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formal | Chicago | null | racist | The following communications were laid before the Senate, together with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated: EC-5478. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Final Rule for IN-11342: 2-propenoic acid, 2- methyl-, polymer with 2,5-furandione and 2,4,4-trimethyl-1- pentene, potassium sa'' (FRL No. 10003-65-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-5479. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Inpyrfluxam; Pesticide Tolerances'' (FRL No. 10011-32-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-5480. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Procedures'' (RIN0790-AK82) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5481. A communication from the Legislative Assistant to the Commandant, Headquarters of the United States Marine Corps, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to limitation on the physical move, integration, reassignment, or shift in responsibility of U.S. Marine Forces Northern Command; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5482. A communication from the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness), transmitting a report on the approved retirement of Vice Admiral Fredrick J. Roegge, United States Navy, and his advancement to the grade of vice admiral on the retired list; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5483. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Defense Commissary Agency Privacy Act Program'' (RIN0790- AK72) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5484. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Defense Commissary Agency Act Program'' (RIN0790-AK72) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5485. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Collection from Third Party Payers of Reasonable Charges for Healthcare Services'' (RIN0720-AB68) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5486. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``TRICARE Coverage of Certain Medical Benefits in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic'' (RIN0720-AB82) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5487. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of the Navy Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller/Chief Financial Officer), transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to Antideficiency Act (ADA) Violations; to the Committee on Appropriations. EC-5488. A communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, a six-month periodic report on the national emergency with respect to significant foreign narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia that was declared in Executive Order 12978 of October 21, 1995; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5489. A communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, a six-month periodic report on the national emergency with respect to the situation in and in relation to Syria that was declared in Executive Order 13894 of October 14, 2019; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5490. A communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, a six-month periodic report on the national emergency with respect to Iran as declared in Executive Order 12957 of March 15, 1995; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5491. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Test Methods and Performance Specifications for Air Emission Sources'' (FRL No. 10012-11-OAR) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5492. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Air Quality State Implementation Plans; Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Utah; Infrastructure Requirements for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards'' (FRL No. 10013-92-Region 8) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5493. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Air Plan Approval; Alabama; Air Quality Control, VOC Definition'' (FRL No. 10013-41-Region 4) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5494. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Air Plan Approval; California; Consumer Products Regulations'' (FRL No. 10013-66-Region 9) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5495. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Air Plan Approval; California; Feather River Air Quality Management'' (FRL No. 10012-89-Region 9) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5496. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Air Plan Approval; Georgia; Permit Requirements'' (FRL No. 10013-22-Region 4) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5497. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Air Plan Approval; Wisconsin; VOC RACT for the Wisconsin Portion of the Chicago-Naperville, Illinois- Indiana-Wisconsin Area'' (FRL No. 10011-74-Region 5) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5498. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Amendments Related to Marine Diesel Engine Emission Standards'' (FRL No. 10013-36-OAR) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5499. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Approval and Limited Approval and Limited Disapproval of California Air Plan Revisions; San Diego County Air Pollution Control District; Stationary Source Permits'' (FRL No. 10013-14-Region 9) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5500. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Commonwealth of Kentucky: Final Approval of State Underground Storage Tank Program'' (FRL No. 10013-46-Region 4) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5501. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Reconsideration'' (FRL No. 10013-60-OAR) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5502. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review'' (FRL No. 10012-11-OAR) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5503. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``PM10 Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request; Imperial Valley Planning Area; California'' (FRL No . 10014- 02-Region 9) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5504. A communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to section 1705(e)(6) of the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, as amended by Section 102(g) of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996, a semiannual report relative to telecommunications- related payments made to Cuba during the period from January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-5505. A communication from the Legal Counsel, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Procedural Regulation on Issuing Guidance'' (RIN3046-AB18) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5506. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Progress Report to Congress on the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and the National Cord Blood Inventory Program''; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5507. A communication from the Inspector General, Railroad Retirement Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the Office of Inspector General's budget request for fiscal year 2022; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5508. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``2019 Annual Report to Congress on the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund''; to the Committee on Indian Affairs. EC-5509. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Defense Intelligence Agency Privacy Program'' (RIN0790- AK65) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 15, 2020; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-5510. A communication from the Section Chief of the Diversion Control Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Implementation of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018'' (RIN1117-AB53) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 16, 2020; to the Committee on the Judiciary. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-22-pt1-PgS5784-3 | null | 1,400 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. BROWN (for himself, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Van Hollen, and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary: S. Res. 712 Whereas community schools marshal, align, and unite the assets, resources, and capacity of schools and communities for the success of students, families, and communities; Whereas community schools are an effective, evidence-based, and equity-driven strategy for school improvement included under section 4625 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7275), as added by section 4601 of the Every Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114-95; 129 Stat. 2029); Whereas community schools that provide integrated student supports, well-designed and expanded learning opportunities, and active family and community engagement and that use collaborative leadership and practices have positive academic and nonacademic outcomes, including improvements in student attendance, behavior, academic achievement, school readiness, and mental and physical health, high school graduation rates, and school climate and reduced racial and economic achievement gaps; Whereas community schools have the potential for closing racial and economic achievement gaps, as indicated in a 2017 report; Whereas a 2020 study found that New York City's community schools had a positive impact on student attendance, on-time grade progression, and credit accumulation for high school students; Whereas community schools provide a strong social return on investment, with one study citing a social return of between $10 to $15 for every dollar invested over a 3-year period; Whereas community school coordinators are essential to building successful community schools and creating, strengthening, and maintaining partnerships between community schools and their communities; Whereas community school coordinators facilitate and provide leadership for the collaborative process and development of a continuum of supports and opportunities for children, families, and others within a school's community that allow all students to learn and the community to thrive; Whereas the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (referred to in this preamble as ``COVID-19'') pandemic poses additional academic, social, emotional, and health challenges for students, educators, and staff at community schools; Whereas community school coordinators have proven to be innovative and resourceful in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including through organizing volunteers for mobile food pantries, hosting virtual parent hangouts and student lunch groups, continuing to support onsite behavioral health programs through an online platform, and participating in advocacy efforts to halt eviction orders in their communities; Whereas community school coordinators, through their role, deliver a strong monetary return on investment for community schools and their communities, with one study citing a return of $7.11 for every dollar invested in the salary of a community school coordinator; and Whereas Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week, celebrated from September 21 through September 25, 2020, recognizes, raises awareness of, and celebrates the thousands of community school coordinators across the country and the critical role of community school coordinators in the success of students: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) designates the week of September 21 through September 25, 2020, as ``Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week''; (2) thanks community school coordinators for the work they do to serve students, families, and communities, especially as communities continue to respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic; and (3) encourages students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to participate in virtual events that celebrate Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-22-pt1-PgS5792 | null | 1,401 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 5023) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Youngstown, Ohio, as the ``Carl Nunziato VA Clinic'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. TAKANO | House | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgH4732 | null | 1,402 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (S. 1646) to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Augustine, Florida, as the ``Leo C. Chase Jr. Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic'',and ask for its immediate consideration in the House. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. TAKANO | House | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgH4733-3 | null | 1,403 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair will postpone further proceedings today on motions to suspend the rules on which the yeas and nays are ordered. The House will resume proceedings on postponed questions at a later time. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgH4734-2 | null | 1,404 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4983) to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Gilbert, Arizona, as the ``Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. TAKANO | House | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgH4734 | null | 1,405 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 451) to repeal the section of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 that requires the Federal Communications Commission to reallocate and auction the T-Band spectrum, as amended, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgH4773 | null | 1,406 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 451) to repeal the section of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 that requires the Federal Communications Commission to reallocate and auction the T-Band spectrum, as amended, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgH4773 | null | 1,407 |
formal | Chicago | null | racist | Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive communications were taken from the Speaker's table and referred as follows: 5357. A letter from the Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense, transmitting a letter on the approved retirement of Vice Admiral Frederick J. Roegge, United States Navy, and his advancement to the grade of vice admiral on the retired list, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 1370(c)(1); Public Law 96-513, Sec. 112 (as amended by Public Law 104-106, Sec. 502(b)); (110 Stat. 293); to the Committee on Armed Services. 5358. A letter from the Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense, transmitting authorization of Colonel Jason G. Woodworth, USMC, to wear the insignia of the grade of brigadier general, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 777(b)(3)(B); Public Law 104-106, Sec. 503(a)(1) (as added by Public Law 108-136, Sec. 509(a)(3)); (117 Stat. 1458); to the Committee on Armed Services. 5359. A letter from the Charman of the Board of Directors and Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, transmitting the Corporation's FY 2019 actuarial evaluation of the expected operations and status of the PBGC funds, pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 1308; Public Law 93-406, Sec. 4008 (as amended by Public Law 109-280, Sec. 412); (120 Stat. 936); to the Committee on Education and Labor. 5360. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Approval and Limited Approval and Limited Disapproval of California Air Plan Revisions; San Diego County Air Pollution Control District; Stationary Source Permits [EPA-R09-OAR-2019-0449; FRL-10013-14-Region 9] received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 5361. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; Georgia: Permit Requirements [EPA-R04-OAR-2020-0071; FRL-10013-22-Region 4] received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 5362. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; California; Feather River Air Quality Management District [EPA-R09-OAR-2020-0180; FRL-10012-89-Region 9] received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 5363. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; Wisconsin; VOC RACT for the Wisconsin Portion of the Chicago-Naperville, Illinois-Indiana-Wisconsin Area [EPA-R05-OAR-2020-0030; EPA- R05-OAR-2020-0101; FRL-10011-74-Region 5] received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 5364. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Inpyrfluxam; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2018-0038; FRL-10011-32] received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 5365. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- 2-propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with 2,5-furandione and 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene, potassium salt; Pesticide Tolerance Exemption [EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-0549; FRL-10003-65] received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 5366. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Commonwealth of Kentucky: Final Approval of State Underground Storage Tank Program [EPA-R04- UST-2020-0248; FRL-10013-46-Region 4] received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 5367. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Reconsideration [EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0483; FRL-10013-60-OAR] (RIN: 2060-AT54) received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 5368. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; California; Consumer Products Regulations [EPA-R09-OAR-2020-0213; FRL- 10013-66-Region 9] received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 5369. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- PM10 Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request; Imperial Valley Planning Area; California [EPA-R09-OAR-2019-0654; FRL-10014-02-Region 9] received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 5370. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Air Plan Approval; Alabama: Air Quality Control, VOC Definition [EPA-R04-OAR-2020-0170; FRL- 10013-41-Region 4] received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 5371. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Amendments Related to Marine Diesel Engine Emission Standards [EPA-HQ-OAR-2018-0638; FRL-10013- 36-OAR] (RIN: 2060-AU30) received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 5372. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's final rule -- Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review [EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0757; FRL-10013-44-OAR] (RIN: 2060-AT90) received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 5373. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's IRB only rule -- Concise General Statement COVID-19 Relief under section 45D (Notice 2020-49) received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ways and Means. 5374. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's final rule -- Concise General Statement COVID-19 Relief under sections 42 and 142(d) (Notice 2020-53) received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ways and Means. 5375. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's IRB only rule -- Concise General Statement COVID-19 Relief Under Section 47 (Notice 2020-58) received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ways and Means. 5376. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's IRB only rule -- Special Funding and Benefit Limitation Rules for Single-Employer Defined Benefit Pension Plans under the CARES Act (Notice 2020-61) received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ways and Means. 5377. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's IRB only rule -- Safe Harbor Explanations -- Eligible Rollover Distributions (Notice 2020-62) received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ways and Means. 5378. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's IRB only rule -- Relief for Taxpayers Affected by Ongoing Coronavirus Disease Pandemic, Related to Sport Fishing Equipment and Bows and Arrows Excise Tax Filing and Payment Deadlines (Notice 2020-55) received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ways and Means. 5379. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's final regulations -- Treatment of Payments to Charitable Entities in Return for Consideration [TD 9907] (RIN: 1545-BP40) received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ways and Means. 5380. A letter from the Director, Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's final regulations and removal of temporary regulations -- Limitation on Deduction for Dividends received from Certain Foreign Corporations and Amounts Eligible for Section 954 Look-Through Exception [TD 9909] (RIN: 1545-BP35) received September 14, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ways and Means. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgH4882-3 | null | 1,408 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, 2 days ago, the Democratic leader threatened that if the Senate majority dares to play by the rules and behave like a majority, it would mean ``the end of this supposedly great deliberative body''--``the end of this supposedly great deliberative body.'' Yesterday, we learned what he meant. We saw important Senate business hurt by what amounted to a temper tantrum. For some reason, the Democratic leader decided to vent his frustration by blocking the Intelligence Committee--listen to this--from holding a bipartisan counterintelligence hearing--by blocking the Intelligence Committee from holding a bipartisan counterintelligence hearing. The committee was set to hear from Bill Evanina, the Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. This is the Nation's top counterintelligence official. Among other things, he works directly on protecting our elections and our politics from foreign interference. That is his job. They were going to hear from him. This is the same Democratic leader who declared a few weeks ago that if the Intelligence Committee did not stay close to Congress on election security, it would be ``an abdication of [their] duty . . . to protect our democracy.'' Just last week, he wrote me a letter saying election security had to be ``above partisan politics.'' But now the Democratic leader's temper is more important. He denied Chairman Rubio routine permission for the bipartisan committee to meet. He said: ``[W]e won't have business as usual here in the Senate.'' Today, both the Intelligence Committee and the Armed Services Committee are scheduled to meet. They are set to speak with top intelligence and military officials about election security. I guess we will find out whether the Democratic leader's embarrassing theatrics were just a 1-day matinee or whether he means to make this a series. Our bipartisan committees have a great deal of work to do to safeguardour Nation and, in particular, to protect our elections, so I hope our colleague from New York gets out of the way. But the Democratic leader didn't stop there. A few minutes later, he decided to cheapen a solemn and unifying moment and turned a draft unanimous resolution honoring Justice Ginsburg into one more depressing stunt for the TV cameras. Over the weekend, I wrote a resolution honoring the late Justice's amazing life. Normally, such measures are adopted with unanimous, bipartisan support. That is exactly what we did after Justice Scalia passed. Every Senator recognized that our collective eulogy was no place to debate political questions--oh, but not this time. This time, the Democratic leader copy-pasted the tribute I had written, put his name on top, and added two divisive references to our debate over what to do next. He didn't devote any time or attention to the language praising Justice Ginsburg's life and career. He did not suggest a single change to any of that. His sole focus was on turning a solemn routine and unanimous moment for Justice Ginsburg into a platform for himself. Justice Ginsburg could not be more deserving of the honor of a formal Senate tribute. I hope our colleague from New York will let us pass one sometime soon. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5795-6 | null | 1,409 |
formal | safeguard | null | transphobic | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, 2 days ago, the Democratic leader threatened that if the Senate majority dares to play by the rules and behave like a majority, it would mean ``the end of this supposedly great deliberative body''--``the end of this supposedly great deliberative body.'' Yesterday, we learned what he meant. We saw important Senate business hurt by what amounted to a temper tantrum. For some reason, the Democratic leader decided to vent his frustration by blocking the Intelligence Committee--listen to this--from holding a bipartisan counterintelligence hearing--by blocking the Intelligence Committee from holding a bipartisan counterintelligence hearing. The committee was set to hear from Bill Evanina, the Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. This is the Nation's top counterintelligence official. Among other things, he works directly on protecting our elections and our politics from foreign interference. That is his job. They were going to hear from him. This is the same Democratic leader who declared a few weeks ago that if the Intelligence Committee did not stay close to Congress on election security, it would be ``an abdication of [their] duty . . . to protect our democracy.'' Just last week, he wrote me a letter saying election security had to be ``above partisan politics.'' But now the Democratic leader's temper is more important. He denied Chairman Rubio routine permission for the bipartisan committee to meet. He said: ``[W]e won't have business as usual here in the Senate.'' Today, both the Intelligence Committee and the Armed Services Committee are scheduled to meet. They are set to speak with top intelligence and military officials about election security. I guess we will find out whether the Democratic leader's embarrassing theatrics were just a 1-day matinee or whether he means to make this a series. Our bipartisan committees have a great deal of work to do to safeguardour Nation and, in particular, to protect our elections, so I hope our colleague from New York gets out of the way. But the Democratic leader didn't stop there. A few minutes later, he decided to cheapen a solemn and unifying moment and turned a draft unanimous resolution honoring Justice Ginsburg into one more depressing stunt for the TV cameras. Over the weekend, I wrote a resolution honoring the late Justice's amazing life. Normally, such measures are adopted with unanimous, bipartisan support. That is exactly what we did after Justice Scalia passed. Every Senator recognized that our collective eulogy was no place to debate political questions--oh, but not this time. This time, the Democratic leader copy-pasted the tribute I had written, put his name on top, and added two divisive references to our debate over what to do next. He didn't devote any time or attention to the language praising Justice Ginsburg's life and career. He did not suggest a single change to any of that. His sole focus was on turning a solemn routine and unanimous moment for Justice Ginsburg into a platform for himself. Justice Ginsburg could not be more deserving of the honor of a formal Senate tribute. I hope our colleague from New York will let us pass one sometime soon. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5795-6 | null | 1,410 |
formal | Federal Reserve | null | antisemitic | Coronavirus Mr. President, on a completely different subject--but related--we have lost 200,000 Americans to coronavirus. The predictions are that by election day there could be 300,000 deaths and by the first of next year, 400,000 deaths. My heart goes out to the families affected. I listened as spokespeople for the administration talked about the wonderful job that they have done in defending America from the coronavirus. The numbers don't back them up at all. The United States of America has 4.5 percent of the global population, and yet as of this morning, we have 20 percent of the COVID-19 deaths in the world--4.5 percent of the population, 20 percent of the COVID-19 deaths. This great and powerful Nation, with the best doctors and hospitals and researchers and pharmaceutical companies in the world, has one of the worst records in fighting this virus in the world. It is sad to think that you are five times more likely to be infected by COVID-19 in the United States than if you were living in Germany; twice as likely to be infected by COVID-19 in the United States than if you were living in Canada. Canada, just across the border, has an infection rate half of what the United States has. What is it that they did that we didn't do? Well, they came together as a nation with a national policy, and it worked. We didn't. This President basically said to the Governors: You are on your own. As a consequence, there was a mad scramble to get protective equipment. There was a mad scramble for ventilators. It was a free-for-all when it should have been a coordinated national policy. Then, when the public health experts told us the obvious, that we ought to use these masks, and we should practice social distancing, washing our hands, and avoiding crowds, the President of the United States said just the opposite. One day he wore a mask--I saw on television--when he visited a veterans hospital. I don't know if he has ever worn one before or since. When the message from the public health experts who insisted that it was the best way to break the back of this pandemic, this President mocked them by holding rallies across the United States with all of his loyal fans pointedly not wearing masks to show they really didn't care--didn't care about any of the public health advice, and we are paying the price for it. More people are infected in this country than Canada. We have double the rate here over Canada, five times the rate over Germany. So many more have died in this country who should be living today. The President, at various times, has said, when asked about the deaths: ``It is what it is.'' That is an off-the-cuff dismissal of the issue, which is beneath the dignity of any leader of either political party. Despite the urgent needs of families, businesses, workers, and unemployed Americans across the country, we haven't followed through on the original CARES Act, which passed in this Chamber on March 26. It was that date, by a vote of 96 to 0, that Republicans and Democrats said: We take this seriously, March 26, and we are going todedicate $3 trillion to make sure that we fight this virus and that we do everything in our power to cushion the shock of the economic impact of this virus on America. I went home after that, and people said: I can't believe 96 to nothing. Democrats and Republicans agreed? Well, we did. There were some proposals in there that were brandnew, such as the Paycheck Protection Program that Senators Rubio and Cardin constructed. I think I have been told they spent perhaps 2 weeks in writing this important program. Was it perfect? By no means. We realized, after a few weeks, it needed to be changed, and we changed it several times, but the concept was sound to give money to small businesses so they could keep people on the payroll, pay the mortgage, pay the rent, pay the utilities. These are the fundamentals that a business needed so that it might reopen and put people back to work. It was a great program. It should be extended even further. I think there should be a second round. I also think there should be a second round when it comes to unemployment benefits. The $600 a week, which we provided--which is incidentally subject to taxation, people should remember--but the $600 a week which we provided over and above State benefits made a dramatic difference in the lives of Americans. Critics from the outset said: It is going to make people lazy. Folks will just sit at home watching Netflix and eating bonbons. I don't believe that. In fact, when you look at the reality of the situation, 70 percent of the people who have gone back to work in America--70 percent of them--were earning less money at work then they did with unemployment benefits, and yet they went back to work. Why would they do that if it were just about whether you are going to be lazy or thrifty? It is because they want to be back to work for the benefits, to do the work that they do and enjoy doing, and they knew that unemployment was a temporary thing, as it should be, as people had an opportunity to return. So that expired July 31. The President has tried to extend it by Executive order. There is question as to whether he has the authority to do that. The President is also trying to do something which I still don't understand how to explain to anyone when it comes to payroll tax. He is allowing employers to decide whether to suspend collection of the payroll tax to a later date. If that tax on your income of 6 percent or 7 percent is suspended, but yet you have to pay it all back at the beginning of the year, are Americans prepared to have a double taxation from their payroll check after the first of the year? In the meantime, that payroll tax is supposed to be used to fund Social Security and Medicare. If the President is not funding Social Security and Medicare, what does that do to the solvency and longevity of those programs? It raises a question as to whether they are going to be hurt by this temporary measure. It is a very confusing proposal by the President, but he has put it on the table, and we are now trying to sort out the impact it is going to have. We need to do more. We shouldn't go home for this election empty handed when it comes to helping the families and businesses across America, and we need to start to help State and local governments. My State of Illinois has problems--plenty of them. When it comes to pensions, for example, just like Kentucky, we have problems funding our pensions in Illinois. But we have a second set of problems created by the pandemic--the downturn in revenue which is going to have a dramatic impact on State budgets in Illinois and other States. If we don't help these State and local governments get through this problem, they have no choice but to layoff important, vital employees--law enforcement, firefighters, healthcare--just to name a few. When people talk about defunding the police, I am afraid that if we don't give a helping hand to State and local governments, we are actually going to see the defunding of some law enforcement across this country. That is why those on this side of the aisle have been pushing for State and local assistance as part of any package of relief that we pass. The majority leader knows this needs to be done. The playbook was right in front of him for another relief bill. We did it back in March with the CARES Act. To negotiate a real package with real solutions for the American people, the majority leader needs to show up at the negotiating table. It is impossible to explain why Senator McConnell boycotted the negotiation sessions between the White House and the Democratic leaders in Congress. There was an empty chair waiting for him, but he never filled it. I am introducing legislation this week to help workers who have been furloughed or laid off through the pandemic from losing their health insurance. I can't imagine a worse situation than in the midst of a public health crisis to lose your health insurance coverage. If you have been laid off, your options are a few--but only a few. You may qualify for Medicaid. It is possible. You might go to the Affordable Care Act and go on the exchange and find an insurance policy that works for you and your family. There is also an option called COBRA, where you would take the health insurance offered in your workplace and decide to keep it but pay the employer's share as well as the employee's share on premiums. The problem, of course, is that it is very expensive. On average, COBRA costs $600 a month to keep the health insurance you had at work for an individual, $1,700 a month for a family. Six hundred dollars a week sounds like a lot of money--times 4 weeks, $2,400. But if $1,700 a month is going just to maintain your health insurance from where you worked, you can see there is virtually no benefit. It is estimated that 23 million workers can lose health coverage during the course of this pandemic. That happens to just about mirror the number who were given health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Now they stand to lose--at least the same number stand to lose their health insurance because of the pandemic. Are we going to sit still for this or are we going to help these families? My bill, which I will be introducing with Senator Cortez Masto and others, will fully cover the cost of COBRA, enabling newly unemployed Americans to keep their healthcare coverage during this difficult time. The legislation mirrors what passed in the Heroes Act in the House in May--in May, 4 months ago--and it is vital to help those whose jobs have been taken away by the pandemic. We have waited 4 months to do something here in the Senate, and we have done nothing. So McConnell brought a bill up 2 weeks ago that is so thin and so wanting that it really didn't address the problems that this Nation faces There is a new report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that half of Chicago households report having lost their jobs. Some of those who lost their job are head of household, have been furloughed or are seeing reductions in wages or hours since the start of the pandemic. Half--half--of Chicago's households reported facing serious financial problems during the pandemic and have trouble caring for their children. Thirty-five percent reported that they used up all or most of their savings. This is a terrible situation--a challenging situation. We owe it to this country and the people we represent not to ignore it. As we know, the pandemic has disproportionately affected our minority communities, with nearly 70 percent of Black families and 63 percent of Latinx families in Chicago reporting they are having serious financial problems--70 percent of Black families, 63 percent of Latinx families. While those statistics reflect the reality of many in Chicago, there is no doubt that this is also the story in many other cities across this Nation. That is why we need a Federal response. We need to do what is necessary to help these families, businesses, cities, and States get back on their feet. But instead, the Senate Republicans proposed an inadequate, partisan bill, with no negotiations with the other side of the aisle. They failed to prioritize the needs of struggling families. The bill has failed to provide another round of economic impact pay for families or hazard pay for essential workers. They fail to provide relief to States and local governments to help teachers, EMTs, firefighters, and police. A week from Thursday is October 1, which means another month's rent will be due, and many families know they will not be able to pay it. We need help on a bipartisan basis. I agree with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, if we don't move and move quickly to address this issue, the economy can sink even deeper, and recovery would be further in the distance. In the meantime, the death numbers in the United States would be even worse. I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5803 | null | 1,411 |
formal | Chicago | null | racist | Coronavirus Mr. President, on a completely different subject--but related--we have lost 200,000 Americans to coronavirus. The predictions are that by election day there could be 300,000 deaths and by the first of next year, 400,000 deaths. My heart goes out to the families affected. I listened as spokespeople for the administration talked about the wonderful job that they have done in defending America from the coronavirus. The numbers don't back them up at all. The United States of America has 4.5 percent of the global population, and yet as of this morning, we have 20 percent of the COVID-19 deaths in the world--4.5 percent of the population, 20 percent of the COVID-19 deaths. This great and powerful Nation, with the best doctors and hospitals and researchers and pharmaceutical companies in the world, has one of the worst records in fighting this virus in the world. It is sad to think that you are five times more likely to be infected by COVID-19 in the United States than if you were living in Germany; twice as likely to be infected by COVID-19 in the United States than if you were living in Canada. Canada, just across the border, has an infection rate half of what the United States has. What is it that they did that we didn't do? Well, they came together as a nation with a national policy, and it worked. We didn't. This President basically said to the Governors: You are on your own. As a consequence, there was a mad scramble to get protective equipment. There was a mad scramble for ventilators. It was a free-for-all when it should have been a coordinated national policy. Then, when the public health experts told us the obvious, that we ought to use these masks, and we should practice social distancing, washing our hands, and avoiding crowds, the President of the United States said just the opposite. One day he wore a mask--I saw on television--when he visited a veterans hospital. I don't know if he has ever worn one before or since. When the message from the public health experts who insisted that it was the best way to break the back of this pandemic, this President mocked them by holding rallies across the United States with all of his loyal fans pointedly not wearing masks to show they really didn't care--didn't care about any of the public health advice, and we are paying the price for it. More people are infected in this country than Canada. We have double the rate here over Canada, five times the rate over Germany. So many more have died in this country who should be living today. The President, at various times, has said, when asked about the deaths: ``It is what it is.'' That is an off-the-cuff dismissal of the issue, which is beneath the dignity of any leader of either political party. Despite the urgent needs of families, businesses, workers, and unemployed Americans across the country, we haven't followed through on the original CARES Act, which passed in this Chamber on March 26. It was that date, by a vote of 96 to 0, that Republicans and Democrats said: We take this seriously, March 26, and we are going todedicate $3 trillion to make sure that we fight this virus and that we do everything in our power to cushion the shock of the economic impact of this virus on America. I went home after that, and people said: I can't believe 96 to nothing. Democrats and Republicans agreed? Well, we did. There were some proposals in there that were brandnew, such as the Paycheck Protection Program that Senators Rubio and Cardin constructed. I think I have been told they spent perhaps 2 weeks in writing this important program. Was it perfect? By no means. We realized, after a few weeks, it needed to be changed, and we changed it several times, but the concept was sound to give money to small businesses so they could keep people on the payroll, pay the mortgage, pay the rent, pay the utilities. These are the fundamentals that a business needed so that it might reopen and put people back to work. It was a great program. It should be extended even further. I think there should be a second round. I also think there should be a second round when it comes to unemployment benefits. The $600 a week, which we provided--which is incidentally subject to taxation, people should remember--but the $600 a week which we provided over and above State benefits made a dramatic difference in the lives of Americans. Critics from the outset said: It is going to make people lazy. Folks will just sit at home watching Netflix and eating bonbons. I don't believe that. In fact, when you look at the reality of the situation, 70 percent of the people who have gone back to work in America--70 percent of them--were earning less money at work then they did with unemployment benefits, and yet they went back to work. Why would they do that if it were just about whether you are going to be lazy or thrifty? It is because they want to be back to work for the benefits, to do the work that they do and enjoy doing, and they knew that unemployment was a temporary thing, as it should be, as people had an opportunity to return. So that expired July 31. The President has tried to extend it by Executive order. There is question as to whether he has the authority to do that. The President is also trying to do something which I still don't understand how to explain to anyone when it comes to payroll tax. He is allowing employers to decide whether to suspend collection of the payroll tax to a later date. If that tax on your income of 6 percent or 7 percent is suspended, but yet you have to pay it all back at the beginning of the year, are Americans prepared to have a double taxation from their payroll check after the first of the year? In the meantime, that payroll tax is supposed to be used to fund Social Security and Medicare. If the President is not funding Social Security and Medicare, what does that do to the solvency and longevity of those programs? It raises a question as to whether they are going to be hurt by this temporary measure. It is a very confusing proposal by the President, but he has put it on the table, and we are now trying to sort out the impact it is going to have. We need to do more. We shouldn't go home for this election empty handed when it comes to helping the families and businesses across America, and we need to start to help State and local governments. My State of Illinois has problems--plenty of them. When it comes to pensions, for example, just like Kentucky, we have problems funding our pensions in Illinois. But we have a second set of problems created by the pandemic--the downturn in revenue which is going to have a dramatic impact on State budgets in Illinois and other States. If we don't help these State and local governments get through this problem, they have no choice but to layoff important, vital employees--law enforcement, firefighters, healthcare--just to name a few. When people talk about defunding the police, I am afraid that if we don't give a helping hand to State and local governments, we are actually going to see the defunding of some law enforcement across this country. That is why those on this side of the aisle have been pushing for State and local assistance as part of any package of relief that we pass. The majority leader knows this needs to be done. The playbook was right in front of him for another relief bill. We did it back in March with the CARES Act. To negotiate a real package with real solutions for the American people, the majority leader needs to show up at the negotiating table. It is impossible to explain why Senator McConnell boycotted the negotiation sessions between the White House and the Democratic leaders in Congress. There was an empty chair waiting for him, but he never filled it. I am introducing legislation this week to help workers who have been furloughed or laid off through the pandemic from losing their health insurance. I can't imagine a worse situation than in the midst of a public health crisis to lose your health insurance coverage. If you have been laid off, your options are a few--but only a few. You may qualify for Medicaid. It is possible. You might go to the Affordable Care Act and go on the exchange and find an insurance policy that works for you and your family. There is also an option called COBRA, where you would take the health insurance offered in your workplace and decide to keep it but pay the employer's share as well as the employee's share on premiums. The problem, of course, is that it is very expensive. On average, COBRA costs $600 a month to keep the health insurance you had at work for an individual, $1,700 a month for a family. Six hundred dollars a week sounds like a lot of money--times 4 weeks, $2,400. But if $1,700 a month is going just to maintain your health insurance from where you worked, you can see there is virtually no benefit. It is estimated that 23 million workers can lose health coverage during the course of this pandemic. That happens to just about mirror the number who were given health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Now they stand to lose--at least the same number stand to lose their health insurance because of the pandemic. Are we going to sit still for this or are we going to help these families? My bill, which I will be introducing with Senator Cortez Masto and others, will fully cover the cost of COBRA, enabling newly unemployed Americans to keep their healthcare coverage during this difficult time. The legislation mirrors what passed in the Heroes Act in the House in May--in May, 4 months ago--and it is vital to help those whose jobs have been taken away by the pandemic. We have waited 4 months to do something here in the Senate, and we have done nothing. So McConnell brought a bill up 2 weeks ago that is so thin and so wanting that it really didn't address the problems that this Nation faces There is a new report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that half of Chicago households report having lost their jobs. Some of those who lost their job are head of household, have been furloughed or are seeing reductions in wages or hours since the start of the pandemic. Half--half--of Chicago's households reported facing serious financial problems during the pandemic and have trouble caring for their children. Thirty-five percent reported that they used up all or most of their savings. This is a terrible situation--a challenging situation. We owe it to this country and the people we represent not to ignore it. As we know, the pandemic has disproportionately affected our minority communities, with nearly 70 percent of Black families and 63 percent of Latinx families in Chicago reporting they are having serious financial problems--70 percent of Black families, 63 percent of Latinx families. While those statistics reflect the reality of many in Chicago, there is no doubt that this is also the story in many other cities across this Nation. That is why we need a Federal response. We need to do what is necessary to help these families, businesses, cities, and States get back on their feet. But instead, the Senate Republicans proposed an inadequate, partisan bill, with no negotiations with the other side of the aisle. They failed to prioritize the needs of struggling families. The bill has failed to provide another round of economic impact pay for families or hazard pay for essential workers. They fail to provide relief to States and local governments to help teachers, EMTs, firefighters, and police. A week from Thursday is October 1, which means another month's rent will be due, and many families know they will not be able to pay it. We need help on a bipartisan basis. I agree with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, if we don't move and move quickly to address this issue, the economy can sink even deeper, and recovery would be further in the distance. In the meantime, the death numbers in the United States would be even worse. I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5803 | null | 1,412 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, this is a ``Time to Wake Up'' good news-bad news speech. The good news from last week is on business community support for carbon pricing. What is carbon pricing? Well, remember that IMF--the International Monetary Fund--pegs the fossil fuel subsidy in the United States at more than $600 billion per year, so the energy market is dramatically tilted to favor fossil fuels. Carbon pricing helpsset that right, helps make an even playing field. It is economics 101. And carbon pricing makes a lot of sense. What happened last week? The Business Roundtable, made up of all of these giant American corporations and more--these are the top 50 that I could fit on this chart, but there are 200 of them--came out in support of carbon pricing. Their report warned that the consequences of climate change for global prosperity and socioeconomic well-being are significant. The world simply cannot afford the costs of inaction. The Business Roundtable's report went on to urge companies to ``align policy goals and [greenhouse gas] emissions reduction targets with scientific evidence.'' Listen to the scientists. We could do more of that. The BRT said that a key component of science-based climate policy should be a price on carbon. Here is what they said: A price on carbon would provide an effective incentive to reduce [greenhouse gas] emissions and mitigate climate change, including through the development and deployment of breakthrough technologies. . . . Establishing a clear price signal is the most important-- The most important-- consideration for encouraging innovation, driving efficiency, and ensuring sustained environmental and economic effectiveness. So this is big news--these are big companies--and this is good news. These companies at the Business Roundtable employ more than 15 million people. They have more than $7.5 trillion in revenues. Their unified voice is a good thing and a big deal. With all of that good news from all of these big American corporations, what is the bad news? The bad news is that corporate America often shows one face to the world and a very different face to Congress, and the face they show to Congress is not at all aligned with this policy they just announced to the world. This discrepancy, this misalignment, is a persistent problem, and it needs to be fixed. The problem has three dimensions. One, even these companies don't pay much attention to climate change in their lobbying and election activities. For most, it is zero attention. By the way, that silence is deafening around here, and that silence by these companies is compounded by the trade associations through which they consolidate their lobbying work. Most trade associations do nothing on climate. Here is Coke and Pepsi's trade association. By the way, here are Pepsi and Coke on the list of companies that joined the Business Roundtable pro-climate, pro-carbon-price statement. But when they lobby, here is their American Beverage Association, the trade association. As you can see, they haven't been spending much money lately, and they haven't been spending anything on climate. In 2009 and in 2010, they spent a lot of money. Why? Because we were starting to work on ObamaCare and there was an idea that the companies that sold sugary beverages that created health issues should help pay the cost of the health issues that their sweetened beverages created. So off to battle went the American Beverage Association with millions and millions of dollars in spending. This, by the way, is just the number of lobbyists. This is their spending. So if they cared about climate change and wanted to put a little bit of lobby pressure on, this is what they are capable of doing. This is what they are doing. Here is a pitch, in my hands right here, entitled ``TechNet: Remaining Legislative Priorities for 2020.'' This is 13 pages of advocacy for all the things the tech sector wants from Congress through their trade association, TechNet--13 pages. The list goes on and on. ``Top priorities,'' and then page after page, in small print, of all the priorities, of all the things that they want Congress to do for them--and there is not a single mention of climate change, not a single mention of carbon price. What do you think Congress will respond to--general noise made to the world or your specific asks to Congress? Here is the list of companies whose CEOs signed that Business Roundtable report and came out for action on climate and a carbon price and who are also in TechNet, which, the week before, came here with 13 pages of legislative priorities that didn't include either climate change or carbon price. You have to line things up, you guys. These are big players. Look at them: Honeywell, Amazon, Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, Visa, GM, Apple, Comcast, Oracle, Accenture, Hewlett-Packard, and PayPal--all on both sides of the issue within the same week here in Congress. So those are the trade associations that do nothing on this issue. It gets worse because there are trade associations that are our worst enemies on climate action. In fact, InfluenceMap has done some research and tracked which groups and which corporations are the most climate friendly and which are the most climate hostile. If you look all the way over, right next to Marathon Petroleum in hostility is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. There was actually a tie. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers were statistically tied as the two worst climate obstructers in America. So they are out here, having worked hammer and tongs to stop climate legislation and prevent a carbon price, and you have the Business Roundtable statement supporting action on climate change and supporting a carbon price. So here are the companies that are members of the Business Roundtable and came out last week for action on climate change and supported a carbon price and that are also members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which relentlessly opposes all serious climate action and, specifically, a carbon price. Look at them all. Look at them all. I don't know if the camera can pan in on that, but these are some of America's biggest corporations. I would bet you that, if this group said, ``Hey, we have just made a new decision over in the Business Roundtable, wearing our Business Roundtable hat,'' and went to the Chamber and said, ``We are not going to do your opposition any longer; we are not going to support your opposition to climate action; we are actually serious about being for climate action and a carbon price''--if all of those companies actually said that to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and threatened to quit if they didn't clean up their act at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, that would make a very big difference. And around here that would make a very big difference because the Chamber is the biggest kahuna of lobbying. It is electioneering all the time, usually against Democrats, almost inevitably for the worst candidate on climate, and they are over in courts and in regulatory agencies opposing climate action all the time. So why support that if what you really support is doing something on climate, including a carbon price? So the National Association of Manufacturers was the other group in a tie with the Chamber for America's worst climate obstructer. These are all the companies whose CEOs signed the Business Roundtable statement supporting climate action and supporting carbon pricing and are members of one of the two worst climate obstructers in America, at the same time. So that creates a little bit of a problem. Now, I should go back to the Chamber one just briefly and put a caveat in here. We don't know who all the Chamber members are. It is a very secretive organization. Many of its members report that they are members of the organization, and that is how we can assemble a list like this. But if the company doesn't report that they are members, we don't know. So this is not necessarily complete, but this is all that we can know out of this secretive, very oppositional, worst climate obstructer organization--the Chamber of Commerce. There are some other odd discordances among these Business Roundtable leaders. We go back to Business Roundtable membership who signed on this; that is, companies like Google, Amazon, AT&T, and Verizon, which are on the BRT list. There is Verizon right there. They are donors to something called the Competitive Enterprise Institute. The Competitive Enterprise Institute is the group that put that flagrant, some would say almost nutty, climate denier Myron Ebell onto the EPA transition team. The Competitive Enterprise Institute is a dramatic antagonist to either anything serious on climateor a price on carbon. Yet companies that signed this Business Roundtable statement support the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Many people will remember when we came to the floor in groups of Senators to talk about the web of denial and the web of front groups that the fossil fuel industry set up to hide their hands and do their dirty work and stop climate action in Congress. That is the Competitive Enterprise Institute right there--right there, right smack in the middle of the web of fossil-fuel-funded climate denial, and Google, Amazon, AT&T, and Verizon were all supporting that group while supporting the Business Roundtable. Now, none of this would matter much if Congress was just a sideshow and it was really up to corporations to do their own thing, but that is not the case. Action in Congress is actually the main event in succeeding on climate. That is why the fossil fuel industry has worked so hard to set up this web to deny climate science and to obstruct climate action here in Congress. So when these Business Roundtable companies come to Congress through their other groups and say, ``Don't bother on climate'' or ``Don't do a carbon price,'' it matters. And it makes it a little hard to really take action in Congress based on their statement that they support climate action and a carbon price when, through other groups, they are funding the opposition to the position that they claim to support. So, to the BRT, thank you for what you did. I don't want to under appreciate that. It is a big deal. It is a good, good thing. But now you have to make it real. You have to make it real in Congress. No more zero effort from you. No more zero effort from your trade associations. No more support for our biggest climate obstructers from you. If you want the results of what you asked for, you have to align your actions in Congress with your values. Align what you say in that statement with what you do through your groups here in Congress. That ought not to be much to ask--to align what you do in Congress with what you say you want to do to the outside world. I have a few suggestions, if you are interested. One, think about commissioning a lobbying and electioneering audit of your own company. If you are the CEO, commission an audit of your own company's lobbying and electioneering so you actually know what your company is doing on climate. I suspect a lot of the CEOs signed this in good faith. They don't know. So commission an audit. Learn what your company is really doing on climate. Do an audit of your trade associations. If you are a member of a trade association, get in there and see what they are up to. I bet that you will find that what I say is true. Three, demand that your trade associations declare where they get their money. It seems obvious that the reason that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers became the two worst climate obstructers in America is because they were paid to. If you, CEOs on the Business Roundtable, had known that, this might not have happened. We might not have been here by now. It is very likely that the Chamber and the NAM leaders snuck up on you, taking floods of fossil fuel money that they didn't tell you about and selling out their organizations to the fossil fuel industry, leaving you high and dry, having to explain why you are supporting the two worst climate obstructers in America. So do your audit, and then give those trade associations a deadline to align with your policy or you will quit--you will quit on the deadline if they haven't. Don't let them slow-walk you through endless discussion and process while they are still loading up on fossil fuel money and running fossil fuel errands in your names. Don't let them do that. Finally--finally--recommendation five, ask your lawyers. Ask your lawyers, particularly if you are on the board of climate obstructer groups: If these groups were trafficking in fraudulent information, what is the board's responsibility? That is a lawyer question. If they loaded up with fossil fuel money, how was your due diligence on the board of that organization in detecting that warning signal that your trade association had loaded up with fossil fuel money and was arguing against your position when it came to Congress, carrying the water for the fossil fuel industry? Your lawyers may have some advice about whether you have met due diligence. Final point, climate is not really a partisan issue. It wasn't in 2007 to 2009, when Senator Cardin and I got here and the Senate had multiple bipartisan climate bills. It wasn't in 2008, when Republican John McCain had climate on his party platform as the Republican nominee. It all started with Citizens United in 2010, when the fossil fuel industry was allowed to trade up its political weaponry from muskets, corporate PACs, to tactical nukes, unlimited spending, secret super PACs, phony front groups--the whole apparatus of climate obstruction. Today, as a result of that, the Republican Party has been so captured that on climate it is little more than the political wing of the fossil fuel industry. It doesn't have to be that way. To these big companies who signed this wonderful pledge: Fix your politics, push back on the fossil fuel obstruction, clean up your obstructor trade associations, wake up your sleepers, and make climate a real priority in Congress, and you will see what looks like magic begin to happen. For you all, it is less time to wake up to climate change than it is time to wake up to your own political indifference and presumably unknowing complicity in the political logjam on climate action that the fossil fuel industry has deliberately created here in Congress. With that, I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. WHITEHOUSE | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5810 | null | 1,413 |
formal | Google | null | racist | Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, this is a ``Time to Wake Up'' good news-bad news speech. The good news from last week is on business community support for carbon pricing. What is carbon pricing? Well, remember that IMF--the International Monetary Fund--pegs the fossil fuel subsidy in the United States at more than $600 billion per year, so the energy market is dramatically tilted to favor fossil fuels. Carbon pricing helpsset that right, helps make an even playing field. It is economics 101. And carbon pricing makes a lot of sense. What happened last week? The Business Roundtable, made up of all of these giant American corporations and more--these are the top 50 that I could fit on this chart, but there are 200 of them--came out in support of carbon pricing. Their report warned that the consequences of climate change for global prosperity and socioeconomic well-being are significant. The world simply cannot afford the costs of inaction. The Business Roundtable's report went on to urge companies to ``align policy goals and [greenhouse gas] emissions reduction targets with scientific evidence.'' Listen to the scientists. We could do more of that. The BRT said that a key component of science-based climate policy should be a price on carbon. Here is what they said: A price on carbon would provide an effective incentive to reduce [greenhouse gas] emissions and mitigate climate change, including through the development and deployment of breakthrough technologies. . . . Establishing a clear price signal is the most important-- The most important-- consideration for encouraging innovation, driving efficiency, and ensuring sustained environmental and economic effectiveness. So this is big news--these are big companies--and this is good news. These companies at the Business Roundtable employ more than 15 million people. They have more than $7.5 trillion in revenues. Their unified voice is a good thing and a big deal. With all of that good news from all of these big American corporations, what is the bad news? The bad news is that corporate America often shows one face to the world and a very different face to Congress, and the face they show to Congress is not at all aligned with this policy they just announced to the world. This discrepancy, this misalignment, is a persistent problem, and it needs to be fixed. The problem has three dimensions. One, even these companies don't pay much attention to climate change in their lobbying and election activities. For most, it is zero attention. By the way, that silence is deafening around here, and that silence by these companies is compounded by the trade associations through which they consolidate their lobbying work. Most trade associations do nothing on climate. Here is Coke and Pepsi's trade association. By the way, here are Pepsi and Coke on the list of companies that joined the Business Roundtable pro-climate, pro-carbon-price statement. But when they lobby, here is their American Beverage Association, the trade association. As you can see, they haven't been spending much money lately, and they haven't been spending anything on climate. In 2009 and in 2010, they spent a lot of money. Why? Because we were starting to work on ObamaCare and there was an idea that the companies that sold sugary beverages that created health issues should help pay the cost of the health issues that their sweetened beverages created. So off to battle went the American Beverage Association with millions and millions of dollars in spending. This, by the way, is just the number of lobbyists. This is their spending. So if they cared about climate change and wanted to put a little bit of lobby pressure on, this is what they are capable of doing. This is what they are doing. Here is a pitch, in my hands right here, entitled ``TechNet: Remaining Legislative Priorities for 2020.'' This is 13 pages of advocacy for all the things the tech sector wants from Congress through their trade association, TechNet--13 pages. The list goes on and on. ``Top priorities,'' and then page after page, in small print, of all the priorities, of all the things that they want Congress to do for them--and there is not a single mention of climate change, not a single mention of carbon price. What do you think Congress will respond to--general noise made to the world or your specific asks to Congress? Here is the list of companies whose CEOs signed that Business Roundtable report and came out for action on climate and a carbon price and who are also in TechNet, which, the week before, came here with 13 pages of legislative priorities that didn't include either climate change or carbon price. You have to line things up, you guys. These are big players. Look at them: Honeywell, Amazon, Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, Visa, GM, Apple, Comcast, Oracle, Accenture, Hewlett-Packard, and PayPal--all on both sides of the issue within the same week here in Congress. So those are the trade associations that do nothing on this issue. It gets worse because there are trade associations that are our worst enemies on climate action. In fact, InfluenceMap has done some research and tracked which groups and which corporations are the most climate friendly and which are the most climate hostile. If you look all the way over, right next to Marathon Petroleum in hostility is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. There was actually a tie. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers were statistically tied as the two worst climate obstructers in America. So they are out here, having worked hammer and tongs to stop climate legislation and prevent a carbon price, and you have the Business Roundtable statement supporting action on climate change and supporting a carbon price. So here are the companies that are members of the Business Roundtable and came out last week for action on climate change and supported a carbon price and that are also members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which relentlessly opposes all serious climate action and, specifically, a carbon price. Look at them all. Look at them all. I don't know if the camera can pan in on that, but these are some of America's biggest corporations. I would bet you that, if this group said, ``Hey, we have just made a new decision over in the Business Roundtable, wearing our Business Roundtable hat,'' and went to the Chamber and said, ``We are not going to do your opposition any longer; we are not going to support your opposition to climate action; we are actually serious about being for climate action and a carbon price''--if all of those companies actually said that to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and threatened to quit if they didn't clean up their act at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, that would make a very big difference. And around here that would make a very big difference because the Chamber is the biggest kahuna of lobbying. It is electioneering all the time, usually against Democrats, almost inevitably for the worst candidate on climate, and they are over in courts and in regulatory agencies opposing climate action all the time. So why support that if what you really support is doing something on climate, including a carbon price? So the National Association of Manufacturers was the other group in a tie with the Chamber for America's worst climate obstructer. These are all the companies whose CEOs signed the Business Roundtable statement supporting climate action and supporting carbon pricing and are members of one of the two worst climate obstructers in America, at the same time. So that creates a little bit of a problem. Now, I should go back to the Chamber one just briefly and put a caveat in here. We don't know who all the Chamber members are. It is a very secretive organization. Many of its members report that they are members of the organization, and that is how we can assemble a list like this. But if the company doesn't report that they are members, we don't know. So this is not necessarily complete, but this is all that we can know out of this secretive, very oppositional, worst climate obstructer organization--the Chamber of Commerce. There are some other odd discordances among these Business Roundtable leaders. We go back to Business Roundtable membership who signed on this; that is, companies like Google, Amazon, AT&T, and Verizon, which are on the BRT list. There is Verizon right there. They are donors to something called the Competitive Enterprise Institute. The Competitive Enterprise Institute is the group that put that flagrant, some would say almost nutty, climate denier Myron Ebell onto the EPA transition team. The Competitive Enterprise Institute is a dramatic antagonist to either anything serious on climateor a price on carbon. Yet companies that signed this Business Roundtable statement support the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Many people will remember when we came to the floor in groups of Senators to talk about the web of denial and the web of front groups that the fossil fuel industry set up to hide their hands and do their dirty work and stop climate action in Congress. That is the Competitive Enterprise Institute right there--right there, right smack in the middle of the web of fossil-fuel-funded climate denial, and Google, Amazon, AT&T, and Verizon were all supporting that group while supporting the Business Roundtable. Now, none of this would matter much if Congress was just a sideshow and it was really up to corporations to do their own thing, but that is not the case. Action in Congress is actually the main event in succeeding on climate. That is why the fossil fuel industry has worked so hard to set up this web to deny climate science and to obstruct climate action here in Congress. So when these Business Roundtable companies come to Congress through their other groups and say, ``Don't bother on climate'' or ``Don't do a carbon price,'' it matters. And it makes it a little hard to really take action in Congress based on their statement that they support climate action and a carbon price when, through other groups, they are funding the opposition to the position that they claim to support. So, to the BRT, thank you for what you did. I don't want to under appreciate that. It is a big deal. It is a good, good thing. But now you have to make it real. You have to make it real in Congress. No more zero effort from you. No more zero effort from your trade associations. No more support for our biggest climate obstructers from you. If you want the results of what you asked for, you have to align your actions in Congress with your values. Align what you say in that statement with what you do through your groups here in Congress. That ought not to be much to ask--to align what you do in Congress with what you say you want to do to the outside world. I have a few suggestions, if you are interested. One, think about commissioning a lobbying and electioneering audit of your own company. If you are the CEO, commission an audit of your own company's lobbying and electioneering so you actually know what your company is doing on climate. I suspect a lot of the CEOs signed this in good faith. They don't know. So commission an audit. Learn what your company is really doing on climate. Do an audit of your trade associations. If you are a member of a trade association, get in there and see what they are up to. I bet that you will find that what I say is true. Three, demand that your trade associations declare where they get their money. It seems obvious that the reason that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers became the two worst climate obstructers in America is because they were paid to. If you, CEOs on the Business Roundtable, had known that, this might not have happened. We might not have been here by now. It is very likely that the Chamber and the NAM leaders snuck up on you, taking floods of fossil fuel money that they didn't tell you about and selling out their organizations to the fossil fuel industry, leaving you high and dry, having to explain why you are supporting the two worst climate obstructers in America. So do your audit, and then give those trade associations a deadline to align with your policy or you will quit--you will quit on the deadline if they haven't. Don't let them slow-walk you through endless discussion and process while they are still loading up on fossil fuel money and running fossil fuel errands in your names. Don't let them do that. Finally--finally--recommendation five, ask your lawyers. Ask your lawyers, particularly if you are on the board of climate obstructer groups: If these groups were trafficking in fraudulent information, what is the board's responsibility? That is a lawyer question. If they loaded up with fossil fuel money, how was your due diligence on the board of that organization in detecting that warning signal that your trade association had loaded up with fossil fuel money and was arguing against your position when it came to Congress, carrying the water for the fossil fuel industry? Your lawyers may have some advice about whether you have met due diligence. Final point, climate is not really a partisan issue. It wasn't in 2007 to 2009, when Senator Cardin and I got here and the Senate had multiple bipartisan climate bills. It wasn't in 2008, when Republican John McCain had climate on his party platform as the Republican nominee. It all started with Citizens United in 2010, when the fossil fuel industry was allowed to trade up its political weaponry from muskets, corporate PACs, to tactical nukes, unlimited spending, secret super PACs, phony front groups--the whole apparatus of climate obstruction. Today, as a result of that, the Republican Party has been so captured that on climate it is little more than the political wing of the fossil fuel industry. It doesn't have to be that way. To these big companies who signed this wonderful pledge: Fix your politics, push back on the fossil fuel obstruction, clean up your obstructor trade associations, wake up your sleepers, and make climate a real priority in Congress, and you will see what looks like magic begin to happen. For you all, it is less time to wake up to climate change than it is time to wake up to your own political indifference and presumably unknowing complicity in the political logjam on climate action that the fossil fuel industry has deliberately created here in Congress. With that, I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. WHITEHOUSE | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5810 | null | 1,414 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, this is a ``Time to Wake Up'' good news-bad news speech. The good news from last week is on business community support for carbon pricing. What is carbon pricing? Well, remember that IMF--the International Monetary Fund--pegs the fossil fuel subsidy in the United States at more than $600 billion per year, so the energy market is dramatically tilted to favor fossil fuels. Carbon pricing helpsset that right, helps make an even playing field. It is economics 101. And carbon pricing makes a lot of sense. What happened last week? The Business Roundtable, made up of all of these giant American corporations and more--these are the top 50 that I could fit on this chart, but there are 200 of them--came out in support of carbon pricing. Their report warned that the consequences of climate change for global prosperity and socioeconomic well-being are significant. The world simply cannot afford the costs of inaction. The Business Roundtable's report went on to urge companies to ``align policy goals and [greenhouse gas] emissions reduction targets with scientific evidence.'' Listen to the scientists. We could do more of that. The BRT said that a key component of science-based climate policy should be a price on carbon. Here is what they said: A price on carbon would provide an effective incentive to reduce [greenhouse gas] emissions and mitigate climate change, including through the development and deployment of breakthrough technologies. . . . Establishing a clear price signal is the most important-- The most important-- consideration for encouraging innovation, driving efficiency, and ensuring sustained environmental and economic effectiveness. So this is big news--these are big companies--and this is good news. These companies at the Business Roundtable employ more than 15 million people. They have more than $7.5 trillion in revenues. Their unified voice is a good thing and a big deal. With all of that good news from all of these big American corporations, what is the bad news? The bad news is that corporate America often shows one face to the world and a very different face to Congress, and the face they show to Congress is not at all aligned with this policy they just announced to the world. This discrepancy, this misalignment, is a persistent problem, and it needs to be fixed. The problem has three dimensions. One, even these companies don't pay much attention to climate change in their lobbying and election activities. For most, it is zero attention. By the way, that silence is deafening around here, and that silence by these companies is compounded by the trade associations through which they consolidate their lobbying work. Most trade associations do nothing on climate. Here is Coke and Pepsi's trade association. By the way, here are Pepsi and Coke on the list of companies that joined the Business Roundtable pro-climate, pro-carbon-price statement. But when they lobby, here is their American Beverage Association, the trade association. As you can see, they haven't been spending much money lately, and they haven't been spending anything on climate. In 2009 and in 2010, they spent a lot of money. Why? Because we were starting to work on ObamaCare and there was an idea that the companies that sold sugary beverages that created health issues should help pay the cost of the health issues that their sweetened beverages created. So off to battle went the American Beverage Association with millions and millions of dollars in spending. This, by the way, is just the number of lobbyists. This is their spending. So if they cared about climate change and wanted to put a little bit of lobby pressure on, this is what they are capable of doing. This is what they are doing. Here is a pitch, in my hands right here, entitled ``TechNet: Remaining Legislative Priorities for 2020.'' This is 13 pages of advocacy for all the things the tech sector wants from Congress through their trade association, TechNet--13 pages. The list goes on and on. ``Top priorities,'' and then page after page, in small print, of all the priorities, of all the things that they want Congress to do for them--and there is not a single mention of climate change, not a single mention of carbon price. What do you think Congress will respond to--general noise made to the world or your specific asks to Congress? Here is the list of companies whose CEOs signed that Business Roundtable report and came out for action on climate and a carbon price and who are also in TechNet, which, the week before, came here with 13 pages of legislative priorities that didn't include either climate change or carbon price. You have to line things up, you guys. These are big players. Look at them: Honeywell, Amazon, Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, Visa, GM, Apple, Comcast, Oracle, Accenture, Hewlett-Packard, and PayPal--all on both sides of the issue within the same week here in Congress. So those are the trade associations that do nothing on this issue. It gets worse because there are trade associations that are our worst enemies on climate action. In fact, InfluenceMap has done some research and tracked which groups and which corporations are the most climate friendly and which are the most climate hostile. If you look all the way over, right next to Marathon Petroleum in hostility is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. There was actually a tie. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers were statistically tied as the two worst climate obstructers in America. So they are out here, having worked hammer and tongs to stop climate legislation and prevent a carbon price, and you have the Business Roundtable statement supporting action on climate change and supporting a carbon price. So here are the companies that are members of the Business Roundtable and came out last week for action on climate change and supported a carbon price and that are also members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which relentlessly opposes all serious climate action and, specifically, a carbon price. Look at them all. Look at them all. I don't know if the camera can pan in on that, but these are some of America's biggest corporations. I would bet you that, if this group said, ``Hey, we have just made a new decision over in the Business Roundtable, wearing our Business Roundtable hat,'' and went to the Chamber and said, ``We are not going to do your opposition any longer; we are not going to support your opposition to climate action; we are actually serious about being for climate action and a carbon price''--if all of those companies actually said that to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and threatened to quit if they didn't clean up their act at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, that would make a very big difference. And around here that would make a very big difference because the Chamber is the biggest kahuna of lobbying. It is electioneering all the time, usually against Democrats, almost inevitably for the worst candidate on climate, and they are over in courts and in regulatory agencies opposing climate action all the time. So why support that if what you really support is doing something on climate, including a carbon price? So the National Association of Manufacturers was the other group in a tie with the Chamber for America's worst climate obstructer. These are all the companies whose CEOs signed the Business Roundtable statement supporting climate action and supporting carbon pricing and are members of one of the two worst climate obstructers in America, at the same time. So that creates a little bit of a problem. Now, I should go back to the Chamber one just briefly and put a caveat in here. We don't know who all the Chamber members are. It is a very secretive organization. Many of its members report that they are members of the organization, and that is how we can assemble a list like this. But if the company doesn't report that they are members, we don't know. So this is not necessarily complete, but this is all that we can know out of this secretive, very oppositional, worst climate obstructer organization--the Chamber of Commerce. There are some other odd discordances among these Business Roundtable leaders. We go back to Business Roundtable membership who signed on this; that is, companies like Google, Amazon, AT&T, and Verizon, which are on the BRT list. There is Verizon right there. They are donors to something called the Competitive Enterprise Institute. The Competitive Enterprise Institute is the group that put that flagrant, some would say almost nutty, climate denier Myron Ebell onto the EPA transition team. The Competitive Enterprise Institute is a dramatic antagonist to either anything serious on climateor a price on carbon. Yet companies that signed this Business Roundtable statement support the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Many people will remember when we came to the floor in groups of Senators to talk about the web of denial and the web of front groups that the fossil fuel industry set up to hide their hands and do their dirty work and stop climate action in Congress. That is the Competitive Enterprise Institute right there--right there, right smack in the middle of the web of fossil-fuel-funded climate denial, and Google, Amazon, AT&T, and Verizon were all supporting that group while supporting the Business Roundtable. Now, none of this would matter much if Congress was just a sideshow and it was really up to corporations to do their own thing, but that is not the case. Action in Congress is actually the main event in succeeding on climate. That is why the fossil fuel industry has worked so hard to set up this web to deny climate science and to obstruct climate action here in Congress. So when these Business Roundtable companies come to Congress through their other groups and say, ``Don't bother on climate'' or ``Don't do a carbon price,'' it matters. And it makes it a little hard to really take action in Congress based on their statement that they support climate action and a carbon price when, through other groups, they are funding the opposition to the position that they claim to support. So, to the BRT, thank you for what you did. I don't want to under appreciate that. It is a big deal. It is a good, good thing. But now you have to make it real. You have to make it real in Congress. No more zero effort from you. No more zero effort from your trade associations. No more support for our biggest climate obstructers from you. If you want the results of what you asked for, you have to align your actions in Congress with your values. Align what you say in that statement with what you do through your groups here in Congress. That ought not to be much to ask--to align what you do in Congress with what you say you want to do to the outside world. I have a few suggestions, if you are interested. One, think about commissioning a lobbying and electioneering audit of your own company. If you are the CEO, commission an audit of your own company's lobbying and electioneering so you actually know what your company is doing on climate. I suspect a lot of the CEOs signed this in good faith. They don't know. So commission an audit. Learn what your company is really doing on climate. Do an audit of your trade associations. If you are a member of a trade association, get in there and see what they are up to. I bet that you will find that what I say is true. Three, demand that your trade associations declare where they get their money. It seems obvious that the reason that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers became the two worst climate obstructers in America is because they were paid to. If you, CEOs on the Business Roundtable, had known that, this might not have happened. We might not have been here by now. It is very likely that the Chamber and the NAM leaders snuck up on you, taking floods of fossil fuel money that they didn't tell you about and selling out their organizations to the fossil fuel industry, leaving you high and dry, having to explain why you are supporting the two worst climate obstructers in America. So do your audit, and then give those trade associations a deadline to align with your policy or you will quit--you will quit on the deadline if they haven't. Don't let them slow-walk you through endless discussion and process while they are still loading up on fossil fuel money and running fossil fuel errands in your names. Don't let them do that. Finally--finally--recommendation five, ask your lawyers. Ask your lawyers, particularly if you are on the board of climate obstructer groups: If these groups were trafficking in fraudulent information, what is the board's responsibility? That is a lawyer question. If they loaded up with fossil fuel money, how was your due diligence on the board of that organization in detecting that warning signal that your trade association had loaded up with fossil fuel money and was arguing against your position when it came to Congress, carrying the water for the fossil fuel industry? Your lawyers may have some advice about whether you have met due diligence. Final point, climate is not really a partisan issue. It wasn't in 2007 to 2009, when Senator Cardin and I got here and the Senate had multiple bipartisan climate bills. It wasn't in 2008, when Republican John McCain had climate on his party platform as the Republican nominee. It all started with Citizens United in 2010, when the fossil fuel industry was allowed to trade up its political weaponry from muskets, corporate PACs, to tactical nukes, unlimited spending, secret super PACs, phony front groups--the whole apparatus of climate obstruction. Today, as a result of that, the Republican Party has been so captured that on climate it is little more than the political wing of the fossil fuel industry. It doesn't have to be that way. To these big companies who signed this wonderful pledge: Fix your politics, push back on the fossil fuel obstruction, clean up your obstructor trade associations, wake up your sleepers, and make climate a real priority in Congress, and you will see what looks like magic begin to happen. For you all, it is less time to wake up to climate change than it is time to wake up to your own political indifference and presumably unknowing complicity in the political logjam on climate action that the fossil fuel industry has deliberately created here in Congress. With that, I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. WHITEHOUSE | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5810 | null | 1,415 |
formal | job creator | null | conservative | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, more than 100,000 Kentuckians choose every year to pursue a degree or develop their skills through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, KCTCS. Composed of 16 colleges within a short drive of virtually every Kentucky household, KCTCS has helped over 1 million Kentucky students receive an affordable and quality education. Today, I would like to recognize my friend, Dr. Jay Box, who has served as KCTCS' second president for the last 5 years and is a leading architect of its success. As Jay retires at the end of this month, my home State will send him off with our sincere gratitude. Nearly two decades ago, Jay and his wife Gayle left Texas to join KCTCS. I am so glad they did. Jay brought with him a personal belief in the importance of lifelong learning to adapt to a changing workforce. That vision has served Jay and KCTCS' students well while preparing them for 21st century careers. Jay was quickly recognized for his transformative leadership at Hazard Community and Technical College. Tapping into his talent, he was given statewide responsibilities as KCTCS vice president, chancellor, then finally its president. In each role, Jay has constantly delivered for Kentucky students. As president, Jay placed a renewed emphasis on helping students complete their degrees with a record number of graduates and credentials. He also encouraged schools to remove barriers, to support students pursuing GEDs and college credit at the same time, and to form partnerships with job creators to close the skills gap. As a result, graduates are gaining the skills to meet local employers' demands and enter the workforce prepared to fill good-paying jobs. His many achievements have brought national acclaim for both Jay and KCTCS. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump appointed him to be the voice for community colleges on the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board. Jay collaborates with leaders from educational institutions, governments, and some of the country's largest employers to increase preparedness in the workforce. Jay is also a member of the national board for Rebuilding America's Middle Class and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's National Advisory Group. I have had the privilege to work directly with Jay to serve Kentucky's students. I am particularly grateful for his leadership to save Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, SKCTC, from losing its ability to offer Federal student aid. Working closely with Jay, I inserted a legislative provision to give the school a reasonable opportunity to make its case to the U.S. Department of Education. Jay and his team did just that, showing SKCTC's many contributions to its students and community. I am proud to say the school continues to thrive and help prepare Kentucky students to excel in the workforce. Jay announced he would begin his well-deserved retirement in July. However, when the coronavirus crisis struck, he once again showed true leadership. Jay delayed his retirement to continue serving Kentucky's students and ensure KCTCS received the steady leadership transition it deserves. Over the years, Jay has helped educate students, encourage industry, and drive growth in nearly every corner of Kentucky. It is a remarkable legacy, and I hope he and Gayle are proud of their accomplishments. I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Jay Box on his retirement and to wish him many wonderful years to come. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5827-2 | null | 1,416 |
formal | job creators | null | conservative | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, more than 100,000 Kentuckians choose every year to pursue a degree or develop their skills through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, KCTCS. Composed of 16 colleges within a short drive of virtually every Kentucky household, KCTCS has helped over 1 million Kentucky students receive an affordable and quality education. Today, I would like to recognize my friend, Dr. Jay Box, who has served as KCTCS' second president for the last 5 years and is a leading architect of its success. As Jay retires at the end of this month, my home State will send him off with our sincere gratitude. Nearly two decades ago, Jay and his wife Gayle left Texas to join KCTCS. I am so glad they did. Jay brought with him a personal belief in the importance of lifelong learning to adapt to a changing workforce. That vision has served Jay and KCTCS' students well while preparing them for 21st century careers. Jay was quickly recognized for his transformative leadership at Hazard Community and Technical College. Tapping into his talent, he was given statewide responsibilities as KCTCS vice president, chancellor, then finally its president. In each role, Jay has constantly delivered for Kentucky students. As president, Jay placed a renewed emphasis on helping students complete their degrees with a record number of graduates and credentials. He also encouraged schools to remove barriers, to support students pursuing GEDs and college credit at the same time, and to form partnerships with job creators to close the skills gap. As a result, graduates are gaining the skills to meet local employers' demands and enter the workforce prepared to fill good-paying jobs. His many achievements have brought national acclaim for both Jay and KCTCS. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump appointed him to be the voice for community colleges on the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board. Jay collaborates with leaders from educational institutions, governments, and some of the country's largest employers to increase preparedness in the workforce. Jay is also a member of the national board for Rebuilding America's Middle Class and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's National Advisory Group. I have had the privilege to work directly with Jay to serve Kentucky's students. I am particularly grateful for his leadership to save Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, SKCTC, from losing its ability to offer Federal student aid. Working closely with Jay, I inserted a legislative provision to give the school a reasonable opportunity to make its case to the U.S. Department of Education. Jay and his team did just that, showing SKCTC's many contributions to its students and community. I am proud to say the school continues to thrive and help prepare Kentucky students to excel in the workforce. Jay announced he would begin his well-deserved retirement in July. However, when the coronavirus crisis struck, he once again showed true leadership. Jay delayed his retirement to continue serving Kentucky's students and ensure KCTCS received the steady leadership transition it deserves. Over the years, Jay has helped educate students, encourage industry, and drive growth in nearly every corner of Kentucky. It is a remarkable legacy, and I hope he and Gayle are proud of their accomplishments. I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Jay Box on his retirement and to wish him many wonderful years to come. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5827-2 | null | 1,417 |
formal | safeguard | null | transphobic | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, when my friend Tommy Turner was first elected to lead LaRue County in 1985, he was the youngest Kentuckian to ever serve as a county judge-executive. Now, 35 years later, Tommy recently announced he would leave office as our Commonwealth's longest currently serving county leader. Records bookend his service, and more accomplishments fill the years between. I would like to take a moment to congratulate Tommy on his decades of leadership for LaRue County and to thank him for his many contributions to Kentucky. Every county judge-executive is responsible for local services such as the county's budget and road maintenance. As LaRue County's leader, however, Tommy was given an additional--almost sacred--charge. He helped preserve the birthplace of our most famous Kentuckian, Abraham Lincoln. Tommy took seriously his role in honoring Lincoln, and Kentucky will continue to benefit from his enthusiasm for our Nation's 16th President. Along with a group of motivated citizens, Tommy helped establish the Lincoln Museum in Hodgenville. In a typical year, thousands of tourists will visit the museum and the nearby Abraham Lincoln National Historical Park. Tommy championed an effort to expand the National Park by coordinating a donation to include Lincoln's Boyhood Home on Knob Creek. This year, Kentucky Living Magazine named the Lincoln Museum as the Commonwealth's Best Museum, a well-deserved distinction for their efforts to safeguard the Great Emancipator's legacy. In 2000, Congress created the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission to prepare national celebrations for the President's 200th birthday. Recommended by Kentucky's Governor at the time and appointed by the President, Tommy was a fine choice to serve as a commissioner. Hodgenville would later host the celebration's National Opening Ceremony and lead the country in honoring President Lincoln. Over the years, I have worked with Tommy to preserve Lincoln's heritage in LaRue County and to deliver for the community's bright future. It has also been a privilege to join Tommy's radio show to speak directly with local families about their priorities and my work for Kentucky in the Senate. Tommy spent half of his life as LaRue County's judge-executive. The results of his leadership can be seen across the county in its growth and opportunity. I would like to encourage my Senate colleagues to join me in thanking Tommy for his service and for preserving the memory of one of our country's greatest leaders. In whatever comes next for Tommy, I wish him the best. I look forward to his continued contributions to our great Commonwealth. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5827-3 | null | 1,418 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | At 11:35 a.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bill, without amendment: S. 743. An act to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the soldiers of the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), commonly known as ``Merrill's Marauders'', in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service in the jungles of Burma during World War II. The message also announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H.R. 991. An act to extend certain provisions of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act until September 30, 2030, and for other purposes. H.R. 1923. An act to amend title 31, United States Code, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue certain circulating collectible coins, and for other purposes. H.R. 2166. An act to authorize a comprehensive, strategic approach for United States foreign assistance to developing countries to strengthen global health security, and for other purposes. H.R. 3010. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a mission statement of the Department of Veterans Affairs. H.R. 3228. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize health professional trainees to provide treatment via telemedicine, and for other purposes. H.R. 4104. An act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint a coin in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Negro Leagues baseball. H.R. 4864. An act to develop and implement policies to advance early childhood development, to provide assistance for orphans and other vulnerable children in developing countries, and for other purposes. H.R. 4908. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the collection of a health care copayment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from a veteran who is a member of an Indian tribe. H.R. 5664. An act to amend the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to ensure adequate time for the preparation of the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, require the timely provision of information to the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the Department of State regarding the number and location of visa denials based, in whole or in part, on grounds related to human trafficking, and for other purposes. H.R. 6092. An act to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national clinical pathway for prostate cancer, access to life-saving extending precision clinical trials and research, and for other purposes. H.R. 6192. An act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to honor the 100th anniversary of completion of coinage of the ``Morgan Dollar'' and the 100th anniversary of commencement of coinage of the ``Peace Dollar'', and for other purposes. H.R. 6210. An act ensuring that goods made with forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China do not enter the United States market, and for other purposes. H.R. 6589. An act to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and submit to Congress a plan to address the material weakness of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. H.R. 7795. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the ability of veterans to access and submit disability benefit questionnaire forms of the Department of Veterans Affairs. H.R. 8276. An act to authorize the President to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Alwyn C. Cashe for acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5829-3 | null | 1,419 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: H.R. 991. An act to extend certain provisions of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act until September 30, 2030, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. H.R. 1923. An act to amend title 31, United States Code, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue certain circulating collectible coins, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. H.R. 2166. An act to authorize a comprehensive, strategic approach for United States foreign assistance to developing countries to strengthen global health security, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 3010. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a mission statement of the Department of Veterans Affairs; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H.R. 4864. An act to develop and implement policies to advance early childhood development, to provide assistance for orphans and other vulnerable children in developing countries, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 4908. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the collection of a health care copayment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from a veteran who is a member of an Indian tribe; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H.R. 5664. An act to amend the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to ensure adequate time for the preparation of the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, require the timely provision of information to the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the Department of State regarding the number and location of visa denials based, in whole or in part, on grounds related to human trafficking, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 6092. An act to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national clinical pathway for prostate cancer, access to life-saving extending precision clinical trials and research, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H.R. 6192. An act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to honor the 100th anniversary of completion of coinage of the ``Morgan Dollar'' and the 100th anniversary of commencement of coinage of the ``Peace Dollar'', and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. H.R. 6210. An act ensuring that goods made with forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China do not enter the United States market, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. H.R. 6589. An act to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and submit to Congress a plan to address the material weakness of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H.R. 7795. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the ability of veterans to access and submit disability benefit questionnaire forms of the Department of Veterans Affairs; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5829-4 | null | 1,420 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | The following communications were laid before the Senate, together with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated: EC-5511. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Trichoderma asperellum, strain T34; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance'' (FRL No. 10013-33-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-5512. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ACK55; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance'' (FRL No. 10013-27- OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-5513. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``User Fees'' (RIN0790-AK45) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 17, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5514. A communication from the President of the United States, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the continuation of the national emergency with respect to persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism that was established in Executive Order 13224 on September 23, 2001, as amended; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5515. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Air Plan Approval; Texas; Construction Prior to Permit Amendment'' (FRL No. 10014-57-Region 6) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5516. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Wyoming Underground Injection Control Program; Class VI Primacy'' (FRL No. 10013-68-OW) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5517. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (19-5.B)'' (FRL No. 10013-95-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5518. A communication from the Director of the Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Miscellaneous Changes Under the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 and the Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019'' (Notice 2020-68) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5519. A communication from the Director of the Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Notice Regarding the Special Per Diem Rates for 2020-2021'' (Notice 2020-71) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5520. A communication from the Chief of the Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Modifications to Rev. Proc. 2016-37 and Rev. Proc. 2019-39'' (Rev. Proc. 2020-40) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5521. A communication from the Chief of the Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Update to Rev. Rul. 94-74'' (Rev. Rul. 2020-19) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5522. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, a report relative to actions taken in fiscal year 2019 to conclude cultural property agreements with Bulgaria, China, Honduras, and Algeria; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5523. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, three (3) reports of the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) from 2019 relative to memoranda of understanding and cultural property agreements; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5524. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Medicare Program; Specialty Care Models to Improve Quality of Care and Reduce Expenditures'' (RIN0938-AT89) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5525. A communication from the Chief of the Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Limitation on Deduction for Business Interest Expense'' ((RIN1545-BO73) (TD 9905)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5526. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary of State, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the status of deconfliction channels with Iran; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-5527. A communication from the Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the cost of response and recovery efforts for FEMA-3538-EM in the State of Louisiana having exceeded the $5,000,000 limit for a single emergency declaration; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5528. A communication from the Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the cost of response and recovery efforts for FEMA-3540-EM in the State of Texas having exceeded the $5,000,000 limit for a single emergency declaration; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5529. A communication from the Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the cost of response and recovery efforts for FEMA-3529-EM in the State of Hawaii having exceeded the $5,000,000 limit for a single emergency declaration; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5530. A communication from the Director, Office of Acquisition Policy, General Services Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-09, Small Entity Compliance Guide'' (FAC 2020- 09) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 17, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5531. A communication from the Director, Office of Acquisition Policy, General Services Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-09, Introduction'' (FAC 2020-09) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 17, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5532. A communication from the Executive Director, Office of General Counsel, Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Temporary Waiver of Notarization Requirement for Spousal Consent; Withdrawal of Interim Rule'' (5 CFR Part 1650) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5533. A communication from the Executive Director, Office of General Counsel, Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Financial hardship withdrawals'' (5 CFR Part 1650) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5534. A communication from the Acting Director, Office of Personnel Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Federal Employees' Retirement System; Present Value Conversion Factors for Spouses of Deceased Separated Employees'' (RIN3206-AO03) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5535. A communication from the Acting Director, Office of Personnel Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Federal Employees' Retirement System; Normal Cost Percentage for Certain Members of the Capitol Police'' (RIN3206-AO02) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5536. A communication from the Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Final Priorities, Requirements, and Definitions-Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education-Open Textbooks Pilot Program'' (34 CRF Chapter VI) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5537. A communication from the Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Distance Education and Innovation'' (RIN1840- AD38) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5538. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Pension Benefit Statements - Lifetime Income Illustrations'' (RIN1210-AB20) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5539. A communication from the Director of Regulations and Policy Management Staff, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Revocation of the Test for Mycoplasma'' (RIN0910-AH95) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 17, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5540. A communication from the Secretary of Education, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Direct Grant Programs, State-Administered Formula Grant Programs, Non Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program, Strengthening Institutions Program, Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program, and Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions Program'' (RIN1840-AD45) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5541. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Control of Communicable Diseases; Foreign Quarantine: Suspension of the Right to Introduce and Prohibition of Introduction of Persons into United States from Designated Foreign Countries or Places for Public Health Purposes'' (RIN0920-AA76) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5542. A communication from the Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Civil Debt Collection Activity Report to Congress''; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-5543. A communication from the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the Victims Compensation Fund established by the Witness Security Reform Act of 1984; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-5544. A communication from the Associate Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism'' ((RIN3060-AK57) (CC Docket No. 02-6)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5545. A communication from the Program Analyst, Office of Managing Director, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for fiscal year 2020, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking'' ((FCC 20-120) (MD Docket No. 20-105)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5546. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Special Local Regulations; Low Country Splash, Charleston, South Carolina'' ((RIN1625-AA08) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0290)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5547. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Emergency Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, Knowlton Revetment, Arkansas'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0520)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5548. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Victoria Barge Canal, Victoria, Texas'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0525)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5549. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone, Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Corpus Christi, Texas'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0543)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5550. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Trent River, New Bern, North Carolina'' ((RIN1625-AA09) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0027)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5551. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Northern Atlantic Ocean, Nahant, Massachusetts'' ((RIN1625- AA008) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0446)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5552. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Lake Pontchartrain'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020- 0510)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5553. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Horry County, Safety Zone; St Johns River and Atlantic Ocean, Jacksonville, Florida'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0382)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5554. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; September Fairport Parade; Lake Erie, Fairport, Ohio'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0539)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5555. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zones; Delaware River Dredging, Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0545)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5556. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Emergency Safety Zone; Red River; Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0503)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5557. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Erie Yacht Club 125th Anniversary Summer Event, Presque Island Bay, Erie, Pennsylvania'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0394)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5558. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Navigation and Navigable Waters, and Shipping; Technical, Organizational, and Conforming Amendments'' (Docket No. USCG-2020-0304) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5559. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Atlantic Ocean, Cape Canaveral, Florida'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0536)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5560. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Horry County, South Carolina'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0498)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5830-3 | null | 1,421 |
formal | terrorism | null | Islamophobic | The following communications were laid before the Senate, together with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated: EC-5511. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Trichoderma asperellum, strain T34; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance'' (FRL No. 10013-33-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-5512. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ACK55; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance'' (FRL No. 10013-27- OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-5513. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``User Fees'' (RIN0790-AK45) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 17, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5514. A communication from the President of the United States, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the continuation of the national emergency with respect to persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism that was established in Executive Order 13224 on September 23, 2001, as amended; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5515. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Air Plan Approval; Texas; Construction Prior to Permit Amendment'' (FRL No. 10014-57-Region 6) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5516. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Wyoming Underground Injection Control Program; Class VI Primacy'' (FRL No. 10013-68-OW) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5517. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (19-5.B)'' (FRL No. 10013-95-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5518. A communication from the Director of the Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Miscellaneous Changes Under the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 and the Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019'' (Notice 2020-68) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5519. A communication from the Director of the Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Notice Regarding the Special Per Diem Rates for 2020-2021'' (Notice 2020-71) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5520. A communication from the Chief of the Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Modifications to Rev. Proc. 2016-37 and Rev. Proc. 2019-39'' (Rev. Proc. 2020-40) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5521. A communication from the Chief of the Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Update to Rev. Rul. 94-74'' (Rev. Rul. 2020-19) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5522. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, a report relative to actions taken in fiscal year 2019 to conclude cultural property agreements with Bulgaria, China, Honduras, and Algeria; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5523. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, three (3) reports of the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) from 2019 relative to memoranda of understanding and cultural property agreements; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5524. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Medicare Program; Specialty Care Models to Improve Quality of Care and Reduce Expenditures'' (RIN0938-AT89) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5525. A communication from the Chief of the Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Limitation on Deduction for Business Interest Expense'' ((RIN1545-BO73) (TD 9905)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5526. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary of State, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the status of deconfliction channels with Iran; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-5527. A communication from the Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the cost of response and recovery efforts for FEMA-3538-EM in the State of Louisiana having exceeded the $5,000,000 limit for a single emergency declaration; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5528. A communication from the Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the cost of response and recovery efforts for FEMA-3540-EM in the State of Texas having exceeded the $5,000,000 limit for a single emergency declaration; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5529. A communication from the Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the cost of response and recovery efforts for FEMA-3529-EM in the State of Hawaii having exceeded the $5,000,000 limit for a single emergency declaration; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5530. A communication from the Director, Office of Acquisition Policy, General Services Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-09, Small Entity Compliance Guide'' (FAC 2020- 09) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 17, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5531. A communication from the Director, Office of Acquisition Policy, General Services Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-09, Introduction'' (FAC 2020-09) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 17, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5532. A communication from the Executive Director, Office of General Counsel, Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Temporary Waiver of Notarization Requirement for Spousal Consent; Withdrawal of Interim Rule'' (5 CFR Part 1650) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5533. A communication from the Executive Director, Office of General Counsel, Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Financial hardship withdrawals'' (5 CFR Part 1650) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5534. A communication from the Acting Director, Office of Personnel Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Federal Employees' Retirement System; Present Value Conversion Factors for Spouses of Deceased Separated Employees'' (RIN3206-AO03) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5535. A communication from the Acting Director, Office of Personnel Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Federal Employees' Retirement System; Normal Cost Percentage for Certain Members of the Capitol Police'' (RIN3206-AO02) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5536. A communication from the Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Final Priorities, Requirements, and Definitions-Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education-Open Textbooks Pilot Program'' (34 CRF Chapter VI) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5537. A communication from the Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Distance Education and Innovation'' (RIN1840- AD38) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5538. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Pension Benefit Statements - Lifetime Income Illustrations'' (RIN1210-AB20) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5539. A communication from the Director of Regulations and Policy Management Staff, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Revocation of the Test for Mycoplasma'' (RIN0910-AH95) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 17, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5540. A communication from the Secretary of Education, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Direct Grant Programs, State-Administered Formula Grant Programs, Non Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program, Strengthening Institutions Program, Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program, and Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions Program'' (RIN1840-AD45) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5541. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Control of Communicable Diseases; Foreign Quarantine: Suspension of the Right to Introduce and Prohibition of Introduction of Persons into United States from Designated Foreign Countries or Places for Public Health Purposes'' (RIN0920-AA76) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5542. A communication from the Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Civil Debt Collection Activity Report to Congress''; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-5543. A communication from the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the Victims Compensation Fund established by the Witness Security Reform Act of 1984; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-5544. A communication from the Associate Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism'' ((RIN3060-AK57) (CC Docket No. 02-6)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5545. A communication from the Program Analyst, Office of Managing Director, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for fiscal year 2020, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking'' ((FCC 20-120) (MD Docket No. 20-105)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5546. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Special Local Regulations; Low Country Splash, Charleston, South Carolina'' ((RIN1625-AA08) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0290)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5547. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Emergency Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, Knowlton Revetment, Arkansas'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0520)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5548. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Victoria Barge Canal, Victoria, Texas'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0525)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5549. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone, Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Corpus Christi, Texas'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0543)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5550. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Trent River, New Bern, North Carolina'' ((RIN1625-AA09) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0027)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5551. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Northern Atlantic Ocean, Nahant, Massachusetts'' ((RIN1625- AA008) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0446)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5552. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Lake Pontchartrain'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020- 0510)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5553. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Horry County, Safety Zone; St Johns River and Atlantic Ocean, Jacksonville, Florida'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0382)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5554. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; September Fairport Parade; Lake Erie, Fairport, Ohio'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0539)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5555. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zones; Delaware River Dredging, Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0545)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5556. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Emergency Safety Zone; Red River; Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0503)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5557. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Erie Yacht Club 125th Anniversary Summer Event, Presque Island Bay, Erie, Pennsylvania'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0394)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5558. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Navigation and Navigable Waters, and Shipping; Technical, Organizational, and Conforming Amendments'' (Docket No. USCG-2020-0304) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5559. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Atlantic Ocean, Cape Canaveral, Florida'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0536)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5560. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Horry County, South Carolina'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0498)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5830-3 | null | 1,422 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | The following communications were laid before the Senate, together with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated: EC-5511. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Trichoderma asperellum, strain T34; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance'' (FRL No. 10013-33-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-5512. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ACK55; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance'' (FRL No. 10013-27- OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-5513. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``User Fees'' (RIN0790-AK45) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 17, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-5514. A communication from the President of the United States, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the continuation of the national emergency with respect to persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism that was established in Executive Order 13224 on September 23, 2001, as amended; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-5515. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Air Plan Approval; Texas; Construction Prior to Permit Amendment'' (FRL No. 10014-57-Region 6) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5516. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Wyoming Underground Injection Control Program; Class VI Primacy'' (FRL No. 10013-68-OW) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5517. A communication from the Director of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (19-5.B)'' (FRL No. 10013-95-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-5518. A communication from the Director of the Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Miscellaneous Changes Under the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 and the Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019'' (Notice 2020-68) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5519. A communication from the Director of the Legal Processing Division, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Notice Regarding the Special Per Diem Rates for 2020-2021'' (Notice 2020-71) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5520. A communication from the Chief of the Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Modifications to Rev. Proc. 2016-37 and Rev. Proc. 2019-39'' (Rev. Proc. 2020-40) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5521. A communication from the Chief of the Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Update to Rev. Rul. 94-74'' (Rev. Rul. 2020-19) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5522. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, a report relative to actions taken in fiscal year 2019 to conclude cultural property agreements with Bulgaria, China, Honduras, and Algeria; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5523. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, three (3) reports of the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) from 2019 relative to memoranda of understanding and cultural property agreements; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5524. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Medicare Program; Specialty Care Models to Improve Quality of Care and Reduce Expenditures'' (RIN0938-AT89) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5525. A communication from the Chief of the Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Limitation on Deduction for Business Interest Expense'' ((RIN1545-BO73) (TD 9905)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC-5526. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary of State, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the status of deconfliction channels with Iran; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-5527. A communication from the Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the cost of response and recovery efforts for FEMA-3538-EM in the State of Louisiana having exceeded the $5,000,000 limit for a single emergency declaration; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5528. A communication from the Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the cost of response and recovery efforts for FEMA-3540-EM in the State of Texas having exceeded the $5,000,000 limit for a single emergency declaration; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5529. A communication from the Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the cost of response and recovery efforts for FEMA-3529-EM in the State of Hawaii having exceeded the $5,000,000 limit for a single emergency declaration; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5530. A communication from the Director, Office of Acquisition Policy, General Services Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-09, Small Entity Compliance Guide'' (FAC 2020- 09) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 17, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5531. A communication from the Director, Office of Acquisition Policy, General Services Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-09, Introduction'' (FAC 2020-09) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 17, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5532. A communication from the Executive Director, Office of General Counsel, Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Temporary Waiver of Notarization Requirement for Spousal Consent; Withdrawal of Interim Rule'' (5 CFR Part 1650) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5533. A communication from the Executive Director, Office of General Counsel, Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Financial hardship withdrawals'' (5 CFR Part 1650) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5534. A communication from the Acting Director, Office of Personnel Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Federal Employees' Retirement System; Present Value Conversion Factors for Spouses of Deceased Separated Employees'' (RIN3206-AO03) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5535. A communication from the Acting Director, Office of Personnel Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Federal Employees' Retirement System; Normal Cost Percentage for Certain Members of the Capitol Police'' (RIN3206-AO02) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-5536. A communication from the Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Final Priorities, Requirements, and Definitions-Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education-Open Textbooks Pilot Program'' (34 CRF Chapter VI) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5537. A communication from the Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Distance Education and Innovation'' (RIN1840- AD38) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5538. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Pension Benefit Statements - Lifetime Income Illustrations'' (RIN1210-AB20) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5539. A communication from the Director of Regulations and Policy Management Staff, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Revocation of the Test for Mycoplasma'' (RIN0910-AH95) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 17, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5540. A communication from the Secretary of Education, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Direct Grant Programs, State-Administered Formula Grant Programs, Non Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program, Strengthening Institutions Program, Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program, and Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions Program'' (RIN1840-AD45) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5541. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Control of Communicable Diseases; Foreign Quarantine: Suspension of the Right to Introduce and Prohibition of Introduction of Persons into United States from Designated Foreign Countries or Places for Public Health Purposes'' (RIN0920-AA76) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-5542. A communication from the Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Civil Debt Collection Activity Report to Congress''; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-5543. A communication from the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the Victims Compensation Fund established by the Witness Security Reform Act of 1984; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-5544. A communication from the Associate Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism'' ((RIN3060-AK57) (CC Docket No. 02-6)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5545. A communication from the Program Analyst, Office of Managing Director, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for fiscal year 2020, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking'' ((FCC 20-120) (MD Docket No. 20-105)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 22, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5546. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Special Local Regulations; Low Country Splash, Charleston, South Carolina'' ((RIN1625-AA08) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0290)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5547. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Emergency Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, Knowlton Revetment, Arkansas'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0520)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5548. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Victoria Barge Canal, Victoria, Texas'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0525)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5549. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone, Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Corpus Christi, Texas'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0543)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5550. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Trent River, New Bern, North Carolina'' ((RIN1625-AA09) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0027)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5551. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Northern Atlantic Ocean, Nahant, Massachusetts'' ((RIN1625- AA008) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0446)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5552. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Lake Pontchartrain'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020- 0510)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5553. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Horry County, Safety Zone; St Johns River and Atlantic Ocean, Jacksonville, Florida'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0382)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5554. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; September Fairport Parade; Lake Erie, Fairport, Ohio'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0539)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5555. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zones; Delaware River Dredging, Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0545)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5556. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Emergency Safety Zone; Red River; Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0503)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5557. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Erie Yacht Club 125th Anniversary Summer Event, Presque Island Bay, Erie, Pennsylvania'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0394)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5558. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Navigation and Navigable Waters, and Shipping; Technical, Organizational, and Conforming Amendments'' (Docket No. USCG-2020-0304) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5559. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Atlantic Ocean, Cape Canaveral, Florida'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0536)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-5560. A communication from the Legal Yeoman, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Safety Zone; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Horry County, South Carolina'' ((RIN1625-AA00) (Docket No. USCG-2020-0498)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 21, 2020; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-23-pt1-PgS5830-3 | null | 1,423 |
formal | welfare | null | racist | The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: Lord, Father of us all, we give You thanks for giving us another day. At a time when so many are worried about business survival, rent payment, and unemployment benefits, impel those in our government who are charged with promoting the general welfare to come together to negotiate solutions benefitting all Americans in need. Pour forth Your spirit of wisdom, patience, and good will upon all the Members of Congress during these troublingdays for so many of our Nation's citizens. May all that is done this day be for Your greater honor and glory. Amen. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgH4896-5 | null | 1,424 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of committees were delivered to the Clerk for printing and reference to the proper calendar, as follows: Mr. GRIJALVA: Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 5126. A bill to require individuals fishing for Gulf reef fish to use certain descending devices, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-531). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 2075. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize school-based health centers, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-532). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. NADLER: Committee on the Judiciary. H.R. 8225. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain types of fraud in the provision of immigration services, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-533). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. NADLER: Committee on the Judiciary. H.R. 8124. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for transportation and subsistence for criminal justice defendants, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-534). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. NADLER: Committee on the Judiciary. H.R. 6813. A bill to amend the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act to improve the prevention of elder abuse and exploitation of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (Rept. 116-535). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. NADLER: Committee on the Judiciary. H.R. 7718. A bill to address the health needs of incarcerated women related to pregnancy and childbirth, and for other purposes (Rept. 116- 536). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 8134. A bill to support the Consumer Product Safety Commission's capability to protect consumers from unsafe consumer products, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-537). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgH4956-4 | null | 1,425 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I have spoken repeatedly in recent months about the tragic killing of Breonna Taylor in my hometown of Louisville, the need for justice, and the healing work ahead for our community. Kentucky's attorney general, Daniel Cameron, conducted exactly the kind of thorough and impartial investigation that justice demands. Yesterday, that chapter concluded, and the grand jury conducted the handoff to criminal prosecution. I have full confidence in the attorney general's painstaking pursuit of facts and justice. Many Kentuckians have channeled their continuing grief and anger in a peaceful exercise of their First Amendment rights. But in Louisville last night, we saw more of the lawlessness, riots, and violence that have plagued American cities too often this year. Citizens' businesses were vandalized, fires were set in the streets, and two officers of the Metro Police Department were shot and wounded while protecting public safety downtown. As of last night, one officer was still undergoing surgery, but both were in stable condition. We are praying that both will make full recoveries. One suspect is in custody. Peaceful protests honor the memory of Breonna Taylor. Peaceful protests move us toward justice. Smashing windows does not. Setting fires does not. Rioting in the streets does not. Trying to gun down law enforcement officers who were bravely serving their community is the kind of despicable cowardice that must be met with the full force of the law. I sincerely thank all the Kentucky peace officers who continue to put their lives on the line every single day. I hope and expect that our Governor and mayor will take every necessary step to secure the justice, peace, law, and order that every Kentuckian deserves. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgS5843-6 | null | 1,426 |
formal | every single time | null | white supremacist | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, now on an entirely different matter, President Trump has stated he will announce his nominee to the Supreme Court the day after tomorrow. We do not yet know which legal all-star from his list he will nominate, but strangely enough, we already do know exactly what the far left will start shouting the instant--the instant--she or he is introduced. Isn't that a little curious, when you stop to think about it? A confirmation process is ostensibly about the qualifications and credentials of the nominee, so why is it that practically any citizen could sit down at their kitchentable right now, days--days--before the nomination, and write down in advance the list of ludicrous accusations the far left has guaranteed to be screaming by Saturday night? It is because year after year, decade after decade, the far left's playbook stays exactly the same. To them, a nominee makes no difference. Every time in 45 years--45 years--that a Republican President has nominated someone to the Supreme Court, the exact same set of cliched horror stories are wheeled out of storage, dusted off, and paraded past the American people. In 1975, President Gerald Ford put forward a nominee whom the left blasted for his ``consistent opposition to women's rights'' and ``an extraordinary lack of sensitivity to the problems women face.'' Who was this far-right ideologue who was going to turn back the clock? Why, it was the late Justice John Paul Stevens, who went on to lead the Court's liberal wing for decades. In 1987, it was time for an encore performance. A nominee from President Reagan was absolutely savaged by liberal groups. The president of one leftwing group insisted he was a ``sexist'' and ``a disaster for women''--that would be Anthony Kennedy. Once again, the sky did not fall. In fact, when Justice Kennedy retired in 2018, the new head of the exact same liberal organization stated they were ``saddened and alarmed by his retirement.'' The exact same liberal outfit said the sky was falling in the 1980s because Justice Kennedy had been nominated and that the sky was falling in 2018 because he was retiring. In 1990, they got the band back together yet again. This time the sky was falling for sure. President Bush had picked someone whose record was ``very troubling,'' whose juris prudence would surely ``threaten to undo the advances made by women, minorities, dissenters, and other disadvantaged groups,'' whose confirmation would mean ``ending freedom for women in this country.'' Talk about wearing out the volume knob. Oh, that was future Justice David Souter, by the way. One slogan simply said--listen to this: ``Stop Souter or Women Will Die.'' ``Stop Souter or Women Will Die.'' He, too, would go on to become a favorite Justice of many of the very same groups. But it has still never occurred to them to get their crystal balls checked. The same unhinged attacks pour out every time, the same absurd scare tactics every single time. These people are the far-left version of that broadcaster who spent 20 years predicting different dates for the end of the world, raising money, and just inventing a new date every time he was wrong. Justice Scalia was unfit. Justice Thomas hated the rule of law. Justice Alito was ``hostile to the rights of women.'' It is all one big scam directed at the American people. In 2005, one leftwing outfit cut a television ad that tried to link our now-Chief Justice of the United States with a violent bombing of an abortion clinic. Just how despicable can you get? Before this disgusting ad was pulled off the air, it said a future Justice John Roberts would ``excuse violence against other Americans.'' Chief Justice Roberts. Every single time--no matter how upstanding, no matter how qualified, no matter their views, no matter their record--every nominee gets the same insane treatment, so long as the President who nominated them is not a Democrat--so long as the President who nominated them is not a Democrat. Oh, but when Democrats nominate people, none of this happens. When we confirmed Justices Ginsburg and Breyer, I don't recall any angry mobs stalking Senators. When we confirmed Justice Sotomayor, I don't recall weeks of character assassination. When we confirmed Justice Kagan, I don't recall the mainstream media declaring the death of democracy. For half a century we have seen this double standard. When a Democratic President makes a nomination, it is a nonevent by comparison. The coastal political class and their friends in the media allow our national life to go on like normal. But whenever a Republican dares to nominate someone, the same people declare it a state of emergency. So, sadly, we already know what reaction we will see on Saturday: fill-in-the-blank opposition. Remember, in 2017, we saw literal fill-in-the-blank opposition. Demonstrators wanted to assemble outside the Court before they even knew who President Trump would name, so they literally brought stacks of signs that said: ``Oppose (blank)!'' And they brought markers so they could scribble in the name during the President's remarks before the TV cameras got to them. In 2018, moments after the President announced now-Justice Kavanaugh, one leftwing group published a typically absurd statement declaring ``Trump's announcement today is a death sentence''--``a death sentence''--and ``white patriarchal supremacists now have free reign.'' The actual nominee was so irrelevant to their scam that they literally forgot to fill in the blank. The very first line of their press release condemned ``Donald Trump's nomination of XX to the Supreme Court.'' So it is safe to say the American people can start writing their bingo cards right now. We already know every outlandish claim and unhinged attack we are going to hear. In fact, former Vice President Biden has already cut to the front of the line. Just yesterday, he offered the following assessment prior to learning whom he was assessing: ``Women's rights as it relates to everything from medical health care is going to be gone.'' This is former Vice President Biden yesterday. Good luck deciphering what he is trying to say. It sounds like more of the same old junk. Perhaps the Nation will soon watch this man in his late seventies condescend to explain women's healthcare to one of the brilliant women whom President Trump indicates he is considering. Fortunately, the far-left scam artists do not get a vote. The special interest groups' fundraising appeals do not get a vote. The fate of this nomination will be determined by the U.S. Senators whom the American people elected to do this job: a fair hearing, a fair process, and a fair vote on the actual nominee. Forget about fill-in-the-blank. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgS5843-7 | null | 1,427 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, now on an entirely different matter, President Trump has stated he will announce his nominee to the Supreme Court the day after tomorrow. We do not yet know which legal all-star from his list he will nominate, but strangely enough, we already do know exactly what the far left will start shouting the instant--the instant--she or he is introduced. Isn't that a little curious, when you stop to think about it? A confirmation process is ostensibly about the qualifications and credentials of the nominee, so why is it that practically any citizen could sit down at their kitchentable right now, days--days--before the nomination, and write down in advance the list of ludicrous accusations the far left has guaranteed to be screaming by Saturday night? It is because year after year, decade after decade, the far left's playbook stays exactly the same. To them, a nominee makes no difference. Every time in 45 years--45 years--that a Republican President has nominated someone to the Supreme Court, the exact same set of cliched horror stories are wheeled out of storage, dusted off, and paraded past the American people. In 1975, President Gerald Ford put forward a nominee whom the left blasted for his ``consistent opposition to women's rights'' and ``an extraordinary lack of sensitivity to the problems women face.'' Who was this far-right ideologue who was going to turn back the clock? Why, it was the late Justice John Paul Stevens, who went on to lead the Court's liberal wing for decades. In 1987, it was time for an encore performance. A nominee from President Reagan was absolutely savaged by liberal groups. The president of one leftwing group insisted he was a ``sexist'' and ``a disaster for women''--that would be Anthony Kennedy. Once again, the sky did not fall. In fact, when Justice Kennedy retired in 2018, the new head of the exact same liberal organization stated they were ``saddened and alarmed by his retirement.'' The exact same liberal outfit said the sky was falling in the 1980s because Justice Kennedy had been nominated and that the sky was falling in 2018 because he was retiring. In 1990, they got the band back together yet again. This time the sky was falling for sure. President Bush had picked someone whose record was ``very troubling,'' whose juris prudence would surely ``threaten to undo the advances made by women, minorities, dissenters, and other disadvantaged groups,'' whose confirmation would mean ``ending freedom for women in this country.'' Talk about wearing out the volume knob. Oh, that was future Justice David Souter, by the way. One slogan simply said--listen to this: ``Stop Souter or Women Will Die.'' ``Stop Souter or Women Will Die.'' He, too, would go on to become a favorite Justice of many of the very same groups. But it has still never occurred to them to get their crystal balls checked. The same unhinged attacks pour out every time, the same absurd scare tactics every single time. These people are the far-left version of that broadcaster who spent 20 years predicting different dates for the end of the world, raising money, and just inventing a new date every time he was wrong. Justice Scalia was unfit. Justice Thomas hated the rule of law. Justice Alito was ``hostile to the rights of women.'' It is all one big scam directed at the American people. In 2005, one leftwing outfit cut a television ad that tried to link our now-Chief Justice of the United States with a violent bombing of an abortion clinic. Just how despicable can you get? Before this disgusting ad was pulled off the air, it said a future Justice John Roberts would ``excuse violence against other Americans.'' Chief Justice Roberts. Every single time--no matter how upstanding, no matter how qualified, no matter their views, no matter their record--every nominee gets the same insane treatment, so long as the President who nominated them is not a Democrat--so long as the President who nominated them is not a Democrat. Oh, but when Democrats nominate people, none of this happens. When we confirmed Justices Ginsburg and Breyer, I don't recall any angry mobs stalking Senators. When we confirmed Justice Sotomayor, I don't recall weeks of character assassination. When we confirmed Justice Kagan, I don't recall the mainstream media declaring the death of democracy. For half a century we have seen this double standard. When a Democratic President makes a nomination, it is a nonevent by comparison. The coastal political class and their friends in the media allow our national life to go on like normal. But whenever a Republican dares to nominate someone, the same people declare it a state of emergency. So, sadly, we already know what reaction we will see on Saturday: fill-in-the-blank opposition. Remember, in 2017, we saw literal fill-in-the-blank opposition. Demonstrators wanted to assemble outside the Court before they even knew who President Trump would name, so they literally brought stacks of signs that said: ``Oppose (blank)!'' And they brought markers so they could scribble in the name during the President's remarks before the TV cameras got to them. In 2018, moments after the President announced now-Justice Kavanaugh, one leftwing group published a typically absurd statement declaring ``Trump's announcement today is a death sentence''--``a death sentence''--and ``white patriarchal supremacists now have free reign.'' The actual nominee was so irrelevant to their scam that they literally forgot to fill in the blank. The very first line of their press release condemned ``Donald Trump's nomination of XX to the Supreme Court.'' So it is safe to say the American people can start writing their bingo cards right now. We already know every outlandish claim and unhinged attack we are going to hear. In fact, former Vice President Biden has already cut to the front of the line. Just yesterday, he offered the following assessment prior to learning whom he was assessing: ``Women's rights as it relates to everything from medical health care is going to be gone.'' This is former Vice President Biden yesterday. Good luck deciphering what he is trying to say. It sounds like more of the same old junk. Perhaps the Nation will soon watch this man in his late seventies condescend to explain women's healthcare to one of the brilliant women whom President Trump indicates he is considering. Fortunately, the far-left scam artists do not get a vote. The special interest groups' fundraising appeals do not get a vote. The fate of this nomination will be determined by the U.S. Senators whom the American people elected to do this job: a fair hearing, a fair process, and a fair vote on the actual nominee. Forget about fill-in-the-blank. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgS5843-7 | null | 1,428 |
formal | Reagan | null | white supremacist | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, now on an entirely different matter, President Trump has stated he will announce his nominee to the Supreme Court the day after tomorrow. We do not yet know which legal all-star from his list he will nominate, but strangely enough, we already do know exactly what the far left will start shouting the instant--the instant--she or he is introduced. Isn't that a little curious, when you stop to think about it? A confirmation process is ostensibly about the qualifications and credentials of the nominee, so why is it that practically any citizen could sit down at their kitchentable right now, days--days--before the nomination, and write down in advance the list of ludicrous accusations the far left has guaranteed to be screaming by Saturday night? It is because year after year, decade after decade, the far left's playbook stays exactly the same. To them, a nominee makes no difference. Every time in 45 years--45 years--that a Republican President has nominated someone to the Supreme Court, the exact same set of cliched horror stories are wheeled out of storage, dusted off, and paraded past the American people. In 1975, President Gerald Ford put forward a nominee whom the left blasted for his ``consistent opposition to women's rights'' and ``an extraordinary lack of sensitivity to the problems women face.'' Who was this far-right ideologue who was going to turn back the clock? Why, it was the late Justice John Paul Stevens, who went on to lead the Court's liberal wing for decades. In 1987, it was time for an encore performance. A nominee from President Reagan was absolutely savaged by liberal groups. The president of one leftwing group insisted he was a ``sexist'' and ``a disaster for women''--that would be Anthony Kennedy. Once again, the sky did not fall. In fact, when Justice Kennedy retired in 2018, the new head of the exact same liberal organization stated they were ``saddened and alarmed by his retirement.'' The exact same liberal outfit said the sky was falling in the 1980s because Justice Kennedy had been nominated and that the sky was falling in 2018 because he was retiring. In 1990, they got the band back together yet again. This time the sky was falling for sure. President Bush had picked someone whose record was ``very troubling,'' whose juris prudence would surely ``threaten to undo the advances made by women, minorities, dissenters, and other disadvantaged groups,'' whose confirmation would mean ``ending freedom for women in this country.'' Talk about wearing out the volume knob. Oh, that was future Justice David Souter, by the way. One slogan simply said--listen to this: ``Stop Souter or Women Will Die.'' ``Stop Souter or Women Will Die.'' He, too, would go on to become a favorite Justice of many of the very same groups. But it has still never occurred to them to get their crystal balls checked. The same unhinged attacks pour out every time, the same absurd scare tactics every single time. These people are the far-left version of that broadcaster who spent 20 years predicting different dates for the end of the world, raising money, and just inventing a new date every time he was wrong. Justice Scalia was unfit. Justice Thomas hated the rule of law. Justice Alito was ``hostile to the rights of women.'' It is all one big scam directed at the American people. In 2005, one leftwing outfit cut a television ad that tried to link our now-Chief Justice of the United States with a violent bombing of an abortion clinic. Just how despicable can you get? Before this disgusting ad was pulled off the air, it said a future Justice John Roberts would ``excuse violence against other Americans.'' Chief Justice Roberts. Every single time--no matter how upstanding, no matter how qualified, no matter their views, no matter their record--every nominee gets the same insane treatment, so long as the President who nominated them is not a Democrat--so long as the President who nominated them is not a Democrat. Oh, but when Democrats nominate people, none of this happens. When we confirmed Justices Ginsburg and Breyer, I don't recall any angry mobs stalking Senators. When we confirmed Justice Sotomayor, I don't recall weeks of character assassination. When we confirmed Justice Kagan, I don't recall the mainstream media declaring the death of democracy. For half a century we have seen this double standard. When a Democratic President makes a nomination, it is a nonevent by comparison. The coastal political class and their friends in the media allow our national life to go on like normal. But whenever a Republican dares to nominate someone, the same people declare it a state of emergency. So, sadly, we already know what reaction we will see on Saturday: fill-in-the-blank opposition. Remember, in 2017, we saw literal fill-in-the-blank opposition. Demonstrators wanted to assemble outside the Court before they even knew who President Trump would name, so they literally brought stacks of signs that said: ``Oppose (blank)!'' And they brought markers so they could scribble in the name during the President's remarks before the TV cameras got to them. In 2018, moments after the President announced now-Justice Kavanaugh, one leftwing group published a typically absurd statement declaring ``Trump's announcement today is a death sentence''--``a death sentence''--and ``white patriarchal supremacists now have free reign.'' The actual nominee was so irrelevant to their scam that they literally forgot to fill in the blank. The very first line of their press release condemned ``Donald Trump's nomination of XX to the Supreme Court.'' So it is safe to say the American people can start writing their bingo cards right now. We already know every outlandish claim and unhinged attack we are going to hear. In fact, former Vice President Biden has already cut to the front of the line. Just yesterday, he offered the following assessment prior to learning whom he was assessing: ``Women's rights as it relates to everything from medical health care is going to be gone.'' This is former Vice President Biden yesterday. Good luck deciphering what he is trying to say. It sounds like more of the same old junk. Perhaps the Nation will soon watch this man in his late seventies condescend to explain women's healthcare to one of the brilliant women whom President Trump indicates he is considering. Fortunately, the far-left scam artists do not get a vote. The special interest groups' fundraising appeals do not get a vote. The fate of this nomination will be determined by the U.S. Senators whom the American people elected to do this job: a fair hearing, a fair process, and a fair vote on the actual nominee. Forget about fill-in-the-blank. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgS5843-7 | null | 1,429 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, now on an entirely different matter, President Trump has stated he will announce his nominee to the Supreme Court the day after tomorrow. We do not yet know which legal all-star from his list he will nominate, but strangely enough, we already do know exactly what the far left will start shouting the instant--the instant--she or he is introduced. Isn't that a little curious, when you stop to think about it? A confirmation process is ostensibly about the qualifications and credentials of the nominee, so why is it that practically any citizen could sit down at their kitchentable right now, days--days--before the nomination, and write down in advance the list of ludicrous accusations the far left has guaranteed to be screaming by Saturday night? It is because year after year, decade after decade, the far left's playbook stays exactly the same. To them, a nominee makes no difference. Every time in 45 years--45 years--that a Republican President has nominated someone to the Supreme Court, the exact same set of cliched horror stories are wheeled out of storage, dusted off, and paraded past the American people. In 1975, President Gerald Ford put forward a nominee whom the left blasted for his ``consistent opposition to women's rights'' and ``an extraordinary lack of sensitivity to the problems women face.'' Who was this far-right ideologue who was going to turn back the clock? Why, it was the late Justice John Paul Stevens, who went on to lead the Court's liberal wing for decades. In 1987, it was time for an encore performance. A nominee from President Reagan was absolutely savaged by liberal groups. The president of one leftwing group insisted he was a ``sexist'' and ``a disaster for women''--that would be Anthony Kennedy. Once again, the sky did not fall. In fact, when Justice Kennedy retired in 2018, the new head of the exact same liberal organization stated they were ``saddened and alarmed by his retirement.'' The exact same liberal outfit said the sky was falling in the 1980s because Justice Kennedy had been nominated and that the sky was falling in 2018 because he was retiring. In 1990, they got the band back together yet again. This time the sky was falling for sure. President Bush had picked someone whose record was ``very troubling,'' whose juris prudence would surely ``threaten to undo the advances made by women, minorities, dissenters, and other disadvantaged groups,'' whose confirmation would mean ``ending freedom for women in this country.'' Talk about wearing out the volume knob. Oh, that was future Justice David Souter, by the way. One slogan simply said--listen to this: ``Stop Souter or Women Will Die.'' ``Stop Souter or Women Will Die.'' He, too, would go on to become a favorite Justice of many of the very same groups. But it has still never occurred to them to get their crystal balls checked. The same unhinged attacks pour out every time, the same absurd scare tactics every single time. These people are the far-left version of that broadcaster who spent 20 years predicting different dates for the end of the world, raising money, and just inventing a new date every time he was wrong. Justice Scalia was unfit. Justice Thomas hated the rule of law. Justice Alito was ``hostile to the rights of women.'' It is all one big scam directed at the American people. In 2005, one leftwing outfit cut a television ad that tried to link our now-Chief Justice of the United States with a violent bombing of an abortion clinic. Just how despicable can you get? Before this disgusting ad was pulled off the air, it said a future Justice John Roberts would ``excuse violence against other Americans.'' Chief Justice Roberts. Every single time--no matter how upstanding, no matter how qualified, no matter their views, no matter their record--every nominee gets the same insane treatment, so long as the President who nominated them is not a Democrat--so long as the President who nominated them is not a Democrat. Oh, but when Democrats nominate people, none of this happens. When we confirmed Justices Ginsburg and Breyer, I don't recall any angry mobs stalking Senators. When we confirmed Justice Sotomayor, I don't recall weeks of character assassination. When we confirmed Justice Kagan, I don't recall the mainstream media declaring the death of democracy. For half a century we have seen this double standard. When a Democratic President makes a nomination, it is a nonevent by comparison. The coastal political class and their friends in the media allow our national life to go on like normal. But whenever a Republican dares to nominate someone, the same people declare it a state of emergency. So, sadly, we already know what reaction we will see on Saturday: fill-in-the-blank opposition. Remember, in 2017, we saw literal fill-in-the-blank opposition. Demonstrators wanted to assemble outside the Court before they even knew who President Trump would name, so they literally brought stacks of signs that said: ``Oppose (blank)!'' And they brought markers so they could scribble in the name during the President's remarks before the TV cameras got to them. In 2018, moments after the President announced now-Justice Kavanaugh, one leftwing group published a typically absurd statement declaring ``Trump's announcement today is a death sentence''--``a death sentence''--and ``white patriarchal supremacists now have free reign.'' The actual nominee was so irrelevant to their scam that they literally forgot to fill in the blank. The very first line of their press release condemned ``Donald Trump's nomination of XX to the Supreme Court.'' So it is safe to say the American people can start writing their bingo cards right now. We already know every outlandish claim and unhinged attack we are going to hear. In fact, former Vice President Biden has already cut to the front of the line. Just yesterday, he offered the following assessment prior to learning whom he was assessing: ``Women's rights as it relates to everything from medical health care is going to be gone.'' This is former Vice President Biden yesterday. Good luck deciphering what he is trying to say. It sounds like more of the same old junk. Perhaps the Nation will soon watch this man in his late seventies condescend to explain women's healthcare to one of the brilliant women whom President Trump indicates he is considering. Fortunately, the far-left scam artists do not get a vote. The special interest groups' fundraising appeals do not get a vote. The fate of this nomination will be determined by the U.S. Senators whom the American people elected to do this job: a fair hearing, a fair process, and a fair vote on the actual nominee. Forget about fill-in-the-blank. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgS5843-7 | null | 1,430 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Supreme Court Nominations Madam President, in 2016, Leader McConnell and Senate Republicans held a Supreme Court vacancy open for nearly a year on the supposed principle that ``the American people should have a voice in [selecting] their next Supreme Court Justice.'' Now, 41 days before a national election in which we might have a new President, Leader McConnell cannot even mention his supposed principle. In another speech on the floor today, he never mentioned it--never mentioned it. All the sophistry and diversionary arguments that are getting more and more like Trump don't undo the fact he totally reversed himself, and the American people know it, and the overwhelming majority of Americans want us to wait until a new President is elected before we choose a Supreme Court Justice. Yesterday, the Presiding Officer confirmed that the Senate has never--never--confirmed a Supreme Court nominee this close to the election. Again, all the history, all the obfuscation, all the relevant facts don't deny it. Yesterday, the Presiding Officer of the Senate--a neutral figure who happened to be a Republican--confirmed that the Senate has never confirmed a Supreme Court nominee this close to the election. We hear a lot of talking points from the other side, some twisted readings of precedent. But facing a simple question--Has there been a Senate precedent confirming a Justice this close to an election between July and election day?--the Presiding Officer confirmed that ``no such precedent exists.'' Leader McConnell and the Republican majority are not following their supposed principle, and they are not following precedent. This is nothing more than an exercise in brute force. It may very well destroy the already waning sense of comity and collegiality in the Senate, once hallmarks of this great Chamber. It may have done an end to it, unfortunately and sadly. And for what? Why do we go to such great lengths to ram through a Justice mere weeks before an election, making a complete mockery of their previous position? Because this is the only way for Republicans to achieve their radical rightwing agenda, which the public will abhor. Unable to get their legislative agenda passed through Congress, they have to rely on the courts to erode, bit by bit, the rights the American people now enjoy. Republicans would say: That is not true. They are hysterical. They are just speculating, trying to scare voters. But this is what the President has said. He wants to nominate a Justice who will ``terminate'' the Affordable Care Act. His administration is suing in court, right now, to invalidate the law--a case that will be heard 1 week after the election, a case that could rip away healthcare from tens of millions of Americans in the middle of a pandemic, and Leader McConnell says this is ``hysterical.'' Go tell a mother or father whose son or daughter hascancer and they can't get insurance because they no longer have the protection that it is hysterical. Shame. This is real stuff, and this is not speculation. There is a suit before the Supreme Court right now on this issue. Speculation? Was it not President Trump who said that women should be punished for having an abortion? Was it not the Republican majority who confirmed the majority of judges to the Federal bench with disturbing views on a woman's right to choose? Was it not the Republican leader who has admitted that he hopes to ``pick away'' at women's rights through the courts? What about workers' rights? What about voting rights? The Supreme Court, even with Justice Ginsburg, slowly eroded workers' rights in the Janus case and voter rights in the Shelby County case, opening the door for a flood of voter suppression efforts. Imagine--just imagine, America--what another rightwing Justice, a solid 6-to-3 majority would mean for a Court that has already eroded your rights This is not speculation. Oh, no. This is about every right and freedom that Americans hold dear. It is no wonder that President Trump and Senate Republicans are afraid to test this in an election and are so eager to rush this nomination through. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgS5845 | null | 1,431 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mr. BRAUN. Madam President, in 2002, 18 years ago, Senator Tom Daschle raised a similar resolution--a resolution on the importance of the Pledge of Allegiance. With unanimous support in the U.S. Senate, it passed on the floor uneventfully and without amendment. This body can choose to do the same today--to reaffirm our support for the Pledge of Allegiance. I also rise to honor a Hoosier who understood the innate value of the Pledge of Allegiance to civic education. In 1969, Red Skelton, an American comedian and entertainer who was well known for his program on CBS, ``The Red Skelton Hour,'' wrote a speech on the importance of the pledge. In reflecting on his time in Vincennes, IN, he wanted to talk about how important the value instilled by it is still applicable today. After the performance of his speech, CBS received 200,000 requests for copies. His speech would go on to be sold as a single by Columbia Records and performed at the White House. I think it would be an honor to repeat this, and I will do so after yielding the floor to my colleague, Senator Scott from Florida. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. BRAUN | Senate | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgS5846-2 | null | 1,432 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Supreme Court Nominations Madam President, in a letter to our Democratic colleagues earlier this week, my friend, the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, pointed out the vastly different treatment of Supreme Court nominees by the respective political parties. He wrote: ``Compare the treatment of Robert Bork, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh to that of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan, and it's clear that there already is one set of rules for a Republican president and another set of rules for a Democrat president.'' This double standard is not just fiction or our imagination at play. Two years ago, we saw the outrageous smear campaign that our Democratic colleagues waged against Justice Brett Kavanaugh and his family. I have noted that it is not just enough to defeat a nomination; they actually were out to destroy his reputation. While I hope it is something no nominee will have to endure again, I worry that history will repeat itself. The President has yet to even announce his nominee for the Supreme Court for the vacancy created by the death of Justice Ginsburg, but our Democratic colleagues are already reflexively taking potshots at potential nominees. One of those potential nominees is Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who is a well-respected Federal judge with an impressive background as a legal scholar. While serving on the Seventh Circuit, Judge Barrett has shown that she will faithfully and impartially apply the law to cases and controversies before her, but in the eyes of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, her stellar resume has one glaring flaw--her strong Catholic faith. During Judge Barrett's confirmation hearing for her current position on the circuit court, the ranking member of the Committee on the Judiciary asked Judge Barrett if she could separate her religious beliefs from her legal duties, saying: ``The dogma lives loudly within you, and that's a concern.'' During my time in the Senate, I don't recall any similar application of a religious test to a nominee or such intrusive questions about how their faith might impact their abilities to carry out the duty of a Justice. But, apparently, some on the other side of the aisle believe that a Christian woman is unable to separate her religious beliefs from her role on the bench. Yet, again, there is a different standard for nominees of a Republican President. But the Constitution provides that ``no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.'' In other words, it is unconstitutional to impose a religious test on a nominee or on any person who holds public office. Unfortunately, our Democratic colleagues' efforts to destroy conservative nominees are getting more and more outrageous--false accusations, religious tests, and threats to upend institutions, like packing the Court. It is terrifying to imagine what might come next. In 2016, the American people elected President Trump knowing the type of nominees he would send us because he advertised and released a list of potential nominees to the Supreme Court were he elected. At the same time, the American people also reelected a Senate majority committed to supporting the President's nominees to the Federal bench. On both counts, we delivered, first, with the confirmation of Justice Gorsuch and, then, with the confirmation of Justice Kavanaugh. We are once again prepared to deliver on our promise to the American people and to consider another highly qualified jurist to the Supreme Court. We will not rush this process. My colleagues and I on the Judiciary Committee will do our job and thoroughly examine the nominee, just as we would any other nominee to the Court. Then, every single Member of the Senate will have the chance to debate and vote for or against that nominee right here on the Senate floor. This confirmation will be as thorough as it always has been, but my hope is that this time it will also be civil, and thatthe threats and religious tests end today. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgS5847-2 | null | 1,433 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Hispanic Heritage Month Madam President, on another matter, I have the great honor of representing nearly 29 million Texans, roughly 40 percent of whom are Hispanic. I consider myself fortunate to have experienced the tremendous influence of the Hispanic community on our country and on our culture. Much of that culture, of course, dates back to a time long before the Lone Star flag or the American flag flew over Texas. The first sovereign flag planted on Texas soil was Spanish, and that sprawling Spanish colony extended all the way to modern-day Chile. When Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, it won all of Texas as well, and when Texas fought for its independence, soldiers of Mexican and European descent stood together on the Texas side in support of an independent republic. It is unfair to say that Hispanic culture has influenced Texas because, in reality, Hispanic culture is as much a part of our State's foundation as the ground that our cities are built on. Today, Texas is home to more than 11.5 million Hispanic Americans, some who have lived there for generations and others who have contributed to the recent rapid growth of the population of the Lone Star State. Since 2010, the Hispanic population has grown by more than 2 million people in my State, and the positive impact of Latinos across our State continues to grow. Every year, during this month in particular, I am proud to join millions of my fellow Texans in celebrating the heritage that is uniquely woven into the fabric of our State and our Nation. During Hispanic Heritage Month, which officially commenced last week, we honor and celebrate Hispanic and Latino Americans and the traditions and contributions these men and women and those who came before them have made to our country. For the past 12 years, I have joined our colleague Senator Menendez from New Jersey and a number of other bipartisan cosponsors in introducing a resolution to formally recognize September 15 through October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. It is a time we take to honor Latinos who, for generations, have served in our military, held elected office, grown small businesses, and fought in big and small ways to make our country better. Today, Texas is proud to have incredible Hispanic-American leaders who are shaping our States' and our Nation's futures and inspiring the next generation. At the highest levels of public service in my State, we have incredible leaders like Ruth Hughs, our secretary of State, and Justice Eva Guzman, the first Hispanic woman to serve on the Texas Supreme Court. Our communities are learning from inspiring women like Sister Norma Pimentel, who is executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley and led the creation of the respite center in McAllen to help care for migrants coming across our border They are seeing the incredible work of organizations like Buckner International, led by Dr. Albert Reyes, which has set up hope centers around the world that help families become self-sufficient. Entrepreneurs are looking to business leaders like my friend Ramiro Cavazos, who is president and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. For more than 40 years, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber has been an incredible resource for Hispanic business owners across the State, and their advocacy has been invaluable, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. Earlier this summer, I was able to virtually connect with U.S. Hispanic Chamber members across Texas to discuss the relief provided by Congress in four major pieces of legislation, as well as to learn more about the challenges that they were facing and what more we might be able to do. I have also been able to speak with Hispanic healthcare leaders, who are instrumental in Texas's fight against this virus. Over the summer, we saw a dramatic increase in positive cases and fatalities in the Rio Grande Valley, which is predominantly Hispanic. Last month I visited the valley for conversations with local officials and healthcare leaders about the impact of the Federal CARES Act funding that we passed in four separate pieces of legislation, as well as the hurdles they continue to have and are fighting to overcome. During our discussion, I heard from Hispanic leaders in the healthcare industry, like Manny Vela, who is the CEO of Valley Baptist Health System, and Cris Rivera, who is CEO of the Rio Grande Regional Hospital. Strong leadership at the local level has never been more important, and I am grateful for those who are continuing to help our communities through this crisis. For nearly a century, our State has also benefited from the work of the League of United Latin American Citizens, otherwise known as LULAC, which is led by Domingo Garcia, and for years has benefited from the leadership of Laredo native Roger Rocha. LULAC fights to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans, particularly when it comes to education, and it is an avid supporter of Hispanic-serving institutions. Last week the Senate passed a resolution Senator Menendez and I introduced to honor these institutions, which are helping Hispanic students achieve their dreams through a quality education. Despite the fact that these colleges and universities only represent 17 percent of nonprofits colleges and universities, they enroll two-thirds of all Latino students, totaling more than 2.5 million students nationwide. Texas is home to 100 Hispanic-serving institutions, more or less, and these colleagues and universities are helping to prepare the next generation of leaders for our future. This month is the perfect opportunity to celebrate their incredible work and acknowledge the important role these institutions play in my State and in our country, and I am glad this resolution passed with unanimous support. I hope we can also pass legislation I introduced to honor the contributions of Hispanic Americans for generations to come. When Americans of all ages visit Washington, they are able to learn the stories of great Americans through the Smithsonian museums, which welcomed more than 22 million visitors last year. These museums house priceless pieces of American history, from the Star-Spangled Banner, which inspired the national anthem, to the hat that President Lincoln wore on the night he was assassinated. Unfortunately, these museums don't represent the diversity of the American story, but that is slowly changing. In recent decades, the Smithsonian Institution family has grown to include the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. But it is time for another addition. More than a decade ago, in 2008, President Bush signed into law the National Museum of the American Latino Commission Act to study how to establish a new museum. The results of that study found that the Latino representation within the Smithsonian Institution is far from what it should be and challenged us to provide their story and to make sure it is represented there. I am thinking of the U.S. Latino community as a whole, which numbers some 60 million people, but I am also thinking of individual men and women--people like Juan Seguin, who, in some ways, was a predecessor of mine. He came from Mexican descent and helped lead the Texas Revolution. Then he was a Texas senator before Texas even joined the Union. So in many ways, he was one of the forefathers of my State, and his contributions, like so many others, are an important part of our multifaceted American story. We need to ensure that every American has the opportunity to learn about people like Juan Seguin and the countless other Latinos who have played pivotal roles in our history. Last year, Senator Menendez and I reintroduced a bill with a bipartisan group of Senators which would authorize the Smithsonian Institution to create a museum honoring American Latinos here in Washington. This has been a work in progress since 2003, and this legislation will finally put that into motion. The bill passed the House unanimously this summer, and between the House and Senate, we have more than 340 bipartisan cosponsors. The time has come to turn the dream of this museum into reality. There isno better time than Hispanic Heritage Month for that to happen. Texas and our entire Nation are stronger, smarter, and more inclusive because of the contributions of Hispanics over the generations. I am glad to spend this month reflecting on our complex and ever-evolving American story, and celebrating the contributions of Hispanic Americans who have helped shape our Nation's history. I hope the Senate will honor Hispanic Heritage Month by passing this important legislation to finally give Latino history a brick-and-mortar home here in Washington, DC. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgS5848 | null | 1,434 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: H.R. 451. An act to repeal the requirement to reallocate and auction the T-Band spectrum, to amend the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 to clarify acceptable 9-1-1 obligations or expenditures, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 3798. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for limitations on copayments for contraception furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H.R. 4983. An act to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Gilbert, Arizona, as the ``Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic''; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H.R. 7105. An act to provide flexibility for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in caring for homeless veterans during a covered public health emergency, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a retraining assistance program for unemployed veterans, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H.R. 7347. An act to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the ``Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgS5862-3 | null | 1,435 |
formal | Reagan | null | white supremacist | By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: S. 4683. A bill to designate the Battleship IOWA Museum, located in Los Angeles, California, as the National Museum of the Surface Navy, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ms.FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the ``Battleship Iowa National Museum of the Surface Navy Act of 2020,'' which I introduced today. This simple bill would designate the Battleship USS Iowa Museum located in Los Angeles, California as the ``National Museum of the Surface Navy.'' The Battleship USS Iowa Museum would be the official museum to honor the millions of Americans who have proudly served and continue to serve in the United States Surface Navy since the founding of the Navy on October 13, 1775. The Battleship USS Iowa is an iconic ship that served as a home to hundreds of thousands of sailors from all 50 States. Commissioned in 1943, the Battleship Iowa has received accolades as the ``World's Greatest Navy Ship'' and had several namesakes including the ``Mighty I'' and the ``Big Stick,'' which referred to President Teddy Roosevelt's famous adage: ``Speak softly and carry a big stick.'' The USS Iowa was also known as the ``Battleship of Presidents.'' In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt used the ship for meetings with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin. President George H.W. Bush re-commissioned the USS Iowa in 1984 while serving as Vice President of the United States. Prior to the USS Iowa's decommissioning in 1990, President Ronald Reagan used the ship for our Nation's Celebration of Liberty in New York City on July 4, 1986. The USS Iowa earned nine battle stars for service in World War II and two for service during the Korean War. The ship was also awarded the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy Occupation Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Navy ``E'' Ribbon--four times. In 2012, the Navy donated the Battleship Iowa to the Pacific Battleship Center, which established the Battleship USS Iowa Museum at the Port of Los Angeles. Since its opening, the Museum has welcomed millions of visitors. The Museum also hosts numerous military activities including enlistments, re-enlistments, commissionings, promotions, and community service days. The museum also provides on-site training for Federal, State, and local law enforcement personnel. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the museum has closed all of its indoor exhibits and has struggled to attract visitors. As a non-profit organization the museum is supported solely by admissions, donations, event space rentals, and the gift shops. How the bill would help: Our bill would designate the USS Battleship Iowa Museum as the ``National Museum of the Surface Navy'' to raise awareness and educate the public on the important role of the United States Surface Navy. The ``National Museum of the Surface Navy'' would build on the success of the Battleship USS Iowa Museum by introducing new exhibits and programs with a focus on education, veterans, and community. Conclusion: It is imperative that we preserve the legacy of those who have served on the Battleship USS Iowa and all Surface Navy ships. I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this bill. Thank you Mr. President. I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | The RECORDER | Senate | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgS5867 | null | 1,436 |
formal | welfare | null | racist | Mr. MANCHIN (for himself, Mr. Carper, Mr. Schatz, Mrs. Gillibrand, and Mr. Coons) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 718 Whereas the United States is founded on the principle that our Government derives its power from the consent of the governed and that the people have the right to change their elected leaders through elections; Whereas our domestic tranquility, national security, general welfare, and civil liberties depend upon the peaceful and orderly transfer of power; and Whereas any disruption occasioned by the transfer of the executive power could produce results detrimental to the safety and well-being of the United States and its people: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) reaffirms its commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitution of the United States; and (2) intends that there should be no disruptions by the President or any person in power to overturn the will of the people of the United States. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgS5876-2 | null | 1,437 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Portman, Mr. Murphy, and Mr. Coons) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 720 Whereas hydrogen, which has an atomic mass of 1.008, is the most abundant element in the universe; Whereas the United States is a world leader in the development and deployment of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies; Whereas hydrogen fuel cells played an instrumental role in the United States space program, helping the United States achieve the mission of landing a man on the Moon; Whereas private industry, Federal and State governments, national laboratories, and institutions of higher education continue to improve fuel cell and hydrogen technologies to address the most pressing energy, environmental, and economic issues of the United States; Whereas fuel cells utilizing hydrogen and hydrogen-rich fuels to generate electricity are clean, efficient, safe, and resilient technologies being used for-- (1) stationary and backup power generation; and (2) zero-emission transportation for light-duty vehicles, industrial vehicles, delivery vans, buses, trucks, trains, military vehicles, marine applications, and aerial vehicles; Whereas stationary fuel cells are being placed in service for continuous and backup power to provide business and energy consumers with reliable power in the event of grid outages; Whereas stationary fuel cells can help reduce water use, as compared to traditional power generation technologies; Whereas fuel cell electric vehicles that utilize hydrogen can completely replicate the experience of internal combustion vehicles, including comparable range and refueling times; Whereas hydrogen fuel cell industrial vehicles are being deployed at logistical hubs and warehouses across the United States and exported to facilities in Europe and Asia; Whereas hydrogen is a nontoxic gas that can be derived from a variety of domestically available traditional and renewable resources, including solar, wind, biogas, and the abundant supply of natural gas in the United States; Whereas hydrogen and fuel cells can store energy to help enhance the grid and maximize opportunities to deploy renewable energy; Whereas the United States produces and uses approximately 10,000,000 metric tons of hydrogen per year; Whereas engineers and safety code and standard professionals have developed consensus-based protocols for safe delivery, handling, and use of hydrogen; and Whereas the ingenuity of the people of the United States is essential to paving the way for the future use of hydrogen technologies: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate designates October 8, 2020, as ``National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day''. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-24-pt1-PgS5876-4 | null | 1,438 |
formal | welfare | null | racist | The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: Lord, Father of us all, we give You thanks for giving us another day. As the stresses of the pandemic and its economic and educational effects stubbornly continue, we ask You once again to send Your spirit of peace and healing upon our Nation. Bless those who labor to bring healing and teaching during these difficult times. Comfort all who are ill with coronavirus, and those who mourn the loss of loved ones because of it. As the Members return to the Capitol, keep them safe. Fill them with Your spirit of wisdom, and strengthen their resolve to remain faithful to their oath to promote the common welfare of our Nation. During these trying times, may all that is done be for Your greater honor and glory. Amen. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgH4965-3 | null | 1,439 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair will postpone further proceedings today on motions to suspend the rules on which the yeas and nays are ordered. The House will resume proceedings on postponed questions at a later time. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgH4966-2 | null | 1,440 |
formal | public school | null | racist | Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2468) to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the preference given, in awarding certain allergies and asthma-related grants, to States that require certain public schools to have allergies and asthma management programs, and for other purposes, as amended. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. PALLONE | House | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgH5004 | null | 1,441 |
formal | public schools | null | racist | Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2468) to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the preference given, in awarding certain allergies and asthma-related grants, to States that require certain public schools to have allergies and asthma management programs, and for other purposes, as amended. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. PALLONE | House | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgH5004 | null | 1,442 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2075) to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize school-based health centers, and for other purposes, as amended. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. PALLONE | House | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgH5008-2 | null | 1,443 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | A message from the Senate by Ms. Byrd, one of its clerks, announced that the Senate has passed without amendment bills of the House of the following titles: H.R. 1812. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish Vet Center readjustment counseling and related mental health services to certain individuals. H.R. 2372. An act to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct an assessment of all memoranda of understanding and memoranda of agreement between Under Secretary of Health and non-Department of Veterans Affairs entities relating to suicide prevention and mental health services. H.R. 4779. An act to extend the Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers beyond Borders Act of 2006, and for other purposes. H.R. 6168. An act to increase, effective as of December 1, 2020, the rates of compensation for veterans with service- connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes. The message also announced that the Senate has passed a bill of the following title in which the concurrence of the House is requested: S. 2693. An act to improve oversight by the Federal Communications Commission of the wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgH5008 | null | 1,444 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1109) to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs, as amended. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. PALLONE | House | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgH5014 | null | 1,445 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7293) to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide best practices on student suicide awareness and prevention training and condition State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and tribal educational agencies receiving funds under section 520A of such Act to establish and implement a school-based student suicide awareness and prevention training policy, as amended. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. PALLONE | House | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgH5019 | null | 1,446 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of committees were delivered to the Clerk for printing and reference to the proper calendar, as follows: Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 8132. A bill to require the Federal Trade Commission and the Secretary of Commerce to conduct studies and submit reports on the impact of artificial intelligence and other technologies on United States businesses conducting interstate commerce, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-539). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 3539. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop best practices for the establishment and use of behavioral intervention teams at schools, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-540). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 1289. A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for a moratorium on number reassignment after a disaster declaration, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-541). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 7293. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide best practices on student suicide awareness and prevention training and condition State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and tribal educational agencies receiving funds under section 502A of such Act to establish and implement a school-based student suicide awareness and prevention training policy; with an amendment (Rept. 116- 542). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 4861. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients in the emergency department who are at risk of suicide, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-543). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 2519. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to implement innovative approaches to securing prompt access to appropriate follow-on care for individuals who experience an acute mental health episode and present for care in an emergency department, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-544). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 8128. A bill to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a pilot program to explore the use of artificial intelligence in support of the consumer product safety mission of the Commission; with amendments (Rept. 116-545). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 7948. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the collection and availability of health data with respect to Indian Tribes, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-546). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 5572. A bill to establish a grant program for family community organizations that provide support for individuals struggling with substance use disorder and their families; with an amendment (Rept. 116-547). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 5373. A bill to reauthorize the United States Anti-Doping Agency, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-548). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 4764. A bill to reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-549). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 3131. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for research and improvement of cardiovascular health among the South Asian population of the United States, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-550). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 4439. A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to make permanent the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue priority review vouchers to encourage treatments for rare pediatric diseases; with amendments (Rept. 116-551). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 5469. A bill to address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-552). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 1109. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs; with an amendment (Rept. 116-553). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 1754. A bill to improve the integrity and safety of horseracing by requiring a uniform anti-doping and medication control program to be developed and enforced by an independent Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority; with an amendment (Rept. 116-554). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. NADLER: Committee on the Judiciary. H.R. 8161. A bill to authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operated one-stop reentry centers; with an amendment (Rept. 116-555). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgH5050-2 | null | 1,447 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of committees were delivered to the Clerk for printing and reference to the proper calendar, as follows: Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 8132. A bill to require the Federal Trade Commission and the Secretary of Commerce to conduct studies and submit reports on the impact of artificial intelligence and other technologies on United States businesses conducting interstate commerce, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-539). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 3539. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop best practices for the establishment and use of behavioral intervention teams at schools, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-540). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 1289. A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for a moratorium on number reassignment after a disaster declaration, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-541). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 7293. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide best practices on student suicide awareness and prevention training and condition State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and tribal educational agencies receiving funds under section 502A of such Act to establish and implement a school-based student suicide awareness and prevention training policy; with an amendment (Rept. 116- 542). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 4861. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients in the emergency department who are at risk of suicide, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-543). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 2519. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to implement innovative approaches to securing prompt access to appropriate follow-on care for individuals who experience an acute mental health episode and present for care in an emergency department, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-544). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 8128. A bill to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a pilot program to explore the use of artificial intelligence in support of the consumer product safety mission of the Commission; with amendments (Rept. 116-545). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 7948. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the collection and availability of health data with respect to Indian Tribes, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-546). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE. Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 5572. A bill to establish a grant program for family community organizations that provide support for individuals struggling with substance use disorder and their families; with an amendment (Rept. 116-547). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 5373. A bill to reauthorize the United States Anti-Doping Agency, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-548). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 4764. A bill to reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, and for other purposes (Rept. 116-549). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 3131. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for research and improvement of cardiovascular health among the South Asian population of the United States, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-550). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 4439. A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to make permanent the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue priority review vouchers to encourage treatments for rare pediatric diseases; with amendments (Rept. 116-551). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 5469. A bill to address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 116-552). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 1109. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs; with an amendment (Rept. 116-553). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. PALLONE: Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 1754. A bill to improve the integrity and safety of horseracing by requiring a uniform anti-doping and medication control program to be developed and enforced by an independent Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority; with an amendment (Rept. 116-554). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Mr. NADLER: Committee on the Judiciary. H.R. 8161. A bill to authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operated one-stop reentry centers; with an amendment (Rept. 116-555). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | House | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgH5050-2 | null | 1,448 |
formal | religious liberty | null | homophobic | Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on Saturday evening, President Trump announced his nominee for the Supreme Court, Judge Amy Coney Barrett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. I had the opportunity to meet with Judge Barrett earlier today. I left our discussion even more convinced that President Trump has nominated exactly the kind of outstanding person whom the American people deserve to have on their highest Court. Americans deserve brilliant judges with first-rate legal minds. Judge Barrett is that and then some. She attended Notre Dame Law School on full scholarship, graduated No. 1 in her class, and was executive editor of the Law Review. She secured top-flight clerkships on the DC Circuit and the Supreme Court. After a few years in private practice, she returned to academia and built a national reputation as an award-winning professor and legal scholar. Judge Barrett is brilliant. Americans also deserve judges who are committed to fairness and impartiality, to following the facts in every case. They deserve judges who understand that their job is to interpret the text of our laws and Constitution as they are written, not as the judge might personally wish they had been written differently. Again, Judge Barrett passes with flying colors. Her 3 years of rulings on the Seventh Circuit are the record of a judge who sets out to do impartial justice under law--nothing more and nothing less. This nominee could not be more fully qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. Harvard Law Professor Noah Feldman is a fierce critic of President Trump. He was one of the House Democrats' star witnesses in their impeachment. He has known Judge Barrett professionally for more than 20 years. Despite some philosophical differences, he went out of his way this past weekend to write that she is ``highly qualified to serve on the Supreme Court.'' Here is what Professor Feldman wrote: I know her to be a brilliant and conscientious lawyer who will analyze and decide cases in good faith, applying the jurisprudential principles to which she is committed. Those are the basic criteria for being a good justice. Barrett meets and exceeds them. And if you ``believe in an ideal judicial temperament,'' Professor Feldman went on, ``then rest assured that Barrett has it.'' It is the same story from everyone--everyone--who knows Judge Barrett well. The dean of Notre Dame Law School says she is ``an absolutely brilliant legal scholar and jurist [and] one of the most popular teachers we have ever had here.'' One of her faculty colleagues said: ``She is a principled, careful judge, admired legal scholar, and amazing teacher.'' Six young women who all studied under now-Judge Barrett say she drilled into them ``the necessity of setting personal beliefs aside when evaluating the answer to a legal question.'' These objective qualifications and credentials are what matter most. Judge Barrett deserves to be judged by her record. But a few more things bear notice. As our Nation continues to honor the trailblazing life of the late Justice Ginsburg, it seems fitting that President Trump has nominated another brilliant woman who has climbed to the very top of the legal field. Young women who know Judge Barrett well describe her as not just an excellent teacher but a gracious mentor and an inspiring example of female leadership. As the only congressional leader not from New York or California, I applaud the President's decision to look to the heartland. If confirmed, Judge Barrett would be the only current Supreme Court Justice with a law degree from anywhere besides Harvard or Yale--from anywhere besides Harvard or Yale. I would say this nominee would bring welcomed diversity on multiple fronts. As I predicted last week, the far left is rushing to make this nomination about anything but Judge Barrett's qualifications. The instant she was announced, they started with the same unhinged attacks they have recycled for every Supreme Court nomination by every Republican President since the 1970s. Remember, the far left said Justice Stevens opposed ``women's rights,'' that Justice Kennedy would be ``a disaster for women,'' and that Justice Souter would put the ``health and lives'' of Americans at risk. Well, Saturday went like clockwork. The political left took one more look at Judge Barrett's qualifications, gave up on debating the merits, and headed right at the same old scare tactics. Our colleague, the Democratic leader, informed Americans that this 48-year-old working mother was going to ``turn back the clock on women's rights.'' This 48-year-old working mother was going to ``turn back the clock on women's rights,'' so said the Democratic leader. The junior Senator from California said the nominee would ``harm millions of Americans.'' The junior Senator from Connecticut said ``Amy Coney Barrett would create a humanitarian catastrophe.'' Well, here we go again. Here we go again. One of the preselected scare tactics is that Judge Barrett is out to steal Americans' healthcare coverage. That is the claim. This mother of seven, including multiple children who were born or adopted facing preexisting medical challenges, is just itching to block families like hers from accessing medical care. What a joke. What a joke. When Senate Democrats were trying to attack Chief Justice John Roberts, long before ObamaCare even existed, they claimed he had sought to ``put millions of American consumers and families at risk of losing coverage.'' They have been recycling these same attacks since before they even passed the law they now say they are worried about. On this occasion, their entire argument seems to come down to a technical analysis Judge Barrett put forward in a 4-year-old academic paper about one part of ObamaCare, which Congress has already zeroed out in the meantime. Let me just say that again. The entire argument seems to come down to a technical analysis that Judge Barrett put forward in a 4-year-old academic paper about one part--just one part--of ObamaCare, which Congress has already zeroed out in the meantime. These hysterical claims collapse under the slightest examination, but, sadly, they are just beginning. Three years ago, Senate Democrats' bizarre attacks on Judge Barrett's religious faith became a national embarrassment for their side of the aisle. The senior Senator from Illinois asked now-Judge Barrett: ``Do you consider yourself an orthodox Catholic?'' This was actually during a U.S. Senate hearing. The senior Senator from California told her that ``the dogma lives loudly within you. And that's of concern.'' This was not, regretfully, an isolated incident. Over the past few years, multiple Senate Democrats, on multiple different occasions, have openly suggested that certain kinds of religious beliefs might disqualify citizens from public service. In 2017, the junior Senator from Vermont, Senator Sanders, told an executive branch nominee that he had made an ``indefensible, hateful, Islamophobic'' statement because he had articulated a personal belief that Christianity gets things right which Islam gets wrong. In 2018, the junior Senator from California, who is now asking for Americans' votes to be Vice President, attacked a different nominee for participating in the Knights of Columbus. The Knights of Columbus? This is a massive, noncontroversial Catholic men's association that is known for things like shoveling snow off church sidewalks and hosting pancake breakfasts. ``Were you aware that the Knights of Columbus opposed a woman's right to choose,'' Senator Harris asked, as though it were remotely controversial that a famous Catholic organization would subscribe to Catholic teaching on the right to life. The junior Senator from Hawaii suggested this nominee would need to quit the organization, quit the Knights of Columbus to serve as a judge. You would think the national backlash to all of this would have taught the political left a lesson. Here is what happened in just the past few days. The Associated Press, Reuters, POLITICO, Newsweek, and the Washington Post have already run up major stories on the Barrett family's private faith practices. Each strongly implied there might be something worrisome or disqualifying if a Federal judge were a faithful Christian with strong ties to spiritual groups. POLITICO's contributing editor literally went and peered around the physical grounds of a religious facility in South Bend so he could report what the youth group had written on their whiteboard. Less than 72 hours in, this is where we are. The elite class is already treating Americans of faith like exotic animals on display in a menagerie. Look, I understand the far left had committed to opposing this nominee before she was even named. I understand some politicians have decided to oppose Judge Barrett before they even considered her record. But every time they choose to use the nominee's personal faith as a political weapon, they will only be reminding millions of Americans why it is so essential to have judges just like Judge Barrett on the bench. In this country--our country--citizens have religious liberty. In this country--our country--there is no religious test for public office. In this Country--our country--we have the right to seek the protection of the courts when our free exercise of religion is threatened. That is why we need judges like Judge Barrett who understand our laws and Constitution and will uphold our freedoms accordingly. If the reflexive opponents of Judge Barrett's nomination want to argue otherwise, they will only be proving how much better she understands our Constitution than they do. I suggest the absence of a quorum. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgS5885-6 | null | 1,449 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. GRASSLEY. Last week Senator Johnson and I released our reportabout our investigation into potential conflicts of interest with respect to Ukraine policy during the Obama administration. My Democratic colleagues have attacked this investigation with unsupported and inaccurate allegations that this investigation is rooted in a foreign-sourced influence campaign. They have asserted that our oversight activities relating to the Obama administration are advancing a Russian disinformation campaign and have implied that we are ``wielding that disinformation as a political cudgel.'' Nothing could be further from the truth, so I want to explain. My Democratic colleagues have publicly insinuated that I received the records from a Ukrainian national, Andriy Derkach, a Russian agent who has taken action to influence and interfere in the 2020 election. Now, get this: I have praised the Treasury Department for sanctioning Derkach. I have neither received nor solicited information from Derkach. This is probably the third time I have come to the floor of the Senate to say this. Yet you still keep getting these accusations from my friends on the other side of the aisle. Now, the Democrats know that we have not received this information. Yet they refuse to stop repeating their false insinuations, and those false insinuations have resulted in Russian-based media repeating the Democratic disinformation, which is Exhibit A why the Democrats should have never created that false narrative in the first place. In fact, during the course of this investigation, the minority--not the majority--of the committee introduced Derkach's disinformation into the committee record. Foreign election interference should have no quarter in this country, and we must do everything to stop that interference. If only the Democrats felt the same about the Steele dossier, which is the very definition of Russian disinformation and election interference. Our investigation is based upon Obama administration government records and records from a Democratic lobby shop, Blue Star Strategies. They aren't based on any information that we received from a fellow by the name of Derkach. So if my Democratic colleagues think that those records amount to Russian disinformation, then that says more about the previous Obama administration than it does about the Johnson-Grassley inquiry. Do you think my Democratic colleagues would have attacked an investigation involving Donald Trump, Jr.? Remember, I interviewed the President's son years ago as part of my Russia investigation. I didn't hear any complaints about my investigative work at that time. Funny how this has played out, right? My Democratic colleagues have jammed up document production from government agencies and engaged in questionable political media efforts. We would have been done with this investigation a long time ago if all that opposition hadn't occurred, but here we are, and now the American people can see our work and judge our work for themselves. I would like to remind my Democratic colleagues that the first step in this investigation was a letter that I wrote on August 14, 2019. That letter was about an Obama-era Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States transaction. That transaction gave control over an American company that made anti-vibration technologies with military applications to a Chinese Government-owned aviation company and a Chinese-based investment firm with established ties to the Communist Chinese Government. Reports indicated that a firm formed by Hunter Biden and Chris Heinz, the stepson of John Kerry, later partnered with a Chinese-based firm to purchase the American company. Also at that time, Joe Biden was Vice President and John Kerry was Secretary of State. The State Department is an approval agency on the Committee on Foreign Investment. Clearly, this transaction presented conflicts of interest, and that is exactly why I wrote the letter of August 2019 to the Treasury Department. My Democratic colleagues like to say that we started this investigation as a result of the Trump impeachment. Well, the last time I checked, August 14, 2019, was well before the impeachment investigation began. That letter was also sent before Congress was notified of the Ukrainian-related whistleblower complaint and before it was made public. No matter how hard the Democrats try to say otherwise, this investigation is rooted in nothing but simply good government oversight. That is exactly the type of investigation I have run my entire Senate career. After the August 2019 letter, news reporting picked up the pace about Hunter Biden's association with Burisma, the corrupt Ukrainian company, and the fact that his father was in charge of the Obama administration's anti-corruption policy for Ukraine. Now, just think about that for a second. Vice President Biden was responsible for carrying an anti-corruption message to Ukraine on behalf of the U.S. Government. At the same time, his son was making millions of dollars working on the board of a corrupt Ukrainian company. To any reasonable observer, that is a very questionable fact pattern that deserves attention, and it got a lot of attention besides from Grassley and Johnson. Documents made public as a result of the Freedom of Information Act and investigative reporting brought very fresh public attention and scrutiny to this fact pattern. Reporting showed additional potential conflicts of interest with respect to Hunter Biden's business dealings all over the world, not just Ukraine. Those financial dealings also exposed how Hunter Biden and his business associates sought to benefit financially from their relationship with Vice President Biden. As our report shows, Hunter Biden and his business associates had extensive connections to Russian or Ukrainian nationals. Their business association also extended to Russian nationals. The report also shows that Hunter Biden, his family members, and business associates had extensive connections to Chinese nationals. The records acquired by the committee show that Hunter Biden and his associates and family members were connected to Chinese nationals associated with the Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army. Those connections formed business links, which resulted in millions of dollars passing through company after company. Some of those companies were associated with Hunter Biden, his business partner Devon Archer, and James Biden. The records show deep and complex financial relationships with Chinese nationals and how financially fruitful those relationships became. As one example, records show that Hunter Biden opened a bank account with a Chinese national linked to the Communist regime and funded with approximately $100,000. Then he, James Biden, and Sarah Biden went on an extravagant global spending spree. Records show that Hunter Biden, via his law firm, also sent over a million dollars to James Biden's consulting firm, the Lion Hall Group. When the bank contacted Sarah Biden, who was associated with the firm's bank account, she refused to answer the questions and provide any additional information and documentation. According to records we have on file, the bank submitted the account for closure. Now, what is very clear is that Hunter Biden leveraged his name and his father's position for financial gain, and his work with Burisma is just the tip of the iceberg. These associations and the millions of dollars that passed between and among Hunter Biden, Archer, James Biden, and others create criminal financial concerns. Moreover, they create counterintelligence and extortion concerns. The investigation also uncovered that the Obama administration was well aware of the problems that Hunter Biden's board position caused. State Department officials testified that his board membership created the perception of a conflict of interest and was very awkward for all U.S. officials pushing an anti-corruption agenda in Ukraine. Secretary of State Kerry publicly denied knowing of Hunter Biden's role on the Burisma board. Now, we have acquired evidence that he did, in fact, know about that role. The owner of Burisma was viewed as an ``odious oligarch'' by State Department officials. However, in Decemberof 2015, instead of following U.S. objectives of confronting oligarchs, Vice President Biden's staff advised him to avoid commenting on the odious oligarch and instead say ``I am not going to get into naming names or accusing individuals.'' Well, if you are running an anticorruption agenda in Ukraine and you pull your punches when it comes to Burisma while your son is on the board, that goes to judgment--and here it looks like very bad judgment and weak leadership. Based on witness testimony, Burisma's owner allegedly paid a $7 million bribe to officials serving under Ukraine's prosecutor general to shut the case against him. When he allegedly placed the bribe in December 2014, Hunter Biden was on the board and--can you believe this--he had been hired to be on the board to assist with what they call ``corporate governance and responsibility.'' Obviously, he wasn't doing his corporate job--due diligence. The facts show that the Obama administration was well aware of the problems that Hunter Biden being on the Burisma board caused. The facts show that the Obama administration turned a blind eye to it. Everyone knew about the problems it caused, but nobody wanted to do anything about it. So much for leadership. At its core, the investigation is a good government oversight investigation. These are exactly the kinds of shady, backroom deals that the American people should know about. So now the facts are out there. The American people can judge this information for themselves. They don't need the people on the other side of the aisle of this institution telling them what went on when they were using disinformation from Russia and spreading that disinformation around and trying to say it was attributed to something that we got. As for the next step, Senator Johnson and I will continue to review the records that we possess and further records that we hope we are able to acquire. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. GRASSLEY | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgS5886 | null | 1,450 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, after Senate Republicans established the principle that the Senate shouldn't consider Supreme Court nominations in Presidential election years, on Saturday, President Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court with less than 40 days left in the Presidential election. The Senate has never--never--confirmed a nominee to the Supreme Court this close to a Presidential election. In fact, the election is already underway, but President Trump gets to play by different rules under this Republican majority. By nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, President Trump has once again put Americans' healthcare in the crosshairs. President Trump has promised to nominate Supreme Court Justices who will ``terminate''--his words--our healthcare law. In Judge Barret, President Trump has found the deciding vote. Judge Barret strongly criticized the ruling to uphold the Affordable Care Act, claiming that if Justices read the law the way she does, they would ``have had to invalidate'' the entire healthcare law. Let me repeat that: Judge Barrett strongly criticized Justice Roberts' decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, saying that ``he pushed [the law] beyond its plausible meaning to save the statute.'' If Justice Roberts had read the law the way Judge Barrett does, the Supreme Court would have had to invalidate the entire Affordable Care Act. The Republican lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act, as everyone knows, will be heard 1 week after the election. Senate Republicans are rushing to jam Judge Barrett's confirmation through in time for her to hear arguments in that very case. Not one for subtlety, President Trump tweeted on Saturday that our healthcare law would be replaced ``if terminated by the Supreme Court.'' So the American people should make no mistake, a vote by any Senator for Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a vote to strike down the Affordable Care Act and eliminate protections for millions of Americans with preexisting conditions. Judge Barrett's record also suggests that if she is confirmed, the reproductive freedom of millions of women would be in grave danger. Should Judge Amy Coney Barrett be confirmed, a far-right majority on the Court could turn back the clock on women's rights and a woman's right to choose, workers' rights, voting rights, civil rights, environmental protections, LGBTQ rights, and many more. The future for DACA recipients hangs in the balance as well. So this nomination concerns no less than the fundamental rights of the American people. After holding a Supreme Court vacancy open for 8 months before a Presidential election, President Trump and Leader McConnell are doing what no Senate has done before--shamelessly rushing to fill Justice Ginsburg's seat less than 40 days before the Presidential election. Justice Ginsburg's dying wish was that she not be replaced until a new President is installed. Republicans are poised not only to ignore her wishes, but to replace her with someone who could tear down everything she had built. This reprehensible power grab is a cynical attack on the legitimacy of the Court, and I would strongly, strongly oppose this nomination. The Senate Republican majority has decided, however, that they will stop at nothing, break all the rules--even their own rules--to rush this nomination through before the election. But apparently the Senate majority isn't going to stop at naked hypocrisy. It is also going to engage in manufactured hysterics. For the past few weeks, long before President Trump even nominated Judge Barrett, Senate Republicans have been telling everyone who will listen that Democrats ``better not make Catholicism an issue in this nomination.'' That is their quote. Last week, a Member of this Chamber wrote me an entire letter preemptively warning about anti-Catholic attacks against a nominee who hadn't been named yet. Another Member of this Chamber said that ``in Chuck Schumer's America--only atheists can be Supreme Court Justices.'' Of course, not a single Democrat will make these attacks or make personal religious beliefs an issue, but that doesn't matter to my Republican friends. Oh, no. They will try to slander Democrats with this imaginary issue anyway because they are desperate for a distraction. Republicans invented this concern because they are so eager to make this nomination about anything other than their disgraceful double standard--anything besides their attempts to take away healthcare and curtail the fundamental rights of the American people. Honestly, it is embarrassing how transparent Republicans are being about this manufactured line of attack. They couldn't even wait for a Catholic nominee to be chosen. They already scripted the attacks. The Senator from Tennessee is making wild allegations; the Senator from Missouri is writing ridiculous letters; and my friend from Florida is cutting videos decrying the kind of attacks on a person's faith that haven't occurred since the political right was implying that our last practicing Christian President, President Obama, was a secret Muslim. I don't remember my Republican colleagues making a fuss when peaceful protesters were tear-gassed so President Trump could hold the Bible upside down in front of a church for a photo op. I understand why certain Republicans are resorting to this disgusting tactic: They have no other argument. They can't argue that this nominationcould proceed because of some solemn constitutional duty because they argued the exact opposite position 4 years ago. They certainly can't argue the merits of Judge Barrett's position on the Affordable Care Act because they know it is dreadfully unpopular with the American people. No wonder--no wonder Republicans are so desperate to talk about, literally, anything else. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. SCHUMER | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgS5888-2 | null | 1,451 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | At 1:28 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bills, without amendment: S. 785. An act to improve mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. S. 1646. An act to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Augustine, Florida, as the ``Leo C. Chase Jr. Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic''. S. 4072. An act to designate the clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Bend, Oregon, as the ``Robert D. Maxwell Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic''. The message further announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H.R. 451. An act to repeal the requirement to reallocate and auction the T-Band spectrum, to amend the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 to clarify acceptable 9-1-1 obligations or expenditures, and for other purposes. H.R. 1925. An act to designate the Manhattan Campus of the New York Harbor Health Care System of the Department of Veterans Affairs as the ``Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus of the New York Harbor Health Care System''. H.R. 3798. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for limitations on co-payments for contraception furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. H.R. 4983. An act to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Gilbert, Arizona, as the ``Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic''. H.R. 5023. An act to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Youngstown, Ohio, as the ``Carl Nunziato VA Clinic''. H.R. 5245. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a bar on the recovery of certain payments or overpayments made by the Department of Veterans Affairs by reason of delays in processing of certain information, and for other purposes. H.R. 7105. An act to provide flexibility for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in caring for homeless veterans during a covered public health emergency, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a retraining assistance program for unemployed veterans, and for other purposes. H.R. 7347. An act to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the ``Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''. H.R. 8247. An act to make certain improvements relating to the transition of individuals to service from the Department of Veterans Affairs, suicide prevention for veterans, and care and services for women veterans, and for other purposes. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgS5894 | null | 1,452 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | At the request of Mr. Daines, the name of the Senator from Mississippi (Mrs. Hyde-Smith) was added as a cosponsor of S. 350, a bill to restore the application of the Federal antitrust laws to the business of health insurance to protect competition and consumers. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt1-PgS5895-2 | null | 1,453 |
formal | tax cut | null | racist | Mr. McCONNELL. If Senate Democrats were half as concerned as they say about America's family healthcare, they would not have filibustered a multihundred-billion-dollar proposal for more coronavirus relief just a few weeks ago. A Senate minority that was focused on America's health would have let us fund more tests, treatments, and vaccine development, like Republicans tried to do just a few weeks ago. A Senate minority that was prioritizing wellness would have let us spend more than $100 billion to make schools safe for students, like Republicans tried to do just a few weeks ago. A Senate minority that sought to protect citizens with preexisting conditions would have let us reaffirm legal protections for those Americans, like Republicans had in our bill just a few weeks ago. A Senate minority that was serious about economic recovery would have let us fund a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program and continued the expanded unemployment checks, like Republicans tried to do just a few weeks ago. The Senate voted on all of this 3 weeks ago. Three weeks ago, every single Senator cast a vote on preexisting conditions, money for testing, money for vaccines, money for safe schools, money for small businesses, and money for unemployed workers--just 3 weeks ago. Fifty-two Republicans voted to pass all of these policies and every single Democrat who showed up voted to filibuster it dead. The Democratic leader and the Speaker of the House were determined that American families should not see another dime before the election. This week, Speaker Pelosi is finally caving to months of pressure from fellow Democrats who argue that her stonewalling is hurting our country. House Democrats are trying to save face by introducing yet another multitrillion-dollar far-left wish list with virtually all the same non-COVID-related poison pills as their last unserious bill. Speaker Pelosi's latest offering still does not include a single cent of new money toward the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses that are going under. It does nothing to help schools, universities, doctors, nurses, or employers avoid frivolous lawsuits. But the House did find room to provide special treatment to the marijuana industry. Their bill mentions the word ``cannabis'' more times than the words ``job'' or ``jobs.'' They still want to send taxpayer-funded stimulus checks to people in our country illegally. They still want to hand a massively expensive tax cut to millionaires and billionaires in places like New York City and San Francisco, a pet priority of the Speaker and the Democratic leader that would do nothing to help working families through this pandemic. All of these far-left poison pills are still in their recycled bill. They have no intention of making bipartisan law for American families, but there are a few changes from the last bill. So get this. Now that supporting law enforcement has become less than fashionable on the far left, the Democrats have actually taken out hundreds of millions of dollars for hiring and assisting police officers. Let me say that again. In this latest version, there were at least some changes. Now that supporting law enforcement has become less than fashionable on the far left, the Democrats have actually taken out hundreds of millions of dollars for hiring and assisting police officers. Their so-called sequel to the Heroes Act has decided that cops are not heroes after all. Apparently, cops are not heroes after all. The House Democrats couldn't miss a chance to defund the police. This latest bill from the Speaker is no more serious than any of their other political stunts going back months. If they continue to refuse to get serious, then American families will continue to hurt. Less than a month ago, every single Senator voted on providing hundreds of billions of dollars for kids, jobs, healthcare, and reaffirming protections for preexisting conditions. There were 52 Republicans who voted to advance all of these things, but every single Democrat who showed up voted to block them. The American people are still hurting. The layoffs are still mounting. Families still need more help, and the healthcare fight needs more resources. One side voted to supply all of that help. The other side decided to block it. I suggest the absence of a quorum. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5900 | null | 1,454 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mr. McCONNELL. If Senate Democrats were half as concerned as they say about America's family healthcare, they would not have filibustered a multihundred-billion-dollar proposal for more coronavirus relief just a few weeks ago. A Senate minority that was focused on America's health would have let us fund more tests, treatments, and vaccine development, like Republicans tried to do just a few weeks ago. A Senate minority that was prioritizing wellness would have let us spend more than $100 billion to make schools safe for students, like Republicans tried to do just a few weeks ago. A Senate minority that sought to protect citizens with preexisting conditions would have let us reaffirm legal protections for those Americans, like Republicans had in our bill just a few weeks ago. A Senate minority that was serious about economic recovery would have let us fund a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program and continued the expanded unemployment checks, like Republicans tried to do just a few weeks ago. The Senate voted on all of this 3 weeks ago. Three weeks ago, every single Senator cast a vote on preexisting conditions, money for testing, money for vaccines, money for safe schools, money for small businesses, and money for unemployed workers--just 3 weeks ago. Fifty-two Republicans voted to pass all of these policies and every single Democrat who showed up voted to filibuster it dead. The Democratic leader and the Speaker of the House were determined that American families should not see another dime before the election. This week, Speaker Pelosi is finally caving to months of pressure from fellow Democrats who argue that her stonewalling is hurting our country. House Democrats are trying to save face by introducing yet another multitrillion-dollar far-left wish list with virtually all the same non-COVID-related poison pills as their last unserious bill. Speaker Pelosi's latest offering still does not include a single cent of new money toward the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses that are going under. It does nothing to help schools, universities, doctors, nurses, or employers avoid frivolous lawsuits. But the House did find room to provide special treatment to the marijuana industry. Their bill mentions the word ``cannabis'' more times than the words ``job'' or ``jobs.'' They still want to send taxpayer-funded stimulus checks to people in our country illegally. They still want to hand a massively expensive tax cut to millionaires and billionaires in places like New York City and San Francisco, a pet priority of the Speaker and the Democratic leader that would do nothing to help working families through this pandemic. All of these far-left poison pills are still in their recycled bill. They have no intention of making bipartisan law for American families, but there are a few changes from the last bill. So get this. Now that supporting law enforcement has become less than fashionable on the far left, the Democrats have actually taken out hundreds of millions of dollars for hiring and assisting police officers. Let me say that again. In this latest version, there were at least some changes. Now that supporting law enforcement has become less than fashionable on the far left, the Democrats have actually taken out hundreds of millions of dollars for hiring and assisting police officers. Their so-called sequel to the Heroes Act has decided that cops are not heroes after all. Apparently, cops are not heroes after all. The House Democrats couldn't miss a chance to defund the police. This latest bill from the Speaker is no more serious than any of their other political stunts going back months. If they continue to refuse to get serious, then American families will continue to hurt. Less than a month ago, every single Senator voted on providing hundreds of billions of dollars for kids, jobs, healthcare, and reaffirming protections for preexisting conditions. There were 52 Republicans who voted to advance all of these things, but every single Democrat who showed up voted to block them. The American people are still hurting. The layoffs are still mounting. Families still need more help, and the healthcare fight needs more resources. One side voted to supply all of that help. The other side decided to block it. I suggest the absence of a quorum. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5900 | null | 1,455 |
formal | working families | null | racist | Mr. McCONNELL. If Senate Democrats were half as concerned as they say about America's family healthcare, they would not have filibustered a multihundred-billion-dollar proposal for more coronavirus relief just a few weeks ago. A Senate minority that was focused on America's health would have let us fund more tests, treatments, and vaccine development, like Republicans tried to do just a few weeks ago. A Senate minority that was prioritizing wellness would have let us spend more than $100 billion to make schools safe for students, like Republicans tried to do just a few weeks ago. A Senate minority that sought to protect citizens with preexisting conditions would have let us reaffirm legal protections for those Americans, like Republicans had in our bill just a few weeks ago. A Senate minority that was serious about economic recovery would have let us fund a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program and continued the expanded unemployment checks, like Republicans tried to do just a few weeks ago. The Senate voted on all of this 3 weeks ago. Three weeks ago, every single Senator cast a vote on preexisting conditions, money for testing, money for vaccines, money for safe schools, money for small businesses, and money for unemployed workers--just 3 weeks ago. Fifty-two Republicans voted to pass all of these policies and every single Democrat who showed up voted to filibuster it dead. The Democratic leader and the Speaker of the House were determined that American families should not see another dime before the election. This week, Speaker Pelosi is finally caving to months of pressure from fellow Democrats who argue that her stonewalling is hurting our country. House Democrats are trying to save face by introducing yet another multitrillion-dollar far-left wish list with virtually all the same non-COVID-related poison pills as their last unserious bill. Speaker Pelosi's latest offering still does not include a single cent of new money toward the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses that are going under. It does nothing to help schools, universities, doctors, nurses, or employers avoid frivolous lawsuits. But the House did find room to provide special treatment to the marijuana industry. Their bill mentions the word ``cannabis'' more times than the words ``job'' or ``jobs.'' They still want to send taxpayer-funded stimulus checks to people in our country illegally. They still want to hand a massively expensive tax cut to millionaires and billionaires in places like New York City and San Francisco, a pet priority of the Speaker and the Democratic leader that would do nothing to help working families through this pandemic. All of these far-left poison pills are still in their recycled bill. They have no intention of making bipartisan law for American families, but there are a few changes from the last bill. So get this. Now that supporting law enforcement has become less than fashionable on the far left, the Democrats have actually taken out hundreds of millions of dollars for hiring and assisting police officers. Let me say that again. In this latest version, there were at least some changes. Now that supporting law enforcement has become less than fashionable on the far left, the Democrats have actually taken out hundreds of millions of dollars for hiring and assisting police officers. Their so-called sequel to the Heroes Act has decided that cops are not heroes after all. Apparently, cops are not heroes after all. The House Democrats couldn't miss a chance to defund the police. This latest bill from the Speaker is no more serious than any of their other political stunts going back months. If they continue to refuse to get serious, then American families will continue to hurt. Less than a month ago, every single Senator voted on providing hundreds of billions of dollars for kids, jobs, healthcare, and reaffirming protections for preexisting conditions. There were 52 Republicans who voted to advance all of these things, but every single Democrat who showed up voted to block them. The American people are still hurting. The layoffs are still mounting. Families still need more help, and the healthcare fight needs more resources. One side voted to supply all of that help. The other side decided to block it. I suggest the absence of a quorum. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5900 | null | 1,456 |
formal | anointed | null | religious | Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, on July 17, America lost two giants of justice: Congressman John Lewis and the Reverend C.T. Vivian. Sixty years ago, John Lewis was the youngest member of Dr. Martin Luther King's inner circle, and C.T. Vivian was Dr. King's field marshal, organizing support for the civil rights movement throughout America. In 1966, when Martin Luther King moved to Chicago to help break the grip of slumlords on mostly poor communities of color, C.T. Vivian came with him. Earlier this month, we lost another civil rights legend, a man who remained in Chicago after Dr. King and Rev. Vivian left and who continued the fight for the next 60 years for racial, social, and economic justice for people and communities of color in Chicago. The Rev. Leon Finney, Jr., was laid to rest this past weekend following his home going service at the church he pastored for the last 20 years, the Metropolitan Apostolic Church in Bronzeville. Among those paying tribute to Rev. Finney at his home going were Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. They are among more than two generations of Chicago leaders whose careers in public service Rev. Finney helped to nurture. Another public servant whose work as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago was was inspired in part by Rev. Finney couldn't attend the service but paid his respects in a letter read by Rev. Finney's granddaughter. ``Doc was always there for us,'' the letter read. It was signed: ``Barack Obama.'' In the 1960s, after Dr. King and Rev. Vivian had left Chicago, Leon Finney stayed. He understood that progress is a long march. Systemic racism and deep, generational poverty can't be eliminated in a year or two. Real change, real progress requires sustained commitment and effort. It requires strategy, not just slogans. Above all, Rev. Finney understood that real progress can't be delivered from outside or imposed from above. It has to come from the people who live in a community. He believed in power of grassroots democracy to transform individual lives and whole communities. Leon Finney was a Chicagoan by choice, not birth. He was born 82 years ago in Louise, MS., the eldest of six children. His father, Leon Sr., moved the family north to Chicago when his children were young, part of the Great Migration. In 1940, his dad opened his first restaurant, Leon's Bar-B-Q, in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood. In its heyday, Leon's had four locations throughout the South Side. Leon Sr. was Chicago's ``Bar-B-Q King.'' In the early 1960s, Leon Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served as a military police officer and criminal investigator. After the Marines, he returned to Chicago and founded Christ Apostolic Church in Woodlawn. He served as its pastor for two decades, until that church merged with Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church--``The Met''--where he served as senior pastor. As his longtime friend and fellow activist, Father Michael Pfleger said: Rev. Finney was ``one of the few pastors who still understood that just the DNA of the gospel.'' It wasn't enough to preach about justice on Sunday mornings. Rev. Finney believed that you needed to work for justice every day. In 1964 Rev. Finney joined The Woodlawn Organization, or TWO, a grassroots group founded by the legendary organizer Saul Alinsky. He joined forces with another South Side civil rights legend, Bishop Arthur Brazier, who had marched with Dr. King in Chicago. In 1967, he became TWO's executive director. In 1969, TWO created a nonprofit development organization, WCDC--the Woodlawn Community Development Corporation--and named Rev. Finney as its president. TWO organized Woodlawn residents to stand up to absentee slumlords, who owned much of the housing in Woodlawn and other low-income neighborhoods on the South and West sides. It pushed back against plans by the University of Chicago to expand its campus south, into Woodlawn, plans that would have driven out longtime Woodlawn residents and businesses. The group also fought against ``substandard, segregated housing, high unemployment, poor schools, inadequate public services, community health concerns and other persistent social problems.'' Over the years, WCDC helped attract more than $300 million in commercial and residential development in ``uninvestable'' communities. The organization developed nearly 1,700 apartments and homes for low- and moderate-income families, mostly in Woodlawn but throughout the South Side. It managed 9,000 rental apartments in Chicago and Gary, IN. It employed 400 Black men and women, as many or more than almost any other employer in Chicago except for government. Many of its early victories were achieved before the creation of real estate investment trusts, affordable housing tax credits, enterprise zones, and other government incentive programs to attract capital to low-income and minority neighborhoods. TWO and WCDC became national models for community investment a revitalization. Rev. Finney forged alliances with elected leaders because he wanted to have a seat at the table when the interests of his community were being decided. He was appointed to powerful government boards, including the Chicago Housing Authority, the Chicago Plan Commission, the Monitoring Commission for School Desegregation for Chicago Public Schools, and Chicago State University. In 1993, he joined the faculty of McCormick Theological Seminary on the University of Chicago campus. As a professor of African American Leadership Studies and executive director of the seminary's African American Leadership Partnership, he helped train scores of new ministers in the work of the social gospel. He was not without fault. As he aged and the real estate industry became increasingly complex, WCDC sometimes struggled to pace with the changes and missteps occurred. But despite the controversy, the imprint that Rev. Finney left on the South Side of Chicago and the good he achieved is profound. In recent years, he suffered a series of health setbacks, but he never stopped working for justice. At his funeral, a community developer who Rev. Finney helped train recalled a recent conversation they had about today's new movement for racial reckoning. ``What's the strategy going forward? Is a voter registrar marching with younext time?'' he asked. Like the marine he was, he remained focused and disciplined to the end. He was proud and optimistic that a part of Jackson Park would be home to the new Obama Presidential Library. Not only would the library bring new investment and opportunities to the South Side, it would remind the young people, especially the Black and Brown children, who live there about what is possible for them. In a 2015 column, Rev. Finney wrote: ``The young among us today, many of them, will grow up believing anyone can become president, regardless of race. But some of us can remember when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown vs. Board of Education that separate was not equal; some are old enough to have marched on Washington. Those events signaled the end of legal segregation in this country. But we never dreamed we would see a man of African heritage elected president--not in our lifetimes.'' The South Side, the community that was home to Harold Washington, Richard Wright, Mahalia Jackson, and many other pioneers for racial justice, was the right home, he said, for the President Obama's library. Loretta and I offer our condolences to Rev. Finney's many friends, colleagues, students, and especially to his family: his son Leon III, his daughter Kristian Finney-Cooke, his son-in-law Dr. Gerald Cooke, and his three grandchildren. Several years ago, McCormick Theological Seminary held a gathering to honor Rev. Finney. The occasion was the 20th anniversary of the program he had founded to train African-American ministers. Graduates of the program, including many community leaders, spoke of the profound influence Rev. Finney had had on their lives. When it came time for him to speak, Rev. Finney implored them to always remember to put the mission of the Gospel before their own egos. He recited one of his favorite Bible passages; the Gospel of Luke, chapter 4, verse 18: ``The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.'' Leon Finney remained true to his mission. Martin Luther King and C.T. Vivian helped sketch a vision for a new Chicago, but Leon Finney worked for more than 50 years to make that better, fairer Chicago a reality. The good he achieved will benefit our city, our State, and our Nation for years to come. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. DURBIN | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5933-2 | null | 1,457 |
formal | Chicago | null | racist | Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, on July 17, America lost two giants of justice: Congressman John Lewis and the Reverend C.T. Vivian. Sixty years ago, John Lewis was the youngest member of Dr. Martin Luther King's inner circle, and C.T. Vivian was Dr. King's field marshal, organizing support for the civil rights movement throughout America. In 1966, when Martin Luther King moved to Chicago to help break the grip of slumlords on mostly poor communities of color, C.T. Vivian came with him. Earlier this month, we lost another civil rights legend, a man who remained in Chicago after Dr. King and Rev. Vivian left and who continued the fight for the next 60 years for racial, social, and economic justice for people and communities of color in Chicago. The Rev. Leon Finney, Jr., was laid to rest this past weekend following his home going service at the church he pastored for the last 20 years, the Metropolitan Apostolic Church in Bronzeville. Among those paying tribute to Rev. Finney at his home going were Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. They are among more than two generations of Chicago leaders whose careers in public service Rev. Finney helped to nurture. Another public servant whose work as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago was was inspired in part by Rev. Finney couldn't attend the service but paid his respects in a letter read by Rev. Finney's granddaughter. ``Doc was always there for us,'' the letter read. It was signed: ``Barack Obama.'' In the 1960s, after Dr. King and Rev. Vivian had left Chicago, Leon Finney stayed. He understood that progress is a long march. Systemic racism and deep, generational poverty can't be eliminated in a year or two. Real change, real progress requires sustained commitment and effort. It requires strategy, not just slogans. Above all, Rev. Finney understood that real progress can't be delivered from outside or imposed from above. It has to come from the people who live in a community. He believed in power of grassroots democracy to transform individual lives and whole communities. Leon Finney was a Chicagoan by choice, not birth. He was born 82 years ago in Louise, MS., the eldest of six children. His father, Leon Sr., moved the family north to Chicago when his children were young, part of the Great Migration. In 1940, his dad opened his first restaurant, Leon's Bar-B-Q, in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood. In its heyday, Leon's had four locations throughout the South Side. Leon Sr. was Chicago's ``Bar-B-Q King.'' In the early 1960s, Leon Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served as a military police officer and criminal investigator. After the Marines, he returned to Chicago and founded Christ Apostolic Church in Woodlawn. He served as its pastor for two decades, until that church merged with Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church--``The Met''--where he served as senior pastor. As his longtime friend and fellow activist, Father Michael Pfleger said: Rev. Finney was ``one of the few pastors who still understood that just the DNA of the gospel.'' It wasn't enough to preach about justice on Sunday mornings. Rev. Finney believed that you needed to work for justice every day. In 1964 Rev. Finney joined The Woodlawn Organization, or TWO, a grassroots group founded by the legendary organizer Saul Alinsky. He joined forces with another South Side civil rights legend, Bishop Arthur Brazier, who had marched with Dr. King in Chicago. In 1967, he became TWO's executive director. In 1969, TWO created a nonprofit development organization, WCDC--the Woodlawn Community Development Corporation--and named Rev. Finney as its president. TWO organized Woodlawn residents to stand up to absentee slumlords, who owned much of the housing in Woodlawn and other low-income neighborhoods on the South and West sides. It pushed back against plans by the University of Chicago to expand its campus south, into Woodlawn, plans that would have driven out longtime Woodlawn residents and businesses. The group also fought against ``substandard, segregated housing, high unemployment, poor schools, inadequate public services, community health concerns and other persistent social problems.'' Over the years, WCDC helped attract more than $300 million in commercial and residential development in ``uninvestable'' communities. The organization developed nearly 1,700 apartments and homes for low- and moderate-income families, mostly in Woodlawn but throughout the South Side. It managed 9,000 rental apartments in Chicago and Gary, IN. It employed 400 Black men and women, as many or more than almost any other employer in Chicago except for government. Many of its early victories were achieved before the creation of real estate investment trusts, affordable housing tax credits, enterprise zones, and other government incentive programs to attract capital to low-income and minority neighborhoods. TWO and WCDC became national models for community investment a revitalization. Rev. Finney forged alliances with elected leaders because he wanted to have a seat at the table when the interests of his community were being decided. He was appointed to powerful government boards, including the Chicago Housing Authority, the Chicago Plan Commission, the Monitoring Commission for School Desegregation for Chicago Public Schools, and Chicago State University. In 1993, he joined the faculty of McCormick Theological Seminary on the University of Chicago campus. As a professor of African American Leadership Studies and executive director of the seminary's African American Leadership Partnership, he helped train scores of new ministers in the work of the social gospel. He was not without fault. As he aged and the real estate industry became increasingly complex, WCDC sometimes struggled to pace with the changes and missteps occurred. But despite the controversy, the imprint that Rev. Finney left on the South Side of Chicago and the good he achieved is profound. In recent years, he suffered a series of health setbacks, but he never stopped working for justice. At his funeral, a community developer who Rev. Finney helped train recalled a recent conversation they had about today's new movement for racial reckoning. ``What's the strategy going forward? Is a voter registrar marching with younext time?'' he asked. Like the marine he was, he remained focused and disciplined to the end. He was proud and optimistic that a part of Jackson Park would be home to the new Obama Presidential Library. Not only would the library bring new investment and opportunities to the South Side, it would remind the young people, especially the Black and Brown children, who live there about what is possible for them. In a 2015 column, Rev. Finney wrote: ``The young among us today, many of them, will grow up believing anyone can become president, regardless of race. But some of us can remember when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown vs. Board of Education that separate was not equal; some are old enough to have marched on Washington. Those events signaled the end of legal segregation in this country. But we never dreamed we would see a man of African heritage elected president--not in our lifetimes.'' The South Side, the community that was home to Harold Washington, Richard Wright, Mahalia Jackson, and many other pioneers for racial justice, was the right home, he said, for the President Obama's library. Loretta and I offer our condolences to Rev. Finney's many friends, colleagues, students, and especially to his family: his son Leon III, his daughter Kristian Finney-Cooke, his son-in-law Dr. Gerald Cooke, and his three grandchildren. Several years ago, McCormick Theological Seminary held a gathering to honor Rev. Finney. The occasion was the 20th anniversary of the program he had founded to train African-American ministers. Graduates of the program, including many community leaders, spoke of the profound influence Rev. Finney had had on their lives. When it came time for him to speak, Rev. Finney implored them to always remember to put the mission of the Gospel before their own egos. He recited one of his favorite Bible passages; the Gospel of Luke, chapter 4, verse 18: ``The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.'' Leon Finney remained true to his mission. Martin Luther King and C.T. Vivian helped sketch a vision for a new Chicago, but Leon Finney worked for more than 50 years to make that better, fairer Chicago a reality. The good he achieved will benefit our city, our State, and our Nation for years to come. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. DURBIN | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5933-2 | null | 1,458 |
formal | Chicago | null | racist | Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, Mark Guethle probably isn't the sort of person you picture when you hear the word ``feminist.'' Mark is a big guy: 6-foot-1, strong and muscular. It is easy to imagine him as the star linebacker he was in high school. He spent decades as a labor leader in the building trades, one of the toughest, most manhood-driven segments of the American labor movement. But Mark Guethle has worked harder to help good women getelected to public office in my State of Illinois than almost any man I know. At a time when many Americans feel understandably dismayed about the state of our politics, Mark Guethle has helped to introduce new candidates, new leaders, new ideas, and a cautious new sense of hope in government and hope in the future in Kane County, IL, one of the ``collar counties'' surrounding Chicago. That is what Mark has achieved in nearly 20 years as chairman of the Kane County Democratic Party. But that is just one part of Mark's story and his busy life. In addition, since 2003, Mark has served as a member of his town's council, the North Aurora Village Board of Trustees. On top of all of that, for nearly a quarter century, Mark Guethle has been a union leader with Painters District Council 30, Local Union 97, which covers most of north-central Illinois outside of Chicago. This past month, Mark retired from his union job: director of government affairs for of Painters District Council 30. He leaves with a proud record of achievement. Interestingly, he didn't start out to be a labor leader or a painter. At Proviso West High School in Hillside, IL, he was a star athlete in three sports: baseball, basketball, and football. It was his performance as a linebacker that drew the most attention. He was recruited by coaching legend Bo Schembechler to play for one of the best college football teams in the Nation, the University of Michigan Wolverines, but a bad accident during the summer after his high school graduation set his life on a different course. During a robbery at a gas station where he was working, Mark's arm was badly injured by a piece of shattered glass. The University of Michigan said it would wait for Mark's arm to heal but Mark's dad, a union carpenter, suggested that Mark try a different path and join his union. Mark agreed, but the carpenters weren't taking new members at that time. Mark's uncle, a union painter, suggested he try the painters union. He was hired as an apprentice at the age of 19. As it turned out, Mark had just the personal qualities that a good painter needs: attention to detail, a tenacious work ethic, and an unusual ability to listen to people and understand what they want. He started as an organizer for District Council 30 in 1997. Five years later, he was hired as the district council's governmental affairs director, the position he held until he retired from the union at the start of this month. As a labor leader, Mark fought for respect and fair treatment not only for members of his union but for all working people in the State of Illinois. The list of State laws that he has helped enact is long and impressive. It includes increasing Illinois' minimum wage, protecting overtime pay, strengthening collective bargaining rights and the prevailing wage in our State, and encouraging better labor-management relations through the use of project-management agreements. Mark has also taken courageous stands on issues including immigrant rights, women's rights, and marriage equality. Mark's commitment to social and economic justice and his nuts-and-bolts understanding of how politics works are qualities he acquired growing up in a politically active union family. He learned how to knock on doors and distribute yard signs for candidates when he was just a kid, and at age 60, he still spends an incredible amount of time and energy on such tasks. When there is work to be done, whether its phone banking or neighborhood canvassing, you can be sure that Mark will be the first to arrive and the last to quit. When Mark was elected Kane County Democratic chair in 2002, there were no Democrats in the county serving at the State or Federal level--none. Today, Democrats hold every congressional seat serving the county. One of those House members, Lauren Underwood, is the only nurse now serving in Congress. In the Illinois General Assembly, Kane County is represented by two Democratic senators and four house members, all of them women. ``We run women because we want to win,'' is how Mark once described his recruitment strategy. I suspect there is a little more to it. You see, Mark's mother was a brilliant woman who graduated from the University of Chicago when she was 16 years old, but like so many women of her generation, her career choices were limited because of her gender. She died when Mark was 22 years old, but she inspired in Mark and her other four children a profound belief in what women could achieve if given a fair chance. Mark Guethle is the embodiment of grassroots democracy. The people of Kane County and all Illinois' working families owe a lot to Mark and to his mom, Loretta. Mark is also respected by Republicans as a man of principles. One of his close friends, North Aurora mayor Dale Berman, was a lifelong Republican who Mark actually persuaded, by example, to become a Democrat. Stepping down from the union job will leave Mark more time for his work with his town's board of trustees and the Kane County Democratic Party. It will mean more time for Mark and Louise, his wife of 31 years, to perform in their church choir. Mark will have more time to watch his beloved Chicago Cubs--on TV for now, rather than in the bleachers, which he prefers. He will have more time for playing keyboards in his cover band and more time to practice on his guitar and ukulele, and he will have more time to spend with his sons, Marcus and Brian, and his four grand-daughters, whom he adores. Lastly, I am certain that Mark will spend even more time listening to his neighbors in Kane County and finding new ways to make government work for them, regardless of their political party, because that is what he cares most about. I am proud to call Mark my friend, and Loretta and I wish him and Louise all the best as they begin this new chapter of their lives. (At the request of Mr. Durbin, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the Record.) | 2020-01-06 | Mr. DURBIN | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5934-2 | null | 1,459 |
formal | working families | null | racist | Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, Mark Guethle probably isn't the sort of person you picture when you hear the word ``feminist.'' Mark is a big guy: 6-foot-1, strong and muscular. It is easy to imagine him as the star linebacker he was in high school. He spent decades as a labor leader in the building trades, one of the toughest, most manhood-driven segments of the American labor movement. But Mark Guethle has worked harder to help good women getelected to public office in my State of Illinois than almost any man I know. At a time when many Americans feel understandably dismayed about the state of our politics, Mark Guethle has helped to introduce new candidates, new leaders, new ideas, and a cautious new sense of hope in government and hope in the future in Kane County, IL, one of the ``collar counties'' surrounding Chicago. That is what Mark has achieved in nearly 20 years as chairman of the Kane County Democratic Party. But that is just one part of Mark's story and his busy life. In addition, since 2003, Mark has served as a member of his town's council, the North Aurora Village Board of Trustees. On top of all of that, for nearly a quarter century, Mark Guethle has been a union leader with Painters District Council 30, Local Union 97, which covers most of north-central Illinois outside of Chicago. This past month, Mark retired from his union job: director of government affairs for of Painters District Council 30. He leaves with a proud record of achievement. Interestingly, he didn't start out to be a labor leader or a painter. At Proviso West High School in Hillside, IL, he was a star athlete in three sports: baseball, basketball, and football. It was his performance as a linebacker that drew the most attention. He was recruited by coaching legend Bo Schembechler to play for one of the best college football teams in the Nation, the University of Michigan Wolverines, but a bad accident during the summer after his high school graduation set his life on a different course. During a robbery at a gas station where he was working, Mark's arm was badly injured by a piece of shattered glass. The University of Michigan said it would wait for Mark's arm to heal but Mark's dad, a union carpenter, suggested that Mark try a different path and join his union. Mark agreed, but the carpenters weren't taking new members at that time. Mark's uncle, a union painter, suggested he try the painters union. He was hired as an apprentice at the age of 19. As it turned out, Mark had just the personal qualities that a good painter needs: attention to detail, a tenacious work ethic, and an unusual ability to listen to people and understand what they want. He started as an organizer for District Council 30 in 1997. Five years later, he was hired as the district council's governmental affairs director, the position he held until he retired from the union at the start of this month. As a labor leader, Mark fought for respect and fair treatment not only for members of his union but for all working people in the State of Illinois. The list of State laws that he has helped enact is long and impressive. It includes increasing Illinois' minimum wage, protecting overtime pay, strengthening collective bargaining rights and the prevailing wage in our State, and encouraging better labor-management relations through the use of project-management agreements. Mark has also taken courageous stands on issues including immigrant rights, women's rights, and marriage equality. Mark's commitment to social and economic justice and his nuts-and-bolts understanding of how politics works are qualities he acquired growing up in a politically active union family. He learned how to knock on doors and distribute yard signs for candidates when he was just a kid, and at age 60, he still spends an incredible amount of time and energy on such tasks. When there is work to be done, whether its phone banking or neighborhood canvassing, you can be sure that Mark will be the first to arrive and the last to quit. When Mark was elected Kane County Democratic chair in 2002, there were no Democrats in the county serving at the State or Federal level--none. Today, Democrats hold every congressional seat serving the county. One of those House members, Lauren Underwood, is the only nurse now serving in Congress. In the Illinois General Assembly, Kane County is represented by two Democratic senators and four house members, all of them women. ``We run women because we want to win,'' is how Mark once described his recruitment strategy. I suspect there is a little more to it. You see, Mark's mother was a brilliant woman who graduated from the University of Chicago when she was 16 years old, but like so many women of her generation, her career choices were limited because of her gender. She died when Mark was 22 years old, but she inspired in Mark and her other four children a profound belief in what women could achieve if given a fair chance. Mark Guethle is the embodiment of grassroots democracy. The people of Kane County and all Illinois' working families owe a lot to Mark and to his mom, Loretta. Mark is also respected by Republicans as a man of principles. One of his close friends, North Aurora mayor Dale Berman, was a lifelong Republican who Mark actually persuaded, by example, to become a Democrat. Stepping down from the union job will leave Mark more time for his work with his town's board of trustees and the Kane County Democratic Party. It will mean more time for Mark and Louise, his wife of 31 years, to perform in their church choir. Mark will have more time to watch his beloved Chicago Cubs--on TV for now, rather than in the bleachers, which he prefers. He will have more time for playing keyboards in his cover band and more time to practice on his guitar and ukulele, and he will have more time to spend with his sons, Marcus and Brian, and his four grand-daughters, whom he adores. Lastly, I am certain that Mark will spend even more time listening to his neighbors in Kane County and finding new ways to make government work for them, regardless of their political party, because that is what he cares most about. I am proud to call Mark my friend, and Loretta and I wish him and Louise all the best as they begin this new chapter of their lives. (At the request of Mr. Durbin, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the Record.) | 2020-01-06 | Mr. DURBIN | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5934-2 | null | 1,460 |
formal | Chicago | null | racist | Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, when Chicago Bears football great Gale Sayers was on the field, you knew something extraordinary would happen. The press labeled him the ``Kansas Comet.'' His teammates called him ``Magic.'' He did things in the NFL that had not been seen before, and few have come close to matching decades later. Gale famously said that all he needed was 18 inches of daylight before he would change a game's dynamic. He was an unmatched running back, a star receiver, and his kick returning records remain to this day. But with everything with Gale, there was never enough time. His legendary career was cut short by injury. He passed away recently, and today, we pay our respect to an extraordinary life. Gale Eugene Sayers was born in Wichita, KS, in 1943. His father was a mechanic and a car polisher, and his mother was a homemaker. His family moved to Omaha, NE, in the early fifties, and Gale had his chance to play sports for the first time there. At the age of 13, he was playing kids who were 19 and 20 years old. Gale learned early on that he didn't want to be tackled by larger people, so he made sure he wasn't. In high school, he was not only a star running back, but he was also a track star. His record in long jump stood for 44 years. Dozens of colleges offered Gale scholarships, but he chose Kansas University because he liked the coach and that it was relatively close to home. There, he was dubbed the Kansas Comet. He was the first player in NCAA Division 1A history to record a 99-yard run when he broke loose against the University of Nebraska in 1963. His two-time All-American honors led to the Bears picking him as the No. 4 overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft. Gale Sayers' NFL career began like lightning. He returned a punt 77 yards in his first preseason game, returned a kickoff 93 yards, and threw a touchdown pass with his nondominant hand. For the season, he led the league in all-purpose yards and set the league record at the time of 22 touchdowns, earning the rookie of the year award. Wrigley Field is famously the home of the Chicago Cubs, but the greatest performance on that field was by Gale Sayers. The Chicago Bears played there from 1921 to 1970. In December 1965, Wrigley Field's playing surface was terrible. Players of both the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers were struggling to keep their footing in the rain, but Gale wasn't one of them. He scored six touchdowns that day. He might have scored seven or eight, but with a lopsided score, Bears Coach George Halas sat him down. The 49ers went on to form a special defense just for Gale Sayers. Sayers had many brilliant games, but one of the revolutionary moments his life was off the field when he was roommates with fullback Brian Piccolo. Sayers and Piccolo were the NFL's first interracial roommate duo. When many lines were drawn between Black and White players, Sayers and Piccolo set a new path for the league. They became best friends. On November 10, 1968, the Bears faced the 49ers again, and Sayers took a toss run play like he had done so many times. The 49ers defensive player put his shoulder into Sayers' knee, and it bent sideways. Sayers needed to be carted off the field. His knee would never be the same. The rehabilitation program was difficult, but with Piccolo's encouragement, Sayers was able to return the following year. Gale returned to playing in 1969, earning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year, but Piccolo became ill. Piccolo was coughing for weeks, and he was diagnosed with embryonic cell carcinoma. He underwent surgery, but the disease had spread to other organs. In May, Gale earned the George S. Halas Award, an award recognizing the league's most courageous player. In his speech for the award, Gale dedicated it to Brian Piccolo. Piccolo died on June 16, 1970, at the age of 26. Gale was a pallbearer at the funeral. The chapter on their friendship in Gale's autobiography, ``I Am Third,'' is the basis of the 1971 movie ``Brian's Song,'' the most-watched TV movie in history at the time. In 1971, Gale suffered another knee injury, and it was never right again. He retired in 1972 at the age of 29. It is a testament to the extraordinary talent of Gale Sayers, only playing 68 games, that in 1977, he was Ge youngest player ever to be voted into the NFL Hall of Fame at the age of 34. His statistics still remain competitive and as records decades later. After his NFL career, Gale returned to the University of Kansas as an assistant athletic director and student. He completed his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1975 and received a master's degree in educational administration in 1977. He was the athletic director at Southern Illinois University until 1981. Gale also supported the Cradle, a Chicago-area adoption agency that launched the Ardythe and Gale Sayers Center for African American Adoption in 1999. In 2007, Gale testified in Congress along with several other players that the NFL needed to improve its disability benefits system for retired players. Sayers is survived by his wife Ardythe Elaine Bullard, his brothers Roger and Ron, his sons Timothy and Scott, his daughter Gale Lynne, and his stepsons Guy, Gaylon, and Gary. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. DURBIN | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5934 | null | 1,461 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: H.R. 360. An act to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a voluntary Cyber Sense program to test the cybersecurity of products and technologies intended for use in the bulk-power system, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 362. An act to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act with respect to functions assigned to Assistant Secretaries, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 1109. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 1289. An act to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for a moratorium on number reassignment after a disaster declaration, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 2075. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize school-based health centers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 2468. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the preference given, in awarding certain allergies and asthma-related grants, to States that require certain public schools to have allergies and asthma management programs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 2519. An act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to implement innovative approaches to securing prompt access to appropriate follow-on care for individuals who experience an acute mental health episode and present for care in an emergency department, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 3131. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for research and improvement of cardiovascular health among the South Asian population of the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 3539. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop best practices for the establishment and use of behavioral intervention teams at schools, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 4078. An act to reauthorize the Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 4861. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients in the emergency department who are at risk of suicide, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 4996. An act to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for a State option under the Medicaid program to provide for and extend continuous coverage for certain individuals, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. H.R. 5373. An act to reauthorize the United States Anti- Doping Agency, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 5469. An act to address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 5760. An act to provide for a comprehensive interdisciplinary research, development, and demonstration initiative to strengthen the capacity of the energy sector to prepare for and withstand cyber and physical attacks, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 7293. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide best practices on student suicide awareness and prevention training and condition State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and tribal educational agencies receiving funds under section 520A of such Act to establish and implement a school-based student suicide awareness and prevention training policy; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 7948. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the collection and availability of health data with respect to Indian Tribes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian Affairs. H.R. 8128. An act to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a pilot program to explore the use of artificial intelligence in support of the consumer product safety mission of the Commission; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 8132. An act to require the Federal Trade Commission and the Secretary of Commerce to conduct studies and submit reports on the impact of artificial intelligence and other technologies on United States businesses conducting interstate commerce, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 8134. An act to support the Consumer Product Safety Commission's capability to protect consumers from unsafe consumer products, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5946-2 | null | 1,462 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: H.R. 360. An act to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a voluntary Cyber Sense program to test the cybersecurity of products and technologies intended for use in the bulk-power system, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 362. An act to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act with respect to functions assigned to Assistant Secretaries, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 1109. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 1289. An act to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for a moratorium on number reassignment after a disaster declaration, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 2075. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize school-based health centers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 2468. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the preference given, in awarding certain allergies and asthma-related grants, to States that require certain public schools to have allergies and asthma management programs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 2519. An act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to implement innovative approaches to securing prompt access to appropriate follow-on care for individuals who experience an acute mental health episode and present for care in an emergency department, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 3131. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for research and improvement of cardiovascular health among the South Asian population of the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 3539. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop best practices for the establishment and use of behavioral intervention teams at schools, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 4078. An act to reauthorize the Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 4861. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients in the emergency department who are at risk of suicide, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 4996. An act to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for a State option under the Medicaid program to provide for and extend continuous coverage for certain individuals, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. H.R. 5373. An act to reauthorize the United States Anti- Doping Agency, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 5469. An act to address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 5760. An act to provide for a comprehensive interdisciplinary research, development, and demonstration initiative to strengthen the capacity of the energy sector to prepare for and withstand cyber and physical attacks, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 7293. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide best practices on student suicide awareness and prevention training and condition State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and tribal educational agencies receiving funds under section 520A of such Act to establish and implement a school-based student suicide awareness and prevention training policy; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 7948. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the collection and availability of health data with respect to Indian Tribes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian Affairs. H.R. 8128. An act to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a pilot program to explore the use of artificial intelligence in support of the consumer product safety mission of the Commission; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 8132. An act to require the Federal Trade Commission and the Secretary of Commerce to conduct studies and submit reports on the impact of artificial intelligence and other technologies on United States businesses conducting interstate commerce, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 8134. An act to support the Consumer Product Safety Commission's capability to protect consumers from unsafe consumer products, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5946-2 | null | 1,463 |
formal | public school | null | racist | The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: H.R. 360. An act to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a voluntary Cyber Sense program to test the cybersecurity of products and technologies intended for use in the bulk-power system, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 362. An act to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act with respect to functions assigned to Assistant Secretaries, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 1109. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 1289. An act to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for a moratorium on number reassignment after a disaster declaration, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 2075. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize school-based health centers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 2468. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the preference given, in awarding certain allergies and asthma-related grants, to States that require certain public schools to have allergies and asthma management programs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 2519. An act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to implement innovative approaches to securing prompt access to appropriate follow-on care for individuals who experience an acute mental health episode and present for care in an emergency department, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 3131. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for research and improvement of cardiovascular health among the South Asian population of the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 3539. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop best practices for the establishment and use of behavioral intervention teams at schools, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 4078. An act to reauthorize the Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 4861. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients in the emergency department who are at risk of suicide, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 4996. An act to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for a State option under the Medicaid program to provide for and extend continuous coverage for certain individuals, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. H.R. 5373. An act to reauthorize the United States Anti- Doping Agency, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 5469. An act to address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 5760. An act to provide for a comprehensive interdisciplinary research, development, and demonstration initiative to strengthen the capacity of the energy sector to prepare for and withstand cyber and physical attacks, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 7293. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide best practices on student suicide awareness and prevention training and condition State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and tribal educational agencies receiving funds under section 520A of such Act to establish and implement a school-based student suicide awareness and prevention training policy; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 7948. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the collection and availability of health data with respect to Indian Tribes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian Affairs. H.R. 8128. An act to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a pilot program to explore the use of artificial intelligence in support of the consumer product safety mission of the Commission; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 8132. An act to require the Federal Trade Commission and the Secretary of Commerce to conduct studies and submit reports on the impact of artificial intelligence and other technologies on United States businesses conducting interstate commerce, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 8134. An act to support the Consumer Product Safety Commission's capability to protect consumers from unsafe consumer products, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5946-2 | null | 1,464 |
formal | public schools | null | racist | The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: H.R. 360. An act to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a voluntary Cyber Sense program to test the cybersecurity of products and technologies intended for use in the bulk-power system, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 362. An act to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act with respect to functions assigned to Assistant Secretaries, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 1109. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 1289. An act to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for a moratorium on number reassignment after a disaster declaration, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 2075. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize school-based health centers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 2468. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the preference given, in awarding certain allergies and asthma-related grants, to States that require certain public schools to have allergies and asthma management programs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 2519. An act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to implement innovative approaches to securing prompt access to appropriate follow-on care for individuals who experience an acute mental health episode and present for care in an emergency department, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 3131. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for research and improvement of cardiovascular health among the South Asian population of the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 3539. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop best practices for the establishment and use of behavioral intervention teams at schools, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 4078. An act to reauthorize the Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 4861. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients in the emergency department who are at risk of suicide, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 4996. An act to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for a State option under the Medicaid program to provide for and extend continuous coverage for certain individuals, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. H.R. 5373. An act to reauthorize the United States Anti- Doping Agency, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 5469. An act to address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 5760. An act to provide for a comprehensive interdisciplinary research, development, and demonstration initiative to strengthen the capacity of the energy sector to prepare for and withstand cyber and physical attacks, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 7293. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide best practices on student suicide awareness and prevention training and condition State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and tribal educational agencies receiving funds under section 520A of such Act to establish and implement a school-based student suicide awareness and prevention training policy; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 7948. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the collection and availability of health data with respect to Indian Tribes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian Affairs. H.R. 8128. An act to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a pilot program to explore the use of artificial intelligence in support of the consumer product safety mission of the Commission; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 8132. An act to require the Federal Trade Commission and the Secretary of Commerce to conduct studies and submit reports on the impact of artificial intelligence and other technologies on United States businesses conducting interstate commerce, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 8134. An act to support the Consumer Product Safety Commission's capability to protect consumers from unsafe consumer products, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5946-2 | null | 1,465 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | At 12:03 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H.R. 359. An act to provide for certain programs and developments in the Department of Energy concerning the cybersecurity and vulnerabilities of, and physical threats to, the electric grid, and for other purposes. H.R. 360. An act to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a voluntary Cyber Sense program to test the cybersecurity of products and technologies intended for use in the bulk-power system, and for other purposes. H.R. 362. An act to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act with respect to functions assigned to Assistant Secretaries, and for other purposes. H.R. 1109. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs. H.R. 1289. An act to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for a moratorium on number reassignment after a disaster declaration, and for other purposes. H.R. 1754. An act to improve the integrity and safety of horseracing by requiring a uniform anti-doping and medication control program to be developed and enforced by an independent Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority. H.R. 2075. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize schoolbased health centers, and for other purposes. H.R. 2468. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the preference given, in awarding certain allergies and asthma-related grants, to States that require certain public schools to have allergies and asthma management programs, and for other purposes. H.R. 2519. An act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to implement innovative approaches to securing prompt access to appropriate follow-on care for individuals who experience an acute mental health episode and present for care in an emergency department, and for other purposes. H.R. 3131. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for research and improvement of cardiovascular health among the South Asian population of the United States, and for other purposes. H.R. 3539. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop best practices for the establishment and use of behavioral intervention teams at schools, and for other purposes. H.R. 4078. An act to reauthorize the Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009. H.R. 4439. An act to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue priority review vouchers to encourage treatments for rare pediatric diseases. H.R. 4861. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients in the emergency department who are at risk of suicide, and for other purposes. H.R. 4996. An act to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for a State option under the Medicaid program to provide for and extend continuous coverage for certain individuals, and for other purposes. H.R. 5373. An act to reauthorize the United States Anti- Doping Agency, and for other purposes. H.R. 5469. An act to address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color, and for other purposes. H.R. 5760. An act to provide for a comprehensive interdisciplinary research, development, and demonstration initiative to strengthen the capacity of the energy sector to prepare for and withstand cyber and physical attacks, and for other purposes. H.R. 7293. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide best practices on student suicide awareness and prevention training and condition State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and tribal educational agencies receiving funds under section 520A of such Act to establish and implement a school-based student suicide awareness and prevention training policy. H.R. 7948. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the collection and availability of health data with respect to Indian Tribes, and for other purposes. H.R. 8128. An act to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a pilot program to explore the use of artificial intelligence in support of the mission of the Commission and direct the Secretary of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission to study and report on the use of blockchain technology and digital tokens, respectively. H.R. 8132. An act to require the Federal Trade Commission and the Secretary of Commerce to conduct studies and submit reports on the impact of artificial intelligence and other technologies on United States businesses conducting interstate commerce, and for other purposes. H.R. 8134. An act to support the Consumer Product Safety Commission's capability to protect consumers from unsafe consumer products, and for other purposes. Enrolled Bills Signed The message further announced that the Speaker has signed the following enrolled bills: S. 227. An act to direct the Attorney General to review, revise, and develop law enforcement and justice protocols appropriate to address missing and murdered Indians, and for other purposes. S. 982. An act to increase intergovernmental coordination to identify and combat violent crime within Indian lands and of Indians. The enrolled bills were subsequently signed by the President pro tempore (Mr. Grassley). Enrolled Bill Signed At 8:02 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, announced that the Speaker has signed the following enrolled bill: H.R. 8337. An act making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2021, and for other purposes. The enrolled bill was subsequently signed by the Acting President pro tempore (Mr. Hoeven) | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5946 | null | 1,466 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | At 12:03 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H.R. 359. An act to provide for certain programs and developments in the Department of Energy concerning the cybersecurity and vulnerabilities of, and physical threats to, the electric grid, and for other purposes. H.R. 360. An act to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a voluntary Cyber Sense program to test the cybersecurity of products and technologies intended for use in the bulk-power system, and for other purposes. H.R. 362. An act to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act with respect to functions assigned to Assistant Secretaries, and for other purposes. H.R. 1109. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs. H.R. 1289. An act to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for a moratorium on number reassignment after a disaster declaration, and for other purposes. H.R. 1754. An act to improve the integrity and safety of horseracing by requiring a uniform anti-doping and medication control program to be developed and enforced by an independent Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority. H.R. 2075. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize schoolbased health centers, and for other purposes. H.R. 2468. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the preference given, in awarding certain allergies and asthma-related grants, to States that require certain public schools to have allergies and asthma management programs, and for other purposes. H.R. 2519. An act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to implement innovative approaches to securing prompt access to appropriate follow-on care for individuals who experience an acute mental health episode and present for care in an emergency department, and for other purposes. H.R. 3131. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for research and improvement of cardiovascular health among the South Asian population of the United States, and for other purposes. H.R. 3539. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop best practices for the establishment and use of behavioral intervention teams at schools, and for other purposes. H.R. 4078. An act to reauthorize the Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009. H.R. 4439. An act to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue priority review vouchers to encourage treatments for rare pediatric diseases. H.R. 4861. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients in the emergency department who are at risk of suicide, and for other purposes. H.R. 4996. An act to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for a State option under the Medicaid program to provide for and extend continuous coverage for certain individuals, and for other purposes. H.R. 5373. An act to reauthorize the United States Anti- Doping Agency, and for other purposes. H.R. 5469. An act to address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color, and for other purposes. H.R. 5760. An act to provide for a comprehensive interdisciplinary research, development, and demonstration initiative to strengthen the capacity of the energy sector to prepare for and withstand cyber and physical attacks, and for other purposes. H.R. 7293. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide best practices on student suicide awareness and prevention training and condition State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and tribal educational agencies receiving funds under section 520A of such Act to establish and implement a school-based student suicide awareness and prevention training policy. H.R. 7948. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the collection and availability of health data with respect to Indian Tribes, and for other purposes. H.R. 8128. An act to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a pilot program to explore the use of artificial intelligence in support of the mission of the Commission and direct the Secretary of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission to study and report on the use of blockchain technology and digital tokens, respectively. H.R. 8132. An act to require the Federal Trade Commission and the Secretary of Commerce to conduct studies and submit reports on the impact of artificial intelligence and other technologies on United States businesses conducting interstate commerce, and for other purposes. H.R. 8134. An act to support the Consumer Product Safety Commission's capability to protect consumers from unsafe consumer products, and for other purposes. Enrolled Bills Signed The message further announced that the Speaker has signed the following enrolled bills: S. 227. An act to direct the Attorney General to review, revise, and develop law enforcement and justice protocols appropriate to address missing and murdered Indians, and for other purposes. S. 982. An act to increase intergovernmental coordination to identify and combat violent crime within Indian lands and of Indians. The enrolled bills were subsequently signed by the President pro tempore (Mr. Grassley). Enrolled Bill Signed At 8:02 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, announced that the Speaker has signed the following enrolled bill: H.R. 8337. An act making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2021, and for other purposes. The enrolled bill was subsequently signed by the Acting President pro tempore (Mr. Hoeven) | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5946 | null | 1,467 |
formal | public school | null | racist | At 12:03 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H.R. 359. An act to provide for certain programs and developments in the Department of Energy concerning the cybersecurity and vulnerabilities of, and physical threats to, the electric grid, and for other purposes. H.R. 360. An act to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a voluntary Cyber Sense program to test the cybersecurity of products and technologies intended for use in the bulk-power system, and for other purposes. H.R. 362. An act to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act with respect to functions assigned to Assistant Secretaries, and for other purposes. H.R. 1109. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs. H.R. 1289. An act to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for a moratorium on number reassignment after a disaster declaration, and for other purposes. H.R. 1754. An act to improve the integrity and safety of horseracing by requiring a uniform anti-doping and medication control program to be developed and enforced by an independent Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority. H.R. 2075. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize schoolbased health centers, and for other purposes. H.R. 2468. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the preference given, in awarding certain allergies and asthma-related grants, to States that require certain public schools to have allergies and asthma management programs, and for other purposes. H.R. 2519. An act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to implement innovative approaches to securing prompt access to appropriate follow-on care for individuals who experience an acute mental health episode and present for care in an emergency department, and for other purposes. H.R. 3131. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for research and improvement of cardiovascular health among the South Asian population of the United States, and for other purposes. H.R. 3539. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop best practices for the establishment and use of behavioral intervention teams at schools, and for other purposes. H.R. 4078. An act to reauthorize the Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009. H.R. 4439. An act to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue priority review vouchers to encourage treatments for rare pediatric diseases. H.R. 4861. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients in the emergency department who are at risk of suicide, and for other purposes. H.R. 4996. An act to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for a State option under the Medicaid program to provide for and extend continuous coverage for certain individuals, and for other purposes. H.R. 5373. An act to reauthorize the United States Anti- Doping Agency, and for other purposes. H.R. 5469. An act to address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color, and for other purposes. H.R. 5760. An act to provide for a comprehensive interdisciplinary research, development, and demonstration initiative to strengthen the capacity of the energy sector to prepare for and withstand cyber and physical attacks, and for other purposes. H.R. 7293. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide best practices on student suicide awareness and prevention training and condition State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and tribal educational agencies receiving funds under section 520A of such Act to establish and implement a school-based student suicide awareness and prevention training policy. H.R. 7948. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the collection and availability of health data with respect to Indian Tribes, and for other purposes. H.R. 8128. An act to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a pilot program to explore the use of artificial intelligence in support of the mission of the Commission and direct the Secretary of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission to study and report on the use of blockchain technology and digital tokens, respectively. H.R. 8132. An act to require the Federal Trade Commission and the Secretary of Commerce to conduct studies and submit reports on the impact of artificial intelligence and other technologies on United States businesses conducting interstate commerce, and for other purposes. H.R. 8134. An act to support the Consumer Product Safety Commission's capability to protect consumers from unsafe consumer products, and for other purposes. Enrolled Bills Signed The message further announced that the Speaker has signed the following enrolled bills: S. 227. An act to direct the Attorney General to review, revise, and develop law enforcement and justice protocols appropriate to address missing and murdered Indians, and for other purposes. S. 982. An act to increase intergovernmental coordination to identify and combat violent crime within Indian lands and of Indians. The enrolled bills were subsequently signed by the President pro tempore (Mr. Grassley). Enrolled Bill Signed At 8:02 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, announced that the Speaker has signed the following enrolled bill: H.R. 8337. An act making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2021, and for other purposes. The enrolled bill was subsequently signed by the Acting President pro tempore (Mr. Hoeven) | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5946 | null | 1,468 |
formal | public schools | null | racist | At 12:03 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H.R. 359. An act to provide for certain programs and developments in the Department of Energy concerning the cybersecurity and vulnerabilities of, and physical threats to, the electric grid, and for other purposes. H.R. 360. An act to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a voluntary Cyber Sense program to test the cybersecurity of products and technologies intended for use in the bulk-power system, and for other purposes. H.R. 362. An act to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act with respect to functions assigned to Assistant Secretaries, and for other purposes. H.R. 1109. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs. H.R. 1289. An act to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for a moratorium on number reassignment after a disaster declaration, and for other purposes. H.R. 1754. An act to improve the integrity and safety of horseracing by requiring a uniform anti-doping and medication control program to be developed and enforced by an independent Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority. H.R. 2075. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize schoolbased health centers, and for other purposes. H.R. 2468. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the preference given, in awarding certain allergies and asthma-related grants, to States that require certain public schools to have allergies and asthma management programs, and for other purposes. H.R. 2519. An act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to implement innovative approaches to securing prompt access to appropriate follow-on care for individuals who experience an acute mental health episode and present for care in an emergency department, and for other purposes. H.R. 3131. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for research and improvement of cardiovascular health among the South Asian population of the United States, and for other purposes. H.R. 3539. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop best practices for the establishment and use of behavioral intervention teams at schools, and for other purposes. H.R. 4078. An act to reauthorize the Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009. H.R. 4439. An act to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue priority review vouchers to encourage treatments for rare pediatric diseases. H.R. 4861. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients in the emergency department who are at risk of suicide, and for other purposes. H.R. 4996. An act to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for a State option under the Medicaid program to provide for and extend continuous coverage for certain individuals, and for other purposes. H.R. 5373. An act to reauthorize the United States Anti- Doping Agency, and for other purposes. H.R. 5469. An act to address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color, and for other purposes. H.R. 5760. An act to provide for a comprehensive interdisciplinary research, development, and demonstration initiative to strengthen the capacity of the energy sector to prepare for and withstand cyber and physical attacks, and for other purposes. H.R. 7293. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide best practices on student suicide awareness and prevention training and condition State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and tribal educational agencies receiving funds under section 520A of such Act to establish and implement a school-based student suicide awareness and prevention training policy. H.R. 7948. An act to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the collection and availability of health data with respect to Indian Tribes, and for other purposes. H.R. 8128. An act to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a pilot program to explore the use of artificial intelligence in support of the mission of the Commission and direct the Secretary of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission to study and report on the use of blockchain technology and digital tokens, respectively. H.R. 8132. An act to require the Federal Trade Commission and the Secretary of Commerce to conduct studies and submit reports on the impact of artificial intelligence and other technologies on United States businesses conducting interstate commerce, and for other purposes. H.R. 8134. An act to support the Consumer Product Safety Commission's capability to protect consumers from unsafe consumer products, and for other purposes. Enrolled Bills Signed The message further announced that the Speaker has signed the following enrolled bills: S. 227. An act to direct the Attorney General to review, revise, and develop law enforcement and justice protocols appropriate to address missing and murdered Indians, and for other purposes. S. 982. An act to increase intergovernmental coordination to identify and combat violent crime within Indian lands and of Indians. The enrolled bills were subsequently signed by the President pro tempore (Mr. Grassley). Enrolled Bill Signed At 8:02 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, announced that the Speaker has signed the following enrolled bill: H.R. 8337. An act making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2021, and for other purposes. The enrolled bill was subsequently signed by the Acting President pro tempore (Mr. Hoeven) | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5946 | null | 1,469 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. Portman) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations: S. Res. 729 Whereas December 14, 2020, marks the 25th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords that ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and brought peace to Bosnia and Herzegovina; Whereas ethnic cleansing and concentration camps were used as a tool of war against Bosnian Muslim men, women, and children, culminating in the July 1995 genocide at Srebrenica, where 8,000 Muslim men and teenagers were detained and killed; Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United States initiated airstrikes against Bosnian Serbs to stop grave human rights abuses, which led to ceasefire negotiations and the peace accords; Whereas negotiations began on November 1, 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, led by then- negotiator Richard Holbrooke and then-Secretary of State Warren Christopher, with Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Alija Izetbegovic, President of the Republic of Serbia Slobodan Milosevic, President of the Republic of Croatia Franjo Tudjman, European Union Special Representative Carl Bildt, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Igor Ivanov, and representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy; Whereas, after days of extensive discussions, a historic peace agreement was signed on December 14, 1995, to halt the conflict and bring peace to the region; Whereas, despite seemingly insurmountable differences in opinions, the negotiations succeeded due to dedicated foreign service professionals, a common yearning for a peaceful resolution, and an outpouring of support from the global community; Whereas the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, also known as the Dayton Peace Accords, laid the groundwork for NATO and European Union (EU) stabilization missions over the past 25 years, which have allowed the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to live peacefully and prosper; Whereas the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, established in 2006, remains the only literary peace prize awarded in the United States and recognizes the power of the written word to promote peace, and after the death of Ambassador Holbrooke in 2011, the Lifetime Achievement Award was renamed the Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award; Whereas the peace negotiations were strongly supported by the City of Dayton, Ohio, its leaders, and community, creating strong relationships between all parties involved, including a sister city relationship with Sarajevo; Whereas the United States Government reaffirms support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty and upholds the commitment to equality for all ethnicities according to the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Whereas, since the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords, the Government and people of Bosnia and Herzegovina have been working in partnership with the international community towards building a peaceful and democratic society based on the rule of law, respect for human rights, and a free-market economy: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) condemns human rights abuses that took place during the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and reconfirms the joint United States and EU commitment to promote and protect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law worldwide; (2) commends the commitment of the Government and people of Bosnia and Herzegovina to peace and cooperation 25 years after the Dayton Peace Accords; (3) encourages the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue pursuing NATO and EU membership; (4) encourages the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue its progress towards solving its constitutional issues and improving its economic policy as it advances towards NATO and EU memberships; (5) reiterates the importance of the Dayton Peace Accords as the basis of constitutional reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the promotion of political, economic, legal, and religious equality through the goals and values laid out by the EU; (6) urges the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to pursue constitutional reforms, needed to reconcile the past to seek empathy and respect as foundations to build a common future; (7) urges the United States Government to work closely with the governments of the countries that border Bosnia and Herzegovina--especially those who are signatories of the Dayton Peace Accords--to support full implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the EU and the Balkan States, which requires regional cooperation; and (8) recognizes the State of Ohio and the greater Dayton community for their role in fostering the Dayton Peace Accords, and for continuing to support diplomacy, security, and peace around the world. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5982 | null | 1,470 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Ms. Smith, Mr. Braun, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Warren, and Mr. Casey) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 731 Whereas more than 30,000,000 children in the United States have parents who work outside the home; Whereas high-quality programs that expand learning opportunities for children, such as afterschool, before- school, summer, and expanded learning opportunities, provide safe, challenging, engaging, and fun learning experiences, including experiences that encourage the study of science, technology, engineering, and math that help children and youth develop social, emotional, physical, cultural, and academic skills; Whereas, during the COVID-19 crisis, afterschool programs have risen to the moment to support children by-- (1) innovating to provide virtual programming to keep children engaged; (2) caring for children of essential workers; (3) providing meals and learning supports; and (4) supporting the wellbeing of children and families; Whereas high-quality afterschool programs and high-quality expanded learning opportunities provide students with hands- on, engaging lessons that are aligned with the school day; Whereas high-quality afterschool programs complement regular and expanded school days and support working families by ensuring that the children of those families are safe and productive during the hours parents are working; Whereas high-quality afterschool programs engage families, schools, and diverse community partners in advancing the well-being of children and youth in the United States; Whereas high-quality afterschool programs that partner with high-quality community-based organizations build stronger communities by integrating schools with the larger community; and Whereas Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool, before-school, summer, and expanded learning opportunities programs held on October 22, 2020, highlights the critical importance of those high-quality programs to children and the families and communities of those children: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate supports Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool programs held on October 22, 2020. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5983-2 | null | 1,471 |
formal | working families | null | racist | Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Ms. Smith, Mr. Braun, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Warren, and Mr. Casey) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 731 Whereas more than 30,000,000 children in the United States have parents who work outside the home; Whereas high-quality programs that expand learning opportunities for children, such as afterschool, before- school, summer, and expanded learning opportunities, provide safe, challenging, engaging, and fun learning experiences, including experiences that encourage the study of science, technology, engineering, and math that help children and youth develop social, emotional, physical, cultural, and academic skills; Whereas, during the COVID-19 crisis, afterschool programs have risen to the moment to support children by-- (1) innovating to provide virtual programming to keep children engaged; (2) caring for children of essential workers; (3) providing meals and learning supports; and (4) supporting the wellbeing of children and families; Whereas high-quality afterschool programs and high-quality expanded learning opportunities provide students with hands- on, engaging lessons that are aligned with the school day; Whereas high-quality afterschool programs complement regular and expanded school days and support working families by ensuring that the children of those families are safe and productive during the hours parents are working; Whereas high-quality afterschool programs engage families, schools, and diverse community partners in advancing the well-being of children and youth in the United States; Whereas high-quality afterschool programs that partner with high-quality community-based organizations build stronger communities by integrating schools with the larger community; and Whereas Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool, before-school, summer, and expanded learning opportunities programs held on October 22, 2020, highlights the critical importance of those high-quality programs to children and the families and communities of those children: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate supports Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool programs held on October 22, 2020. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5983-2 | null | 1,472 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. GRAHAM (for himself and Mr. Scott of South Carolina) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 733 Whereas the Preservation Society of Charleston, founded in 1920, is the oldest citizen-based preservation organization in the United States; Whereas the Preservation Society of Charleston played a critical role in positioning the historic and beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina, as a leader in the protection of architectural resources and vibrant communities by spearheading the effort to pass the first historic district zoning ordinance in the United States in 1931, which is now known worldwide as the ``Charleston Ordinance''; Whereas the Preservation Society of Charleston has a lengthy record of successes in saving iconic buildings and neighborhoods throughout the city of Charleston, including-- (1) the Dock Street Theater; (2) the Lining House; (3) the Old Exchange Building; (4) Rainbow Row; and (5) countless other historic buildings on the peninsula of Charleston; Whereas the Preservation Society of Charleston was founded by a woman, Susan Pringle Frost, whose vision, determination, and energy set the preservation movement on a new path in the early 20th century; Whereas, for 100 years, the Preservation Society of Charleston has provided countless avenues for women's leadership, boasting exemplary leaders such as-- (1) Elizabeth O'Neill Verner; (2) Dorothy Legge; (3) Elizabeth Jenkins Young; and (4) Jane Thornhill; Whereas, in the words of an award citation from the American Institute of Architects, the Preservation Society of Charleston is ``as much a part of Charleston history as a protector of it'' and has ``wrought a standard of commitment to community befitting the beauty and rich legacy of the city it has served''; Whereas, through innovative programs such as the Charleston Justice Journey and the Thomas Mayhem Pinckney Alliance, the Preservation Society of Charleston recognizes the contributions of African Americans to the built environment and history of Charleston; and Whereas the Preservation Society of Charleston has established itself as the leading voice in advocating for a livable and human city, showing itself consistently and repeatedly to be small but mighty, thoughtful but nimble, and principled, professional, and unafraid: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate recognizes 2020 as the centennial of the Preservation Society of Charleston. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5984 | null | 1,473 |
formal | urban | null | racist | Mr. GARDNER (for himself, Mr. Bennet, and Mr. Udall) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 735 Whereas over 80 percent of people in the United States live in or near cities, which typically have limited opportunities for residents to access nature and experience outdoor recreation; Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System under the United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages 568 national wildlife refuges that constitute a national network of land and water managed for the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants in the United States; Whereas national wildlife refuges provide opportunities for people to discover and appreciate nature; Whereas there is a refuge located within a 1-hour drive of every metropolitan area in the United States; Whereas the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program under the United States Fish and Wildlife Service-- (1) focuses on introducing people living in densely populated areas to the more than 100 national wildlife refuges near urban areas; and (2) promotes wildlife conservation and the enjoyment of hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-dependent recreational activities close to where people live; Whereas the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program focuses on public-private partnerships-- (1) to improve wildlife conservation; and (2) to promote access to recreation on and off national wildlife refuges, including recreational activities such as hunting and fishing; and Whereas by exploring community-centered approaches to address local needs, engaging the next generation of anglers and hunters, and providing infrastructure and safe access, the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program helps local organizations, cities, and towns across the United States engage in conservation activities: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) designates September 29, 2020, as ``National Urban Wildlife Refuge Day''; (2) encourages the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to increase access to outdoor recreational opportunities for urban communities; and (3) encourages the people of the United States to visit and experience the more than 100 urban national wildlife refuges of the United States. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5985 | null | 1,474 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | ``NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH'' Mr. CASSIDY (for himself and Mr. Murphy) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 738 Whereas suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death among individuals between 10 and 34 years of age; Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (referred to in this preamble as the ``CDC''), 1 individual in the United States dies by suicide every 11 minutes, resulting in around 48,000 deaths each year in the United States; Whereas, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 20 members of the Armed Forces on active duty, members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who are not on active duty, or veterans die by suicide each day, resulting in more than 7,000 deaths each year; Whereas, between 1999 and 2018, the suicide rate in the United States increased by 35 percent from 10.5 suicides for every 100,000 individuals to 14.2 suicides for every 100,000 individuals; Whereas it is estimated that there are approximately 1,400,000 suicide attempts each year in the United States; Whereas more than half of individuals who die by suicide did not have a known mental health condition; Whereas, according to the CDC, many factors contribute to suicide among individuals with and without known mental health conditions, including challenges related to relationships, substance use, physical health, and stress regarding work, money, legal problems, or housing; Whereas, according to the CDC, suicide results in an estimated $70,000,000,000 each year in combined medical and work-loss costs in the United States; Whereas the stigma associated with mental health conditions and suicidality hinders suicide prevention by discouraging at-risk individuals from seeking life-saving help and can further traumatize survivors of suicide loss and individuals with lived experience of suicide; Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many individuals to experience emotional distress and anxiety; Whereas, according to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report of the CDC, risk factors for suicide, such as anxiety and depression, have increased considerably since the onset of restrictions to help slow the spread of COVID-19; and Whereas September is an appropriate month to designate as ``National Suicide Prevention Month'' because September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day, a day recognized internationally and supported by the World Health Organization: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) recognizes suicide as a serious and preventable public health problem of the United States and each State; (2) supports the designation of September as ``National Suicide Prevention Month''; (3) declares suicide prevention as a priority; (4) acknowledges that no single suicide prevention program or effort will be appropriate for all populations or communities; (5) promotes awareness that there is no single cause of suicide; and (6) supports strategies to increase access to high-quality mental health and suicide prevention services and substance- use disorder treatments. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-09-29-pt2-PgS5986 | null | 1,475 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair will postpone further proceedings today on motions to suspend the rules on which the yeas and nays are ordered. The House will resume proceedings on postponed questions at a later time. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-09-30-pt1-PgH5072-2 | null | 1,476 |
formal | extremist | null | Islamophobic | Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5736) to direct the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security to develop and disseminate a threat assessment regarding threats to the United States associated with foreign violent white supremacist extremist organizations, and for other purposes, as amended. | 2020-01-06 | Ms. UNDERWOOD | House | CREC-2020-09-30-pt1-PgH5077 | null | 1,477 |
formal | terrorism | null | Islamophobic | Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5780) to enhance stakeholder outreach to and operational engagement with owners and operators of critical infrastructure and other relevant stakeholders by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to bolster security against acts of terrorism and other homeland security threats, including by maintaining a clearinghouse of security guidance, best practices, and other voluntary content developed by the Agency or aggregated from trusted sources, and for other purposes, as amended. | 2020-01-06 | Ms. UNDERWOOD | House | CREC-2020-09-30-pt1-PgH5078 | null | 1,478 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on the motion to recommit on the bill (H.R. 6270) to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require issuers to make certain disclosures relating to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and for other purposes, offered by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry), on which the yeas and nays were ordered. The Clerk will redesignate the motion. The Clerk redesignated the motion. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-09-30-pt1-PgH5088 | null | 1,479 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cuellar). Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair will postpone further proceedings today on motions to suspend the rules on which the yeas and nays are ordered. The House will resume proceedings on postponed questions at a later time. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cuellar) | House | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgH5142-2 | null | 1,480 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on ordering the previous question on the resolution (H. Res. 1164) providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1153) condemning unwanted, unnecessary medical procedures on individuals without their full, informed consent, and providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1154) condemning QAnon and rejecting the conspiracy theories it promotes, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgH5435 | null | 1,481 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, President Trump was rightly criticized for dodging a question about the peaceful transfer of power. Instead, Trump criticized mail-in ballots and rejected the premise that he will lose. No, that doesn't mean that he is planning some sort of coup, but it is important for any President to choose their words very carefully. The same is true for partisans on the other side whipping up fear that our democracy is in jeopardy or that the ballots will not be counted. Even worse is the rhetoric setting the stage to delegitimize any future Trump victory. We now hear full-blown conspiracy theories. Let me mention a few. A group of Biden supporters conducted a war game speculating that the President will not leave office without a Biden landslide, questioning what the military would do. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stepped in with a simple civics lesson. The U.S. military has no role in the elections, he said. Democrats have doubled down on this debunked theory that the Postal Service is plotting with Trump to disrupt the election mail. The Postal Service does not answer to the President of the United States. It has plenty of capacity to deliver election mail. Plus, the Federal Government doesn't run elections; the 50 States run those elections. A key goal of Russian ``active measures,'' dating back to the Cold War, has been to get Americans to doubt their government, its leaders, and democratic institutions. Let's not do Russia's dirty work for them. No American should be questioning our free and fair elections. Now to my State of Iowa. Our people who have requested absentee ballots will have ballots mailed to them starting on October 5. Remember to fill it out completely, including your driver's license or voter PIN number, and mail them to your county auditor well before election day but not later than the day before. Your ballot can be tracked on the secretary of state's website. Check out where your ballot is. I have great faith in Iowa's election officials and our postal workers. Iowans who vote in person or absentee can be assured that your vote will count--the same as any election. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. GRASSLEY | Senate | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgS6009-5 | null | 1,482 |
formal | identify as | null | transphobic | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, at this time last week, the Nation did not know whom President Trump would be nominating to the Supreme Court, but, amazingly, we did know what kinds of false attacks the far left would deploy against whoever it was. Democrats and special interests have been telling the country for 45 years--45 years--that every Supreme Court vacancy under a Republican President was going to bring about the apocalypse. John Paul Stevens, they said, was anti-woman. David Souter, they said, wanted to hurt vulnerable people. John Roberts was out to get health insurance. And wouldn't you know, the President had barely finished saying Judge Amy Coney Barrett's name before the same old attacks began rolling in. Our 77-year-old male former Vice President and our 69-year-old male Senate Democratic leader have tried to informAmerican women that this 48-year-old working mom wants to roll back her own rights as a woman--roll back her own rights as a woman. Democrats have tried to fearmonger around a 4-year-old academic paper that reinforced one unfair penalty in ObamaCare, which Congress, by the way, already eliminated 3 years ago. As an aside, if the American people are interested in which Senators are serious about protecting Americans with preexisting conditions, they can simply look up the vote Senators took last night--just last night. Every single Democrat voted against legislation from Senator Tillis that would have cemented protections for these vulnerable Americans. Democrats voted to block protections for preexisting conditions just like they voted to block hundreds of billions of dollars for coronavirus relief and just like they voted to block police reform--and a thousand other things they tell Americans they support but vote against to block bipartisan progress. So here is another one of the made-up attacks: Democrats are demanding that Judge Barrett commit in advance--in advance--to recuse herself from entire categories of cases for no reason. This is another totally invented standard. Nobody has ever suggested that Supreme Court Justices should categorically sit on the sidelines until the President who nominated them has left office. What an absurd suggestion. Justices Ginsburg and Breyer were confirmed during President Clinton's very first term. Justices Sotomayor and Kagan were confirmed during President Obama's first term. All four of these Justices went on to participate in election-related proceedings while the President who had nominated them was on the ballot. Justices Breyer and Ginsburg participated actively in Clinton v. Jones and other matters connected to President Clinton's eventual impeachment. In fact, they urged and attempted to get the Supreme Court even more involved. This is a sideshow--a sideshow. If Judge Barrett is confirmed, she will swear an oath. She will have a lifetime appointment. Nobody seriously is suggesting she lacks any bit of the integrity which everyone trusted Justice Ginsburg, Justice Breyer, Justice Sotomayor, Justice Kagan, and countless others to exercise. In fact, her integrity and independence are precisely what Judge Barrett's peers across the political spectrum go out of their way to applaud. Judge Barrett has no obligation to make any of the bizarre--bizarre--prejudgments that our Democratic colleagues are demanding. Like I said, much of the script has been entirely predictable. I will tell you one thing I did not predict. I honestly did not expect the Democratic leader to come to the Senate floor and say that concerns about anti-religious discrimination are ``manufactured hysterics.'' I didn't expect that. I do not expect we will hear the leader of the Democratic conference stand on the Senate floor and say that America's freedom of religion is ``an imaginary issue.'' The Democratic leader claimed indignantly that his fellow Democrats would never--never--make an issue out of a nominee's personal religious beliefs. He took great offense that such a thing would even be suggested. But the whole country knows that, 3 years ago, when the Judiciary Committee was considering this very nominee--this one--for her current position, Senate Democrats did precisely that, exactly that. The senior Senator from California literally implied in front of the entire country that Judge Barrett was too Catholic--too Catholic--to be a judge. Here was the quote: ``The dogma lives loudly within you,'' she said. ``And that's of concern.'' The senior Senator from Illinois asked Judge Barrett in the official record--listen to this--``Do you consider yourself an `orthodox Catholic?' '' The junior Senator from Hawaii felt compelled to tell the nominee--listen to this--``You would be a Catholic judge.'' ``You would be a Catholic judge.'' No one imagined these exchanges, but they happened on video before the entire Nation. Multiple sitting Senators fretted in an open hearing that Judge Barrett's religious views created doubts about her fitness to serve. Outside the Senate, it was not imaginary when one faith group in which Judge Barrett and her family participate reportedly came under cyber attack a few days ago. Their membership directory was reportedly hacked, just as Judge Barrett emerged as a frontrunner. Nobody had to imagine the ominous articles from AP, Reuters, the Washington Post, and POLITICO, all implying there was something questionable--questionable--or problematic about Judge Barrett's faith practices. Nobody had to imagine POLITICO sending a contributing editor to snoop around the church buildings and report what a youth group had written on their whiteboard. So, no, Americans don't have to imagine this elite disdain. All they have to do is read it. It is not just this one nominee. Nobody imagined it when the junior Senator from Vermont accused a different nominee of hatred and Islamophobia because he had previously expressed a personal view that Christianity gets things right, which Islam gets wrong. It is not imaginary when the junior Senator from California cast aspersions on yet another nominee for--listen to this--belonging to the Knights of Columbus. And another Democrat implied he should quit this mainstream Catholic group if he wanted to hold public office. Quit the Knights of Columbus if you want to hold public office? In America? The Democratic leader says these are manufactured hysterics. He says people who call this out are hysterical. Frankly, it would be better for our country if that were true, but that is not the case. Just yesterday, 24 hours after the Democratic leader swore that Democrats would not make this an issue, the junior Senator from Hawaii tried to say Judge Barrett's faith is ``irrelevant'' but immediately proceeded to question ``whether her closely held views can be separated from her ability to make objective, fair decisions.'' No one--no one--should be deceived by these thinly veiled euphemisms. This is the exact form that religious discrimination had taken in America for decades--for decades--especially when it comes to public service. We do not often hear people say they simply dislike a particular religion altogether. Thank goodness we are mostly past that kind of bigotry. No, going all the way back to Jack Kennedy, the more common accusation has been something a little more subtle--that people of deep faith or certain faiths are incapable of being fair or objective; that they are incapable of doing certain jobs well; that such Americans are torn between divided loyalties and not to be trusted. Here is what the left is trying to say: Oh, we have no problems--no problems--with Judge Barrett's faith in an abstract sense. We just think it disqualifies her from this promotion. Madam President, that is the definition of discrimination. About a century ago, openly anti-Catholic political cartoons pictured the Pope or the Catholic Church as an octopus wrapping its tentacles around the institutions of American Government. Thankfully those displays are long gone, but the core attitude clearly is not. Americans of faith are not imagining the increasingly hostile climate that the political left and the media have spent literally years sowing. And, no, there is no free pass, as some commentators have suggested, because many prominent liberal voices or prominent Democrats themselves identify as Catholic. You don't get a free pass just by calling yourself a Catholic. More than one-fifth of our country belongs to the same church as Judge Barrett--one-fifth of our country. Tens and tens of millions of Americans--all of them--like all Americans, must be free to live their faiths in diverse and different ways without being barred--without being barred--from public service. These kinds of aspersions do not become any more acceptable if the call is coming from inside the house. Sadly, none of these problems are imaginary. The American people's concerns are not manufactured. The Little Sisters of the Poor did not wake up thinking it would be good fun if the Obama-Biden administration tried to force them to violate their ownconsciences. These nuns did not manufacture their lengthy legal battle for the fun of it. It was the secularizing left that went on offense. Churches all across America did not go looking for one of this cycle's Democratic Presidential contenders to suggest places of workshop should lose their tax exempt status if they preach or practice traditional teaching. It was the secularizing left that went on offense. If parts of the elite American left have become this out of touch with mainstream religious beliefs held by millions and millions of their fellow citizens, it will take more than victim blaming to dig out of it. They could start this week. They could start today. They could commit to evaluating Judge Barrett on her credentials and her qualifications, and they could stop gawking at deeply religious Americans like they have encountered extraterrestrial life or bought a ticket for a safari | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgS6009-7 | null | 1,483 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, at this time last week, the Nation did not know whom President Trump would be nominating to the Supreme Court, but, amazingly, we did know what kinds of false attacks the far left would deploy against whoever it was. Democrats and special interests have been telling the country for 45 years--45 years--that every Supreme Court vacancy under a Republican President was going to bring about the apocalypse. John Paul Stevens, they said, was anti-woman. David Souter, they said, wanted to hurt vulnerable people. John Roberts was out to get health insurance. And wouldn't you know, the President had barely finished saying Judge Amy Coney Barrett's name before the same old attacks began rolling in. Our 77-year-old male former Vice President and our 69-year-old male Senate Democratic leader have tried to informAmerican women that this 48-year-old working mom wants to roll back her own rights as a woman--roll back her own rights as a woman. Democrats have tried to fearmonger around a 4-year-old academic paper that reinforced one unfair penalty in ObamaCare, which Congress, by the way, already eliminated 3 years ago. As an aside, if the American people are interested in which Senators are serious about protecting Americans with preexisting conditions, they can simply look up the vote Senators took last night--just last night. Every single Democrat voted against legislation from Senator Tillis that would have cemented protections for these vulnerable Americans. Democrats voted to block protections for preexisting conditions just like they voted to block hundreds of billions of dollars for coronavirus relief and just like they voted to block police reform--and a thousand other things they tell Americans they support but vote against to block bipartisan progress. So here is another one of the made-up attacks: Democrats are demanding that Judge Barrett commit in advance--in advance--to recuse herself from entire categories of cases for no reason. This is another totally invented standard. Nobody has ever suggested that Supreme Court Justices should categorically sit on the sidelines until the President who nominated them has left office. What an absurd suggestion. Justices Ginsburg and Breyer were confirmed during President Clinton's very first term. Justices Sotomayor and Kagan were confirmed during President Obama's first term. All four of these Justices went on to participate in election-related proceedings while the President who had nominated them was on the ballot. Justices Breyer and Ginsburg participated actively in Clinton v. Jones and other matters connected to President Clinton's eventual impeachment. In fact, they urged and attempted to get the Supreme Court even more involved. This is a sideshow--a sideshow. If Judge Barrett is confirmed, she will swear an oath. She will have a lifetime appointment. Nobody seriously is suggesting she lacks any bit of the integrity which everyone trusted Justice Ginsburg, Justice Breyer, Justice Sotomayor, Justice Kagan, and countless others to exercise. In fact, her integrity and independence are precisely what Judge Barrett's peers across the political spectrum go out of their way to applaud. Judge Barrett has no obligation to make any of the bizarre--bizarre--prejudgments that our Democratic colleagues are demanding. Like I said, much of the script has been entirely predictable. I will tell you one thing I did not predict. I honestly did not expect the Democratic leader to come to the Senate floor and say that concerns about anti-religious discrimination are ``manufactured hysterics.'' I didn't expect that. I do not expect we will hear the leader of the Democratic conference stand on the Senate floor and say that America's freedom of religion is ``an imaginary issue.'' The Democratic leader claimed indignantly that his fellow Democrats would never--never--make an issue out of a nominee's personal religious beliefs. He took great offense that such a thing would even be suggested. But the whole country knows that, 3 years ago, when the Judiciary Committee was considering this very nominee--this one--for her current position, Senate Democrats did precisely that, exactly that. The senior Senator from California literally implied in front of the entire country that Judge Barrett was too Catholic--too Catholic--to be a judge. Here was the quote: ``The dogma lives loudly within you,'' she said. ``And that's of concern.'' The senior Senator from Illinois asked Judge Barrett in the official record--listen to this--``Do you consider yourself an `orthodox Catholic?' '' The junior Senator from Hawaii felt compelled to tell the nominee--listen to this--``You would be a Catholic judge.'' ``You would be a Catholic judge.'' No one imagined these exchanges, but they happened on video before the entire Nation. Multiple sitting Senators fretted in an open hearing that Judge Barrett's religious views created doubts about her fitness to serve. Outside the Senate, it was not imaginary when one faith group in which Judge Barrett and her family participate reportedly came under cyber attack a few days ago. Their membership directory was reportedly hacked, just as Judge Barrett emerged as a frontrunner. Nobody had to imagine the ominous articles from AP, Reuters, the Washington Post, and POLITICO, all implying there was something questionable--questionable--or problematic about Judge Barrett's faith practices. Nobody had to imagine POLITICO sending a contributing editor to snoop around the church buildings and report what a youth group had written on their whiteboard. So, no, Americans don't have to imagine this elite disdain. All they have to do is read it. It is not just this one nominee. Nobody imagined it when the junior Senator from Vermont accused a different nominee of hatred and Islamophobia because he had previously expressed a personal view that Christianity gets things right, which Islam gets wrong. It is not imaginary when the junior Senator from California cast aspersions on yet another nominee for--listen to this--belonging to the Knights of Columbus. And another Democrat implied he should quit this mainstream Catholic group if he wanted to hold public office. Quit the Knights of Columbus if you want to hold public office? In America? The Democratic leader says these are manufactured hysterics. He says people who call this out are hysterical. Frankly, it would be better for our country if that were true, but that is not the case. Just yesterday, 24 hours after the Democratic leader swore that Democrats would not make this an issue, the junior Senator from Hawaii tried to say Judge Barrett's faith is ``irrelevant'' but immediately proceeded to question ``whether her closely held views can be separated from her ability to make objective, fair decisions.'' No one--no one--should be deceived by these thinly veiled euphemisms. This is the exact form that religious discrimination had taken in America for decades--for decades--especially when it comes to public service. We do not often hear people say they simply dislike a particular religion altogether. Thank goodness we are mostly past that kind of bigotry. No, going all the way back to Jack Kennedy, the more common accusation has been something a little more subtle--that people of deep faith or certain faiths are incapable of being fair or objective; that they are incapable of doing certain jobs well; that such Americans are torn between divided loyalties and not to be trusted. Here is what the left is trying to say: Oh, we have no problems--no problems--with Judge Barrett's faith in an abstract sense. We just think it disqualifies her from this promotion. Madam President, that is the definition of discrimination. About a century ago, openly anti-Catholic political cartoons pictured the Pope or the Catholic Church as an octopus wrapping its tentacles around the institutions of American Government. Thankfully those displays are long gone, but the core attitude clearly is not. Americans of faith are not imagining the increasingly hostile climate that the political left and the media have spent literally years sowing. And, no, there is no free pass, as some commentators have suggested, because many prominent liberal voices or prominent Democrats themselves identify as Catholic. You don't get a free pass just by calling yourself a Catholic. More than one-fifth of our country belongs to the same church as Judge Barrett--one-fifth of our country. Tens and tens of millions of Americans--all of them--like all Americans, must be free to live their faiths in diverse and different ways without being barred--without being barred--from public service. These kinds of aspersions do not become any more acceptable if the call is coming from inside the house. Sadly, none of these problems are imaginary. The American people's concerns are not manufactured. The Little Sisters of the Poor did not wake up thinking it would be good fun if the Obama-Biden administration tried to force them to violate their ownconsciences. These nuns did not manufacture their lengthy legal battle for the fun of it. It was the secularizing left that went on offense. Churches all across America did not go looking for one of this cycle's Democratic Presidential contenders to suggest places of workshop should lose their tax exempt status if they preach or practice traditional teaching. It was the secularizing left that went on offense. If parts of the elite American left have become this out of touch with mainstream religious beliefs held by millions and millions of their fellow citizens, it will take more than victim blaming to dig out of it. They could start this week. They could start today. They could commit to evaluating Judge Barrett on her credentials and her qualifications, and they could stop gawking at deeply religious Americans like they have encountered extraterrestrial life or bought a ticket for a safari | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgS6009-7 | null | 1,484 |
formal | octopus | null | antisemitic | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, at this time last week, the Nation did not know whom President Trump would be nominating to the Supreme Court, but, amazingly, we did know what kinds of false attacks the far left would deploy against whoever it was. Democrats and special interests have been telling the country for 45 years--45 years--that every Supreme Court vacancy under a Republican President was going to bring about the apocalypse. John Paul Stevens, they said, was anti-woman. David Souter, they said, wanted to hurt vulnerable people. John Roberts was out to get health insurance. And wouldn't you know, the President had barely finished saying Judge Amy Coney Barrett's name before the same old attacks began rolling in. Our 77-year-old male former Vice President and our 69-year-old male Senate Democratic leader have tried to informAmerican women that this 48-year-old working mom wants to roll back her own rights as a woman--roll back her own rights as a woman. Democrats have tried to fearmonger around a 4-year-old academic paper that reinforced one unfair penalty in ObamaCare, which Congress, by the way, already eliminated 3 years ago. As an aside, if the American people are interested in which Senators are serious about protecting Americans with preexisting conditions, they can simply look up the vote Senators took last night--just last night. Every single Democrat voted against legislation from Senator Tillis that would have cemented protections for these vulnerable Americans. Democrats voted to block protections for preexisting conditions just like they voted to block hundreds of billions of dollars for coronavirus relief and just like they voted to block police reform--and a thousand other things they tell Americans they support but vote against to block bipartisan progress. So here is another one of the made-up attacks: Democrats are demanding that Judge Barrett commit in advance--in advance--to recuse herself from entire categories of cases for no reason. This is another totally invented standard. Nobody has ever suggested that Supreme Court Justices should categorically sit on the sidelines until the President who nominated them has left office. What an absurd suggestion. Justices Ginsburg and Breyer were confirmed during President Clinton's very first term. Justices Sotomayor and Kagan were confirmed during President Obama's first term. All four of these Justices went on to participate in election-related proceedings while the President who had nominated them was on the ballot. Justices Breyer and Ginsburg participated actively in Clinton v. Jones and other matters connected to President Clinton's eventual impeachment. In fact, they urged and attempted to get the Supreme Court even more involved. This is a sideshow--a sideshow. If Judge Barrett is confirmed, she will swear an oath. She will have a lifetime appointment. Nobody seriously is suggesting she lacks any bit of the integrity which everyone trusted Justice Ginsburg, Justice Breyer, Justice Sotomayor, Justice Kagan, and countless others to exercise. In fact, her integrity and independence are precisely what Judge Barrett's peers across the political spectrum go out of their way to applaud. Judge Barrett has no obligation to make any of the bizarre--bizarre--prejudgments that our Democratic colleagues are demanding. Like I said, much of the script has been entirely predictable. I will tell you one thing I did not predict. I honestly did not expect the Democratic leader to come to the Senate floor and say that concerns about anti-religious discrimination are ``manufactured hysterics.'' I didn't expect that. I do not expect we will hear the leader of the Democratic conference stand on the Senate floor and say that America's freedom of religion is ``an imaginary issue.'' The Democratic leader claimed indignantly that his fellow Democrats would never--never--make an issue out of a nominee's personal religious beliefs. He took great offense that such a thing would even be suggested. But the whole country knows that, 3 years ago, when the Judiciary Committee was considering this very nominee--this one--for her current position, Senate Democrats did precisely that, exactly that. The senior Senator from California literally implied in front of the entire country that Judge Barrett was too Catholic--too Catholic--to be a judge. Here was the quote: ``The dogma lives loudly within you,'' she said. ``And that's of concern.'' The senior Senator from Illinois asked Judge Barrett in the official record--listen to this--``Do you consider yourself an `orthodox Catholic?' '' The junior Senator from Hawaii felt compelled to tell the nominee--listen to this--``You would be a Catholic judge.'' ``You would be a Catholic judge.'' No one imagined these exchanges, but they happened on video before the entire Nation. Multiple sitting Senators fretted in an open hearing that Judge Barrett's religious views created doubts about her fitness to serve. Outside the Senate, it was not imaginary when one faith group in which Judge Barrett and her family participate reportedly came under cyber attack a few days ago. Their membership directory was reportedly hacked, just as Judge Barrett emerged as a frontrunner. Nobody had to imagine the ominous articles from AP, Reuters, the Washington Post, and POLITICO, all implying there was something questionable--questionable--or problematic about Judge Barrett's faith practices. Nobody had to imagine POLITICO sending a contributing editor to snoop around the church buildings and report what a youth group had written on their whiteboard. So, no, Americans don't have to imagine this elite disdain. All they have to do is read it. It is not just this one nominee. Nobody imagined it when the junior Senator from Vermont accused a different nominee of hatred and Islamophobia because he had previously expressed a personal view that Christianity gets things right, which Islam gets wrong. It is not imaginary when the junior Senator from California cast aspersions on yet another nominee for--listen to this--belonging to the Knights of Columbus. And another Democrat implied he should quit this mainstream Catholic group if he wanted to hold public office. Quit the Knights of Columbus if you want to hold public office? In America? The Democratic leader says these are manufactured hysterics. He says people who call this out are hysterical. Frankly, it would be better for our country if that were true, but that is not the case. Just yesterday, 24 hours after the Democratic leader swore that Democrats would not make this an issue, the junior Senator from Hawaii tried to say Judge Barrett's faith is ``irrelevant'' but immediately proceeded to question ``whether her closely held views can be separated from her ability to make objective, fair decisions.'' No one--no one--should be deceived by these thinly veiled euphemisms. This is the exact form that religious discrimination had taken in America for decades--for decades--especially when it comes to public service. We do not often hear people say they simply dislike a particular religion altogether. Thank goodness we are mostly past that kind of bigotry. No, going all the way back to Jack Kennedy, the more common accusation has been something a little more subtle--that people of deep faith or certain faiths are incapable of being fair or objective; that they are incapable of doing certain jobs well; that such Americans are torn between divided loyalties and not to be trusted. Here is what the left is trying to say: Oh, we have no problems--no problems--with Judge Barrett's faith in an abstract sense. We just think it disqualifies her from this promotion. Madam President, that is the definition of discrimination. About a century ago, openly anti-Catholic political cartoons pictured the Pope or the Catholic Church as an octopus wrapping its tentacles around the institutions of American Government. Thankfully those displays are long gone, but the core attitude clearly is not. Americans of faith are not imagining the increasingly hostile climate that the political left and the media have spent literally years sowing. And, no, there is no free pass, as some commentators have suggested, because many prominent liberal voices or prominent Democrats themselves identify as Catholic. You don't get a free pass just by calling yourself a Catholic. More than one-fifth of our country belongs to the same church as Judge Barrett--one-fifth of our country. Tens and tens of millions of Americans--all of them--like all Americans, must be free to live their faiths in diverse and different ways without being barred--without being barred--from public service. These kinds of aspersions do not become any more acceptable if the call is coming from inside the house. Sadly, none of these problems are imaginary. The American people's concerns are not manufactured. The Little Sisters of the Poor did not wake up thinking it would be good fun if the Obama-Biden administration tried to force them to violate their ownconsciences. These nuns did not manufacture their lengthy legal battle for the fun of it. It was the secularizing left that went on offense. Churches all across America did not go looking for one of this cycle's Democratic Presidential contenders to suggest places of workshop should lose their tax exempt status if they preach or practice traditional teaching. It was the secularizing left that went on offense. If parts of the elite American left have become this out of touch with mainstream religious beliefs held by millions and millions of their fellow citizens, it will take more than victim blaming to dig out of it. They could start this week. They could start today. They could commit to evaluating Judge Barrett on her credentials and her qualifications, and they could stop gawking at deeply religious Americans like they have encountered extraterrestrial life or bought a ticket for a safari | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgS6009-7 | null | 1,485 |
formal | freedom of religion | null | homophobic | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, at this time last week, the Nation did not know whom President Trump would be nominating to the Supreme Court, but, amazingly, we did know what kinds of false attacks the far left would deploy against whoever it was. Democrats and special interests have been telling the country for 45 years--45 years--that every Supreme Court vacancy under a Republican President was going to bring about the apocalypse. John Paul Stevens, they said, was anti-woman. David Souter, they said, wanted to hurt vulnerable people. John Roberts was out to get health insurance. And wouldn't you know, the President had barely finished saying Judge Amy Coney Barrett's name before the same old attacks began rolling in. Our 77-year-old male former Vice President and our 69-year-old male Senate Democratic leader have tried to informAmerican women that this 48-year-old working mom wants to roll back her own rights as a woman--roll back her own rights as a woman. Democrats have tried to fearmonger around a 4-year-old academic paper that reinforced one unfair penalty in ObamaCare, which Congress, by the way, already eliminated 3 years ago. As an aside, if the American people are interested in which Senators are serious about protecting Americans with preexisting conditions, they can simply look up the vote Senators took last night--just last night. Every single Democrat voted against legislation from Senator Tillis that would have cemented protections for these vulnerable Americans. Democrats voted to block protections for preexisting conditions just like they voted to block hundreds of billions of dollars for coronavirus relief and just like they voted to block police reform--and a thousand other things they tell Americans they support but vote against to block bipartisan progress. So here is another one of the made-up attacks: Democrats are demanding that Judge Barrett commit in advance--in advance--to recuse herself from entire categories of cases for no reason. This is another totally invented standard. Nobody has ever suggested that Supreme Court Justices should categorically sit on the sidelines until the President who nominated them has left office. What an absurd suggestion. Justices Ginsburg and Breyer were confirmed during President Clinton's very first term. Justices Sotomayor and Kagan were confirmed during President Obama's first term. All four of these Justices went on to participate in election-related proceedings while the President who had nominated them was on the ballot. Justices Breyer and Ginsburg participated actively in Clinton v. Jones and other matters connected to President Clinton's eventual impeachment. In fact, they urged and attempted to get the Supreme Court even more involved. This is a sideshow--a sideshow. If Judge Barrett is confirmed, she will swear an oath. She will have a lifetime appointment. Nobody seriously is suggesting she lacks any bit of the integrity which everyone trusted Justice Ginsburg, Justice Breyer, Justice Sotomayor, Justice Kagan, and countless others to exercise. In fact, her integrity and independence are precisely what Judge Barrett's peers across the political spectrum go out of their way to applaud. Judge Barrett has no obligation to make any of the bizarre--bizarre--prejudgments that our Democratic colleagues are demanding. Like I said, much of the script has been entirely predictable. I will tell you one thing I did not predict. I honestly did not expect the Democratic leader to come to the Senate floor and say that concerns about anti-religious discrimination are ``manufactured hysterics.'' I didn't expect that. I do not expect we will hear the leader of the Democratic conference stand on the Senate floor and say that America's freedom of religion is ``an imaginary issue.'' The Democratic leader claimed indignantly that his fellow Democrats would never--never--make an issue out of a nominee's personal religious beliefs. He took great offense that such a thing would even be suggested. But the whole country knows that, 3 years ago, when the Judiciary Committee was considering this very nominee--this one--for her current position, Senate Democrats did precisely that, exactly that. The senior Senator from California literally implied in front of the entire country that Judge Barrett was too Catholic--too Catholic--to be a judge. Here was the quote: ``The dogma lives loudly within you,'' she said. ``And that's of concern.'' The senior Senator from Illinois asked Judge Barrett in the official record--listen to this--``Do you consider yourself an `orthodox Catholic?' '' The junior Senator from Hawaii felt compelled to tell the nominee--listen to this--``You would be a Catholic judge.'' ``You would be a Catholic judge.'' No one imagined these exchanges, but they happened on video before the entire Nation. Multiple sitting Senators fretted in an open hearing that Judge Barrett's religious views created doubts about her fitness to serve. Outside the Senate, it was not imaginary when one faith group in which Judge Barrett and her family participate reportedly came under cyber attack a few days ago. Their membership directory was reportedly hacked, just as Judge Barrett emerged as a frontrunner. Nobody had to imagine the ominous articles from AP, Reuters, the Washington Post, and POLITICO, all implying there was something questionable--questionable--or problematic about Judge Barrett's faith practices. Nobody had to imagine POLITICO sending a contributing editor to snoop around the church buildings and report what a youth group had written on their whiteboard. So, no, Americans don't have to imagine this elite disdain. All they have to do is read it. It is not just this one nominee. Nobody imagined it when the junior Senator from Vermont accused a different nominee of hatred and Islamophobia because he had previously expressed a personal view that Christianity gets things right, which Islam gets wrong. It is not imaginary when the junior Senator from California cast aspersions on yet another nominee for--listen to this--belonging to the Knights of Columbus. And another Democrat implied he should quit this mainstream Catholic group if he wanted to hold public office. Quit the Knights of Columbus if you want to hold public office? In America? The Democratic leader says these are manufactured hysterics. He says people who call this out are hysterical. Frankly, it would be better for our country if that were true, but that is not the case. Just yesterday, 24 hours after the Democratic leader swore that Democrats would not make this an issue, the junior Senator from Hawaii tried to say Judge Barrett's faith is ``irrelevant'' but immediately proceeded to question ``whether her closely held views can be separated from her ability to make objective, fair decisions.'' No one--no one--should be deceived by these thinly veiled euphemisms. This is the exact form that religious discrimination had taken in America for decades--for decades--especially when it comes to public service. We do not often hear people say they simply dislike a particular religion altogether. Thank goodness we are mostly past that kind of bigotry. No, going all the way back to Jack Kennedy, the more common accusation has been something a little more subtle--that people of deep faith or certain faiths are incapable of being fair or objective; that they are incapable of doing certain jobs well; that such Americans are torn between divided loyalties and not to be trusted. Here is what the left is trying to say: Oh, we have no problems--no problems--with Judge Barrett's faith in an abstract sense. We just think it disqualifies her from this promotion. Madam President, that is the definition of discrimination. About a century ago, openly anti-Catholic political cartoons pictured the Pope or the Catholic Church as an octopus wrapping its tentacles around the institutions of American Government. Thankfully those displays are long gone, but the core attitude clearly is not. Americans of faith are not imagining the increasingly hostile climate that the political left and the media have spent literally years sowing. And, no, there is no free pass, as some commentators have suggested, because many prominent liberal voices or prominent Democrats themselves identify as Catholic. You don't get a free pass just by calling yourself a Catholic. More than one-fifth of our country belongs to the same church as Judge Barrett--one-fifth of our country. Tens and tens of millions of Americans--all of them--like all Americans, must be free to live their faiths in diverse and different ways without being barred--without being barred--from public service. These kinds of aspersions do not become any more acceptable if the call is coming from inside the house. Sadly, none of these problems are imaginary. The American people's concerns are not manufactured. The Little Sisters of the Poor did not wake up thinking it would be good fun if the Obama-Biden administration tried to force them to violate their ownconsciences. These nuns did not manufacture their lengthy legal battle for the fun of it. It was the secularizing left that went on offense. Churches all across America did not go looking for one of this cycle's Democratic Presidential contenders to suggest places of workshop should lose their tax exempt status if they preach or practice traditional teaching. It was the secularizing left that went on offense. If parts of the elite American left have become this out of touch with mainstream religious beliefs held by millions and millions of their fellow citizens, it will take more than victim blaming to dig out of it. They could start this week. They could start today. They could commit to evaluating Judge Barrett on her credentials and her qualifications, and they could stop gawking at deeply religious Americans like they have encountered extraterrestrial life or bought a ticket for a safari | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgS6009-7 | null | 1,486 |
formal | special interest | null | antisemitic | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, at this time last week, the Nation did not know whom President Trump would be nominating to the Supreme Court, but, amazingly, we did know what kinds of false attacks the far left would deploy against whoever it was. Democrats and special interests have been telling the country for 45 years--45 years--that every Supreme Court vacancy under a Republican President was going to bring about the apocalypse. John Paul Stevens, they said, was anti-woman. David Souter, they said, wanted to hurt vulnerable people. John Roberts was out to get health insurance. And wouldn't you know, the President had barely finished saying Judge Amy Coney Barrett's name before the same old attacks began rolling in. Our 77-year-old male former Vice President and our 69-year-old male Senate Democratic leader have tried to informAmerican women that this 48-year-old working mom wants to roll back her own rights as a woman--roll back her own rights as a woman. Democrats have tried to fearmonger around a 4-year-old academic paper that reinforced one unfair penalty in ObamaCare, which Congress, by the way, already eliminated 3 years ago. As an aside, if the American people are interested in which Senators are serious about protecting Americans with preexisting conditions, they can simply look up the vote Senators took last night--just last night. Every single Democrat voted against legislation from Senator Tillis that would have cemented protections for these vulnerable Americans. Democrats voted to block protections for preexisting conditions just like they voted to block hundreds of billions of dollars for coronavirus relief and just like they voted to block police reform--and a thousand other things they tell Americans they support but vote against to block bipartisan progress. So here is another one of the made-up attacks: Democrats are demanding that Judge Barrett commit in advance--in advance--to recuse herself from entire categories of cases for no reason. This is another totally invented standard. Nobody has ever suggested that Supreme Court Justices should categorically sit on the sidelines until the President who nominated them has left office. What an absurd suggestion. Justices Ginsburg and Breyer were confirmed during President Clinton's very first term. Justices Sotomayor and Kagan were confirmed during President Obama's first term. All four of these Justices went on to participate in election-related proceedings while the President who had nominated them was on the ballot. Justices Breyer and Ginsburg participated actively in Clinton v. Jones and other matters connected to President Clinton's eventual impeachment. In fact, they urged and attempted to get the Supreme Court even more involved. This is a sideshow--a sideshow. If Judge Barrett is confirmed, she will swear an oath. She will have a lifetime appointment. Nobody seriously is suggesting she lacks any bit of the integrity which everyone trusted Justice Ginsburg, Justice Breyer, Justice Sotomayor, Justice Kagan, and countless others to exercise. In fact, her integrity and independence are precisely what Judge Barrett's peers across the political spectrum go out of their way to applaud. Judge Barrett has no obligation to make any of the bizarre--bizarre--prejudgments that our Democratic colleagues are demanding. Like I said, much of the script has been entirely predictable. I will tell you one thing I did not predict. I honestly did not expect the Democratic leader to come to the Senate floor and say that concerns about anti-religious discrimination are ``manufactured hysterics.'' I didn't expect that. I do not expect we will hear the leader of the Democratic conference stand on the Senate floor and say that America's freedom of religion is ``an imaginary issue.'' The Democratic leader claimed indignantly that his fellow Democrats would never--never--make an issue out of a nominee's personal religious beliefs. He took great offense that such a thing would even be suggested. But the whole country knows that, 3 years ago, when the Judiciary Committee was considering this very nominee--this one--for her current position, Senate Democrats did precisely that, exactly that. The senior Senator from California literally implied in front of the entire country that Judge Barrett was too Catholic--too Catholic--to be a judge. Here was the quote: ``The dogma lives loudly within you,'' she said. ``And that's of concern.'' The senior Senator from Illinois asked Judge Barrett in the official record--listen to this--``Do you consider yourself an `orthodox Catholic?' '' The junior Senator from Hawaii felt compelled to tell the nominee--listen to this--``You would be a Catholic judge.'' ``You would be a Catholic judge.'' No one imagined these exchanges, but they happened on video before the entire Nation. Multiple sitting Senators fretted in an open hearing that Judge Barrett's religious views created doubts about her fitness to serve. Outside the Senate, it was not imaginary when one faith group in which Judge Barrett and her family participate reportedly came under cyber attack a few days ago. Their membership directory was reportedly hacked, just as Judge Barrett emerged as a frontrunner. Nobody had to imagine the ominous articles from AP, Reuters, the Washington Post, and POLITICO, all implying there was something questionable--questionable--or problematic about Judge Barrett's faith practices. Nobody had to imagine POLITICO sending a contributing editor to snoop around the church buildings and report what a youth group had written on their whiteboard. So, no, Americans don't have to imagine this elite disdain. All they have to do is read it. It is not just this one nominee. Nobody imagined it when the junior Senator from Vermont accused a different nominee of hatred and Islamophobia because he had previously expressed a personal view that Christianity gets things right, which Islam gets wrong. It is not imaginary when the junior Senator from California cast aspersions on yet another nominee for--listen to this--belonging to the Knights of Columbus. And another Democrat implied he should quit this mainstream Catholic group if he wanted to hold public office. Quit the Knights of Columbus if you want to hold public office? In America? The Democratic leader says these are manufactured hysterics. He says people who call this out are hysterical. Frankly, it would be better for our country if that were true, but that is not the case. Just yesterday, 24 hours after the Democratic leader swore that Democrats would not make this an issue, the junior Senator from Hawaii tried to say Judge Barrett's faith is ``irrelevant'' but immediately proceeded to question ``whether her closely held views can be separated from her ability to make objective, fair decisions.'' No one--no one--should be deceived by these thinly veiled euphemisms. This is the exact form that religious discrimination had taken in America for decades--for decades--especially when it comes to public service. We do not often hear people say they simply dislike a particular religion altogether. Thank goodness we are mostly past that kind of bigotry. No, going all the way back to Jack Kennedy, the more common accusation has been something a little more subtle--that people of deep faith or certain faiths are incapable of being fair or objective; that they are incapable of doing certain jobs well; that such Americans are torn between divided loyalties and not to be trusted. Here is what the left is trying to say: Oh, we have no problems--no problems--with Judge Barrett's faith in an abstract sense. We just think it disqualifies her from this promotion. Madam President, that is the definition of discrimination. About a century ago, openly anti-Catholic political cartoons pictured the Pope or the Catholic Church as an octopus wrapping its tentacles around the institutions of American Government. Thankfully those displays are long gone, but the core attitude clearly is not. Americans of faith are not imagining the increasingly hostile climate that the political left and the media have spent literally years sowing. And, no, there is no free pass, as some commentators have suggested, because many prominent liberal voices or prominent Democrats themselves identify as Catholic. You don't get a free pass just by calling yourself a Catholic. More than one-fifth of our country belongs to the same church as Judge Barrett--one-fifth of our country. Tens and tens of millions of Americans--all of them--like all Americans, must be free to live their faiths in diverse and different ways without being barred--without being barred--from public service. These kinds of aspersions do not become any more acceptable if the call is coming from inside the house. Sadly, none of these problems are imaginary. The American people's concerns are not manufactured. The Little Sisters of the Poor did not wake up thinking it would be good fun if the Obama-Biden administration tried to force them to violate their ownconsciences. These nuns did not manufacture their lengthy legal battle for the fun of it. It was the secularizing left that went on offense. Churches all across America did not go looking for one of this cycle's Democratic Presidential contenders to suggest places of workshop should lose their tax exempt status if they preach or practice traditional teaching. It was the secularizing left that went on offense. If parts of the elite American left have become this out of touch with mainstream religious beliefs held by millions and millions of their fellow citizens, it will take more than victim blaming to dig out of it. They could start this week. They could start today. They could commit to evaluating Judge Barrett on her credentials and her qualifications, and they could stop gawking at deeply religious Americans like they have encountered extraterrestrial life or bought a ticket for a safari | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgS6009-7 | null | 1,487 |
formal | special interests | null | antisemitic | Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, at this time last week, the Nation did not know whom President Trump would be nominating to the Supreme Court, but, amazingly, we did know what kinds of false attacks the far left would deploy against whoever it was. Democrats and special interests have been telling the country for 45 years--45 years--that every Supreme Court vacancy under a Republican President was going to bring about the apocalypse. John Paul Stevens, they said, was anti-woman. David Souter, they said, wanted to hurt vulnerable people. John Roberts was out to get health insurance. And wouldn't you know, the President had barely finished saying Judge Amy Coney Barrett's name before the same old attacks began rolling in. Our 77-year-old male former Vice President and our 69-year-old male Senate Democratic leader have tried to informAmerican women that this 48-year-old working mom wants to roll back her own rights as a woman--roll back her own rights as a woman. Democrats have tried to fearmonger around a 4-year-old academic paper that reinforced one unfair penalty in ObamaCare, which Congress, by the way, already eliminated 3 years ago. As an aside, if the American people are interested in which Senators are serious about protecting Americans with preexisting conditions, they can simply look up the vote Senators took last night--just last night. Every single Democrat voted against legislation from Senator Tillis that would have cemented protections for these vulnerable Americans. Democrats voted to block protections for preexisting conditions just like they voted to block hundreds of billions of dollars for coronavirus relief and just like they voted to block police reform--and a thousand other things they tell Americans they support but vote against to block bipartisan progress. So here is another one of the made-up attacks: Democrats are demanding that Judge Barrett commit in advance--in advance--to recuse herself from entire categories of cases for no reason. This is another totally invented standard. Nobody has ever suggested that Supreme Court Justices should categorically sit on the sidelines until the President who nominated them has left office. What an absurd suggestion. Justices Ginsburg and Breyer were confirmed during President Clinton's very first term. Justices Sotomayor and Kagan were confirmed during President Obama's first term. All four of these Justices went on to participate in election-related proceedings while the President who had nominated them was on the ballot. Justices Breyer and Ginsburg participated actively in Clinton v. Jones and other matters connected to President Clinton's eventual impeachment. In fact, they urged and attempted to get the Supreme Court even more involved. This is a sideshow--a sideshow. If Judge Barrett is confirmed, she will swear an oath. She will have a lifetime appointment. Nobody seriously is suggesting she lacks any bit of the integrity which everyone trusted Justice Ginsburg, Justice Breyer, Justice Sotomayor, Justice Kagan, and countless others to exercise. In fact, her integrity and independence are precisely what Judge Barrett's peers across the political spectrum go out of their way to applaud. Judge Barrett has no obligation to make any of the bizarre--bizarre--prejudgments that our Democratic colleagues are demanding. Like I said, much of the script has been entirely predictable. I will tell you one thing I did not predict. I honestly did not expect the Democratic leader to come to the Senate floor and say that concerns about anti-religious discrimination are ``manufactured hysterics.'' I didn't expect that. I do not expect we will hear the leader of the Democratic conference stand on the Senate floor and say that America's freedom of religion is ``an imaginary issue.'' The Democratic leader claimed indignantly that his fellow Democrats would never--never--make an issue out of a nominee's personal religious beliefs. He took great offense that such a thing would even be suggested. But the whole country knows that, 3 years ago, when the Judiciary Committee was considering this very nominee--this one--for her current position, Senate Democrats did precisely that, exactly that. The senior Senator from California literally implied in front of the entire country that Judge Barrett was too Catholic--too Catholic--to be a judge. Here was the quote: ``The dogma lives loudly within you,'' she said. ``And that's of concern.'' The senior Senator from Illinois asked Judge Barrett in the official record--listen to this--``Do you consider yourself an `orthodox Catholic?' '' The junior Senator from Hawaii felt compelled to tell the nominee--listen to this--``You would be a Catholic judge.'' ``You would be a Catholic judge.'' No one imagined these exchanges, but they happened on video before the entire Nation. Multiple sitting Senators fretted in an open hearing that Judge Barrett's religious views created doubts about her fitness to serve. Outside the Senate, it was not imaginary when one faith group in which Judge Barrett and her family participate reportedly came under cyber attack a few days ago. Their membership directory was reportedly hacked, just as Judge Barrett emerged as a frontrunner. Nobody had to imagine the ominous articles from AP, Reuters, the Washington Post, and POLITICO, all implying there was something questionable--questionable--or problematic about Judge Barrett's faith practices. Nobody had to imagine POLITICO sending a contributing editor to snoop around the church buildings and report what a youth group had written on their whiteboard. So, no, Americans don't have to imagine this elite disdain. All they have to do is read it. It is not just this one nominee. Nobody imagined it when the junior Senator from Vermont accused a different nominee of hatred and Islamophobia because he had previously expressed a personal view that Christianity gets things right, which Islam gets wrong. It is not imaginary when the junior Senator from California cast aspersions on yet another nominee for--listen to this--belonging to the Knights of Columbus. And another Democrat implied he should quit this mainstream Catholic group if he wanted to hold public office. Quit the Knights of Columbus if you want to hold public office? In America? The Democratic leader says these are manufactured hysterics. He says people who call this out are hysterical. Frankly, it would be better for our country if that were true, but that is not the case. Just yesterday, 24 hours after the Democratic leader swore that Democrats would not make this an issue, the junior Senator from Hawaii tried to say Judge Barrett's faith is ``irrelevant'' but immediately proceeded to question ``whether her closely held views can be separated from her ability to make objective, fair decisions.'' No one--no one--should be deceived by these thinly veiled euphemisms. This is the exact form that religious discrimination had taken in America for decades--for decades--especially when it comes to public service. We do not often hear people say they simply dislike a particular religion altogether. Thank goodness we are mostly past that kind of bigotry. No, going all the way back to Jack Kennedy, the more common accusation has been something a little more subtle--that people of deep faith or certain faiths are incapable of being fair or objective; that they are incapable of doing certain jobs well; that such Americans are torn between divided loyalties and not to be trusted. Here is what the left is trying to say: Oh, we have no problems--no problems--with Judge Barrett's faith in an abstract sense. We just think it disqualifies her from this promotion. Madam President, that is the definition of discrimination. About a century ago, openly anti-Catholic political cartoons pictured the Pope or the Catholic Church as an octopus wrapping its tentacles around the institutions of American Government. Thankfully those displays are long gone, but the core attitude clearly is not. Americans of faith are not imagining the increasingly hostile climate that the political left and the media have spent literally years sowing. And, no, there is no free pass, as some commentators have suggested, because many prominent liberal voices or prominent Democrats themselves identify as Catholic. You don't get a free pass just by calling yourself a Catholic. More than one-fifth of our country belongs to the same church as Judge Barrett--one-fifth of our country. Tens and tens of millions of Americans--all of them--like all Americans, must be free to live their faiths in diverse and different ways without being barred--without being barred--from public service. These kinds of aspersions do not become any more acceptable if the call is coming from inside the house. Sadly, none of these problems are imaginary. The American people's concerns are not manufactured. The Little Sisters of the Poor did not wake up thinking it would be good fun if the Obama-Biden administration tried to force them to violate their ownconsciences. These nuns did not manufacture their lengthy legal battle for the fun of it. It was the secularizing left that went on offense. Churches all across America did not go looking for one of this cycle's Democratic Presidential contenders to suggest places of workshop should lose their tax exempt status if they preach or practice traditional teaching. It was the secularizing left that went on offense. If parts of the elite American left have become this out of touch with mainstream religious beliefs held by millions and millions of their fellow citizens, it will take more than victim blaming to dig out of it. They could start this week. They could start today. They could commit to evaluating Judge Barrett on her credentials and her qualifications, and they could stop gawking at deeply religious Americans like they have encountered extraterrestrial life or bought a ticket for a safari | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgS6009-7 | null | 1,488 |
formal | single | null | homophobic | Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, I don't think I am overstating the severity of the situation when I say that this past week has been one of the most chaotic and divisive in our Nation's history. The American people met the news of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death with an outpouring of sympathy; but, of course, rather than let an opportunity go to waste, radicals and activists, fueled by the same hatred that still fills our streets with violence, emerged from the shadows and exploited a nation's grief. Rarely--or perhaps, never before--in the history of this country have the so-called progressive movement, the activist left, and even some members of the Senate minority worked so tirelessly to scare the American people into submission. Their willingness to use differences in family, religion, and personal morality to impugn the integrity and competence of Supreme Court Associate Justice nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett without giving her the benefit of even a single conversation shocks the conscience. It is a scandal beneath the dignity of this body. In the coming weeks, I would encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to meet with Judge Barrett, as I did today. I think you will find that she is not trying to get off easy. As a fellow conservative woman who cherishes a deep faith and commitment to family, I can assure you, she has already been tested by fire and passed with flying colors. | 2020-01-06 | Mrs. BLACKBURN | Senate | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgS6023 | null | 1,489 |
formal | extremist | null | Islamophobic | At 12:20 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H.R. 2454. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 123 East Sharpfish Street in Rosebud, South Dakota, as the ``Ben Reifel Post Office Building''. H.R. 3005. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13308 Midland Road in Poway, California, as the ``Ray Chavez Post Office Building''. H.R. 3680. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 415 North Main Street in Henning, Tennessee, as the ``Paula Croom Robinson and Judy Spray Memorial Post Office Building''. H.R. 4725. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8585 Criterion Drive in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the ``Chaplain (Capt.) Dale Goetz Memorial Post Office Building''. H.R. 4764. An act to reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, and for other purposes. H.R. 4875. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2201 E. Maple Street in North Canton, Ohio, as the ``Lance Cpl. Stacy `Annie' Dryden Post Office''. H.R. 4971. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15 East Market Street in Leesburg, Virginia, as the ``Norman Duncan Post Office Building''. H.R. 5307. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 115 Nicol Avenue in Thomasville, Alabama, as the ``Postmaster Robert Ingram Post Office''. H.R. 5736. An act to direct the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security to develop and disseminate a threat assessment regarding threats to the United States associated with foreign violent white supremacist extremist organizations, and for other purposes. H.R. 5780. An act to enhance stakeholder outreach to and operational engagement with owners and operators of critical infrastructure and other relevant stakeholders by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to bolster security against acts of terrorism and other homeland security threats, including by maintaining a clearinghouse of security guidance, best practices, and other voluntary content developed by the Agency or aggregated from trusted sources, and for other purposes. H.R. 5804. An act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the Blue Campaign of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. H.R. 5811. An act to require the Transportation Security Administration to provide nursing facilities and paid parental leave for Administration personnel, and for other purposes. H.R. 5822. An act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish an acquisition professional career program, and for other purposes. H.R. 5823. An act to establish a program to make grants to States to address cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats to information systems of State, local, Tribal, or territorial governments, and for other purposes. H.R. 5901. An act to establish a program to facilitate the adoption of modern technology by executive agencies, and for other purposes. H.R. 5954. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 108 West Maple Street in Holly, Michigan, as the ``Holly Veterans Memorial Post Office''. H.R. 5987. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 909 West Holiday Drive in Fate, Texas, as the ``Ralph Hall Post Office''. H.R. 5988. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located in 2600 Wesley Street in Greenville, Texas, as the ``Audie Murphy Post Office Building''. H.R. 6270. An act to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require issuers to make certain disclosures relating to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and for other purposes. H.R. 7340. An act to ensure that personal protective equipment and other equipment and supplies needed to fight coronavirus are provided to employees required to return to Federal offices, and for other purposes. H.R. 7496. An act to require Federal agencies to submit plans for responding to any resurgence of COVID-19, and far other purposes. The message also announced that pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 1011c, and the order of the House of January 3, 2019, the Speaker appoints the following individuals on the part of the House of Representatives to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity for a term of 6 years: Upon the recommendation of the Minority Leader: Dr. Arthur E. Keiser of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Ms. Jennifer Blum of Washington, DC, Mr. Robert G. Mayes. Jr., of Elberta, Alabama; Upon the recommendation of the Majority Leader: Ms. Kathleen Sullivan Alioto of New York, New York, Mr. Robert Shireman of Berkeley, California, Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis of Columbia, South Carolina. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgS6025-4 | null | 1,490 |
formal | terrorism | null | Islamophobic | At 12:20 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H.R. 2454. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 123 East Sharpfish Street in Rosebud, South Dakota, as the ``Ben Reifel Post Office Building''. H.R. 3005. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13308 Midland Road in Poway, California, as the ``Ray Chavez Post Office Building''. H.R. 3680. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 415 North Main Street in Henning, Tennessee, as the ``Paula Croom Robinson and Judy Spray Memorial Post Office Building''. H.R. 4725. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8585 Criterion Drive in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the ``Chaplain (Capt.) Dale Goetz Memorial Post Office Building''. H.R. 4764. An act to reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, and for other purposes. H.R. 4875. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2201 E. Maple Street in North Canton, Ohio, as the ``Lance Cpl. Stacy `Annie' Dryden Post Office''. H.R. 4971. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15 East Market Street in Leesburg, Virginia, as the ``Norman Duncan Post Office Building''. H.R. 5307. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 115 Nicol Avenue in Thomasville, Alabama, as the ``Postmaster Robert Ingram Post Office''. H.R. 5736. An act to direct the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security to develop and disseminate a threat assessment regarding threats to the United States associated with foreign violent white supremacist extremist organizations, and for other purposes. H.R. 5780. An act to enhance stakeholder outreach to and operational engagement with owners and operators of critical infrastructure and other relevant stakeholders by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to bolster security against acts of terrorism and other homeland security threats, including by maintaining a clearinghouse of security guidance, best practices, and other voluntary content developed by the Agency or aggregated from trusted sources, and for other purposes. H.R. 5804. An act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the Blue Campaign of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. H.R. 5811. An act to require the Transportation Security Administration to provide nursing facilities and paid parental leave for Administration personnel, and for other purposes. H.R. 5822. An act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish an acquisition professional career program, and for other purposes. H.R. 5823. An act to establish a program to make grants to States to address cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats to information systems of State, local, Tribal, or territorial governments, and for other purposes. H.R. 5901. An act to establish a program to facilitate the adoption of modern technology by executive agencies, and for other purposes. H.R. 5954. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 108 West Maple Street in Holly, Michigan, as the ``Holly Veterans Memorial Post Office''. H.R. 5987. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 909 West Holiday Drive in Fate, Texas, as the ``Ralph Hall Post Office''. H.R. 5988. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located in 2600 Wesley Street in Greenville, Texas, as the ``Audie Murphy Post Office Building''. H.R. 6270. An act to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require issuers to make certain disclosures relating to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and for other purposes. H.R. 7340. An act to ensure that personal protective equipment and other equipment and supplies needed to fight coronavirus are provided to employees required to return to Federal offices, and for other purposes. H.R. 7496. An act to require Federal agencies to submit plans for responding to any resurgence of COVID-19, and far other purposes. The message also announced that pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 1011c, and the order of the House of January 3, 2019, the Speaker appoints the following individuals on the part of the House of Representatives to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity for a term of 6 years: Upon the recommendation of the Minority Leader: Dr. Arthur E. Keiser of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Ms. Jennifer Blum of Washington, DC, Mr. Robert G. Mayes. Jr., of Elberta, Alabama; Upon the recommendation of the Majority Leader: Ms. Kathleen Sullivan Alioto of New York, New York, Mr. Robert Shireman of Berkeley, California, Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis of Columbia, South Carolina. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgS6025-4 | null | 1,491 |
formal | extremist | null | Islamophobic | The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: H.R. 2454. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 123 East Sharpfish Street in Rosebud, South Dakota, as the ``Ben Reifel Post Office Building''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 3005. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13308 Midland Road in Poway, California, as the ``Ray Chavez Post Office Building''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 3680. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 415 North Main Street in Henning, Tennessee, as the ``Paula Croom Robinson and Judy Spray Memorial Post Office Building''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 4725. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8585 Criterion Drive in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the ``Chaplain (Capt.) Dale Goetz Memorial Post Office Building''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 4875. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2201 E. Maple Street in North Canton, Ohio, as the ``Lance Cpl. Stacy `Annie' Dryden Post Office''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 4971. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15 East Market Street in Leesburg, Virginia, as the ``Norman Duncan Post Office Building''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5307. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 115 Nicol Avenue in Thomasville, Alabama, as the ``Postmaster Robert Ingram Post Office''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5736. An act to direct the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security to develop and disseminate a threat assessment regarding threats to the United States associated with foreign violent white supremacist extremist organizations, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5780. An act to enhance stakeholder outreach to and operational engagement with owners and operators of critical infrastructure and other relevant stakeholders by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to bolster security against acts of terrorism and other homeland security threats, including by maintaining a clearinghouse of security guidance, best practices, and other voluntary content developed by the Agency or aggregated from trusted sources, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5804. An act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the Blue Campaign of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5811. An act to require the Transportation Security Administration to provide nursing facilities and paid parental leave for Administration personnel, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 5822. An act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish an acquisition professional career program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5823. An act to establish a program to make grants to States to address cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats to information systems of State, local, Tribal, or territorial governments, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5954. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 108 West Maple Street in Holly, Michigan, as the ``Holly Veterans Memorial Post Office''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 6270. An act to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require issuers to make certain disclosures relating to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. H.R. 7340. An act to ensure that personal protective equipment and other equipment and supplies needed to fight coronavirus are provided to employees required to return to Federal offices, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 7496. An act to require Federal agencies to submit plans for responding to any resurgence of COVID-19, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgS6025-5 | null | 1,492 |
formal | terrorism | null | Islamophobic | The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: H.R. 2454. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 123 East Sharpfish Street in Rosebud, South Dakota, as the ``Ben Reifel Post Office Building''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 3005. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13308 Midland Road in Poway, California, as the ``Ray Chavez Post Office Building''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 3680. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 415 North Main Street in Henning, Tennessee, as the ``Paula Croom Robinson and Judy Spray Memorial Post Office Building''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 4725. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8585 Criterion Drive in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the ``Chaplain (Capt.) Dale Goetz Memorial Post Office Building''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 4875. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2201 E. Maple Street in North Canton, Ohio, as the ``Lance Cpl. Stacy `Annie' Dryden Post Office''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 4971. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15 East Market Street in Leesburg, Virginia, as the ``Norman Duncan Post Office Building''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5307. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 115 Nicol Avenue in Thomasville, Alabama, as the ``Postmaster Robert Ingram Post Office''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5736. An act to direct the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security to develop and disseminate a threat assessment regarding threats to the United States associated with foreign violent white supremacist extremist organizations, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5780. An act to enhance stakeholder outreach to and operational engagement with owners and operators of critical infrastructure and other relevant stakeholders by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to bolster security against acts of terrorism and other homeland security threats, including by maintaining a clearinghouse of security guidance, best practices, and other voluntary content developed by the Agency or aggregated from trusted sources, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5804. An act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the Blue Campaign of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5811. An act to require the Transportation Security Administration to provide nursing facilities and paid parental leave for Administration personnel, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. H.R. 5822. An act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish an acquisition professional career program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5823. An act to establish a program to make grants to States to address cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats to information systems of State, local, Tribal, or territorial governments, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5954. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 108 West Maple Street in Holly, Michigan, as the ``Holly Veterans Memorial Post Office''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 6270. An act to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require issuers to make certain disclosures relating to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. H.R. 7340. An act to ensure that personal protective equipment and other equipment and supplies needed to fight coronavirus are provided to employees required to return to Federal offices, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 7496. An act to require Federal agencies to submit plans for responding to any resurgence of COVID-19, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgS6025-5 | null | 1,493 |
formal | the Fed | null | antisemitic | FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS 51ST CONVENTION ON OCTOBER 5, 2020, AND RECOGNIZING THE VITAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNITED STATES MADE BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES FOR 103 YEARS Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself and Mr. Cardin) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: S. Res. 744 Whereas the National Federation of Federal Employees (referred to in this preamble as the ``NFFE'') was created in 1917 as the first union in the United States to exclusively represent civil service Federal employees; Whereas the NFFE preserves, promotes, and improves the rights and working conditions of Federal employees and other professionals through all lawful means, including collective bargaining, legislative activities, and contributing to civic and charitable organizations; Whereas the contributions of the NFFE are noted in history through a century of achievements for the Federal labor movement, including numerous reforms to workforce policies and working conditions; Whereas members of the NFFE serve the United States by performing critical functions throughout Federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Federal Aviation Administration, the General Services Administration, the Indian Health Service, the Passport Service of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, and the Corps of Engineers; Whereas, through a partnership with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, the NFFE promotes better working conditions and an improved quality of life for working families across the United States; Whereas the NFFE represents more than 110,000 Federal employees; and Whereas the NFFE continues to ensure that the voices of Federal civil servants are properly represented: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) congratulates and honors the National Federation of Federal Employees on the celebration of its 51st Convention; and (2) recognizes the vital contributions of the members of the National Federal of Federal Employees to the United States during the 103-year period since the founding of the National Federation of Federal Employees. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgS6029-2 | null | 1,494 |
formal | working families | null | racist | FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS 51ST CONVENTION ON OCTOBER 5, 2020, AND RECOGNIZING THE VITAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNITED STATES MADE BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES FOR 103 YEARS Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself and Mr. Cardin) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: S. Res. 744 Whereas the National Federation of Federal Employees (referred to in this preamble as the ``NFFE'') was created in 1917 as the first union in the United States to exclusively represent civil service Federal employees; Whereas the NFFE preserves, promotes, and improves the rights and working conditions of Federal employees and other professionals through all lawful means, including collective bargaining, legislative activities, and contributing to civic and charitable organizations; Whereas the contributions of the NFFE are noted in history through a century of achievements for the Federal labor movement, including numerous reforms to workforce policies and working conditions; Whereas members of the NFFE serve the United States by performing critical functions throughout Federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Federal Aviation Administration, the General Services Administration, the Indian Health Service, the Passport Service of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, and the Corps of Engineers; Whereas, through a partnership with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, the NFFE promotes better working conditions and an improved quality of life for working families across the United States; Whereas the NFFE represents more than 110,000 Federal employees; and Whereas the NFFE continues to ensure that the voices of Federal civil servants are properly represented: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) congratulates and honors the National Federation of Federal Employees on the celebration of its 51st Convention; and (2) recognizes the vital contributions of the members of the National Federal of Federal Employees to the United States during the 103-year period since the founding of the National Federation of Federal Employees. | 2020-01-06 | Unknown | Senate | CREC-2020-10-01-pt1-PgS6029-2 | null | 1,495 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 1153) condemning unwanted, unnecessary medical procedures on individuals without their full, informed consent, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore | House | CREC-2020-10-02-pt1-PgH5657 | null | 1,496 |
formal | XX | null | transphobic | The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Thompson of Mississippi). Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 1154) condemning QAnon and rejecting the conspiracy theories it promotes, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. | 2020-01-06 | The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Thompson of Mississippi) | House | CREC-2020-10-02-pt1-PgH5659 | null | 1,497 |
formal | working families | null | racist | Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the Senate has spent the last few days like all Americans have, praying for quick healing and smooth recovery for President Trump and the First Lady following their positive COVID-19 tests. I spoke to the President by phone twice this past weekend. Both times, his spirits were high. Both times, we talked about the people's business: our Nation's fight against this pandemic; his exceptional nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Barrett; as well as our efforts to continue rebuilding the economy for working families. We are also thinking of our friends and colleagues, the senior Senator for Utah, the senior Senator for Wisconsin, and the junior Senator for North Carolina, who are currently working from home. The standard cliche would say that these past few days have provided a stark reminder of the dangers of this terrible virus, but the truth is that our Nation did not need any such reminder. More than 209,000 of our fellow citizens have lost their lives. Millions have battled illness or had their lives disrupted by positive tests. This past weekend, my home State of Kentucky just recorded its highest ever--highest ever--one-day total for new cases. We all need to remain vigilant. We all need to remain careful. If the Speaker of the House and the Democratic leader had not spent months blocking another bipartisan relief package over unrelated, far-left poison pills, we could have put hundreds of billions more dollars for kids, jobs, and healthcare in the pipeline many weeks ago. For the sake of our Nation, let's hope they finally lay down their partisan demands and let our country get back on offense against this disease. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. McCONNELL | Senate | CREC-2020-10-05-pt1-PgS6033-8 | null | 1,498 |
formal | based | null | white supremacist | Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, I would like to add, on behalf of my Democratic colleagues, the concerns expressed for the President and First Lady, that they recover quickly and fully. Having had coronavirus--likely contracted here when we were working on the CARES Act in March--I understand how tricky this can be and, knowing four people who died of coronavirus, how serious it can be. Our prayer is that this is a mild case, and it passes quickly. I also extend the same concern on behalf of my Democratic colleagues for the Members of the Senate who have recently tested positive and hope that they either have no symptoms or the symptoms pass quickly. I couldn't help but notice, as I came into the Senate today on the subway from the Russell building, that there is an advisory that has been posted for months down at the entrance to the Senate that says that we are trying to follow CDC guidelines, but the advisory placard says nothing about masks--nothing. I have wondered about that as I passed before it in the past, but in light of the experience over the last few days, I think in order to fairly follow science-based guidelines and give people warnings about what they should do to protect their health, we might consider a different placard. Briefly, with respect to the majority leader's comments--I would love to be working on a COVID bill. The House passed a Democratic preferred COVID bill--the Heroes Act--in May. I understand the majority leader and his colleagues find things about it they don't like. There is no expectation that they would just take up the House Democratic bill and pass it, but we waited through May and then June and then July and then August, until finally, in mid to late September, the majority put a bill on the floor that we viewed, frankly, as insufficient. It contained no funds for State and local government aid, no funds for rental or mortgage assistance, no funds for SNAP benefits or food aid. It would have stricken State laws, such as those that had been passed in Virginia to try to provide a workplace safety standard for people returning to work in the days of COVID. We voted the bill down, as the majority leader knows, but we did so with the expectation that that no vote would function much like the no vote in March functioned when we came in on a Sunday and we voted down a partisan proposal, and a few days later, we had a bipartisan proposal--the CARES Act--that has helped millions and millions of Americans, small businesses, hospitals, families. We hope that no vote would lead to the same negotiation that could potentially find a solution for Americans who are still looking for relief, but the majority wants to now move to a different topic. They want to now speed through a Supreme Court nomination with an unprecedented speed and, indeed, an unprecedented process. I understand that the majority leader might categorize the Democrats' concerns about proceeding at a time of great sickness as a procedural trick, but I don't think there is any unreasonableness to a Judiciary Committee member's request that a hearing on the single most important appointment that the Senate might make should be done in person. If it is done in person, it should be done in person in a way that is safe. That is the request the Democrats would have and that we continue to believe would be in accord with the institution's norms but also the best thing for the safety of all Members. I yield the floor. | 2020-01-06 | Mr. KAINE | Senate | CREC-2020-10-05-pt1-PgS6034 | null | 1,499 |
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