) and the reading of the nomination of Stephanie Dawkins Davis, of Michigan, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit. Under morning business, Leahy speaks on the death of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh and on Alaa Abdel Fattah in Egypt, and Ossoff speaks on the Small Business COVID Relief Act, saying he would oppose it in its present form unless it is amended. Menendez speaks in support of the confirmation of Barbara A. Leaf as Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, and Blunt recognizes the 57 Global Medical Response Stars of Life award recipients.
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“Congressional Record — Senate, S2615 (May 19, 2022).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2022-05-19-i86-crec-2022-05-19-pt1-pgs2615-6-067201fe6a/
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May 19, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2615
NOT VOTING—16 prisoners, including journalists, opposi- my head and, out of an abundance of
Braun Inhofe Shaheen tion activists, and lawmakers, were re- caution, have been following my doc-
Brown Marshall Tillis leased from pretrial detention—the tor’s advice to remain under observa-
Cassidy Moran Van Hollen
Cramer Portman
second group since July last year. tion and rest for a few days. I am
Young
Ernst Rosen These individuals had been behind bars grateful for the warm wishes I have re-
Hassan Rounds on charges of spreading fake news and ceived from my colleagues and con-
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. collaborating with a terrorist organiza- stituents from across Maryland and the
LUJÁN). On this vote, the yeas are 48, tion, accusations that are frequently excellent care of the medical team at
the nays are 36. used to silence critics of the al Sisi George Washington University Hos-
The motion was agreed to. government. pital. Following my doctor’s orders, I’ll
f
These releases were welcome news, begin to ease back into my schedule.
but thousands of other opposition fig- Had I been present to vote today, I
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR ures remain behind bars for acts of free would have voted in favor of the crit-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The speech and association that are not ical package of aid for Ukraine. The
clerk will report the nomination. crimes under international law. One of people of Ukraine continue to stand up
The senior assistant legislative clerk those is Alaa Abdel Fattah, a blogger, to Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked at-
read the nomination of Stephanie software developer, and political activ- tack, and today’s aid package will de-
Dawkins Davis, of Michigan, to be ist who is also a British citizen, who liver military and humanitarian aid to
United States Circuit Judge for the has already spent years in prison. He is strengthen their forces and care for ref-
Sixth Circuit. now reportedly in his 6th week of a ugees. There was no reason to delay
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- hunger strike to protest the inhumane this crucial support, and I am glad it
jority leader. conditions he and other prisoners are has finally passed.
f forced to endure. I would have also voted in support of
Mr. Abdel Fattah was arrested in today’s bill to deliver much-needed re-
LEGISLATIVE SESSION September 2019, along with his lawyer, lief to restaurants and small businesses
--- Mohamed El Baqer, while on a 5-year in Maryland and across the country
probation period after his conviction who are still recovering from the
MORNING BUSINESS
for the non-crime of spreading ‘‘fake COVID–19 pandemic. I hear regularly
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask news,’’ requiring him to spend 12 hours from these businesses, who have
unanimous consent that the Senate of each day at a police station. He had worked hard to stay afloat and con-
proceed to legislative session and be in been released only 6 months earlier tinue to struggle through no fault of
a period of morning business, with Sen- after spending 4 years behind bars. their own. America’s restaurants are at
ators permitted to speak therein for up He received a 5-year sentence last De- the center of their communities, and
to 10 minutes each. cember after spending more than 2 we must support them through this un-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without years in pre-trial detention. He has re- precedented time. I am disappointed
objection, it is so ordered. portedly been denied access to reading that many of my Republican colleagues
f and writing material and has not been voted against proceeding today, and we
exposed to sunlight in months. Visita- once again saw the damage of the fili-
DEATH OF SHIREEN ABU AKLEH
tion with a single family member is buster to progress for the American
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I join limited to a mere 20 minutes per people. I will continue to work to per-
Secretary Blinken in calling for a thor- month. suade my colleagues of the urgency of
ough, impartial investigation of the The Egyptian Government has point- this support.
tragic death of widely respected Pales- ed to the lifting of the longstanding I look forward to returning soon to
tinian-American journalist Shireen emergency law in October and the re- work alongside you all for the people of
Abu Akleh, in the Jenin refugee camp lease of a new human rights strategy my great State of Maryland.∑
on May 4. According to press reports, as evidence of progress. Compared to f
Israel has already launched an inves- nothing, that is arguably true. But as
tigation. Some Members of Congress SMALL BUSINESS COVID RELIEF
long as people like Mr. Abdel Fattah
have called for the FBI to be involved. ACT
are denied due process and treated in
I echo that recommendation. The in- ways reminiscent of the Middle Ages, it Mr. OSSOFF. Mr. President, res-
vestigation will also require the par- is hard to take seriously Egypt’s new taurants in Georgia have been among
ticipation of Palestinian authorities. ‘‘human rights strategy.’’ the small businesses worst hit by the
Too often, shootings of unarmed civil- Egypt is an important ally of the COVID–19 pandemic, and I am working
ians in the occupied territories have United States. We share a common in- every day to help them recover and
gone unpunished. This must not be one terest in a peaceful Middle East. But thrive. Today, I voted that the Senate
of those cases. on human rights we have profound dif- should proceed to debate S. 4008, the
In addition, Israeli authorities must ferences. I urge the Egyptian authori- Small Business COVID Relief Act, leg-
hold accountable those who were re- ties to match their words with actions. islation intended to help businesses im-
sponsible for, and participated in, the A serious human rights strategy would pacted by COVID–19, including small,
chaos that erupted during Ms. Abu include repealing laws that are used to independent restaurants that were un-
Akleh’s funeral procession, when criminalize speech and association, able previously to access emergency re-
Israeli police beat mourners with ba- real consequences for ignoring max- lief via the Restaurant Revitalization
tons, including the pallbearers, causing imum limits on pre-trial detention, and Fund.
them to momentarily drop one end of protections of the rights of prisoners. A However, should the Senate proceed
the casket. The explanation provided good first step would be the immediate to debate this measure, as I voted
by Israeli police officials, that mourn- release of Mr. Abdel Fattah, who never today that we should, the bill should be
ers had been chanting nationalist slo- should have been arrested in the first amended such that it is well targeted
gans and waving Palestinian flags, in place. and more fiscally responsible in order
no way justifies their lack of judgment, (At the request of Mr. SCHUMER, the to earn my support in a vote on final
disrespect, and use of unnecessary following statement was ordered to be passage. While I support this legisla-
force in what should have been a sol- printed in the RECORD.) tion’s aims—helping small businesses,
emn, peaceful procession deserving of f especially small and independent res-
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
their protection. taurants—and while I believe we should
VOTE EXPLANATION proceed to debate it, I would oppose it
f
∑ Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, as in its present form should such modi-
ALAA ABDEL FATTAH my colleagues know, last weekend, I fications not be adopted.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, last experienced a minor stroke in the form I appreciate the support of the bill’s
month, dozens of Egyptian political of a small venous tear at the back of lead sponsor, Senator CARDIN, who has
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S2616 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 19, 2022
committed to work with me to ensure to hit the ground running as Assistant gency Medical Services professionals
this bill is tailored to help the small, Secretary of State for Near Eastern Af- for their acts of service, dedication to
independent neighborhood restaurants fairs. their communities, and commitment
most in need of help in a fiscally re- The Senate’s failure to confirm Am- to excellence through the Stars of Life
sponsible way. bassador Leaf earlier left a critical program. Global Medical Response, a
f post vacant and the United States member of the AAA and the world’s
without a strong and powerful advo- largest provider of emergent and non-
CONFIRMATION OF BARBARA A. cate for our Nation’s interests across emergent medical transportation and
LEAF the Middle East and around the world. healthcare services, recognizes an elite
Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I It is long past time for Ambassador group of individuals, ranging from
rise in support of Ambassador Barbara Leaf to be in her Senate-confirmed role emergency medical technicians and
Leaf to be Assistant Secretary of State advancing our interests. I am pleased paramedics, to fire service profes-
for Near Eastern Affairs. that Assistant Secretary Leaf can now sionals, nurses, dispatch specialists,
It has been almost 400 days since begin to tackle the many challenges and highly-skilled aviators.
President Biden announced this nomi- that await her. To be a Stars of Life award recipient
nation to one of the most critical re- f means to go above and beyond the call
gions in the world when it comes to of duty. It means being ready to help a
U.S. foreign policy interests. It is un- VOTE EXPLANATION stranger, both on the ground and in the
conscionable that the post has re- Mr. HAWLEY. Mr. President, had air with the care they need at that mo-
mained vacant for so long. there been a recorded vote, I would ment. It means always doing what is
Since her hearing at the Senate For- have voted no on the confirmations of right for the patient, in every cir-
eign Relations Committee, the region Executive Calendar No. 907, S. Lane cumstance. To be a Star means to show
has only become more complicated. Tucker, of Alaska, to be United States compassion in the most difficult and
Libya has been stuck in a stalemate Attorney for the District of Alaska or humbling moments of a person’s life.
since failed elections. In Tunisia, the the term of four years; Executive Cal- For some, it means making the ulti-
President sacked the Prime Minister endar No. 916, Rachelle L. Crowe, of Il- mate sacrifice.
and suspended Parliament in a coup linois, to be United States Attorney for It is important to remember the ones
against democratically elected rep- the Southern District of Illinois for the who are no longer with us but left an
resentatives. ISIS remains active in term of four years; Executive Calendar indelible mark of excellence on the
Syria, attacking a prison with guns No. 917, Jesse A. Laslovich, of Mon- world. May we never forget their her-
and car bombs to free extremists ear- tana, to be United States Attorney for oism, acts of kindness, and unselfish
lier this year. A fragile ceasefire in the District of Montana for the term of sacrifice that not only made a dif-
Yemen followed blatant attacks on the four years; Executive Calendar No. 918, ference to the people they helped, but
UAE and Saudi Arabia by Iranian- Alexander M.M. Uballez, of New Mex- also a lasting impression on the entire
backed Houthis using drones and mis- ico, to be United States Attorney for Emergency Medical Services commu-
siles. Our staunch ally Israel is fending the District of New Mexico for the nity. To their families and dearest
off rocket attacks. Iran is engaging in term of four years. loved ones, may you feel peace in
brinksmanship as negotiations drag on f knowing their lives will never be for-
over its nuclear program, which has gotten.
the potential to transform the balance RECOGNIZING THE GLOBAL MED- The Global Medical Response Stars of
of power in the region. And the Russian ICAL RESPONSE STARS OF LIFE Life award recipients and all members
war against Ukraine has set off a major AWARD RECIPIENTS of the Emergency Medical Services
global food security crisis across Africa Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, in honor community at large are a shining light
and the Middle East, adding to an al- of EMS Week, I rise to recognize the 57 in our post-pandemic world and must
ready strained humanitarian situation Global Medical Response Stars of Life be recognized as so. As such, I respect-
in parts of the region. award recipients for 2020 through 2022. fully request that each of them be in-
Meanwhile, there are opportunities Heroic acts by EMS professionals cluded in today’s record, to honor their
to seize. Our diplomacy in the Negev happen every day across the globe. In immense contributions and unwavering
Summit process is as important as the State of Missouri, Global Medical loyalty to their community while pro-
ever. Elections in Lebanon, govern- Response has two ground ambulance viding care to the world at a moment’s
ment formation in Iraq—they are all operations and 12 air ambulance oper- notice.
developments that require deft Amer- ations stationed strategically to best Lauryn Allgood, Flight Nurse of Opelousas,
ican diplomacy. support our rural communities. Every LA
These are some of the most impor- day, these professionals are called Brad Andrews, EMT of Tucson, AZ
Olga Borozinski, Flight Nurse of Las
tant issues we confront in American upon, but two instances come to mind
Vegas, NV
foreign policy. We must have our A- that truly illustrate their dedication. Loretta Burton, Paramedic of Youngstown,
team in place to advance American In November of 2020, the air evac OH
leadership and values. And no one is lifeteam flight crew—Flight Nurse Lisa Larry Cardwell, Flight Paramedic of Sac-
better suited for this job than Barbara Pittman, Flight Paramedic Rayna ramento, CA
Periman, and Pilot Randy Varady—out Destiny Carter, Paramedic of Colorado
Leaf, a dedicated public servant who
Springs, CO
devoted her career to the Foreign Serv- of Perryville were called to action and, Luke Combs, Pilot of Rosebud, SD
ice. within minutes, were at the bedside of Mathew Cox, Paramedic of Stockton, CA
She has served as our Ambassador to a senior diagnosed with an abdominal Amira Drakes, EMT of Trinidad & Tobago
the United Arab Emirates and Deputy aortic aneurysm. When time mattered Ismael Esparza, Paramedic of Palm
Assistant Secretary of State for the most, this care team made the dif- Springs, CA
Peter Gauna, EMT of Stafford, AZ
Arabian Peninsula in the Bureau of ference in saving a life. Holly Griswold, Operations Supervisor of
Near Eastern Affairs. She directed the In February 2021, a high school stu- Cochise County, AZ
critical Basrah U.S. Provincial Recon- dent driving home from football prac- Scott Hedrick, Paramedic of Evansville, IN
struction Team on the ground in Iraq, tice was broadsided by a speeding semi- Clifford Jacks, Paramedic of Concord, CA
Adam Martin, Paramedic of Buffalo, NY
and she was the Department’s first Di- truck. This time, Flight Paramedic Bryan McKeon, Paramedic of Monterey,
rector of the Office of Iranian Affairs. Eric Schowe and Flight Nurse Steph- CA
She speaks Arabic, French, Italian, and anie McMillan were ready at a mo- Will Moser, Regional Manager of Clinical
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with SENATE
Serbo-Croatian. ment’s notice to provide life sustaining Practices of Juneau, AK
She currently works as the Special care on board the EMS helicopter to Diana Priego, Flight Nurse of Sacramento,
Assistant to the President and Senior CA
help this student beat the odds. Mathew Scott, Base Pilot Supervisor of
Director for Middle East and North Af- Each year, the American Ambulance Eagle Pass, TX
rica Affairs on the National Security Association—AAA—honors and cele- Mary Springer, LMS National Adminis-
Council. She is up to speed and ready brates the most distinguished of Emer- trator of North Charleston, SC
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