Congressional Record, Senate, June 8, 2022: Honoring Our PACT Act of 2021
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated June 8, 2022, at page S2846. A Senator criticizes President Biden's immigration policy, saying the situation at the southern border is far from orderly and is not humane. Mrs. Murray, under the heading Honoring Our PACT Act of 2021, speaks about veterans harmed by toxic exposures, says her father was a World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient, and thanks Senators Tester and Moran for their work on the bill. She also says she introduced the Helping Heroes Act and is pressing the VA Secretary on the electronic health record rollout in Washington State. The remarks are the speakers' own.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, June 8, 2022: Honoring Our PACT Act of 2021.”
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S2846 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 8, 2022
President Biden has made it known The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without State veterans who are in Seattle or
that he wants to create a ‘‘fair, or- objection, it is so ordered. Spokane or Walla Walla or anywhere,
derly, and humane’’ immigration sys- HONORING OUR PACT ACT OF 2021 and that is a job I take seriously. That
tem. Well, he is failing on all fronts. I Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, every is why I have been continually pressing
don’t need to tell anyone that the situ- Senator here has a serious responsi- the VA Secretary to cut redtape and
ation at the southern border, right bility to make sure that our veterans make sure the VA caregivers program
now, is far from orderly, but it is also get the support and help they are works for everyone who needs it, the
not humane. The President and other promised after their service to our way we wrote it. It is why I introduced
members of his party tend to convey an country, and that includes making sure the Helping Heroes Act to get families
attitude that strong border security that those who have been harmed by and kids of disabled veterans the as-
and the enforcement of our Nation’s toxic exposures during their service get sistance they need. It is why I will
immigration laws are somehow not the service and care they deserve. It keep doing everything in my power to
compassionate or humane. Well, they seems pretty simple, but I hope we can hold the VA accountable for its really
are wrong. We are seeing the effects of hold up our end of the bargain today. unacceptable rollout of the electronic
the President’s anti-border security My dad was a World War II veteran— health record system in Washington
policies at our southern border right he was a Purple Heart recipient—and State.
now, and the results are neither com- when he got really sick with multiple There is a lot we need to do to really
passionate nor humane. sclerosis, help from the VA made a make sure the VA works for veterans,
Encouraging individuals to make the huge difference for my family. So I but passing the PACT Act, getting this
oftentimes dangerous journey to our want to really thank Senators TESTER done, is an important and meaningful
southern border in the hopes they will and MORAN for their persistent work on process.
be able to slip across illegally is not this bill. I am glad we have come to a Washington State veterans deserve
humane. Encouraging families and, at bipartisan agreement on the PACT Act the very best the VA has to offer, and
times, unaccompanied children to ex- because it does matter, it will help peo- there should be absolutely nothing con-
pose themselves to the dangers of heat ple, and it will save lives. troversial about making sure all vet-
and the elements and human traf- Right now, the reality is that too erans across all generations who are
ficking is not compassionate. At least many veterans are living with chronic suffering from chronic illness get the
557 migrants died while attempting to illness and respiratory diseases as a re- care they have earned.
cross the southern border during fiscal sult of toxic exposures from their time I am glad to see we have bipartisan
year 2021. That, too, was a record num- serving our country in uniform. I have support for this bill. Let’s get it done
ber. How many of them were encour- heard countless stories about the chal- and to the President’s desk.
aged to make the journey by the Presi- lenges they have faced struggling to I yield the floor.
dent’s lax border policies? get access to VA care and benefits they I suggest the absence of a quorum.
And I haven’t even mentioned the have earned, and that is unacceptable. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
lack of compassion and humanity the I believe very strongly that no one clerk will call the roll.
President displays for Americans af- who put their life or health on the line The legislative clerk proceeded to
fected by the illegal immigration cri- for our Nation should face hurdles get- call the roll.
sis. Straining the resources of U.S. bor- ting the care or medical treatment Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I
der communities by smoothing the way they need as a result of that sacrifice. ask unanimous consent that the order
for illegal immigration and cross-bor- When they signed up to serve, we told for the quorum call be rescinded.
der criminal activity is not compas- them we would have their backs long The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
sionate. Making it easier for cartels to after their service, so if we are going to objection, it is so ordered.
live up to our promise, then we need to HEALTH INSURANCE
flood our Nation with fentanyl is not
humane. pass comprehensive legislation to en- Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I
The President of the United States— sure all veterans have access to the VA come to the floor today on behalf of 9
any President—has a special responsi- services they deserve. Simply put, we million Americans who directly bene-
bility for our Nation’s security, and need to pass this PACT Act. fited from very important health insur-
that includes securing our Nation’s With this bill, generations of toxic- ance credits in the American Rescue
border. So far, President Biden has exposed veterans would finally be able Plan—credits that are set to expire at
spectacularly failed to meet that re- to get the high-quality care they need, the end of the year if Congress doesn’t
sponsibility. This week, a caravan of and the VA will get the resources need- act. I don’t believe enough attention
thousands has reportedly started work- ed to process claims efficiently and has been focused on this issue.
ing its way north, through Mexico, better serve our veterans. Last year, in March of 2021, we came
aligning with the Summits of the I remember, back when I was 22 years to this very Chamber and passed the
Americas. old, I interned at the Seattle veterans American Rescue Plan, which provided
It is long past time for the President hospital. I have visited with and met a crucial lifeline for so many families.
to get serious about the border crisis with VA staff in every part of Wash- We eliminated health insurance pre-
that he has created, and this summit ington State. The doctors, the nurses, miums for low-wage workers making
could be an opportunity for him to fi- and everyone else working at our VA less than 150 percent of the Federal
nally take action. I hope that he will medical centers really care about this poverty level, expanded eligibility for
reverse his current course before his work, they care about this Nation, and health insurance tax credits to middle-
administration’s signature accomplish- they care about their mission, but they class families, and guaranteed that
ment ends up being a legacy of chaos at need us here in Congress to care just as health coverage would not cost more
our southern border. much and fight just as hard for their than 8.5 percent of a person’s income.
I yield the floor. patients, our veterans. That is really The American Rescue Plan also in-
I suggest the absence of a quorum. what this bill is about. creased the size of the tax credit for all
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The When VA was considering closing or eligible income brackets, putting more
clerk will call the roll. reducing services in Walla Walla, I money in workers’ pockets.
The senior assistant legislative clerk fought back to make sure that our vet- As a result, ACA health insurance
proceeded to call the roll. erans in rural Washington were able to premiums were brought down by an av-
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask see a doctor without having to drive 2 erage of $50 per person per month, and
unanimous consent that the order for hours or longer, sometimes through a people in both New Mexico and in Min-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
the quorum call be rescinded. lot of rain and snow. nesota took great advantage of that.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without About 1 in every 10 residents in As a result, a record number of Ameri-
objection, it is so ordered. Washington State is a veteran, and I cans—14.5 million Americans—are en-
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask am privileged enough to serve on the rolled in the Affordable Care Act
unanimous consent to speak as if in Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. It health insurance plans. That is 2.5 mil-
morning business. is my job to be a voice for Washington lion more people who signed up in a
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June 8, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2847
single year than ever before. In my Post called a ‘‘ticking time bomb’’—we Durbin Manchin Shaheen
Feinstein Markey Sinema
home State, that translated to a also must act when it comes to phar- Gillibrand Menendez Smith
record-low uninsured rate of just 4 per- maceuticals because those prices are Hassan Merkley Stabenow
cent. That means 96 percent of Min- also going up. Heinrich Murphy Tester
nesotans have health insurance, which Hickenlooper Murray
I have just presented two really Hirono Ossoff
Van Hollen
is a great improvement over where it straightforward ways that we can help Warner
Kaine Padilla Warnock
was. families with costs when it comes to Kelly Peters
Warren
Millions more Minnesotans and healthcare. One is making sure we keep King Reed
Whitehouse
Klobuchar Rosen
Americans now have the peace of mind in place the tax credits that protect Leahy Sanders
Wyden
that comes with affordable, quality middle-class families in this country, Luján Schatz
health coverage. Eligible households in and the second is to make sure we NAYS—51
Minnesota have an annual average allow Medicare to negotiate better
Barrasso Graham Portman
ACA tax credit of $3,600. That is $3,600 prices under Medicare Part D because Blackburn Grassley Risch
freed up for housing, gas, and groceries, when you look at what is happening Blunt Hagerty Romney
while maintaining access to right now, we continue to see major Boozman Hawley Rounds
healthcare. But unless Congress acts to Braun Hoeven Rubio
drugs—major drugs—go up, doubling, Burr Hyde-Smith Sasse
make the enhanced, family-friendly go up 200 percent, 300 percent, to the Capito Inhofe Schumer
tax credits currently set to expire at point where we are already paying dou- Cassidy Johnson Scott (FL)
the end of 2022 permanent, millions of ble what they pay in Canada for a sig- Collins Kennedy Scott (SC)
Cornyn Lankford Shelby
Americans will have the rug pulled out nificant number of drugs. For Min- Cotton Lee Sullivan
from under them, likely seeing a dou- nesota, that is right across the border. Cramer Lummis Thune
ble-digit hike on their health insurance We must allow, in my mind, re- Crapo Marshall Tillis
premiums. Karen Tumulty, a col- Cruz McConnell Toomey
importation of less expensive drugs, Daines Moran Tuberville
umnist for the Washington Post, called but the biggest game changer would be Ernst Murkowski Wicker
it a ‘‘ticking time bomb.’’ to lift the ban that the pharmaceutical Fischer Paul Young
If these tax credits are not made per- companies got in place in law that says The nomination was rejected.
manent, 70,000 Minnesotans—or 61 per- Medicare, representing tens of millions The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
cent of Minnesota families—purchasing of seniors, is not allowed to negotiate HICKENLOOPER). The majority leader.
health insurance on their own could cheaper prices. That is what the VA MOTION TO RECONSIDER
see a 35- to 41-percent increase in their does, and it has been really good for
health insurance premiums, and over Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I
our veterans. We should allow the same
10,000 Minnesotans could lose their enter a motion to reconsider.
help for 46 million seniors. It will be
health insurance tax credits in 2023 un- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The mo-
good for all Americans because it will
less Congress acts. tion is entered.
bring down the taxpayer expense in
In my State, Americans between the part of the payment of drugs, and it f
ages of 55 and 64 would be most af- will be good for individual consumers.
fected, and you think about this with EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
So let’s get these two things done.
cost issues and inflation and all the I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
things people are already facing. Right I suggest the absence of a quorum. clerk will report the next nomination.
now, a 60-year-old Minnesota couple The PRESIDING OFFICER. The The senior assistant legislative clerk
with a household income of $75,000 is clerk will call the roll. read the nomination of Nina Morrison,
saving $773 in monthly premiums. Tak- The legislative clerk proceeded to of New York, to be United States Dis-
ing away those tax credits would in- call the roll. trict Judge for the Eastern District of
crease their annual health spending by New York.
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask
at least $9,000. That is like taking away unanimous consent that the order for VOTE ON MORRISON NOMINATION
multiple paychecks. the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
It is no wonder that Americans over- question is, Will the Senate advise and
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
whelmingly support making these tax consent to the Morrison nomination?
objection, it is so ordered.
credits permanent. Doctors and pa- Ms. SMITH. Mr. President, I ask for
tients have called on us to protect Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I just
want to say I know many of us recog- the yeas and nays.
these historic gains in affordability, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a
coverage, and equity. Families can’t nized your enormous service yesterday,
and we really appreciate it and so sufficient second?
afford to go back to paying upwards of There appears to be a sufficient sec-
20 percent or more of their monthly in- much today, the day after your 50th
birthday, appreciate the fact that you ond.
come toward healthcare premiums. The clerk will call the roll.
This is important for patients, and it are presiding over this august body.
I yield the floor. The senior assistant legislative clerk
is also important for providers. We called the roll.
know—hearing when we are back VOTE ON GOMEZ NOMINATION
Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is
home—that many hospitals are The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under necessarily absent: the Senator from
stretched thin right now, and putting the previous order, the question is, Will Utah (Mr. ROMNEY).
millions of Americans’ healthcare in the Senate advise and consent to the The result was announced—yeas 53,
jeopardy is going to create a lot of vol- Gomez nomination? nays 46, as follows:
atility as patients are forced to disrupt Ms. BALDWIN. I ask for the yeas and
[Rollcall Vote No. 220 Ex.]
their care and cancel procedures. nays.
YEAS—53
At a time when so many families are The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a
struggling to make ends meet, we just Baldwin Graham Murphy
sufficient second? Bennet Hassan Murray
can’t sit back and let those ACA tax There appears to be a sufficient sec- Blumenthal Heinrich Ossoff
credits expire. More Americans insured ond. Booker Hickenlooper Padilla
is good for patients, good for families, The clerk will call the roll. Brown Hirono Peters
Cantwell Kaine Reed
good for communities, and good for our The legislative clerk called the roll. Cardin Kelly Rosen
country. The result was announced—yeas 49, Carper King Sanders
I would note one other thing I would nays 51, as follows: Casey Klobuchar
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
Schatz
do when it comes to healthcare, and Collins Leahy
[Rollcall Vote No. 219 Ex.] Schumer
Coons Luján
that is making sure that we allow Cortez Masto Manchin
Shaheen
YEAS—49 Sinema
Medicare to negotiate prices under Duckworth Markey
Baldwin Brown Casey Smith
Medicare Part D for pharmaceuticals. Durbin Menendez
Bennet Cantwell Coons Feinstein Merkley Stabenow
While our communities are facing the Blumenthal Cardin Cortez Masto Tester
Gillibrand Murkowski
potential of this—what the Washington Booker Carper Duckworth
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